BY
R. A. CURPHEY, B.A.
THE CASTLETOWN ARTIFICERS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY was the second of the three Castletown friendly societies and the eleventh of the forty-one local friendly societies which were formed in the Isle of Man in the first half of the Nineteenth century. At that time the Island was beginning to move from " a largely peasant economy based on fishing and farming to a fully commercial economy."1 Although most of these societies had a life of only about forty to fifty years, they spanned the 150 years of this economic change the first was found in 1790 and the last is still in existence. They helped to ease the hardships involved in the gap between the collapse of the laws and customs of the old peasant community and the development of institutions appropriate to the new commercial society.
The peasant community placed the responsibility for the care of the poor, the sick and the old firmly on the family, and the customary laws were reinforced by the discipline of the Church. When a servant fell sick "his master or mistress was bound to keep him for the space of one month in their house . . . and afterwards the servant's friends or relations" were "bound to take him away and look to him ". The law also provided that " old, decrepit and sick persons shall have the benefit of one of their children which they like best . . . for their better support, releefe and lyvlihood"2 When a poor person had relations able to support him, and who neglected to do so, these were brought before the ecclesiastical court as neglecting a Christian duty, and the court settled what allowance they should make."3 In addition the churchwardens were entrusted with the task of distributing the interest of parish bequests and the collections taken at Easter, Whit, Michaelmass and Christmas. The Archdiaconal visitation of 1757 shows that in most parishes the bequests were small, a few in kind, and that the collections averaged about ten shillings.
But in all probability little action was required. The main danger in a peasant community was the failure of the harvest, and then all suffered as in 1740, though not equally. The 1757 visitation again shows that some churchwardens took care to keep " the greatest part of the Easter and Whitsuntide collections . . . till the month of July, when the poor are oftenest in want of bread".4 When harvests were normal, however, the situation must have been much as Bishop Crigan saw it in 1793 : " that the generality of the people of this Island cannot in propriety of speech be deemed abjectly poor or indigent as to the bare necessities of life in a homely way, - we are not much troubled with the sight or cries of common beggars."5 Thomas Quayle found " during four months residence in the island " he " was but once accosted by a common beggar", and that "on enquiry he could not hear of a single instance within memory of any person, at least not an instance of a native, having perished from want."6 Santon in 1796 had nine paupers ; of whom two were insane and the rest, though old and infirm, were able in some degree to support themselves.7
But even while the Bishop and Quayle were writing the old peasant society was beginning to disintegrate. The population was increasing rapidly, from about 28,000 in 1792 to about 40,000 in 1821. Such a growth before new industries were developed, which Mr. Birch dates from 1830, was bound to strain the available food supplies and thus the social bonds. This strain may well have been intensified by the consolidation of estates which was apparently proceeding before 1791.8 The towns were taking some of the surplus population and growing rapidly. In Douglas by 1814 the machinery of the Church was no longer adequate " to cope with the large amount of destitution and misery that then existed ".9 The Manks Advertiser reported : " The multitude of beggars all over the island have become a public nuisance ", and sheep stealing enormously increased.10 In 1796 the clergy sadly agreed that the effectiveness of church sanctions was declining,11 although in that year they were able to secure a decision whereby two nephews were ordered to support their uncle alternately.12 In the period 1841-6 this power was still available to the Church but the necessity to apply compulsion was by then " of frequent occurrence " according to Bishop Short.13 No doubt also the English radical virtues of enterprise, efficiency, speed and most of all economy were beginning to find acceptance in the Island. A hint of this is to be seen in one of McCrone's complaints to the Duke in the early twenties that Quayle, the previous agent, had been in the habit of adding another name to the list when one of the Duke's pensioners died, to the great detriment of the Duke's revenue.
It was in these circumstances of economic stress and changing social standards that the friendly societies were founded. Indeed their formation well illustrates the penetration of English ideas for they were formed on the model of the English societities which had been legalised in 1793, and of which there were some 7,000 in 1801. In this respect the Castletown Artificers' Society appears to have been no exception, for, although no constitution nor rule book have yet been found, the evidence of the two main sources, the minute book of 1897 to 1913 and the newspapers of the Nineteenth century, suggests the normal organisation and pattern of development of these societies.
