Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 5 

Meetings held from 21st July 1848 - 11th August 1848

Meeting held on Friday 21st of July 1848.

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

The register book was signed from No. 6179 to No. 6331.

Present were W.J. Hancock Esq. and J. Cronyn Esq. P.L. Inspectors.

[5]
Medical Report
We have 17 patients in the fever hospital, of these only 6 are confined to bed, and all going on well.  In the infirmary and infirm wards there are 78 patients under medical treatment. We have had no deaths since last report. 
                                                                                                    Chas. Finucane.
Report of the medical doctor relative to the temporary fever hospital at Moymore

Master's Report
The following is a list of the punishment awarded during the week.
On 18th John O'Brien found guilty on his own confession of cutting his shoes - 24 hours solitary confinement.
John Quealy for exchanging his shoes with some person outside and getting an old pair and money in lieu of them - 24 hours solitary confinement.
Austin Quinn for an assault - 24 hours solitary confinement.


[6] The following Order of the Poor Law commissioners was read
- 15th July 1848, ordering returns to be furnished immediately of the numbers of persons who recieved outdoor relief in this union during each of the weeks ending 8th April, 6th May and 31st June and the cost of such relief.

Read commissioners' Letters.
- 15th July 1848, sanctioning the appointment of John Cahill for the office of collector in Ennistymon Union at remuneration of 9d in the pound on the amount collected by him. 
- Of 18th July 1848, complaining of not having received a regular series of the weekly abstracts returns of collection and lodgement for Ennistymon Union which should be forwarded regularly once every fortnight, and requesting an explanation and enclosing the necessary forms to be filled up.
- Of 19th July 1848, enclosing queries to be answered in regard to the persons who have been appointed master and matron together with queries as to the appointment of Thomas McMahon as relieving officer
[7] - Of 19th July 48, returning plan and specification for rebuilding the boundary wall transmitted to the office with Mr. Wilkinson's observations recommending the throwing of an arch over the gateway.  
- Of 19th July 1848, forwarding copy of the communication received by the commissioners from Thomas Green Esq. enclosing copy of resolution adopted at a meeting of the rate payers of Ennistymon Union, and stating that the commissioners understand from Mr. Hancock that the vice guardians are prepared to make a report on the subject.
- Of 19th July 1848, enclosing copy of a letter from Mr. Henry Daly, one of the relieving officers, relative to the course adopted by him in the administration of the outdoor relief together with the commissioners' reply.
- Of 19th July 1848, stating that the [?] having drawn a cheque in favour of O'Brien the relieving officer, was irregular as under the accountant's orders Section No 5 the certificate of the auditor is the only authority for paying the salary of any paid officer who is bound to account, and that Mr. Rourke having signed the cheque as vice guardian, and also as clerk, was irregular. 
[8]
- Of 19th July 1848, acknowledging receipt of letter of 13th inst. requesting permission to withdraw the suspension of Mr. Henry Daly, the relieving officer and stating that the commissioners will raise no objection in the withdrawal of the suspension, but reply on a report being made to them on the conduct of this relieving officer as soon as his books are arranged. 
- Of 19th July 1848, acknowledging receipt of report of 12th July relating to Mr. Walsh's changes with respect to the administration of the poor law and stating that they cannot approve of giving away the property of the union, however trifling in value and that it was irregular to give potatoes to an inmate of the workhouse who was going to America.   
- Queries contained in letter of 19th July 1848 - handed Mr. Hancock (relative to appr. of relieving officer) The door of the clerk's office being outside the boardroom, which being found very inconvenient,
Ordered by the vice guardian that it be respectfully submitted for the approval of the Commisioners that a door be made from the boardroom into the clerk's office. 
[9] - Of 19th July 1848 refering to the resolution of the 8th inst. relative to the administration of outdoor relief to the able bodied poor and enclosing copy of a communication received from Mr. Lloyd.


Meeting held on 28th July 1848
[1]

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

[4] [Blank page]

[5] Doctor's Report
We have 21 patients in the fever hospital all getting on well, some of them taken in since last report.
There are 80 patients under medical treatment in the infirmary and infirm wards.
The house at Lahinch continues very healthy but I have to complain of the water they are getting.  It is not fit for use.
We have had no deaths since last report and only two since the 30th of last month. 

Master's Report
The following is a list of the punishment awarded during the week. Pat Doolin, John Walsh and Thomas Hayes, having left the house without liberty, ordered that their milk be stopped at dinner for one day, it being the  first time they were charged with such an offence, James O'Connor having left the house without liberty ordered that he be confined 24 hours.  Margaret Murry similar offence.  John O'Brien having left the house without liberty, ordered that information be shown against him before a magistrate.

