In the earlier part of this book I have had occasion to refer to the
commencement of the present Dudley Soup Kitchen, which I consider
is well supported by the town, and does an immense amount of real
good, in distributing such large quantities of excellent soup amongst
the poor and indigent classes in bad winter weather; since that was
printed I have been favoured with the following particulars of the
old Soup Kitchen, established in 1799. The establishment of this Soup
Kitchen and Relief to the poor commenced in November of that year, in
consequence of much stagnation in the then local trades of the town,
and great distress amongst the poor. A Subscription List was opened by
a few leading individuals, resident in the town, which was heartily
supported by all classes in the town from the peer to the peasant.
£ s. d.
Lord Dudley 63 0 0
Edward Dixon 50 0 0
Edward Hancox 35 0 0
D. and R. Parsons 42 0 0
J. and B. Hodgetts 42 0 0
Whitehouse, Moore, and Guest 42 0 0
James Cartwright 21 0 0
James Wainwright 21 0 0
James Bourne 21 0 0
Edward Cockshutt 15 15 0
Charles Roberts 15 15 0
Joseph Hill 12 12 0
Richard Parkes 15 15 0
Luke Booker 10 10 0
G. and B. Parker 52 10 0
Samuel and William Bennett 42 0 0
John Simpson 31 10 0
Jos. Amphlett 25 0 0
Exors Abiathar Hawkes 25 0 0
John Twamley 10 10 0
Thomas Wainwright 10 10 0
William Perry 10 10 0
William Penn 10 10 0
John Bolton 10 10 0
John Hateley 10 10 0
Leah Parkes 10 10 0
Southall & Co. 10 10 0
John and Edward Davies 10 10 0
&c., &c.
This handsome commencement was quickly followed by 82 other subscribers
of smaller amounts, making a grand total of £804 17s. raised by the
good people of Dudley in those hard times, for the sustenance and
relief of their poorer brethren.
On November 19th, 1800, the accounts were duly examined and audited,
when the sum of £781 16s. 4d. had been expended during the year,
amongst the poor and helpless in the parish.
_Signed_,
S. BENNITT, B. HODGETTS.
JOS. HATELEY, EDWARD DIXON.
RICHARD MOORE, EDWARD HANCOX.
B. HUGHES, J. WAINWRIGHT.
* * * * *
In January, 1813, it is recorded that this town and district was at
this time visited with great depression in trade, and much sickness
and distress prevailed amongst the working classes. A very handsome
subscription was at once started, with most encouraging results, for
the sum of £870 11s. 9d. was (before the end of March) raised for the
relief of the Poor by 171 subscribers, giving another evidence of the
good will and care of the rich for their poorer neighbours.
1816. This year was one of the most disastrous in our annals; an
awful wet harvest followed close upon the war, which had just then
successfully terminated, with the finances of the country in a very
disordered state, casting a settled gloom and distrust all over the
land.
The parish of Dudley unhappily shared in these hard times, for we
find that on November 30th, 1816, a Public Meeting was held at the
Public Office. Mr. Edward Guest occupied the chair. At this meeting a
Committee was appointed to collect subscriptions for a Soup Kitchen
and relief of the necessitous poor, when the appeal was equally
successful, for the sum of £831 2s. 0d. was speedily subscribed by 162
contributors, and judiciously given amongst the poor.
July 29th, 1817. At a meeting of the subscribers to the Soup Charity
held this day, it was resolved,--That the accounts produced by Mr.
Guest appear so highly satisfactory that he be requested to accept
our best thanks for his services. Resolved,--That the thanks of the
Society be also voted to Mr. Gordon, for his kind and active services.
Resolved,--That as a reward for Mrs. Stilyard's particular attention in
the management and superintending in the making of soup, the sum of two
guineas be presented to her for the same. Resolved,--That the balance,
after discharging the small debts, to remain in the hands of Messrs.
Dixon, Dalton & Co., the Treasurers appointed.
LUKE BOOKER, THOMAS FEHR.
THOS. BADGER, RICHD. LAKIN.
TIMOTHY HILL, RICHD. BOND.
* * * * *
There are varied scenes near the neighbourhood of the town of Dudley,
where antiquity and picturesque beauty, art, and nature present
themselves in every wondrous form. The secrets and wonders of former
worlds are to be found in our Limestone and Silurian formations, which
are daily worked by the active miner; the very extensive employment
of manufactures and commerce are well worth an inspection by the
stranger who may visit our ancient town; for these mixed sources of
contemplation are adequately fitted to engage the attention of the
curious, and the searcher for scientific truth, and to fill the mind
of the moralist, the poet, the politician, and the philanthropist with
sentiments akin to reverence and thankfulness.
* * * * *
My labours being now ended, I trust that this memento of many humorous
and stirring events, in the social and political life of this ancient
borough, may prove a source of amusement and happy reflection to the
aged, and lessons of instruction to the young, and the comparative
strangers in our midst; bearing in mind that we now live and move under
very altered conditions of both social and moral life, leading us to
feel thankful that we are now living in the age of national progression.
* * * * *
I have studiously avoided commenting upon the various charities in
this town, because an abler pen than mine has recently undertaken that
most necessary illustration of the "Charities of Dudley," which I feel
assured could not be in safer hands than our highly esteemed Town
Clerk of Dudley, Edward M. Warmington, Esq., Solicitor. Let us hope
that these learned "Articles on the Charities of Dudley" may shortly
be collected and printed in a volume for local preservation. I have,
finally, greatly to thank many ladies and gentlemen, in and around
Dudley, for their courtesy and kindness, in furnishing me with copies
of many additional paragraphs which appear in this book.