Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 9 

Meetings held from 9th August 1850 - 26th August 1850

Meeting held on the 9th August 1850.

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Medical Report

Remaining under medical treatment at this date 111 in infirmary and 46 in fever hospital. Admitted during the week, 32 of which number 16 had fever, 3 dysentry, 6 measles and 2 of small pox, 15 died during week, 4 of fever, 5 measles, 2 small pox, 3 dysentery and one infant. Remaining under treatment at Lahinch Auxiliary at the same date 21. We had 1 death there of diarrhea, and two children died at Sandfield of measles.

James Shannon. M. D.

Letters of the Commissioners were read.
- 7th August 1850, intimating that the act under which Moymore Hospital is at present maintained will expire this session of parliament. The board unanimously came to the following resolution in reference to the foregoing letter, that in as much as the Moymore Hospital has been hitherto conducted with great benefit to the union, that the same as far as 60 beds be appointed under the 6 and 7 Vic. Cap. 92, and the remainder be for workhouse purposes, and that the present medical officer and staff be temporarily continued.
- 8th August 1850, about the adjournment of the election of gate porter and labour master and intimating that the commissioners could not recommend the guardians to continue Brew and Healy. In [7]consequence of the above communication the board proceeded to elect a gate porter, and superintendant [sic] of labour.
Resolved that Mort Slattery be approved superintendant of labour at a salary of 8 per annum with a suit of clothes and the usual rations.
Resolved that John Hurley be appointed gate porter at a salary of 6 per annum with a suit of clothes rations, - 8th August 1850, requiring a return of the estimated expenditure chargeable to the different electoral divisions during the current half year. Ordered that the return be prepaid
- 8th August 1850, directing to transmit to the commissioners' estimate of the requirements of each electoral division in the union. Ordered that it be complied with.

Mr. John McNamara Junior's notice of motion to increase the salary of the Reverend M. Connolly from £30 to £40 per annum having been brought before the board it was
Resolved that the salary of Reverend M. Connolly, chaplain at Sandfield be increased from £30
[8] to £40 per annum, and that such increase apply to the current half year.
Resolved that we do not consider it advisable to appoint the collector of another union as collector in this union, and that the clerk do advertise for a new collector in place of O'Loughlin for this day fortnight and receive tenders up to 4 o'clock on the day previous.
Resolved that for the future, machine nails only be purchased and that the tenders for nails received this day be rejected.
Resolved that Michael Ryan, Timothy Marrinan, and John Rynn be appointed a committee to inquire and report on the expense of supplying the parent and auxiliary workhouses with turf, the probable quantity that should be used in each, the measurement of such, and to report to the board whether they would recommend any other description of measurements and what it should be and [9]this day fortnight, move the board to increase the returns of the officers to such amount as the board may deem fit.



Meeting held on the 16th of August 1850.
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The register book was signed from no. 4925 to no. 5237.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 23237 to no.---
The clerk reported that he attended at petty sessions in Ballyvaughan on the 15th inst. in the case of "the Guardians & O'Brien ", the collector, for disobedience of orders, the bench decided in fining him only 6d and the costs, in consequence of he having to attend the sick bed of a dying sister, as alledged [sic] by him he was cautioned by the magistrates that if a similar charge was again prefered by the guardians they would be rigid in carrying out the law.

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

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Medical Report
Remaining in infirmary at the above date 123, in fever hospital 36. We had 28 admissions during the week of which number, 5 had fever, 7 diarrhea. 7 deaths during the week, 3 of fever, 1 dysentry and 3 of measles. Fever has decreased very much, and in general the house is in a healthier state than at any other period for the last 2 years. The greater number of those admitted to hospital and infirmary were from the recent admissions to the house. Our female infirmary wards are rather crowded in consequence of the number of miserable and old women sent in by relieving officers. If this class are allowed to increase we will have to get additional accommodation in this department. 24 remain under treatment at Lahinch, 3

