ANCIENT DUDLEY SOUP KITCHEN.

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 Dudley63 0 0
Edward Dixon50 0 0
Edward Hancox35 0 0
D. and R. Parsons42 0 0
J. and B. Hodgetts42 0 0
Whitehouse, Moore, and Guest42 0 0
James Cartwright21 0 0
James Wainwright21 0 0
James Bourne21 0 0
Edward Cockshutt15 15 0
Charles Roberts15 15 0
Joseph Hill12 12 0
Richard Parkes15 15 0
Luke Booker10 10 0
G. and B. Parker52 10 0
Samuel and William Bennett42 0 0
John Simpson31 10 0
Jos. Amphlett25 0 0
Exors Abiathar Hawkes25 0 0
John Twamley10 10 0
Thomas Wainwright10 10 0
William Perry10 10 0
William Penn10 10 0
John Bolton10 10 0
John Hateley10 10 0
Leah Parkes10 10 0
Southall & Co.10 10 0
John and Edward Davies10 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,

Jos. Hateley,

Richard Moore,