month of October, various pupils were admitted. It is principally indebted to Thomas Tawell Esq. who purchased a very handsome house, with upwards of 3 acres of ground, in Magdalen-street, which he contributed for the use of the establishment, and applied it as an asylum for aged blind persons, and a school for the instruction of the young, in manufacturing articles, by which they may obtain a livelihood; there are now 5 aged persons and 16 pupils. The annual subscriptions already raised for its support, amount to about £400, and the benefactions to nearly £1000.
The Humane Society for the recovery of persons apparently drowned, paid from June 1807, to June 1809, £5. 8s. 6d. for assistance given to 18 objects who were in danger of being drowned—The Mayor of Norwich, for the time being, is Treasurer.
The Friars’ Society, for the participation of useful knowledge, instituted in 1785; their rooms for meeting are in Crown-Court, Elm Hill. Their principal is an abbot, who has a prior and other officers under him; they, during the winter season, distribute soup and bread to a great number of the poor in Norwich.
The Friendly Society, for the benefit of poor women in sickness and old age, was instituted in April, 1802, and consists of subscribing and recommended members. A subscribing member pays on admission 5s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. annually, which enables her to recommend one poor woman under 45 years of age. A benefactor of five guineas has the same privilege.
A recommended member pays 2s. 9d. on
admission, and 6½d. on the first Monday of every calendar month, which after one year entitles her to 5s. per week during her confinement in child-bed, for one month, and 2s. 6d. per week afterwards, if confined by consequent illness; and during any other sickness or misfortune, 3s. 6d. per week for one month, and 2s. 6d. per week afterwards; at the death of her husband £1; and 5s. for each of her children under 14 years of age.
At the age of 60 years, a recommended member ceases to pay her monthly subscriptions, and is entitled to an annuity of £2. 12s. for life, or to such other annuity as the funds of the society are judged capable of paying.
This society from its institution, to April, 1809, has paid £613. 11s. 6d. to 760 women; to 308 during confinement in child-bed; 438 during sickness; and to 14 losing their husbands. Treasurer, the Rev. C. J. Chapman Secretary, Mr. J. English.
Charity for Clergymen’s widows, &c. in Norwich and Norfolk. President, the Lord Bishop of Norwich for the time being Treasurer, the Rev. Mr. Parr.
The Norfolk Dissenters’ Benevolent Association, for the relief of aged dissenting Ministers, their widows and orphans, is supported by voluntary subscriptions among the Calvinistic Unitarian, and Baptist Dissenters; and an annual collection, in aid of the funds, is made at every meeting of the above persuasions in the county. The annual meeting of the society is held the first week in May. J. Barnard, Esq. of Knapton, Treasurer.