Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 2 

Meetings held from 3rd October 1845 - 21st November 1845

[384]
Meeting held on Friday the 3rd of October 1845
The register book was signed from No. 1265 to No. 1277

The Clerk reported:
- that the period of the contract for building the yard wall round the workhouse ground expired on the 29th. ult. and that the work is not finished.
- that only 3 collectors attended to settle their accounts previously to this meeting namely Michael Kerin, Michael Owen and William Conole and even those did not bring the blocks of their receipts.
[385]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[387] Read Mr. Wilkinson's, architect, letter of the 29th. Sept. last containing his report of the fever ward.

Read commissioners' letter of the 29th. ult. with respect to the monthly return of the union funds.

Medical Report
There are 21 patients in hospital at present. James Vaughan an old man aged 74 died of an attack of diarrhea on the morning of the 2nd.
                            James Shannon M.D

The resignation of Bridget Leyden schoolmistress being presented to the board,
Resolved that same be accepted and that her sister Mary Leyden be appointed in her stead at the same salary and the same rations and it is further,
Resolved that our clerk do arrange with Mr Bradford, Superintendent of Schools under the Board of Education, to have the said Mary Leyden sent to the training school to Dublin and the board take this opportunity of expressing the high opinion they entertain of Miss Bridget Leyden's conduct during the time she acted as schoolmistress and they regret at her being obliged to quit on account of ill health.
[388]
Resolved that cheques be drawn for the following sums in favour of the following persons:

Resolved that the time for building the wall around the workhouse ground be extended to the contractor to the l5th day of April next when all must be complete and that he gets 20 on account of said contract.
Resolved that the master be at liberty to admit the contractor for building the stables to use one of the vacant apartments for a workshop for preparing the roof of said offices.
The contractor for the fever ward undertaking to have the house fit for the reception of patients on Monday the 13th inst.,
Resolved that the medical officers be requested to attend said hospital and that an early opportunity be taken for considering the amount of a sufficient remuneration to said officers for performing that additional duty. Also Resolved that Mrs. Sexton, the nurse tender, do attend and that the master do remove one of the washing baths into said hospital from male bathroom.

[389]
Resolved that milk be substituted instead of molasses when the present supply on hand of the article will be used.
Resolved that the master do purchase the several articles specified in the schedule furnished by the master shoemaker and produce a bill of the amount on this day week on which day Mr. Lysaght is required to attend and commence his duties as master shoemaker.
Resolved that our clerk do write to the Commissioners and request of them to transmit to the contracctor for the fever hospital the amount in their hands.

[390]
Meeting held on Friday the l0th of October, l845.

The register book was signed from No. l278 to No. 1279.
[391]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

Read:
- Commissioners' letter of the lst October, inst. accompanying a return of officers.
- letter from Mr. Bradford dated October inst. respecting the sending of the schoolmistress to Dublin
for training.
[393]
Resolved:
- that the Rev. John Sheehan, R.C. Chaplain gets a check for 80, two years salary due to him on the 29th Sept last.
- that Michael Wilson, Pat, Michael, John and Mary Wilson, paupers in fever, be removed to the fever hospital of the County.
- that James McDonough, contractor for building fever hospital, gets a check for 5s.9d. for extra works for fitting a boiler and shelves in the storeroom of the fever hospital, changing the door of the deadhouse and 2 additional stone steps.
- that Mr. Rutledge supplies cocks and pipes to the infirmary yards for the sum of 2.11.6 and the master do purchase a scythe and handle and produce the bill.
- that 100 caps and 100 pair of suspenders be ordered from Mr O'Dwyer at the former price and the same description

[394]
Meeting held on Friday the l7th of October, l845.

The register book was signed from No. 1280 to No. l3l0.
[395]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[397]
Read letter from Mr. Mathew auditor dated 8th October inst. requiring from the clerk a copy of the balance of the accounts for the 1/2 year ending 29th September last, together with the abstracts of the same copies of which the clerk reports to have sent on Monday last, the 13th inst.
The clerk laid the abstracts of the accounts of the union for the 1/2 year ending 29th September before the board and they were approved of.
Read:
- the letter from the Poor Law Commissioners dated 9th inst. stating to the guardians that the appointment of Mary Leyden on the 3rd inst. as schoolmistress is invalid in as much as it was not made in accordance with the 29th article of the regulation and requesting the guardians to proceed to a new appointment after the due notice is given.
- Commissioners' letter of the l0th inst. accompanying the tender and specification of Mr. John Herbert for keeping the workhouse of this union in repair for 7 years.
- Commissioners' letter of the l5th inst. with respect to the impropriety of making use of one of the vacant apartments for a workshop for the contractor for building the stables without first consulting the insurance company.
[398]
- Commissioners' letter of the l5th inst. accompanying a plan and specification of fireplaces to be erected in the schoolmaster and schoolmistress's rooms which plan and specification were laid before the board.

The clerk read notice served upon him pursuant to the late Marriage Act 7 and 8 Vict. chap 87, stating that a marriage is intended to be solemnized between Michael Linneen of Miltown Malbay and Ellen Egan of same place in this union.

Cornelius O' Brien Esq. M.P. arrives at this stage of the proceedings.
Francis A. Morony Esq. gives notice that the board will proceed on this day fortnight to appoint a schoolmistress at the same salary and rations as allowed to the former schoolmistress.

Medical Report:
The house continues healthy. he fever hospital was opened on Monday last, and we have at present l7 cases of fever in it, all getting on well. We require the following medicine and neccessaries for the use of the workhouse and fever hospital.
                                James Shannon M.D.

[399] It appearing to the board that the tender for potatoes at 5d per stone was exorbitant,
Resolved:
- that the further consideration of the supply of potatoes be adjourned to this day month and in the

meantime the advertisements calling for tenders be posted through the union and Clare Journal, and further that a draft be drawn in favour of the master for 10 to enable him to purchase potatoes in the interim.
- that a check for 40 be given in account to James McDonough the contractor for fever ward building.
- that a check for 5 shillings be drawn in favour of Michael Sexton for conveyance of fever ward patients to the County Hospital.
- that l0 o'clock be the hour each day fixed for the reception of persons to the fever hospital.
[400]
- that checks be drawn for the following sums in favour of the following persons.

The meeting intended to be held this day, 24th of October 1845, is adjourned to Friday the 31st of October 1845, no guardians having atteneded with the exception of Mr. John Kerin

[401]
Meeting held on Friday the 31st of October, l845.
The register book was signed from No. 1311 to No. 1338.
The clerk's report was read to the following effect.
- that Ellen Sexton nurse tender of fever hospital, and sureties have perfected their bond and are bound in the sum of l00.
[402]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[404]
Read:
- Commissioners' letter dated 9th inst. accompanying copy of that annual report for the present year.
- Commissioners' letter of the 20th inst. enquiring whether the sum due to the audit fund has been paid for which sum the clerk produces the receipt from the Bank of Ireland.
- Commissioners' letter of the 21st inst. accompanying a form of bond for the nurse tender in fever hospital.
- letter from Middleton Union containing a resolution passed at the board there on the l5th October, inst. Also praying for the co-operation of this board in a petition to parliament for the total remission of the money lent for building the workhouses in Ireland.
- letter from the Patriotic Assurance Company of 20th October, inst. sanctioning the use of the male bathroom to James McDonough, the contractor for building the stable offices, for a workshop.
- Commissioners' letter of the 22nd October inst. accompanying copies of 2 letters which they received from the master of the workhouse.
[405]
- Commissioners' reply to the master's letters of 22nd October, inst.
- Copy of master's letter to the Commissioners of 14th October inst.
- Commissioners' letter of the 20th inst. with reference to article 47 of the general regulation of the Poor Law Commissioners prescribing the duties of clerks of unions No. 7 and No. 8 , and to article 49 prescribing the collectors' duties.
- Commissioners' letter of the 22nd inst. accompanying letters addressed to the rate collector.
- Commissioners' letter of the 27th inst. in reply to the clerk's letter of the 24th inst. relative to the
contribution of the audit fund.

[406]
Medical Report:
There are 20 patients in the infirmary and 34 in the fever hospital, all getting on tolerably well with the exception of two or three. We got the medicine and necessaries ordered on last board day. I think the enema machine ought to be sent back as a cheaper one will answer quite as well.
                                                James Shannon. M.D.

Proposed by Daniel Considine, seconded by Micheal Finucane, that Mary Leyden be appointed schoolmistress in the room of her sister, resigned, at the same salary and rations as her sister. There appearing a tender from Margaret Egan, offering her services as schoolmistress and there being no guardians present who would propose her it was therefore unamiously resolved that Mary Leyden be appointed schoolmistress at the same salary and rations as the former schoolmistress.
Pat Jordan gives notice that on this day fortnight he will bring before the board the propriety of increasing the salaries of the medical officers and master of the workhouse in consequence of their increased duties with respect to the fever hospital.

[407]
That from the circumstance of the guardians being unable to examine the fever patients, as to their residence, that they be all charged to the union at large as the most fair and equitable mode of charging their relief under all the circumstances and that all persons admitted henceforth to that establishment, as well as those now in, be placed on the union at large accordingly.

It was proposed that they be charged to their receptive divisions.
Upon a division there appeared for the original motion 6, and for the amendments 5, majority in favour of the original motion 1.

Resolved that gruel on the evenings of Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays be substituted in place of milk and that molasses on the mornings of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday be substituted in place of milk henceforth, this evening included, for the purpose of affording relief more extensively in the event of an unusual increase of applicants which is very likely from the probability of provisions being dear the coming season.

Resolved that Daniel Lysaght, the master shoemaker, do commence his duties on tomorrow.

[408]
- that checks be drawn for the following sums in favour of the following persons.

Meeting of the 7th November 1845 is adjourned to 14th, there being no guardians in attendance except the chairman.

[409]
Meeting held on Friday the l4th November, l845.

The register book was signed from No. 1339 to No. 1395.

The clerk's report was read to the following effect:
[410] That the provision, and several other contracts, of the house will expire on the 8th December next, and that tenders for new contracts ought to be invited against this day fortnight.
That the time for the completion of the stables has gone by since the lst inst. and that the stables are not complete.
That the time for the delivery of the turf has expired on the lst inst. and that the whole is not delivered.
That Michael Kerin, Michael Owen, William Conole and Bryan Daly, collectors, attended to settle their accounts in the manner prescribed by the Commissioners' order on last week and that Michael O' Brien nor Michael Guthrie, collectors, did not attend.

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

[413]
Read:
- Commissioners' letter of the 31st ult. accompanying l0 copies of a notice on the subject of the potatoe crop in Ireland.
- Commissioners' letter of the 3rd inst. relative to the subject of changes in the established dietary of the inmates which accompanied the Commissioners' order.
- Commissioners' letter of the 30th ult. stating that from a cetain return they find that there is no contract in existence for vaccination in this union.
- Commissioners' letter of the 5th inst. with respect to tenders of contractors and their being bound by their tenders.
- Commissioners' letter of the 6th inst. with respect to the appointment of Mary Leyden, schoolmistress, and accompanying a form to be filled up and signed and transmitted to the Poor Law Commissioners' Office.
- letter from Dublin Castle dated 4th inst. accompanying 25 copies of report on the potatoe crop.
- Commissioners' letter of the 7th inst. with reference to the resolution of the 31st ult. of this board in placing all the persons admitted into the fever hospital on the union at large.
[414]
- auditor's letter of the llth inst. on the subject of potatoes, flour, starch, etc., etc.
- letter from Dublin Castle dated llth inst. accompanying 25 copies of a report on the state of the potatoe crop dated 8th inst.
- letter from the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin, dated 8th inst. containing queries with regard to the potatoe crop.

Medical Report:
There are now in the fever hospital 31 patients, most of these are cases of typhus fever. In the infirmary we have 20 patients most of them labouring under chronic disease.
                                                    Charles Finucane M.D.

The attention of the board having been called to the letter of Lord Cloncurry, and the guardians being of opinion that the enquiry could be premature,
Resolved:
- that the consideration thereof be put off until Friday the 5th December next.
- that 10 be advanced to the master for the purchase of potatoes.
[415]
- that our clerk do advertise for tenders for the following articles from the 8th Dec. next to the 8th of August following viz., meat, milk, meal, bread, salt, soap, tea, sugar, wine, coffee, porter, pepper and candles.

With regard to the statement of the clerk,
Resolved:
- that the prosecution of the collectors as suggested by the Assistant Commissioner would, in the opinion of the board, be severe and unreasonable in as much as the state of the weather was a sufficient excuse for their absence.
- that the master shoemaker do in future carry on his business in the male probationary ward and that the master of the workhouse do, for that purpose, get shelves erected in the 2 small rooms attached to that and the female probationary ward, on which to place the clothing worn by the paupers at the time of their admission and that he does provide him with a new bedstead, 2 chairs, l cupboard and l table for said apartment, the same as those used by the porter. Further resolved that the master shoemaker shall attend to his trade and business in said workshop from 7 o'clock in the morning to 6 in the evening from the 25th of March to the 29th of September, and from 8 o'clock in the morning to 4 o'clock in the afternoon from the 29th of September to the 25th March, and that said master shoemaker shall be at liberty to use the intermediate hours as he may consider fit without interfering with the regulations of the house.
[416]
And it is further resolved:
- that the said master shoemaker shall keep 4 apprentices from time to time to be chosen from amongst the boys.
Mr. Jordan having moved accordingly to previous notice that the salaries of the medical officers and master of the workhouse be raised in consequence of the increased duties attendent on the fever hospital.

Proposed that the salaries of the medical officers be raised from 25 each a year to 40.
Moved as an amendment by Thomas Morony, seconded by Francis A. Morony, that the question of raising the salaries be put off until the 25th March next.
Upon a division there appeared for the original motion 4, against it 12, majority in favour of the amendment 8.

The clerk reported that he had examined the accounts of 4 out of the 6 collectors of poor rates for the past month and he laid before the board a return of the state of the union funds for the month of October, and also the collectors monthly return books from which he drew up the following abstract of the state of their respective collections for the month.

[417]

Resolved:
- that a check be drawn in favour of the master for 14/9, he having advanced so much money for meat, which the contractor for meat refused to supply and which sum to be deducted from the contractor.
- that the master get a check for 5s. being the price of 2 car loads of scouring sand.
- that James McDonough gets a check for l0.l6.0, being the balance of his contract for building the fever ward.
Daniel Considine gives notice that he will, on this day fortnight, move to rescind the resolution entered into this day in respect to compensation to the medical officers and master of the workhouse.
[418]
- that the clerk invites tenders for erecting fireplaces in the schoolmistress' and schoolmaster's rooms against this day fortnight, according to plan and specification in custody of the clerk.

The meeting of the 21st of November 1845 is adjourned to the 28th as no guardians attended.

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