In order to join a man had usually to be between the age of twenty and thirty-five, and live in a defined locality. He may have had to pay an initiation fee (the Artificers exacted such a fee in 1894)14 and thereafter at the monthly meeting pay the subscription standard to all members. The Artificers' subscription at its foundation is not known, but at that time the Onchan Society's monthly subscription was 1/- out of a workman's income of £3.15 By the end of the Nineteenth century the Artificer paid an annual subscription of 21/-. Falling into arrears for 26 weeks incurred a fine of 1/-, and for 12 months a fine of 1/- and the production of a certificate of good health. Once a year the members elected their officials, a President, secretary, two wardens and two stewards, and the committee of nine of which the first four officials were ex-officio members. The Artificers' election took place at the December meeting, and they were thus constituted in 1897. Besides presiding over meetings the President also acted with the stewards as joint treasurers of the Society, and held one of the keys of the stewards' box. In the box was kept the cash, books, bills, receipts of the society. It was usually locked with four locks, one on the inside, the key of which was held by the president, and three on the outside, the keys being held by the two stewards and the secretary.16 The stewards' function was to receive subscriptions, see the sick and pay out such benefits as were due from the funds in the box. The wardens' duties were principally to maintain order at the meetings, especially at the pay table, by not permittting more than two members to go to the table at a time. The wardens themselves were liable to fine or exclusion for permitting a breach of the rules.416Of the officials the stewards were paid £1 each and the Secretary £3 per year.
The benefits of the society met most hazards but not that of unemployment. In 1880 sickness benefit was 10/- per week when a craftsman's wage was between 25/- and 30/- per week.17 By 1894 a second rate of 4/- had been introduced, and a member went on to this rate after some time (unknown) on the full rate. By this time too a medical officer was paid a retainer to attend the members."18 The society also maintained its pensioners, but the qualification for a pension and the amount cannot be determined. It would appear that one qualification was sickness, for in 1906 it was proposed that pensioners should be able to draw sick benefit for five years only ; then after being off the box for five years, they could draw a further pension for three years. By this time widows were not entitled to a pension, but the original rules had clearly provided under article 14 a widow's pension of two guineas annually for life.19A Chancery petition of 1856 shows that this rule had been altered in 1842 so that a widow was entitled to one guinea annually for ten years if the Society's funds amounted to £400. This rule was again altered in 1853 to reduce the period of the annuity to five years.20 In addition a widow received a lump sum of £3 on the death of her husband, and the member, £10 on the death of his wife.
The Rules of 1897 governing sickness benefit, anticipating later regulations, were framed and so administered as to keep calls on the Box to a minimum, but not so rigidly as to lack compassion. A claim for sick benefit had to be supported within three days by a doctor's certificate and be renewed monthly. Late claims had to be considered by the Committee. In addition a member on sick pay was not allowed to work at his trade, become intoxicated or frequent public houses, nor be out in the evening, under pain of fine or suspension. In 1898 one member was reported for working while drawing off the funds. The stewards were ordered to enquire and when the member pleaded ignorance of the rules he lost two weeks sick pay. On the other hand, however, in one case when a member was sick and his wife was unable to forward the necessary certificate the stewards saw that a blank certificate was sent to her, and the Committee agreed to pay the two weeks sick pay which had been stopped. In this way Thomas Quayle's claim was substantiated that local societies " are peculiarly adapted to a small district . . . where the confined state of society will naturally produce constant watchfulness of one member over another, and therefore check abuses in the bud."21The Society probably averaged an annual expenditure in benefits of over £100 a year for about fifty years. During the decades of 1850 the figure was probably nearer £200 when the first generation of members were making their heaviest calls on the Box. A second peak occurred in 1874 when the figure reached nearly £260.
The business of the Society was managed at the monthly meeting which took place at 8.0 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the club room (now the rifle range) of the George Hotel. The presence of seven members was necessary to deal with any business other than the receipt of subscriptions, and, in the absence of the President, the members could elect a chairman for the evening. The business consisted of the collection of subscriptions and fines, the consideration and payment of benefits, notification of illness and death, and management of their capital. The average attendance for 1897 was nine and by 1911 this had fallen to six.
