The following articles are transcribed by Teena from the Banner of Ulster, Dublin Evening Mail, Dublin Mercantile Advertiser, Freeman's Journal, Northern Whig, Tyrone Constitution. (unless otherwise noted)
3rd May 1847 Spread of Fever - Death of Lord Lurgan There are again painful and alarming accounts of the increase of pestilence, very generally, throughout the country and the mortality is spreading amongst the upper classes. Amongst the victims to the pestilence now prevailing, I have to announce, with deep sorrow, the name of Lord Lurgan, who, as Charles BROWNLOW, had so nobly distinguished himself by the surrender of early prejudices in promoting the great measure of Catholic emancipation and who as a resident nobleman, has long been a model for Irish landlords. - With unaffected sorrow we announce the demise of the Honourable Charles BROWNLOW, Baron Lurgan. The melancholy event, the effect of an attack of typhus fever, took place yesterday (Friday) morning, at Lurgan Castle. The deceased nobleman has ever been one of the most deservedly esteemed resident landlords in Ulster. We speak the sentiments of all who knew him, or knew of his worth, when we say that Lord Lurgan’s death will be felt as a public calamity. His lordship was in his 52nd year, having been born in 1795. He was created peer by the Whig administration of the day, in 1839, and was a Privy councillor and deputy-lieutenant for the county Armagh. He is succeeded in his title and estates by his son the Honourable Charles BROWNLOW, now in his 17th year. The Irish Fever Act Referring to the new Fever Act, the Evening Post says - the efforts of the government have been well seconded by the Central Board of health. The Act only reached Dublin, yeesterday morning and we have reason to know that the Central Board of Health were occupied for several hours yesterday in issuing the necessary certificates and instructions, for carrying out the enactments of the bill. In various district of the country the poor-law guardiansand the relief committees are increasing the accommodation for fever patients. In Belfast and Lisburn and other parts of the northern province, fever prevails to an alarming extent. The Relief Measures The accounts of the arrangements to put the Relief Act in operation are decidedly more favourable. In various districts the relief committees are acting with some degree of vigour, and in some places rations are already distributed to the destitute. Considerable alarm prevails, on account of the apprehended great increase of the destitute from the stoppage of the public works and in all quarters there are bitter complaints about the enormous amount of the increased taxation. The Evening Chronicle 21 Jun. 1847 Arrivals from Ireland (Ireland food products to England) The change of wind has effected the arrival of vessels from all parts, which had been delayed by the contrary state in which it has remained almost stationary for some time past, but in no particular has it been more conspicnously evinced than in the arrivals from the sister island. No less than 17 vessels arrived in the Thames on Monday from Ireland, laden with grain and provisions, including the following; the Mayflower, from Cork, with 650 qrs. of beans the Rebecca, from the same port, 560 qrs. of beans the Clementina, from Limerick, 1,000 quarters of oats Ganges, from Limerick, 225 quarters of wheat, and 456 sacks of flour the Grace, from Limerick, 740 qrs. of wheat the Friends, from Limerick, 505 quarters of oats 65 and qrs. of wheat the Aurea, from Ballina, 715 quarters of wheat the Elizabeth, from Londonderry, 30 cwt. of oats, and 220 tierces and 60 brls. of pork the Dolphin, from Sligo, 925 brls. of flour the Adroit, from Sligo, qrs of oats, and 78 cwt. of pens the Ardent from Sligo, 500 qrs. of wheat the Erin Lass from Galway, 285 quarters of beans and 350 quarters of wheat the Preussicher Adler, from Cork, 341 boxes of eggs, 644 firkins of butter, 825 boxes of soap, 400 barrels of meal and flour, 119 casks of general provisions, 47 casks of hams, 107 bales of bacon, 130 casks lard, 90 of salmon, 50 boxes of lemons, 32 calves, 72 head of cattle and various other articles the Citizen, from Dublin, 111 casks of bacon, 14 casks of lard, 6 of ham, 70 of pork, 155 of paper, 88 boxes of eggs 24 tasks whiskey and 41 of porter the Frith, from Galway, 1,000 quarters of oats the Victoria, from Galway, 250 quarters of rye, 160 of peas 700 barrels of flour, 60 bags of beans, 20 of rice, 53 packages of bacon, 63 of middles, 44 of pork and 18 of bacon and lard the Perthshire, from Galway, 750 quarters of wheat. These numerous arrivals had not been preceded by dearth of importations from that country, for there was during the past week, a more than proportionately large quantity of supplies from Ireland, at the ports of London and Liverpool, in comparison with those which took place during the period from foreign states. Ballymena Quarter Sessions The Quarter sessions are being held in this town at present, and both the calendar and civil bill list are very heavy, there being of the latter 800, and 130 prisoners in the Bridewell for trial. The offences with which they stand charged are chiefly larceny, and in this class of crimes, there are several prisoners to be tried for sheep stealing, a crime which has of late been carried on to a very great extent in the lower part this county, there having been, in a very short space time, upwards 130 