Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 3 

Meetings held from 11th September 1846 - 23rd October 1846

[131]
Meeting held on the 11th. September, 1846.

The register book was signed from No. 2099 to No. 2124. 

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

[133]
Read commissioners' letter of the 27th August last accompanying forms of the monthly account of the state of the union funds.
Read commissioners' letter of the 31st ult. acknowledging the receipt of the replies to their queries on the potatoe disease.
The clerk laid the policy of the insurance of the fever hospital, bedding, clothing and furniture for £300 before the board perfected.

In reference to the master's journal,
Resolved that the consideration of purchasing a pig to consume the potatoes grown on the workhouse ground be adjouned to this day week, when the chairman it is expected will attend, as also the manner in which the corn grown on the workhouse ground will be disposed of.
[134] Resolved that the shoemaker be supplied with 1 hide of soleleather, 1 doz of awl blades, 1 lb of closing hemp, 1 lb of wax, 1/2 gross of tips.

Resolved that cheques be drawn for the following sums.

In reference to the master's journal,

Resolved that the following tins etc. be condemned viz. 224 qts, pints and saucepans, 59 chamber utensils, 10 scrubbing brushes, 6 hearth brushes, 12 mop brushes, 4 dusting brushes, 88 sweeping brushes, 500 nets, 13 platters, 4 ladles, and 7 baskets.
Resolved that the master do purchase a ton of meal 1/2 of which will be Indian meal and 1/2 oatmeal.
Resolved that an order for 60 yards of calico be given the master and for 1 doz sweeping brushes.

[135]
Meeting on the 18th. September, 1846.

The register book was signed from No. 2125 to No. 2159.

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

[137]
Read commissioners' letter
- Of the 10th inst. expressing the regret of the commissioners at the unfavourable report which the guardians were obliged to make on the state of the potatoe crop in this union.
- Of the 10th inst. with reference to the annual appointment of ex-officio guardians.

Medical Report
There are 37 patients in the hospital labouring under fever and 47 in the infirmary labouring under various chronic diseases. A man named Michael Leadin, aged 32 years, died of fever on Sunday morning 4 days after been taken in.
                                                    Charles Finucane.
                                                    M.R.C.S.L.
[138]
Resolved
- that unless the several collectors pay up their respective balances and produce the treasurer's receipt for same on Friday 16th October next that their respective bonds be forthwith put in suit and that our clerk do transmit to each a copy of this resolution.
- that the bond of Martin Collins and his securities be handed to our law agent for proceeding thereon forthwith for breach of contract.
- that an order be given Mr. Pat O'Dwyer for the following viz. 600 yards of linen for 200 shirts for men, 500 yards for 200 shirts for boys, 300 yards for 150 women's shifts, 375 yards for 150 girl's shifts, 20 yards for 100 night caps for women, 300 yards of linen for 100 women's peticoats, 300 yards twilled cotton for 100 inside women's peticoats, 150 yards linsey for 100 girl's peticoats, 400 yards flannel for 100 girl's frocks, 60 yards baragon for waistcoats for men, 640 yards ticking for 80 beds, 40 yards ticking for 80 bolsters, 100 pairs of blankets, 100 rugs, 720 yards dowlas for 180 sheets, 200 yards of stripe for 200 girl's safes, 400 yards corduroy for 100 boy's suits, 100 caps, 200 yards callico for lining, 14 lbs of thread and 1 gross buttons.

Resolved that our clerk do advertize for tenders against this day week for 20 tables and 40 forums for dining hall, 12 wooden trays, 4 tables for general use, 2 small boxes for razors, 4 small ladders, 6 forums for general use. For building 2 walls from the present gate to where the new gate is intended to be.

Resolved that Indian meal be used for stirabout in future for the inmates of this workhouse without being mixed with oatmeal.

[139]
Meeting held on 25th September 1846.

The register book was signed from No. 2160 to No. 2190.

The clerk's report was read to the following effect.
That advertisements were put forward for furniture, stoves etc. according to previous order.

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

[141]

Read commissioners' letter
- Of the 14th inst. accompanying a copy of the queries on the potatoe crop required by the clerk.
- Of the 19th inst. referring to the payment of 7/6 paid for premium of insurance of fever hospital etc.

Resolved that the shoemaker be supplied with 2 pieces of upper leather, 3 calf skins, 5000 pound tack, 1 rasp and 1 knife.

Medical Report
We have 27 patients in the fever hospital, after discharging 4 recovered this day. The patients yet remaining are getting on well. I require the medicines in the following list for the use of surgery.
                                                Charles Finucane.
                                                M.R.C.S.L.

