Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 5 

Meetings held from 28th April 1848 - 26th May 1848

Meeting held on 28th April 1848.

[1] The register book was signed from No. 5692 to No. 5707.
State of the workhouse for week ending 22nd April 1848.

[2]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[5]
Medical Report
We have 96 patients under medical treatment in the infirmary and infirm wards and 47 in fever hospital. I think the diarrhea still continues to decrease, but am sorry to say that fever is increasing, and it is also of a worse character than the fever which we had in the house during the last 6 months. There were 15 new cases during the week. We had only 3 deaths in the house since this day week, 2 from diarrhea and 1 from fever.
                                                            James Shannon. M.D.

[6]
Ordered that the clerk do record in the minutes of this day the proceedings of the meeting held on 26th instant. At a meeting of the vice guardians held on 26th instant, the clerk, having certified that the following rates so far as the value of the hereditaments assessed is concerned, have been in conformity with the valuation now in force for this union. 

[7]
Resolved that this rate be adopted.
It was further Resolved on same day that a notice, in accordance with the form prescribed by the poor law commissioners, of the above rate having been made be forwarded forthwith for publication to the editors of the Clare Journal and General Advertiser, and that like notices to be posted in each electoral division in the union. 

From the tailor's great exertions in training the boys under his care, it is this day Resolved, that his wages advanced from £6 to £10 per annum such increase to commence from 25th March last.

[1]
State of the workhouse for week ending 29th April, 1848.

[2]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

The register book was signed from No. 5707 to No. 5708.

[5]
The clerk was ordered to insert in the minutes of this day the arrangement entered into with Mrs. Louisa McNamara for a house at Moymore intended as a fever hospital. The agreement with Mrs. McNamara to be for a period of four years from the 1st day of May 1848 at a yearly rent of £50.   

[5]
Medical Report
We have in fever 54 patients - include here 9 discharged cured just now. In the infirmary and infirm wards we have 93 patients labouring under diarrhea and other disease.
The deaths since last report were;

Mary Forbes, the first mentioned here, was only one night in the house.
                                        Charles Finucane M.O.

[6]
Read
- commissioners' order dated 3rd May 1848, directing removal of Michael McDonough, clerk of the union, he having previously handed in his resignation.
Ordered that advertisements be forthwith forwarded to the editors of the Clare Journal and General Advertizer for insertion in their respective journals, inviting applications for the situation of clerk to be decided on the 19th inst. Salary £60 per annum.
- commissioners' letter of 3rd inst. requiring statement of the inmates of Ennistymon Workhouse for the weeks ended 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th April 1848 and for corresponding periods in the years 1847 and 1846 respectively.
- commissioners' letter of 3rd inst. requiring the following particulars of each electoral division.
    - Date of each rate made since the commencement of union.
    - The poundage of each rate.
    - The amount of each rate inclusive of arrears.
    - The amount of arrears of previous rates brought forward to each new rate.
    - The amount of portions of the rate not brought forward as arrears.
[7]
- commissioners' letter 4th May relative to acceptance of Bridget Moloney's tender for supplying tobacco for use in the workhouse and desiring that no tobacco should be given except upon a medical certificate.
- commissioners' letter 4th inst. relative to payment of returning officers expences of last year and to recovery of amount alledged to be due of him to constabulary.

Ordered that the clerk do attend to the foregoing letters.  

The vice guardians, deeming that the plot of ground to the rere of the workhouse, as will appear from the enclosed survey made by Mr. Whitston, would be a great acquisition in order to afford a passage to the back of the hospital yard, which is much required,
Resolved that application be made to the commissioners for leave to endeavour to obtain possession of same.
[8]
On examination of rate collectors' bonds, it having been ascertained that the bonds of Pat Flanagan, rate collector is not forthcoming, and the vice guardians having reason to believe that it has been obstructed with and by his knowledge and consent,
Resolved that he be suspended from the discharge of his duty as collector until the decision of the commissioners be known on the subject.
Resolved that their warrants for collection of the several rates, made on 26th August last, be issued to the respective collectors with the exception of Pat Flanagan. 