sheep stolen. It is hoped that as some of those who have convicted have had severe sentences passed upon them, their confederates who are still at large, will be deterred from a crime so injurious to the farmer who is struggling for his maintenance. One man was transported for 13 years who had been convicted of the offence. William O'HARA was put on his trial. It appeared from the evidence of William ALDCOCK gamekeeper to H.H.H O'HARA Esq. of Craigbilly House, who appeared to prosecute, that on the evening of the 13th instant, he observed 4 snares set in the preserves of his master, in which were 2 hares dead and having called in the aid of his assistant gamekeeper and placed him in such position as to see any person who might come to take away the hares, watched the other himself and about 11 o'clock at night, observed the prisoner cautiously proceed to one of the hares and remove it from the snare and reset it. As he was about to leave the place with the hare, he made him a prisoner, and handed him over to the police. He was found guilty of the offence and sentenced to pay a fine of £10 and imprisoned for 2 months and in default of payment to be imprisoned for 1 month longer. This sentence will, we have no doubt, be a damper to those who have been engaged in the practice of night poaching. 1st Sept. 1847 The accounts which daily reach as, from all parts of the country, leave no doubt as to the extensive prevalence of the fatal epidemic of last year, and though many of the lately planted fields are still apparently untouched, yet little hope is entertained of their ultimate escape. We have heard of one or two instances of partial disease amongst turnips Londonderry Journal 10 Sept.1847 - Correspondence the Poor of Drumquin district to the Editor of the Tyrone Constitution Sir Permit me, through the columns of your widely circulated paper, to make a few statements bearing upon Drumquin Relief Committee of the Omagh Union. During the months of January, February, March, and April last, this electoral division was in a very deplorable state with famine, (fever, and dysentery.) I am now happy to state that, from the relief afforded the destitute, under the inspection of the bon Captain DALY, who deserves the greatest praise for his humane and gentlemanly conduct, our poor are now assuming their former healthy appearance and fever and dysentery are almost gone from this district. It was also very pleasing to observe the unanimity and harmony which prevailed among the members of the commitee and the clergy of the different denominations, though nothing more than that, was anticipated from the fact that the Rev. Mr. LEATHEM was the chairman of that committee. A gentleman who has bestowed the greater portion of his valuable time, not only since the out-door relief commenced, but since famine first made its appearance in the country, endeavouring to make provision for the starving pour and alleviate their sufferings. The Rev. John DAVIDSON, Presbyterian minister, and the Rev. Chas. MORRIS R.C.C.. have gained the esteem of the gentry of the country and the blessings of the poor, for their unremitting assiduity in making provision for the poor, hundreds of which were saved from starvation by their exertions. I have had ample opportunity in witnessing the good arising from the relief given to the poor, as I was in attendance of the sick poor, in their houses, morning, noon, and night. Your obedient servant, Wallace SPROULE Drumquin Relief Committee room 8 Jan. 1848 Quarter Sessions and number of ejectments Ballymena - 200 ejectments Clogher - 21 " Omagh - 36 " Ballieborough – 39 22 Jan. 1848 Illness in the County Antrim Fever and influenza, to a serious extent and of a malignant kind, are now prevailing in many parts of the county Antrim. From some districts applications have been forwarded to Belfast for nurses to attend the fever patients. In several localities the medical men are hardly ever in bed attending the sick, and in others, they are unable attend near the number of applicants. Extra Assessment of the County Antrim The court of Queen’s Bench have ordered that a sum of £4,200 be levied off this county with the present county cess, and that the same be repaid the government at the next assizes. This sum was expended by the Belfast and Lisburn Boards of health, during the recent calamitous visitation of fever and though undoubtedly large, was imperatively required under the circumstances of the case. Weekly Vindicator 5 Feb. 1848 Three Deaths by Starvation An inquest was held this week in Smithborough, on the body of John CASEY, who was found dead in Cortrasna. It seems the deceased had been in the village on the evening of the 31st ult., seeking some aid and in great distress. He left the village and was found the next morning, apparently having through weakness fallen and injured his head. A verdict was returned accordingly. The poor creature had collected some cabbages, and bits of the vegetables were in his mouth. On Wednesday last, a man named Thomas CLEMENTS, from the neighbourhood of Ballintoppen, died of sheer want and starvation in Smithborough and some weeks ago a man named LITTLE, also died at the back of one of the houses, starvation and destitution were the causes of his death likewise. (Northern Standard) 14 April 1848 Dungannon Quarter Sessions There were upwards of 1,400 civil bills entered, and 99 ejectments. Bernard M'GURK for stealing a quantity of