Percy B.St John and Horace St.John were, themselves, the subjects of a news article in the ‘Daily News’ of July 29, 1853. Finsbury and Camden are both just north of St John’s Wood. Does anybody have any addresses or any reason why they should have involved themselves in what seems to be a purely local issue? I forget my history but, perhaps, property ownership was a necessity for voting rights at that time. Below is the whole article.

REFORMERS FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY

On Wednesday evening a public meeting convened at the request of many of the inhabitants of Camden Town, was held at the Camden Arms Tavern, Mr Percy.B. St.John, in the chair.Mr Shirley Hibbard, the manager, gave an outline of the working of the society, which was established for the creation of votes in cities and boroughs as well as in counties. The directors were preparing plans for the erection of houses in large numbers, which will be sold to members for the payment, during eleven and a half years, of no more than would usually be charged as rent, Within a few months the society had acquired its present position, and an estate coasting about fifteen thousand pounds, was being prepared for allotment, and would afford between four or five hundred votes for the county of Middlesex and the same number for the borough of Finsbury. Mr Horace St.John moved for a vote of confidence in the society, which having been seconded was carried by acclamation, after which shares were enrolled to the extent of about 5.060L.

Freehold Land Societies’ were established in the early part of the nineteenth century in order to enfranchise the emerging middle and working class population who were denied a vote because they did not have the required property qualification. (Sir Joshua Walmsey and Richard Cobden founded ‘The National Freehold Land Society’ in 1849).

THE BIRKBECK LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY

On the Sunday of September 1853, Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper recorded the outcome of a meeting in Sydenham, South london..

THE BIRKBECK LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY --A public meeting was held at the Crystal Palace tavern, Sydenham,on Monday inst, for the purpose of explaining the object of this company, and the advantages which it holds out for the working classes. The chair was taken by the Rev.Mr Hulbert. A large number of working men attended the meeting. The chairman - after announcing that the subscription commenced by the Birkbeck company on behalf of the sufferers of the late incident at thew Crystal Palace had increased and the whole amount would be handed over to the treasures - called upon Mr Percy B. St.John to address the meeting. Mr St.John then rose and in an effective speech dwelt upon the advantages and importance of life assurance, which, he said, had hitherto been almost exclusively confined to the higher and middle classes, but which, by the system of weekly payments adopted by the Birkbeck company, was brought within the reach of all. He believed that the comapany to be well worthy of the support of the working men he was then addressing, and had much pleasure in moving the resolution to that effect. Mr Horace St.John seconded the resolution, and in the course of some very excellent and witty remarks, observed that one of the principle objects of man’ existence was to render himself independent. The result could only be accommodated by the cultivation of prudent, steady, and industrious habits. The Birbeck Institution was calculated to introduce those habits among working men, and, therefore, was entitled to their sympathy and support. The resolution was carried unanimously, and as the result of it, a local agent for the neighbourhood was at once appointed. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Dr.Mussabini, A Greek gentleman, and by Mr.Joseph Elliott. A vote of thanks to the chairman proposed by Mr Pericles R.Alexandries concluded the proceedings.