The PRESENT STATE of 
Doctor Steevens's Hospital;
Together, with a Scheme to enlarge the Fund, for the Maintenance and 
Cure of 300 Sick Persons. 
DOCTOR Richard Steevens, an Eminent Physician of Dublin, did in the 
Year 1710, by his last Will, bequeath to his Sister Mrs. Grizel Steevens, 
all his real Estate, to the Value of 600l. per Ann. or thereabouts, for her 
Life: And after her Decease to erect and endow an Hospital, near Dublin, 
for the Maintenance and Cure of the sick, and wounded, curable Poor of 
this Kingdom.
Mrs. Grizel Steevens, out of regard to her Brother’s Memory, and be- 
ing desirous to promote so great a Charity, did, soon after her Brother's Decease, purchase 
Lands in a proper Place near this City, and begin to build a fair and convenient Hospital; 
But much larger than her Brother’s Fortune could endow, in hopes that such People whom 
God had blelss’d with Wealth, and charitable Minds, might be moved to contribute to, and 
compleat so pious a Design. 
This Lady, assisted by the Legacies of some, and the Donations of others, finished more 
than two Thirds of the Building, and furnished some Parts of it, with all Things necessary 
for the Entertainment of Forty Sick Persons: Which Number she is pleased to maintain 
and provide for during her Life.
The Governors (who are a Corporation by Act of Parliament) willing to compleat what 
was left unfinshed by Mrs. Steevens, did set about a Charitable Subscription, whereby 
they soon raised near 1500l. which has been expended towards finishing the Building. 
The Building is now compleat, and capable of receiving 300 Sick Persons or more, when 
sufficient Benefactions shall be made for their Support. 
In order to provide the sooner for so large a Number, it is Proposed, that the Beds, over 
and above what may be supported by the full Income of Dr. Steevens's Charity, benum- 
bred: and each Number be endow’d for ever singly, by such Persons as are disposed to pro- 
mote so charitable a Work. 
That each Bed, so numbred and endowed, shall have the respective Benefador’s Name 
affixed to it; And that such Benefactor his Heirs and Assigns for ever shall have a Right, from 
Time to Time, to recommend to their respective vacant Bed; provided the Patients re- 
commended be within the Laws and Rules of the Hospital.
An Estimate having been made, it is found that the Sum of 200l. Sterl. or ten Pounds 
per Ann. is sufficient to endow one Bed for ever, so as to provide it with Bedding, Diet, 
Attendance, Medicines, Nurse keeper, Coals, Candles and Washing. 
And because there are many Persons very charitably disposed who are not able to lay out 
the Sum of 200l. it is farther proposed that two, three, or four Persons joining may en- 
dow one Bed, whereby Each of them, their Heirs and Assigns, may have two, three, or 
four Turns of Recommendation in one Year, and so on for ever. 
Upon this Scheme, a Sum of Money hath already been given, and it is hoped, that in a 
little Time, such farther Endowments will be made, as may provide for the Recovery of 
great Numbers of poor decay’d  House-keepers. Tradesmen, and Labourers, who by Sickness, 
or Hurts, are disabled from earning Bread, for the Support of their numerous and perishing 
Families.
This Hospital was opened, for the Reception of Mrs. Steevens's Charity, on the 23d of 
July, 1733. And since that Time, to the Date hereof, there have been cured and discharged, 
of wounded, maimed, sick and diseased Persons, out of this City, and other Parts of the 
Kingdom,-277
Buried after much Charge in their Illness,-25
Remain under Cure, at the Charge of the Hospital,-39
N.B. Any poor Persons labouring under sudden Accidents, Fevers, or Pleurisies, will be 
received on any Day, and Hour, (provided there be Room) without the usual Certificates.
Dated at Dr. Steevens's Hospital
the 10th. of Jan 1734-5 
Signed by Order, 
Mic. Wills,