Transcribed & submitted by Rob Doragh (with Notes) from “The Tyrone Constitution”, Omagh, Friday December 25th 1846.
“The Herald of relief from America” – Woman, on shore of Ireland, holding up a sign for help to American ships; her foot rests on rock inscribed “We Are Starving”. Family huddled behind her.
Thomas Nast, Artist. / New York : J.T. Foley, Publisher, 117 Nassau Street, c1871. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/91732265/
THE OMAGH WORKHOUSE
THE DEATHS. – Owing to the great number of deaths which have taken place in the Omagh workhouse for the past fortnight, the public have been very much alarmed, and the reports have certainly led many to enquire into the cause. It will be seen, by the return which we publish this week, that twenty nine deaths are reported. We have felt anxious to come at the truth, and we find out that of the number stated, there were seven men, aged, respectively, 61, 74, 77, 82, 88, 89, and 91, and two women of 82 years of age. These are reported to have been all infirm persons when admitted. To the above adults may be added two men, of the ages of 43 and 54, who were paralysed and bed-ridden for many years. It also appears that bowel complaints have prevailed to a great extent, assuming, in many instances, the character of dysentery, and this, with the usual decline of nature, must account for so many of the elder class dropping off. The remaining seventeen deaths were of children, from the effects of measles and hooping-cough, which complaints must, in this instance, be of a very virulent character, or so many deaths could not have occurred in an institution where such ample provision is made for the wants of the
inmates.
OMAGH FEVER HOSPITAL
From a report of the committee of the above institution for the year ending 1st December, 1846, we observe that there have been admitted to the hospital within that period 163 patients. Of these 133 were discharged cured, 14 have died, and at the date of the report 16 were remaining in hospital. The number of patients has considerably increased, however, since that period, and at present there are not more than three spare beds in hospital. Should fever continue to spread, as is feared by many, the present establishment will be wholly inadequate to meet the wants of the large district of this county which it embraces.
We understand that the committee intend making application for a small grant to add two additional fever wards to the institution, and we trust the grand jury and cesspayers will see the absolute necessity of promoting their good intentions. The expense would be extremely trifling, when apportioned on the entire county, and every individual must recognise the great value of such an institution, and the importance of making it sufficiently commodious for the reception of a large number of inmates. Such establishments are the best possible safeguards against the spread of an epidemic which all regard with feelings of dread, so that their support becomes a matter of individual concern, in which all should be alike interested. The poorer classes should be especially interested to send their friends to hospital, immediately on their being attacked, as an ultimate cure mainly depends on prompt treatment.
PUBLIC WORKS FINTONA
Much dissatisfaction prevails in Fintona at the tardiness of the officials of the board of works in commencing the public works in that neighbourhood, where we are sorry to say, very great distress prevails. The following correspondence has taken place between the Fintona relief committee and the board of works, from which it appears that the grievance complained of will be speedily redressed:-
Fintona Relief-office, 17th Dec., 1846
SIR – I am directed to submit to the consideration of the board of works the accompanying resolution, adopted unanimously by the Fintona relief committee, at a meeting held on the 16th instant:-
“Resolved – That our secretary be directed to write to the board of works, stating, that this parish (Donacavey) contains a population of 12,000, principally dependent on agriculture, consequently largely partaking of the general distress; notwithstanding which, and that the relief session for Clogher barony was held so long ago as the 15th October last, none of the public works then presented for this parish have yet been commenced; and requesting that the board will give directions for the immediate employment of our starving labourers on these long delayed works.
“CHARLES ECCLES, Chairman.
“DAVID LINDSAY, Secretary.”
At the same time I am requested to say that the distress in this neighbourhood is extreme. that the relief committee have already employed about 150 labourers, from funds raised by subscription – that these funds are nearly exhausted, and the men must necessarily be discharged in a few days. The result of such a step will be fearful, if the public works be not commenced. Mr. ROWAN, the county surveyor, was here a few days ago, and said he was prevented commencing owing to the want of an overseer; in answer to which many say there is more than one person in this neighbourhood fully qualified to act in that capacity and whose testimonials are already before the board of works and Mr. ROWAN. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble servant,
DAVID LINDSAY, Secretary.
