Research by James Clements - former Stevenston Mayor The Stevenston Friendly Society was formed on Tuesday, 23rd August, 1819 with a membership of fifty-seven. Members, it was stated, 'Must be of good and sound constitution, free of all bodily disease and of good moral character, and required to be well recommended'. Contributions were four shillings per annum, paid quarterly, but new members were charged double this amount during the first year of membership, There is a death grant of £I. 5s to cover funeral expenses, and elaborate arrangements were made for the proper conduct of the society. Members were obliged to act as Managers in rotation to defray certain expenses out of their own pockets. A refusal to accept office or negligence In the performance of that office meant a fine. There was provided a small chest, securely hinged, with two outside locks and keys, with a small drawer in one end, with a lock and key, into which shall be deposited the money and bills belonging to the society; the other part of the chest to hold Books or other necessary writings. Any money lent on interest required to be on good and proper security at least two securities on each sum. Regards, Hugh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _--_|\ http://www.threetowners.com "Ayrshire Folk" / \ email: [email protected] \_.--._/ __ Hugh McCallum in o Melbourne Australia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~