There is a very remarkable custom among the Fellowship porters, which is as follows, viz.
By an act of Common Council, a sermon is preached to them, in the parish church of St. Mary at Hill, the next Sunday after every Midsummer day; when overnight they furnish the merchants and families about Billingsgate with nosegays, and in the morning they proceed from their place of meeting in good order, each having a nosegay in his hand: walking through the middle isle to the communion table, every one offers something into the two basons, for the relief of the poor, and towards the charges of the day; and after they have passed, the deputy, the merchants, their wives, children, and servants walk in order from their seats, and bestow their offerings also; which is a ceremony of much variety. The charges of their nosegays have amounted sometimes to near 20l. in one year.
III. The Ticket porters land and ship off goods imported or exported to all parts of America, &c. and house all merchants goods, metals, &c. They give ample security for their fidelity and honesty, and such as employ them need only take notice of their names stamped on a ticket that hangs at their girdles; that upon complaint being made to their Governor, satisfaction may be given to such as have been injured by them.
IV. Tackle porters are such of the Ticket porters as are furnished with weights, scales, &c. and their business is to weigh goods.
Rates taken by Porters for shipping, landing, houseing and weighing.
Sugar the hogshead, 3d.—For weighing 4d.
Sugar the tierce or barrel, 2d.—For weighing 3d.
Sugar the butt, 6d.—For weighing 8d.
Cotton, wool, the bag, 3d.—The same for weighing.
Ginger, the bag, 1d.—The same for weighing.