The monthly meeting also fulfilled a secondary object of the society, to provide the occasion for convivial gatherings. In some English societies it was customary for a part of the subscription to be spent on beer. There is no evidence for this practice in the Artificers' Society, but in 1858 the Mona's Herald scolded one unnamed society for using its funds to meet the expenses of its annual dinner. Public house keepers also were foremost in England in promoting the formation of friendly societies, obviously for the benefit of the custom, and it is significant that the second mention of the Artificers in the Sun of 1824 reveals that Thomas Kneen, host of the George, was president of the Society. Usually no rent was charged for the club room, the innkeper recouping himself by the sale of beer, but by 1890 the Artificers paid a rent of £3. The great occasion, however, in the Artificers' year was what came to be known in Castletown as Club Day. One item of the business for the March monthly meeting was to discuss the arrangements for the celebration of the Society's anniversary. By rule 20 members had to be notified by circular of these arrangements, and the same rule also required the attendance on the day fixed of all members, other than the pensioners and those living outside a radius of five miles from Castletown. Non-attendance incurred a fine of 5/-. The procedure soon settled down into a regular pattern. The anniversary was celebrated on Holy Thursday. The members wearing their sashes and bouquets assembled at the Green. Then carrying their staves and the banners displaying their two mottoes marched in procession, headed by a band, at first their own, to St. Mary's Chapel. There a sermon on an appropriate text was delivered by the Society's chaplain ; the text for 1824 was : " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is brethren, to dwell together in unity." After the service the procession was reformed and paraded the streets of the town, calling at the houses of the gentry and those of the honorary members. At about 2.0 p.m. the procession returned to the Square where by that time the Arbory and Malew Societies had arrived. The bands of the three societies then took it in turn to play until about 3.0 p.m. when the Societies dispersed to the hotels to eat their dinners. In 1895 the Sun commented: " That at the George for the tradesmen would be good, but to dine at the Union with the " bhoys " from the country - that was the treat." Some idea of the occasion may be gathered from the food consumed by 120 members of the Maughold Society in 1858 : " 120 pounds of beef ; 2 fat sheep . . . four calves . . . 30 fowls as plump and fat as need be, 40 pounds of high dried ham to flavour the same ; 30 loaves, good tin sixpennies ; 1 cwt. of potatoes . . . and to help all on the way, 18 gallons of ale. This was the first course . . . Then came the puddings, composed of 24 cwts. of flour . . . ¼ cwt. of sugar, ¼cwt. of currants, do. of rice, 9 lbs. of suet, 3 lbs. of lard, 2 lbs. of butter, 50 eggs, 8 galls. of milk, 2 lb. each of pepper, mustard and spice ; 3 lbs. of salt and three pints of rum for sauce."22 After the usual toasts interspersed with entertainment the President or Secretary read a report on the Society's affairs of the past year. The official proceedings ended at about 10.0 p.m., but not always with the " Unanimity, Concord and Peace " that one of the Artificers' motto enjoined, for in 1859 it was reported that the day closed with greater order than on former occasions. The last such Club Day took place in 1891. Thereafter the anniversary was celebrated by a church service in the evening usually at 6.0 p.m., followed by dinner at the George. The last celebration of this kind was held in 1897. An effort was made to revive the anniversary in 1903 but this failed.
The Sun's report of 1895 of the club dinners indicates clearly that the character of the Artificers Society was by then different from the old type society. By this time the Society was composed of most of the leading business men of the town, a number of them active in town affairs. Of the 55 mentioned in the minutes whose profession can be determined, 8 were tailors, 7 masons, 4 saddlers, 4 painters, 3 drapers, 3 bootmakers and 3 joiners. This development was foreshadowed first in the Herald's comment in 1851 on the Society's composition: " This is a very excellent club . . . many of them very intelligent men," and, secondly, by the ability with which they were able to surmount their financial crisis of the late 1850s.