J. C. WALKER, Esq., Secretary Board of Works, Custom-house, Dublin.
Office of Public Works, Dec. 21, 1846
SIR – In reply to your letter of the 17th instant, forwarding a resolution of the Fintona relief committee, to the effect that great distress is likely to prevail for want of employment in the parish of Donacavey, barony of Clogher, I am directed to inform you that the works sanctioned in the above barony have been ordered to be forthwith commenced. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
J. C. WALKER, Secretary, David LINDSAY, Esq., Secretary Relief Committee, Fintona.
REDUCTION OF RENTS. – We have great pleasure in recording another instance of the liberality of landlords connected with this county, in reducing the rents of the tenants on their properties, in consideration of the loss sustained by the farming population generally by the failure of their crops. Robert and Wm. NEELY Esqrs., of Grange, county Monaghan, have made an abatement of 50 per cent. In the rents of the tenants on their property in Glencull, near Balligawley [Tyrone]. Such examples of liberality are worthy of imitation.
FINTONA FAIR. – This fair on Tuesday last was very thinly attended, and very little business was transacted. The show of horses was of an inferior description, and very few changed hands. Black cattle were in large quantities, of a common kind, but the demand was very trifling, the prices asked being much higher than purchasers were willing to give. Sheep were scarce and dear, but no demand. The stock of pigs was very small, and prices high. On the whole, the business of the fair was much less brisk than usual.
CHARLEMONT PUBLIC WORKS – There are now about two hundred men employed on the public works in the electoral division of Charlemont, near Blackwatertown, county Armagh , under the superintendence of Mr. DAVIDSON, surveyor for that county. The nature of the work is cutting hills and filling hollows.
BERAGH POOR RELIEF MEETINGS.
On Wednesday evening, the 16th instant, a preliminary meeting was held in Beragh to consider the best means of aiding the destitute, the Rev. William FORDYCE, Dr. PERRY, Messrs. CUMMINS, Thomas CLEMENTS, Francis RODGERS, John CLARKE, David CLEMENTS, William FOX, and John JOHNSTON, were present. Collectors were appointed to procure subscriptions, and it was unanimously agreed that the funds so collected should be employed in purchasing provisions, to be sold at reduced prices, or distributed gratis in extreme cases, under the directions of a committee hereafter to be elected.
A public meeting was held, on Friday afternoon, the 18th instant, when a treasurer, secretary, committee, store-keeper, and distributor, were elected. A meeting of the committee was held the same evening, at Mr. JOHNSTON‘S when provisions were purchased, cases of destitution considered and arrangements made for the distribution of supplies on the following day, to those who had received tickets approved of by the committee, and signed by the secretary.
LECKPATRICK RELIEF COMMITTEE.
The following is the report, published by the parish of Leckpatrick relief committee: –
“Your committee consider it their duty to make known to you, according to promise, the state of the funds provided for the relief of destitution in your parish, the names of the subscribers, with the amount of their subscriptions, and the probable duration and effect of the efforts which have been made. It appears that £157 17s. has been subscribed, and £20 been expended; that the expenditure per week has been £5; that 31 weeks remain to be provided for until the 1st of September – consequently, at the present rate of expenditure, £155 will be required to carry on our destitute poor to the 1st of September, at the rate of £5 per week, which is exactly half the sum which, at the first meeting of your committee, was thought sufficient to maintain 315 families, amounting to 1.500 individuals for 38 weeks, and to which your committee has reduced its issue in consequence of want of means.
