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

(55) Peel Artificers Friendly Society, 1832-1882

Description

With no surviving rules or archives this Club is recorded in the newspapers only by brief details of its anniversary meetings in 1836 and 1843. Its title suggests an emphasis on the craftsman's skills implied by the title of 'artificer' and may indicate a contrast in origin and purpose between the junior club and the first, thirty years older Peel Society, which, from the brief evidence available, suggests a Peel 'establishment' club of greater social pretension. The Artificers were still in operation in 1879 and were listed in the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report.

Records

M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim

Publications

...

Later research (by F.P.C.)

Newspaper Reports

In 1835 there is mention in the account of the Kirk Patrick Friendly Association procession and dinner of "the excellent music of the Peel Artificer's band - the members of which being natives, and a volunteer corps of harmonists deserve great credit for their skill and execution" - whether this band was associated with the Benefit Society of the same name is not clear - later mentions of bands in the processions are always of bands from elsewhere.

Manx Sun, 3rd June 1836

On Wednesday the 26th ult., the Peeltown Artificers' Friendly Society held their fourth anniversary, and proceeded from their club-room to church, where service was performed and a very impressive discourse delivered by the Rev. Mr. Winslow, after which they perambulated the different streets with banners and a most excellent band of music, and several tunes having been played in the market place, the members regaled themselves, and several gentlemen who were invited on the occasion, with roast beef and other substantial viands, and the day was passed in good fellowship and brotherly affection, and though not t-totallers with the strictest temperance and moderation.

Manx Liberal, 18th February 1843

Two young members of the Peeltown Artificers' Friendly Society, were interred on Saturday last. One, a youth of twenty-one years of age, named Crellin, was accidentally killed while assisting in removing a log of timber off a saw-pit, in that town. The log by some mischance fell upon deceased, and his death was instantaneous. [They were John Crellin (carpenter s/o John Crellin miller) and Stephen Quirk (tailor)

There is a long gap in reports of the Whit Wednesday procession after the that of 1843 until that of 1860 after which it was regularly reported

Manx Sun, 2nd June 1860

PEEL — The Rechabite and Artificers' Societies' processions took place in this town during the present week; the former on Tuesday, and the latter on Wednesday inst. The Rev. Thomas Caine, Vicar of Lonan, preached for both Societies. The procession of the Peveril Lodge of Odd-Fellows will take place on Wednesday next, the 6th of June. Whatever may be the position and prospects of the benefit societies in other parts of the Island, the three belonging to Peel are in a very prosperous condition, both as regards the number of members and funds.

Mona's Herald, 29th May 1861;

PEEL.- The Peeltown Artificer's Society celebrated its 28th anniversary by walking in procession on Wednesday, the 22nd inst. About 135 of the members, about 11¼ o' clock, accompanied by the Peel Amateur Band, proceeded to St. Peter's Church, where a sermon was preached by the Vicar of German. After service the members reformed in procession, and marched through the principal streets until three o'clock, when they retired to partake of an excellent dinner provided by Mr. William Clark, of the Peveril Inn.

Manx Sun, 14th June 1862:

The Peeltown Artificers' Benefit Society celebrated their Anniversary, by walking in procession and attending divine service in St. Peter's Church, on Wednesday Whitsun Week. An excellent and appropriate Sermon was preached on the occasion, by the Rev. J. J. S. Moore of Lhergydoo. This excellent Society still holds its position, but in consequence of the extreme wetness of the day and boisterous state of the weather, the members did not look so well as we have seen them on former occasions.

Mona's Herald, 3rd June 1863

PEELTOWN ARTIFICER'S FRIENDLY SOCIETY.- This flourishing Society celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on Wednesday, the 27th inst. The members, to the number of 125, assembled in Mr. Corris's large shed, Athol-street, Peel, dressed in their holiday attire, and vieing with each other in showing off their choice flowers. After the preliminary business of the day was gone through, they formed into a circle in procession order, when the Secretary read to them the state of funds, &c., which stood thus-Cash in box, bonds, &c.,£1576 3s. 6d.; cash paid sick members, funerals, doctor, &c. since last anniversary, £114 18s. 3d.; Cash saved since last anniversary, £82 19s. 3d.; members good on the books 147; cash paid sick members and funerals from commencement, £1964 1s. 4d. The members then proceeded with wands and banners, accompanied by the Foxdale Band, to the Rev. Mr. Stowell's, vicar of the parish of German, who joined them, and walked to St. Peter's Church, where they joined in the solemn worship of God, and listened attentively to the excellent discourse delivered to them by the rev. gentleman. They then perambulated the various streets of the town, taking a turn up to and round Peveril Terrace, the band discoursing its excellent music, and returned to Mr. Corris's larger shed, where they sat down to an excellent dinner provided, by Mr. Moffatt. The members and order of procession never looked better.

Isle of Man Times, 3rd June 1871:

PROCESSION OF A FRIENDLY SOCIETY.- The anniversary of the Peel Artificers' Friendly Society was held on Whit-Wednesday. The members, after the usual Church service, had their dinner in Messrs Corris's large shed. As the dinner was supplied by a teetotaller, of course no licence in any shape was given for sale of drink; consequently the assembled members returned earlier to their homes than is usual on such occasions, perhaps none the worse for being a little thirsty.

