The London Annuity Society

Date: 1765 [unknown]
Location: City of London, England, United Kingdom
Surnames/tags: nonconformist London sources

Contents 1 The London Annuity Society 1.1 Introduction 1.2 1780 Report 1.3 1795 list of directors 1.4 1807 report 1.5 1822 report 1.6 1851 update 1.7 1883 update 1.8 Notes on the original members 1.9 Notes on Annuity Holders 2 Sources

The London Annuity Society

Introduction

The London Annuity Society was established by a group of nonconformist to provide annuities for their wives when they died. They sought a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1765 by submitting a petition to the KIng, which said

To the King's most Excellent Majesty

The humble Petition of John Field of Newgate Street London Apothecary John Field (abt.1718-1796),
John Seagrave of Southampton Buildings in the county of Middlesex Gentleman,
William Field of Thames Street London Cheesemonger,
George Rutt of Fryday Street London Druggist, George Rutt (-1768) or George Rutt (abt.1733-abt.1780) or George Rutt (abt.1730-1777)
Thomas Field of Pater noster Row London, Book Seller Thomas Field (abt.1731-1794)
Joseph Adams of Basinghall Street London Apothecary, Joseph Adams (1725-1783)
Eliezor Chater of Aldergate Street Watchmaker Eliezer Chater (abt.1730-aft.1802)
Henry Rutt of Fenchurch Street Glover Henry Rutt (abt.1729-1802)
William Gordon of Stepney Causeway in the county of Middlesex Gentleman,
David Rivers of Bridgewater Square London Watchmaker, David Rivers (1731-1815)
Thomas Houston of Great Saint Helens London, Packer,Thomas Houston (abt.1732-1796)
John Howell of Newgate Street London Hosier
Allyn Simmons of LeadenHall Street, Stationer Allyn Simmons (1732-)
Thomas Toller of Bridgewater Square London, Gentleman Thomas Toller (1732-1795)
Thomas Garratt of Ludgate Hill London Hosier,
Thomas Skinner of Goswell Street in the county of Middlesex Upholder,
James Chater of Aldersgate LOndon Watchmaker , James Chater (1732-1800)
William Richardson Grace Church Street London Taylor ,
Charles Green Say of Newgate Street London Printer,
Thomas Deeble of the prerogative's office Doctors Common London Gentleman Thomas Deeble (1724-1794) and
Benjamin Field of Grace Church Street London Hosier (may be Benjamin Field (abt.1730-))
on behalf of themselves and of
Edward Robarts of Lombard Street London Banker,
Samuel Toulmin of Bishopsgate Street London Gentleman Samuel Toulmin (abt.1740-1809) and
Samuel Longbotham of London Apothecary Samuel Longbotham (abt.1715-)
'and divers other persons being all Protestants and members of a voluntary society in London called The London Voluntary Society' for the grant to them of a Royal Charter of Incorporation as the London Annuity Society ^[1]

1780 Report

In 1780 a report was produced on the Report for the Committee of the London Annuity Society, on the progress of the first 14 years of the Society, written by Tho Deeble, secretary, by order of the committee. The report stated that Society was launched on 1st jan 1765 to provide annuities for the wives of middle class gentlemen and tradesmen who must be in good health, and agree to pay 5 guineas per year into the fund. ^[2].

1795 list of directors

Published in the Royal Kalendar, probably about 1795, based on other content, the entry states

London Annuity Society for Widows,
office 25 Old Fish Street, near St Paul's.
Treasurer John Field, Stoke Newington John Field (abt.1718-1796),
Directors
Mr David Rivers David Rivers (1731-1815)
Mr Thomas Cox
Mr Nath Field
Mr Rich Brown
Mr Tho Gillespy
T Skinner Esq
Mr Joseph Wells
Mr Milton Clifton
Mr Robert Smith
Mr Wm Horne
Mr Jn Campbell
Mr Jn Allen Sen
Mr John Barnard
Mr Jas Davidson
Mr Tho Walter
Sec Mr T Deeble Thomas Deeble (1724-1794)
Mess R Dunn
^[3]

1807 report

In 1807 details of the London Annuity Society for the benefit of widows 1765, 25 Old Fish St, were published in the 1807 edition of the royal kalendar

