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

(68a) Benevolent Society of Jurby - 1836-1902

Description

not in A.H

Records

M.N.H.L. Isle of Man newspapers, MS 06535 - Register and Subscriptions Book;

Publications

...

Later research (by F.P.C)

There are two, late, newspaper entries - referring to the Jurby Friendly Society - the first mentions an anniversary on 18th June, which corresponds to neither of the two common processional days of Ascension day or Whit Monday but might refer to the founding day as the surviving register notes subscriptions from July 1836 onwards . William Farrant of Ballamoar, a long time Honorary member had died earlier that month.

Isle of Man Times, 20th June 1891;

The Jurby Friendly Society celebrated their anniversary on Thursday. After transacting the usual business at their club-room, the Board School, the members walked in procession to the Parish Church, headed by a band of music, where the vicar. Rev H. Wilson, delivered an address. On re-forming, the procession vended its way to Ballamoar, where a good meal tea awaited them, to which every one present seemed to do ample justice. Before separating, it was proposed and unanimously carried that the secretary be instructed "to convey to Mrs Farrant and family the united sympathy of the members' with then, in their sad bereavement, the loss of a loving husband, an affectionnate father, and Jurby's noblest son" In spite of the drain upon their resources, from sickness and deaths, the Jurby Friendly Society, one of the oldest country clubs in the Island, is able to show a very decent balance on rhe right side.

Ramsey Weekly News, 19th June 1897 - referring to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria notes

Jubilee day is evidently to be a red letter day in Jurby. The Committee of the demonstration have already arranged with the Jurby Friendly Society to hold their annual gala upon Thursday, next, the 24th June, when the club, joined by the Sunday-schools of the parish, will proceed from the Schoolhouse to the grounds of Ballamoar (kindly placed at their disposition by Mr Christian, H.K.), and they invite the parishoners to join, when all will be entertained during the afternoon to tea. A programme is being prepared, and in addition to amusements there will be a vocal and instrumental concert. Nothing will be wanting save the weather to make the day enjoyable and to be remembered by both old and young.

Though I have not been able to find any mention of this Society in the newspapers pre 1890, the Manx Museum holds a register and subscriptions book which commences in July 1836 with the final entry in June 1870; there are also two deeds relating to loans made by the society - one notes repayment made in 1899, the second,apparently repaid before 1902 when it appears the society unanimously resolved to dissolve but neglected to record that this repayment had been made, thus requiring a Chancery petition to correct the error.

The two deeds mentioned above are NSM May 1842 97 and Registered Deed March 1858 19 - the former deed, detailing a loan of £150 using a brewery and other property in Lonan as security ,was redeemed in 1899 by Alexander Spittall the then owner of the brewery. but the latter deed was not marked as discharged on record at the Registry which led to a petition to the Chancery Court December 1st 1913; the preamble to the discharge stated that about 1902 the members of the Society unanimously resolved to dissolve and wind up the society, John Callister,the then President and John Cashen and John Wade stewards were to carry this out, at which time the loan was repaid but not recorded on record, but by 1913 all parties were deceased and John Wade's son as his executor presented the petition and on 27th February 1918 the Clerk of the Rolls requested it stand cancelled on record. Only in this discharge of the 1842 deed is the Society President named - neither President nor Stewards are named as such in the Member's Register thus the only recorded names and years are:

Register and Contribution Book

As mentioned the register starts in July 1836 with 41 names; the first being Wm Farrant Esq who would appear to be a honorary member as no contributions are noted against him, the next 40 would appear to be founder members, then follow 4 names whose payments start within the year and are noted as having paid a 5s entry money.

Some paid 1s a month, others 2s 2d in the first month then 4s four months later in November - no explanations are given for the amounts paid and at present I cannot determine an obvious pattern. The entries are on double pages, names on the lh column on lh page followed by 6 double columns of s d (shillings + pence) headed July through December, then on rh page 6 similar columns headed Jan through June with a wide rh column that on some pages has a date which corresponds with Ascension day that year, hence the strong suggestion that this day, in common with many other insular Benefit Societies, was the day of the annual anniversary meeting. Thus the first anniversary meeting was probably on the 4th May 1837 though the contribution book would note entries from July to June for each succeeding year.

The names are generally in the same sequence from one year to the next, though some names dissapear from the list. Two are noted as dead but generally no indication is given for the disappearance of a name..

There are 47 names in the 1836/37 pages rising to 153 + 2 new entrants for 1869/70; Contributions were nominally 1s per calender month (though extra could be paid for greater benefits) some members are noted as paying 1s each month others as paying several months contributions together - for many the July column would indicate a 1s contribution followed by 4 blank columns until the November column which would show 4 months contributions then a regular monthly contribution until the following July.

In 1841 4 Honorary Members head the list Revd Henry Hardy (12s), William Farrant Esq (£1), Caesar Caine Esq (12s) and John Corlett Esq (12s 6d) - the sums against their names noted in the rh column. Henry Hardy was probably the curate at Jurby - appointed Vicar in 1858; William Farrant is probably the father of the better known William Farrant and the principal landowner in the parish; Caesar Cain was another significant landowner.

The entries are in different hands.

The following table based on Anniversary Years shows the rise and fall of membership

The 1879 return to the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission reported 129 members, a 7s per week sick pay and some £590 in accumulated funds

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