The Murray Fund, Whitehaven

Records regarding the establishment of the Fund, Charity Commission letters, receipts for payments made by the Murray Fund.

Records deposited by Mr. H. Fancy, curator of Whitehaven Museum; 8 November 1995 (A: W14)

The Murray Fund was established, upon the recommendation of a group of Whitehaven charities in 1886, to mark the charitable work carried out in the area by Miss Rossina Murray of Whitehaven. The Fund was to be used to relieve the poor of the district. Miss Murray (c. 1809 - 1890), a British subject born in Holland, had spent forty years assisting charities in the Whitehaven Borough and amongst the charitable legacies in her Will she bequeathed £50 to the Murray Fund. Kelly's 1938 Directory of Cumberland and Westmorland revealed that the Murray Fund raised £6.15s each year which was distributed in 5s sums to poor widows. Cumbria County Council's 'Review of Local Charities' of 1973 showed that the decimal equivalent, 25p, was available to individuals, of good moral character, in need. The vicar of Christ Church, Whitehaven, was responsible for suggesting beneficiaries and undertaking distribution.