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| Single person record details
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Person code |
DS/UK/25078 |
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Corporate name |
Society of Free Fishermen of Newhaven |
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Activity |
The Society of Free Fishermen of Newhaven was a charitable organisation for the relief of its members in times of sickness, infirmity and old age. Grants of funeral allowances, and grants to the widows of members were also provided. In addition, the Society in the 18th and 19th centuries assumed responsibility for some local authority functions in Newhaven, such as street cleaning and maintenance, the provision of a school house, etc. It also frequently had recourse to legal action to defend the rights of its members. The date of the Society's foundation is unknown. The earliest document in its records is an instrument of sasine dated 1572, but traditionally the Society is of much older origin. It received a charter of incorporation from King James VI in 1573. In 1845 a revised set of printed Rules and Regulations of the Society received official approval in terms of the Friendly Society Acts (10 Geo. IV c.56, and 4 & 5 Will. IV, c.40).
Membership of the Society was exclusive to Newhaven fishermen, and it eventually regulated the local, rich oyster beds and net and line fishing. Much of its litigation was with Edinburgh Corporation in an effort to preserve its rights; but there were also various confrontations offshore with Fisherrow and Prestonpans boats.
The Society was dealt a significant blow in 1959 when Edinburgh Corporation decided to undertake a preservation recreation of the old village in Newhaven, and many local families were moved elsewhere. The Society was wound up in 1989-1990. After the Financial Services Act 1986 (c.60), the Society could apparently not continue to operate as a small investment business and offer small pensions. The assets were distributed equally amongst the members. |
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Dates |
-1990 |
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Associated records |
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| GD265 | Society of Free Fishermen of Newhaven, Wester Close, Newhaven, Edinburgh | 1572-1989 |
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