Our dead end from our Buchanan family is in Kingston. In what year were the
famine ships sent on to Kington for quarantine? The paterfamilias of the
Buchanan family and his granddaughter are said to have died in Kingston,
having been sent on for quarantine. There is no mention of this in any of
the reports though one report mentions sending a cleared ship to Quebec and
then having the fever infect the city.
We have never been able to isolate the name of the ship, the year of
immigration, or to find Andrew? Buchanan on a ship's list or a list of the
dead. We only know that the ship was out of port for a period of time
sailing from ? and then returned to port for repairs before the immigrants
on that ship set out again...
Any of this ring any bells? If you come across any of this Teena, while
transcribing, would appreciate a heads up. In the meantime I am voraciously
reading everything your are sending on.
Willi Laurie
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Today's Topics:
1. Part 1 Famine Emigration to Grosse Isle (Teena)
2. Pt. 10 Potato Blight 1846-49 (Teena)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 17:31:18 -0700
From: Teena <4theloveoftyr...@gmail.com>
To: UlsterAncestry@cotyrone.com
Subject: [UlsterAncestry] Part 1 Famine Emigration to Grosse Isle
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Hello Friends
No matter what I happen to be posting at any time, Please do always feel
free to continue to post your ancestors, & your queries. We love to hear
from you!
Part 1 of 2 on the Famine Emigration to Grosse ?le (Isle). For those who may
not know, Grosse Isle is an Island in the St. Lawrence River, about 30 miles
below Quebec, in Canada. It was a quarantine station for arrivng emigrants,
the vast majority of whom, were Irish.
As you will see from the following extracts, this became one of Canada's
horrendous historical tragedy's.
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)
Ulster Ports departures for Emigrants the Year 1846 Belfast Donegal Dublin
Londonderry Newry (This list is from the reports and may not be complete)
1846 Arriving Vessels, which Contagious Disease was found on-board at the
Grosse Isle Quarantine Station
Barque 'Ayrshire,' port of Newry, Small pox, sailed 17 Apr.
Barque 'Sir H Pottinger' port of Belfast Measles saled, 15 Apr.
Barque 'Highland Mary', port Liverpool, Measles, sailed, 8 Apr.
Brig Barque 'Margaret Pollock' port of Liverpool, dysentery, Fever and
measles, sailed 26th Apr.
Ship 'Rockshire', port Liverpool, Measles, 25th Apr.
Barque 'Caithnesshire', port Belfast, Fever and dysentery, sailed 23 Apr.
Ship 'Elizabeth' port Liverpool, Measles, sailed 26th May Ship 'Virginia'
port Liverpool Small pox sailed sailed 2nd June Ship 'Belinda' port Belfast
Small pox and measles sailed 3rd June Ship 'Mertoun' port Belfast, Fever,
sailed 28th May Ship 'John Boulton' Liverpool Fever sailed 2nd June Barque
'James Moran' port Liverpool Measles sailed 13th June Ship 'Rockshire' port
Liverpool, Dysentery sailed 10th Sept.
Number of Persons who received Assistance to enable them to Emigrate during
the Season 1846 from the report of A.C. BUCHANAN (emigration
agent)
Vessel / port. arrival date/ who provided funds/ # of persons/
'Naparvinia', Dublin, 29th May, landlord/private funds, 120 'Industry',
Dublin, 30th May, landlord/ private funds, 143 'Lady Gordon', Dublin, 13th
Jun., landlord /private funds, 5 'Defence', Liverpool, 16th Jun., landlord/
private funds, 40 'Mary Lyall', Dublin, 16th Jun., Parish funds, 7
'Londonderry ', Londonderry18 Jun., landlord /private funds, 14 'Miltiades',
Belfast, 24 Jun., landlord /private funds, 21 'Pursuit'. Liverpool, 24
Jun., landlord /private funds, 8 'Odessa' Dublin, 27 Jun., landlord /private
funds, 24 'Belinda', Belfast, 20th Jul., landlord /private funds, 93
'Brindo', Donegal, 24 Jul., landlord / private funds, 15 'Marquis Abercorn',
Londonderry, 2nd Oct. landlord /private funds, 3
In the ship Londonderry there were 14 persons sent out by the Londonderry
Union, who received the sum of 10s. each amounting to 8?
15s. sterling, which had been remitted to this office for their benefit
after arrival.
Among the passengers per 'Marchioness of Abercorn' from Londonderry,
493 in number, there were some very respectable farmers. Nearly the whole of
these people came out to join their friends, a large number of whom are
settled in the Home, and Simcoe districts. Many had received assistance from
this country to enable them to emigrate and I was consequently obliged to
give assistance to 35 persons to enable them to proceed.
