This office is under the management of twenty-four directors, elected by a majority of the members out of their own body, by balloting, at a general meeting in the month of September; at which time the oldest eight of the twenty-four go out, and eight others are elected in their stead in a way of constant rotation. These appoint all the other officers, and meet every Wednesday in the afternoon between the hours of three and seven, to dispatch business, and in March to ascertain the dividends and contributions for the preceding year. The directors annually chuse out of their own body by balloting, a treasurer, and two assistant treasurers; also six trustees, three of whom sign all policies; and five auditors, to examine and pass the accounts; but as this office is solely calculated for the public good, none of the directors have any advantage above the rest of the members.
There are porters and watermen, &c. provided by the office, who assist in removing of goods; these wearing the societies livery and badge, and having given security for their fidelity, may be trusted in case of danger. Extracted from a copy of the proposals, and an abstract of the deed of settlement received at the office in October 1758.
Union square, in the Minories.
Union stairs, Wapping.
Union street, 1. King street, Westminster: 2. New Bond street.
Upholders, or Upholsterers, a fraternity incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1627. They are governed by a master, two wardens, and twenty-eight assistants with a livery of an hundred and thirty-one members; who upon their admission, pay a fine of 4l. 10s. but they have no hall.
Upper Brook street, Grosvenor square.†
Upper East Smithfield, near Tower Hill.
Upper Ground street, near the Falcon, Southwark.
Upper Gun-alley, Wapping.*