Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

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Sduddy
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Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:57 pm

I'd always thought that emigration assisted by the Poor Law Commissioners was confined to the orphan girls who were sent to Australia during the Great Famine, and who were written about by Naoise Ó Cléirigh, Gerard Madden and Michael MacMahon (for MacMahon’s article see “From Clare to Van Diemen’s Land: Some forgotten Mothers of Tasmania”: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... s_land.htm).

It was only when I was reading The American Irish: A History, (2000), by Kevin Kenny, that I found that about 20,000 (from the whole of Ireland) were assisted to emigrate by the Poor Law Commissioners – most of them inmates of the Workhouses (p 100). If that figure is spread evenly over the 32 counties, it would mean that about 625 people from each county were assisted, but, of course, the figure probably varies greatly from county to county. It should be noted that Kevin Kenny is writing about emigrants to America, and not to Australia, so the orphan girls are not included in this figure:
The only state-assisted migration in this period took place under the revised Poor Law of 1847, which allowed the use of poor law taxes to help destitute emigrants. If the landlord of holdings below a certain value paid two-thirds of his tenants’ passage money then the local Poor Law union would furnish the remainder. The unwillingness or inability of most landlords to participate, combined with the financial collapse or bankrupsy of most Poor Law unions under the pressure of the late 1840s, meant that only about 5,000 emigrants received assistance in this way. In addition, some 15,000 inmates of poorhouses and orphanages, mostly young women and children, were removed to America between 1851 and 1855. The vast majority of famine emigrants, however, had to make their own way out of Ireland to America. The chief form of assistance available to them came not from landlords or the state, but from their own relatives in America. Remarkably, it was calculated in 1867 that more than $120 million had been sent from the United Sates by Irish immigrants over the preceding twenty years
[note 24, Chapter 3: Cousens, ‘Regional Pattern of Emigration’, 121-3; Gray, Irish Famine, 101; Robert J. Scally, The End of Hidden Ireland: Rebellion, Famine and Emigration (New York, 1995), Chapters 3 and 6; Miller, Emigrants and Exiles, 296; George Potter, To the Golden Door; the Story of the Irish in Ireland and America (Boston, 1960), 126-8; McDonagh, 'Irish Famine Emigration', 395]
The only other place I’ve seen Poor Law assisted emigration to America described is in a this interesting article, 'Emigration From the Limerick Workhouse, 1848-1860', by Chris O’Mahony, published in the Old Limerick Journal*, Vol. 10, Spring 1982: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/Media,3958,en.pdf

*Most of the articles in The Old Limerick Journal 1979 – 1990, Vols 1-27, are available online: http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/Loca ... fvols1-27/ ,including some that will be of interest to people from Co. Clare, and many that are of general interest. Here are a few that I picked out:

'The Broadford Soviet', by Michael McCarthy, Vol. 4, September 1980: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/Media,3937,en.pdf

'Building the Workhouses', by P.J. Meghen, Vol. 7, Summer 1981: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/Media,3942,en.pdf

'The Evolution of Local Government', by Tony McMahon, Vol. 10, Spring 1982: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/evolut ... 20govt.pdf

'The Old West Clare', by Frank Roberts, Vol. 14, Spring 1883: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/old%20west%20clare.pdf

'The Parteen Eviction', by Michael McCarthy, Vol. 27, Autumn 1990: http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/Media,4048,en.pdf

Sheila

Sduddy
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Re: Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:19 am

I see now that Poor Law Assisted Emigration is described after the third bullet point in this article, ‘Emigration – (The Great Famine)’, in the History page of clarelibrary.ie: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... igrate.htm
I think the figure of 1592 emigrants, in the years 1849-1851, must be for the whole of Ireland.

I found another article by Chris O’Mahony, ‘Emigration from the Workhouses of the Mid-West, 1848-1859: An Overview’, in the Famine Edition of The Old Limerick Journal (1995): http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/emigra ... houses.pdf
I think the figures at the end of the article, for each union, are for emigrants to every country – not just America. Note that some unions (Corofin, Killadysart and Tulla) did not come into existence until 1851, so the figure for each of those, for earlier years, is 0.