In the 'Belinda' from Belfast, there were a number of poor families sent out
by the Coleraine, Armagh, and Magherafelt Unions, who received the sum of
10s. each, from the master on landing here. Many of them, more particularly
those from the Coleraine Union, were very helpless, consisting of sickly
people and widows with families of helpless children. One or two of these
families have been inmates of the hospital ever since their arrival here and
are now dependant on the charitable institutions in this city for their
support.
The passengers per 'Belinda' from Belfast, 425 in number are respectable
looking people. There had been a good deal of sickness, among them 12
children had died during the passage of small pox and about 40 of the
passengers were left at the Grosse Isle Hospital, where the ship was
detained for six days. The passengers all speak in the kindest manner of the
care and attention which Captain KELLY showed them during the passage and
his unremitting attention to the sick. About 30 of the passengers are going
to the States, the rest to the Newcastle, Home, and Simcoe Districts, 93
persons by this vessel were sent out by the following unions and received
from Captain KELLY the sum of 37? 15s. sterling, being at the rate of 10s.
to each adult and 5s. to children viz: Coleraine Union 61 adults and 40
children; Armagh Union 15 adults and 5 children; Magherafelt Union 30 adults
and
9 children. Those sent out by the Coleraine Union were mostly old and sickly
people and helpless children, many of whom I fear will never be able to earn
their support in this country. The others appear stout, healthy, men and
women, all apparently willing to work.
The emigrants from Sligo and Donegal, 545 in number, are all poor.
They landed in good health. One third of them are going to the United
States. A number of the young men intend remaining here for employment and
the remainder proceed to different parts of the province to their friends.
The passengers per 'Aberdeen' from Liverpool are all Irish, from the
counties Cavan, Cork, Walerford and Tipperary. They have gone chiefly to the
Ottawa, Johnston, and midland districts, and were, with the exception of two
families 12 in number, able to pay their way.
The emigrants from the port of Liverpool, 750 in number, are all Irish, of
which fully one half intend proceeding to the United States.
On board the 'Defence' from that port, there were 40 persons sent out by
their landlords. They are from the county Monaghan and were provided with a
free passage. They were without means on landing here and were assisted with
a free passage to their friends in Upper Canada.
The passengers per 'Sea King' and 'Virginia' from Liverpool, 508 are nearly
all Irish. About 80 of the passengers per 'Sea King' are going to the United
States, the remainder intend settling in Upper Canada.
Those from the 'Virginia' all appear inclined to remain in the province.
They are from the north of Ireland and generally poor. This vessel was
detained seven days in quarantine and left between 60 and
70 of her passengers in the island, with small pox, 65 adults and 45
children were forwarded up the country from this vessel and 16 from the 'Sea
King'.
Week ending 27th Jun.1846; 4,568 emigrants have landed at this port during
the past week, generally in good health.
Week ending 31st Jul. 1846; 2164 emigrants landed at this port during the
past week, three fourths of whom are Irish.
Owing to the low rates of passage on alternate days on the route between
this city and Montreal, I have not been called upon for much assistance. The
number assisted is 286 persons equal to 200 adults, chiefly from the
'Mertoun', 'John Bolton', 'Minna' and 'Bosphorus'.
There was a good deal of sickness on board the 'Mertoun', 7 deaths occurred
during the the passage and 27 cases were admitted to the quarantine
hospital.
Employment is plenty at this season and persons desirous of it can procure
it without difficulty. Masons and stone cutters are in much request on the
Government works wages 7s 6d. per day
Week ending 22nd August 1845
The emigrants arrived during the period included in this return number 1845,
of whom 133 are Germans; 225 Scotch; 40 English; and 1440 Irish, of the
latter number 394 sailed from Liverpool. They, with the exception of those
on board 3 of the vessels, landed generally in good health. Several vessels
have, however, had very long passages, the average being over 50 days. The
passengers are principally of the agricultural class and with, but limited
means. Their destination is chiefly to Upper Canada, but a considerable
number are going to the United States.
Week ending 30th of October 1846
The emigration for this season may now be considered as closed. Those who
have arrived during the period embraced in this return, have been in good
health. They consist of farmers, labourers, and a few mechanics, and have
all emigrated to join their friends, or with a particular destination in
view.
The great majority of them are Irish and all very poor. A large number of
those by the 'Rockshire' from Liverpool, had left their homes at this late
season, in consequence of the failure of the potato crop, fearing that if
they should delay until next year they would not then have the means of
paying their passage. As it was, they landed here quite destitute and
required assistance from this department to enable them to proceed to their
friends.
