Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 7 

Meetings held from 21st/23rd/24th August 1849 - 11th/12th September 1849

[221]
Meeting held on the 21st, 23rd, 24th of August 1849.

Present was Captain Kennedy, Poor Law Inspector.

The register book was signed from No. 11699 to No. 11963.
The outdoor relief register was signed from No. 22160 to No. 22161.

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

The clerk reported
That he proceeded to Ennis and purchased meal for the several houses as follows, Indian meal 2 3/4 at £7, oatmeal 1 1/2 at £11.10 per ton, barley meal 1 1/2 ton at 9 amounting all to £50, the cheque issued being £45.

[225]
Medical Report
There were on Saturday last 68 patients in infirmary and 27 in fever hospital. We had 4 cases of fever during the week. Five deaths in parent house and three at Lahinch, one fever, one small pox, 3 diarrhea, 3 dysentery, 3 measles, 1 dropsy, one of convulsions.
                                                            James Shannon M.D.

Expenses of temporary fever hospital for week ended 18th August 1849.

[226]
The following letters were read.
- 14th August 1849, about the reduction of CorneliusSullivan's salary as school master.
- 15th August 1849, queries to be answered by the assistant master.
- 15th August 1849, about the rate in aid and if any part has been forwarded to the credit of the Commissioners in Dublin.
- 18th August 1849, intimating that a sum of 801 had been forwarded to the Commissioners.
- 17th August 1849, directing notices to be posted previous to the striking of rates.
[227]
Resolved
- that Anne Begly the paid nurse at the auxiliary house Miltown Malbay be discharged, her services being no longer necessary for the healthful condition of that house.
- that the services of Messrs Weldon and Henry as superintendant of labour be dispensed with - the numbers of ablebodied paupers now listed being so much reduced - and that the salary of stewards necessary to be held on be reduced to 6/0 a week.
- that tenders be invited for purchase of a quantity of old clothes, at the parent house, lately condemned.Tenders to state the price per stone.
- that tenders be invited for supply of leather and other shoemaking necessities for the parent house.
- that the Commissioners be informed that the ordering business to be transacted at the Board room on the 22nd inst. was necessarily deferred to the 23rd inst, in consequence of M. Nash the vice guardians and M. Keane the clerk being obliged to attend at the Petty Sessions of Corofin to prosecute Thomas McMahon, late relieving officer, when the magistrates (upon his application as
[228] being unprepared for his defence on such short notice by summons) adjourned the investigation to Wednesday the 5th September.
- that the tender of John Herbert for completion of the cess at Lahinch for the sum £19.10.0. be adopted as being the lowest tender offered.
- that a cheque be drawn in favour of Mathew Hehir, collector of Kilonahen electoral division for the sum of £14 to enable him to lodge the sum appearing by his rate receipt abstract book to be on his hands and not paid into the treasurer, he alleging he cannot do so unless being paid a portion of his salary, that for the same reasons a cheque be drawn in favour of Michael Kerin for the sum of £5, and that the clerk do intimate to each of these collectors that unless thay lodge these sums within 10 days and a reasonable amount of their outstanding arrears (those sums due by parties whom they admit to be solvent) the vice guardians will take immediate proceedings under the 100 section of the 1st and 2nd vic. chap. 56 for disobedience of order.
- that the tender of Martin Twohy be accepted for the making of 9 tables and 18 forms for Ballykeale House for the sum of £1.9.0.
[229] - that the sum of £4 be paid to Martin Twohy for removing the hotplates and altering the store; a timber partition for the master bedroom - all at Sandfield. Captain Kennedy informed the vice guardians that Mr. Daley's application and report book was not indexed to No. 3825 from the 18th April to the present date. M. McNamara's application and report book was not indexed from No. 4041 to No. 4069.

[231]
Meeting held on 28th and 29th August 1849.

The register book was signed from No. 11964 to No. 12110.
The outdoor relief register was signed from No. 22162 to No. 22167.

[235]
Medical Report.
On Saturday last there were 61 patients in infirmary and 28 in fever hospital. 9 new cases during the week and six deaths, two of which occured at Lahinch Auxillary House, 2 dysentery, 3 diarrhea and one of measles.
                                                                                James Shannon M.D.