[142]
Read tenders for furniture etc.
Resolved
- that new tenders be invited against this day week and advertisements in Ennistymon, Miltown, Corofin, Kilfenora and Liscannor.
There being no tenders for building the approach wall and the master being of opinion that it could be built by the paupers.
- that our clerk do advertize for contractors to raise and deliver stone per perch of 21 feet long and one foot high at the workhouse for that purpose.
- that a cheque be drawn in favour of the master for £7-16-3 advanced by him for meal.
- that the master shoemaker do forthwith commence making new shoes for women and children and that the master do procure from the contractor materials for that purpose.
- that 200 spoons worn out be condemned and the master do purchase 400 new ones and 3 dozen of combs.

[143] Resolved that the following hours of discipline be adopted until the 25th of March next.

[144]
Meeting held on the 2nd of October 1846.

 The register book was signed from No. 2191 to No. 2229.
The clerk's report was read to the following effect.
That he handed Martin Collin's bond to the law agent with directions to proceed against him forthwith for breach of his contract.
That tenders were invited for furniture, raising and delivering stone by the perch for building the approach walls. 

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

Read commissioners' letter of the 24th September last accompanying the monthly account of the union funds to the 29th ult.
[147]
Resolved that cheques be drawn in favour of the following persons for the following sums viz.

Read tenders for furniture.
Resolved that we accept the tender of Peter Sullivan for 20 tables at 10/- each, for 46 forums at 4/- each, for 12 wooden trays at 2/- each, for 4 tables for general use at 7/6, for 2 small boxes for razors at 2/0 each, for 4 small ladders at 2/0 each.

A letter from Mrs. Rawlings (of the 28th ult.) matron of the Female Convict Depot, Grange Gorman in Dublin, addressed to the master of the Ennis workhouse, desiring that Michael and Susanne Shanntry aged 5 and 3 years should be sent to Dublin for the purpose of accompanying their mother who is under rule of transportation and the letter of said master addressed to the master of this workhouse and the children being in this workhouse,
[148] Resolved that our master do fortwith send the children in charge of a careful person to Kilaloe and that he do write to the agent of the steam company to request that he will place them under the protection of the steward and arrange for having them safely deposited at the depot. And further that our master do defray the necessary expences and furnish a bill of particulars.

Medical Report
The house is healthy at present. We have 42 patients in the infirmary and 31 in fever hospital. A patient named Ellen Gallery died of fever on the 28th September.
                                                    James Shannon.
                                                    Medical Officer.

Resolved
- that 1 gross of quills and 1 ream of copy writing paper be had for the use of the schools.
- that William Lonigan, his wife and children be discharged, they belonging to the Kilrush Union.

[149]
Meeting on the 9th October, 1846.

The register book was signed from No. 2230 to No. 2275.

The clerk's report was read to the following effect.
That Peter Sullivan the contractor for making tables forms etc. declared at the last meeting has entered into his bond with sureties.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

[151] Read commissioners' letter of the 29th Sept. last respecting an enquiry from the commissioner of National Education and with regard to reports on wokhouse schools.

Medical Report
The house continues healthy. There are 44 in the infirmary where we had one death on the 6th of an old woman aged 80 who was taken into the house on Friday last suffering from anasarca of which and old age she died. There are 30 in fever hospital all getting on favourably. We want the medicines named in the accompanying list for the use of the surgery.
                                            James Shannon.
                                            Medical Report.
[152]
The master having produced a letter received by him from Mr. Tully agent to the Steampacket Company in answer to a letter addressed to him in reference to the transmission of 2 children to the Female Convict Depot Dublin, referred to in the last days proceedings.
Resolved that the master do make the necessary arrangements for the transmission of the said children and that he defrays the expence and furnish a bill of particulars.

The chairman having read a letter from Miss Finnucane of Ennistymon House respecting the discharge of William Lonigan at our last meeting which she stated upon the authority of Lonigan was because he was a Protestant.
The case was fully investigated and it appeared to the board that Lonigan and his family were Roman Catholics belonging to the Kilrush Union.
Resolved that the master do answer Miss Finucane's letter and inform her that the boards rule could not be rescinded.

The chairman proposes that on this day fortnight, William Pim be appointed master tailor and his wife dressmaker to this workhouse.