At the end of that article there is a reference (Note 6) to an earlier article by the author, which was published in The Other Clare, 1983. This was ‘Emigration from Kilrush Workhouse 1848-1859’ (pp 38-41). Reading through it, I see that most of the information is taken from the minutes of the Kilrush Union meetings, and probably some of it can be found in the Kilrush Union Minute Books 1849: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... inutes.htm. Many names are mentioned, but it seems it’s not always possible to say what port the emigrant was sent to. For instance, on 03.06.1854, a suit of clothes was provided for James Cartney “to assist his emigration to America”. But sometimes quite a bit of information is given: “14 July 1855: £4 for Daniel, Michael and Ellen Markham of Drumellihy for America, their sister having sent £10”.
Altogether it is a very interesting article and a great pity that it is not available online.

Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
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Re: Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Thu Aug 01, 2019 1:54 pm

And now I see that Chris O’Mahony has an article, ‘Emigration from the workhouses of County Clare 1848-59’ (pp 265-87), in Clare History and Society (Geography Society, 2008). This gives a lot of the information contained in his previous articles, but also enlarges on it. He says,
In the following pages the data for each of the poor law unions in Co. Clare will be examined and a database of known emigrants will be constructed. Records are somewhat patchy, especially for the larger groups whose names are rarely listed. Emigrants from the workhouses will be discussed under three categories: orphans, other groups, individuals and families. Each of the three categories of emigration will be analysed and an attempt will be made to identify the emigrants (p 266).
1. He explains that the 113 orphan girls, who were emigrated from the Co. Clare workhouses (Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Scariff) between May 1848 and April 1850, constituted only a drop in the ocean of orphans living in workhouses in Ireland at that time (in 1852, the number was 22,771 orphans). The minute books that have survived do not give the names of those 113 orphans, but, according to O’Mahony, they have been identified from passenger lists by Trevor McClaughlin, author of 'Barefoot and Pregnant?’ Irish famine orphans in Australia. Most of the girls travelled together on the Thomas Arbuthnot, which arrived in Sydney on 03.02.1850. All 40 girls from Ennis poor law union have been identified, along with age, native place and parents, and are listed by O'Mahony. Of the 23 from Ennistymon poor law union, 18 have been identified, along with age, native place and parents. All 20 from Scarriff poor law union, have been identified, along with age, native place and parents (Scarriff poor law union included some of Co. Galway, so a few girls are from there). The 30 girls, who went from Kilrush poor law union, went on the Pemberton, which arrived in Melbourne on 14, May 1849. All have been identified, but native place and parents’ names were not required in Melbourne and were not given for these girls. O'Mahony says not all of the “orphans” were orphans - the records show that some had one parent who was still alive.

2. A second programme of emigration operated between 1851 and 1854. Under this programme, Scarriff union emigrated 496 (O’Mahony acknowledges information from A pride of paper tigers: a history of the great hunger in the Scarriff union from 1839-1853, by M. O’Gorman, published by East Clare Heritage Centre, 1994); Kilrush union emigrated 434; Ennistymon emigrated 286; Killadysert union (one of the 4 newly created unions) emigrated 147. Most of these unions also participated in centrally arranged inter-union groups to Tasmania in 1851-1854; 40 of the Scarriff emigrants were females who were sent to Tasmania; 34 of the Scarriff emigrants went under the inter-union group – also to Tasmania. Scarriff “also despatched 147 emigrants (131 female adults, 6 children and 10 adult males) in 1852”.
Kilrush sent 45 female aduts to Tasmania under the centrally-funded inter-union group (the Kilrush union minutes of 31 May 1851 acknowledge funding received). All the others (389 - mostly unmarried female adults) were sent to Quebec.
Ennis union sent 54 to Tasmania under the 1851 inter-union scheme, but “were clearly not interested in any further participation in the process”.
Ennistymon sent 50 girls to Tasmania under the inter-union scheme in 1851, and then sent a large group to Quebec (estimated by O’Mahony as about 370). The financing of both these schemes is recorded in the Ennisytmon minute books, but the names of the emigrants are not given, except in the case of a smaller ‘postcript’ group of 12 young women to Quebec, whose names are noted by O’Mahony.
Killadysert union has no extant minute books, but O’Mahony says that the annual returns show that 30 went on the 1851 inter-union group to Tasmania, and 39 went to Quebec in 1854.
Tulla union has no extant minute books, but annual returns show that 30 went to Tasmania in 1851, and 25 girls went to Western Australia in 1852.
Corofin sent 20 girls to Tasmania in 1851.

