Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 6 

Meetings held from 1st/2nd May 1849 - 29th/30th May 1849

[51]
Meeting held on the 1st and 2nd day of May 1849.
The register book was signed from no. 9177 to no.9256.  The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 18751 to no. 19434. 

[52]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

The clerk reported
That he counted the inmates of the house in their respective wards on the night of Friday the 27th ult. accompained by one of the vice guardians and several officers of the house and found males 288 females 520. Total 808, including sick in infirmary, fever hospital, and the numbers appearing in the masters provision check a/c on that night was 875 leaving a discrepancy of 67 inmates.
[54]

[55]
Medical Report
The number under treatment on Saturday were - recovering from cholera 18, fever 61, diarrhea and other diseases 88. The deaths within the week cholera 4, fever 2, dysentery 2, anasarca 2.
                                            Charles Finucane, M.D.

Clerk's Report
The clerk reports that he cannot produce the R. officers relief lists & receipts & e. books in consequence of their accounts not being balanced as the full week's supplies have not yet been received from the contractors.
[56]
Read commissioners' sealed order, outdoor relief 30th April 1849 authorizing relief to all classes to the 31st day of May 1849.

Read commissioners' letters
- Of the 28th of April- Reply to queries submitted by Mr. John O'Brien, M.P. about P. rates.
- Of the 24th of April- About the appointment of medical officer and chaplain to the Ballykeale Aux. Workhouse.
- Of the 24th of April- About the weekly returns of the board ended 17th March and intimating that the returns should be forwarded regularly.
- Of the 28th of April- Requiring a return of expenses for year ended 29th of Sept. for the House of Commons.
- Of the 30th of April- Sanctioning the employment of the able bodied paupers for cutting turf.
[57] - Of the 30th of April- Requiring to know upon what legal authority the vice guardians appointed sanatory [sic] committees.
- Of the 1st of May - intimating that a sum of £262 has been issued by the commissariat for the support of the destitute poor of this union.

[61]
Meeting held on the 8th, 9th, & 10th days of May, 1849.

The register book was signed from no. 9257 to no. ______
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 19435 to no. ______

Captain Kennedy and D. Phelan P.L.I. attended.

[62]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

The amount lodged with the treasurer is made up as follows
                              Rate £214 11 0
                            Government loan £410 0 0

Clerk's Report
That he cannot produce the R. officers R. lists, and receipt and ex. books in consequence of not having their accounts closed up to the 5th inst. Also that the master's books have not been made up for weeks ended 28th ult. and 5th inst. owing to the supplies not having been received in due course.
[65]
Medical Report 9th May 1849.
On Saturday the 5th the number under medical treatment were fever 62, recovering from cholera 16, dysentery & diarrhea 85. We had 3 deaths within the week one of disease of the heart, one of dysentery and one of cholera. There has been six new cases of cholera in this month. The Lahinch houses are healthy.
                                    Charles Finucane, M.D.

Ennistymon Cholera Report
We discharged our patients on the 30th of April, having the porter and one nurse in charge of the hospital and had to open it again on 2nd of May inst. since which to this day we had 10 admissions, 6 died, and 4 remains under treatment.
                                J. Shannon, M.D.
                                C. Finucane, M.D.

The clerk reports that on the 3rd inst. the porter of the workhouse died of fever.
Ordered that the clerk be directed to invite proposals from competent persons willing to undertake the situation of porter at a salary of £10 per annum with rations and a suit of clothes per annum.  The election to take place on this day week.

[66]
Read commissioners' letters
- Of the 2nd of May- Requiring the monthly liabilities by the 14th inst.
- Of the 3rd of May- Requiring the monthly return of rates by the 10th inst.
- Of the 3rd of May- Requiring to know when the accounts for half year ended 29th Sept. be prepared for audit.
- Of the 5th of May- Intimating that a sum of £138 will be forwarded on 7th inst. to aid the current expenses of the week ended 5th inst.
- Of the 7th of May- Intimating that a sum of £138 has been forwarded from the commissioners' office for the use of this union.
- Of the 7th of May- Sanctioning the appointment of Dr.Armstrong as medical officer of Ballykeale at £30 per annum.
[67] - Of the 7th of May- About a memorial from rate payers in Clonona for the appt. of a relieving officer for that district and intimating that several of the persons signed themselves as members of the sanatory committee.

