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

(25) Kirk Santan Concordant Society: 1814-1886

Description

Founded on the 2 August 1814 at the parochial schoolhouse in Santan by ten well-established members of the farming community and Mr. John Karran, the parish schoolmaster, this society served this predominantly rural parish well, still being in existence in 1879 and listed in the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report of 1879.

The rules of the association, reprinted in 1866, indicate a standard parish-based society. Accounts of their festivities are more revealing. A report 'from a correspondent' of their seventeenth anniversary was printed in the Manx Sun of 17 March 1831. Following the usual pattern, the society met at the School-house at 9 o'clock in the morning, proceeded, accompanied by their band, to the parish church for a sermon and then to the place where dinner was provided. 'After dinner many loyal toasts were given by the President, to which the band responded by playing suitable and appropriate tunes.' The list of the toasts and their musical part of the toasts given:

King William the Fourth, God save the King. --
Queen Adelaide, Queen Adelaide's Waltz. --
Earl Grey and the ministry, When order in the land commenced. -
Lord Hill and the Army, British Grenadiers. --
The Royal Navy, Rule Britannia. --
The Lieutenant-Governor and Council, The Honorable Lieutenant Governor's March --
The Manx Legislature, Mollecurrane. --
Lord Bishop and Clergy. German Hymn. --
The Hon. Col. Murray, Col. Murray's march. --
The Manx College, Castletown College Quickstep --
The Manx Ladies, Mona's Delight. --
Isle of Man Steam Packet, Mona's Isle --
Good Crops, The Ploughboy. --
A good Herring fishery, Caller herrings. --
Mr. Robinson and the Kirk Santon Band, Jolly Fellows. --
The Rev. Mr. Kewley, a Hymn. --
All Friendly societies throughout the Isle, Home,sweet Home.

The band, which is composed of members, played much to the satisfaction of the society, and reflected great credit upon their teacher Mr. Robinson.'

Twenty years later, on their 37th anniversary, reported in the Manx Sun of 31 May, 1851, the Concordant Society was in very good financial standing and its enjoyment of music was unchanged. 'The Club formed in procession at their Clubroom (the School-house) about ten o'clock and headed by their vicar, the Reverend Samuel Gelling, the Reverend J.T Clarke, chaplain of St. Marks, and Master Bacon, of Sea-field, walked to the parish church, accompanied by the Foxdale new band of music, where there [sic] vicar preached a very appropriate sermon, from the text, 1st. Peter, ii., ii. After service, the procession was again formed at the Church-yard gate, and marched on by their President, Mr. John Callister, to Sea-field, put in circular form in front of the mansion, and paid their respects to the Captain of the Parish, Major Bacon and his family, by playing the national anthem, succeeded by three hearty cheers, old Manx Mylechraine, and several other interesting national airs.After being presented by Mrs. Bacon and the young ladies with religious tracts the Society moved on through the gardens, cheered by the band, and walked by Oatlands to their tent near Mount Murray, where they and their clerical friends sat down to an excellent dinner, furnished by Mr. Thomas Gelling. It is highly gratifying to find that the funds of this society are in a most prosperous state, for although the pensioners of last years sick list, and their mortality bills have reduced their stock £150, yet they are able to publish an increase of £32, and their capital now consists of £1163: Every friend to humanity must wish God speed and length of days to this interesting society.'

The members of the wealthy and well-adjusted Club were able to accept both Manx and British elements in their daily lives without undue difficulty. The balancing of the playing of 'God Save the King' for the English Bacon family, with 'Mylecharaine' the forerunner and air of the Manx national anthem of the 1890's, was not a forced compromise, rather a measure of the peaceful co-existence of native and incomer common in Island society .

Records

M.N.H.L., Rules and Orders of the Kirk Santon Concordant Society established August 2nd, 1814 (Douglas, 1866) [MM D126/3(l)];
Isle of Man newspapers, Manx Sun, ut supra et passim.

