The Benevolent Association, for the relief of decayed tradesmen’s windows, and orphans; was instituted in 1790. From the statement of the society, it appears that near 700 tradesmen’s widows and orphans have already received benefit from the funds of the association; and that the accumulating fund of the society from benefactions, &c. amount to nearly £3000. Mr. C. Bagg, Clerk.
The Norfolk Benevolent Medical Society, for raising and establishing a fund for the relief and benefit of widows and children of surgeons and apothecaries, and of indigent members of the profession, in Norfolk and Norwich, instituted in 1786. This society holds a general meeting yearly, in May, at Norwich and Swaffham, alternately.
The Society of Universal Goodwill, in Norwich, for the relief of foreigners who are not entitled to assistance from the parish laws of this country. The number of persons who have been relieved by this society, amounts to near 3000.
The Amicable Society for Attornies, for raising and establishing a fund for the relief and benefit of the widows and children of Attornies in Norfolk and Norwich, instituted 1784. Subscribers pay one guinea annually, and they have accumulated a fund of upwards £2000. Meetings of the society are held at the White Swan, St. Peter’s, on the first Monday in April and October.
Besides the preceding, here are some other public, and many private charities and benefactions, which, together with those already
enumerated, serve to shew that the spirit of beneficence is not fled, nor the hand of liberality closed.
Formerly, here were two workhouses for the poor, one the Duke of Norfolk’s Palace, hired by the Court of him for that purpose, and within these few year, pulled down; the other in St. Andrew’s, adjoining the Hall, which is the only place occupied for that purpose at present.
The annual expence of maintaining the poor of Norwich, has amounted to £20,000 on an average for the last 20 years, which has been raised by an assessment on the half rental of occupations, at about 5s. on the pound quarterly.
The workhouses falling to decay; inconvenient, unhealthy, and unnecessarily expensive; an act was obtained, in 1802, for building a new workhouse, without side the city walls, capable of containing 1300 persons. Seven acres and a half of land was purchased for this purpose, in a healthy situation, near Chapel-field; but, after many meetings, and various plans and estimates offered, it was determined not to build a new house, but to enlarge and completely repair the old one in St. Andrew’s, some adjoining buildings were accordingly purchased, the whole new modelled, and made convenient and comfortable for 600 people, and if necessary, room can be made for 200 more.
Bridewell is in the Mayor’s jurisdiction for the confinment of such as commit petty offences or outrages in the city, is situated in St. Andrew’s parish. The north wall of which is