Resolved
- that the clerk be directed to summon the several rate collectors of this union upon Monday the 14th inst. for the purpose of submitting their collection books and accounting for undue delay on the collection of the rates in the several divisions of the union.
- that the clerk do invite tenders from persons desirous to set bog to the vice guardians for the present season in the vicinity of Ennistymon and Ballykeale, such tenders to contain the price and rent demanded for such bog.
- that tenders be invited from persons willing to supply the Lahinch Aux. Workhouse with a sufficient quantity of spring water for 12 months from 23rd inst.
[68]
Captain Kennedy informed the vice-guardians that he had visited the cholera hospital at Miltown Malbay which he found in a most unsatisfactory state and recommended that the patients be removed as soon as practicable to the vacant part, a side wing of the temporary fever hospital and further recommended that the former establishment be finally closed as soon as the patients can be removed there from. Captain Kennedy stated his reason for altering the existing arrangements has the concurrance of Dr. Phelan. Captain Kennedy drew the attention of the vice guardians to the unsatisfactory state of boys in Miltown Aux Workhouse many being in the schoolroom who ought to be in the infirmary. Captain Kennedy states that he did not consider the condition of the Miltown Fever Hospital satisfactory. He saw 6 orphans who were convalesant [sic] and who ought to be immediately removed to workhouse, they were all but naked, he also found these young children in a very miserable and neglected state.
The porter of the establishment is unfit for his calling should be replaced forthwith. The building in rear of the hospital should be supplied with a stove forthwith.
[69]
Resolved that the R. officers be Ordered to lay all notices of eviction before the vice guardians on the following board day and that they state on the back of such notice the names and numbers of persons so evicted. Captain Kennedy recommended that the relieving officers be directed to enter on the back of their diaries the numbers and names of all paupers who died during the week in thier respective districts that they state the names of all paupers visited during the week and that they be instructed to certify as to the quality of the food issued, and that they inspect it on the first day of issue and report to the vice guardians immediately should it be found of bad quality. Captain Kennedy recommended the discharged [sic] on outdoor relief of 3 or 400 of the paupers longest in the house and to test all able bodied applicants with the workhouse while there are vacancies.
Resolved that the relieving officers do make out a numerical list of all tradesmen receiving outdoor relief in their respective electoral divisions.
Resolved that in pursuance of the suggestions of Dr. Phelan and Capt. Kennedy, all new cases of cholera occurring at Miltown Malbay be henceforth sent to that part of the new fever hospital recommended for this purpose and that convalescent persons in the present cholera hospital be removed there from as soon as can safely be done and that said hospital be closed with as little delay as possible and that the medical officer be immediately communicated with in reference to the suggestions made as to the boys who should be removed to the infirmary and that those orphans remaining convalescent in the fever hospital be forthwith handed over to the R officer by him sent forward to the parent house for admission thereto and that an advertisement for a porter be invited in next paper.
[70]
Resolved that the several R. officers get notice of Captain Kennedy's suggestion and be directed to make the necessary entries on back of their diaries.
The vice guardians proceeded to elect a master when the following candidates appeared Daniel Shine, William Quinn, John McDonnell, John Kelly, Pat O' Dwyer, and Chas Lysaght. After duly examining the several candidates who were in attendance the vice guardians Resolved that the postpone [sic] of the election until the following day as Mr. Naish had to proceed to Ennis to treat with the contractor about the supplies for outdoor relief for the current week.

[71]
Meeting held on l5th & l6th of May l849
Captain Kennedy P.L.I. attended
The register book was signed from no.9257 to no. ______
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 19435 to no. ___

[72]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

Clerk's Report
The relieving officers for no. l and 6 divisions have not closed their accounts for weeks ended 5th and 12th inst.I am, therefore, unable to produce the outdoor relief abstracts duly posted up for those weeks. The master's accounts are also in arrears for the same weeks. The collectors attended for settlement of their accounts on l4th inst.

[75] Medical Report:-
In the week ended Saturday the 12th, in hospital in fever 59, dysentry, diarrhea 90, recovering from cholera l8, deaths for the week, dysentery l, fever l,Charles Finucane M.D.