This threat to their existence was common to all the local societies, and the Herald in 1858 reported that " some of the clubs were entirely bankrupt; while others were wading through monetary difficulties toward the same bourne." We have already seen that the Artificers in 1853 were feeling the strain and had tried to reduce their commitments by halving the widow's pension. By 1879, counting in the Laxey Miners' Club, there were only 20 societies left.23 The Old Castletown Friendly Society, which was in existence before 1809, had dissolved in 1835,24 and the Castletown Philanthropic, which was founded in 1824,25 received its last mention in the papers in 1860. The usual life of one of these societies was approximately the working life of the first members, about forty years. Joining between the ages of 20 and 30, the members' demands on the funds were at first small, but as they grew older so the pressure on the Box increased and benefits were reduced. Parson Ferrier, in 1870, " gave an instance of a man who belonged to a society ... who, now that he laid on a bed of sickness, received a pittance of 6d. per week."26Young men were discouraged from joining by cases of this sort, and if they did join, did so at the latest possible age, aggravating the situation. More often they set up a new society, with the same inherent defects, or established another society by an " act of schism," as in the case of the Ramsey Amicable Society, when in 1818 " the junior members of the old club thought proper to eject the old members, considering them ... the drones in the hive."27Such was the disaster by which the societies were overwhelmed in the 'fifties that a Bill was originated in the Council and sent down to the Keys for the incorporation of the Charitable Societies. The Bill was rejected, probably on the Herald's grounds that " all associations of the sort should control their own affairs in their own way, by rules and by laws voluntarily adopted, without legislative interference."28
The Artificers in the 'fifties were in this crisis of falling membership, increasing commitments and inability to meet them out of revenue, so that capital stock had to be used. In 1832 the expenditure on benefits was £13; in 1844 it was £109, and by 1851 it was over £200. The next figure we have is that of £119 in 1862, so that the chart shows a decline in the 'fifties. The decline in capital, however, indicates that the expenses must have continued to increase from 1851, probably reaching a peak about the middle or late 'fifties, followed by a decline to the 1862 figure. Between 1851 and 1864, the membership fell by 50 - almost 30 per cent. At the same time the capital dropped by £148.
The Herald's analysis in 1858 of this general decay was " that the funds in general had not been managed judiciously, and with that degree of prudence and economy which provident men are accustomed to bestow upon their own private concerns." . . . " One great defect in managing the funds has been the loans made to the members of clubs, taking no security but the promissory notes of the borrowers. These notes are laid up in the archives of the society as so much money, and reported upon as funds in hand ... these notes in the end often come to be valueless ... in other cases the funds are very imperfectly secured on old, dilapidated houses, which are growing worse every year and will soon crumble to ruins and the security be gone." In addition, the Herald complained of the foolishness of one club which spent nearly £30 " for luxury and display."28 While these were operative causes, it was left to four Castletown men, one of whom was the President of the Artificers in 1856, at the time of the Chancery petition, to point out the main cause of the societies' decline. In a pamphlet issued in 1860, entitled " Observations on Friendly Societies," they pointed out the erroneous principle on which the clubs were founded - " the principle of equal contributions from members joining at different ages has now proved to be inequitable and unfair, and Societies formed on such a principle are shewn by statistics of sickness and life which have been carefully collected and studied within the last twenty years, to have the seeds of dissolution sown in them at their formation. . . . Now the probable length of sickness of men at different ages has been, by the Statistics we have mentioned, reduced to as great a degree of certainty as the average duration of life, and Friendly Societies have now the opportunity of arranging the payment to be made by persons joining at different ages on such a scale as will meet the amount of sickness the person is likely to be subject to."29 The first reliable sets of statistics were published in 1845, and these were followed in 1850 by tables published by the Secretary of the Odd Fellows, based on the experience of that Order. The pamphlet then proposed the formation of the Castletown District Friendly Society on the basis of graduated subscription according to age and three grades of occupation. The new Society was to include the neighbouring parishes and incorporate the existing clubs, the members having their interest in the old club actuarially determined and deducted from their contributions to the new. In May 1861 he a public meeting was held in Castletown to decide on the formation of the new Society; its principles were published, a provisional committee elected and the list for membership opened.30 The proposed new Society failed, but the initiative was not lost.
