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

(64) Abbeylands Friendly Society: pre1834-1863?

Description

It is impossible to be sure of even the most basic elements of the history of this Friendly Society. The Abbeylands of Onchan form a community in the south-east of the parish, at, in Island terms, a considerable distance from Onchan village and it is not surprising that a closely-focused Friendly Society developed. The Manx Advertiser for 20 May 1834 printed an account of their first anniversary meeting, shared with the Strangford Union Friendly Society meeting thus, 'After meeting in their respective clubrooms, they proceeded to Kirk Braddan church where they heard a most excellent sermon by the Rev. R. Brown..... and there are no further references to its activities.

The fortunate publication of an unsigned article 'The Old Abbey Lands Friendly Society, amusing reminiscences' In the Isle of Man Examiner of 23 May 1896, appears to offer some rather bizarre clues to the unusual want of information. Lax usage of the box was noted and apparently condoned by some of the officials. The dispute resolved itself into a battle of two factions, the Abbeylands community who held the box in a house near the Club's Headquarters, the old Wesleyan Chapel and a number of members residing in or near Douglas' who determined to take the box by force if necessary and were attacked by people of the neighbourhood, armed 'with sticks scythes and other implements' as they set off to Douglas and eventually succeeded in carrying it away. 'Some were terribly injured in the affray. Summonses were afterwards issued, and several persons sent to Gaol as a result.' This development would certainly account for the dearth of information on the activities of the Club. Research in court records is an option to be taken up.

Records

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

Publications

...

Later research (by F.P.C)

The Society was noted, along with several other societies by the Mona's Herald of 13th June 1835

The Kirk Onchan Friendly Society, 120 in number, accompanied by the Abbey Land Friendly Society, (each having a band of music) walked in procession to the parish church of Onchan, where an edifying sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward Craine. from Gal. vi. 4 —" Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" ...The Abbey Land Society returned to their own neighbourhood, where they partook of a good and plentiful dinner, and enjoyed themselves during the afternoon in mutual friendship and peaceful familiarity

The article mentioned above in the Isle of Man Examiner, of the 23rd May 1896 was preceeded by a note in the edition of the 16th May "W. J. C.—We shall be pleased to publish your interesting article on the Old Abbey Lands Friendly Society in the next issue" - much of the article was welcoming a new branch of the Rechabites recently set up in the district but concludes with

The club day, too, was always looked forward to as being a red letter occasion. Great preparations would be made, some farmer's barn procured for the dinner, and a cart sent round to collect all the rhubarb in the immediate neighbourhood to make great puddings: and, with plenty of jough in addition, onr forefathers had all the essentials they thought necessary for a good club day. And there would be a band of music, and a good flag or two, and altogether it was a day they helped to break the monotony of the otherwise uneventful year. However, these once useful institutions were bound to fail and come to nought.

As a rule the management was constantly in the same hands. There were no proper rules, and there was no means of transferring a member from one "tent" to another, as belongs to-day in the Rechabite Societies. Of course, the Abbey Lands Friendly Society was no exception to the rule, and came to grief many years ago. However, there is a history connected with the Abbey Lands Old Club that would be interesting if recorded by some one who knows all the particulars. It would not only be amusing, but would show how the old clubs were conducted, and, one would hope, convince those who are constantly harping abouc the "good old days " that we are living in days when things are better conducted, even in the Isle of Man. The headquarters of the old society was in the school underneath the Wesleyan Chapel ; but the money box was lodged in a house near the Bridge, Whether this box contained all the capital of the concern, we don't know ; but it is said that at times it contained what was thought to be a good round sum in those days. Some dispute arose one day. It was the club day morning. It was observed that one of the officials put his hand into the box and took out a handful of money, and, when remonstrated with, his explanation was that he was going to treat the bandsmen and the committee when they arrived at Onchan, on their way from church. This and other matters, it is said, led to constant quarrelling among the offcials and members. A portion of the officials and members wished to make a change in the arrangements, and get the money box removed to Tromode. Others wished matters to go on as they had done for years. However, it appears that a number of members residing in or near Douglas determined to make an alteration in the state of affairs. With this object they one night at midnight visited the house where the box was kept. By some means the people in the neighbourhood were alarmed, and were soon on their feet, although many of them had retired for the night. Many armed themselves with sticks, scythes, and other implements (of course, there were none of Jameson's lilies about in those days), but with such arms as they could lay hold of they followed the men with the money box on to the Douglas road. Somewhere under Ballacreetch a free fight took place for possession of the box. How long the fight lasted we don't know but the Douglas men succeeded in carrying off the box. Some were terribly injured in the affray. Summonses were afterwards issued, and several persons were sent to gaol as a result.

I'm not convinced that the story has not been somewhat exaggerated - society rules where they do exist are all very similar in regards to official functions, these would be available in printed form for the members and as seen in several other societies the Manx generally lived up to their reputation as extremely litigious.

In 1863 there were preparations for some demonstration to honour the forthcoming marriage of the then Prince of Wales with "Denmark's fair Pricess"- a procession of all the friendly societies in the neighborhood of Douglas was planned - the Abbey Lands Club was noted as amongst those invited but along with the Baldwin Club and the Artificers it was "not yet satisfactorily ascertained whether or not they will join the procession". [see Manx Sun, Saturday, 7th March 1863] - they didn't according to reports of the procession.

Key Officials

There are three legal documents taken out in the name of the Society which name key officials

The two registered deeds, being Bond & Security should have also noted the discharge of the loan but neither indicate that the loan was repaid - however they show that the society was still active to c.1855.

Hugh Bell can be found as a 52 year old carder and cloth manufacturer at Castleward Tuck Mill with wife and 5 adult children (Castleward is very close to Tromode) - I cannot find him in the 1841 or 1861 censuses though in 1871 he can be found in Ballacreetch Onchan only a short distance away from Castleward - in the deed where he needed to sign he only marks.

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