Publications

C.K.Radcliffe, 'Mylecharaine: the tune and the treasure' ProcsIOMNHAS, vol. x, no. 1, (1989-1991), pp.49 -61

Later research (by F.P.C.)

The Society was usually noted by the press from the 1830's

Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 21st May 1833

Thursday last being Ascension-day, the Kirk Santon Concordant Society celebrated their nineteenth anniversary. The members assembled at the school-house in the morning, and after settling some preliminary business proceeded in procession to the parish church, where they heard an excellent sermon preached to them by the Rev. Mr. Kewley, from 1st Thessaloriians, c. 2, v. 9.

From church they proceeded to the halfway-house, where an excellent dinner was provided for the Society by Mr. Braid. The Hon. Colonel Murray honoured the Society by accompanying them to and from church,and sat down to dinner with them. After the cloth was removed the usual toasts were given, to all of which their band played appropriate tunes. Upon his Exeellency the Lieut.-Governor's health being given, the Hon. Colonel assured the Society that his Excellency had the happiness and welfare of the Isle of Man at heart, and was sure that he would use his utmost endeavours to promote the prosperity of its inhabitants, which the Society heard with deep attention and received with demonstrations of the greatest satisfaction, upon which the band played the favourite air "Mylecorrane." The Colonel appeared highly pleased with the excellent performance of the band, and upon his retiring made them a handsome present. The funds of this Society are in a nourishing state. - Correspondent.

Mona's Herald, Saturday, 14th May 1836

The Santon Concordant Society attended divine service al the parish church, and afterwards dined in a tent near Mr. Clague's, on the Castletown road. They spent the evening in a very friendly and social manner, and were favoured by the conipany of the Rev. Mr. Gelling.

Manx Sun, Friday, 29th June 1838 - referring to a procession in Douglas to mark the Coronation of Queen Victoria

At ten o'clock, as we before stated, the different Societies assembled on the pier, from whence they proceeded in the following order to St. George's Church, where an excellent sermon was preached by Vicar-Gen. Hartwell.

PROCESSION.

The Kirk .Santon Concordant Band of Music, who played several tunes in a most excellent style....

Manxman, Thursday, 12th May 1842

On Thursday last (being Ascension-day) the Kirk Santon Concordant Society held tlieir twenty-eighth anniversary. The members assembled at the School-house in the morning, and from thence, accompanied by their band, proceeded to the parish church, where Divine service was read by the Rev. Mr. Gelling, and an impressive sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Reed, of the Mariners' Church, Douglas, from the 5th chapter of Acts, and 31st verse.

After hearing Divine service, the society proceeded to a room fitted up by Mr Kissack, on his estate of Ballacrink, where 137 members sat down to a comfortable dinner provided for them by Messrs. Bridson and Shimmin. Although there has been £83 12s. paid to sick members, and £45 mortality money paid within the last year, yet the funds of the society are in a prosperous state, and a considerable sum has been added to the stock this last year.

Manx Sun, Saturday, 15th August 1857 and repeated for many subsequent issues

£100 to Lend.

TO be Lent, on approved Security, the sum of £100. Apply to the President and Stewards of the Kirk Santon Concordant Society August 15, 1857.

Mona's Herald, Wednesday, 4th June 1862;

KIRK SANTON CONCORDANT FRIENDLY SOCIELY.

Thursday last being Ascension Day, a great many Parish Friendly Societies celebrated their anniversaries ; amongst others was the Kirk Santon Concordant Society. The splendid Brass Band of the Douglas Volunteer Artillery Corps, in charge of Sergeant Raby, accompanied the Society. The club formed in procession at the Parochial Schoolhouse, and proceeded to the Parish Church, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Gelling, Vicar. On reforming the members walked to Major Bacon's, Seafield, and halted in front of that gentleman's mansion, the band in the centre playing several airs, to the satisfaction of all who heard them. Major Bacon came forward and thanked the Society for the honour they had shown him that day, adding that he would be their earnest supporter, and before another year, he would himself make one of their number. The gallant Major concluded by wishing them every success.

