[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]

(11) Peel Friendly Society, 1802 -1848

Description

Neither rules nor main record books survive for this third, chronologically, of the main town Friendly Societies, following Douglas, 1790 and Ramsey, 1795. Robert Curphey in his paper on the Castletown Artificers and the Manx Friendly Society movement lists only two societies for Peel, and none of Peel's historians mention them in their published works.

Seven letters only, from the Secretary to the Club's bankers, instructing them on the arrangement of the Club's funds in a Castletown bank, deposited in the Museum Library as part of the Quayle of Bridge House papers in the 1930's, record the sound state of finances from 1803 to 1806, and the names of the substantial secretaries of that period - John Corris followed by Robert Moore, father of John Robert Moore, High Bailiff of Peel, 1853-1884.

The society is mentioned only occasionally in the newspaper; in 1823 reporting the anniversary meeting and the preaching of the Bishop, an honorary member, and, for the last time, in 1838. It is not mentioned as in operation in the 1879 Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report.

Records

M.N.H.L., M.M.Mss., 2340C;
Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra

Publications

...

Later research (by F.P.C.)

The newspaper account of the Bishop's preaching within the anniversary meeting on Ascension Day in 1823 is remarkable for its prose and the apparent polite feelings towards the Bishop, the young nephew of the Duke of Atholl - some two years later he would be chased off Island to be shortly followed by his uncle.

Manks Advertiser, 15th May 1823;

Thursday last being Ascension Day, several Friendly Societies throughout the Island, held their Anniversaries. It gives us sincere pleasure to record, that these useful Institutions meet with the cordial countenance and support of our patriotic Diocesan. He attended the Anniversary of the Friendly Society at Peel, last Thursday, and preached a most excellent sermon upon the occasion. The subject was taken from the 4th chap. of St. John, 15th and 16th verses— "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."— Whence his Lordship made a most solemn and impressive appeal to the reason and affections of the congregation. He delineated the features of true christian charity in a style of very superior eloquence, and depicted the aspect of genuine benevolence in the most fascinating colours. He not only shewed what charity was, but what it was not; drawing with the nicest line of demarkation, the boundaries between that affectation of kindness, which proceeds from a spirit of ostentation merely, from that emotion of coelestial origin which emanated from the fountain of "every good and perfect gift," the sacred unction of the blessed spirit of God. Thus uniting faith and works as inseparable concomitants in every pious work; he shewed in the most glowing tints, the vast transcendency of religious principle over every inferior denomination of humane or social feeling. His application of the subject to the society present, as well as with respect to the great utility of such associations in general, was replete with sound information, and the unsophisticated energy which strong common sense urged by sincere religious feeling never fails to inspire.

Upon his Lordship's leaving the church, the society having awaited him at the gate, formed themselves into a crescent, to salute him as he passed, when the President, Mr. Higgins, in the most respectful terms, addressed his Lordship—thanked him for his kind condescension in favouring them with his presence and ghostly counsel, invited him to honor them with the grace of his company to dinner, &c. — which his Lordship politely declined, having made an appointment elsewhere; but expressed his heart-felt approbation of the fine order in which the society appeared, and the prosperous state of their funds, and concluded by wishing them continued prosperity. In addition to his Lordship's courtesy on the occasion, he was pleased to enrol himself an honorary member of the society, and stipulated to contribute 2s. 6d. weekly to the general cause. On his departure the company loudly and repeatedly cheered his Lordship, and the band struck up "God save the King" in excellent style, while the coach moved on from the midst of an admiring and grateful multitude of spectators, who had assembled from all parts on the occasion.

The next appearance in the press is more typical of the annual reporting of Friendly Society Anniversary Meetings.

Manx Rising Sun, 13th May 1826

Thursday the 4th inst. the 23d anniversary of the Peel Friendly Society was held there in the usual religious and convivial manner. The members, exceeding in number 160, a little after 10 o'clock assembled and paraded the streets, preceded by their worthy Minister the Rev. James Gelling, attended by a small but respectable band ; after which they all attended divine service in the church, where Mr. Gelling delivered a most appropriate and impressive sermon. The procession then again went round the town, and afterwards retired to Mr. Mc. Kinley's, the White Lion Inn, and partook of an excellent dinner and refreshments admirably served and managed, and which we are informed reflects the highest credit on the house. Indeed every department was conducted in superior order, and the day was spent with that degree of commality, harmony, and good fellowship which well entitles the little community of the name as a Friendly Society.

The following report is very typical of the by now 'standardised' report of harmony and good order at such anniversaries.

Manks Advertiser, 17th May 1831

Last Thursday being Ascension-day, many of the Friendly Societies in the Island "held their wont to walk." . . .The same day the Peel Friendly Society held their anniversary, on which occasion they were favoured with a very appropriate discourse by the Rev. Mr. Gelling, Vicar of German, from 1st Timothy, v. 8. They perambulated, as usual, the streets, with music and colours, and afterwards proceeded to Grant's Hotel, where they were entertained with a sumptuous dinner, and where they passed the evening in harmony and good order.

The next report, being of the St Patrick Friendly Society barely mentions the Peel Society but suggests that it still attracted some young members - as the band around this period is referred to as the Peel Artificers there is a query as to whether it was the band of the then newly created Peel Artificers' Friendly Society that was complimented

Mona's Herald, 4th April 1834

. . . The music was furnished by the Peel band, which is formed of the young men of the town, members of the Peel Friendly Society. . . . The company passed the evening very comfortably, during which several loyal toasts were given, and appropriate airs played by the young musicians particularly Mylecharane after "The Keys" The progress this young band has made in their favorite exercise is beyond all praise.

The final two are even briefer

Mona's Herald, 9th May 1837;

Thursday last, being Ascension Day. . . We understand the Kirk Santon and Peel Friendly Societies also celebrated their anniversaries on Thursday last.

Mona's Herald, 25th May 1841

. . . The following benefit societies celebrated their anniversaries by dining together and walking in procession, on Thursday last; viz.— the Peel Friendly Society,. . .

Property Records

These Friendly Societies needed some secure mechanism to protect their funds needed to pay future claims for sick pay etc, which though statistically foreseeable would occur at unknown future dates - the club 'box' or safe could hold some funds in cash but most funds needed to be held in a way that would generate some interest but banks at this period were not reliable, so most societies offered to loan, generally small, amounts of money at interest - the maximum rate of interest being fixed by law at 6%. This money would be lent at a long term against the security of land - the legal backing for these loans was the Bond and Security [B + S] arrangement under which the borrower promised to pay interest at an agreed rate and times for a certain period, before repaying the capital loaned. In case of default the Society could appeal to the courts for assistance which would usually involve the Coroner of the district laying claim to the security and selling it by public auction. These Bonds were negotiable in the senses that they could be passed or assigned to a third party on payment of the principal and accumulated interest - this mechanism was often used by Societies to obtain access to the invested money at short notice as the legal costs of these assignments were small. Sometimes one Society would assign a loan to another Society who had funds to invest.

The legal documents would name the key Society Officers when the Bond was issued and also when the principal was repaid or the Bond assigned - for the Peel Friendly Society there are some 12 such Bonds in the period from 1807 to 1844; in some deeds the entire committee of the Society was named. The final year of the Society would appear to be 1848 when all existing loans were assigned to other parties.

The several deeds dated in 1822 and 1841suggests that the Key Officiers were appointed from 1st of January each year.

One of the borrowers was George Cannon who borrowed £40 in 1822 and repaid, via Charles Quayle, in 1831 using as security his house in Kk Michael street at the corner with Orry Lane.

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2026