Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 6 

Meetings held from 5th/6th June 1849 - 28th June 1849

[101]Meeting held on 5th and 6th days of June, l849.

Captain Kennedy P.L.I. attended. The register book was signed from no. 9795 to no. 9935.   The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 19946 to no.______

[102]
The clerk reported
- that the weekly relief lists cannot be produced being l0 weeks in arrears, also the accounts of two of the R. officers, but expects from this day that those officers will have their accounts all made out on next board day.  Much of this is caused by the irregularity of the meal supplied from the contractor in Ennis. 

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

[104]

[105]
Medical Report;-
There were 58 patients in infirmary, 52 in fever wards and 2 in cholera hospital, which I expect to transfer to the fever patients, the end of the present week. We had l4 new cases of fever during the week and 4 deaths, one from fever, one dysentery and 2 children diarrhea. I want  the medicine in the accompanying list for use of surgery.
                                                                    J. Shannon. M.D.

[106]
Read Letters:-
- lst June '49, requiring a return of able-bodied paupers on outdoor relief for the week ended l7th March.
- lst June '49, requiring the monthly return of liabilities by the l4th inst.
- lst June '49, requiring the monthly return of collection of rate for May by 8th inst.
[107]
Resolved:-
- that Mary Brennan be appointed nursetender of the Miltown Malbay Temporary Fever Hospital at a salary of £10 per annum with rations and securities, Dr. Cullinan and Robert McGrath.
- that the following persons be declared contractors for supplying the Moymore Fever Hospital with the following articles at the prices affixed thereto from the 7th day of June to the 29th September next.

[111]
Meeting held on 12th and 13th days of June, 1849.

R.M. Lynch Esq P.L.I. and Captain Kennedy P.L.I. attended.
The register book was signed from no.9936 to no.10130.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 19946 to 20039.

[112]
The clerk reported
- that Mr. Michael O'Brien rate collector for the electoral division of Drumcreehy did not attend for settlement of his accounts on Saturday 9th inst. His accounts are now submitted for the last fortnight.
[112]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[114]

[115]
Medical Report:-
                                                        Workhouse, Ennistymon.
There were under treatment on Saturday last 67 in infirmary and 49 in fever wards and one in cholera hospital, which I was unable to convert to its former use namely, that of fever hospital giving up a large ward, (which will accommodate 50 persons). There were ten new cases of fever during the week most of whom came from Lahinch Auxillary Establishment where fever  and measles are very much on the increase, owing I should say, to the bad state of the sewerage. There were 7 deaths in this house and one at Lahinch, 3 of fever, one of measles, 3 diarrhea and one dropsy.
                                                                        James Shannon M.D.

Sandfield Cholera Hospital

[116] Read commissioners' order of 30th day of May, l849, authorizing the appointment of a valuator to revalue the union.

Read commissioners' letter
- 6th June, l849, intimating that a requisition for £300 has been forwarded to the commissioners.
- 6th June, l849, requiring the return of government advances immediately.
- 8th June, l849, requiring a return of blind, deaf, and dumb children in the workhouse for the House of Commons.
- 8th June, l849, intimating that a requisition for £450 had been forwarded to the commissiariat.
- 9th June, l849, requiring a further explanation from the master and apointed master about discrepancies in the provision check account.
- llth June, l849, intimating that only one person be appointed valuator.
- llth June, l849, enclosing queries to be answered by Lancelot Hemsworth on his appointment as porter to the workhouse.
[117]
Captain Kennedy informed the vice guardians that he lodged £450 to the credit of the union with the treasurer.
The matron of the auxiliary workhouse, Lahinch, requires l ton of oat straw. Ordered that it be procured from the contractor.

Resolved that each able-bodied man relieved under sect 2 and actually at work do henceforward receive for himself one pound and a half, daily ration instead of one lb. heretofore. The quantities to his dependants to remain the same, subject to the approval of the commissioners. The clerk having reported that Michael O'Brien, poor rate collector of Drumcreehy District has not attended for the examination of his accounts when called on by the clerk to do so on the 9th inst.,
Ordered that the clerk be directed to inform Michael O'Brien, that if he does not attend regularly, once in each fortnight and also when summoned by the clerk for submitting his accounts for the clerk's inspection, proceedings be taken against him under the l00th section of the Irish Poor Relief Act for disobeying the order of the commissioners and vice guardians.
[118]
It having been intimated to the vice guardians by the commissioners that an order was preparing to remove Thomas McMahon, relief officer from Corofin from that office,
Ordered that the clerk be directed to invite proposals from competent persons to fill the office of relief officer at a salary of £45 per annum, the election to take place on this day fortnight.The vice guardians proceeded to elect a valuator pursuant to notice when the following candidates appeared, William Cannon, William Fitzpatrick, Peter O'Loughlin, Ralph Cullinan, William Corbett, Martin & Francis Coffee. It was resolved that the selection of valuator be postponed until next board day to enable the vice guardians to make enquiry into the capabilities of the various candidates.
Resolved that the clerk do draw cheques in favour of the respective contractors to whom the union is indebted to the amount of the poor rate collectors bills, which cheques the various contractors have promised to hand over to the collectors.