Addressing the Band, Major Bacon said he felt proud that such a volunteer band, consisting of so many young men, existed on the Island, and thanked them for the able manner in which they had discharged the duty assigned them. Miss Bacon then honoured the Society and Band by presenting each member with a small tract calculated to instruct them how to make the best of both worlds. Lieut. Colonel Murray, of Thornton, who was on a visit at Major Bacon's, as an old Artillery officer, also stated how pleased he was at the manner in which the officers of the Douglas Artillery Corps had brought their men to their present efficient state, and cordially thanked the Band for the music he had heard that day. Three cheers were then given for Major Bacon and his family, three cheers for her Majesty, and three cheers for the Douglas Volunteer Artillery Corps and its Band.

The procession having walked through the grounds of Major Bacon, then returned to the tent, where a capital dinner was awaiting them, provided by Mr. E. Bell, Half-way House, to which they did ample justice.

Manx Sun, Saturday, 13th October 1866 and repeated for many subsequent issues

TO BE LENT, THE sum of £200, on Landed security. Interest moderate. Apply to Mr ROBERT MOORE, Ballacurry, President of Santon Concordant Society; or to THOMAS GICK. or WILLIAM CORRIN, Stewards.

Six years later and again with Robt Moore as president, Manx Sun, Saturday, 19th October 1872 and repeated

MONEY TO LEND. £350 LENT on Approved Security. Apply to the Officers of the Kirk Santon Concordant Society. ROBERT MOORE President, Oct. 19th, 1872. Ballacurry, Santon.

Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 15th May 1880

SANTON.

The members of the Santon Concordant Society held their annual gathering on Holy Thursday. There was a good muster in the school playground, and about 100 members, headed by the vicar and the officers of the club marched to the parish church for divine service. The sermon was suitable for the occasion, the text being from Gal. vi. 2- The Vicarage, Seafield, Glentraugh, and Ballavale were then visited in order, and a courteous reception was experienced at each place. At Seafield a large supply of buns and coffee was provided, to the evident satisfaction of all. Hearty cheers at each house were proposed and led by the highly-respected president, Mr Thomas Bridson, of Ballaquiggin.

The courtesy and welcome awarded to the visitors, the brightness of the weather, and the stirring music of the Laxey brass band, combined to render the proceedings of the day a great success. Mention must not be omitted to be made of the dinner, which was provided by Mr J. Collister. Excellence of quality and abundance of supply were its chief characteristics. Tea was dispensed at the officers' table by Miss Harvey and Mrs Ashdown, whilst the wants of the rest were gracefully and assiduously attended to by a willing band of parish maidens. General satisfaction was expressed, and three hearty cheers were given for the caterer. An after tea was provided at 7 o'clock, p.m.. which was attended by a large number of persons. amongst whom were the vicar of the parish, and the two ladies above mentioned. The funds of the club are in a flourishing state, amounting to upwards of £1,300, and the roll contains 130 nanes.

However all was not well it seems - in 1886 it would appear that there was a concerted attempt to dissolve the Society and give the funds to the surviving members - I cannot find in the online digitised newspapers (the text being so badly reproduced the subsequent OCR text is in many places useless) any notice of this nor of an earlier letter the reposte to which was printed in the Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 18th September 1886

KIRK SANTON CONCORDANT SOCIETY.

SIR, "A member" made several mistakes in the letter which you published some few weeks ago relative to this Club.

