Four rows of children dressed as fishermen and women

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

51534

Title

Black and white landscape photograph showing four rows of children dressed as fishermen and women

Description

Black and white landscape photograph showing four rows of children dressed as fishermen and women. A canvas made to look like the side of a boat is in front of them. Painted on the back wall behind them is a banner reading “the Society of Free Fishermen”.

Date

1890

Location

Museums Collection Centre

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums and Galleries

From 1572 until 1989, the Society of Free Fishermen existed in Newhaven. The Society was one of the oldest friendly societies in Scotland, and was responsible for shaping much of Newhaven today. The Society undertook work to care for the poor of the village, like many friendly societies, but also held much more influence and power than most. This notably included being the guiding force behind the building of Newhaven harbour in 1876. This photograph, reproduced as postcard, from around 1890 shows children dressed in costume as fishermen and women, proudly displaying the name of the Society in front of them.

The Society was democratically elected, with a Preses (President), Boxmaster (Treasurer) and Committee in place to manage the Society’s affairs. Membership fees were a major source of income, with only members being permitted fishing licences in the area.

Due to a significant increase in membership applications, a new rule was introduced in 1821 where only “the lawful sons of fishermen whose names were clear on the Society books” were permitted membership, and therefore fishing licences. Many generations of these family names can be seen echoed in our museum collections.

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Related subjects

Agriculture and fisheries

Healthcare and welfare > Self-Help > Friendly Societies

Places > Edinburgh areas > Newhaven

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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