The Rev. T. H. Gill, of Malew, had prepared a study on the " Origin, Constitution and Decline of Manx Friendly Societies." (Sadly, only a summary of this has survived). In May 1861, he was invited to address the Artificers at their Club Day dinner. He recommended the club to employ an actuary and ascertain the true position of their affairs. Following this advice, the Artificers held a special meeting and decided to "communicate with an actuary in England, in order to ascertain the interest of each member, giving him the number of members and the amount of capital in the Society, with the ages and length of time each member has been in the Society."31Shortly afterwards the Society was reorganised - probably between 1864 and 1867, but exactly when and on what basis cannot be determined. The Herald reported in 1867 that the Society was " in a very flourishing condition, a large number of new members having joined and about twenty more being about to do so." In 1876 the Times reported that " several young tradesmen in the town have recently joined its ranks." Its capital also once more began to increase, and the Times in 1879 attributed " the present prosperity of the Society . . . to the judicious steps taken by the officers in a time when doubts were hinted as to the permanency of the Society." It proceeded: " The wisdom of the measures then taken has been fully manifested, and too much praise cannot be given to the Secretary in particular, for the unwearied efforts made." The secretary, J. F. Kermode, by trade a confectioner, held this position certainly from 1874 to 1886, and probably longer. He was a driving force behind the reorganisation, and in 1876, at the Club Dinner, read an analysis (unfortunately lost) of the " state of the Society twenty years ago, and at the present time, which gave great satisfaction.",32 The reading (at the Club Dinner) of an account of the Society's progress was normal practice for the Artificers, and the surviving accounts are the principal source of evidence for the Society's affairs.
This satisfaction, however, was not well founded. In 1888 only 54 out of 80 members took part in the procession.33 In 1889 there was some grumbling at losing a day's work for Club Day, and the Times reporter noted that " many of the members are well advanced in age."34 The financial account also showed a loss, to begin a downward trend. In 1892 the traditional Club Day was abandoned, and at the dinner in 1893 the chief speakers appealed to the members not to break up the Club, the High Bailiff saying " he was very much astonished when he heard the other day that such a thought was entertained.35 The reorganisation of the early 'sixties had not been good enough to ensure a steady flow of new young members. By the 1890's the second generation of Artificers were nearing the end of their working lives. Another decision of 1861 probably also helped to undermine the Artificers. In 1853 the Annual Moveable Committee of the Odd Fellows decided to adopt the new graduated scales of payment.;36 It did not enforce acceptance of these on the Lodges, but the advantages soon became obvious. In 1861 the Castletown lodge " adopted the graduated scale of payment according to age, and two classes of benefit ""37; and, while the Artificers decreased in number, the Odd Fellows continued to increase: 145 in 1877,38 they were 162 in 1881,39 while the Island total increased from 1,867 in 1877, 38 to 3,112 in 1897.40 The report of the Moveable Committee of the Rechabites which assembled in Douglas in 1856, shows that they had also got themselves out of financial difficulties. It reads: " For years past, gloom and depression hung over the Order, threatening its utter dissolution; and in spite of every effort, pecuniary embarrassment seemed to increase.... But how changed is the state of things before us, with no incumbrance by way of debts and liabilities, but on the contrary a surplus in the treasurer's hands."41In that year, the Island membership stood at 451; in 1888 there were over 2,600 adult members.42 The advantages of the large organisation, closer approximation to average incidence of sickness, had been recognised in the Castletown Pamphlet of 1860. In addition, " the industrial assurance business expanded very rapidly after 1875 Between 1878 and 1887 the annual income from premiums in this field increased from about £1½ million to about £4 million.43The local gentry and clergy in the Island preached the advantages of insurance, and the dissolution of the Douglas Artificers in 1873 was partly attributed to the improved facilities for life and accident insurance.44
The inevitable decision was reached in December 1899. A special meeting was called to consider the advisability of admitting new members. By a vote of 14 to 2 " it was decided not to do so ". Thereafter the life of the Society was but a question of time. The numbers continued to decrease, and in May 1906 the first serious attempt to dissolve the Society was initiated. The motion in the June meeting was carried by 22 to 3, but in the July meeting the appointed liquidators pointed out that the decision was invalid as the necessary two-thirds of the members had not been present. It was normal practice for societies to make dissolution difficult. For example rule 25 of the Kirk Santon Concordant Society stated " That the Society shall never be dissolved whilst three members thereof are living, . . . Any member proposing its dissolution, or the appropriating of the stock to any other purpose . . . shall be fined £1 ",45
The Artificers' Society continued to languish. It lost £441-14-0 in the failure of Dumbell's bank. It had to repair houses in which it had invested : it also lost substantially on the sale of property it had bought in the hope of saving their interest in it. The total annual subscription paid at the monthly meetings fell from £74-4-6 in 1897 to £36-12-6 in 1912.
The Society's next major concern was to celebrate their centenary due on the 2nd March, 1913. A summoned meeting was called for February. It decided to appoint a committee of six to fix the date and manner of the celebration, £20 being allowed for the purpose. The May meeting agreed that the members go for a motor drive round the Island, having the necessary refreshments for the day, and that a sum not exceeding £20 be taken from the funds to defray the cost. The committee suggested June 9th as the date. (Actual date, June 10th.)