O’ Mahony goes on to describe another scheme, which initiated by a Mr. Lucas: “In Spring 1854, Mr. Lucas, poor law inspector, visited various Clare poor law unions announcing that he had come to an agreement with Mr. Spaight of Limerick to send 200 young women to Quebec on the Jane Black at £4 per head”. This resulted in 146 female paupers sailing on the Jane Black on 18 April: one female adult from Ennis, 36 female adults from Ennistymon, 25 female adults and 14 children from Killadysert, 46 female adults and 7 children from Kilrush; 24 female adults and 10 children from Scarriff. Most of the children were teenage girls.

3. Moving on to the individual emigrants, O’Mahony says that “trying to reconcile the ‘statistical’ returns and the minute books is frequently a vain task". Nevertheless he has put together records for many emigrants by using what has survived of workhouse indoor registers, correspondence and ledgers. Again he gives what he has found on each union: Regarding Ballyvaughan union, he finds that, between 1849 and 1859, very little use was made of emigration schemes. Only 6 people were emigrated: 4 adults went to either Melbourne or Sydney, and two children to Troy in upstate New York. He goes through all the other unions giving some information on emigrants from each one: Corofin (9 lines), Ennis (a short paragraph), Ennistymon (one and a half pages); Killadysert (7 lines), Kilrush (5 pages), Scarriff (6 lines), Tulla (5 lines). All very interesting, but especially Kilrush.

O’Mahony’s research shows that the effects of the Great Famine became most obvious about 1850 and continued so for a couple of years. I found the very same when going through the baptism records - the drop in numbers was at its highest in 1850-1851.

Sheila

Sduddy
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Re: Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Sat Jan 23, 2021 4:54 pm