Cholera Hospital, Ennistymon
There were l9 new cases admitted to the hospital since last report, total from commencement 86 of which number 40 died, 30 were discharged and l6 remains under treatment.
                                            James Shannon M.D.
                                            Charles Finucane M.D.
[76] Read commissioners' letters:
- Intimating that a sum of £125 will be forwarded to aid the current expenses for the week.
- 9th May l849, about the discrepancies in the master's books and desiring the classified weekly returns of workhouse inmates to be forwarded immediately.
- llth May l849, requiring a return of expenses of fever hospital for the year ended l848 distinguishing those under the Fever Act.
- 12th May l849, requiring a return of workhouse inmates under l8 years of age.
- l2th May l849, requiring a detailed statement of expenses incurred in providing workhouse accommodation during the six months ended 4th inst.
[77] - 12th May l849, intimating that a requisition was forwarded on llth inst., to the commissariat for 330.
- 12th May l849, desiring that the master and assistant master do give the vice guardian an explanation about the discrepancy of workhouse inmates.
- 14th May l849, sanctioning the payment of two guineas to the medical officers for their visits to the Miltown Auxiliary Workhouse and Fever Hospital.
- l5th May l849, reply to clerk's letter of 12th inst. about the return of expenses of the support of the fever hospital as required by letter of llth May.
[78]
Resolved that Mr. Daniel Shine be appointed master of the parent workhouse at a salary of 50 per annum with rations and apartments.
Resolved that Mr. John Kelly be appointed master of Auxiliary Workhouse, Miltown Malbay at a salary of £25 per annum with apartments and rations, both appointments subject to the approval of the poor law commissioners. 
Captain Kennedy drew the attention of the vice guardians to a charge made by r. officer for interment of outdoor paupers deceased - there being no legal authority for such a charge. He recommended the vice guardians to make an order on the subject. Captain Kennedy recommended that labour books be immediately supplied to the stewards over the able bodied paupers on outdoor relief - many of the stewards are without regular books - the form of those that are in use is inapplicable. Captain Kennedy called upon Mr. McMahon, relief officer for Corofin and Mr. Daley, r. officer for Ennistymon, to state in writing the cause of their having omitted to furnish the clerk with the abstract of outdoor relief expenditure and numbers relieved to enable him to fill form 260 fm49.
[79] Resolved that cholera having made its appearance in Liscannor Division, Dr. Finucane and Dr. Shannon be requested to visit the district without delay and report upon its state with suggestions as to the best means to adopt under the circumstances.

Ordered:-
- that the master and assistant master be called upon for an explanation in writing in compliance with the commissioners' letter 12th May '49, about the discrepancy of the workhouse inmates, 67 being charged in the master books who were not then in the house.
- that Mr. McMahon, R. officer take the application of Mr. Deloughery and bring him before the guardians on next board day.
- that the R. officers bring all the trademen (returned by them on the outdoor relief lists), together with their families before the vice guardians on next board day.  A charge having been prefered by Patrick Fitzgerald against the matron and schoolmistress of the auxiliary workhouse, Lahinch for entertaining persons after the usual hour allowed for strangers to remain in the workhouse premises, Captain Kennedy stated that he investigated this matter.
The charges were not proved. Would recommend Mrs. Griffin and Mrs. O' Donnell be cautioned to be more circumspect in future and to adhere strictly to the commissioners' and vice guardians' instructions.
- that having received the report of Drs. Finucane and Shannon of the extensive existance of cholera in the Liscannor district the master be ordered to supply the bedding etc., required for the treatment of patients in Sandfield Auxiliary Workhouse and that these gentlemen attend on alternate days at a salary of half a guinea per diem and that a resident apothecary be appointed at the same salary.

[81]
Meeting held on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th May l849
Captain Kennedy P.L.I. attended.
The register book was signed from no. 9257 to no. 9609.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no.19435 to no. 19945. 

[82]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

The Clerk Reported that he cannot produce the R. officers relief lists and receipts and expenditure books, those officers not having been all in attendance for settlement of their account on yesterday. The master's books are also in arrears.
[85]
Medical Report:-
For the week ending the l9th May, new cases of fever l5, dysentery l0, cholera l. Total under treatment on the l9th, in infirmary and infirm wards in dysentery, diarrhea and anasarca 89, fever hospital 38, cholera hospital 5. The deaths, dysentery 2, disease of the heart
1. The Lahinch House is very healthy, I am proud to say so is this house.
                                                        Charles Finucane M.D.
Clerk's Report:
The clerk begs to report for the information of the vice guardians that he has been served with two writs on Saturday the l9th inst., one at the suit of Mr. P. Keating, late contractor for groceries amount £203.7.3  1/2, and P. Jourdan late revising valuator £80.0.0. The clerk has also to bring under the notice of the vice guardians the late irregularity of the r. officers attendance for settlement of their a/c, the r. officers for the following divisions did not attend on yesterday No. l, 4, 5 and 6.
Ordered that the relief officers be directed to close their accounts with as little delay as possible and send them into the clerk for his inspection.
[86]
The master of the Ballykeale Auxiliary Workhouse reports that the medical officer of the said auxilliary workhouse has not filled up any of his books for the past 3 weeks in consequence of which he cannot close his own books.
                                                           Charles Carrigg

