Union Societies in Rotherham
Another development in 19th Century Rotherham was the Union Society. I have found some basic information about one that existed in Rotherham but there were probably others. This was gleaned from the Archives at Rotherham Archives and Local Studies when I was researching another subject and I just happened upon the papers.
The Franklin Union Society was established on 28 January 1833, a society of 60 contributors who met on the first Friday of every month. Members had to be :-
- Aged 18–34
- Of good reputation
- Pursuing a profession or trade for their livelihood
- Of well-known, industrious and frugal habits
- Free from natural infirmities.
These men paid 1/6d per month. Men aged 34–40 payed a larger weekly sum. Benefits paid out to members included sick pay, death benefits and a small widows' allowance. Those were the days before government benefits and if this union society was anything to go by, they cherry-picked their members very carefully.
I have tried searching the internet for more details about the history of such societies but information has been very thin on the ground.