Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 3 

Meetings held from 26th February 1847 - 16th April 1847

[238]
Meeting held on the 26th February 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3467 to No. 3492.

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

[240]
Read
- commissioners' letter of the 24th inst. with reference to the medical officer's report and the building of sheds for 100 patients and accompanying plans for that purpose.
- commissioners' letter of the 24th inst. relative to the interment of paupers etc.
- letter from the Kilrush Union to the chairman of this board enquiring what amount of salary is paid to the several officers of this Union.
[241]
Medical Report
There are 231 patients under medical treatment in the fever hospital and infirmary, of which number 135 suffer from fever. I think disease is slightly on the decrease, as the admissions to the fever and other wards are not so numerous during the last 10 days as previously. We had 20 deaths during the week, 10 from fever, 5 from diarrhea, 3 from small pox and 2 dropsical affections.
                                                                                James Shannon.
                                                                                Medical Officer.

Resolved that the shoemaker be supplied with 2 pieces of upper leather, 8 lb of insole leather, 1 lb of closing hemp, 1000 tip nails, 1 doz awl blades, 4 doz shoetips, 1 lb of wax.

Read tenders for finishing shoemaker's workshop which was rejected being considered too high.

[242]
Meeting held on the 5th March 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3493 to No.3514.

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

[245]
Read commissioners' letter of the 27th ult. with respect to the monthly account of the union funds.
The master handed in the treasurer's receipt for 15/0 sale of cabbage.

Medical Report
We had 18 deaths since last report. Some of fever, some of diarrhea, one of small pox. There are 152 patients in fever.
                                                            Charles Finucane.
                                                            M.R.C.S.L.

Resolved that time be extended to the collectors until the first of April next and that they get one shilling to the pound poundage on the sums collected and paid to the treasurer until then.

Resolved that cheques be drawn in favour of the following persons for the following sums.

[246] Mr Burdett Morony gives notice that he will on this day fortnight bring the loss sustained by the bread contractor under the consideration of the board.
Resolved that the ten following gentlemen be appointed a committee to meet on Thursday the 11th inst. to consider the losses on the bread contract. Namely; John McNamara, Burdett Morony, Robert Morony, Matt Kenny, James O'Gorman, Daniel Considine, Thomas Stack, John O'Dwyer, Pat Jordan, Michael Considine.
Three to form a quorum.

Resolved that the master be directed to hire a car to send Mary Kilmartin an inmate to the county infirmary.

[247]
Meeting held on the 12th March 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3515 to No. 3561.

The treasurer's book was produced by which it appeared that the

[249]
Resolved that a copy of the following notice of the making of the rate to be signed this day be published on one number of the Clare Journal newspaper and that placards be posted to the same effect in every Electoral Division of the Union.

Notice by guardians of the Poor Rate being made 1 & 2 Vic Cap 56 and 70.
The guardians of the Poor of Ennistymon Union give notice that a rate for the relief of the poor of this union hath been duly made under the provisions of an act passed in the second year of the reign of Queen Victoria, intimated an act for the more effectual relief of the destitute poor in Ireland, and that Michael McDonough (the clerk of the guardians) of Woodmount in the county of Clare, hath the custody of said rate.
[250] The guardians also give notice that any person affected by the rate is authorized to take copies or extracts therefrom at all reasonable times without charge.
                                    John O'Dwyer, chairman
                                    Thomas Stack, Michael Considine,
                                    M. McDonough, clerk.

Resolved that cheques be drawn for the following sums:

Medical Report
In the fever hospital and infirmary we have 129 patients in fever and 24 labouring under diarrhea, and other diseases besides those under medical treatment in the infirmary and other wards. Out of the 129 now in fever, 5 are new cases taken into hospital today.
We have had 22 deaths since Friday of which a good many were taken into the house on that and the board day previous.
In fact the people are coming into the house for the sake of getting coffins. One woman named Biddy Clancy aged 60 died in 2 hours after the master took her in off the side of the road. I need not inform the guardians of the state of destitution in which most of the paupers are
[251] taken in, a great number of them are all but dead and are in such a state from bowel complaints that it is almost impossible to go near them and their constitutions so broken down that medical treatment is of little or no use.
                                                            Charles Finucane.
                                                            M.R.C.S.L.

