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The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
This society originated in Methodism to 'relieve the indigent sick of all denominations' an object which freed it to help the many transients without resources gathering in the growing towns. A society on these lines was founded in Liverpool in 1789, the first attempt to organise relief by charitable donations to incoming individuals otherwise disqualified from any benefit by lack of settlement in the British Poor Law system, or by sectarian origin.
In 1812 the Douglas Society published in the Manx Advertiser of 26 December 1812 the request of the society stewards to subscribers to attend a General meeting, the first record of its operation. The sporadic newspaper notices confirm its foundation by the Wesleyan Methodists in Douglas and its base in the Wesleyan Chapels in Thomas Street, a venue for business Meetings and its various fund-raising efforts - charity sermons, a concert of sacred music on Christmas Day, and tea festivals, with profits shared with the Dorcas Society.
The society was governed by a committee elected annually In February 1820 the predominantly Manx members were Messrs. Robert Kenyon, Matthew Harrison, Robert Cannell, James Cretney, senior, John Cowle, Thomas Callow, Daniel Kane, Robert Cubbin, Edward Gelling, George Crebbin, Edmund Andrews, Thomas Christian and John Gick. 'Persons who may feel inclined to contribute towards the the objects of this institution' were asked to give names and donations to four Douglas collectors. The Committee solicited as benefactions 'any quantity of coats, cast-off raiment and old linen' and with feelings of gratitude, announced 'that Mr. Robert Kenyon, the present Treasurer of this society has given a donation of £10, and that a gentleman of the first respectability has promised to give £5 worth of provisions.'
The Manx Sun of 21 July 1837, twenty-five years after the society's foundation, commended its work and solicited its support editorially. 'On Sunday next sermons will be delivered at Well-Road and Thomas Street chapels, in behalf of that excellent institution the Benevolent and Stranger's Friend Society. By the liberality of the Treasurer the conductors of it have been enabled to carry on its operations to within a very recent period. The object of the society is to afford relief to the indigent sick of all denominations, every applicant being personally visited before relief is afforded, thus effectually guarding against imposition. By the last Report, it appears that nearly £70 has in this way been expended within the last year. We hear, however, that the treasurer is much in advance to the distributors and the appeal on Sunday it is hoped will effectually relieve, as it deserves, So excellent an institution. This tribute, with its note of warning for the future is, at present, the last record of its operation.
Isle of Man newspapers ut supra et passim
Margaret Simey, Charitable effort in Liverpool in the Nineteenth Century, (Liverpool, 1951)
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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