Mr Morony moved that an advertisement be put forth inviting tenders for the construction of 2 chimnies with fireplaces in the respective rooms of the schoolmaster and school mistress agreeable to the plan heretofore laid before the board and to be seen in the hands of the clerk.
[153]
The master handed in the treasurer's receipt for 12 being the proceeds of corn grown on the workhouse lands.
Resolved- that the master gets a cheque for £11-14-8 advanced by him for meal and a cheque for £3-0-8 for lime brooms, brushes etc.
- that the children between 6 and 15 get an additional ounce of meal as the present dietary of that class is considered insufficient.

[154]
Meeting held on 16th October 1846.

The register book was signed from No. 2276 to No. 2423.

The treasurer's book was produced by which it appeared that there has been

[156]
Read
- commissioners' letter of the 7th inst. with reference to the furnishing the secretary of each county into which the union extends with lists of the last Poor Law Valuation etc.
- Letter from Mr.Mathew, auditor, dated 9th inst. requiring the abstracts and the balance sheet of the union accounts for the 1/2 year ended 29th September last.
- Letter from the Guardian Office Armagh dated 8th inst recommending a certain book of great magnitude to be useful to any union price 15/9.
- commissioners' letter of the 12th inst respecting the discharge of William Lonigan.
[157] - commissioners' letter dated 1st inst. accompanying a return of guardians and officers of the union which return it is requested should be made and transmitted to the Poor Law Commission Office on or before the 15th inst. which was impossible as the letter did not reach here until after 4 o'clock on the evening of the said 15th nor leave Dublin before the 13th inst. as appears by the post mark.

Medical ReportThere are 30 patients in fever hospital and 50 in the infirmary. The nursery is too much crowded, and very badly adapted for the purpose, as it is too small, badly lighted, having only one window facing the north, and there could not be a worse situation for a nursery.
                                                                    James Shannon.

Resolved
- that the following articles be procured from the leather contractor for the use of the workhouse, 1000 tip nails, 5 1/2 lb offal, 4 dozen of shoe tips and 3 lbs of sewing hemp.
-That cheques be drawn for the following sums viz.

[159]
Meeting held 23rd October 1846.

The Register book was signed from No. 2424 to No. 2621.
The treasurer's book was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[161]
Read commissioners' letter of the 15th October requiring that a list of the town lands in each Electoral Division of the union should be forwarded by the clerk to the office of the Relief Deptartment of Public Works.

Medical Report
We had 2 deaths in the infirmary since last meeting, of diarrhea Michael Whelan aged 75 and Daniel Lynchy 76.  Fifty still remain under treatment. The schoolmistress is very bad in fever. We have 32 in fever hospital of which number 5 came from the house during the week. A child named John Quigly aged 2 1/2 years died after recovering from fever of missentice disease.
                                                    James Shannon.
                                                    Medical Officer.

[162]
Proposed that Bridget Pim be appointed dress maker to this workhouse at a salary of 5 a year and such rations as are supplied to the schoolmistress.

Resolved
- that a cheque be drawn in favour of the master for £9-18-4 for meal.
- that a fortnight's time be extended to the collectors to pay up their balances.
- that Pat Fitzpatrick, master tailor do commence his duties here on Monday next.
- that our clerk do write to the commissioners and ask their advice, as to how the guardians should act under the following circumstances viz: This house being of the 2nd class, was built for the accommodation of 600.
Previous to the 16th inst. it contained 477. In consequence of the delay as given by the Board of Works, to the execution of works presented for, at the last extraordinary presentment sessions for this district under 10th Vict. Chap. 107. The almost total decay of the potatoe crop, the unreasonable price of meal and all other breadstuffs, and the consequent destitution of nine tenths of the entire population, 191 persons were on that day admitted being 68 above the regular number to which 28 admitted during the week are ablebodied making a gross excess of 96 for whom the master had not sufficient clothing nor furniture. Several persons were on that day rejected and the board partly through coercion and compassion prevailed on the master to do
[163] the best he could for the accommodation of those admitted.

The board are now called upon on behalf of 128 deserted children, and old and infirm persons in a state of destitution and starvation for relief, and from the same motives and for the preservation of the peace of the country, the board have made a similar request of the master to the extent of 40 individuals, until such time as the desired advice is given by the  commissioners.
And it is further resolved that our clerk do state to the commissioners the great difficulty of collecting the rate and the apprehension they are under that it will be impossible to collect sufficient for the maintenance of the establishment.

With a view to meet the wants of the number seeking admission to the workhouse this day and the master being called on to know what number were in the house, and he stating that there were in comparison to the whole number but few males,
Resolved that the following breach of classification under the circumstances be adopted viz. the boys to be removed to the upper sleeping dormitory of the men. The girls placed in the boys' ward and women without children placed in the girls' dormitory.

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