The Clare Journal of Thurs 8 Jan 1863 reported on the meeting of the board of Guardians of Ennis Union, which had been held the previous day. The Board took the routine statement on the state of the house and then moved to the subject of emigration from the workhouse:
The Clare Journal, Thur 8 Jan 1863:
Ennis Board of Guardians. The usual weekly meeting of this body was held in the Board-room of the workhouse yesterday, at one o’clock, p.m. – Major MacDonnell in the chair. The other members present were – Michael Kerin, John McMahon, John Cullinan, Major Studdert, Thomas Keane, J.P.; Patrick Daly, William Halpin, Daniel O’Keeffe, and Hugh O’Loughlin, J.P.
State of the House. Remaining in the house on Saturday, January 3, 479; admitted, 0; born, 0; died, 0; discharged, 0; Healthy and infirm, 253; Fever hospital, 9; infirmary, 217. Total, 479. General average cost, 2s 2d.
Emigration. The Very Rev. Dean Kenny, appeared before the Board to ascertain whether the Guardians were disposed to collect any funds to assist a young woman named Ellen Ryder, who is an inmate of the house, to emigrate. Dean Kenny produced two letters, one from the young woman’s sister in America, and the other from her mother in reference to the case, and from the statements contained in them it appeared that the young woman in America was willing to send 20 dollars to Ennis to enable Ellen Ryder to emigrate to her, and that she had actually taken steps to have the money sent, but was informed in America that she would have to pay 30 dollars for the 20 before she could effect her object. Ellen Ryder herself has been about twelve months an inmate of the Ennis work-house.
After considering all the circumstances of the case, the guardians agreed to advance £4 to enable the girl to go to her sister, provided her friends made up the remainder, which would be about £3.
The Clerk then read the following letter [from the] Government Emigration Board, 8 Park-street, Westminster, 3rd January, 1863. “Sir – I have to acknowledge your letter of the 31st ultimo, requesting to be informed whether the Government would grant assistance to emigrate 25 young women from Ennis Union. In reply, I am to explain that the funds, at the disposal of this Board, for assisting persons wishing to emigrate are supplied, not by the Home Government, but by such of the Colonies as wish to import particular descriptions of labour. The only Colony which, at present, has remitted funds to us, with a request to select emigrants for free passage is Victoria, and the Colonial Authorities have specified the class of females to be assisted. We are soliciting of this Colony trained indoor domestic servants, of good character, who have lived out in respectable families for wages. Inmates of workhouses and prisons, in habitual receipt of parish relief, we are not authorized to send out. We regret, therefore, that it is not in our power to assist the young women in question. With regard to the desire of the Board of Guardians to be informed what Colony the Commissioners recommend, I am to state that it is difficult to offer advice to intending settlers as to the choice of a Colony, as so much depends upon opportunities which are constantly varying, and also the energy and previous habits of the individuals concerned. Canada, however, is the Colony reached at the least cost of time and money, and offers a large and promising a field for industry as any of our Colonies. The cost of steerage passage to Quebec, including provisions during the voyage, would probably be about £5, but on this point, should the Guardians be able to provide the necessary protection during the voyage – which would be a difficulty in the case – the Emigration officer at Queenstown or at Liverpool would, on your applying to him, furnish you with the exact rates of passage, and afford you any assistance in securing passages in a suitable vessel. The homes and addresses of these officers are noted in the margin. But there will be no sailing vessels before March next, as the navigation of the St. Lawrence is closed during the winter. It is, moreover, a bad time of the year for emigrants to arrive in the Colony much before May, as they might find difficulty in obtaining situations. It would be advisable, I may add, if the Guardians came to the conclusion of sending out the young women in question to Canada, that they should communicate the intended arrivals of the emigrants to the Emigration agent at Quebec, A. C. Buchanan, Esq., who would do all in his power to assist them in obtaining employment, and would forward them to the most suitable localities, if the Guardians remit to him, as is frequently done in like cases, any sum they may think proper for paying the inland travelling expenses. I enclose, in case it may be of service to emigrants, two small pamphlets, relating to Canada.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, S. Walcott.”
The Chairman then proposed that the best thanks of the Board be given to the Emigration Commissioners for the very satisfactory communication which had been received from them. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
The Chairman called the attention of the Board to the fact that he had seen it stated in a Dublin newspaper that there were funds in the hands of the Mansion House Committee, to the amount of £2,500, which had been sent from Victoria for distribution in the destitute districts of the South and West of Ireland. Those who sent the money were of the opinion that, if the distress did not amount to actual famine, the money should be expended in assisting poor persons to emigrate to Victoria. It was now a question, whether the Board should not make application to the Mansion House Committee, for the purpose of seeing if any of the funds in hands could be given to the Board to assist inmates of the Workhouse to emigrate.
Mr. Kerin thought that there was no harm in making the application, but it was not probable the committee would give any of the money for the purpose.
Mr. Keane observed that there was a great deal of distress in the County Clare at the present time.
After some further conversation, the Clerk was instructed to write to the Mansion House Committee on the subject.