In Paper No 8 of the Appendix will be found a statement of the distribution
of the emigrants of the year, compiled from the monthly reports received
from the chief Agent in Canada West and the local agents of the department.
Of the total immigration by the route of the St Lawrence, Mr HAWKE estimates
that the large proportion of 24,655 have arrived in Canada West. The number
who have arrived, via the route of the United States, is stated at 2,864,
which makes the total immigration into the western section of the province
during the year upwards of 27,500 souls. The difficulty of ascertaining with
correctness the number of persons who have proceeded from Canada to the
United States, along our extensive frontier, must be obvious. Mr HAWKE,
after strict inquiry from the sources within his command, estimates the
number who have left Canada West at about 2,000 persons, less than the
amount of the immigration we have received by that route.
The largest portion of this number have proceeded direct from Montreal, by
the route of St John's and Lake Champlain, having emigrated with that
intention and have been induced to choose the route of the St Lawrence as
being much cheaper than the passage direct from Great Britain, to any of the
United States ports. I may here remark that during the greater part of this
last season owing to the competition among the steam boat proprietors on the
St Lawrence, to Montreal and on Lake Champlain, an emigrant might be
conveyed from this port to Albany, the centre of the States of New York, for
about six shillings sterling, or less than half the sum it would require to
convey him to Kingston.
The Quarantine hospital Grosse Isle during the past season- upon a
comparison of this Return, with that of former years, it will be observed
that there has been a great augmentation in the number of sick amounting to
double that of most previous years. This increase in the number of sick was
expected from the misery and distress that prevailed throughout Ireland last
winter, owing to a deficiency of wholesome food. The prevailing type of
disease independent of the ordinary epidemics was low fever, with bowel
complaints, such as are usually caused by want. The number of passenger
vessels inspected by me at the quarantine station during the season was 206,
having on board 32,753 passengers. The deaths on shipboard were this year
proportionably more numerous than previous years, there having died on board
of vessels on the passage out 204 souls and in the quarantine hospital 68.
The names, ages, and other particulars, connected with these last, are given
in paper B. The total number of deaths on the voyage and in the quarantine
hospital was 272, of these 100 were adults; 110 children under fourteen; and
62 infants. Fever broke out and prevailed among the passengers of 14
vessels. measles in 5 and small pox in 8.
The following casualties on the voyage resulting in death took place; A boy
was killed from a fall into the hold on board the ship 'Marchioness
Abercorn'; 1 was drowned by falling overboard from the brig 'Governor'; one
was killed on board the 'James Fagan', by being crushed by one of the boats
breaking loose; a female died in childbirth on board the schooner
'Coquette'; and another from the same cause on board the 'Jane Black'; a boy
was drowned by falling overboard from the 'Nancy'; a man from the same
accident on board the 'Davenport'; and another from on board the 'John
Francis'.
A considerable number of pauper emigrants have been sent out this season
from the Irish Poor law unions. Much sickness has prevailed among these,
especially in those that arrived by the ship 'Belinda'
from Belfast. It is to be regretted that it should not be found necessary to
supply these people, many of whom had the appearance of having suffered long
from misery, with any other provision for the voyage than a pound of meal
per day. They contrast very unfavourably with those sent out under similar
circumstances from England, these are generally sent in charge of a medical
man, and are supplied with animal food, bread, flour, rice, and medical
stores and comforts, in consequence of which, I rarely find sick among them,
unless epidemic disease has been brought on board. I always understood the
pound of biscuit oatmeal, or Indian corn meal, which the vessel is bound by
law, to furnish daily to each adult, to be merely a guarantee against the
starvation brought on formerly by the improvident use which the emigrant
made of his own stores and to be, by no means, intended to constitute his
only support, as in the case of the Irish paupers in the 'Belinda' and other
vessels, to whom a pound of damaged Indian meal, per day, was their only
food. If necessary, I might here cite as evidence of the advantage of a
liberal supply of wholesome food in warding oft disease even in a crowded
emigrant vessel, the case of the German settlers who arrived this year,
these people were supplied abundantly with animal food, bread, flour,
lime-juice and beer, and though their voyages were longer than vessels
coming from Great Britain, in the case of one vessel extending to eleven
weeks, yet out of eight vessels having on board 902 passengers, I had only
to admit 7 to hospital.