The majority for the winding-up of it was 2 to 1, not 5 to 1, as stated ; and he was at sea about rule 25. The portion which he refers to was not rescinded but the next paragraph of the same rule, with regard to a fine being imposed upon any member who was heard to move or mention anything as to the breaking up of the Club, was rescinded and at the meeting he mentions. However, I consider the officers acted in a very strange fashion; and although that portion of the rule which 'A Member' mentions was not rescinded, it is now practically dead and as good as rescinded by the decision arrived at on Holy Thursday. The officers knew there was such a rule, and the members could not be blind of the same fact, and should not have voted for the winding-up of the Club if they did not want it. There was nothing left after that decision but to appoint a special Committee to wind-up the Club's affairs, but instead of doing that meetings are called month after month to consider what is to be done, and I believe the latest question they are anxious to dispose of is whetlnr the Rechabites will take them under their roof, and at what cost. Now, the Rechabites are lovers of "aqua," and a good number of the members of this Club are lovers of or I should say take "tincture." Is it therefore likely, supposing the officers of the Club were in order in puting the real issues off like this, that the Rechabites, for the sake of a little money, would in any way sacrifice the principles of their Club by having such members.

I will not now trouble you with anything further, but will at some future time write you on the financial position of the Club.

Yours respectfully, Another Member

Some explanation of the discord in the Society around this period is given in a rather lengthy account in the Manx Sun, and Isle of Man Times both of Saturday, 19th October 1889. This was of an action, James Kelly vs Kk Santon Concordant Society, in the High Court before the Clerk of the Rolls held on 16th October which action had been started in July but held over in the hope that some agreement might be found between the parties.

It would appear that in December, 1886, it was proposed to turn the Society into a Total Abstinence Society. It was subsequently proposed to wind it up, but this was not carried. During this period the Petitioner James Kelly, who had joined in 1838, had got behind in his payments £1 9s 6d, and the Society afterwards decided that all members six months in arrear should no longer be members of the Society. Petitioner tendered the amount he was in arrears, subsequently it was refused, and he was excluded hence the petition for re-instatement and for sick pay. The defendants being named as the President, James Looney[Lewney] ,and Stewards John Caugherty, and John Quine .

In the intervening period the named Officers and James Kelly had reached an agreement but the Club Committee refused to ratify it - the agreement being

(1), The Officers agreed to pay James Kelly £12 as sick pay ;
(2), To pay £2 13s 6d, the arrears of contribution, being the full amount of the arrears due by Jas. Kelly to the Club up to Sept., 1889 ;
(3), the stewards agreed to pay all fees and charges connected with the law ;
(4), that Jas. Kelly be a free [i.e. in full standing] member of the Society from the 10th of Sept.

There was much debate as to the legality of the offer but the Court was inclined to entertain the view which was expressed strongly on a previous day, considering that as the president and stewards did the right and proper thing in making this agreement, it was not going to defer it in order to give the Club further opportunities of slighting the officers and stewards, thinking that the president and stewards exercised a much wiser discretion, and took a much wiser view of the whole than the Club takes - and found for the plaintiff..

It would appear that a significant number of members joined a newly created Tent as recounted in the Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 8th January 1887 - the Jubilee being the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria

RECHABITISM IN THE ISLE OF MAN - OPENING OF A NEW TENT.

On Tuesday evening a new Tent of Rechabites, called the Santon Jubilee Tent, I.O.R., was opened at Santon. Some time ago an attempt was made to attach the Santon Concordant Society to the Rechabites, but the attempt failed, owing to the somewhat peculiar rules of the old country club, and it was felt that the only thing to do was to open a new Rechabite Tent in the district. So far the results have been most satisfactory, no fewer than 33 members being initiated into the order on Tuesday, and it is very probable that the "Jubilee Tent" will speedily become a powerful one, both numerically and financially. On the opening evening the installing officers were: Bro. T. Kelly, D.C.R. ; Bro. R. H. Collister, P.D.CR.; Bro. J. J. Killey, P.D.CR. ; and Bro. H. T. Mclver P H.C.R., D.S., assisted bv Bros. Preston and Kelly, Star of Mona Tent, Peel.

