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

(57) Douglas Reform Friendly Society: 1833-1839

Description

This society celebrated its sixth anniversary, reported in the Manx Advertiser of 6 August 1839, in the usual way. 'They walked in procession to St. George's Church,where a suitable discourse was delivered, after which the society , accompanied by an excellent band of music, conducted by Mr. Wm. Clucas, of this town, proceeded through the principal streets and presented a very respectable appearance. They subsequently dined together at the Club-room, Society Lane, where a substantial dinner was provided by Mr. John Christian, and the members spent the evening in the utmost harmony and good fellowship.' This appears to be the last published account of their activities, after a rather unrespectably short time. Though the society had had 100 members at its first anniversary and wore blue silk armbands with rosettes it was also publicly accused of failing to pay the band which had played at its 1838 celebrations, possibly an indication of financial problems. It was not listed as active in the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report. of 1879.

Records

Isle of Man Newspapers, ut supra et passim

Publications

...

Later research (by F.P.C.)

The report in the Manx Sun, Friday, 8th August 1834:

The Reform Friendly Society held their first anniversary meeting on Friday last, and proceeded from their room to St. Barnabas' Chapel, where the Rev. W. Carpenter officiated, and during the sermon lectured with great warmth on the sin of drunkenness, and as it were to enforce his argument, one of the members fell from his seat, being so overpowered with drink and sleep, as to loose his equilibrium. The Society afterwards dined at the Old Assembly Room, where Mr. R. Corteen provided a plentiful repast for them, which gave much satisfaction. The Society, although new, mustered nearly a hundred in procession, and looked well with their shoulder-bands of blue silk, with rosettes.

Carpenter's sermon did not go down well with another hearer who gave vent in a letter to the Editor of the Manx Sun, Friday, 8th August 1834

To the Rev. Wm. Carpenter.

REV. SIR, May I, as a member of the "Douglas Reform Society," ask your motives for the severe, and in my humble opinion, unmerited lecture which you thought proper to deliver against us as a body, on Friday last. If you found fault with an individual, was that a reason why you should attack the whole ? Pray, sir, may I also ask your reason, for saying you were sorry you consented to preach to the Club. I always thought, that it was not only the duty, but the wish of a Minister of the Gospel to preach to sinners. I believe there is a passage of scripture which says, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." And again, those that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." Pray, sir, how do you reconcile those passages of holy writ with your sweeping declaration.
Without wishing to give you any personal offence, I remain. Rev. sir, yours most respectfully,
A MEMBER. Douglas, August 5, 1834

Quite understandably they moved to St George's for their 2nd Anniversary as noted in Mona's Herald, Saturday, 8th August 1835

The Reform Friendly Society of this town celebrated their second anniversary on Saturday last, and made a most respectable appearance. Alter walking in procession to St. George's Church, where they heard a very appropriate and pathetic sermon, they dined together in their club-room, Society-lane, and passed the evening in the utmost harmony and good fellowship.

But maybe Carpenter had something to berate the Society over, as a court report in the Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 7th October 1834

KIRK SANTAN BAND vs THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF THE DOUGLAS REFORM SOCIETY (a benefit club) for the amount of six pounds, agreed to be paid to the said harmonics for their attendance at the late anniversary procession. It appeared that the gentlemen of the band had been adorned with silk sashes, and treated with a dinner, including wine, which a goodly looking man, with a roseate countenance, declared to be always the accompaniment of such festivals. His Honour, who did not appear exactly to know what was the Reform Society, jocosely asked if it was in connexion with the Temperance Society. The answer was not in the affirmative; Decision for plaintiff.

The name of the Society would soon be taken over by a Reform Alliance pushing for significant changes in the way the Island was governed.

The next report of the Society was their appearance in the procession to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Victoria in June 1838 - the notice to the members was carried in the Manx Sun, Friday,22nd June 1838

HER MAJESTY'S CORONATION.

THE Members of the DOUGLAS REFORM FRIENDLY SOCIETY are required to attend at their Club-Room, on THURSDAY, the 28th Instant, at 9 o'clock in the Forenoon, to form with the other Friendly Societies of this Town and Neighbourhood in a General Procession, to celebrate Her Majesty's Coronation, and to hold their Anniversary on that day, agreeably to a Resolution passed at the Monthly Meeting of the Society, held on the 30th April last. By Order of the President,

Douglas, June 22,1838. JOHN GOLDSMITH, Sec.

As it happened in the procession they were placed immediately after the band leading the Friendly Societies.

They stuck with St George's in what appears to be their final appearance in the press - Manx Liberal, Saturday,3rd August 1839

On Thursday last,the Douglas Reform Friendly Society held their anniversary. After hearing a suitable discourse at St. George's church in the morning, they marched through the streets accompanied by a band of music, and afterwards dined together at the club-room, Society-lane, where an excellent dinner was provided by Mr. John Christian, and the remainder of the evening was enjoyed in harmony and good-fellowship..

Key Officers

There is only one legal document taken out - this was a loan of £50 noted in SSM May 1837 25 but in the 1st June 1840 had to goto court to obtain an execution for repayment as interest had not been paid from the 2nd Feb 1839.

James Cowell probably 38 yr old joiner of Sand[Strand] Street in 1841 census
John Cannell probably 35 yr old joiner of Barrack Street in 1841 census
John Muncaster either 25 yr old watch maker of Factory Lane or 30 yr old shoemaker of Hanover Street

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