Mona's Herald, 29th May 1872:;

PEEL ARTIFICERS SOCIETY.- The anniversary of this prosperous society was celebrated on Wednesday last, and, notwithstanding the absence of many members at Kinsale, mustered strongly. They marched, accompanied by the Kirk Michael band, in procession through the principal streets, attended divine service at St Peter's Church, and afterwards dined together in Mr Corris's large room in Athol-street, off one of the best dinners ever served up to the members of any society, and which the men were not slow to discover, as evidenced by the justice done to the various delicacies set before them. It was provided by Mr John Quayle, of the White Lion Hotel, and reflects the highest credit upon his catering abilities. We are glad to see that this society occupies so prominent a position financially, but it is with regret we observe that it does not muster stronger in young members, it seems to be in the same position as many other country clubs in that respect.

Mona's Herald, 20th May 1875

PEEL ARTIFICERS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY.- On Wednesday this .Society celebrated its anniversary by a procession. At 10 o'clock the members assembled at Mr Corris's large yard, Athol-street. and having answered to their names they then marched through some of the principal streets in the town accompanied by the Foxdale brass band. Having attended divine service in St. Peter's Church they again marched through some of the streets to Mr Corris's yard, where a sumptuous dinner was provided for them by Mr J. Quayle (White Lion), Bridge-street, and which too gave great satisfaction.

On the 1877 occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Clothworkers' School in Peel the Peel Artificers would lead the three local benefit societies in the procession - this would appear to be the last reported procession of the members

Mr William Faragher(Peel) secretary to the Peel Artificers' Society giving evidence on the 20th December 1878 to the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission stated:

We have altogether about 110 members, of whom about 80 are in the town. During the last three years we have paid on an average about £162 a year to sick members. We do not include the burial money in that average amount. The town funerals for the last three years have averaged £20 a year ; and for doctors' attendance £9 15s 2d a year. The benefits comprise sick money, doctors' attendance, and medicines.

However less than 4 years later a decision to wind up the Society had been taken - the Isle of Man Examiner of 18th March 1882 carried the advertisement

To Benefit and Friendly Societies.

REGALIA FOR SALE. MR JOHN COTTIER has received instructions from the President and Stewards of the Peel Artificers' Society (who are winding up the affairs of the said society) to SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION on TUESDAY . MARCH 28th, 1882, on the Premises of Mr Caesar Corris's Yard, ATHOL STREET , PEEL , the following REGALIA, suitable for use at club processions - 2 Large Silk Flags, with poles, &c, complete; 1 Silk Velvet Pall, upwards of 200 ornamental Wands (or Sticks ) , and 2 Boxes.
Sale to take place on the above premises at the hour of Two o'clock, afternoon

Property Records

There are some 50 legal documents relating to loans and repayments which generally name the President and the two Stewards of the Society for both the year of granting the loan and the year of the repayment or transfer of the loan - the first such loan was in 1839, some 7 years into the life of the Society and from this year on, it is possible to determine the key officers for most of the following years. It would seem that loans were generally smaller sums of around £50 at 5 or 6% interest rate - about two new loans were granted each year unto 1876 after which no new loans were given and in 1881 there were several assignments of loans to return money to the Society.

Key officers - President, and two Stewards are named in all deeds thus, except in very few years, names can be obtained for these offices; in a couple of deeds the Society Secretary is also named. In the absence of any rule book it would appear from the various dates and names that the Presidency was held for a year and was not under normal circumstances extended, though the holder could be re-appointed after a short gap of two or more years. The problem is that the various dates of the deeds conflict as to whether the year started on January 1st or Whit Wednesday e.g. in 1844/5 there is a change between 1st Nov 1844 and 21st Jan 1845, yet in 1848 there is a change between 2nd June and 8th November compatible with the presidential year starting on Whit Wednesday. The Stewards were appointed for the same period but could be re-appointed for a second year. In practice some half dozen men cycle between these roles - Evan Quirk, Caesar Corris and Henry Maddrell Graves being the major players, Robert Clark, Philip Clucas,Wm Quayle together with a few others appearing less often.

The table below shows the named Officers at the date of the deed - two or more deeds with the same officers are grouped showing the earliest and latest dates - the date of Whit Wednesday is shown - my linkage here is my best guess as no newspaper account names the officers.

The majority of loans are at most £100 - generally let out at 6% interest though this could be reduced to 5% on prompt payment on the anniversary date, the interest rate decreased from the 1860s, one being at 5.5% with the 1% reduction, later ones were 5% but no reduction mentioned. However there was one loan unusual in several respects - this was a loan of £250 on the 6th March 1858 to the Peel Gas Light Company at 4.5% on the security of the whole of the lands, property and fittings - this company having been set up under an act of Tynwald of the 6th of July 1857 "for lighting the Town of Peel with Gas" . The directors of the Company who signed the deed were Robert J Moore, Thomas Cottier, Humphry Higgins, Robert Corrin, Thomas Clark and John Bisset. The loan was repaid in 1873 apparently at the request of the company. The company had been formed in November 1853 and a provisional committee established to determine a suitable location for the works - a report to the shareholders from this provisional committee was made at a meeting on 23rd January when sufficient planning had been done to justify the call for full payment for the shares when Caesar Corris and Evan Quirk were appointed assistant temporary directors.. Caesar Corris was in 1879 noted as one of the retiring directors re-elected to the board.

