Elizabeth Williams’s (Croft at Croes-Wylan); Jeffreys’s.
The SOCIETY for BETTERING the CONDITION of the POOR,
Within the Hundred of Oswestry, was established in or about the year 1812, by the late Rev. C. A. A. Lloyd, Rector of Whittington, and the late Rev. G. N. K. Lloyd, Rector of Selattyn. The objects of the Society at its original institution were—the encouragement of schools for the education of the lower classes; the increase of the comforts of the poor in their dwellings, by the improvement of cottages; the distribution of moral and religious books and tracts; the encouragement and promotion of friendly societies; the establishment of a bank for the poor, paying interest for small sums; and, finally, the distribution of rewards among the poor for extraordinary acts of industry.
During the progress of the Society very much has been done in the neighbourhood, through its instrumentality, with regard to the above objects. Several schools were established soon after its commencement, and a vast number of moral and religious publications have been given as prizes, from time to time, to the best-informed children, and also as rewards for proficiency in writing, drawing, sewing, &c. With respect to the improvement of cottages, the Society issued several small publications some years ago, directing the attention of owners of property to this very important social amelioration; some plans were also engraved, and rules printed, relative to the building of habitations for the poor. Through the influence of this institution some Friendly Societies were established, and also (which is well worthy of notice) a Savings’ Bank for the poor, about four years before the present excellent institution commenced operations in conformity with an Act of Parliament passed on the subject. As soon as the Government Savings’ Bank was opened, the funds of the former were transferred to it.
Subjoined are specimens of some of the prizes which were offered by the Society during the year 1854:—
No. 2.—To the Labouring Cottager who shall be found to occupy the best-furnished, neatest, and cleanest Cottage, together with the best-cultivated Garden, the same being not less than a quarter of an acre in extent:
| £. | s. | d. | |
| First Prize | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Second ditto | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Third ditto | 0 | 10 | 0 |
No. 5.—To the most deserving Widow, who under the greatest difficulties has supported herself by her own unassisted exertions:
| £. | s. | d. | |
| First Prize | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Second ditto | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Third ditto | 0 | 10 | 0 |
No. 8.—To the Cottager, or Farming Servant, who shall have accumulated most money in the Savings’ Bank, the same to have arisen entirely from his or her own earnings: