Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 1 

Meetings held from 30th September 1843 - 24th November 1843

Meeting held on Saturday the 30th September, 1843.

[316]The register book was signed from No. 557 to No. 667 
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[319]
Master's Report
The master complains of contractors not sending their provisions at proper times, consequently delaying the hours of meals. 
The house continues healthy and the new dietary works as favourable as at last report. 
The master requires about one barrel of lime to complete the whitewashing of the house. 

On reading the masters report it was
Resolved that the several contractors be required by the clerk to send in their supplies at the following hours, viz: bread 8 o'clock in the morning, milk at 1/2 past 8 o'clock in the morning for breakfast, milk for dinner at 1/2 past 3 o'clock in the evening.  Potatoes at 12 o'clock in the day and meal the evening before it is wanted to be used, and that any contractor deviating from this resolution shall be visited by this board with the penalty of withholding from him any sum that may be due to him in respect of such article (as may not arrive in the time prescribed by this resolution) upto the time of such default. 
[320]
Read tenders for meal. 
Ordered that meal be again advertised for on one post of the Clare Journal for 12 months from the 13th of Oct. next.  Read tenders for a gate. 
Ordered that James McDonough's his tender be accepted for 1.13.6 for making a gate.   Read tenders for turf. 
Ordered that James Walshe's tender be accepted for 14 hundred of good turf at 1.14.10 per hundred.  Read tenders for straw. 
Ordered that Bridget McDonough's tender be accepted for one ton of straw at 1 stg.   Francis Fitzgerald gives notice that he will on the 13th day of October next proposed to have all paupers improperly located on the union at large removed therefrom.   
Michael Considine gives notice that he will on the 13th day of October next require the clerk, the master, and schoolmaster to furnish an account of the extra diet ordered by the medical gentlemen, to the several paupers since the opening of this workhouse and the cost thereof, up to this day, each month's account to be
[321] calculated in itself and the name of the medical man who ordered the extra diet for the month and the names of the paupers who received the extra diets and to state whether such paupers were in hospital, in infirm wards or in the alt="" of the house at the time of getting such diets. 
Austin Slattery gives notice that he will require from the clerk on the 13th day of October next an account of the cost of the diet of the several offices of this workhouse for one year previous to the 29th of September inst. and the salaries granted to each of them yearly, in order to reduce unnecessary expense on this union to a fair and reasonable scale. 

Medical Report
I have much pleasure in informing the board that the house continues healthy. I cannot suffer the half year to terminate without stating that up to this time the new diet seems to agree well with the inmates. 
The house has not been as healthy at anytime previous, as since its adoption. 
There are in hospital 4 with ulcers of the leg, two with disease of the skin, and one with disease of the bladder. 
In the female infirm ward there are two, one with fracture of the thigh and the other with bed sores. 
                                                                                                                        Charles Finucane,
                                                                                                                          M.R.C.S.L.
[322]
Ordered that straw be again advertised for.
Resolved that fire be put in the nursery henceforth. 
Resolved that Mr. Egan the schoolmaster gets liberty to sleep out of the workhouse, leaving the workhouse at 7 o'clock in the evening when the paupers are in bed and coming to the workhouse at 1/2 past 6 in the morning.

[323]
Meeting of the Magistrates of the Union of Ennistymon held at the Boardroom on Friday the 26th day of September 1843.

Present -      Francis G. Moroney, Esq.
                    John MacNamara, Esq. Chairman. 
The following Justices of the Peace residing within the union were appointed ex-officio guardians for the ensuing year, viz:

[324]
Rates for 1/2 year ending 29th. September 1843. 

[325] [Blank page]

[326]
Meeting held on the 6th day of October 1843.

Joseph Bourke, Esq. A.P.L. Commissioner was present. 
[327]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

Master's Report
The quantity of milk allowed infants has for sometime engaged the master's attention and from all he could judge and learn he is convinced that 3/4 quart of milk will answer for their proper nourishment in addition to 8 ozs. of bread allowed.  The master would recommend your board to reduce it accordingly.
[330]
The house continues healthy and the new dietary works as favourably as at last report. 
The master requires a barrel of lime to complete the whitewashing of the workhouse. 
The master requires needles to employ the women and girls, as also for the use of the tailor who keeps the clothing in repair.  There are many old women in the house, who are unable to do any of the necessary household work but who would be able to knit and the master would require an order for angolia and cotton. 
The women and girls will shortly require shifting, the ones in use being almost worn.  Your store contains a great quantity of sheeting, more perhaps than you will require for 3 years, and it would be a consideration if appropriating some of those to the shifting would not be advisable.  It will prevent the outlay for the present of money which the state of your finances will not allow.  The girls will shortly require frocks, which it will be for your board to procure, those will be the only articles required for a long time unless trowsering for the boys, but the master will manage with the present stock, as long and as well as he can (of trowsering).  The master again calls your attention to the necessity of hanging the storeroom windows on hinges for the safety of the clothing.  
[331]
On the evening of your last meeting we were obliged to use meal for dinner in consequence of not having potatoes from the contractor and on Tuesday morning breakfast was so late as 1/2 past 12 o'clock, no meal coming from the contractor until 11 o'clock.  
The master requires cloaths for rubbers as the master reported before, wollen ones will be found best for cleanliness and durability. 
The turf contractor has commenced supplying it which has engaged all available hands in ricking and toring.  The master must rick the remainder in the idiot yards. 
The average expense of a pauper has increased a little from the extras allowed for the last week to an old woman who died in the infirmary  and the large quantity of soap used in washing all the bed linen and ticking which was soiled.  Changes of diet can be seen on reference to the book for that purpose. 
Resolved that the master may furnish Mr. Knox of the Clare Journal with a weekly statement of the state of the workhouse the same as that given of the Ennis workhouse.   Should Mr. Knox wish to have it weekly for his paper. 
Resolved that James Stack's tender for offal be accepted at 1.10.0 a year from this date. 
[332]
The doctor requires an order for medicine.  
Ordered that the clerk requires the contractor for medicine to send the quantity of medicine mentioned in the list given by the doctor. 
Resolved that Daniel Considine, Michael Considine and Austin Slattery be appointed a committee to report to this board on the propriety of converting sheets into shifts for the female paupers on this day week, and that six be broken up by the matron as a trial.  

Medical Report
The workhouse is in a healthy state and no disease exists therein requiring any particular observation.   I beg leave to enclose a list of medicines which we require as soon as they can be had, and hope the board will give orders to have them sent for immediately. 
                                                                                                            James Shannon, M.D.

Contents of the order of medicine:

Caustic potash. The bottles were broken in the carriage from Dublin, both times we got this article before. 
[333] Two drachms compound. 

James Shannon, M.D.

Resolved that Thomas Barrington, Michael O'Loughlin, and Joseph Hennessy, ablebodied boys be discharged on Monday next. 
Resolved that Pat and James Droney the children of James Droney an ablebodied pauper who left this house on the 15th Sept. be discharged on Monday next and Michael and Joseph MacNamara, sons of Mathias MacNamara, an ablebodied pauper who left this house on the 15th Sept. last, be discharged on Monday next.
Resolved that Norry Miniter be discharged on Monday next.
Resolved that James Moran and Martin Moran be discharged on Monday next, being both ablebodied. 
Mr. Blood has taken the chair. 
Resolved that in consequence of the irregularity of delivery of potatoes by the contractor that no more potatoes be taken from them and that until another contract is entered into Mr. Michael Considine be requested to purchase potatoes for the use of the workhouse.
[334]
The Assistant Commissioners having drawn the attention of the board to the irregularity of the schoolmaster sleeping out of the workhouse.  It was ordered that the schoolmaster does not in future sleep out of the workhouse.
Resolved that the collectors be summoned to attend this board on this day week and that they bring their books and accounts with them.

[335]
Meeting held at the Boardroom on Friday the 13th day of October 1843.

The register book was signed from No.669 to No.670  The clerk reported that the returns required by Austin Slattery and Michael Considine are here produced. 
Resolved the consideration of Austin Slattery's notice be put off until after the 25th. March.

Master's Report
The weather turning suddenly cold and harsh, the master would recommend your board to sanction the use of fire in the schoolrooms, male and female infirm wards, and hospital.  
[338]
One sheet will make 2 shifts such as the master lays before your board.  The sheet costs 3s 0 1/2d, consequently each shift will stand 1s 6 1/4d being 1 3/4d less than that originally paid for, the like the size of the original ones and the ones now made are, your board will perceive, different. 
The dietary continues to act as favourably as at last report and the discontinuance of extras has reduced the average cost of a pauper to 1 5/8d per day. 
The house continues healthy.  The master has repeatedly called your attention to the ventilation of the cloathing store.  The master, last meeting, applied for an order for needles, they are much wanting to keep cloathing in repair.  Your board will please make a minute of the hours rising, going to bed, and meals for the paupers for the current half of the year.  Changes of diet by medical officer can be seen on reference to the book for that purpose. 

Doctor's Report
The house continues healthy. There are only nine cases under medical treatment at present.  I beg leave to call the attention of your board to Mrs. Guttery's case, an infirm pauper who requires bread diet.  I would myself  change it but that the board, on a former occasion, put her on the ordinary house diet contrary to orders of your medical officers as will appear by the dietary. 
                                                                                                                James Shannon, M.D.

Resolved that infants only get 3/4 qt. of milk daily instead of 1qt. as heretofore given, and that the bread continue the same as usual. 
[339]
The abstracts of accounts for the half year ended 25th March 1843, as audited by Joseph Burke, Esq. auditor and Assisitant Commissioner were laid before the board and signed by the chairman.
Resolved
- that 28 same abstracts be printed. 
- that Hanora Guttery be put upon a bread diet as recommended the medical attendant.  
- 15 sheets be converted into shifts by the matron.
- that the clothes store window be hung on hinges for the better ventillation [sic] of the clothing. 
- that fire be put in the schoolrooms, infirm wards and hospital from this date until the 1st of May next.
- that the hour of rising for the paupers be 7 o'clock in the morning, going to bed 8 o'clock, breakfast at 10 o'clock, and dinner at 5 o'clock.
- that the dining hall be divided by a studded partition with folding doors and that an altar be erected within for the purpose of the decent celebration of divine service.
- that James and Martin Moran be continued inmates of this workhouse, not withstanding the resolution to discharge them on Friday last, being both destitute of any clothing what so ever.
[340]
Read tenders for meal.
Resolved
- that John Molony's tender be accepted at 9 per ton for 12 months from this date. Sureties Pat Molony of Rannagh and James Leyden of Kilfenora.
- that the collectors of rate be required to have the present rate finally collected on the 1st of December next in their respective districts and that the bond of any collector who shall fail or neglect to comply with this resolution shall immediately after the said first day of December next be put into the hands of the solicitor. 
- that Nancy Burke, a pauper, be removed from Milltown Malbay Electoral Division to the union at large.

[341]
Meeting held on the 20th of October, 1843.

The register book was signed from No.671 to No.691

Clerk's Report
John Molony, who was declared contractor for meal on Friday last, denied having any knowledge of the tender which purported to be his and that he therefore would not supply any meal in compliance with such tender. 
[342]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

[344]
Master's Report
Before your board would get the contractor for meal to sign his bond you ought to insist on getting grits if`necesary.  They are the same price and by steeping them in the water overnight it thickens the stirabout much, which fine meal is unable to do.  
While on the subject of meal, the master applied for meal to the person whom your board declared on Friday and he refused sending any, on the grounds he knew nothing of the matter.  The master had no alternative left but to procure as much as done since from Mr. Michael Molony agreeing with him for the price mentioned in his tender.  The state of the nursery chimney is very bad as it seldom draws, to which the master calls your attention, besides the injury it must cause to the health of the infants.  It causes smoke to spread thru the house.  The master represented this subject long since, and as the winter is approaching when the fire there will be more general some steps ought to be taken respecting it.  The master fancies if the shaft was risen a little more it might remedy it as he thinks it is not as high as the ridging of the building.  It causes a very unpleasant scent to the house.  
The house continues healthy and the new dietary works as favourably as at last report.  I have much pleasure in informing the board, that the average expense of a pauper has been reduced to 9 1/10d per week, attributable to the economy of your dietary at present [345] and contracts.  Since last meeting we have had one death, a man named John Healy. 
The stirabout has not for the last week been as thick as usual, the master cannot account for it, nor would he be inclined to attribute it to the meal, which appears a good article, but your board would do well to get the Cutlings as the best on stirabout.  A practice seems to have got among the women who wash the potatoes of stealing them, roasting and hiding them which the master for some days has suspected from finding the peelings of the roasted potatoes.   He has detected one boiling and he is sure your board will think the punishment of discharge light.   The women who principally was [sic] engaged at washing them were those having care of infants and consequently had the best opportunity of cooking them, the nursery always furnishing a fire for them and a close burrow for robbery.
Resolved
- that Joan Sullivan and children [be] discharged on Monday next, the master having detected her with stolen potatoes.
- that tenders be invited for hanging the windows of the clothes store on hinges.
[346] - that instead of the studded partition intended in the dining hall, that the dining hall be divided by a hanging screen, suspended by cords and pullies.
- that meal be bought from Michael Molony at 9.15.0 per ton until a contract is entered into. 
- That Michael Moore be supplied by the master with a jacket, Patrick Walsh, Pat Kelly, and John Quinn with trowsers each, with a cap in addition to Walsh. 

Medical Report
The house continues healthy, a few of the inmates have got trifling colds, ten patients suffering from chronic affections continue still in hospital.  There was one death this week an old man named Healy who, I may say, died of a decay of nature.

[347]
Meeting held on the 27th day of October, 1843.

The register book was signed from No.692 to No.694 
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

Resolved that Charles Carrigg's tender for hanging the clothes store windows on hinges for 5/- be accepted and to be fastened with hooks and eyes.
Resolved that Mr. Austin Slattery be requested to purchase potatoes for the use of the workhouse for the ensuing month from the 3rd of Nov. next.
[350]
Medical Report
The house continues healthy. A foundling, Kitty Garrahy, died this week adding another link to the chain of evidence against receiving such into the workhouses. 
                                                                                                                    James Shannon, M.D.
N.B. we would want a few pair of crutches very badly.

Resolved that tenders be invited for 6 pair of crutches.
Resolved that John O'Brien gets a trowsers and Fredrick Toole a jacket.
Resolved that John MacNamara, Esq., Mr. Austin Slattery, Mr. Michael Considine, Mr. Pat Clancy, and Mr. Pat Fitzgibbon be appointed a finance committee.

James Clancy gives notice that he will on this day week move the following resolution.  
Resolved now that the amended Act for the Relief of the Destitute Poor in Ireland having received the Royal assent and the commissioners' letter of the 14th June last having been read to the effect that until that bill should have been passed they would not sanction the appointment of a revising valuator, we earnestly request that the commissioners will forthwith approve of the almost unanimous appointment by this board of Mr. Pat Shannon, the revision of this union being a matter of urgent necessity.  A rate will be immediately required [351] and many irregularities of the union valuation should consequently be revised.
Resolved that the clerk writes circulars to all the guardians except those this day present requesting their attendance on this day week at the board to take into consideration a notice given by James Clancy that he will move that the commissioners be applied to, to confirm the appointment hitherto made by the board of Mr. Pat Shannon to be revising valuator of this union.

[352]
Meeting held on the 3rd day of November, 1843.

The register book was signed from No.698 to No.704
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

Master's Report
It will be a consideration if adding pepper to the gruel for the winter months will not be found additional good.  A pane of glass has been broken in the female day room by one of the women while closing it on Monday.  The master calls your attention to the architect's opinion of the nursery chimney which requires immediate attention if it should not be found to interfere with the insurance of the workhouse. 
[355]
The average expense of a pauper continues the same as at last meeting.  The master requires about a barrel of lime to complete the whitewashing of the house.  He would also require a further condemnation of clothing (those mostly worn) to keep those in repair partly so.  The master wrote to the manager of the Lunatic Assylum to know if there was a vacancy for Kate Kennedy who has got an insane attack.  He received for answer that there was not, from the overcrowded state of the institution. 

Medical Report
Since last report we have had two cases of fever.  The patients are a boy and girl.  There are under medical treatment 13. We have had no death. 
                                                                                                                    Charles Finucane,
                                                                                                                      M.R.C.S.L.
Proposed that the report of the finance committee be received and the bills which they have investigated & approved of be paid by cheques, viz:

[357]
Proposed that the commissioners be requested to sanction the previous appointment of Mr. Pat Shannon of Currofin, under agent to Sir Lucius O'Brien, to be the revising valuator of this union. 
Upon a division there appeared for the resolution 10, and against the resolution 2. 
Resolved that the clerk be requested to write to all the guardians except those this day present signifying to them that a motion will be made this day 3 weeks 24 Nov. inst, to have all the paupers in the house located on their proper and respective divisions. 

Report: Finance Committee.
Your committee beg leave to report that claims have been submitted to them to the amount of 271.14.0 but as they have not been authenticated in proper form, such as were so have been postponed, and your committee have only allowed the sum of 210.15.8.  Your committee further reports that they have enquired into the state of the funds with the view of laying before you the probable amount available for carrying on the expenses of the establishment out of the money of the present rate and they have annexed hereto a calculation of same. 

                                                                        John MacNamara
                                                                    Chairman of Finance Committee

Resolved that the master gets leave of absence for a few days to go to Limerick and that the schoolmaster takes charge of his duties until he returns. 
Resolved
- that Mort Considine, keeper of idiots and lunatics. be employed for Kate Kennedy, a lunatic in this workhouse, at the rate of 8d per day and such rations and are supplied to the porter. 
[359]
- that meal be again advertised for against Friday next.
- that 6 pairs of crutches be again advertised for.
- that the clerk does inform the Patriotic Insurance Company thro their agent at Ennis that an alteration is wanting to be made in the nursery chimney at the suggestion of the master of raising the same a few feet, to remedy its want of properly drawing smoke.  


There was no atttendance of Guardians on the 10th November, 1843 and consequently no meeting.


The same applies to the meeting of the 17th November, 1843.

[360]
Meeting held on the 24th day of November, 1843.

The register book was signed from No. 705 to No. 707.

[361]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[363]
Read tenders for meal. 
Resolved
- that the meal contract be [held] over to this day week and that advertisements be sent out for same meal to be 1/3 Cutlings. 
- that bread and milk be advertised for from the 9th of Dec. next as also candles.
- that the master sells the pots that are at present useless in the house for 6/- a hundred.
- that Kate Kennedy, a lunatic, be transfered from this house to the Lunatic Asylum at Limerick and that a horse and cart be employed for that purpose
- Mr. Cahill gives notice that he will on this day fortnight move to have all the paupers located at
present on the union at large removed to their respective electoral divisions and that the Assistant
Commissioner be requested to attend on that day and that in case the Commissioner cannot attend on that day that the guardians get notice when he can attend. 
An ammendment was moved that no such notice be given, by Michael Considine and seconded by Garret Fitzgerald.  Mr Quinn gave notice that he will remove Peter Hansbury from Carron Electral Division on this day fortnight. 
[364]
Michael Molony gives notice that he will charge 10 per ton until a contract is entered into.  This is agreed upon. 
Resolved
- that time be extended to the collectors from the 1st December to the 1st January following, 1844. 
- that one dozen of jackets, one dozen of trowsers of each class of clothing be condemned and 2 dozen of stockings, for the purpose of mending cloths partly worn, that 3 sheets be broken up for womens caps, and that 120 yards of strong check, such as is used in Ennis Workhouse, be advertised for, for safes for the children, and that 4 women's peticoats be condemned to mend the rest. 
- that we consider it indispensably necessary to have a revising valuator appointed previous to the making another rate which is absolutely necessary at present.  We are led to the conclusion from the very many and glaring deficiencies and oversights in the valuation as it stands at present. 
[365]
Proposed that all the paupers in the workhouse, be forthwith located in their proper and respective divisions, and that on the audit of the accounts of the union, each division shall be charged with its proper and equitable share of the rate or expense.  We have come to this resolution in order that the  law shall be duly administered and that the ratepayers of several of the divisions shall be satisfied that no unfair and illegal portion of rate shall be charged to them. 
Moved as an ammendment that all the paupers be chargeable to the union at large in as much as it is the fairest and most equitable way.  
On a division there appears for the resolution Michael MacNamara, James Shannon, Thomas Cahill, Francis Fitzgerald, James Quinn, John Kerin and William Burton.  For the ammendment and against the resolution,
Austin Slattery, James Clancy, Pat Clancy, Garret Fitzgerald, John O'Dwyer, Charles Carrig, James O'Gorman, Michael Finucane, Daniel Considine, Michael Considine, majority for the ammendment 3. 