died of diarrhea and 7 children at Sandfield of measles, most of them recent admissions.
                                                James Shannon. M.D.
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Resolved that one half on outdoor relief be struck off today, and that the remaining half be struck off this dayweek. On the clerk submitting the weekly balance sheet of the several collectors, the following resolution was proposed and carried, that the bonds of any collector keeping money in his hands be immediately put in suit, and that a copy of this resolution be enclosed to each collector and that they be summoned for disobedience of orders.
Resolved that the clerk do advertise for persons to repair the roofs of the different auxiliar workhouses.
Mr. Andrew Lysaght gave notice of motion that he will, at meeting of 20th inst., move the board to reconsider their resolution of the 9th inst., in reference to Moymore Temporary Fever Hospital with a view of taking into consideration all the medical establishments at present
[8] in the union, and of making such arrangements as may be deemed necessary by the board. The clerk submitted the following rate books for signature. It was Resolved that a rate of two shillings and six pence in the pound be made on the following electoral division:Kilispuglinane, 2/6 in the pound, amount of warrant 96.Lurraga, 2/6 in the pound, amount of warrant 72.Ballagh, 2/6 in the pound, amount of warrant 67-16-101/2Ballysteen, 2/6 in the pound amount of warrant 149-7-6
The several books were signed by the chairman and two guardians. The board approved of the following persons as sureties for rate collectors, Mathew Kenny collector, sureties Michael Killeen Molesky and Patrick Kelly Fortview; Daniel Considine collector, sureties Thomas Finucane of Ferry Park and George Green of Liscannor, John Cahill collector, sureties James Comyn of Limerick and Richard Davis of Kilcarha, John McCarthy collector, sureties John Crowe, Ballytrasna and Richard Davis of Kilcarha.


Meeting held on the 23rd August 1850.
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[WH 1135; Aux. WHS 1960; P.F.H. 32]
[Ballyvaughan 459; Corofin 268; Ennistymon 2400]
Destitute cases relieved out of workhouse 655
Destitute persons, including applicant and family 1520

[2] The register book was signed from no. 5238 to no. 5493.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 23237 to no. ----
The clerk reported that he wrote to the respective collectors to lodge all moneys in their hands forthwith with the treasurer in accordance with the resolution of the board, that he had intimated to the relieving officers the board's resolution in reference to out door relief and carried out all the other instructions of the board.

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

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Workhouse Invoice Account

The master, Michael McNamara, for purchase

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Medical Report
Remaining in infirmary 119, fever hospital 32. Admitted during the week 20, of which number 8 had diarrhea, 2 fever and 2 measles. We had 8 deaths during the week, 2 of fever, 2 convalescing and disease of the ear terminating in brain affection, one dropsy and one from wasting away, apparently from want of proper food before he came into the house in April last. Want about 30 strechers [sic] for use of infirmary, as we have to place the beds permanently on the boards in one large ward and from the number of diseased and infirm persons coming into the house at present, will in a short time require a greater number. There are 29 under medical treatment at Lahinch which requires glazing very much. Six children died at Sandfield principally of measles and diarrhea.
                                        James Shannon. M.D.

Master's Report
The master brought under the notice of the board the irregular supplies of the bread contractor. A cheque was ordered to be drawn in the clerk's name for 15 to purchase bread should a similar irregualarity [sic] again occur. He also brought under the notice of the board a similar matter in reference to the milk contractor, same order as above viz. a cheque of 10 to be drawn in the master's name to purchase milk.

