Longridge Building society cottages

[Skaife]

I’ve just come across the story of the cottages built in Longridge, which is linked to the first ‘building society’. How enterprising they were. Does anyone know if there is a list of who the original people who set up the scheme were?

[stanmapstone]

There is a list of subscribers at  https://www.hslc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/99-9-France.pdf "LONGRIDGE BUILDING CLUBS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY"

Stan

[*Sandra*]

Interesting read.....

http://www.longridge-tc.gov.uk/_UserFiles/Files/Neighbourhood%20Plan/Longridge%20Historic%20Town%20Survey.pdf

Sandra

[stanmapstone]

See  http://archivecat.lancashire.gov.uk/calmview/Overview.aspx
Stan

[stanmapstone]

There is an old photograph here http://townarchive.longridgestation.co.uk/archive/1372/ Google Street View https://goo.gl/maps/DnEJdcnR5XAX8owU9
Listed Buildings https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1308531

Stan

[stanmapstone]

There is an old photograph here http://townarchive.longridgestation.co.uk/archive/1372/

The caption says "Built between 1794 and January 1804 (at a cost of £138.3s 6d per house) by the first building society in the country."

It was not the first building society in the country.  The first known society was formed in 1775 - Richard Ketley's, at the Golden Cross Inn, Birmingham.
https://www.bsa.org.uk/information/consumer-factsheets/general/the-history-of-building-societies

Stan

[Maiden Stone]

My stonemason 4xGGF moved to Longridge with wife & children between 1797 and 1804. His 3 sons became stonemasons.
The 2 rows of houses in Longridge were constructed with cellars for handloom weaving.
I was interested to read that stone sheds for nailers were built behind King St., the second row of building society houses. My 3xGGM arrived in Longridge sometime between 1790s and 1810. Her father was a nailer. As well as nails for general use they made nails for looms.
Longridge Building Society may have played a part in my ancestors meeting. Perhaps I owe my existence to the building society. 

[Skaife]

Thank you - with the information you have provided I now feel I now have a really good understanding of how this worked - what a tremendous scheme it was.  It has been fascinating to read through all the links. Special thanks to Stanmapstone who found the lists of those who took part.