Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 5 

Meetings held from 18th August 1848 - 8th September 1848

Meeting held on 18th August, 1848.

[1] State of the workhouse for week ending 12^th 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. 6516 to No. 6565.

[4]

[5] Doctor's Report
There are 83 patients under medical treatment in infirmary and infirm wards, and 24 in fever hospital. We have had three deaths during the week, one of  diarrhea, one of phthisis and a child of croop. The house continues healthy, four new cases of fever since last report.
                                                                                          James Shannon. M.D.

The clerk reports that he has ordered the requisite number of rate books from Mr. Thom preparatory to the leveying [sic] of a new rate - which is approved of.  Also stationery from Mr. Talbot, and the printing of 500 bills for claims due to contractors and others.
[6]
At a special meeting of the vice guardians held on the 15th inst. to consider the present state of the country and the prospect for the employment of the able bodied poor,
Resolved that the commissioners be requested to renew the order for outdoor relief under the 2nd sec. of the act and that it be recorded on the minutes of this days proceedings.

Read commissioners' letter
- 10th August 1848, intimating that it is of the greatest importance that the rate for collection after harvest next should be prepared with as little delay as possible.
- 10th August 1848, enclosing queries to be answered by Mrs. Debora Griffin the proposed matron for the auxiliary house at Lahinch.
- 12th August 1848, calling for a return B showing the total liabilities and assets of the union for the year ended 25th March 1848.
- 14th August 1848, enclosing copy of a memorial from Thomas Jourdan, Lisdoonvarna stating that he has been refused outdoor relief.
- Circular 14th August 1848, questions to be answered relative to the disease in the potato crop.
- Circular 15th August, enclosing forms containing queries to be answered on the appointment of each collector for the collection of a new rate.
[7] - Sealed order dated 16th August 1848, authorizing the continuance of outdoor relief to the 29th August inclusive.
- 16th August 1848, calling attention to the tabular lists relative to the valuation and names of landlords of the several town lands in the union and ordering that it may be forwarded as soon as possible.

The vice guardians being dissatisfied with the progress made in the collection of the rates, ordered that the clerk do write to the respective rate collectors calling upon them to make a greater exertion in the collection of the rates than they have hitherto done, otherwise that they will earn the serious displeasure of the commissioners and the vice guardians.

Mr. Hall the lately appointed master having tendered his resignation,
Resolved that it be accepted and that an advertisement be inserted in the Galway Vindicator, General Advertiser, Limerick Chronicle and Clare Journal inviting tenders for the situation.

From the continued illness of Mr. Michael Hynes the relieving officer for Burren and Carron,

Resolved that Mr. F. Curtin, relieving officer for Drumcreehy and Rathborney, be appointed temporary relieving officer, he being so very conversant with the [8] keeping of the accounts and from his knowledge of the locality, that he be impowered to employ an assistant in the distribution of the meal, and indemnified for any other reasonable expense.
The duties of the clerk being so very onerous and the vice guardians being fully aware that he could not transact all the business himself accurately without assistance,
Resolved that his present salary be increased from £80 to £100 per annum to enable him to pay an assistant making it imperative upon him to do so, but giving him the privilege of making the selection himself.  The vice guardians respectfully submit the case for the approval of the commissioners. In consequence of the crowded state of the house and a number of children
being in the probationary wards for want of clothes, ordered that 15 dresses be made out of the house at 8d per dress.

[1] The register book was signed from No. 6566 to No. 6585.
State of the workhouse for week ending 19th August, 1848.

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

[5] Medical Report
There are 71 patients under medical treatment in infirmary and infirm wards and 23 in fever hospital. We have had one death from fever and six new cases during the week. The house continues healthy.
                       James Shannon. M.D.

[6] Read commissioners' letter
- 18th August 1848, forwarding 3 copies of the first annual report of the commissioners to the treasury.
- 19th August 1848, intimating that Mr. Hall has resigned his situation of workhouse master.
- 24th August 1848, instructions to the clerk relative to the making out of a tabular for containing the names of townlands to be filled up with the valuation. Tenders for the situation of master were received from the following persons. Michael Guthrie, Ennistymon.    Francis Daly, Ennistymon. Robert Weldon, Ennistymon.  Richard Molloy, Galway. Pat Kelly, Kilrush and Michael Morony, Ennis.
Resolved that Michael Morony be appointed master at a salary of £50 per annum, with appartments and rations.

Tenders were received from the following persons for the supply of soap, candles, mould and dipt, salt, blue and starch up to the 25th March next.
[7]
Michael Roughan, Ennistymon, soap, dipt candles, mould candles, salt, starch, button blue, slate blue. Patrick Keating, Ennistymon, soap, starch, slate blue, dipt candles, mould candles, lump salt. Edward Comber, Ennistymon, salt, dipt candles, mould candles, soap, starch, blue.
John O'Loughlin, Ennistymon, soap, salt, mould candles. Bridget Molony, soap, mould and dipt candles, starch, slate blue, button blue.
Resolved that the following tenders be accepted Patrick Keating soap 32/0 per cwt. Salt 2/4 per cwt.
Bridget Molony, candles, mould, 7d 1/2 per lb, dipt 6d per lb.
Starch 5/0 per stone, slate blue 8d, button blue 5d per lb.

Tenders were received from the following persons for the supply of beef and mutton meat:
James Bennis, Ennistymon, Patrick Lynch, Ennistymon, Mary Lynch, Ennistymon, John Quinn, Ennistymon.
[8]
Resolved - that Patrick Lynch's tender be accepted, beef  3d 1/2 per lb, mutton 4d 1/2 per lb up to the 25th March next.
A tender for the supply of straw was received from Pat Fitzgerald undertaking to supply 30 tons of oaten straw for 4 months to be delivered in quantities of two or three tons per week at £1 per ton.
Resolved that it be accepted.

Having frequently advertised for turf and not having succeeded in getting a tender for it with the exception of one for 200 boxes and taking into account the alarming state of this country in regard to the scarcity of such also having advertised for coal and no tender having been received,
Resolved that it be respectfully submitted to the commissioners for their approval that the vice guardians do purchase one hundred tons of coal by private contract.
The vice guardians being fully convinced of the necessity of the services of an assistant master from the increasing duty of the master,
Resolved that an assistant master be appointed at a salary of £20 per annum with an appartment and rations and that it be respectfully submitted to the commissioners for their approval.
It having been found necessary to employ Mr. Michael Doolan to write up several books left in arrears by Michael Walsh, the master, who was in charge of the house when the vice
[9] guardians were appointed viz. the admission and discharge book from the 25th March up to the time that Mr. Hehir, temporary master, was appointed. Also the weekly relief list from the same date and correcting the registry accordingly,
Resolved that it be submitted for the commissioners approval that he be allowed a reasonable remuneration for his labour.
Mr. Anthony Considine the relieving officer for Liscannor, reported that the occupants of seven homes had been ejected from Sir. Edward Fizgerald's property by the Sheriff on Tuesday the 22nd inst. by which upwards of 40 individuals had been rendered houseless - and that he has received no notice from the landlord or his agent, pursuant to the provisions of the 11th and
12th Vic. Chap. 47. sec.2. He also stated that although he had offered to pay for lodging for those unfortunate persons they could get no one to give them shelter. The vice guardians being desirous of keeping the expenditure of the house as low as possible, particularly under the present financial state of the union,
Resolved that the able bodied paupers be allowed gruel at dinner every day in the week instead of milk to economise the expenditure. The vice guardians having found it necessary to employ Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Keane to write up the outdoor relief registry,
Resolved that Mr. Guthrie be paid one guinea per week from 19th July and Mr. Keane 14/0 per week from the same date.
Resolved that in consequence of the crowded state of the men's day room occasioned by the numbers who have been recently admitted, and the danger that is likely to result therefrom, it is desirable that arrangements be made to give them more room. The vice guardians therefore recommend that on the boys being removed to Lahinch, the partition between the boy's school room and work room be removed and the whole converted into an infirm ward and that the present infirm ward be added to the men's day room and that the commissioners be respectfully requested to give their consent to the removal of the wall above alluded to.

 
Meeting held on 1st September, 1848.
[1]
The meeting was attended by J. Cronyn, Esq and D. Phelan, Esq, Poor Law commissioners.
The register book was signed from No. 6585 to No. 6652
State of the workhouse for week ending 26th August 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
We have 30 patients in the fever hospital, we have no case of typhus fever. We have 59 patients under medical treatment in the infirmary and infirm wards. We had 2 deaths since last report.
                                                                 Charles Finucane. M.D.

The number of patients treated during the week in the Moymore Fever Hospital was 116 numbering on Saturday 26th August, 40 males and 49 females. The medical officer for Miltown did not furnish his report.

The clerk reports that the following bonds were perfected, Thomas McMahon, relieving officer. Russell Brothers, contractors for calico, rugs. Pat O'Dwyer contractor for Drogheda linen and flannel. John O'Dwyer contractor for corduroy, George Blackwell contractor for
freize, striped hessian, and Henry Daley relieving officer and Pat Lynch contractor for meat.
[6]
The following orders were given by the vice guardians
- That the clerk do write to Private Henry Barnes 4th Company, 41st Regiment, Fermoy, that he do immediately remit to the vice guardians the sum of 7s 1 1/2d the value of 84 lbs meal given to his wife by the relieving officer.
On the 29th and 30th ult. a number of persons to the amount of about 500 comprising men, women and children who were recipients of relief under the second section of the act proceeded to the workhouse and dug the potatoes of the union and that the police had to be
called upon to disperse them and to guard the field.

Read commissioners' letter
- Of 24th August 1848, requiring a list of holidays observed in the Roman Catholic Church.
- Of 25th August 1848, ordering an estimate of the sum necessary in each electoral division to the 25th March next for ordinary expenditure.
- Of 25th August 1848, returning a leaf of the minutes of the proceedings of the 18th inst. and requesting information as to the number of sick and lunatics.
- Of 26th August 1848, intimating that if the master had not resigned that the commissioners would have felt it their duty to have dismissed him by sealed order.
- Of 26th August 1848, authorizing the vice guardians to draw a cheque for £36-3-0 travelling expenses from March for 21 weeks and an allowance of 34/0 per week from that date forward for travelling.
[7]
- of 26th August 1848, intimating that they have given directions for the removal of the order for outdoor relief under the 2nd section of the act until 12th September but that it will not be renewed beyond that day this year.
- Of outdoor relief, sealed orders bearing date respectively 28th day of August 1848 authorizing the continuance of outdoor relief under the second section of the act to the 12th September next inclusive.
- Of paid officers travelling expenses, sealed orders bearing date respectively the 29th day of August 1848, authorising the vice guardians to charge a sum, not exceeding 34/0 per week for travelling expenses from 16th day of August instant inclusive.
- Of 29th August 1848, enclosing queries to be answered by the lately appointed master.
- Of 31st August 1848, approving of the clerk's salary being raised from £80 per annum to £100 to enable him to employ an assistant.
- Circular calling for a return of the progress of the collection of poor rate in the union for the month of August and enclosing the necessary forms.
[8]
Resolved
- That the master be directed to take stock and lay an account of same before the vice guardians on next board day. In consequence of the favourable state of the weather for the last few days,
- That the clerk do advertise for turf and that hand bills be distributed through the country.
- That the collectors do attend in person once a fortnight for the next six weeks, during the harvest but that they send each week a receipt for the lodgement made by them and that they be required to collect at least 25 per cent per week of the outstanding rate and that they do supply lists of the different defaulters to the vice guardians.
A letter was produced by Mr. Anthony Considine relieving officer, and Read, from Cornelius O'Brien Esq. Birchfield relative to the late ejectment of persons from the estate of Sir. Edward Fitzgerald and their consequent houseless state. Ordered to be inserted on the minutes.

                                                                      Copy
                                                                            Birchfield, 26th August 1848.
Sir,
I have lately seen with much concern the houseless condition of several families some of whom have surrendered their holdings for the purpose of becoming entitled to inside or outside door relief and others [9] of whom have been ejected for nonpayment of rent or nontitle. I consider it to be your duty to call the attention of the vice guardians to all cases of this description with the view of having as many as possible taken into the workhouse and having linneys built on the workhouse grounds for their accommodation.
I am as you are aware a large rate payer in this electoral division and therefore feel myself justified in offering these suggestions. I request you will communicate to me the result of your
interview with the vice guardians on this subject.
                                        Cornelius O'Brien.

To Mr. Anthony Considine, relieving officer.
Liscannor District.

In consequence of the report made by the relieving officer of the district, Mr. Rorke proceeded to Liscannor to treat with Laurence Considine about the renting of a house possessed by him for the accomodation of the persons who were ejected. The vice guardians would not admit them into the workhouse from its present crowded state.

Resolved that an advertisement be inserted in the Clare Journal for the supply of bread to the Moymore fever hospital.
Resolved that on the recommendation of Dr. Phelan the bread for the paupers be in future made of a mixture of barley meal and Indian meal in equal proportions.

[1]
The register book was signed from No. 6653 to No. 6679
State of the workhouse for week ending September 2nd 1848

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

[4]

[5]
Medical Report
We have 29 in fever hospital from which I discharged 10 cases since last report. We have in the infirmary and infirm wards 48 under medical treatment, exclusive of  skin disease, which a large number of boys are under treatment, most of them being recently admitted. I think the boys are much too crowded in the schoolroom. I also think the men's day room too small. We had two deaths since last report, a dumb man named Michael Hynes aged 40 of decline and an old woman named Kate O'Brien aged 70 of natural decline.
                                                                                       Charles Finucane. M.D.

Number of patients in Moymore Temporary Fever Hospital week ending 2nd September 1848, 41 males and 54 females.

Master's Report
Darby Garrahy having left the workhouse on a Monday and deserted his wife and children and also having taken the clothes of the union, informations were Ordered to be sworn against him. Requirements of the master, permission to get an office fitted up in his room; bake house, a line of shelves would be required; matron, permission to get a clothes press.

[6]
Read commissioners' letter
- Of 29th August 1848, enclosing copies of the act (11 and 12 miscellaneous Vic 647) to be laid before the vice guardians.
- Circular of 2nd September 1848, forwarding duplicate forms for a return of the liabilities and expenses of the union for August and calling attention to circular of 29th July of which a copy was enclosed.
- Of 4th September 1848, desiring to know if St. Patrick's Day, the 17th March, be not a holiday in the Roman Catholic Church.
- Of 6th September 1848, approving of Mr. Michael Doolan being allowed reasonable remuneration for his labour and suggesting that £4 would be reasonable.
- Of 6th September approving of the proposed appointment of an assistant master at a salary of £20-0-0 per annum with rations.
- Of 6th September approving of the appointment of Mr. Michael Morony as master of the workhouse at a salary of £50 per annum with rations.
[7]
- Of 6th September 1848, approving of Mr. Guthrie being paid £1-1-0 per week for writing up the outdoor relief registry from 19th July and Mr. Keane 14/0 per week for assisting in the same duty.
- Of 6th September 1848, intimating that the commissioners have no objection that the vice guardians do treat with Mr. B. Morony about the Atlantic Hotel.
- Of 6th September 1848, forwarding copy of observations made by Mr. Cronyn P.L.I. relative to the ejectment on the estate of Sir. E. Fitzgerald.
- Of 6th September 1848, calling attention to the act 11th and 12th Vic. Chap. 47 Section 2. with reference to the ejectments on the estate of Sir. E. Fitzgerald and intimating that when the proper notice is not served on the relieving officer, the party dispossessing is liable to a penalty of £20-0-0.
- Of 7th September 1848, acknowledging receipt of report of 5th inst. about the parties connected with the recent outrage at the workhouse.
- Of 5th September 1848, acknowledging receipt of report of 2nd inst. about the digging of the potatoes on the workhouse ground.

[8]
Resolved
- That in consequence of the late ejections on the estate of Sir. E. Fitzgerald at Liscannor, that the house in the possesion of Laurence Considine be taken at a rent of £10 per annum. A copy of the agreements is as follows.

Memorandum of agreement made this day between Laurence Considine, Lachclune, in the county of Clare, farmer, of the one part and James Copland and Andrew Rorke both of Ennistymon in this county, Esq's., paid guardians of the Ennistymon Union of the other part. It is agreed between said party that the said Laurence Considine doth let to the said paid guardian the dwelling house situate at Liscannor and now or late in the possesion of the said Laurence Considine situate in the parish of Kilmacreehy and Barony of Corcomroe and County of Clare
for the term of one year from this day at the yearly rent of ten pounds sterling, clear of all charge and deductions whatsoever, to be paid half yearly and it is further agreed between the said parties that it shall and may be lawful for the said dwelling house, in any  month during the said term by first paying up all rent due and giving the said Laurence Considine a month's notice, and putting the said house in the same order at the time of such surrender as it was at the time of setting. Dated this 20th day of September 1848. 
                                                           Signed;
                                                              James Copland,
                                                                 Laurence Considine.
[9]
Sir. E. Fitzgerald waited upon the vice guardians respecting the ejectments of tenants upon his property, and states to them that the evictions took place in utter ignorance of the law having passed and that he was quite willing to abide by any decision the commissioners or the vice guardians would come to on the subject.
Resolved
- Therefore that with the commissioners' consent the vice guardians will not proceed at law against Sir. E. Fitzgerald for the full penalty but will accept of each amount of expenses as the union may be under for the year for lodgings for thoses evicted persons.
- That the clerk do advertise for the supply of  necessaries for the Miltown Malbay Fever Hospital, a porter for the same establishment, and an assistant master for the union workhouse. The above to appear in the Clare Journal.
- That the following be submitted for the approval of  the commissioners, that Mary Foley be appointed assistant nurse to the Moymore Temporary Fever Hospital at a salary of £2 per annum with rations.
- That Michael McNamara, the late clerk, be allowed his salary from the date of his illness in fever, 19th May, to the day of his resignation, 24th June. In the interim an acting clerk was employed by the vice guardians and paid at the cost of the union.
Mr. Whitstone, the architect, having intimated that the proposed fitting up of the wash house at Lahinch is not included in Mr. Herbert's contract and that it would be an extra charge,
- That it be respectfully submitted to the commissioners for their approval, the vice guardians being of opinion that it would be a great requisition in as much as it would detatch it from the main building.

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