The following orders were read.
[236] - 23rd August 1849 - sealed order, out door relief tocertain classes until the 31st day of August inclusive.
- 23rd August 1849, sealed order authorising the appointment of John O'Connors Esq. Gravemount, as a paid officer in room of Mr. Burke who resigned.
- 25th August '49, sealed order authorising the appointment of James Ward Esq., of Lisburn as a paid officer in place of Mr. O' Connors, resigned.
- 24th Aug '49, intimating that a requisition had been forwarded to Commissioners for £500.
- 24th Aug '49, drawing attention of the vice guardians to certain sections of the Act, 12th and 13th vic Chap 104, two copies received.
- 27th Aug '49, enclosing forms and requesting to know if the vice guardians would select girls for emigration to Australia.
- 27th Aug '49, about the cess pool at Lahinch and if O.D. paupers could perform the work
- 27th Aug '49, approving of the appointment of Thomas Keane as asst. master at a salary of £25 per annum.
[237] - 27th Aug '49, about the family of Mr. Carrig the master of Ballykeale residing in the house, also about sending pauper females to the bog.
Resolved that the tender of Messrs Bannatyne and Son be accepted for the supply of Indian meal to the workhouse and its auxiliaries to 29th Sept.'49. at £7.2.6. and that tenders be invited for supplies of rye meal to the same period. Tenders to be considered on the 5th proviso.
The claims preferred by medical gentlemen for their attendance on the several cholera hospitals having been taken into consideration, it was resolved that the following sums be paid to each respectively and that cheques be drawn for the amount in favour of each acending[sic] as the funds of the union will permit.

The advanced payment to Dr. Mc Cormack was in consequence of his having to leave his residence at Kinvara and settle in Ballyvaughan at a distance of 7 miles from his home and the increased payment to Messrs O' Dwyer and Sweeny, apothecaries for attendance at Sandfield was for the same reason, and fixed at the suggestion of Capt. Kennedy.

Resolved that tenders be invited for the supply of 200 stone of wool, to keep the women of the house employed, 10 stone be immediately bought from Patrick Lynch.
Resolved that the master of the Aux. W House at Ballykeale be required forthwith to remove the members of his family from this house.
[239]
Resolved that the tenders of Timothy O'Connor be accepted for the purchase of the condemned clothing at the workhouse for 8d per stone.
Resolved that the tender of Patt O' Brien be accepted for the supply of coffins for out door relief paupers in the electoral divisions of Corofin and Rath at the following prices - men and womens' 3/6; from 7 years to 14 years of age 2/6; under 7 years of age, 1/6.
Resolved that the tender of James Sexton be accepted for repairing the slating of the aux. workhouse, Miltown for the sum of 4 sterling.


[241] Meeting held on the 4th. and 5th. of September, 1849.

The register book was signed from No. 12111 to No. 12558.
The out-door relief register was signed from No. 22168 to No. -----.

[246] Read
- Sealed order of 31st August authorizing relief to certain classes until 7th. Sept. inclusive.

The following letters were read:
- the Secretary, Central Board of Health, 30th. August, enclosing form to be filled up about cholera accommodation.
- 30th August, '49 stating that the vice guardians had acted right in not giving a plea of confession to Messers Bannatyne.
- 1st September, '49 intimating that a sum of £500 had been forwarded by the commission.
- 3rd September, '49, about the making of 18 tables and forms for £1.9.0.
- 3rd September, '49, declining to sanction the reduction of Cornelius Sullivan's salary from £35 to £25 per annum.
- 3rd September, '49, about two of the relieving officers not having their application and rate books indexed.
- 4th September, '49, about the average cost per head of workhouse inmates and infirmary.
- 31st August, '49. Commissioners' letter authorizing a salary of £30 per annum to the Rev. M. Connolly as chaplain at Sandfield.
Resolved that the tender of Messrs Bannatyne and Son be accepted for the supply of rye meal to the 29th. September at £6.7.6 per ton.The vice guardians having taken into consideration the estimate of expenses to 25th. March, it was
Resolved that the following rates be now adopted and that the notices required by 12th. and 13th. Vic. chap 104 be forthwith posted.
Burren 5/0, Carron 4/4, Corofin 5/0, Drumcreehy 6/2, Ennistymon 6/8, Kilshanny 5/2, Killilagh 5/8, Kilfenora 5/0, Killonahan 5/2, Liscannor 6/0, Miltown 5/8, Rath 5/0, Rathborney 4/0.
Resolved that a cheque be drawn in favour of J. O'Brien for £8-1-3 to reimburse him for arrears of rate charged against him as immediate lessor but which was afterwards ascertained that the occupiers were liable.
[248]
Medical Report.
Remaining under treatment week ended September 1st 1849, in infirmary 59, in fever hospital 31, total 90. We had one death of anasarca within the week. I visited the house last night with Mr. Ward, vice guardian, and found the number of females to males nearly three to one now in the house. The number in workhouse yesterday was 1077 whereas by the Commissioners' sealed order is [sic] should be but 950. The number of females should be reduced and more sleeping accommodation made available to them.
Lahinch House:
Under treatment week ended September 1st in measles, dysentery, diarrhea etc. 43. Died within the week measles one, dysentery one, total two. Sandfield house continues very healthy.
                                                                                Charles Finucane. M.D.

In explanation of this report the vice guardians beg to inform the Poor Law ommissioners that they have now made arrangements for additional accommodation in the workhouse by converting a room formerly occupied as an old clothes store, the room formerly used as a male infirm ward, into dormitories and, as those rooms can now be brought into use, no inconvenience will arise from excessive numbers. Besides, the vice guardians have no
[249] intention of retaining these numbers in the house beyond a limited time, and they are obliged to have recourse to those means for the purpose merely of testing the able bodied and their families who have been struck off the out door relief and who are now applying for admission.

Resolved
- That the tender of Pat Lynch be accepted for the supply of 200 stones of best fleece wool at 13/9 per stone.
- That the tender of Mary Moran be accepted for the supply of new milk to the auxiliary workhouse, Lahinch, at 8d a pottle of 8 quarts to 25th March, 1850.
- That the tender of Daniel Neylon be accepted for the supply of new milk to the Sandfield auxiliary workhouse to the 25th March 1850 at 7d 1/2 per pottle to measure 8 British quarts.
The vice guardians having had under consideration the dietary in use in this union,
Resolved
- That it shall hereafter be in accordance with the dietary presented in the general order of the Poor Law Commissioners in order to have the able bodied male inmates of the workhouse constantly employed during the working hours, the vice guardians consider it necessary to appoint an overseer or steward.
- That an active person be employed at 8/0 per week to superintend the able bodied male paupers at work on the workhouse grounds and that the appointment do take place on next board day.
- That the clerk do advertise in the Clare Journal, Galway Vindicator, and the Limerick papers for the supply of all necessaries to the workhouse and its auxiliaries for six months from the 29th September. Tenders to be received up to 4 o'clock on Tuesday the 18th inst. the meal supplies for out and indoor to continue for 3 months.

Captain Kennedy, P.L.I was present.
The register book was signed from No. 12559 to No. 12764.
The outdoor relief register was signed from No. 22168 to No. .…

State of the workhouse for the week ending 8th Sept. 1849

[255]
Medical Report
New cases, fever 13, dysentery and diarrhea 5, measles 3.Died, fever one, dysentery one, measles one, and one infant, total 4. Under treatment on Saturday, infirmary 54, fever hospital 26, total 80. Lahinch house, total under treatment on Saturday for measles, dysentery etc. 41, no deaths. Sandfield, as usual, healthy.
                                                                        Charles Finucane. M.D.

[256] The following orders were read:
- Sealed order, out door relief, dated 7th day of September 1849 authorising out door relief to certain classes until the 13th day of September 1849.

The following letters were read:
- 1st September 1849, rate in aid, requesting to know what sum has been forwarded by the treasurer to the general rate in aid account.
- 10th September 1849, forwarding 3 copies of the second annual report of the Commissioners.
- 10th September 1849, intimating that 550 had been applied for the commissariat.
- 11th September 1849, authorising the completion of the cess pool and drain at Lahinch workhouse.
[257]
The vice guardians having taken into consideration the expediency of removing the tailor and shoemaker from the workhouse where they have been heretofore residing and receiving rations.
Resolved
- That these officers shall hereafter be required to attend at the workhouse for the purpose of instructing to boys etc. from 8 o'clock a.m. until 5 o'clock p.m. each working day and that the salary of the shoemaker shall be 6/0 per week and that of the tailor 7/0 per week.

The manure on the workhouse grounds having accumulated to such an extent that the vice guardians consider it desirable to offer the same for sale,
Resolved that notices be posted accordingly.

The shores and privies at the Lahinch Auxiliary Workhouse being such a state as to endanger the health of the inhabitants of the village,
Resolved that Mr. Herbert be required to proceed with the construction of the sewer and cess pool according to his proposal with the utmost expedition.

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