NOVEMBER 2023 MEETING REPORT
AT THE SIGN OF THE CLASPED HANDS
It is likely that all of us use the services of insurance companies to hopefully give us financial protection should something happen to our motor vehicles, homes, possessions and holiday plans - regularly paying our premiums without a thought of the history of this service. We came away from our November meeting knowing much more, thanks to an insightful presentation provided by our member Tracy Mihill. During her employment with one of the largest insurance companies, Aviva, Tracy had access to their archives and was able to share formal centuries-old documents in copperplate script with us, thankfully transcribed so that we could understand the content!
Twelve men meeting in Tom’s Coffee House in Great Russell Street, London was the start of this oldest insurance company in 1696. This was a time when getting around town was by foot by most people, horse drawn carriage or sedan chair for the wealthy and letters were hand written and delivered by courier. Importantly this was only thirty years after The Great Fire of London when thousands had lost their homes and belongings.
Called ‘Hand-in-Hand Fire and Life Insurance Company’ this was a mutual society where profits were shared between policy holders – unfortunately they also had to fork out if there were losses! A Treasurer, Clerk and Surveyor were appointed and meetings continued in various coffee houses until moving to their first permanent premises in Angel Court, Snow Hill in 1711. A later office at New Bridge Street is no longer there.
Delving into some of the policy documents it appears that all levels of society took out insurance – examples include a cheesemonger; churchwarden; milliner; school mistress and a cow keeper. The Policy Books were like reading ‘Who’s Who’ as listings include Robert Walpole, Isaac Newton and Samuel Johnson. Several policies were needed for some larger buildings. These could include theatres; breweries; hospitals; and later workhouses and museums. Properties that were insured displayed fire mark plates. Descriptions of where each building was situated were very long-winded – being before house numbering and postcodes!
Perceiving that it was cheaper to put out fires rather than rebuild properties a fire brigade was set up by the company in 1699, employing watermen. They wore blue coats and britches, with red details and a silver badge, designed by silversmith Hester Bateman, showing the hand in hand motif. We were amused at a picture showing their equipment in 1701 – 1 crowbar, 2 hatchets and 36 leather buckets. In 1833 several fire insurance companies merged to form the London Fire Engine Establishment.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
Our next meeting will be
Wednesday 6th December 2023
Christmas - A Festive History. Andy Thomas uncovers the long and intriguing background to this festive season.
7.00pm for 7.30 pm start at THE ALEXANDRA SUITE, St. Mary’s Road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Further information - email [email protected]
Programme may be subject to change without prior notice should circumstances change.
AT THE SIGN OF THE CLASPED HANDS
It is likely that all of us use the services of insurance companies to hopefully give us financial protection should something happen to our motor vehicles, homes, possessions and holiday plans - regularly paying our premiums without a thought of the history of this service. We came away from our November meeting knowing much more, thanks to an insightful presentation provided by our member Tracy Mihill. During her employment with one of the largest insurance companies, Aviva, Tracy had access to their archives and was able to share formal centuries-old documents in copperplate script with us, thankfully transcribed so that we could understand the content!
Twelve men meeting in Tom’s Coffee House in Great Russell Street, London was the start of this oldest insurance company in 1696. This was a time when getting around town was by foot by most people, horse drawn carriage or sedan chair for the wealthy and letters were hand written and delivered by courier. Importantly this was only thirty years after The Great Fire of London when thousands had lost their homes and belongings.
Called ‘Hand-in-Hand Fire and Life Insurance Company’ this was a mutual society where profits were shared between policy holders – unfortunately they also had to fork out if there were losses! A Treasurer, Clerk and Surveyor were appointed and meetings continued in various coffee houses until moving to their first permanent premises in Angel Court, Snow Hill in 1711. A later office at New Bridge Street is no longer there.
Delving into some of the policy documents it appears that all levels of society took out insurance – examples include a cheesemonger; churchwarden; milliner; school mistress and a cow keeper. The Policy Books were like reading ‘Who’s Who’ as listings include Robert Walpole, Isaac Newton and Samuel Johnson. Several policies were needed for some larger buildings. These could include theatres; breweries; hospitals; and later workhouses and museums. Properties that were insured displayed fire mark plates. Descriptions of where each building was situated were very long-winded – being before house numbering and postcodes!
Perceiving that it was cheaper to put out fires rather than rebuild properties a fire brigade was set up by the company in 1699, employing watermen. They wore blue coats and britches, with red details and a silver badge, designed by silversmith Hester Bateman, showing the hand in hand motif. We were amused at a picture showing their equipment in 1701 – 1 crowbar, 2 hatchets and 36 leather buckets. In 1833 several fire insurance companies merged to form the London Fire Engine Establishment.
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
Our next meeting will be
Wednesday 6th December 2023
Christmas - A Festive History. Andy Thomas uncovers the long and intriguing background to this festive season.
7.00pm for 7.30 pm start at THE ALEXANDRA SUITE, St. Mary’s Road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Further information - email [email protected]
Programme may be subject to change without prior notice should circumstances change.