Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
[p156 of the document held in M.M. is missing]
...Manx Sun of 1 January 1841, distributed garments to the poor after the meeting, to the amount of nearly £40. 'A considerable part of this sum was collected by the ladies from the poor,in weekly subscriptions; the remainder obtained from the free contributions of their more wealthy neighbours and friends of the society'. The clothing clubs combination of an element of self help with the pure charity of donations was another valuable instrument to assist in the chronic problem of poor relief.
M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim
...
In the absence of Harrison's original page I can add the following
The first mention of a Clothing Society, which would appear to amalgamate self help in terms of regular saving with charitable donation by the wealthier part of society, is that of the Ballaugh Clothing Society
Mona's Herald, 6th June 1835
On the 4th inst.at Ballaugh, a meeting of the Clothing Society was held in the parochial school room, when a quantity of ready-made clothes, and a large assortment of cotton prints, shawls, and other drapery goods were distributed to the subscribers, sixty-seven in number. This very laudable institution is under the management of Miss Stowell, Miss Johnston, Mrs. Cannell, and other benevolent ladies, to whom every praise is due for their humane efforts in collecting the weekly and monthly subscriptions of the poor, and thus enabling them, by their small savings to procure decent apparel, and at a moderate price.
Mona's Herald, 16th, January 1836
The Clothing Society met in the School Room, Ballaugh, on the 7th inst., when forty-one members received clothes, cotton prints, checks, counterpanes, blankets, calicoes, shawls, handkerchiefs, &c. &c, with a variety of other articles suitable for the poor. The greatest praise is due to the Christian Ladies who so liberally subscribed to this charitable fund, as well as to those who assisted in the distribution,— namely, Miss Stowell, Mrs. E. Taubman, the Misses Taubman, and Miss Rothwell. The poor received goods to the amount of upwards £12, with a bonus of 25 per cent.
The first mention of the Ramsey Society is in the Manx Sun, of 20th December 1839 is a long article that would appear to indicate the society was already well established
RAMSEY CLOTHING SOCIETY.
Every plan that reflection under Christian influence can suggest for the comfort of the indigent poor, ought to be carried out into operation for their comfort and happiness, especially during the inclement season of the winter. And although Christian instruction will yield in importance to no other object for the happiness of a people, yet, this being duly attended to, we must not be unmindful of their temporal necessities, but cordially unite in every plan that will have for its end their happiness and respectability. Clothing societies certainly hold a commanding situation among the many other institutions for that purpose ; they promote economy by inducing the poor to lay aside a small trifle of their earnings for their comfort in the inclement season of winter, and industry by encouraging them to labour, in order that they may have a little by them to give to the kind Collector who may call for their contribution. And in addition to this, institutions of this order bring together the rich and the poor, bring the wealthier classes to the abodes of the indigent, where they may witness privation and sorrow, be moved to deeds of charity, and return home with grateful hearts to the Giver of all good for his kindness to them in his ample supply for their temporal wants, and for breathing into their hearts the spirit of sisterly charity.
The Ramsey Clothing Society held their Annual Meeting in the National School room, of that town, on Wednesday last, the 18th inst, where the poor were supplied with clothing ready made at reduced prices — it was quite refreshing to witness the interest manifested in that small town by the ladies for a considerable time previous to the day of distribution, in making preparations for that event, and go where you would either in the National School or the houses of the gentry, you would find but one object influencing all, every heart animated by the spirit of philanthropy, and every eye gladdened at the prospect of the work before them. In walking through the town of Ramsey, the comfortable appearance of the poor must strike the least attentive observer, particularly when you contrast that appearance with what you may witness with respect to that order in the sister Island ; this state of things we are free to state, is attributable to the exertions of the Clothing Society, who make it their business to solicit subscription from their wealthy neighbours so as to enable them to sell the articles to the poor considerably lower than they could possibly receive them, were their own subscriptions the only sum available for that purpose ; and it is a fact worthy to be borne in mind that if an individual be seen abroad, particularly a female, clothed in a manner unbecoming her sex, you may rest assured that individual is idle, and I may with safety say, undeserving of the charity of the humane. The sacred season of Christmas is now close at hand, may I venture to hope that the collections at the several places of worship will be doubled, the coldness of the weather will plead the cause of the destitute even to our feelings of natural compassion, and those who have any Christian love in their hearts will give not only for the sake of the poor, but for the sake of Him who has said in his word "charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give and glad to distribute, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life".— Correspondent.
