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Before twentieth century reforms
introduced benefits such as sick pay and free health care,
families whose main breadwinners suffered illness or injury
could face considerable hardships, even starvation. In the
absence of any national provision, local communities developed
self-help schemes to give financial support in the event of ill
health. These schemes were known variously as sick clubs, mutual
societies or friendly societies. For example, the first club of
this type for men in Doncaster, called the Mutual Society, was
established in 1738 according to Miller’s History of
Doncaster. By the beginning of the nineteenth century
Doncaster had ten such clubs for men and three for women. The
men paid six shillings on joining, then one shilling a month
afterwards. If ill health prevented any man from working he
received eight shillings a week. If he died before being in the
Society for five years, his heirs would receive £5. If death
occurred after five years’ membership, £10 was paid to his
heirs. Members who lived beyond the age of seventy received the
benefits without having to make any more regular contributions.
Women’s payments to the Doncaster sick clubs were much less: one
shilling on joining the scheme and then six pence each month. In
return a woman unable to work due to ill health received four
shillings a week and her heirs received £5 10s for her funeral.
Two pounds out of the funeral allocation could be allowed if a
woman’s husband predeceased her.
Tickhill’s
Friendly Society was founded in 1751. Towards the end of the
nineteenth century, members’ joining fees were five shillings
(payable half on joining and half within six months), then one
shilling per month, one shilling at a funeral, three payments of
sixpence in March, July and November for a surgeon and one
payment of sixpence annually for an accident fund. Only after
being a member for two years would any help be given and this
amounted to seven shillings a week for the first six months and
then half that amount for a further six months. Various other
payments could be made if, for instance, the member was not so
ill as to be confined to the house. As with the Doncaster
schemes, payment would be given to members’ heirs if death
occurred, ranging from £4 to £8 according to the length of time
in the Society. The Society’s rules showed that it was
well-regulated with four main officers, a steward, secretary,
book-keeper and cashier, both the book-keeper and cashier making
separate records of all payments. Fines could be levied for a
variety of misdemeanours.
Sue and Joe
Green have kindly let TDLHS copy a leaflet about Tickhill’s
Friendly Society. Its front page and examples of the Society’s
rules are reproduced below. The leaflet originally belonged to
William Wardingley, an unmarried joiner from Church Lane, who,
in his forties, became a member of the Society in 1896.
The Stewards shall be chosen from
the Secretary's list in regular rotation; only one shall stand
the office at a time, and continue in office three months or
forfeit sixpence, members out of town excepted. The other
officers shall continue until others are appointed in their room
by the society. Any Steward or officer not attending a meeting,
or neglecting to send his key [to the cash box], shall forfeit
sixpence.
The strictest order and silence
shall be kept during club hours. Any member swearing, betting
wagers, or in any way disturbing or annoying the meeting, shall
for each offence forfeit two pence.
The annual feast shall be held on
Whit Monday, when each member shall have one pint of ale before
eleven o’clock in the forenoon; any member not attending church
shall forfeit one shilling, unless special business calls him
from home.
No member shall
have any benefit from this society who, by fighting,
wrestling, drinking, or any other unlawful means, renders
himself incapable of work.
Every member shall give notice in
writing, signed by the Surgeon, to one of the officers, when he
wants pay. Those out of town to be signed by the churchwardens,
and the same when they declare off; or to pay five shillings
fine, or be expelled.
The
money belonging to this society shall never be divided, shared
or allotted amongst its members; nor any part or parcel thereof;
but shall only be used for the several purposes as specified in
these orders. Nor shall any money be lent unto any member or
members under any pretence whatsoever; but when the stock wants
decreasing, the amount shall be placed out upon mortgage or
government security.
If
any member upbraids another with having received relief from the
society, or in any way scandalizes the club, he shall pay the
sum of five shillings, or be expelled. Any member detected in
wilfully defrauding the society, shall be excluded.
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