Bantry Board of Guardians
IE CCCA/BG/43
and eight hundred persons’ gathered before the house and ‘began to root both the potatoes and turnips’, until they were stopped by the military and police. ‘Th eir business to the workhouse was for something to eat as stated by themselves as the outdoor relief was stopped’. The master offered to admit as many of them as possible, ‘yet none of them troubled him afterwards’. Chairman’s letter to the PLC regarding t he impossibility of securing rate collectors at the rate struck in June, obliging them to strike a new lower rate. 14 Sep 1847 Resolution seeking PLC authority for supplying outdoor relief, to be effective only when the workhouse is full. It follows a relief committee deputation which ‘detailed the great amount of destitution now existing in their several localities’. 21 Sep 1847 Resolution applying to PLC to form the EDs of Kilnamanagh, Killaconenagh, and Kilcathereen into a separate district, all being more than six miles from Bantry [see BG/59 Castletown Board of Guardians]. 5 Oct 1847 Master’s report referring to shortages of fuel, linen, and work implements for able-bodies inmates. He also notes neglect by officers in the locking of doors. 12 Oct 18 47 Resolution regarding the PLC’s decision to dissolve the board ‘on the ground that through the default of the guardians the duties of the board have not been duly and effectually discharged’. The board regrets that the PLC did not accept their opinion re garding the rate to be struck, noting ‘if the full sum demanded is persevered in it will plunge this union into beggary, anarchy, and confusion’. [It is noted that the board disposed of no business today ‘but the passing the resolution on their dissolution and separation’].
3.
25 Jan 1848 – 21 Nov 1848
The meetings recorded in this volume were attended by two ‘vice guardians of the poor of the Bantry Union’, Denis Clarke and Thomas Willis, there being no board of guardians following dissolution. General Gordon, Poor Law Inspector, also attended most meetings. The volume is indexed, and a smaller number of includes notes are given below. The Great Famine (1845-50) continues to provide the context to virtually all of the poor relief work.
Includes:
25 Jan 1848 Total inmates: 942. Outdoor relief: 830 persons.
1 Feb 1848 PLC order received suspending part of an order relating to the election of guardians for the year ending 25 March 1849. Letter to PLC ‘relative to the employment of female paupers in stone - breaking’. The vice guardians note ‘the habits of the inmates of a rural workhouse... differ altogether from those to be found in cities or large towns, as they are accustomed to field work from their infancy and therefore quite ignorant of all other modes of employment’. [See also 15 Feb]
28 Mar 1848 PLC circular letter forwarding copies of ‘observation by Dr
© Cork City and County Archives 2011
Page 10 of 27
Powered by FlippingBook