Records deposited on long-term loan, 22 February 1991 (Acc: 1981(D)) DARLINGTON TOWN MISSION The Darlington Christian Visiting Society was founded in 1838 by John Backhouse, John Beaumont Pease and John Castell Hopkins. It was an \’interdenominational society especially for house to house visits to help the spiritual, mental and material needs of those in trouble\’ In 1914 the name was changed to Darlington Town Mission and Christian Visiting Society In 1877 a depression in the Iron Trade caused great distress in Darlington and the mayor established a relief fund. In 1879 when the fund closed some of the members of the Relief Fund Committee established the Charity Organisation Society which as intended to promote cooperation between the Poor Law Authorities and the various town charities as well as helping the poor to help themselves. It was able to ensure rapid help in times of emergency. In 1890 the Charity Organisation Society founded the Darlington Boys Brigade which was open to boys who had left school but were unemployed. They worked as messengers, bootblacks delivery boys etc. and they were expected to try to find jobs by the age of 15½ to 16 years. In 1960 as a result of The Charities Act Darlington Town Mission took over the administration of the Charity Organisation Society as well as the Jubilee Friends Fund and the charity of Arthur Edward Berry for the poor. For records in this catalogue check the section below.