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

(14) Marown Friendly Society: 1809-1867

Description

This parish-centred Friendly Society has left no known rules or records of its business; another case where it is impossible to establish the underlying structure, the particular conditions for the membership, and the way and length of time in which the Club carried out its aims of providing insurance for its members. Their newspaper reports, which are often the only records available for many societies, give an impression of a sober and efficient group pursuing its goal of insurance by mutual support in the sound and workman-like manner to be expected from a club representing the ancient, inland parish community of Marown.

For their first anniversary celebrations on the 9th of June[sic 31st May] ,1810, 113 members attended a service in the parish church where their chaplain [and ?vicar] addressed them. Afterwards they walked to dinner 'where several appropriate toasts were drank and the remainder of the day was spent in innocent hilarity........... but the most pleasing consideration was to see so large an assembly of plain, sensible countrymen, met in the true spirit of the institution, convinced of the utility that may be expected to result from it, and determined to give it effect.

The report of their 42nd anniversary in 1850, at a time when the societies in general were beginning to feel the problems of ageing and deciining memberships, was equally encouraging. 'The members, then 100 in number, walked in procession to Marown church preceded by the Laxey band, where an excellent sermon was preached. Showing the same quiet confidence and common-sense approach of their early days the members separated shortly after a substantial dinner in a tent erected near the Halfway House, pleased by their respectable turnout, and satisfied with the arrangements made. This society has paid during the past year, the sum of £122 to sick members and funerals, yet has been able to fund some £20, and has an increase in members since their last anniversary'.

In spite of this promising report, the Club, which from 1867 had a rival in the parish, the Crosby Good Samaritan Tent of Rechabites, eventually failed, not surviving long enough to be entered in the 1879 Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report.

Records

Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra.

Publications

...

Later research

Manks Advertiser, Saturday, 9th June 1810

The Marown Friendly Society held their first Anniversary on Ascension-day [31st May], on which occasion one hundred and thirteen Members were present, who proceeded to the Parish Church, where they heard a very excellent and appropriate Discourse by the Rev. Thos. Stephen, Chaplain to the Society, from John xix. 26 & 27 verses.. After Divine Service they walked in procession to Dinner, where several appropriate toasts were drank, and the remainder of the day was spent in innocent hilarity. But the most pleasing consideration was to see so large an assemblage of plain, sensible countrymen, met in the true spirit of the Institution, convinced of the utility that may be expected to result from it, and determined to give it effect

The next mention in the Manx press was in 1811 - rather purple prose and somewhat condescending. The mention of the 'mother country's patriotic festivities presumably refer to the Napoleonic war. The Parish Church at this time was up on the hill to the south of Crosby.

Manks Advertiser, Saturday, 1st June 1811

The MAROWN FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The anniversary of this Society was held on Ascension day, the 24th May, and perhaps a more regularly conducted affair of the kind has never yet appeared. Such discipline and order; such propriety and decency distinguished this band of brethren, as might he expected only from the most wholesome regulations, seconded by the unremitting attention and steady conduct of so worthy a president as Mr. Sinclair, who, to the great satisfaction of the Society, has been prevailed on to retain his station another year.

Fortunately for the occasion the weather was peculiarly favourable. Although it threatened rain in the morning, the dark curtain of a gloomy atmosphere withdrew, the joyous day "look'd out and smil'd." The floating banner waved its beauties to the fun, while martial music awakened emotions of generous ardour in the breasts of the beneficent. The admiring crowds thronged round—groups of rural nymphs and swains attended the procession, gazing as it passed: there artless innocence, enlivened by the glowing grace of youth, inspired delight; and the chearful sons of industry cherished with their smiles the daughters of beauty. Such was the enthusiasm of the day, that the very children emulated the joy ; and little boys, with leafy boughs, marching along, formed a moving forest. Genial as the gales of spring were the expressions of fraternal festivity; mild as the falling dew their influence on the heart.

