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

(20) Douglas Labourers Friendly Society - 1811-1838

Description

As a result of an advertisement in the Manx Advertiser of 26 January 1811 a meeting of labourers, excluded by virtue of their unskilled status from the protection of the existing provident societies, drew up the constitution of their own. Their public activities, equal in dignity to the anniversary celebrations and rites of the other societies continued to be reported in the newspapers until 1838 (Manx Advertiser 29 May 1838). They are not recorded in the 1879 Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report.

Records

Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim

Publications

...

Later research (by F.P.C.)

The advertisement mentioned above is:

Manks Advertiser, Saturday 26th January 1811

NOTICE.

THE Rules of the FRIENDLY SOCIETIES in Douglas, preventing the Admission of Labourers into them, Labourers are hereby informed, that a Meeting will be held, on FRIDAY next, at 7 o'clock in the Evening, in the New-Room in Athol-Street, for the Purpose of forming a Society for their Benefit, when it is requested that all Persons who wish to set the Matter forward will attend.

In the same issue is a brief comment: "A Labourers Club is about to be established in this town. See the advertisement."

The next mention, some 11 months later,

Manks Advertiser, 28th December 1811

On Thursday last the Labourer's Club held their Anniversary Meeting in this town, when after assembling at the Club Room, in Athol Street, they marched in procession to St. George's Chapel, and heard an occasioned. impressive Discourse, by the Rev. Mr. Cooper, from the Chronicles, Chap, xxxi-i. And in every work he began in the service of the House of God. and in the Lord's, and the Commandments to seek his God, he did with all his heart and prospered. The men returned and dined together and spent the evening in harmony and conviviality. Several loyal and appropriate toasts were drank, and at an early hour the company broke up with order and regularity.

This emphasis on the delivered sermon is a feature of reports of such Benefit Society anniversary processions - it is almost as though the preacher provided the copy.

An Anniversary Procession around New Year would be liable to be upset by the weather - thus it it not surprising that these processions moved to warmer days - that for 1816 was on Easter Monday, those reported in the 1830s were on Ascension day - both usual holidays thus members would not sacrifice a day's pay.

Manks Advertiser, Thursday, 18th April 1816;

On Monday last, The Labourers' Friendly Society of this town, held their fifth anniversary. After meeting at their room, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, they attended Divine service at St. George's Chapel, where a very suitable discourse was delivered on the occasion by the Rev, J. CHRISTIAN- . from Galatians vi. 9. The Society afterwards returned to their room, and sat down to a good dinner. Several gentlemen, honorary members, were present. We are happy to be informed, that this Society, which yields to none in utility, is in a state of growing prosperity. It has met with a considerable degree of public patronage, and we cannot help expressing our sanguine hope, that every labourer in the town will avail himself of the benefit attending this institution, by enrolling his name among the list of members — Gentlemen who have any of this useful class of the community in their employ, would do well to use their influence in endeavouring to prevail on them to become members of the Society.

In 1819 a paid for contribution gives some names:

Manks Advertiser, Thursday, 5th August 1819

At a Meeting of the LABOURERS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY, held at their Meeting Room, Douglas, August 4, 1819

IT WAS RESOLVED, THAT the THANKS of this SOCIETY be given to the late Secretary, Mr. JOHN RADCLIFFE, for his able and efficient Service, rendered this Society, for the last Nine Years.
Also, that this Resolution be published,.and that the Secretary do communicate the same unto him, with the best wishes of the Society for his future welfare.

ROBERT FELL, sen. President.
JAMES CANNELL , ROBERT FELL , jun. . Stewards.
JOHN COTTIER, ISAAC LACE, THOMAS KEWLEY, ROBERT COWLEY, WM. MYLREA, JOHN KEG, Committee.

The next mention in the press would appear to be 14 years later in a shared report of the Douglas Philanthropic Society which also attended Divine Service at St. George's

Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 21st May 1833

On the 16th inst. being Ascension Day,...The same day the Labourers' Friendly Society met, and attended divine service at St. George's chapel ; they afterwards dined at their club-room in Thomas-street. The dinner, which was a substantial one, was provided by Mr. Thos. Kewley.

