Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-21
Gentlemen's Benevolent Society.

OF which the following is an abstract:
The Report begins by stating, that Ina com
muny as large as ours, through misfortune, I'M
providence, or other causes, there will always be
found individuals needing aid; mothers with in
temperate husbands; widows with helpless iaIni-
lies: Some. through sickness, unable 10 work, and
those dependant on them suffering for the neces-
.aries Of life; and is frequently the case, that
those most deserving of relief are The most reluc-
lant 10 solicit the charity OF their fellow men,
choosing rather TO suffer, from day 10 day, Than 10
make their wants known"
After stating briefly the reasons which led 10 The
formation Of the Society, with an account OF ils
organization, OF the manner in which The "vi,i-
tors were appointed, and their duties, The Re
port proceeds
ain previous years the Overseers OF the Poor
had furnished supplies of fuel to The needy during
| the Winter season; and soon after The formation
| of our Society, proposition was received from
| them, stating that they would place snecined
quantity Of coal and wood under our direction, u
we would undertake TO distribute the same in like
manner. The proposition was acceded 10 =
| Tickets were accordingly prepared with suitable
blanks, for 10! bushels OF coal, or quarter oil
cord OF wood each Theselickcis were distrlbu-
! ted amongst The female visitors in each district;
and being endorsed by the visitor, and The blank
|
yidual. deemed worthy OF the Donation were depo
sited al convenient locations, where they were re-
suarly called Tor b. the Superintendent OF Streets,
and the wood or coal, under his direction was thrn
delivered to The applicants by the corporation carts,
without charge for carriage.
1.-THE supply OF fuel thus placed lat our dispo-
sal was soon exhausted; and our vislers having
found in those districts in which the poor chiefly
reside. that much suffering would be fell il adj-
tional supplies were not granted, The sum OF ONE
hundred and City dollars was furnished 10 me La
dies Society as special appropriation iof 'his
Object; the Board believing that il would De most
economically and judiciously distributed under
their management.
nMr John Barr, coal merchant, generously
nlaceJ al our disposal one hundred bushels OF
Coal and Mr.. N. B. Seabrsok four loads OF wood,
which were also distributed under the direction oil
the lady yisiters.
1.-THE receipts of the Society during The wear,
including SIOO from The Overseers OF tie Poor,
have amounted Is Sll56 81, and the expenditures
10 SlO55 GO, leaving a'halance in The treasury OF
$500 IS, as will be seen BY the Treasurers &C
count annexed. This Society being auxiliary 10
The Union Benevolent Society, the principal pail
OF our receipts, say $3.50, have been paid over 10
that Association. :,
tin The winter OF 1884, Scup-House had
been established near the lower Market, chiefly
by The ererions and under the superintendence OF
Or. w. w. Marshall This Soup-House was
supposed to have been beneficial 10 The poor IN ITS
vicinity. A proposition was made 10 your Boar
by the Ovelseers of The Poor, that they would
give 500 towards The expense Of sustaining two
Soup. Houses during The winter season, provided
this Society would establish and superlntend
them. Your Board willingly acceded 10 This Of
Ter. The same building and cooking utensils used
the previous year a,,he Old Market, and the same
cook, were again obtained. Atthe New Market.
the use OF building occupied at one period as
an Engine House, was granted By the City
Council. Committees were appointed 10 super
intend each establishment, and printed tickets
were furnished 10 the Lady Visitors in the seve,
raj districts 10 be given TO those needing such aid
and by them to be presented al the soup-Hous.,s
After fair trial, we feel prepared to say, That The
relief extended through this medium was BY no
means equal 10 The expense incurred. But few
families awaited themselves Of ibis easy mode OF
Who applied, sill fewer came regularly; the ave.