They proceeded to the parish church where divine service was read, and an appropriate discourse delivered by the Rev. T. Stephen, from Psalm xxxvii-verse 21. After which the company returned down the hill, and crossing the dark river at Crosby, passed along to Meadow Bank Hall, the seat of T. CLUCAS, Esq. who, in emulation of the patriotic festivities of the mother country, had the gratification of fitting down under his own roof (the grand Saloon and Suite of Apartments being thrown open on the occasion) to a dinner party of nearly seven score persons ! During dinner the Band played several select airs.

Among the gentlemen who were invited to partake of the entertainment, was Mr. Kelly of the Union Mills, who, although a member of the Friendly Society, lately instituted in his own parish, could not withstand the solicitations of devoting a day to that of Marown, which he knew to be so agreeable, which he honoured with his presence at its institution, and which he contributed in no small degree to enliven by his festive effusions of benevolence and hilarity.

After dinner several appropriate toasts and sentiments were given, the Band playing to each suitable tunes. The company parted highly pleased with the occurrences of the day; after which a select party were invited by the worthy Host and his Lady, to partake of Coffee and Tea.

The next notice was six years later - not sure of the relevance of the sermon to a Friendy Society though

Manks Advertiser, Thursday, 29th May 1817

Kk. Marown Friendly Society celebrated their Anniversary on Holy Thursday, as usual. A Sermon was preached on the occasion by the Rev. Vicar-General Stephen from Matt. xxvi. 12, " For in that she hath poured ointment on my body, she did it for my burial."

The following year sounded somewhat merrier - the description of the band with their home built instruments is especially interesting - however no further mention of the Society band can be found - possibly they also provided West gallery music at the old church which had such a gallery accessed by an external staircase.

Manks Advertiser, Thursday, 7th May 1818

The eight[sic] anniversary of the Marown Friendly Society was celebrated on Thursday last with becoming festivity and decorum. Divine Service was read in the parish Church, and a sermon preached from Lukes.37

To such of our readers as delight in improvements calculated to promote innocent recreation, conducted on economical principles, and without injury to the general interests of society, by a useless devotion of time or direliction of ordinary occupation, it must be satisfactory to observe,that, to obviate the necessity of hiring a regularly trained Musical Band to attend their annual processions, a number of spirited and ingenious youths of the above Society have harmoniously united to form a Rural Band, whose performance, we are informed, is considerably beyond mediocrity, This Band is yet, however, in its infancy. The instruments are few, and consist at present only of six clarionets, a serpent, two trumpets, and a kettle-drum. These instruments are the real manufacture of the tradesmen of the Parish of Marown; the very wood of which they are made, and even to the parchment on the drum, is the produce and workmanship of the parishioners ; the musicians, as well as the music master, are all fellow brethren. and members of the same friendly-society. We learn that the cornet, the drum aud fife, the violin, tbe hautboy, the bassoon, and German flute are to be added! We cannot help wishing these rural swains success with their harmony ; and may no discordant string ever vibrate to interrupt their harmless festivity.

Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 2nd June 1829

Last Thursday, being Ascension-day, several of the Friendly Societies of this Island held their anniversary. We have not received any particular account of their proceedings—nor is it necessary, they being so well and generally known. A member of the Marown Friendly Society has just sent in a report of the stock in hand this year, being £358 5 8½ having expended on sick members £72 10 9. The year before, the expenditure on the objects of the institution amounted to £113.

The school-house, the usual start of the procession, was halfway up the hill from Crosby to the Parish Church

Mona's Herald, Friday, 16th May 1834;

On Ascension-day the Marown Friendly Society "held its wont to walk." The procession set forward, as usual, from the school-house to the Church, where divine service was performed and a sermon preached by the Rev. Chaplain. After which the members proceeded to an excellent dinner, provided for them by Mr. Mylchreest, in which all the varieties of the season harmonized to afford an excellent repast ; among which was a fine plump turkey roast ! The company passed a jovial afternoon, and crowned their feast with copious libations of generous wine. The funds of this friendly society are about £411, although it has paid during the past year, for funerals and to sick members, £85.

