Collection GB 0074 CLC/121 - LONDON COMMITTEE FOR THE RELIEF OF THE DISTRESSED IRISH

116 production units.

GB 0074 CLC/121 1822-1843 Collection 116 production units. London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish
British and Irish Ladies Association for Improving the Condition of Female Peasantry
Irish Peasantry Society

In May 1822 'a numerous meeting of merchants, bankers and others' in London formed itself into a committee, known by many names, but most often described as the London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish. Their aim was to raise a general subscription to relieve famine in Ireland caused by crop failure. Money was raised from individuals and organisations in London and the UK, and as far afield as India. The intention was to provide small loans to the poor, administered by local agents. After some initial success, the committee became mired in allegations of misuse of funds, and officially closed its books in April 1824. During its existence, the Committee met at the City of London Tavern.

This collection of books and papers was preserved by Messrs. Smith, Payne and Co, bankers, of Mansion House Place and then (ca .1824) of No.1 Lombard Street. The records were presented to Guildhall Library in 1912. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Records of the London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish including subscription books and papers 1822-3 (Mss 7440-3, 7469); general financial records 1822-4 (Mss 7444-7); Friendly Loan Society Bank accounts 1839-43 and indexes to loans 1837-43 (Mss 7448-50); letter books 1822-3 (Mss 7451-4); resolutions, some minutes and correspondence 1822-4 (Mss 7455-8); vouchers, receipts and miscellaneous papers 1822-3 (Mss 7459-64); agents' reports 1822 (Ms 7465) and reports and papers re local administration of relief, arranged by county, 1822-4 (Mss 7470-92); letters and reports of the British and Irish Ladies Association for Improving the Condition of Female Peasantry 1822-4 (Ms 7466); committee resolutions and correspondence of the Irish Peasantry Society 1822-4 (Ms 7467) and correspondence with the Irish Fishery Board 1822-3 (Ms 7468).

The collection was previously catalogued as the 'Irish Relief Fund' until 2007, when it was renamed 'The London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish' following a reassessment of its contents.

The records have been sorted into an order which reflects divisions between the different functions and operations of the organisation and its administration.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

For more background information see Craig Bailey's 'Micro-credit, misappropriation and morality: British responses to Irish distress, 1822-1831' in Continuity and Change (2006), vol 21, pp 455-474.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

June to August 2010. London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish Social welfare Poor relief Social stratification Social class Peasantry Organizations Charitable organisations Associations Charities Charities administration Disasters Natural disasters Famines Information sources Documents Charity records Charity accounts Irish Peasantry Society British and Irish Ladies Association for Improving the Condition of Female Peasantry Ireland Western Europe Europe City of London London England UK Nonprofit organizations Disasters (by type)

This collection of books and papers was preserved by Messrs. Smith, Payne and Co, bankers, of Mansion House Place and then (ca .1824) of No.1 Lombard Street. The records were presented to Guildhall Library in 1912. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Records of the London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish including subscription books and papers 1822-3 (Mss 7440-3, 7469); general financial records 1822-4 (Mss 7444-7); Friendly Loan Society Bank accounts 1839-43 and indexes to loans 1837-43 (Mss 7448-50); letter books 1822-3 (Mss 7451-4); resolutions, some minutes and correspondence 1822-4 (Mss 7455-8); vouchers, receipts and miscellaneous papers 1822-3 (Mss 7459-64); agents' reports 1822 (Ms 7465) and reports and papers re local administration of relief, arranged by county, 1822-4 (Mss 7470-92); letters and reports of the British and Irish Ladies Association for Improving the Condition of Female Peasantry 1822-4 (Ms 7466); committee resolutions and correspondence of the Irish Peasantry Society 1822-4 (Ms 7467) and correspondence with the Irish Fishery Board 1822-3 (Ms 7468).

The collection was previously catalogued as the 'Irish Relief Fund' until 2007, when it was renamed 'The London Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish' following a reassessment of its contents.

The records have been sorted into an order which reflects divisions between the different functions and operations of the organisation and its administration.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

• English

• Latin

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English