Proposed that the clerk be directed to advertise for tenders for this day week for making a flagged gullet at
--- per perch to be 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide along the road to the rere of the poor house to commence and end at the points to be shown by the clerk, the contract to be executed within 10 days after the execution of the bond.

Resolved that we accept the tender of Pat Quely of Ballymacraven for completing the shoemaker's workshop according to plan and specification for the sum of twenty nine pounds and to have same complete the first May next. Securities Pat O'Dwyer of Ennistymon and Edward Neylon of Ballymacraven.

[252]
Meeting held on the 19th March 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3562 to No. 3606.

The clerk's report was read to the following effect.
That Pat Quely and his securities have not signed their bond for finishing the shoemaker's workshop and bedroom.

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

[254]
Read
- letter from Mr. Hancock A.P.L.C. dated at Limerick 12th March 1847 respecting the bedding and clothing in the workhouse.
- 2nd letter from same dated at Limerick 12th March 1847 accompanying a form of return to be filled by the clerk
[255] showing the pecuniary position and liabilities of the union.
- commissioners' letter of the 16th inst. requiring the names of the resident magistrates in each electoral division in the union.

Proposed that the bread contractor [sic] and that this resolution shall not be deemed or taken as interferring with Michael Molony's original contract of August last in any manner whatsoever, but that he continues to supply the house at 7d for each 4 lb loaf and if this resolution never passed [sic] and that this sum of £60 be given him as a donation and entirely subject to the opinion of the Poor Law Commissioners.

Medical Report
We have in the fever hospital and infirmary 196 patients of these 135 are in, or recovering from fever. The remaining 61 are labouring under diarrhea and other diseases. We have had 24 deaths since last report.
[256] I would strongly recommend the guardians to put every boy and girl in the house on bread diet as they are not using the Indian meal food which I do not think fit for them and either rice or meal should be substituted for it.
                                                                        Charles Finucane.

Resolved
- that tenders be invited against this day week to build the 2 approach walls and the flagged gullet.
- that 20 rugs and 20 pair of blankets and 1 dozen of brushes be supplied to the master and 30 sheets, 10 pair of blankets, 18 rugs, 30 shirts, 30 shifts, 1 coal box, and 1 bellows be supplied for the use of the fever hospital.
- that the master hires a car to send Biddy McMahon, Ellen and John Morony to Ennis fever hospital.
- that the shoemaker be supplied with 1 hide of sole leather, 3 calf skins, 5,000 pound tacks, 1 quart of flour to make paste.
- that a cheque be given Patrick Lynch for £14-1-4 1/2 for meat.
- that tenders be invited for this day week to make 2 cupboard beds for the schoolmaster and schoolmistress.
[257] - that no children being after fever are allowed into the schools until after the lapse of 21 days.
In reference to the doctors report.
Resolved that the boys and girls under 15 years get bread for breakfast and dinner until further notice.

[258]
Meeting held on the Friday 26th March 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3607 to No. 3704.The treasurer's book was produced by which it appeared that the

[260]

Proposed that Cornelius O'Brien Esq. M.P. be the chairman of the board for the ensuing year.
                                        Carried unanimously.

Proposed that Francis J. Morony Esq. be the vice chairman of the board for the ensuing year.                                                                                     Carried unanimously.
Proposed that Matt Kenny Esq. be the deputy vice chairman of the board for the ensuing year.
                                       Carried unanimously.
Proposed that the schoolmaster gets liberty to absent himself for 4 hours on every Sunday for the benefit of his health from 12 to 4 o'clock.
[261]
Resolved that the guardians having duly enquired into the circumstances of the report of the paupers being carelessly interred, in consequence of which their remains had been damaged by dogs, find that there was no truth in the report.

Upon the representation of Captain Gordan that £30,000 will be required for meeting the distress for 90 days,
Resolved that a rate of 3/0 in the pound be levied upon the Union for the purposes of the 10 Vict cap 7. And that the same be apportioned upon the nett annual value of each electoral division.

In order to expedite the collection of the rate, that the clerk be authorised forthwith to engage sufficient assistance to complete the rate books.
Resolved that the clerk do procure the rate books forthwith.