[121]
Meeting held on l9th, 20th and 21st days of June.

Captain Kennedy P.L.I. attended.
The register book was signed from no. 10131 to no. 10270. The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 20040 to 21401

State of the workhouse for week ending 16th June 1849.

[122]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[125]
Medical Report:-
                                                Workhouse, Ennistymon
There were on Saturday last 70 patients in infirmary and 50 in fever hospital. We have measles in the house and much on the increase amongst the children at Lahinch Auxillary Workhouse when new cases for the week were 31. 13 died in the workhouse, one of small pox, 2 dysentery, 3 measles complicated with diarrhea and dysentery, 2 of dropsical affections, 2 diarrhea and one suddenly of a  fit of epilepsy. Two old persons died in infirm wards. 
                                                    James Shannon. M.D.

Sandfield Cholera Hospital.
There were treated from commencement, 71 patients of which number 26 died, 43 were discharged cured, (and two labouring under diarrhea), were sent on yesterday to the workhouse to enable us to close the house which I took the liberty of closing on yesterday there not being any cholera at present in the district.
                                                   James Shannon. M.D.
[126]
Read sealed order dated l3th day of June, l849, authorizing to levy the sum of £1,594.l6.9 3/4, under the Act 12 vict C24.
Read sealed order dated l3th day of June, l849, removing Thomas McMahon from office as relieving officer of the Corofin District.
The following letters were read
- 11th June, '49, to adopt precautions so as the contractors may be compelled to supply meal according to agreement.
- 13th June, '49 transmitting a letter from the secretary of the Public Works Loan commissioners requiring payment of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th instalments of the advances for the erection of the union workhouse.
- 15th June, l849, enclosing sealed order stating the sum leviable in each electoral division of the union under the Act 12th vic C24 'rate in aid'.
- l5th June, l849, intimating that a requisition for £740 had been forwarded to the commissioner.
- l6th June, l849, enclosing copy of a memorial from certain poor persons in Corofin and the commissioners' reply thereto.
[127]- l6th June, l849, approving of the appointment of Mr. John Kelly as master of the auxiliary workhouse, Miltown.
- l6th June, l849, approving of the apointment of Mr. Daniel Shine as master of the union workhouse at £50 per annum.
- l9th June, l849, about the monthly liabilities not being forwarded.
- l9th June, l849, forwarding copy of the commissioners' letter to Mr. Mort Culliny about relief given to a family of the name of Lahiff.  Captain Kennedy handed the treasurer credit receipt to the clerk for £740.

The master requires the following for the use of the workhouse.
20 barrels of lime, 6 scrubbing brushes, 6 gross of iron spoons, 6 dozen of combs, l doz razors, l large rapper for outside wicket [?], 1000 yds. of ticking, 500 yards of shambray, 5 ton of oaten straw.
For Sandfield Workhouse, 2 night vessels, 1 tea pot, l tin can, 4 pairs of buckets, 2 rugs, 2 towels, l knife and fork, l0 cwt. of straw.
Parent House, 500 yds of Drogheda linen, 500 yds of  Bengal stripe, 500 yds. of cheque, 12 pairs of scissors, l000 yds. of shrowding calico.
[128]For Lahinch House, l000 yds. of grey calico, 1000 yds of Shambray, l500 yds. of Bengal stripe, l000 yds of flannel, 2 scrubbing brushes, 6 pairs of scissors, 20 stone of oats for horse, one gallon of marking ink, one worktable, 30 yds. of furniture cotton, 30 yds of lining, one marcell quilt.

Resolved that Mr. William Cannon be appointed valuator of this union at a remuneration of £250 for his services subject to the approval of the commissioners.
Resolved that the resignation of Mr. Michael O'Brien dated 13th inst. as appointed master of this workhouse be accepted.
The clerk having read the commissioners' circular llth June, No. 403 ordered that the clerk do give directions to the several r. officers to enter daily in his distribution book the nature and quality of the meal issued in their several districts and to note any irregularities in variation in the quality of the meal.

[131] Meeting held on 28th of June 1849.
Captain Kennedy P.L.I. attended.The register book was signed from No. 10271 to No. 10479. The outdoor relief register was signed from No. 21402 to No. 21442

State of the workhouse for week ending 23rd June 1849.