oatmeal, the properly of the board of guardians of Clogher union - to be transported for 7 years. Ellen GLENN larceny of calico submitted - to be imprisoned 3 months with hard labour. John CRUTH for stealing a quantity of wearing apparel from Derrycreevy submitted - to be imprisoned for 6 months. Owen M'GEOGH and James M'NAMEE for stealing butter, the property of John KANE of Dungannon. - M'GEOGH to be imprisoned for 6 months, with hard labour ; M'NAMEE to be transported for 7 years. James SMITH for receiving said butter, knowing same to be stolen - to be imprisoned for 12 months. William M'CAMBLY for stealing oats, the property of George SLEVIN Esq. Dungannon - to be imprisoned 6 months with hard labour James DEVLIN for stealing meal and loaf, the property of P. M'GILL at Crevagh - to be imprisoned for 3 months. James WELSH for stealing a loaf of bread from Alicia GALLAGHER submitted - to be imprisoned for 3 months. Anne REID for stealing meat at Derrylatinea - submitted - to be imprisoned 1 month James M'COWMILL and John HUGHES or a stealing goose, the properly of Thomas DOHERTY Lisnaveeny - each to be transported for 7 years. William LAVELLE for stealing a bag of oats - to be imprisoned 3 months, with hard labour each alternate week. John QUIN, John M'ELHONE and Boyd FLEMING for rescuing two horses from Alexander TIPPING bailiff, in Stewartstown; also for assault. QUIN and M'ELHONE submitted - each to be imprisoned one fortnight. The jury not being able agree the case of Boyd FLEMING was rebound to appear for trial at the ensuing Strabane sessions. (transcriber note- often if rent was due (or by cause of a bankrupt) landlords / agents / bailiffs would seize the assets of the person owing) Mary M'CULLAGH larceny - to be imprisoned 1 week. 26 Aug. 1848 Extracts from letters written by persons having every possible means of information, unhappily place the question beyond the necessity of further inquiry (the question if the potato rot is at least as great as it was in 1845 or equal to that of 1846) Hitherto, as was to be expected, the north of Ireland, like Scotland, has presented little cause for alarm; but accounts are becoming worse, even from the most northern counties. Take Donegall. The accounts, now reaching to August 5, run thus "Disease is very much on the increase; many fields, lately free from any symptoms, are now much affected. A small farmer has about two acres completely gone. I saw 2 stone of them the other day when there was not more than a third fit for use. Glenties. The crop continues to maintain, upon the whole, a promising appearance; in some places however, there are unmistakeable symptoms of the presence of the disease, and the most that can be reasonably hoped, now is, that bulk of crop may not be attacked it. They write from Lisburn (August 8th) that the disease is rapidly extending in Antrim and adjacent counties; at the date of the letter it was estimated to have affected visibly, 1-10th of the crop. In Derry, matters were better (Coleraine, August 5th), there being little more than reports, which were, however, on the increase; the weather had been dark and showery. In Tyrone, disease was spreading rapidly near Strabane (Aug. 8), since the beginning of the week. And in Down, the disease among potatoes appeared to be rapidly increasing. And so it is all throughout Ireland, where not a shadow of doubt remains, that Government will have again to deal with a winter of hideous destitution. And so it will continue until an effectual stop be put to the cultivation of the potato, instead of sound, wholesome food, which can be depended upon with reasonable confidence. Gardeners' Chronicle 26 Aug.1848 Saving the Potato Crop lt has surprised me that it does not appear to have occurred to those who cultivate the potato to act upon the fact that the disease does not appear till the season is well advanced, and till the growth of the tubers has almost ceased. The early variety I have long been in the habit of cultivating for my table has withstood the disease perfectly, and this season, the crop has been excellent. This variety ripens early, and I attribute its safety to the crop being taken up as soon the leaves begin to colour. At this date (Aug. 9th), my crop is housed for the winter. Having heard that the disease or symptoms of it had been observed at no great distance, I thought fit to take up seedlings, of which I have taken up about 40 varieties, and every one has attained, what I believe to be, its natural size, and they are quite large enough. Had I allowed them to remain in the ground till October, or until their leaves and stems had withered, I do not believe the crop would have been in any degree heavier. Though I cannot affirm it from experience, it seems probable that after the blossoms appear, the tubers cease to advance. Now, if farmers would take up their potatoes the instant they heard the disease reported to be anywhere, or as soon as tubers attained sufficient size, the crop might be entirely saved G.S. MACKENZIE Bart. Armagh - We regret to state that in this district the disease in the potato crop is progressing. Still, we incline to the belief that the calamity will not extend to the crop generally, and that therefore, there are no grounds for great alarm. The produce of the plant was never so luxuriant, so that we would have an average crop even supposing one half to affected by disease. In this opinion we are strengthened by Colonel