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Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP TM) Carlow Poor Law Union Page 7 |
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The first meeting of the Guardians was held in the Court House on Thursday,
November 5, 1840 where Colonel Bruen was elected Chairman,
Sir Thomas Butler
Vice-Chairman and William Fishbourne Deputy Vice-Chairman. At the December
Meeting George Wilson, Graigue was appointed Valuator with responsibility to
value all the rateable property in the Union, which comprised about 188,304
statute acres (County Carlow 151.935 acres. Queen's County 35,491 acres and
Kildare 878 acres). Robert Davies, Dublin Street was appointed Clerk of the
Union.
The Guardians preoccupation, following their establishment was centered on the
erection of the workhouse at the Kilkenny Road, and dealing with the valuation
of the Union, which took over two years to complete, followed by many objections
and appeals, which had to be adjudicated upon. The Guardians were also required
to provide a small-pox vaccination scheme and appoint medical practitioners to
operate same. Mr. Henry Montgomery, Dr. Payne and Dr. Bolton were engaged to
administer the scheme.
Elections were required to be held annually in the month of March. As the first
election was held in late 1840 the next election did not take place until March,
1842. The election was uncontested as the Liberal Party showed little or no
interest, and those nominated were declared elected. This resulted in the
constitution of the Board being Conservative in the proportion of 36 to 4.
During the months of June. July, and August, 1842 distress again visited Carlow
when prepared rice was sold at a reduced rate, with approximately twenty six
thousand quarts being distributed. In addition to alleviate the prevailing
poverty the Poor Fund Committee provided employment, during the period, with men
engaged in repairing streets and roads at Hanover, Pollerton, Green Lane.
Gallipot, Athy Road, Montgomery St. Graigue, The Quays and Kilkenny and Dublin
Roads.
While each Electoral Division was required only to support the destitute from
the area, the first rate to be struck in December, 1843 a general rate of 5d to
cover the following expenditure:
At the January Meeting 1844 the following Poor Rate Collectors were appointed to
the under-mentioned areas.
Matthew Griffin - Carlow,
Kellistown, Fenagh and Nurney
Joseph Malone - Tullow and
Grangeforth
John Moulton - Barragh and Myshall
John Cummins - Kiltennel. Borris,
Bagenalstown
Martin Hughes - Idrone West
Matthew Farrell - Shrule, Graigue
and Arles
It was also agreed at the January Meeting to appoint a Workhouse Master £60 p.a.
Matron £30 p.a. School Master £25 p.a., Mistress £15 p.a., Porter £12 p.a. and
Medical Officer £60 p.a. staff the workhouse which was nearing completion.
Subsequently following interviews conducted by the Guardians the under-mentioned
were appointed.
Master -
William Baird, Waterford
Matron -
Mrs. Mary Anne Rose, Dublin St., Carle
School Master -
Mr. Murphy. Parochial School, Graigue
School Mistress - Miss
Maryanne Noblett. Hacketstown
Porter -
Mr. Ward, Cariow
Medical Officer -
Dr. Porter, Carlow
The Clerk of the Union Robert Davies took charge of the Workhouse which was
completed on 18th October, 1844, and made arrangements for the reception of
inmates. The first applicants for admission were interviewed by the Guardians on
Thursday the 21 November. |
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