The Clare Journal, Thur 29 Jan 1863: Ennis Board of Guardians. Extract taken from report on the meeting of the board held on the previous day:
The Dublin Relief Committee [The Mansion House Committee]. The Clerk read a letter for the Relief of Distress, in reply to a communication forwarded by the Board, asking for a portion of money sent from Australia, to assist the poor of the South and West of Ireland to emigrate to that colony. The letter contained an extract from the minutes of the Central Committee [of the Mansion House Committee], informing the Board that the Committee had reserved for another Winter the funds in question, rather than to expend them at present on emigration.
Emigration. Mr. Kerin observed he saw placards distributed through the town of Ennis in reference to emigration to Queensland.
Mr. Greene believed that the best place to select for emigrants was Canada.
Mr. Kerin said he would rather go to Queensland.
Mr. Greene replied that the Emigration Commissioners would not take paupers from the workhouse as emigrants to Queensland. Besides the voyage was a long one and the terms were higher than those for Canada. He had been making inquiries on the subject of Canadian emigration, and he had learned from a friend who was in Canada that as soon as a ship arrived at the port from Limerick with emigrants, the people found employment of some kind immediately, but he observed that no emigrant need go there without at least a pound or thirty shillings in his or her pocket. The season was now advancing, and if anything could be done by the Board to promote emigration it should be done at once. In his opinion the Clerk should be instructed to write to the emigration agents to ascertain the terms upon which emigrants would be received to Canada, and that in the meantime the master and matron of the workhouse should be directed to prepare an estimate of the probable cost of an outfit to the paupers.
Major Studdert considered it would be better to select Queensland than Canada.
Mr. Greene – But they will not take paupers to Queensland. Your were officially informed to that effect some weeks ago.
The Chairman – They will not take any person to Queensland who is in receipt of parish relief.
Major Studdert suggested that if the paupers could be sent on the terms of paying the reduced sale of passage money it would be well. The cost of each in that case would be about £4.
Mr. Greene replied it would require to have persons in Australia to advance the requisite sum of money there, in order to get the paupers received as emigrants, and how was the Board to do that?
Mr. Kerin said it was announced in the hand-bills circulated through the town that the cost of passage money was £8 for males, and £4 for females.
Major Studdert said they would be required to pay £4, if the emigrants would be taken on such terms.
The Chairman – Let the Clerk write to ascertain whether the paupers would be taken if the Board consented to pay £4 for each one. I am at present emigrating 30 families off my estate to Queensland.
The Clerk was then directed to write for the necessary information.
The Clare Journal, Thur 12 Feb 1863: Ennis Board of Guardians. Extract taken from report on the meeting of the board held on the previous day:
Emigration. Several letters were received by the Clerk from emigration agents, in reference to the cost of sending out emigrants. One from Mr. Thomas Gibson, of Kilrush, proposed that the writer was willing to send out adults from the workhouse, free from Ennis to New York, for £4 10s per head, and to Quebec for £5, including bed and bedding. Another from Messrs. Sabel and Searle, of Liverpool, stating that - “ We are prepared to take any number of healthy girls from your union, and land them at Quebec, on the following terms, viz: - By the Culloden sailing ship from Liverpool, about April 5th to 10th, including fare from Dublin to Liverpool, per steamer, and outfit for bedding and utensils for £4 13s per adult. By steamer direct from Cork, 8th to 11th April, at £5 13s, including bedding and utensils, your Board of Guardians paying their fare by rail to Cork.”
The Clare Journal, Thur 26 Feb 1863: Ennis Board of Guardians. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
Emigration. Several letters were read from emigration agents in reply to communications from the Board, in reference to the terms upon which pauper inmates of the house could be sent to the colonies.
From one dated July 5, Francis-street, Kilrush, we take the following extract:
“We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter of yesterday’s date, and, in reply, beg to state the government of Queensland are taking out single domestic servants at £4 each, but the number to be taken by each ship in this way is small and uncertain. Dr. Quinn, the Bishop of Brisbane, is taking both males and females out at £7 10s. His brother, the Very Rev. Dr. Quinn, who conducts the Irish portion of the business, is at present engaged in making arrangements for conducting the emigration movement on a large scale. If he should succeed to his satisfaction we shall have great pleasure in communicating with you on the subject, as we are his sole agents in Clare. We also act as agents on the government plan. If the latter plan should be preferred, and that our agency shall be employed in the case named by you, certificates of age and character should by supplied to us, and we would get down forms to be filled up.” The question of emigration having been considered it was moved by Mr. Greene and seconded by Mr. Kerin: “That it is the opinion of this Board that it would be in the interest of the Union to emigrate to Canada, 25 girls who have been from time to time in the house for the past few years, and that the Clerk be directed to advertise for tenders for emigrating the above number to Quebec, free from Ennis, including provisions, furniture, bedding and all the necessary utensils connected with same. The agent of the party tendering will have to take charge of the emigrants from Ennis, and see them on board ship. Tenders will be received this day week.”
The Clerk was directed to write to the Waterford Union, to ascertain what steps the guardians there have taken in reference to emigration.