Master's Report
The master would require a further condemnation of clothing to keep those partly worn in repair.  The best plan for the board would be to select a committee for the purpose.  The girls require frocks very much, the ones on them being almost worn.  
The master called your attention to this subject on a former occasion.  A cheaper article than that heretofore
[366] purchased will answer.  The master would suggest the propriety of giving them pinafores or bibs, their present covering being cold, the neck entirely uncovered.  Those articles will render a double service of keeping them warm and clean.  The women also require caps, the ones intended for them being obliged to be given to children who have got sore heads; a sheet will make 10 and, considering the price for those articles, there will be a saving in converting a few of those on hand into caps.  I need not repeat the superabundance of them on hand. Doctor Finucane recommended firing for the infirm female dormitory which the master supplied.  The same ought to be extended to the male infirm dormitory where the floor is earthen.  A few cases of fever has appeared (now convalescent) which the master hoped is not of a contagious nature.  The house otherwise continues healthy, the dietary agreeing well with the inmates.  The master would recommend your board to order pepper for the gruel.  The stirabout for the last week has been unusually thin and bad and the master has no hesitation in stating it proceeds from bad meal.  Some definite steps ought to be taken respecting the meal contracts as the master had much difficulty in contriving to get meal dealers to continue from meeting to meeting.  The meal referred to had been received from Mr. Molony who had served notice on the master that he would not supply any more meal at the present price.   The additon of cabbage to gruel will be found most beneficial.  The master has tried it for the last week and found it to be excellent.  One penny worth will do each week. Small troughs (stone or wooden) would [367] be required for the boys and girls to wash their feet in, the pails and buckets they use have the bottoms driven through them. 
The master requires an order for the following articles: paper- common letter and foolscap, quills & ink- black and red, sealing wax and wafers, an office knife, brooms, a few hundred of nails, oil for the pump, locks and a small box with lock and key for the male ward in which razors, soap etc. maybe kept, a plain pair of scrapers for the front and main building entrances.  For the other entrances the master will contrive ones that will answer. 
A pane of glass has been broken in the male day room while cleaning it this week.  The paving stones are used, we have not a sufficiency for the drains.   Mary Dascow refuses to be clothed in the workhouse dress and, though the master is aware he can punish her by confinement, he would suggest her discharge.  Eight pots remain useless in the house.  The master got directions some time since to dispose of them but would get no more than 6/- per cwt. for them.  

Medical Report
We have had no new case of fever since last report.  There are only nine patients in hospital, in the female infirm ward there are two. The house is healthy.  Michael Bellet aged 85 died last night from natural decay. 

[368]
Resolved that Mary Dascow be discharged on the representation of the master of her having refused to be clothed in the workhouse dress. 

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