“It seems now well understood that the effectual relief of the people must come from the people themselves; that government can aid us with controul, with superintendence, with nothing more that benevolence, good neighbourhood, charity, in fine, must be depended upon for relief; and, as we know that what is given to the poor is lent unto the Lord, and what is thus laid out is sure to be repaid again from a treasury which cannot fail, so may we hope and dare to promise that he that relieveth his brother in need may count on, even in this life, a return which no earthly government can ensure.
“Your committee have heretofore presumed to lay their views before you, led by their own conviction of their truth. Now they renew their application fortified by an example which the public voice and the public press have sanctioned by universal approbation – the example of the inhabitants and proprietors of Burt. The people, who are tax-payers in that part of Donegal, have voluntary laid a tax upon themselves of one shilling in the pound, according to the poor law valuation, and obtained a similar amount from their landlord for the relief of their destitute poor.
“We cannot doubt that the parishioners of Leckpatrick will imitate the praise-worthy example set them by their fellow subjects in Donegal; and, if they do, we shall, with the assistance of God, be enabled to pass through our trial with satisfaction. But if it shall so happen that subscriptions do not come in according to the principle here recommended, your committee will consider it their duty to petition the proper authorities to order out-door relief to be furnished to all the destitute in the parish of Leckpatrick.
“December 18, 1846.“ M. CHAMBERS, Secretary.”
MOY RELIEF COMMITTEE. – The relief committee for the petty sessions district of Moy, thankfully acknowledge the receipt of the following additional donations, for the relief of the poor: –
The Rt. Hon. H. T. L. CORRY, M.P., £5; Charles MAGEE, Esq. J.P., Banbridge, £10; Miss Elizabeth MAGEE, £10; Joseph GREER, Esq., Desertcreat house, £10.
CHARLEMONT RELIEF COMMITTEE. – The relief committee for Charlemont district thankfully acknowledge the receipt of the following additional donations for the relief of the poor: –
His Grace the Lord Primate, £20; W. M. BROWN, Esq., of the Argory, £5; The Rev. Savage
HALL, of Loughgall, £3; Dr RYAN, £2; John THOMPSON, Esq., Armagh, £2.
Mr Jas. GREER acknowledges the receipt of £4, from Lord Claud HAMILTON, M.P., as his yearly subscription to the Tyrone Infirmary; and also £6, from his lordship, for the poor of Omagh.
A soup kitchen is being established in the shambles Eden-lane, Enniskillen, for the poor and unemployed.
PETITION TO HER MAJESTY – STATE OF IRELAND.
We published a few weeks since, a petition to her Majesty, drawn up by Mr. HAMILTON, of St. Ernan’s, county of Donegal, praying her Majesty to direct her ministers to prepare an enactment, which should order the taxation for the support and payment of paupers and poor labourers to be levied upon townlands, as the grand jury assessment is levied. We are happy to be enabled to state that the petition has met with general approval, and has been forwarded by the Lord Lieutenant of Donegal, signed by the principal resident proprietors of that county, including the members of that county, the Earl of Erne, and above twenty of the magistrates, besides very many other persons qualified to sign it. This shows the disposition to relieve the poor and improve the country, as well as the opinions of persons well qualified to judge how it can best be accomplished. –
Londonderry Sentinel. [printed in The Tyrone Constitution]
INCREASING DESTITUTION
Opinion piece.
The rapidly increasing destitution of the people, and the inadequacy and ineffectual operation of the government measures of relief, form the sole topics of public interest. The distress of the people throughout several parts of the country is absolutely frightful. Famine and fever are doing their deadly work, and the columns of our southern contemporaries are filled with soul-harrowing details of scenes of indescribable misery, sickness, want, and death. Families lying huddled together in empty hovels, naked and starving, are dying, one after another, from the united effects of want and contagious disease. We fear that these evils will never be remedied by the present government. Sluggishness and apathy are its prevailing characteristics, and from it no prompt or energetic measures can ever be expected. The enormous prices of provisions are evidently attributable to the refusal to interfere with private speculations, and this is one of the greatest evils which the country has at present to deplore. It is all very well to provide labour as a means of obtaining food, but if the price of food places the obtaining of it in sufficient quantity beyond the reach of the labourer, he might as well have been left to his own resources. All our contemporaries agree in the statement that provisions are at present a a mere drug in the
American markets, yet in what comparatively small quantities do they reach this famishing kingdom? Those that do find their way into the Irish ports are disposed of at famine prices by the trading speculators, for whom the government have manifested such a tender regard. Instead of loading a few ships of war with the overflowing produce of the rich American harvest, we are mocked with treasury minutes, vaguely intimating intentions of future legislation and effectual improvement of the dead-letter drainage act, the working of which has been found impracticable by its wise framers. While the sage political economists who rule the destinies of our starving island are thus deliberating , the people are perishing for lack of bread, which a little energy and timely forethought might have placed in abundance within their reach.
Though heartily despising the political inconsistency of Sir Robert PEEL, still it must be admitted that when in power he evidenced a much greater amount of practical judgment in meeting the exigencies of the times than has ever been displayed by the present imbecile and apathetic administration; and yet, with the experience of his sound policy in this respect before them, the government continue to flounder on through the increasing mud and mire of public works, and the swamps of an impracticable system of forced drainage.
It is not alone in the south and west of Ireland that the horrors of starvation are experienced, though we are aware that the extent to which they prevail in those parts must indeed be frightful. In our own immediate neighbourhood the pressure of want is now severely felt, and the number of unfortunate individuals, who state too truly, with hunger pictured in their care-worn faces, that they have “neither meat nor money,” is at present alarming. It is found impossible to provide employment for a tithe of the destitute, and we fear that in a brief period scenes of “death by starvation” will not alone be confined to the south. Hundreds of poor labourers daily throng our street, and on Friday last several gangs who had been suddenly thrown out of work assembled together, and, by dint of begging, obtained from the inhabitants of the town a considerable amount of provisions and some money. We must remark, however, that we conceive this display to have been rather premature on their part, as we aware that several of those persons who took the most prominent part in this scene of begging could not have been in immediate need, as they had received, a day or two before, the full amount which they had earned by their labour during the previous week. A committee has been appointed to raise funds for the establishment of a soup kitchen in this town, which the wants of the poor render extremely necessary. It’s operation, however, can only be extended to the town and immediate neighbourhood, as it is impossible that indiscriminate relief could be afforded to all who might apply for such aid.
Distress has also been experienced to such an extent in the city and neighbourhood of Londonderry that the inhabitants have come to a voluntary resolution of contributing sixpence in the pound, in proportion to the valuation of their respective tenements, to assist in alleviating the distress of the poor. In several parts of the county Donegal the distress is also extremely severe, so that at present scarce a single district of Ireland is free from the withering touch of famine, Such a state of things calls loudly for prompt measures, which we fear need not be expected at the hands of the Whigs.
M’COMB’S PRESBYTERIAN ALMANAC. –
…… There is also a short article on the potato disease, with a variety of other useful and important matter, including a statement of the leading provisions of the new marriage act, which will, perhaps be interesting news to the fair portion of our readers. {Banner of Ulster}
Note: An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger) lasted from 1845 to 1852 with 1847 the worst year. In January 1847, the British government abandoned its policy of noninterference, realising that it had failed, and turned to a mixture of “indoor” and “outdoor” direct relief; the former administered in workhouses through the Irish Poor Laws, the latter through soup kitchens. The costs of the Poor Law fell primarily on the local landlords,some of whom in turn attempted to reduce their liability by evicting their tenants.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)
Note: 1841-1846 the UK government was led by the Conservative Sir Robert PEEL.
Note: 1846-1852 Lord John RUSSELL, Whig party, headed the UK government.
Note: Estimated decline in the population of Ireland 1841-1851 by province Connacht [West] 28.8% Munster [South] Ulster [North] 15.7% Leinster [East] 15.3% Quoted in “The Modernisation of Irish Society” Joseph LEE 1973