The Clare Journal, Thur 5 Mar 1863, published an advertisement, placed by the Ennis Board of Guardians, seeking tenders for taking charge of emigrating 25 girls (inmates of the workhouse) to Canada:
Ennis Union. Emigration from the Workhouse. The Board of Guardians having decided on sending out as Emigrants to Canada, 25 young girls, will on Wednesday, the 18th of March next, receive Tenders for Emigrating them to Quebec from Ennis, including travelling expenses to the port of embarkation, supplying them with Provisions, Furniture, Bedding, and all necessary utensils for the voyage, At – per Head. The parties tendering, or their agents, will be required to take charge of the emigrants from Ennis to the place of embarkation and seen them safe on board.
Tenders to be sent through post, and marked “Tender for Emigration,” in sufficient time to be received on the morning of the above-named day.
(By order) John Cotter, Clerk of the Union, Board-room, 25th February, 1863.
The Clare Journal, Thur 19 Mar 1863, published this advertisement, placed by the Board of Guardians, Ennis Union:
Ennis Union. Emigration Outfit. The Board of Guardians will, on Wednesday, the 1st of April next, will receive tenders for supplying them with the undermentioned articles for the girls they are sending out as emigrants.
220 yards of winsey,
90 yards of print wrappers,
25 tweed cloaks,
25 straw bonnets plainly trimmed,
25 pairs of strong boots,
50 pairs of worsted or cotton stockings,
50 towels,
25 pocket handkerchiefs,
25 neck handkerchiefs,
6 boxes,
Tenders to be sent in this fortnight, through post with samples of each article advertised for. By Order, John Cotter, Clerk of Union. Board-room, March 18th, 1863.
The Clare Journal, Thurs 26 Mar 1863:
Ennis Union: A letter was read from the commissioners in reference to the subject of the proposed emigration of the girls to Canada. The Clerk was directed to fill up the forms with the necessary particulars inserted therein.
The Board arranged and had 25 young girls selected on the approval of the medical officer, for emigration to Canada, and Mr. Gibson, of Kilrush, was declared the contractor, at £5 18s per adult, by steamer from Ennis to Quebec, including beds, bedding, and cooking utensils and plenty of cooked provision, and to see them embarked under his own inspection.
The Clare Journal, Thur 16 Apr 1863: Ennis Union. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
Emigration. The master directed attention to the fact that outfits of the females who are to be emigrated at the expense of the Union were received, and were ready for inspection by the Board. Some of the members of the Board examined the different articles, which consisted of cloaks, bonnets, and shawls and pronounced them very suitable for the purpose and in accordance with the contract. It was stated by the Master that the matron had also minutely examined the articles and approved of them.
The Clare Journal, Thurs 21 May 1863: Ennis Union. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
Emigration. The Chairman siad that a letter had been received from Mr. Gibson, the emigration agent, stating that he would be prepared to take charge of the pauper emigrants at Limerick, and see them put on board ship at Cork on the 23rd inst., directing that the Board should pay for their board and lodgings after they left Ennis. Having read the terms of the original contract, the Chairman observed that Mr. Gibson’s proposition now was inconsistent with that contract. In a letter from him, under date of the 31st March, Mr. Gibson undertook to pay all the extra expense to be incurred, in consequence of his own inability to fulfill the contract; and he (the Chairman) must say that the last proposal was at variance with that contract.
Mr. Studdert said there was no doubt that Mr. Gibson’s proposition was a great humbug for he wanted the Board to pay what he was himself bound to pay.
Dr. Evans – he has not kept faith with the Board.
Mr. Studdert – His not keeping faith with the Board in the first instance might not have been under his control, but here is a case under his own control and he wants to make us pay the extra expense.
Dr. Evans said that he would move the resolution that the contractor be required to fulfill his contract.
Mr. Studdert – According to the original tender he is bound to pay the expense of the girls from Ennis.
The Chairman read the terms of the contract confirming Mr. Studdert’s statement.
After some conversation, Dr. Evans moved a resolution to the effect that all extra expense attending the emigration of the girls, to be incurred by the non-fulfillment of Mr. Gibson’s contract, be deducted from his account against the Board.
Mr. Studdert seconded the resolution which was adopted.
It was then agreed to place the emigrants in the charge of Mrs. Foy, the very efficient matron of the workhouse, and Mrs. Foy was directed to accompany them to Cork to see them on board ship. Miss Macnamara, the schoolmistress, was directed to accompany Mrs. Foy the length of Limerick, or to Cork if deemed necessary. According to the terms of Mr. Gibson’s letter, the writer of it was to be waiting in Limerick for the arrival of the girls.
The admission of paupers was then proceeded with after which the Board adjourned
The Clare Journal, Thur 28 May 1863: Ennis Union. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
The Pauper Emigrants. Mrs Foy, the matron, communicated to the Board the circumstances accompanying the departure of the pauper emigrants under her charge, from the time they left Ennis, until they arrived at Cork, the port of embarkation. Mr. Gibson, the emigration agent, she said was waiting in Limerick to receive the emigrants, and she stated that the conduct of Mr. Gibson to them was exceedingly kind and humane. She herself saw them on board ship, and found that they were provided by Mr. Gibson with every requisite.
The Chairman said the Board was very happy to hear such a satisfactory account of the emigrants. A notice of motion was given by the chairman for rescinding the resolution adopted at the previous meeting, for deducting from Mr. Gibson’s account, the extra expense to which the Board had been put, in consequence of the delay in sending away the emigrants.
Major MacDonnell, the vice-chairman, having arrived, Mr. Green vacated the chair in his favour.
Mr. Cotter applied on behalf of a party for some pecuniary assistance to enable the person to emigrate, but the circumstances of the case were such as would not justify the Board in complying with the application.
Mr. Greene said he had a better case than Mr. Cotter’s, to bring under their notice. It was a case of a girl named Bridget Lyons, who had been five years an inmate of the house, and whose mother had just sent for her from America, paying her passage from Liverpool, together with £1 to help to pay the other necessary expenses to be incurred by the little girl. It would require an additional sum of £2 10s to procure the outfit, and he had now to ask the Board to give their consent to the granting of the money.
The Board approved of the application, and voted £2 10s subject to the approval of the Commissioners.
Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:36 am

