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The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
The Manx Advertiser of 21 January 1809 reported a novel and efficient way of providing relief to the poor. 'In different parts of England very liberal subscriptions have been raised, but particularly in Manchester, where soup shops have been established in different parts of that large and populous town, and soup of a most excellent and nutritious quality given out to the poor at one penny a quart which has proved a most seasonable relief.' The recipe for the soup, made of beef, peas, barley, oatmeal, carrots, onions, turnips and seasonings, (the absence of potatoes possibly denoting a Southern England origin) was appended.
Ten years later the Manx Advertiser of 14 January 1819 reported two separate but interconnected items: Philip Garrett, a surgeon in Douglas, solicited the support of the public in the provision of nourishment for the poor, and it was reported that a group of ladies had formed an association for the supply of soup. The surviving copy of the rules and regulations of the Ladies Soup Dispensary, established in November 1818, was actually printed by order of a special meeting of the committee in 1851, for publication in the Manx newspapers as a guide to the subscribers and friends of the charity. The passage of thirty-two years since the start of the association makes it likely that the regulations would hardly remain untouched, but they appear to embody its core functions and are a basis for investigation.
They provided for a society working chiefly for for residents of at least seven years in Douglas, 'unless they bring the certificate of a medical man, when they are placed on the list during sickness, although they may be strangers'. Widows with families, orphans, the aged and infirm, were considered to have particular claims on the charity so long as they were residents and of good character This most important requirement was identified by the Committee's investigation into the character and circumstances of all applicants before they were put on the list to obtain soup. The decisions of the Committee, consisting of 'from eight to twelve ladies, independent of the Treasurer', were to be arrived at democratically, but in the event of an even division the casting vote was with the Treasurer, in 1851 a post held by Mr. M'Guffog. The element of male control was intensified by the provision of the 'special meeting... when any matter of importance is to laid before the Committee, and that on such occasions the Clergymen of the different churches of Douglas to be invited by the secretary to attend, that the committee may have the benefit of their opinions'. A prudent, inter-denominational step, but certain in an age of religious belief to dominate decision-making.[ see below a Mrs M'Guffog had resigned the treasurership in 1840 after 22years in office]
Mr. M Guffog's key post was however only a blip in the history of the Soup Dispensary which started its activities with its first named Treasurer Mrs. G. Smith. The Society, under its its first all-female committee operated its variously-named facility, the 'nourishment dispensary' the 'soup kitchen', the 'soup shop' at various town locations, employing newspaper publicity judiciously to keep up public interest - for example, the Duke of Atholl was the society's patron in the winter session of 1822-1833 and visited the Dispensary and tasted the soup [Manx Advertiser, 2 January 1823], publicised fund-raising events, and regularly published lists of subscribers and donations in cash and kind. The Society lived from hand to mouth, perhaps advisedly. Throughout their long existence they regularly advertised their imminent failures in funding and warned, almost biennially, of impending closure, invariably eliciting charitable responses which would keep them going. The advice and help of men was happily taken throughout their long period of operation. 'A Friend to the Ladies', a correspondent to the Manx Advertiser of 20 January 1820 applauded their organisation and its work. 'A gentleman, who attended at the Dispensary meeting of last Monday, (for the ladies do admit gentlemen who love the cause of the poor occasionally among them) vouches for their efficiency', and they were always pleased to accept the gallant gestures of groups like the Gentlemen Amateurs of Douglas who, put on a performance of the Tragedy of Douglas at the Wellington theatre for the benefit of the. society, reported in the Manx Advertiser of 18 November 1819, a social connection with old fashioned, gallant overtones, rather than one of simple business.
A new soup-kitchen, now office accommodation, built in 1911 with funds from the Henry Bloom Noble Trust, was still in operation as late as 1962 when 39 old people were on the Register. It finally closed down in 1969 and the association was dissolved in 1972, all its remaining assets being eventually transferred to the Meals on Wheels service. Like the Douglas Dorcas Society, the Ladies Soup Dispensary was a most important and flexible provider of a particularly vital and portable commodity in the only seriously urbanised area of the Island, where private charities were up to the 1950's essential elements of the town's survival.
M.N.H. L., Isle of Man newspapers ut supra ef passim;
Rules and Regulations for the Ladies Soup Dispensary, established November 1818.
...
Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 23rd June 1840
The following address was presented to Mrs. M'Guffog, at a meeting specially called to receive her resignation as Treasurer to the Soup Dispensary, and to elect her successor. Mrs. Quirk kindly consented to take the vacant office, and we think the selection most judicious.—" The Ladies forming the committee of the Douglas Soup Dispensary contemplate with deep regret, the unavoidable retirement of Mrs. M'Guffog from the Treasurership of this Institution—an office which she has held during the long period of twenty-two years ; and the duties of which she has discharged with so much benefit both to the subscribers and to the recipients of their bounty. They cannot allow the present opportunity to pass away without recording the, high sense they entertain of the value of the services so long and so zealously afforded ; and while wishing her the enjoyment of health and happiness in the new sphere of usefulness, to which by Providence she has been called, they especially pray that the blessing of God, of "the fatherless, the widow and him who was ready to perish", may accompany.her,and remain with her to the end of her days.
Douglas, June 16, 1840. C. Crellin, Eliz. HartwellL, Eliza Wolff, Ann Dumbell, M. E. Quirk, Mary Stevenson, Ann Dumbell, jun.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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