The same meeting also decided to notify all members to attend the June meeting to consider the advisability of dissolving. This meeting resolved by 16 to 5 to terminate the Society on the 30th June, that the funds be divided equally amongst the members, and that the liquidators, the President, Stewards and Secretary be paid a fee of £10. Eventually each member was paid a dividend of £46-1-0. The last general meeting of the members was held on the 17th June, 1913, to confirm the decision to dissolve. The last business of this meeting, however, was to pass the cost of the centenary celebration, £16-5-5.
RULES OF THE CASTLETOWN ARTIFICERS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Rule 2 (c) Composition of Committee : That number " nine " be substituted for " seven " after the words " a Committee of
" and the words " two wardens " be struck out.
(d) To add : " In the event of any of the officers elected, at the December meeting, refusing to act, such office shall
be declared vacant ; and a fresh election shall take place at the first meeting following."
Rule 4 To add: "In the absence of the President, the members present elect a chairman for that evening." Amendments as proposed and carried, March 1897.
Rule 5 First sentence in last clause to read : "They shall also act along with the President, as Treasurers to the Society."
Amendment as proposed and carried, March 1897.
Rule 6 Committee authorised " to do such other things as are conducive to well-being of club ".
Minutes September 1900.
Rule 7 That Balance Sheet having been audited and found correct, be printed and circulated among members.
Minutes February 1906.
Lines 6, 7, 8 and 9, to the word "required ", to be struck out. After the word "signed" in line 11, the following to be inserted : " by at least five of the officers for the current year."
Amendments as proposed and carried, February 1897.
Rule 14 (a) "Any member during the time of his receiving such weekly allowance, that should be known to follow his trade or profession, or become intoxicated, or frequent public houses, upon proof being given to the Committee, or a majority thereof, shall be liable to suspension from all benefit for the term of three months, or a fine not exceeding 21/-, at the discretion of the Committee." Addition to Rule 14(a), February, 1897.
(d) "No member while drawing off the Funds of the Society be out after the hour of five o'clock in the evening between the first of October and the thirty-first of March ; nor after the hour of nine o'clock in the evening between the first of April and the thirtieth of September in each and every year."
Amendment carried, March 1897.
Rule 15 (b) Arrears exceeding 26 weeks accepted on payment of a fine of 1/-.
Twelve months' arrears necessitated a fine of 1/- and production of certificate of good health.
Members in arrears, notified to no effect, to be struck off membership.
Rule 16 Steward on non-receipt of renewal of doctor's certificate to stop sick pay pending instructions from Committee. Rule 17 Claims for sick benefit with doctor's certificate stating nature of illness to be submitted within three days. Late claims to be considered by the Committee. " Certificates to be renewed monthly when on full allowance, and afterwards when required by the Officers."
Rule 20 Required notice by circular to every member of meeting to discuss the celebration of the club's anniversary. Nonattendance at the anniversary dinner incurred a fine of 5/(which was to include the cost of the dinner) except for the " superannuated " and those " living outside a radius of five miles from Castletown ".
Rule 22 " That the Society cannot be dissolved except it be decided upon to do so by at least two thirds of the members present at a meeting called for the purpose, and of which due notice has been given."
Unnumbered Rules
Seven members constituted a quorum to deal with business at a monthly meeting.
Members had to give a month's notice of intention to move a resolution.
Stewards, who were not ex-officio members of the Committee, could on occasions be called in to act in Committee.