The following is a list of the officers elected to govern the new tent - Bro. John Colllister, C.R. ; Bro. Robt. C Hogg. D.R. ; Bro. Rev. E. Clarke, Sec. ; Bro. W Moore, P.C.R. : Bros. Thos. Kinnish and John Curphey, Stewards; Bro. W. Sayle, Levite; Bro. John Clague, Guardian; Bro. Robt. Moore, Treasurer : Bros. Thos. Radcliffe, E. Quine, Jas. Gelling, John Sayle, C. Collister, Thos. Keig, John Moore, and Samuel Christian, Elders.

In a later history of the Rechabites a Santon Union tent of 1887 is noted.

The Society continued, un-noticed in the press until the dinner-less, Ascension day meeting of 1892 when it voted to dissolve.

Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 21st May 1892;

NOTICE TO THE MEMBERS OF KIRK SANTON CONCORDANT SOCIETY.

THE Members are hereby requested to take Notice of the following Resolution, which was unanimously passed at the Monthly Meeting, held on April 5th. 1892 :-"That the Members of Santon Concordant Society be noticed to attend at the Schoolroom, on Ascension Day. May 26th, at 11 a.m, for the purpose of passing the Balancesheet for the year ending December 31st, 1891, and to consider the working of the Society in general." JOHN COLLISTER, President.

N.B. The Members are earnestly requested to be present, as it, is expected that certain alterations in rule 25 will be submitted to the Meeting for its approval, or otherwise. Mr Ed. Martin, M.H.K., one of the Auditors, has consented to be present.

No Dinner provided.

A long report of this meeting can be found elsewhere - it also lists the names of those members who attended. The actual winding up was a year later

Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 13th May 1893;

END OF ANOTHER FRIENDLY SOCIETY

A meeting of the members of the Kirk Santon Concordant Society was held in the Santon Schoolroom on Thursday, to take into consideration the advisability of "winding up the Society, which has greatly depreciated in its capital during the last five years, losing about £50 per year. After the balance-sheet was read and passed, a resolution was moved by Mr Thomas Quine. to the effect that the Society be wound up at the earliest possible convenience, and its funds divided equally amongst its members. This motion was carried by a large majority, only six voting against it. Afterwards a resolution was passed that members. subscriptions be paid up to June 6th, and that on that date all sick and funeral money cease. Mr E. Martin, of Castletown, was appointed, along with the present officers, to realise the estate and divide the funds. The meeting was a very orderly one. and terminated with a hearty vote.of thanks to the Chairman, Mr James Lewney. This Society had its origin in 1814, and consequently has had an existence of 79 years. The highest number of members ever on the roll was 182; but now the number is reduced to 58. The amount to be divided will be about £500, which will be equal to about £8 10s per man.

Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 10th June 1893;

TO BE SOLD. FLAGS, MILNERS' SAFE, REGALIA, &c,
the property of the SANTON CONCORDANT SOCIETY.

The Officers of the above Society will meet at the Santon Parochial Schoolroom, on Wednesday, June 21st, at 7 p m., to Sell two Flags, one handsomely painted by a London artist, which cost the Society £21 ; the other a relic of antiquity, having the date 1815 painted on it; a Milners' Fire Proof Safe ; also the Regalia and Sticks. Flag Staffs, Apparatus for carrying Flags, Cash Box, Chest, &c, &c.

Mona's Herald, Wednesday, 5th July 1893;

SANTON CONCORDANT SOCIETY.

ALL Persons having CLAIMS against thc KIRK SANTON CONCORDANT SOCIETY are hereby requested to send particulars to the undersigned before July 15th, as no payments can be made after that date. The Society's Capital will be divided amongst its Members the week following. A notice of the date will be served on each Member. JOHN KELLY, Secretary. 27, Circular-road, Douglas.

Property Records and Key Officers

There are some 43 property records (see earlier for an explanation) which allows a good spread of dated records naming key Officers (many more tba). For most Societies a President could only act for one year before stepping down, they could be re-elected after a break period; in some Societies the President and Stewards were elected at the meeting prior to the annual procession but took office on the following monthly meeting i.e. the key officers worked for a year before enjoying their prominence in the procession etc. In some societies it appeared that Officers were elected for a calendar year.

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