Medical Report
We have between those in the fever hospital and infirmary 145 patients, I am glad to say that most of them are up and getting on well. We have 18 deaths since last report and as I have in former reports stated, many of them died a few days after coming into the house.
                                            Charles Finucane.
[262]
Mr. Stack gives notice that on this day fortnight he will move to raise the salary of the chaplain from 40 to 60 a year on account of his increased duties.
Read Commissioners' letter of the 18th inst. requiring copies of the last rate books to be supplied to the different relief committees in the union.

Read commissioners' letter of the 23rd inst. on the subject of the donation of 60 proposed to be given to the bread contractor.

Resolved that the master hires a car to convey Mary O'Brien an inmate to the Ennis fever hospital.
Resolved that tenders be invited for a plot of ground for the purposes of a burying place and for 3000 boxes of turf against this day fortnight.

Resolved that the inmates of this workhouse get bread and coffee for breakfast on Easter Sunday the usual quantity to each.

[264]
Meeting held on the 9th April 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3705 to No. 3879.

[265] The treasurer's book was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[267]
Read
- provision list of prices in Belfast dated 25th March 1847 furnished by Mr. V.D. Henderson.
- letter from Londonderry Union dated 25th March 1847 enquiring whether any of the union officers had been affected with fever within the last 1/2 year and if so whether they recovered or died.
- commissioners' letter of the 27th ult. accompanying a colonization circular which is to remain in the Board room.
- commissioners' letter of the 26th ult. accompanying the copy of a petition from Pat Grady which was also read.
- petition of the guardians of the Tullamore Union bearing date 18th March 1847.
- commissioners' letter of the 27th ult. accompanying returns to be made of each collector's weekly collection lodged with the treasurer.
- commissioners' letter of the 25th ult. requiring the state of the funds of the union on the 25th March last.
- commissioners' letter of the 31st ult. with regard to the purification of clothing.
[268] - commissioners' letter of the 31st ult. with reference to the copy of the last rate made, to be supplied to Relief Committees in the union.
- commissioners' letter of the 31st ult. with reference to remuneration for Government returns supplied by the clerk.
- letter from the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland and Royal Canal Company dated 1st April 1847, enquiring what measures were adopted by the board of guardians of this union with reference to the petition to Parliament praying to promote the contruction of Railways in Ireland.

Resolved that rice and Indian meal be advertized for on one part of the Clare Journal against this day week, to be contracted for, for 6 weeks.
Resolved that the clerk do write to Mr. Griffith of the General Survey of Ireland and ascertain from him how soon the valuation of this Union would be attainable as the Board feel the want of an accurate valuation.

Mr. O'Dwyer gives notice that on this day fortnight he will move that a new valuation of this union be entered upon, unless in the meantime Mr. Griffith's reply to the letter proposed to be sent to him on the subject, shall satisfy the Board that the Ordinance Survey and Valuation may be shortly expected.
[269]
Mr. Stack's motion for raising the chaplain's salary from 40 to 60 was lost, it not being seconded.
Mr. Robert Morony gives notice that he will on this day fortnight move to reduce the shoemaker's salary from 15 a year to 8 a year, its original standard.
Mr. John McNamara gives notice that he will on this day fortnight move for the reconsideration of Michael Molony's claims for compensation for the losses sustained, as contractor for the supply of bread to the workhouse, and that he will ground said motion on the correspondence between the Poor Law Commissioners, this board, and the said Michael Molony.

Medical Report
We have 143 patients under medical treatment in the house, and 54 in fever hospital and though the deaths have been fewer (only 14 during the last week), I cannot say the health of the establishment is much improved, as I had a great many admissions to hospital particularly from bowel affections which are on the increase. We had also a good many new cases of fever during the week. I would strongly recommend the board to give up altogether for the present the use of threacle for which a little [270] new milk might be substituted, also to give cocoa in place of coffee and to be particular as to the quality of the sugar used for sweetening, as the sample I saw the other day with the matron, was as bad as it could be.
We had 7 deaths from fever, 6 from diarrhea, and 1 from convulsions. The medicines in the accompanying list are wanted for the use of the workhouse.
                                                            James Shannon.
                                                            Medical Officer.

