Benevolent Societies

Feltham writing in 1797/8 states that benevolent societies had been established in Douglas and Ramsey

I am happy to observe that at Douglas and at Ramsey, there are clubs for mutual benefit. The former, which was established in 1790, had, in 1798, a clear capital of more than 220l. The females have no society of this kind.

Curphey gives the following list of Isle of Man Friendly Societies (the initial column is Curphey's index number) - some of dates can be placed earlier by various deeds (Bond + Security or Mortgages) given as by ..

LIST OF ISLE OF MAN FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

*Provident Societies and Clubs as returned to the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission 1879 - i.e. were still functioning in 1879 - see list in Browns 1881 Directory for membership, benefits etc. at this time.

These societies offered some protection against sickness (and would pay some money to any widow) but not against unemployment. Often some entry fee plus around 1s a week would be required as dues.

A major problem of the early societies was their lack of understanding of sound actuarial practice - when a society was formed, generally by young men of similar ages, a flat weekly rate independent of age, seemed to provide capital growth (so much so that some societies would fund an annual dinner). But as members aged their demands on the fund increased - prospective young members saw that it would be in their better interest to found a new society thus avoiding the need to support 'drones' (as so called by one such Ramsey breakaway group). National Friendly Societies, such as the Oddfellows and Rechabites, had been forced to put their finances on a sound actuarial basis in the mid 1850s and after some loss of membership prospered from then on.

Very few financial accounts or lists of members survive for these early clubs - numbers sitting down to some aniversary meal are sometimes reported in the press as are their appearance at some annual walk. An indication of the money laid out in longer term loans can be derived from the deeds known noted as Bond & Security to be found in the North and South Sale Mortgages and the Castletown Deeds - such deeds generally give the principal officers (President + two Stewards) of the societies both at grant and also at repayment of the loan. These documents are currently being researched to provide a list of such officers and amounts out on loan.

Sisterly Society

Founded 1 May 1816 - from a report in 1848 they had then 111 members (including 6 honorary members), they had a cash surplus of £300 after paying £57 16s 1d in sick benefit and £31 in funeral benefits during the year May 1847- May 1848. 'As many respectable females may be desirous of becoming members' they were to apply to Miss Mary Ann Hodgson, 2 Mona Terrace, Douglas.

Press Mentions

Train briefly reports on three in 1838