[1]
State of the workhouse for the week ending 6th May, 1848

[2]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

The register book was signed from No. 5709 to No. 5720

The clerk reported that advertisments for the situation of clerk to be decided on 19th inst. have been forwarded for insertion in the Clare Journal and General Advertiser. 

[5]
Medical Report
We have 43 patients in the fever hospital. In the infirmary and infirm wards under medical treatment we have 99.
We had 5 deaths since last report - Daniel Glynn a child 3 years old of fever, Scully, Mary aged 20 of diarrhea, Daniel Lysaght diarrhea, Ellen Dunne, alias Mulqueeny diarrhea, only a few days in the house, aged 60, and Thomas Carmody aged 26 of diarrhea.
                                                    Charles Finucane. M. D. 

The vice guardians, having received private information that the ledger, which was abstracted from the house some time ago, was in the possession of some person in Ennistymon, came to the resolution to have bills posted in the neighbourhood offering a reward of 20 pounds to any one who shall prosecute to conviction the person guilty of stealing the said book. They also resolved to offer a reward of 10 pounds for prosecuting to conviction the person guilty of feloniously taking from the clerk's office the bond of Pat Flanigan, rate collector.
[6]
Read
- commissioners' letter of 6th May 1848, approving of the proposed increase in the tailor's salary from 6 to 8 pounds per annum.
- letter of 6th of May, requesting to obtain from treasurer a copy of the final statement of the debt due to Relief commissioners by each electoral division.
- letter of 6th May 1848, requiring an account of the liabilities of the guardians on 29th April last.
- letter of 8th May, requiring a return of the progress of the collection of poor rate in the union.
[7]
In consequence of the extension of the buildings at Lahinch school house, the accommodation for play ground is considered entirely too limited for the number of children for which it is intended, namely 400. The vice guardians have therefore concluded an agreement with Mrs. Bridget Creagh of Limerick for her premises adjoining the house which has been taken from Mrs. Barrett consisting of a large garden, 42 perches or thereabouts, well fenced by a wall of 7 feet high, cottage 60 feet long admirably adapted for a school room, with extensive storage for turf, at the yearly rent of 25 pounds. If necessary the taking of this concern will enable the vice guardians by a little outlay to accommodate 500 children at the Lahinch establishment.
[8]
On Monday 8th inst. the vice guardians visited the workhouse at 10 o'clock precisely p.m. when they found Mr. Pat O'Dwyer and Mr. Culliny of Ennistymon, both relatives of the master, in the master's apartment. They then proceeded thro the whole of the dormitories for the double purpose of mastering the paupers and examining into the general state of the house in point of regularity, when they found in every department, but, more especially in the men's ward, that, notwithstanding several beds being unoccupied, there were 4 and even 5 persons in one bed. The master being ill, the matron accompanied the vice guardians, and appeared to be altogether unconscious of the necessity of discipline in he dormitories. They found absent from the house 2 boys about 18 years old, named Toole and O'Loughlin, but who arrived at the workhouse at 20 minutes to 12 o'clock p.m. On being questioned and brought before the
[9] vice guardians the following day, they stated that they had left the house between the hours of 8 and 9 o'clock p.m. in the evening by directions of the master to order meal from Ennistymon. From the general neglect of the establishment and the absence of all confidence between the master and the vice guardians and, more especially from their having on this occasion found that there were 14 paupers in the house less than the number returned by the master, the vice guardians called upon him to resign with which demand he has not formally complied, although he has signified his intention of going to America, and has called for his salary.

Resolved therefore that the commissioners be requested to advise the vice guardians as to the course they should adopt under such circumstances and that, for their information, the clerk do forward to them a copy of the master's letter along with the minutes of this day. 

[1]
State of the workhouse for week ending 13th May, 1848.

[2]
The clerk reported that additional advertisements for the situation of clerk have been forwarded for insertion in the Clare and Limerick Examiner and Galway Vindicator. 

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

The register book was signed from No. 5721 to No. 5735.

[5]
A letter fom the commissioners, dated 13th September, was Read, stating that they had received a letter from the commissiariat department relative to the disposal of 276 bags of Indian corn intended for distribution to the poor of this country which they, the commissioners, have recommended to be consigned for use at Ennistymon and placed at the disposal of the vice guardians.