Directors

Mr William Curling
Mr Henry Field Henry Field (1755-1837)
John Thompson Esq
Wm Thompson Esq
Mr James Pritt
Mr John Newsom
Mr Sam Lloyd
Mr Thomas Gillespy
Mr William Marsh
Mr Joseph Hurlock
Mr Thomas Reid
Mr Wm Savil
Mr Wm Jackson
Mr William Gibson
Mr John Hepburn
Treasurer Mr James Davidson, Old Fish Street
Secretary Mr Nat Allen
Messenger Mr Wm Stevens
^[4]

1822 report

In 1822 details of the London Annuity Society for the benefit of widows 1765, 25 Old Fish St, Doctors Commons were published in the royal kalendar

Directors Benn Flight
Samuel Legg
C B R Wright
T L Forest
John Tilstone
W Curling sen.
Henry Field
Kemp, Joad
Anthony Brown
R W Jupp
Job Heath
Sam Jackson
Will Marsh
Fred Gibson
Josh Carter
Treasurer Mr Henry Field Henry Field (1755-1837)
Secretary John Field Jun.
Messenger James Goodwin
^[5]

1851 update

In 1851 the Society was still in business, with this entry in a directory of London London Annuity Society for the widows of members 11, Chatham Place ^[6]

1883 update

In 1883 the revenue account and balance sheet for the Society for 1881 was published in Parliamentary papers for the House of Commons ^[7]

Notes on the original members

Many of the original petitioners were active members the nonconformist community in London.

Thomas Deeble (1724-1794) was the secretary of the Society. His son John Thurston Deeble (1755-) married Elizabeth (Longbotham) Deeble (abt.1760-) the daughter of Samuel Longbotham (abt.1715-), another member.

Samuel Toulmin (abt.1740-1809) was an attorney and acted as the Executor of Thomas Deeble (1724-1794). He was the executor and good friend of Thomas Field (abt.1731-1794).

Thomas Field (abt.1731-1794), Allyn Simmons (1732-) and Robert Stephenson were in business together until the partnership was dissolved in 1778

Notes on Annuity Holders

Edward Rutt (1731-1784) wrote a will which he signed on 4th April 1781 in which he mentions that he had taken out a policy with the London Annuity Society for the benefit of widows in Fish Street of three pounds a year.

Sources

1. ↑ Original document ordered from The National Archives SP 36/154/1/83 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17162823 accessed and transcribed by Trevor Pickup on 25 August 2021
2. ↑ Google books The Report of the Committee of the London Annuity Society, Appointed to Examine Into Their State and Progress and the Ability of Their Fund to Advance the Widows Annuities ... Together with Two Schemes for Advancing the Widows Annuities, Etc https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Report_of_the_Committee_of_the_Londo/M1NgAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 1780 Accessed by Trevor Pickup on 9 March 2021
3. ↑ The Royal kalendar, or Complete and correct annual register [afterw.] The Royal kalendar and Court and city register. [2 eds.].. (n.d.). United Kingdom: (n.p.). page 218 Accessed from Google Books https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Royal_kalendar_or_Complete_and_corre/zxFcAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 Accessed by Trevor Pickup on 4 May 2021
4. ↑ The Royal Kalendar (Calendar) Or, Complete and Correct Annual Register, for England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, for the Year 1807 (etc.). (1807). United Kingdom: Stockdale. page 300, accessed from Google books https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Royal_Kalendar_Calendar_Or_Complete/t4NgAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=rutt+union+fire+office&pg=RA4-PA306&printsec=frontcover accessed by Trevor Pickup on 10 January 2021
5. ↑ The Royal Kalendar and Court and City Register for England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Colonies for the Year .... (1822). United Kingdom: Wm. H. Allen. page 317 accessed from Google books https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Royal_Kalendar_and_Court_and_City_Re/9OcNAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 accessed by Trevor Pickup on 31 December 2020
6. ↑ Richardson, J. (1851). The Exhibition London Guide and Visitors' Pocket Companion, Etc. United Kingdom: (n.p.). page 156 accessed from Google books https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Exhibition_London_Guide_and_Visitors/HB1bAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=london+annuity+society&pg=PA156&printsec=frontcover accessed by Trevor Pickup on 31 December 2020
7. ↑ Parliamentary Papers. (1883). United Kingdom: H.M. Stationery Office. Accessed from Google Books https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Parliamentary_Papers/v3QTAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22london+Annuity+Society%22&pg=PA103&printsec=frontcover Accessed by Trevor Pickup on 5 May 2021