Clifden Poor Law Union archive collection, Descriptive List, GPL3.pdf

GPL3/ Clifden Poor Law Union
B. Incoming Letter Books, 1849
Volumes with printed and handwritten letters and circular letters, primarily from the Poor
Law Commission, often signed by or on behalf of Secretary W Stanley, to the Board
regarding the running of the Union, in particular requesting various returns, such as on the
number of deaths in the workhouse and on expenditure, repayment of loans, surrender of
premises used for Kylemore auxiliary wards, the size of the Bunowen auxiliary house and
the number of inmates to be accommodated there, and upcoming election of Guardians.
Average size 250pp
108. 26 May 1849 - 4 August 1849 Includes:
- From the PLC „...that the building at Bunowen taken for the purpose of an auxiliary workhouse
will be ready for the reception of poor persons on the 4 th inst, and in reference thereto, I am to
state that the occupation of this building will afford you an opportunity of offering relief, on the
condition of entering the workhouse, to cases on the outdoor relief lists, which may be
considered to be doubtful‟ (4 Jun 1849).
- From the PLC „...in some cases the Meal given to persons receiving Out-door Relief is not of
the same quality as the sample on which the supplies were contracted for, and they desire me
to request the particular attention of the Guardians to the matter...‟ (11 Jun 1849).
- From Matthew Coney, Hermitage, Ballindoon, suspended Relieving Officer, seeking payment
of a „small instalment thereof to assist me on towards the support of my helpless family during
a [___] of unparalleled wretchedness in this afflicted county fraught with famine, pestilence and
but alas, Job‟s comforters were more consoling than personagse whom the Ruler of Rulers has
been in his mercy pleased to place over his creatures to manage for and succour them in their
trials...‟ (p7), and „I having also witnessed so much money laying out for other purposes, such
as embellishing auxiliary workhouse, etc., while thousands of our fellow creatures are perishing
through the country. I was impressed with the hope my humble application might be listened
to, but I believe the mighty of the day would as soon their humble fellow beings were all
annihilated; it is not to be wondered at that discontent from such treatment should be deeply
mis-planted in their throbbing bosoms‟ (pp9-10) (28 May 1849).
- Copy letter from George Wilkinson, Architect, regarding employment of a Clerk of Works to
oversee some works at the workhouse (25 Jun 1849).
- From PLC „...The Commissioners are satisfied that exclusive of the saving it would be to the
Union, there is not anything which tends more to improve the morals and habits of the poor
who are compelled to become inmates of workhouses than a regular system of industrial
employment, and they have therefore directed me again to request your attention to this
Cartlann Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe „…cuimhne dhoiciméadach Chontae na Gaillimhe a shealbhú, a chaomhnú agus a dhéanamh inrochtana’
Galway County Council - Archives „…to acquire, preserve and make accessible the documentary memory of county Galway’
70.