Name Founded
1. Isle of Man Friendly Society 1790
2. Douglas Philanthropic Society Pre-1834
*3. Arbory Friendly Society Pre-1830
4. Ballaugh Friendly Society 1826
5. Marown Friendly Society 1809
*6. Onchan Friendly Society 1810
7. Strangford Union Society 1822
8. Abbeyland Friendly Society Pre-1834
9. Castletown Philanthropic Society 1824
10. Isle of Man Sisterly Society 1816
*11. Castletown Artificers' Friendly Society 1813
12. Ballasalla Friendly Society 1828
*13. Kirk Michael Friendly Society 1810
14. Peel Town Friendly Society Pre-1813
15. Braddan Amicable Society Pre-1838
*16. Kirk Patrick Benefit Society Pre-1838
*17. Santon Concordant Society 1814
18. Lark Hill Friendly Society Pre-1838
*19. Baldwin Friendly Society Pre-1838
*20. Jurby Friendly Society Pre-1839
21. Lezayre Friendly Society 1833
*22. Ramsey Amicable Society 1818
*23. St. John's Friendly Society 1815
*24. Kirk Andreas Benefit Society 1812
*25. Peel Artificers' Friendly Society 1833
*26. Bride Friendly Society 1833
*27. Rushen Friendly Society 1811
*28. Colby Friendly Society Pre-1830
29. Ramsey Philanthropic Society 1795
*30. Laxey Patriotic Society 1826
31. Rushen Female Society c. 1843
32. Foxdale Benefit Society 1850
*33. Renshent Union Society 1850
*34. Malew Friendly Society 1830
*35. Maughold Friendly Society 1814 36. Lonan Parish Club
37. Douglas Artificers' Friendly Society 1811
38. Primitive Methodist Benevolent Society ?
39. Labourers' Friendly Society Pre-1835
*40. Laxey Miners' Sick Club
41. Old Friendly Society of Castletown Pre-1809
*Provident Societies and Clubs as returned to the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission 1879.
(1) The Isle of Man, A Study in Economic Geography, J. W. Birch, C.U.P. p. 183.
(2) A. W. Moore, History of the Isle of Man, vol. i, (1900), p. 292-3.
(3) A. W. Moore, Diocesan Histories, Sodor and Man, S.P.C.K. (1893), p. 273-4.
(4)Manx Museum Mss. 791C.
(5) Athol Papers, 116 (2nd)-7.
(6) Thomas Quayle, General View of the Agriculture of the Isle of Man, Bulmer
& Co., (1812), p. 32.
(7) Athol Papers, 102 (2nd)-30.
(8) A. W. Moore, History of the Isle of Man, vol. ii, p. 550.
(9) A. W. Moore, op. cit., p. 556.
(10) A. W. Moore, op. cit., p. 553.
(11) A. W. Moore, Diocesan Histories, Sodor and Man, S.P.C.K. (1893), p. 253.
(12) Annals of the Isle of Man, Pub. Fargher.
(13) A. W. Moore, op. cit., p. 274.
(14) I.O.M. Times, 5th May, 1894.
(15) Thomas Quayle, op. cit., p. 152-3.
(16) Manx Museum Mss. D 126/3, Rules and Orders of the Benevolent Society of Andreas, Articles xxii and xxiv.
(17) Brown's Directory, p. 230.
(18) I.O.M. Times, 4th May, 1894.
(19) Manx Sun, 4th Oct., 1856.
(20) Chancery Petitions, 1856-7.
(21) Thomas Quayle, op. cit., p. 150-1.
(22) Manx Sun, 22nd May, 1858,
(23) Number as returned to Medical and Poor Relief Commission, 1879, Brown's Directory, p. 230-33.
(24) Mona's Herald, 24th Aoril, 1835.
(25) The Rising Sun, 1st June, 1824.
(26) Mona's Herald, 22nd June, 1870. (Foxdale's Oddfellows' Anniversary).
(27) Mona's Herald, 22nd June, 1859.
(28) Mona's Herald, 2nd June, 1858.
(29) Manx Museum Mss. D 126/3, J.
(30) Mona's Herald, 1st and 8th May, 186 1.
(31) Mona's Herald, 15th May, 1861.
(32) Sun, 27th May, 1876,
(33) Sun, 12th May, 1888.
(34) LO.M. Times, 1st June, 1889.
(35) Mona's Herald, 17th May, 1893.
(36) p, H. J. H. Gosden, The Friendly Societies in England, 1815-75. Manchester, 1960, p. 107.
(37) Mona's Herald, 15th May, 1861. (38) Mona's Herald, 6th June, 1877.
(39) Brown's Directory, 1882, p. 258.
(40) Manx Museum Mss. D 126/4/3, p. 13.
(41) Manx Museum Mss. D 126/5/2, p. 11.
(42) Manx Museum Mss. D 126/3, p. 4-5.
(43) Gosden, op. cit., p. 215.
(44) Mona's Herald, May, 21st, 1873.
(45) Manx Museum Mss. D 126, p. 17.
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Any comments, errors or omissions
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