Mona's Herald, Tuesday, 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, the Kirk Marown Friendly Society, Kirk St. Ann Concordance Benefit Society, Ballasalla Friendly Society, the Castletown Benefit Society, and others throughout the Island.

Mona's Herald, Tuesday, 10th May 1842

The Marown Friendly Society celebrated its anniversary on Thursday. The members, headed by the Baldwin band, walked in procession to church, where they heard divine service, and afterwards adjourned to the house of Mr. James Kaye, publican, where a plentiful dinner was served up in a spacious tent erected for the purpose; but, unluckily, the pleasure of the party was somewhat marred by the rain which descended through numerous crevices of their frail covering.

The 42nd anniversary looks incorrect if founded in 1809 then its 41st - possibly Kaye's tent had improved from that of 1842

Mona's Herald, Wednesday, 15th May 1850;

The members of the Kirk Marown Friendly Society held their 42nd anniversary. About 100 walked in procession to Marown Church, headed by the Laxey band, where an excellent sermon was preached from Matthew vi. 33, by the Rev. Wm. Duggan They afterwards sat down to a substantial dinner, provided by Mr. James Kaye, in a tent erected near the Halfway House. Shortly after dinner the members separated, pleased with their respectable turn out, and satisfied with the arrangements made. This society has paid during the past year, the sum of £122 to sick members and funerals ; yet has been enabled to fund some £20, and has an increase of members since their last anniversary.

Mona's Herald, Wednesday, 11th May 1864

MAROWN CLUB.—The members of the Marown Friendly Society celebrated their anniversary on Thursday last in their usual manner. They assembled and organized at the parish school-house, marched in procession with music and waving banners by Ellerslie and Close-moar to the parish church, where service was read by the vicar and curate, a sermon delivered by the former; and then the club dined under a marquee sprung by Mr James Kaye near his public-house. The dinner was excellent and abundant; and its eulogy was bestowed in a handsome manner by an hundred countrymen present, by their consuming amazing quantities of it with great gusto. By the report of the secretary it appeared that unusual demands had been made upon the funds for the year past—more than £100 had been paid out; and yet the receipts for the year exceeded the expenditure, leaving a small balance in the treasury.

The 'unusual demands' of 1863-4 were it seems the portents of the end which appeared to come in early 1867

Isle of Man Times, Saturday,16th February 1867

Notice.

THE MEMBERS of the MAROWN FRIENDLY SOCIETY are requested to attend a SPECIAL MEETING at the PARISH SCHOOL, on THURSDAY Evening, 28 Febuary next, for the purpose of considering the present State of the Society, and such other business as may be necessary. The Meeting to commence at half-past Seven o-clock. ROBERT CURPHEY, President.

No further mention can be found of the Society - the President and a single Steward assigned the outstanding loan and the money raised presumeably shared among the remaining members.

Robert Sim, born 1861, left some reminiscences of Colby which went back as far the last years of the club - "I can clearly remember one of such functions and I fancy it was the last one. They used to meet in the old school on the hill and their regalia consisted of sticks about two yards long painted green and with yellow knobs at the top."..."Well - the old Club, like so many other parochial benefit societies came to grief and became numbered with those systems which "had their day and ceased to be". Through lack of business methods, they found they could no longer meet the claims on their funds and so decided on the inevitable, sharing their diminished stock between them which I have been told amounted to about £10 each, and a stick."

Property Records and Key Officers

Some 12 legal deeds may be found that name the President and two stewards.

William Sinclair was a druggist from Liverpool who purchased Creg Beg in 1804 ;died 1827 aged 73;
Quayle Fargher Quayle was son of John Clucas and Margaret Fargher bapt 1786 and buried Dec 1816
James Kaye is a mason (s/o James Kaye d 1852) born 1816 - noted, still as a mason, as were two of his sons, as at the Highlander Arms in 1861 census;

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