Subscription book for the benefit of the public charities of Bath, 'instead of illuminating, on account of the definitive Treaty of Peace'

Reference Number: BC/3/2/24/16
Level of Description: Item
Title: Subscription book for the benefit of the public charities of Bath, 'instead of illuminating, on account of the definitive Treaty of Peace'
Date: 15 Apr 1802-19 Apr 1802
Extent: Extent: 1 item
Description: Booklet, printed by Meyler of Bath, with a short list of names and amounts donated on the first page. A plan had been proposed to open subscription books to augment the funds of three principle charities in Bath: the Dispensary, General and Casualty Hospitals, instead of celebrating with illuminations. This plan was put into action as soon as news of the signing of the Peace Treaty of Amiens reached Bath early on the 30th March. Books were opened at the Town Hall to receive subscriptions (people could name the particular charity they wished their donation to go to) and were also opened at libraries and public rooms in Bath. A sum of £342.8s.3d was raised in total, mostly from small contributions (R. Mainwaring: Annals of Bath, from the year 1800 to the passing of the New Municipal Act, 1838, pp. 13-14). This subscription book lists seven entries, including Sir Essex Edgeworth (?i.e. Henry Essex Edgeworth 1745-1807) and Captain D'Arcy and several members of his family. Subscriptions were made between 15th and 19th April 1802. The total amount collected was £3.13s.6d by Mr Bonner and given to the mayor, William Watson.