BLACKER, whose testimony is formed after lengthened experience. That gentleman assures us that the black appearance of the stalk is no cause of alarm, as it is occasioned by drought, and he has carefully examined and found the tubers perfectly sound while the stalks were blackened. While the farmer finds the stalk to break like a stick he may depend on the tubers being good, but if it be tough and bend before breaking, the tubers are bad. The stalks in that case should be pulled up, and the ground carefully covered, lest the influence of the atmosphere penetrate through the interstices after pulling. A portion of the Colonel’s Crop, grown from seed, which he brought from Paris last autumn, is affected, while up to the present the Ballygawley Pinks, and another kind imported from England, are untouched. Markethill -The potato blight seems greatly on the increase in this neighbourhood. Cups suffered most, and Ballygawley Pinks least. Coleraine - lt is now beyond doubt, that the potato crop is, in general, much affected. Within the last few days, several fields in this immediate neighbourhood, which hitherto showed no unhealthy symptoms, suffered most severely from the blight, the blackened stalks and withered leaves being the melancholy indication of the loss of this useful root. A small portion of the new potatoes brought to market are tainted, and almost unfit for human food. The cereal crops in this district are, however, above average, and progress to maturity, notwithstanding the weather has not been favourable for ripening. Wheat harvest has already commenced, and, in the course of a few days, will be general. Coleraine Chronicle. Kilrea - There is no potato field, in the neighbourhood of Kilrea, which is not infected with the disease, and, in every instance, the tubers are more or less affected. The rapid destruction of the potato, during the last few days, is equal to that of 1846. Fields yesterday green and healthy are today black, blighted and withered, the tuber already generally affected, and if the rot proceeds with equal intensity for another fortnight, there will not be one-fourth of the crop then sound. We have conversed with many farmers on this important subject, some say a third, and others, that half the roots, are diseased, and the heavy smell of decomposition is again felt in the fields. We have, ourselves, travelled this week, through the Counties of Antrim, Down, Louth, Armagh, and Monaghan, and did not see a single field where the blight was not; and universal destruction seems to be sent upon the land. The wheat crop will not be near average; the head short and the grain light. The flax crop is very small; and the stock of corn in the country, from last year’s crop, is almost exhausted. Belfast Protestant Journal 11 Sept. 1848 from the agricultural report for August There has been quite too much rain and too low a temperature during the month of August, succeeded, we are happy to say, for the last few days by the most beautiful harvest weather; Hitherto we have held the opinion that the potato disease will be much like that of last year. In both years, it showed on the general crop at precisely the same time, and passed on destroying the growth, in about the same number of days - that is, from the 1st of August, when the first spot appeared on the leaf, until about the 2nd or 3rd September, when all vegetation had ceased. All the apppearances this year, thus far, are precisely similar, and, up to a few days since, all the appearances of disease in the tubers, were precisely similar also; but we fear, both from inspection and from many inquiries of those who are close observers, that for the last four or five days, the disease in the tubers has been much on the increase. The potatoes, too, coming too market are now much diseased. The potato blight sets all current theories and calculations at defiance. During the very wet weather of the week ending on the 26th August, the stalks and roots both held their own; they were not worse than they were the week before; but, no sooner had the fine weather set in, than both began to decay rapidly. The growth is now quite over; and if the rot progresses, as we learn it is this day doing, we fear the very worst of the whole crop. We are only certain of one thing, and that is, that potatoes never can, and never should be, depended on as the chief support of the people of Ireland in future. With respect the turnip crop, we have heard it stated that not more than one-third of the seed was sold in Londonderry this year, that was sold in the last. If this is true, and we suspect it is, the quantity of turnips will be very small, as the crop generally is very deficient. Some good cultivators, where the land is dry, have succeeded with their crops; but, on the whole, there will not be the third of an average. The wet and cold of August have been detrimental to them unless good and dry ground, and under suitable culture. Derry Journal Cheers~ Teena -- www.cotyrone.com http://lists.cotyrone.com/mailman/listinfo/ulsterancestry https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoTyroneIrelandGenealogy/ _______________________________________________ [email protected] UlsterAncestry Mailing List Searchable Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ http://lists.cotyrone.com/mailman/listinfo/ulsterancestry Website: https://cotyrone.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoTyroneIrelandGenealogy/
