History of Life Assurance in the United Kingdom (Continued)

Extract

Amicable Society.—We now arrive at the period of the formation of the Fourth Mutual Contribution Life Office established in London. This was designated the Amicable Society for a Perpetual Assurance; and it was destined, if not to be perpetual, to live long enough to become famous. It differed in some material respects from its predecessors, the chief distinction being that the contribution to its funds was fixed at £6. 4s. per annum. The first 2,000 members to pay, in addition, 5s. to the registrar and 5s. to the joint stock of the office; and all subsequent members were to pay 10s. to the joint stock. The founder and the registrar of the society was John Hartley; and he was to receive, permanently, 1s. per quarter out of each contribution.