Ardnaglass (Co. Donegal) 6th September 1846 Dear Father and Mother I
received your kind and affectionate letter dated 24th May which gave us
great pleasure to hear of your being in good health as it leaves us at
present thank God for his mercies to us. Dear father and mother pen cannot
dictate the poverty of this country at present, the potato crop is quite
done away all over Ireland and we are told prevailing all over Europe. There
is nothing expected here only an immediate famine.
The labouring class getting only two stone of Indian meal for each day's
labour and only three days given out of each week to prolong a little money
sent out by Government, to keep the people from going out to the fields to
prevent slaughtering the cattle, which they are threatening very hard they
will do before they starve. I think you will have all this account by the
public print before this letter comes to hand. Now my dear parents, pity our
hard case and do not leave us on the number of the starving poor and if it
be your wish to keep us, until we earn at any labour you wish to put us to,
we will feel happy in doing so. When we had not the good fortune of going
there the different times ye sent us money, but alas, we had not that good
fortune. Now my dear father and mother, if you knew what hunger we and our
fellow countrymen are suffering, if you were ever so much distressed, you
would take us out of this poverty Isle. We can only say, the scourge of God
fell down on Ireland, in taking away the potatoes, they being the only
support of the people. Not like countries that has a supply of wheat and
other grain. So dear father and mother, if you don't endeavour to take us
out of it, it will be the first news you will hear by some friend of me and
my little family to be lost by hunger and there are thousands dread they
will share the same fate. Do not think there is one word of untruth in this,
you will see it in every letter and of course in the public prints. Those
that have oats they have some chance, for they say they will die before they
part any of it to pay rent. So the landlord is in a bad way too. Sicily
BOYERS and family are well.
Michael BARRETT is very unwell this time past, but hopes to recover.
John BARRETT is confined to his bed by rheumatism. The last market oatmeal
went from 1? to 1? 1s per cwt. As for potatoes there was none at market.
Butter 5? per cwt; pork 2? 8s. per cwt and everything in provision way
expected to get higher. The Lord is merciful, he fed the
5000 men with five loaves and two small fishes. Hugh HART'S mother is dead,
he is in good health. So I conclude with my blessing to you both and remain
your affectionate son and daughter Signed Michael and Mary RUSH
above from the Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons, Vol. 39
published 1847 https://bit.ly/3bj4nzi ( has a couple lists of emigrants who
died at Grosse Isle.)
6 Apr. 1847 (extracts) statements taken from the report of A. C.
BUCHANAN Esq., chief emigration agent at Quebec,in a series of papers
relative to emigration to the British Colonies of North America
(Parliamentary, No. 120, presented last February.) The emigrant on engaging
his passage is informed that he will receive a pound of oatmeal, flour, or
biscuit, each day during his passage, but on getting to sea finds that
one-half of this allowance is replaced by Indian corn meal. This description
of food although highly valuable, under different circumstances, is not
proper for issue throughout along voyage, to people who have been wholly
unaccustomed to its use and who do not know, how indeed, to prepare it. Dr.
DOUGLASS has found that a great extent of sickness prevailed in the vessels
in which the meal was used.
'there was a large number of the Irish emigrants in a state of destitution
as to clothes and bedding far exceeding anything I ever before witnessed'
map
https://bit.ly/39ajUQw
Epidemic
https://www.historymuseum.ca/blog/epidemic-at-grosse-ile/
"The Irish in Canada: The Untold Story."
http://gail25.tripod.com/grosse.htm
"A register of deceased persons at sea and on Grosse I?le in 1847" by Parks
Canada, 1997.
https://bit.ly/33Jv25D
Grosse Ile: island of the dead.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1483729/
The Ocean Plague: Or, A Voyage to Quebec in an Irish Emigrant Vessel By
Robert Whyte 1848
https://bit.ly/2UxD2T7
has some on the orphans "The Irish in America, Vol. 32"
By John Francis Maguire, William Joseph Hardee https://bit.ly/2xlRm9y
Chapter VIII (above book)
The Irish Exodus - The Quarantine at Grosse Isle - The Fever Sheds- Horrors
of the Plague -The Unknown- The Irish Orphans- The good Canadians
-Resistless Eloquence -One of the Orphans -The Forgotten
Name- The Plague in Montreal -How the Irish died- The Monument at Point St
Charles -The Grave mound in Kingston- An illustrious Victim in Toronto -How
the Survivors pushed on- The Irish in the Cities of Upper Canada (and more)
Cheers~
Teena
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 18:59:12 -0700
From: Teena <4theloveoftyr...@gmail.com>
To: UlsterAncestry@cotyrone.com
Subject: [UlsterAncestry] Pt. 10 Potato Blight 1846-49
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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
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End of UlsterAncestry Digest, Vol 24, Issue 24
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