[6] Read commissioners' letter
- Of 19th July 1848, enclosing two copies of an Act passed in the present session of Parliament to extend the powers given by former Acts for purchasing or hiring land, and for providing for the burial of the poor.
- 22nd July 1848, enclosing form of return to be filled up with the valuation and names of landlords of the respective townlands contained therein. 
- 22nd July 1848, confirming resolution contained in minutes of proceedings of 14th inst., recommending that the service of the acting clerk be retained for one month at a salary of £5.
[7] - Of 24th July 1848, approving of the appointment of Thomas Mc Mahon as relieving officer in the Ennistymon Union at a salary of £45 per annum. 
- Of 24th July '48, approving of the appointment of Mr. Michael Kean as clerk of the guardians of the Ennistymon Union at a salary of 80 pounds per annum. 
- Of 25th July 1848, approving of the appointment of Mr. Lancelot Hemsworth as porter to the workhouse of Ennistymon at a salary for £10 per annum. 
- Of 25 th July 1848, the secretary of the Central Board of Health enclosing copy of a report from the medical officer in charge of the temporary fever hospital at Moymore and requesting that steps may be taken to provide additional accommodation to the extent of say 25 beds in connection with the present hospital. 
Of 26th July 1848, approving of the appointment of Mr MacNamara as R.O. at a salary of 40 pounds per annum in the Ennistymon Union. 
- Of 26th July 1848, forwarding copy of a letter from Mr. M. Hehir, acting master of the workhouse, requesting to be retained in the office of master in order that he
[8] may have an opportunity of making up his accounts. 
- Of 25th July 1848, stating that the assistant barrister of Clare called at the office to suggest that the vice guardians of Ennistymon should employ a solicitor to assist appeals against the poor rates. 

The vice guardians, having perceived on perusing the minutes that the following circumstances have not been entered at the time of their occurance,
Ordered that they be now recorded.

On the 8th April on the suspension of Michael Mc Donagh then clerk of the union - Mr Richard Calcutt was appointed temporary clerk of the union.  On the resignation of Mr Calcutt on the 14th April, Mr M. Mc Namara was appointed temporary clerk.  On 26th day of May Mr James Hall was appointed temporary clerk during the illness in fever of Mr M. Mc Namara

Resolved that advertisments be inserted in the Clare Journal, Limerick Chronicle, Galway Vindicator, and
[9] General Advertiser, inviting tenders for the supply of Indian meal & barley meal for the workhouse and outdoor relief for 3 months. 

Handed Mr John Cahill the warrant for the collection of poor rates in the electoral division of Ennistymon on 27th July, it having been duly signed on the previous day.
Mr Reynolds commenced to prepare the accounts for the auditor on 22nd inst.
Mr John Clancy sent from Limerick to assist about the accounts on 18th inst.
Mr Pierce Creagh, having sent a list of persons as follows, 194 able bodied men, 156 women and 11 boys, as being employed in drainage works on his property, with the aim of ascertaining if they were receiving outdoor relief.  On being submitted to the relieving officer for his report he stated as follows, that 7 of these persons named in the list were receiving relief but are now struck off.  The only one remaining is a person of the name of Dogherty who resides 6 miles from the drainage works.

The clerk reports that the following returns were forwarded - Parliamentary report - liabilities of the union for May & June - list of persons receiving relief under the late Act - return for each electoral division showing the valuation, poundage etc - monthly statement of collector's accounts. 


[1] Meeting held on 4th August, 1848.

State of the workhouse for the week ending 29th July 1848.

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

W.J Hancock, P.L.I. attended. The register book was signed from No. 6473 to No. 6478.

[5] Medical Report
We have 79 patients under medical treatment in the infirmary and 27 in fever hospital. There were two deaths during the week, one from diarrhea and one from fever. We had nine new cases of fever during the week.
                                                                                                        Signed
                                                                                                        James Shannon M.D.

[6] Read commissioners' Letter
- 29th July 1848, enclosing form for a return of the progress of the collection of poor rates in the union. 
- 29th July 1848, circular and monthly return of expenses and liabilities.
- 29th July 1848, approving of a door to open from the board room into the clerk's office.
- 31th July 1848, circular relating to outdoor relief under the second section, and stating that last year the number on the lists underwent a gradual reduction from 4th July to 15th August. 
- 1st August 1848, the Secretary of the Central Board of Health acknowledging receipt of letter in reply to the memorial from Kilfenora and stating that the Board read the reply with satisfaction.
[7] - July 28th 1848, Messrs. Shannon and Finucane, medical officers applying for an increase of salary commensurate with their present duties.

Resolved
- that the vice guardians are of opinion that the salary at present allowed (80 pounds) is adequate to the duties required of the medical officers.  The attention of the vice guardians having been called to the circular from the commissioners of the31st July,
- that the commissioners be requested to extend the present order authorising outdoor relief under the 2nd section of the Irish Relief Extension Act, five days from the 10th inst. when the present order will expire.

Tenders for the situation of master were given in from the following persons; John Hickey, Lisdoonvarna; Michael O'Brien, Miltown; John McCarthy, Limerick; James Hall, Ennistymon; Daniel Lysaght, Ennistymon; Austin Daveron Jnr., Lisdoonvarna and Mathew Hehir, previous master.
Resolved
- That James Hall be appointed master at a salary of 50 pounds per annum with appartments [sic] and rations.  Tenders were received from the following persons for the situation of matron, Mrs Maria Hickey, Lisdoonvarna and Miss Margaret Griffin, Lisdoonvarna.
[8] - that Miss Margaret Griffin be appointed matron at a salary of £25 per annum with appartments and rations. Tender for the situation of schoolmaster was read from Mr. Cornelius Sullivan, Miltown.
- That he be appointed at a salary of 35 pounds per annum with rations and an appartment.   
- That as soon as the auxiliary house at Lahinch is completed and the boys removed there, Mrs. Deboragh Griffin be appointed as matron of that establishment at a salary of 15 pounds per annum with rations and an appartment.
Handed Mr. Hancock queries answered by the master, matron, schoolmaster. 

Tenders for clothing were received from the following persons, James Raleigh, Ennis, Morgan McGuire, Linen Hall, Dublin, John Kerin, Ennis, Pat O'Dwyer, Ennistymon, Mrs. Donnellan, Miltown, John O'Dwyer, Miltown, James O'Brien Ennis and Messrs. Russell, Ennis,Mrs. M.A.Morony, Miltown, Geo. Blackwell, Ennistymon.

[9] Tenders
Drogheda Linen
James Raleigh, Morgan McGuire, Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Ann Donnellan, James O'Brien, Russell.  Ticken
J. Raleigh, Limerick. M. McGuire, striped, brown twill, strong twill. Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, linen. Mrs. Donnellan, linen. Russell, linen, striped hessian, grey calico. James Raleigh, McGuire, Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan, J. O'Dwyer, Russell, Kerin. 
Moleskin
Raleigh, McGuire, George Blackwell, Pat O'Dwyer, J. O'Dwyer, Russell.
Blue Calico
James O'Brien, Ennis. John Kerin. 
Freize James Raleigh, McGuire, Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan, James O'Brien, Kerin, Ennis. 
Cord James Raleigh, M. McGuire, Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan, J. O'Dwyer, James O'Brien, Russell, Ennis, John Kerin.
Bengal Stripe
McGuire, Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan. J. O'Dwyer, Russell. 
Shrouding Calico
James Raleigh, Pat O'Dwyer, J. O'Dwyer, Russell. 
[10] Blankets
Mc Guire, P.O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan, Russell.
Rugs
M. McGuire, Pat O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan, John O'Dwyer, Russell.

Check
M. McGuire, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan. J. O'Dwyer, J. O'Brien, Russell, Kerin.
Shambray M. McGuire, P. O'Dwyer, George Blackwell, J. O'Dwyer.
Linsey Wolsey
M. McGuire, George Blackwell, Mrs. Donnellan.
Flannel
P. O'Dwyer, coloured and plain.  Mrs. Morony, brown and white.
Bagging
Kerin.

Resolved
- That the following tenders be accepted Freize - George Blackwell, 2/0 per yard, for 3/4 and 4/0 for 6/4 quarters.  Corduroy - John O'Dwyer, Miltown, 11d per yard. 
Bengal stripe - George Blackwell, 7 1/2d per yard.
Shrouding Calico - George Blackwell, 2 1/2d per yard. 
Rugs - Russell Brothers, Ennis, 2/5 each. 
Ticken - George Blackwell, 7d per yard.
Drogheda Linen - Pat O'Dwyer, Ennistymon, 6 3/4d per yard. 
Grey Calico - Russell Brothers, 3 1/2d per yard. 
Moleskin - George Blackwell, at 1/1 per yard.
Check - Russell Brothers, at 5d per yard.
Shambray - George Blackwell, at 5 1/2d per yard.
Flannel - Pat O'Dwyer, Ennistymon, plain 8d coloured 9d. 


Meeting held on 11th August 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. 6478 to No. 6515.

[5] Doctor's Report
The house continues healthy, indeed we are more free from bowel affections than for the last six months. We have 78 patients in infirmary and 28 in fever hospital.    There were 4 deaths during the week, two children of  convulsions, one of fever and one of diarrhea. 
                                                                                                                                        James Shannon. M.D.

