Some historical and global examples of tax resistance → women’s suffrage movements → British women’s suffrage movement → Mary Hare

The Vote

From the issue of The Vote:

Tax Resistance.

The sales last week were as follows:—

. — At Hammersmith, furniture was sold, the property of Miss Carson. Open-air meeting. Speakers: Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Merrivale Mayer, Mrs. [Margaret] Kineton Parkes.

. — At Kilburn, a bookcase was sold, the property of Miss Green, Hon. Treas. W.T.R.L. Procession and open-air meeting. Speakers: Dr. [Helen] Hanson, Mrs. [Anne] Cobden Sanderson, Mrs. [Emily] Juson Kerr, Mrs. Kineton Parkes.

. — At Mile End, a gold watch was sold, the property of Dr. Elizabeth Wilks. Procession from Aldgate Station to open-air meeting. Speakers: Mrs. [Charlotte] Despard, Mrs. Cobden Sanderson, Mrs. Kineton Parkes.

. — Brighton. Goods belonging to Mrs. Gerlach and Miss [Mary] Hare were sold. Open-air meeting and public meeting in Lecture Hall at night. Speakers: Mrs. [Caroline] Louis Fagan, Miss Gertrude Eaton, Miss Hare, Miss Nina Boyle, and the Rev. J. Kirtlan.

Bournemouth. — Old silver was sold, the property of Miss Symons. Open-air meeting. Speakers: Miss Howes, Miss Pridden, Mrs. Kineton Parkes.

Henley-on-Thames. — A cow was sold, the property of Miss Lelacheur. Open-air meeting. Speakers: Mr. and Mrs. Cobden Sanderson, Mrs. Juson Kerr and Mr. Carlin.

. — Putney. The goods of Mrs. and Miss Richards were sold. Protest meeting. Speakers: Miss Richards, Mrs. Juson Kerr, Miss Phyllis Ayrtin, Miss Gilliat and Mrs. Cobden Sanderson.

Battersea. — Goods belonging to Mrs. [Helen Alexander] Archdale were sold. Open-air meeting. Speakers: Mrs. Kineton Parkes, Miss Clemence Housman, Miss Thomas.

Highbury. — At the sale of a silver salver belonging to Dr. Winifred Patch, of Highbury, Steen’s Auction Rooms, Drayton Park, were crowded on by members of the Women’s Freedom League, the Women’s Tax Resistance League, and other Suffrage societies. The auctioneer refused to allow the usual five minutes for explanation before the sale, but Miss Alison Neilans, of the Women’s Freedom League, was well supported and cheered when she insisted on making clear the reasons why Dr. Patch for several years has refused to pay taxes while deprived of a vote. A procession was then formed, and marched to Highbury Corner, where a large open-air meeting was presided over by Mrs. [Marianne] Clarendon Hyde, of the Women’s Freedom League, and addressed by Mrs. Merrivale Mayer.

Bromley. — Mrs. [Kate] Harvey, Hon. Head of the W.F.L. Press Department, is again resisting payment of taxes, and has, in addition, barricaded her house at Bromley. She hopes members of the Women’s Freedom League will support her when the sale takes place, and if any members will send their names to her, Mrs. Harvey will communicate with them direct as soon as she knows the date and time of the sale. If possible, full particulars will be published in next week’s Vote, and information may be had from Headquarters.

Here is another case where The Vote’s habit of omitting first names makes the researcher’s job difficult. Who is “Miss Carson,” for instance? I don’t know, and neither does Elizabeth Crawford’s The women’s suffrage movement: a reference guide, 1866–1928 or The women’s suffrage movement in Britain and Ireland: a regional survey, both of which follow The Vote’s lead and just call her “Miss.” That’s just one example. The names I’ve filled in in brackets, above, are educated guesses.

The Vote

From the issue of The Vote:

South of England. — Brighton and Hove.

Hon. Secretary: Miss [Mary] Hare, 8, San Remo, Hove

Members of the Freedom League in Brighton and Hove are taking interest in the Tax Resistance Meeting, to be held in the Hove Town Hall on Wednesday, Mrs. [Caroline] Fagan and Mrs. [Margaret] Kineton Parkes will speak, and Miss Hare will take the chair. It is hoped that there will be a good attendance, as all are welcome.

Also from the same issue:

The Women’s Tax Resistance League.

On , a crowd of Suffragists of all shades of opinion assembled at Hawking’s Sale Rooms, Lisson-grove, Marylebone, to support Dr. Frances Ede and Dr. Amy Sheppard, whose goods were to be sold by public auction for tax resistance. By the courtesy of the auctioneer, Mr. Hawking, speeches were allowed, and Dr. Ede emphasized her conscientious objection to supporting taxation without representation; she said that women like herself and her partner felt that they must make this logical and dignified protest, but as it caused very considerable inconvenience and sacrifice to professional women, she trusted that the grave injustice would speedily be remedied. Three cheers were given for the doctors, and a procession with banners marched to Marble Arch, where a brief meeting was held in Hyde Park, at which the usual resolution was passed unanimously.

On , Mrs. [Kate] Harvey, of “Brackenhill,” Highland-road, Bromley, Kent, gave a most successful drawing-room meeting to a new and appreciative audience. Mrs. Harvey, who is a loyal supporter of Tax Resistance and had a quantity of her household silver sold in , took this opportunity of placing before her friends and neighbours the many reasons which led her to take this action. Mr. Laurence Housman was the principal speaker, and gave an address of deep interest and instruction on Tax Resistance from a historical standpoint. Mrs. Louis Fagan presided, and made an eloquent appeal for sympathy and support for this phase of the Suffrage movement, and short speeches were also made by Mrs. [Anne] Cobden Sanderson and Mrs. Kineton Parkes. Sales are expected in Reading and Holborn during the coming week.