The next mention was that in the Manx Sun, 1st January 1841 - again the last Wednesday before Christmas
RAMSEY CLOTHING SOCIETY — On Wednesday, the 23d ult., the Ramsey Clothing Society, held their meeting in the National School-room of that town, and distributed garments to the poor, to the amount of nearly £40. A considerable part of this sum was collected by the ladies from the poor, in weekly subscriptions : the remainder obtained from the free contributions of their more wealthy neighbours and friends of the society.— Correspondent.
And again in 1842 - Manx Sun, 1st January 1842
RAMSEY CLOTHING SOCIETY. — On Wednesday the 22nd inst., the Ramsey Clothing Society held their annual Meeting in the National School-house of that town, and distributed clothing to the poor at reduced price, to the amount of £40, a part of which sum was subscribed by themselves, in small weekly payments during the past year. Above one hundred families have benefited by this charitable and practically useful institution, and the poor appear fully aware of the necessity of a little forethought even in their humble condition of life.
The next reported appearance, in 1847 was noted in the Manx Liberal, 1st January 1848;
On Wednesday last the Ramsey Clothing Society held its annual distribution at the Court-house, which had been kindly granted by the High Bailiff for the benevolent purpose. During the greater part of the day there was a busy and animated scene, between the fair advocates and their numerous clients; the different causes were settled, as is not always the case, in plaintiffs' favour, and the awards seemed to give universal satisfaction. From what we have been able to learn of the day's proceedings, upwards of 200 individuals received articles of clothing of various kinds, and to various amounts — a most seasonable relief, as the winter is just now setting in in good earnest.
It was still active in 1848 as reported in Isle of Man Times, 30th December 1848
Last week a quantity of clothing was distributed in Ramsey court house by the "Clothing society" to the poor, and those who had contributed small sums (say one penny or two-pence weekly) during the year. The ladies of the town, in this useful work exerted themselves to the alleviation of the necessities of the poor, in this severe season.
The concept would appear to have spread to Castletown as the Manx Sun, of 1st March 1851 carried a paid advertisement of the collections and disbursements of the Clothing Society
CASTLETOWN CLOTHING SOCIETY.
AN ACCOUNT of the RECEIPTS and DISBURSEMENTS of the CASTLETOWN CLOTHING SOCIETY, 1st December, 1850.
Money collected from the Districts for clothing at reduced prices.
...
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS.
...
107 persons have received clothing from this charitable fund, of whom 73 have received flannel and calico gratis, and 124 at reduced prices.
M. F . QUAYLE , Treasurer.
Castletown, Feb. 28, 1851.
and in Mona's Herald, 24th November 1852
The treasurer of the Castletown clothing society acknowledges the receipt of one pound four shillings and twopence, being the proceeds of the Rev. Edward Forbes's lecture, on the Church in the Catacombs.
And by 1854 had spread to Douglas as noted in the Manx Sun, 25th March 1854;
EVENINGS WITH THE POETS.
MR. G. H. WOOD purposes (D.V.) giving his Tenth READINGS from the BRITISH POETS, ON WEDNESDAY, the 29th March, at the ATHOLL STREET SCHOOL ROOM. The Evening will be devoted to Shakespeare's Tragedy of King Lear ; the Proceeds, after expenses are deducted will be handed over to the Treasurer of the Clothing Society connected with the Independent Chapel Atholl.street. Tickets may be had at the Booksellers, price 6d. The Room will be duly heated with the Stoves on this occasion. The Doors will be opened at 7 ; Reading to commence at half-past 7 o'clock precisely.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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