[6] Letters of the commissioners and others were read.
- From Sir J.N. Readington, 17th August 1850, enclosing a copy of the act 13th and 14th Vic. Cap. 69, and requesting particular and immediate attention thereto.
- The Secretaries, National Board of Education, 19th August 1850, with district inspector's report on the Miltown Malbay Workhouse School which was very creditable to the teacher.
- 20th August 1850, with copy of a letter addressed by the commissioners to Mr. Cotter, relieving officer, in reference to the death of James Finlay.
- 22nd August 1850, requesting to know upon what grounds the guardians propose increasing the salary of the Reverend M. Connolly from 30 to 40 per annum. ordered that the clerk do reply to this letter.
- 22nd August 1850, queries to be answered by the person appointed rate collector.
- 22nd August 1850, enclosing queries to be answered by the superintendant of labour and gate keeper.
- 22nd August 1850, requesting a return of the staff to be temporarily continued at Moymore Hospital with amount of salary etc. ordered that the clerk do forward the information. The clerk stated that the several questions had been answered and forwarded to the commissioners by this day's post.
Resolved that our experience of the working of the Poor Law in this union has convinced us that the administration of out door relief must initially lead to the ruin of the recipients and rate payers, that for the purpose of putting an end to this system it is most desirable that we should increase our indoor accommodation for an additional number of 2000, that we cannot possibly raise funds for this purpose by striking a rate, and that the commissioners be requested to apply to the government for a free grant to such extent as they may think advisable and a loan in addition to be secured
[8] on the rates of the union to enable the guardians effect the above object.
Resolved that the commissioners are urgently requested to apply to the government to pay the liabilities of this union under the 13th Vic. Cap. 14 to the 23rd February 1850, as it would be utterly impossible for this union to collect a rate sufficient to meet the liabilities from the 31st December 1849 to the 23rd February 1850, and to pay the current expenses of the union. The board proceeded to elect a collector for the following electoral divisions, Cloonanaha, Fermoyle and Ballyea when the followng candidates were proposed and seconded as follows, Sir E. Fitzgerald proposed Mr. Andrew Clanchy, seconded by Mr. M. Considine, Mr. F. G. Morony proposed F. Egan, seconded by Andrew Lysaght and Mr. P. Rynn was proposed by Mr. Stack and seconded by Mr. J. Rynn. A poll having been called for, the votes were for Clanchy 11, Egan 8, and Rynn 2, Andrew Clanchy was declared duly elected and the amount of remuneration fixed at 6d in the pound on the sum collected and lodged with the treasurer.
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The board proceeded to consider the collecting districts to be given to the collectors under the next warrants that are about to be issued. After a lengthened discussion in reference to the claim of Mr. John Cahill, to be appointed collector to Moy Electoral Division, he being in posession of various townlands in the electoral division when comprised in the old electoral divisions of Ennistymon, and a similar claim on the part of Mr. M. Kenny, collector in the Miltown Malbay Division having been made on the grounds that he was in posession of a larger portion of the district prior to the late change in the electoral divisions, a poll was called for when the votes were for the appointment of Mr. John Cahill, 10 for Mr. M. Kenny 9. The chairman stated to the board that he was of opinion that they were not acting in accordance with their own resolution of the 26th July last when they appointed a committee to report on the districts to be allocated to the collectors and that the committee had not yet made their report; no final decision having been come to, the following resolution was handed in but the chairman declined signing it, in as much as the resolution of the 26th July had not been adhered to.
Resolved that Mr. John Cahill, county cess collector, be, and is hereby appointed, collector of poor rates for the electoral divisions of Ennistymon, Moy and Clooney. The board stated that the consideration of the collecting districts would again be brought forward at their next weekly meeting. The chairman having vacated the chair Mr. F. McNamara Calcutt, vice chairman, was moved thereto. The clerk having submitted the following rate books for signature of the chairman and guardians it was Resolved that a rate of two shillings and six pence in the pound be made on the undermentioned division.
[10] Maghareragh, 2/6 in the pound amount to 85-2-6
Clooney, 2/6 in the pound amount to 83-16-10 1/2
Kililagh, 2/6 in the pound amount to 222-1-10 1/2
The several books were signed by the chairman and two guardians. A cheque of 5 having been ordered for the porter at Miltown Auxiliary Workhouse at an early stage of the proceedings of the board, it escaped attention until the chairman vacated the chair, when F. O'Brien was moved thereto, and the cheque duly signed.

It was resolved that a committee be appointed as follows to examine the several workhouses with a view of reporting to an adjourned board, to be held on the 26th inst., the names of able bodied to be discharged in order to make room for the more destitute. For the parent house, Messrs. Ryan, Marrinan, Doherty, O'Brien and Stack, F. McNamara Calcutt. Sandfield Auxiliary, Messrs. Lysaght, O'Loughlin, Sir E. Fitzgerald and Capt. McNamara. Ballykeale, Messrs. O'Brien, O'Dwyer, Stack and McNamara. Miltown Auxiliary Mr. Morony, Kenny and Donnellon. The board adjourned to the 26th inst. (Monday).

[Pages 1 - 6 blank]
Adjourned meeting held on Monday 26th August 1850.

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The report of the committees appointed on last board day 23rd inst., for examination of the inmates in the several workhouses having been submitted to the board the following resolution was adopted.
Resolved that the master shall discharge the persons named in the lists handed to him at such times as he can arrange but to be discharged within days.
Miltown Auxiliary Workhouse - 147 inmates.
Ballykeale Auxiliary Workhouse - 56 inmates.
Parent House - 46 inmates.
The report in reference to the Sandfield Auxiliary Workhouse not yet made. The board directed the clerk to write to the Commissioners for the Sale of Encumbered Estates for the amount of poor rates due on the lands of Gregans, part of the estate of George Martin, sold under their decree.

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