Agreeable to the doctor's report,
Resolved that cocoa be substituted for coffee.
Resolved that the medicines required by the medical officer be had from Mr. O'Dwyer the medicine contractor.
Resolved that the clerk be directed to order Mr. Molony not to send John Bennis as a messenger with bread to the workhouse in future, his conduct in general being reprehensible.
Resolved that a cheque be drawn for £9-8-0 for books for both schools.
Resolved that Pat Lynch gets a cheque for £14-3-2 for meat.
[271]
In reference to the letter or memorial of Pat Grady and to the Commissioners' letter on the subject bearing date 26th ult.,
Resolved that Pat Grady, having (on a previous day to that of declaring Quely the contractor for finishing the shoemakers workshop) offered to finish the work for 27, and afterwards retracted, we did deem him not worthy of getting the contract, and as for his being a tradesman, it did not strengthen our confidence in him as it was a tradesman that first contracted for completing the said workshop, and violated his contract and put the Union thereby to much expence.

[272]
Meeting held on the 16th. April, 1847.

The register book was signed from No. 3880 to No. 4018.

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

[274]
Resolved that the shoemaker be supplied with 3 pieces of upper leather, 3 lb of welt leather or offal, 3 lb of sewing hemp, 5000 crabbit heads, 1 lb of wax and 1 sheep skin apron.
Resolved that the state of the fever hospital privy requires immediate attention, and that the master be directed to procure means of cleaning out same with as little delay as possible.

Mr. Thomas Stack gives notice that he will move on this day fortnight to take into consideration the propriety of increasing the salary of the Roman Catholic Chaplain of the workhouse from £40 to £60 a year, in consequence of his increased duties with respect to the fever hospital attached to this workhouse.
[275]
Medical Report
The admissions to the infirmary and fever hospital have not been so numerous this week as last. We are still in an unhealthy state, there are 132 under medical treatment in infirmary and infirm wards and 56 in fever hospital. The deaths were 24 during the week, 12 of diarrhea, 2 of convulsions, 2 of dropsy, 6 of fever, and 2 from the effects of starvation previous to admission.
                                            James Shannon.
                                            Medical Officer.

Resolved that the clerk do invite tenders from persons willing to supply milk from 10, 20, 30 or 40 gallons or more per day against this day fortnight. Contractors to supply for 12 months and to be advertised on one part of the Clare Journal.

On the recommendation of Mr. Phelan, Assistant Poor Law Commissioner,
Resolved that the following suggestions made by him be carried into effect for the sake of the future sanatory [sic] state of the health of the inmates.

The infirmary and fever hospital are so greatly overcrowded as to cause an increase of mortality and to render recovery more tedious. To remedy this I beg to recommend that the idiot cells which are unoccupied be placed at the disposal of the medical officers, to send such convelescent or other cases to them as they may deem necessary, fires, bedsteads, and bedding only will require to be provided.
[276]
Next I should strongly advise that as the house is as full as its accommodation will admit, the further admission of paupers be suspended in which case 3 of the probationary wards will not be wanted and can be used in the same manner for such cases as the medical officer may think proper to send to them. At the male side there is one ward unoccupied and others not as far as they are capable of accommodating. I would suggest that the master and medical officers be empowered to arrange these wards so as to thin those that are most crowded. The fever hospital privy requires immediately to be cleaned out, and to be so arranged as to prevent the recurrence of the present nuisance. The ventilation of the infirmary and of the infirm wards and day rooms requires improvement, which can be cheaply and simply done, by making counter openings in each of the larger infirmary wards, in which to put a window to open and a lattice outside, and 2 panes in each of the present windows, and in the day rooms and wards, by making a portion of the window to slide over the other. The two upper small wards can be enlarged by taking down the passage wall, and making a partition to cut off the male from the female side.
                                                    Denis Phelan,
                                                    Assist. Poor Law Commissioner
Ennistymon Workhouse
        April 16th 1847.
[277]
Resolved that the pauper nurses in the infirmary and fever hospital get 1 oz of tea each in the week and 1/2 lb of sugar and 1 1/2 lb of meat to each and 3 1/2 lb of bread to each.

Mr Kenny gives notice that he will move the board on Friday the 30th April inst. that the resolution passed on the 26th March last for a 3/0 rate on the several electoral divisons of the Ennistymon Union be rescinded in consequence of an error in the calculation for the supply of the destitute poor.
Resolved that the clerk do invite tenders for 30 bedsteads or stretchers against this day week same as will be described by the master.

In reference to the master's report.
Resolved that 175 yards of corduroy for 50 men's trousers and 200 yards of lining callico for that and other purposes and 100 caps for boys to be had from Mr. O'Dwyer.

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