A Building Society was established on April 1863 called The Peel and Isle of Man Permanent Building and Investment Society which operated in a more commercial manner to loan money against the security of land and property - shares were bought, the money forming the capital which was then loaned out at interest - the repayments providing the dividend paid to share holders and the cost of running the society.

There are some 30 deeds, mostly Bond & Security, with the security typically being a building plot within about 5 miles of Peel together with the house then in course of erection on the property. The first deed began with the following recitation:

"...that on the 16 Apr 1863 a Society was established in Peel called the "Peel and IoM Permanent Benefit Building and Investment Society" the object of which society was to promote the building and acquisition of house property by the establishment of a stock or fund which would enable the several persons who might become shareholders in said society to invest savings and obtain advances of the same upon security of such property. A series of rules and regulations has been prepared and printed in form of a pamphlet by Robert H Johnson printer Douglas entitled "Rules of the Peel and IoM ...containing 103 rules several tables" - a full copy to be placed in the records office".

No such copy of these rules appear to have been preserved. The management was in the hands of a small number of trustees in 1866 these were Evan Quirk, Henry Maddrell Graves and William Edward Stevenson Moore,

I suspect that Evan Quirk was the prime mover, with the Graves and Moore families providing the seed capital There was an advertisement issued in his name in 1863 offering£1000 to be available.

Evan Quirk was noted a a painter & glazier with a shop and premises in Peel - he also was a small holder with a number of sheep. He, often with Caesar Corris, can often be found on many of the key committees concerned with the governance of Peel, as for example

Manx Sun, 4th January 1873

We have much pleasure in announcing that J. K. Ward, Esq, of Montreal — whose liberality we have frequently had occasion to notice — has not forgotten his native Peel. On New Year's Eve the High-Bailiff received a cheque from S. Harris,. Esq. High-Bailiff of Douglas, for the handsome sum of £5 for the use of the poor of the town. This sum was at once handed over by the former gentleman to Messrs Caesar Corris and Evan Quirk the town Church Wardens, for the benefit of the most deserving objects.

However this would appear to be his last appearance in the press before

Manx Sun, 22nd November 1873;

DEATH OF MR EVAN QUIRK , PEEL. — On Thursday, the 20th inst., at Peel, deeply regretted by all classes, Mr Evan Quirk, painter, &c, died in the 64th year of his age. He was a kind and attentive husband, an affectionate father, and a truly reliable friend; and certainly the community of Peel have lost one of its most respectable citizens, the church a staunch supporter, the several societies and companies with which he was associated a safe adviser, and the poor a generous and ever ready benefactor. The remains of the deceased will be removed for interment at the Kirk German Cemetery, on Monday next, at noon.

Isle of Man Times, 29 November 1873;

FUNERAL OF THE LATE EVAN QUIRK — The remains of the late Evan Quirk were deposited in the cemetery on Monday last The funeral was one of the largest that has taken place in the district for long past. The deceased, who was a man of singularly amiable disposition, had, without taking a very prominent part in affairs, so passed his term of life in Peel that he was esteemed by all classes

His son George C Quirk was noted as an accountant at the Bank of Mona in Peel - Evan's small holding was sold by auction and his business, probably 3 Upper Market St Peel, put up for sale by tender

Manx Sun, 27th December1873;

To Painters, Paper-hangers, Glaziers, &c.

THE GOODWILL of the BUSINESS and SHOP lately occupied by Mr EVAN QUIRK. deceased, Painter, Glazier, Paper-hanger, &c, will be DISPOSED OF by Private Treaty or Tender. All Tenders to be forwarded to the Executor on or before the 12th January next. The Executor does not bind himself to accept the lowest or any Tender. The Stock and Premises may be seen at any time between the hours of 9 and 7 o'clock each working day. The present affords a rare opportunity to an industrious and thoroughly competent Painter with a small capital, ensuring a lucrative business. All applications to be made to the Executor, GEO. C. QUIRK, Bank of Mona, Peel. Peel, Dec. 24, 1873.

His death probably explains the decision to wind up both the Artificers and the Peel Building Society as in both Societies from the mid 1870's little or no new business was done and debts slowly called in

Caesar Corris was a tanner at 1 Athol Street Peel in 1871 aged 63 - he too had a smallholding and described himself as farmer in the 1881 census. He died aged 77 in October 1884. His son John C Corris was a manufacturer of fishing nets.

Thomas Joshua Graves age 50 noted as Ship owner at 1 Stanley Terrace in 1871; bapt 1813 s/o T J Graves + Elizabeth Cottier.

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