Medical Report
We have 42 patients in the fever hospital all going on well. In the infirmary and infirm wards we have 96 under medical treatment most of them from diarrhea. We had 7 deaths since last report: Lott Hayes, fever aged 60, Mary Clogheran, diarrhea, aged 30, Mary Dohery, diarrhea aged 34, James Quin, dropsy aged 19, John Egan, aged 10 diarrhea, Joney Noonan decline aged 8, Biddy Brody decline aged a year and a half.
                                            Charles Finucane. M.D.

[6]
Read
- commissioners' order dated 15th day of May extending relief out of workhouse to sixteenth day of June next.
- Tenders for the situation of clerk from;
Michael McNamara, Ennistymon.
James Hall, Corofin.
Joseph Casey, Rathkeale.
Resolved that the tender of Michael McNamara be accepted.
The master and matron having tendered their resignation on Tuesday the 16th inst.
Resolved that they be accepted of and that advertisements for these respective situations be inserted in the Limerick Chronicle, Galway Vindicator, Clare Journal and General Advertiser inviting tenders on Friday the 9th of June next. Master's salary of 40 pounds, matron's 20 pounds per annum with rations and apartments.
[7]
The present porter being aged and infirm, consequently unable to attend to the duties of the union workhouse which require a great deal of activity, the vice guardians have determined on sending him to the auxiliary workhouse at Lahinch, as porter, at a reduced salary of 5 pounds per annum with rations and apartments and 1 suit of clothes yearly.

Resolved
- That the clerk do advertise for tenders for the situation of porter, to be decided on 9th June at a salary of 10 pounds per annum.
- That Mr. Henry Daly be suspended from discharge of his duties as relieving officer if he does not furnish his accounts in or before 26th inst.
- That James Campbell Esq., 63 Sackville Street, be appointed solicitor to the vice guardians.
- That an accountant be appointed to bring up the arrears of former clerk and prepare for audit, the accounts ending 25th March 1848.
[8]
Read letter from J. Cronyn Esq. Poor Law Inspector, intimating to vice guardians that he had received a letter from Count P. Shezlecki advising him that he had authorized Commissary General Sir R.J. Rouths to transmit the sum of £500 to be placed at the credit of this union. Received treasurer's receipt for this sum of £500 which is to be repaid out of amount of rates of this union. 

[1]
The register book was signed from No. 5736 to No.5743.
State of the workhouse for week ending 20th May, 1848.  

[2]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[4]

[5]
Doctor's Report
I have much pleasure in being able to inform the vice guardians of the very much improved health of the inmates of the workhouse. Both fever and diarrhea hitherto prevailing to a great extent and perceptibly on the decrease. In the fever hospital this day we have 24, and of these only 6 are confined to bed and no bad case among them. In the infirmary and infirm wards we have 90 under medical treatment, many of them old persons suffering from chronic disease. We had 2 deaths since last report, Mary Bourke aged 34 of anasarca and Patt Griffy aged 10 of phthisis.
                                        Charles Finucane. M. D.

[6]
Read commissioners' letter
- of 19th May 1848, in reference to Patrick Flanagan, rate collector.
- of 19th May 1848, in reference to the workhouse master.
- of 19th May 1848, in reference to a small plot of land to the rere of the workhouse.
- Of 22nd May 1848, in reference to the posting of notices on police barracks.
- Of 22nd May 1848, in reference to the return of funds.
- Also a letter from the Central Board of Health relative to the establishment of a temporary fever hospital at Ballyvaughan.
[7]
The vice guardians, considering it for the interest of the workhouse generally that Mr. Walsh, the master be permitted to vacate his office at once,
Resolved that Mr. Matthew Hehir, relieving officer, be appointed temporary master and Mrs. Hehir temporary matron.
Resolved that Mr. Thomas Hehir be appointed temporary relieving officer for Killilagh.   

In consequence of the general neglect of all discipline in the workhouse establishment for a considerable period and the habits of idleness prevailing among the women of all ages and the impossibility of the matron attending personally to the industrial department so essential to the well being of the female inmates,
Resolved that a person be employed to superintend the sewing, knitting and spinning to be carried on henceforth in the new apartment at a salary not exceeding eight pounds per annum with rations and apartments. 

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