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Home » Health, Welfare and Charity » Societies » Fraternal lodges

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  • The Ivorites were a benefit or mutual aid society which prospered during the middle decades of the nineteenth century and was uniquely Welsh in many of its aims and attitudes, including its promotion of the Welsh language.
Booklet produced by the Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites, iillustrating the 'Signs and Grips of the Order' [front cover, image 1 of 5]
  • 'The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes' was one of the many benefit or mutual aid societies which gained popularity in Wales during the nineteenth century. Most, such as the Independent Order of Oddfellows and the 'Buffaloes', had their origins in England but some, most notably the 'Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites' were uniqely Welsh in their aims and attitudes. These societies provided insurance benefits of various kinds for their largely working-class membership. This particular certificiate reads: 'Certificate of Membership. Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, Grand Lodge of England. This is to certify that brother C. Arnold was initiated a member of the Sir Thomas Meyrick Lodge. No. 898 in the town of Pembroke Dock the 29th day of July 1919.' The document is signed by three officials of the lodge. This certificate was discovered amongst the personal papers of Able Seaman Arthur Charles Arnold of King Street, Pembroke Dock.
Buffaloes Benefit Society, Pembroke Dock (membership card), 1919
  • Sash which belonged to a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters 'Court Powys', one of a number of Friendly Societies which existed in Wales from the late 18th century. It is known that the Ancient Order of Foresters 'Court Powys' met in Welshpool. Since the middle of the 18th century the situation for poor people was close to desperate with low wages, hunger, bad health and high prices. To fight this poverty, people in England and Wales set up Friendly Societies. Their aim was to help the poor in cases of illness and death. Each member would contribute a monthly fee, the money would accumulate and be paid out to members in need. A specified sum would be given to a worker who was unable to work because of illness or to a family, who had problems surviving the death of a husband. The Friendly Societies would also pay pensions to retired workers and travelling relief, for workers seeking jobs outside their home areas. There were very strict rules as to who could benefit from the Societies, the most important being a pledge of non-drinking. Initially, the Friendly Societies were illegal, and in order to counteract this many Friendly Societies used special passwords and secret signs. The Societies were legalised in the late 19th century and some are still in existence today, working more or less as insurance companies and building societies, helping their members with sickness benefit, insurances and mortgages. Description: Powysland Museum and Montgomery Canal Centre
Sash of the Ancient Order of Foresters 'Court Powys'
  • Sash which belonged to a member of the Order of Druids 'Llewelyn Lodge', one of a number of Friendly Societies which existed in Wales from the late 18th century. It is known that the Order of Druids 'Llewelyn Lodge' met in Welshpool. Since the middle of the 18th century the situation for poor people was close to desperate with low wages, hunger, bad health and high prices. To fight this poverty, people in England and Wales set up Friendly Societies. Their aim was to help the poor in cases of illness and death. Each member would pay a monthly fee, the money would accumulate and be paid out to members in need. A specified sum would be given to a worker who was unable to work because of illness or to a family, who had problems surviving the death of a husband. The Friendly Societies would also pay pensions to retired workers and travelling relief, for workers seeking jobs outside their home areas. There were very strict rules as to who could benefit from the Societies, the most important being a pledge of non-drinking. Initially, the Friendly Societies were illegal, and in order to counteract this many Friendly Societies used special passwords and secret signs. The Societies were legalised in the late 19th century and some are still in existence today, working more or less as insurance companies and building societies, helping their members with sickness benefit, insurances and mortgages. Description: Powysland Museum and Montgomery Canal Centre
Sash of the Order of Druids 'Llewelyn Lodge'
  • Sash which belonged to a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters 'Powys Court', one of a number of Friendly Societies which existed in Wales from the late 18th century. It is known that the Ancient Order of Foresters 'Court Powys' met in Welshpool. Since the middle of the 18th century the situation for poor people was close to desparate with low wages, hunger, bad health and high prices. To fight this poverty, people in England and Wales set up Friendly Societies. Their aim was to help the poor in cases of illness and death. Each member would be a monthly fee, the money would accumulate and be paid out to members in need. A specified sum would be given to a worker who was unable to work because of illness or to a family, who had problems surviving the death of a husband. The Friendly Societies would also pay pensions to retired workers and travelling relief, for workers seeking jobs outside their home areas. There were very strict rules as to who could benefit from the Societies, the most important being a pledge of non-drinking. Initially, the Friendly Societies were illegal, and in order to counteract this many Friendly Societies used special passwords and secret signs. The Societies were legalised in the late 19th century and some are still in existence today, working more or less as insurance companies and building societies, helping their members with sickness benefit, insurances and mortgages. Description: Powysland Museum and Montgomery Canal Centre
Sash of the Ancient Order of Foresters 'Court Powys'
  • Photographed by John Thomas.
Oddfellows, Montgomery, c. 1885