[132]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[134]

[135] Medical Report:
On Saturday last, there were 8l patients under medical treatment in infirmary and 44 in fever hospital. Measles are spreading amongst the children here and at Lahinch, we had l4 new cases of measles and 9 of fever. In the parent establishment 9 died, l of fever, l of asiatic cholera, 2 of measles, 2 of dysentery, l of dropical affections and 2 of diarrhea. In Lahinch Auxiliary Workhouse, we have 50 children suffering from diarrhea and measles, 22 new cases of measles during the week and 4 deaths, 3 of measles and one of diarrhea. I fear the dormitories, females side of this house, are overcrowded.
                                                    James Shannon M.D.

Clerk's Report:
The clerk begs to report for the information of the vice guardians that he gave credit to the electoral division of Killilagh on the 28th April on the minutes of proceedings of the 1st and 2nd of May for £65.l4.l0, which should have been carried to the credit of Ennistymon Electoral Division. He begs to state that he has rectified the error - it was not erroneously charged to the ledger.
[136]
Read commissioners letter:
- 22nd June, l849, intimating that a requisition had been forwarded to the commissariat for £775.0.0.
- 22nd June, l849, approving of the appointment of Lancelot Hemsworth as porter at £10 per annum with a suit of clothes.
- 23rd June, l849, enclosing queries to be answered by Mr. William Cannon previous to his appointment being sanctioned by the commissioners.
- 25th June, l849, enclosing copy of a letter from Mr. P. Fitzgerald about a bill due to him.
- 26th June, l849, forwarding copies of explanations from two of the r. officers about the omission of forwarding their accounts for inspection.
[137]
Resolved:-
- that the clerk be directed to invite tenders from competent persons for the removal of the hot plates and boilers at the Lahinch Auxiliary Workhouse agreeable to the plan and specifications to be seen at his office at the parent house. Tenders to be considered on the 11th proximo.
- that the new scale of dietary as fixed by the commissioners' sealed order of the 5th February be introduced from Sunday next the lst inst. at the parent and several auxiliary houses of this union, its adoption having been hitherto delayed on the recommendation of the medical officer, that its use during the prevalance of cholera was inadvisable.
- that the house of Patrick Hynes be taken for the weekly meetings of the vice guardians at Noughaville at the rate of 6/8 per month commencing from the 29th ult., the guardians being at liberty to give up the said house at any time they think fit without any previous notice.
- that as complaints have reached the vice guardians that barley meal of inferior quality has been occasionally supplied by the Messrs. Bannatyne to the parent and auxiliary house, that the clerk be directed to communicate with Messrs. Bannatyne and require of them to forward a sample of barley meal, Indian meal, oatmeal, each not less than l4 lbs, such sample when approved of by the vice guardians, to be sealed and kept to compare any future supplies if they be deemed of inferior quality. [138]
Required for the auxiliary workhouse at Lahinch, a new door leading from the dining hall into the yard, the lock to be repaired, a can to fill water into the casks, 3 knives and forks, one tarpaulin, one visiting book, one laundry book. Ballykeale, 20 stone of wool and 6 hand cards.

Captain Kennedy requested the vice guardians would order the r. officers to furnish him with a nominal list of all able-bodied males in receipt of relief under the 2nd section in their respective districts on or before next board day.
Ordered that the r. officers do furnish the required return.
Captain Kennedy handed the vice guardians a list of requisites for the Miltown Fever Hospital which he would recommend to be supplied at least in part.
Captain Kennedy handed the clerk the treasurer's credit receipt for £775.
Resolved that the following letter received from Mr. H. Comerford be placed on the minutes for information of the commissioners.

                                                                            Ballykeale l5th June, l849.

"Gentlemen,
As you have been complaining of the rent you were obliged to give me for Ballykeale House and offices, I now offer you the use of the garden, well walled in, containing 1 1/2 acres of land with abundance of fruit trees therein. I also offer you l0 to l5 acres of well situated land which, if well attended to, will be sufficient to give half what food the paupers will require. I make those offers free of any charge and also plenty of bog for turf. I hope to see Ballykeale House the best situated to make as [sic] saving to the union in this county. I will let you, within l00 yards of the house, l0 to 20 acres of prime land at the reduced rent of £2 per acre adjoining the demesne which I consider would make a great saving by the labour of the paupers."

                                                                            Henry Commerford.

Required for the parent workhouse 3 dozen pair of cards, l4 lb. of black lead, 36 gallons of rape oil, 500 needles, l4 lb. housewive thread, l4 lbs. of black thread, 20 gross of hornstuds.

Resolved that the tender of Pat Flanagan be accepted for the supply of turf to the workhouse and auxiliaries at Lahinch at the following prices, for parent house seven pence per box and for Lahinch six pence per box.

The vice guardians proceeded to elect a relief officer to the electoral divisions of Corofin and Rath when the following candidates appeared, James McKean, James Dixon, John Hanlon, John Huddy, M. Foley, T. McMahon and Thomas Haran and the various candidates having been duly examined, it was resolved, that James Dixon be appointed R. officer for the vacant electoral division at a salary of £45 per annum subject to the approval of the commissioners.

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