Letters from the commissioners and others were read:
- 15th May, '49, intimating that a sum of £210 has been forwarded from the Commissioners in the name of Captain Kennedy.
- 15th May, '49, Secretary, C. B. Health, stating that medical officers in connection with dispensaries are not supposed to attend patients in cholera.
- 18th May, '49, intimating that a sum of £350 has been forwarded from the commissioner in the name of Captain Kennedy.
- 21st May 1849, requiring information about the vice guardians directing advertisements to be issued for bog.
- 21st May, l849, about employing paupers on roads.
[87] - 22nd May, l849, enclosing queries to be answered by Messrs. Shine and Kelly the lately appointed masters.
- 22nd May, l849, returning leaf of minutes of the 9th and l0th inst. to have blanks filled.
Resolved:-
- that the relieving officers of this union be directed in future upon no account to discontinue relief to any person in receipt of outdoor relief on pain of dismissal, without having the authority of the vice guardians in writing for so doing.
- that the masters of the several auxiliary workhouses of this union be directed to fill up the returns sent for the purpose of all inmates in each auxiliary workhouse, their names, ages, electoral divisions chargable to and any other information in their power to supply up to Saturday the 26th inst. to enable the master to correct the register and relief list of the union.
[88]- that the clerk be directed to enclose the writs served upon him to Mr. Cullinan, solicitor, directing him to take such measures as will protect the union, from all unnecessary expenses.
- that the house offered by Mr. C. O'Brien of Birchfield situate in Ennistymon be taken as a meal depot at a yearly rent of £4 per annum from this date with a clause of surrender by giving one months' notice and that the present house occupied as a meal depot be surrendered to the proprieter.
- that the tenders of Cornelius O'Brien be accepted for supplying coffins for outdoor relief in the electoral divisions of Burren and Carron at the following prices - viz 3/4, 2/4, and 1/6.
- that the tender Edward Kilkelly be accepted for supplying coffins for outdoor relief in the electoral division of Drumcreehy at the following prices 3/6, 2/6, 1/6, and 1/0.
- that the clerk do advertise for a competent person to act as nurse at T.F. Hospital at Miltown Malbay at a salary of £10 per annum with rations to displace Bridget O' Dea found to be incompetent.
[89] - that Thomas Sullivan be discontinued as steward over the outdoor relief paupers for improper returns of working men.

One of the vice guardians, Mr. Burke reports that on Sunday last, he inspected the workhouse and found about 35 female inmates who did not get clean shifts for the past 5 weeks.
Ordered that the matron be sent for and reprimanded for such gross negligence and that if there be a recurrence, she be called upon to resign her office.

Captain Kennedy rendered a bank receipt from the treasurer for £350 in addition to one for £210, also lodged with the treasurer being an advance in aid of the rates for the maintenance of the destitute poor. 
Captain Kennedy informed the vice guardians that he had visited the Miltown Fever and Cholera Hospital during the past week, he found 12 cholera patients in one ward, two of these were women, one girl and the remainder boys of various ages. This is a most objectionable arrangement.
The hospital was in a dirty, irregular and discreditable state, the nurse appears to be quite unfit for her calling.
Captain Kennedy would recommend Dr. Phelan's suggestions being adopted forthwith.
Captain Kennedy drew the attention of the vice guardians to the following fact in the electoral divisions of Ennistymon, Liscannor, Killilagh, Miltown, Rath, Corofin and Kilshanny. There were on the l7th May, 1264 able-bodied men were returned to the stewards for relief under the second section and of this number 597 were absent on or about l5th May, and on some days during the week there were a greater number of absentees. Capt. Kennedy informed the vice guardian that he had scrutinized a list of 83 tradesmen, comprising shoe makers, tailors, and other trades almost the whole of whom are able-bodied, numbering with their dependants probably 400 persons.
Capt. Kennedy recommended that the whole of these persons be tested with the workhouse at the earliest possible period and the result stated on the minutes.
[90]
Captain Kennedy informed the vice guardians that he had called upon Mr. Daly, R. officer, for the names of about 144 head of families absent from stone breaking on the l6th May, together with an explanation in writing of the cause of absence and why they were exempted from labour. This explanation, though called for on the l7th May, has not yet been produced, (May 24th).

Cholera Report: - Ennistymon Hospital
There has been 92 patients admitted from commencement, 48 died, 33 were discharged and ll still remains in hospital and l8 new cases during the week.
                                                            James Shannon M.D.

                                                    Sandfield Fever Hospital 23rd May, l849. 
Since the opening of the Liscannor Cholera Hospital, 28 cases have been taken in, all from Liscannor of these 9 have died, 5 have been discharged and l4 remains in hospital. 

The contractors for the Ennistymon Cholera hospital have furnished me with everything but milk, for this I engaged with a person named Mack @ 1d per quart, turf I have paid for myself. 
                                                            Charles Finucane M.D.

[91]
Meeting held on 29th and 30th days of May, l849.

Captain Kennedy P.L.I.attended.
The register book was signed from no. 9610 to no. 9794.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 19946 to no.______.

[92]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[95] Medical Report:- Workhouse 30th May 1849.
For the week ending the 26th, under treatment, fever 54, dysentry, diarrhea, anasarca and other diseases 61, recovering from cholera 5. The deaths for the week, fever 2, dysentry l.                                                                  Charles Finucane M.D.

Clerk's Report:-
The clerk has again to bring under the notice of the vice guardians that notwithstanding an order  having been made on his last report, the following relieving officers have again ommitted forwarding their accts for inspection to lay before the board today, he is now three weeks in arrears with his weekly return for the commissioners (no. 260), and have to beg of the vice guardians to make arrangements for the r. officers to be punctual in forwarding their accounts either on Monday or Tuesday. Messrs. McMahon, Daley, Culliny.
[96]
The clerk has also to report that he has been served with a writ for £126.l0.9 at the suit of the repts. of the late M. Daley for Indian Meal supplied. 
Ordered that the writ be forwarded to Michael Cullinan Esq., solicitor.

Read commissioners' letters:-
- 28th May, '49, requiring a return of the net annual value of each electoral division of the union according to the valuation now in force.
- 28th May, '49, directing the names of all r. officers to be forwarded to the Sherriff.
[97]
Resolved:-
- that the clerk do invite tenders by handbills for sale of the broken stones in several electoral divisions of the union, tenders to be taken into consideration on the 6th June.
- that the clerk do advertise in the local newspapers for two competent persons to revalue the union. Tenders with references as to competency to be taken into consideration on Thursday l4th June.
- that having received a report from the Rev. Mr. Coffee and other persons of a sudden and dangerous outbreak of cholera in the village of Lake View and no professional gentleman being enabled to attend the sick in that neighbourhood, that Captain O' Brien, P.L.I. at Ennis be requested to secure the services of Dr. Whitstone or some other medical gentleman at one guinea per day and to dispatch him to that district in the morning.
[98]
Captain Kennedy read a portion of a letter of 26th May relative to the management of the Miltown Hospital.  Captain Kennedy informed the vice guardians that the Cholera Hospital, Ennistymon was now vacant, the last patient having been discharged. He would recommend the closing of the hospital from this date. Capt. Kennedy drew the attention of the vice guardian to a list of persons (furnished by Mr. Daley, r. officer), who were absent from work though appearing on steward's book for Ennistymon and recommended a personal appearance of those parties before the vice guardians. Captain Kennedy scrutinized the cases and made a personal inspection of about l00 tradesmen, whom he recommended should be tested with the workhouse at the earliest possible period.

Resolved that Pat Kitson be appointed steward over the stone breaking depots at Ennistymon at 10s. per week and that the services of Mort Slattery one of the stewards at Kilfenora depot be discontinued.
[99] Resolved that the tender of Patrick Quinn be adopted for the heap of manure near the school house of Ennistymon for the sum of £1 stg., that the tender of Thomas Russell beaccepted for the three heaps of manure on the Inagh Road for £1.10 stg.

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