Catalogue description Darby Pension Fund

The Darby Pension Fund, Berkshire

Deposited in May 1971 (acc. 1648); in June 1999 (acc. 6452).

• Cookham, Berkshire
• Cookham Dean, Berkshire
• Bray, Berkshire
• Maidenhead, Berkshire

Introduction

The Darby Pension Fund was established in 1912, according to the wills of the brothers James Darby (d.1909) and Stephen Darby (d.1911), both of Cookham Dean. It provided pensions for persons who had been professionals, in business on their own account, or employed labour, for at least ten years, who were now living on restricted incomes. Preference was given to applicants from Cookham and Cookham Dean and then to those from Maidenhead and Bray. Widows of such persons were also eligible. Applicants were mostly small shopkeepers and tradesmen, but included former builders, publicans and farmers. Women applying in their own right included dressmakers, laundresses and a private schoolmistress.

Applicants were required to provide information about the nature of their qualifying business, reason for current poverty, and total current income. A closure period of 50 years applies to the records.

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