[6] Read commissioners' letter
- 7th August 1848, circular and collector's bond to collect within limited time.
- 7th August 1848, approving of the appointment of Margaret Griffin as matron of the workhouse at a salary of £25 per annum, Mr. James Hall and Mr. Cornelius Sullivan, master and schoolmaster at the respective salaries of £50 and £35 per annum with rations.  
- 7th August 1848, relative to the preparing of an answer respecting the resolutions adopted at a meeting of rate payers in Ennistymon. 
- 8th August 1848, intimating that they have given directions for the removal of the order for outdoor relief and about taking steps to relieve the numbers on the list. 
- Sealed order dated 8th August authorizing the continuance of outdoor relief in the Ennistymon Union to the 15th day of August inclusive. 
[7] - 9th August 1848, the Secretary of the Central Board of Health ordering additional accommodation to the number of 25 beds in the Miltown Malbay Fever Hospital (temporary).  Tenders for Indian meal for outdoor relief and for the workhouse was received for 3 months and also for barley meal from Messrs. Bannatyne and Son, Ennis, on the following terms, barley meal £10 per ton, Indian meal £9.19.6 per ton to be paid in cash every month or to receive one shilling per ton weekly until paid, the present amount due to be liquidated before any payment is placed to the credit of the present contract if declared, no other tender having been received.  It was ordered that it be accepted on the above terms.

Resolved that an advertisement be inserted in the Clare Journal, Galway Vindicator and General Advertiser and Limerick Chronicle inviting tenders for the supply of coals, turf, straw, soap, salt, meat, candles mould and dipt and slate blue.

The following letters were read, relative to the conduct of Mr. James Hall, master of the workhouse.

                                                                        Lahinch Schoolhouse.
                                                                        8th August 1848.
Gentlemen,
I beg leave most respectfully to state for your information that Mr. Hall, master of the Ennistymon workhouse, came here at 10.00 o'clock p.m. in a beastly state of intoxication and ordered the gate to be opened.  Mrs. O'Donnell and her mother came out and when they heard him talking at the gate and they both told him in a very discrete manner that it was a very unreasonable [8] hour of the night and that he could not come in. He still insisted that I should at once open the gate, at the same time holding out threats to me for not obeying his commands and I further beg leave to state that about 10 minutes previous to the above conversation he wanted that I should allow him to come in with me that he might sleep here for the night and telling me he wanted to give me a tumbler of punch which I refused.  I am informed his conduct was very unbecomming in the house he was drinking in. Young Mr. Hehir was with him part of the time but was perfectly sober, and obliged to leave his company.
                                                                                                  Signed
                                                                                                              Lancelot Hemsworth.

                                                                                                                    8th August 1848.
Gentlemen,
I have seen a report which Mr. Hemsworth sent you concerning the conduct of Mr. Hall is perfectly true.
         Signed
              Alice O'Donnell.

In consequence of the foregoing communications and after an investigation of the matter, the vice guardians were under the necessity of not giving over charge of the house to Mr. Hall until the commissioners' decision be known, communicated this by letter on 8th inst.

Mr. James Clancy, the relieving officer for Miltown who has just recovered from fever, having reported that on the day previous to his being taken ill he had rented a house at 2/10 per week for the purpose of accommodating  a wretched family who had no means of shelter and for
whom there was at the time no accommodation in the workhouse but which argument in consequence of this [9] subsequent illness has not been reported to the vice guardians, ordered that Mr. Clancy be allowed to charge the rent in his expenditure.

It having been reported that Mr. Michael Hynes, relieving officer of Burren and Carron was ill of fever, it was ordered that Mr. Fergus Curtin do proceed there on Monday to give out the meal where Mr. Copland will join him.

In consequence of the great measure of fever in the locality of Ennistymon and in conformity with the directions conveyed in the letter from the Secretary of the Central Board of Health of 9th inst., the vice guardians have decided that the stables at Moymore temporary fever hospital be fitted up to accommodate 8 beds.
Mr. John Herbert having proposed to make the necessary fitments for £15, resolved that it be accepted, he having submitted and estimate.

Mr. John O'Dwyer of Miltown Malbay, contractor for corduroy, having failed to supply the quantity they ordered and their being a number of boys at present in the probationary wards requiring clothes, ordered that a quantity be had for immediate use from Mr. George Blackwell, Ennistymon.

It having been found on inspection, by the vice guardians, of the application and report books of the Ennistymon Electoral Division that several persons were placed upon the relief lists under Francis Walsh, the late relieving officer without the sanction of the guardians and that, on the suspension of Walsh, a similar error had been committed by Mr. Francis Daly
temporary relieving officer, and that those persons were continued upon the lists by Henry Daly the relieving officer, but from the minutest enquiry into the circumstances of each case, the destitution of which was so apparent it was evident there was no fraud intended by the relieving officer, the vice guardians determined to sanction the relief on 28th July and accordingly it was sanctioned in the usual form.

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