In 1835 it would appear that the Society joined with the probably larger, and richer, Douglas Philanthropic Society, to share the church service on Ascension day

Mona's Herald, Saturday, 30th May 1835;

An application having been made by the Labourers' Friendly Society for permission to join in the procession, both societies had an opportunity of hearing a very impressive and appropriate address from the Rev. gentleman upon unanimity and brotherly love. After service, the two societies paraded some of the principal streets, and afterwards formed a circle in the Market-place, surrounded by a numerous assemblage of spectators, where the band played several national and other airs in fine style, much to the gratification of those who had the pleasure of hearing them. The musical treat being concluded, ... The Labourers' Friendly Society dined in the old Club Room, where they spent the afternoon in friendly intercourse and peaceful conviviality, much to the satisfaction of every person present.

This sharing of the church service was repeated in 1836

Mona's Herald, Saturday,14th May 1836;

Thursday last, (Ascension Day) being the usual anniversary of the numerous benefit societies in this Island, many of them assembled in their respective localities, walked to church in procession, generally with music, and afterwards partook of a public dinner, but the proceedings of a few of them only have yet reached us . The Douglas Philanthropic Society, and the Labourers' Friendly Society, joined in brotherly friendship and proceeded to St. George's Chapel, (attended by an excellent band of music belonging to the former society) where divine service was performed by the Rev. Mr. M'Gill. After leaving church, the procession paraded through Athol-street, Finch Road, Strand-street, and Duke-street, forming into a circle in the Marketplace, where the band played several loyal and patriotic airs, surrounded by a large concourse of spectators. About three o'clock the Philanthropic Society sat down to an excellent dinner at the British Hotel, the other Society proceeded to the large room in Thomas street, where they were provided with a good and plentiful dinner, prepared by Mr. Christian. Both Societies enjoyed themselves until a late hour, good fellowship, harmony, and brotherly love prevailing among all the members

The same arrangement was followed in 1837

Mona's Herald, Tuesday, 9th May 1837;

Thursday last, being Ascension Day, and the anniversary of the Douglas Philanthropic Society, the members assembled at their meeting-room about ten o'clock in the morning. where they transacted business, and afterwards formed into procession, and were joined by another benefit society belonging to the town. The necessary arrangements being made, the procession walked to St. George's Chapel, the worthy Vicar-General leading it, where divine service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Mac Gill, and an admirable sermon preached by the Rev. Vicar-General Hartwell, from Acts, chap. 1, and verses 9-10, and 11 The discourse embraced the divine doctrines of the ascension of our blessed Redeemer, and those of brotherly love towards our fellow-creatures...

After service, the societies paraded the principal promenades and streets of the town, attended by a most excellent band of music belonging to the first named society. As the procession passed through Duke-street, the Labourers' Friendly Society separated, and proceeded to Thomas-street school room, where they partook of an excellent dinner; and the Philanthropic Society walked to the Castle Mona Hotel, where the members sat down to a most superb banquet provided in the usual good taste of Mr. Heron.

The final report mentioning the Labourers' Friendly Society was in 1838

Mona's Herald, Tuesday, 29th May 1838

Thursday last being Ascension Day, and her Majesty Queen Victoria's birthday, various benefit societies throughout the Island held their anniversaries, and after hearing divine service, dined, and spent the evening in a sociable manner. The brethren of the Philanthropic and Labourers' Friendly Societies, of this town, walked in procession to St. George's chapel, (accompanied by a most excellent band of music,) where an appropriate and impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. Vicar-General Hartwell. After divine service the procession paraded the principal streets, and afterwards sat down to excellent dinners the Philanthropic Society in the large room over the Wellington Market, and the Labourers Friendly Society in their club-room, Thomas-street. The evening was spent in harmony and brotherly love.

It is likely that the fire in the early hours of Saturday 6th April 1839 that destroyed the Thomas Street Sunday School - the meeting room of the Society - also destroyed their banners, paraphernalia and possibly their record books - this is mentioned in J.E Douglas' account though I cannot find any newspaper account referring to this specific loss but there is no further mention in the press of the Society post the 1838 mention.

Key Officers & Financial Transactions

Only two loans can be found in the records as shown below

Robert Fell senior was the [house] painter of Douglas whose death, aged 50, on 23rd October 1821 was noted in the Manks Advertiser two days later, his wife Mary_Ann Andrews had died, aged 39, earlier that year - his second son, also Robert took over the business - would seem to have been a successful tradesman, sent his eldest son to college and described as surgeon in his father's will dated 4th April 1821 (5 days after his wife's death).. There are 29 deeds involving property transactions involving Robert Fell senr.

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