It seems that all 25 girls arrived safely in Quebec:
The Clare Journal, Thur 23 Jul 1863:
Ennis Board of Guardians. The usual weekly meeting of this body was held in the Board-Room of the workhouse yesterday at twelve o’clock. Mr. Michael Kerin occupied the chair and, subsequently, it was occupied by Mr. Thomas Greene. The other members present were – Messrs. W. Cotter, J. McMahon and J. Lyons. The business transacted was of no public importance whatever.
State of the House. Remaining in the house 11 th July, 505; admitted since, 21; discharged, 27; died, 2; born, O; Remaining in the house the 18th inst, 497; healthy and infirm, 267; in fever hospital, 14; in infirmary, 216; total, 497. [breakdown of cost per person here]
The Board approved of the sweeping brushes supplied by Mr. R. McGrath; bass brooms by Michael Rynne; and 500 yards of linen, by Mr. J. McGrath, High-street.
On the motion of Mr. Kerin, and carried unanimously, it was ordered that as in the kind provision of God, the potato crop cultivated in the grounds of the Board had been blessed abundantly this year, the inmates of the workhouse should be provided with a dinner of new potatoes and milk on Sunday next, it being “Garland Sunday.”
Emigration from the Ennis Workhouse. It will no doubt be very satisfactory to many persons to know that the batch of emigrants from the Ennis Union to Quebec, arrived safely at their destination and actually obtained employment on the course of a few hours after their arrival. Several of the young women have sent back letters, stating that they have been comfortably settled and thanking the Board of Guardians in their own unsophisticated way for their great kindness in sending them to a country where they can earn a suitable subsistence by honest industry, and at the same time not forgetting to mention in grateful terms the many acts of kindness and civility which they had experienced in the workhouse from the master and matron while under their charge. The rate of wages, it appears, in Quebec, for domestic servants is from 2 and a half dollars to 3 dollars per month. One of the letters concludes by saying “May God bless our good gentlemen (the Guardians) and the Master and Mistress.” We should not omit to state that the girls praise in the warmest manner the Captain and officers of the ship for their many considerated attentions to them on the passage.
Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Tue May 25, 2021 11:00 am

Following the emigration of the 25 girls to Quebec, there were, from time to time, applications for assistance to emigrate from inmates of the workhouse, plus some (more and more as time went on) from those living outside the workhouse, who were in poor circumstances, but there was no emigration of a whole group of people - until twenty years later.

On 4 July 1883, 72 emigrants went to the U.S. (3 families to Boston and all the others to New York). Another group of 169 emigrants were scheduled to go Canada*, but I can’t find any report of their departure. These emigrants were the beneficiaries of a special emigration scheme set up by Government under the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Act, 1882. The scheme was to be administered by the Board of Local Government of Ireland (which had replaced the Poor Law Commissioners in 1873) and the people to benefit by it were to be selected by the various Local Boards of Guardians of Poor Law Unions. A circular setting out the terms of the scheme was sent to each Board, and the terms were also published in the Freeman’s Journal of Thur 2 Nov 1882**. Administration of the scheme was not easy: each Poor Law Unions was made up of several districts, but only some districts qualified for the assistance on offer; in order to decide which districts should qualify, the Board of Local Government used a formula based on valuation. The emigrants from Co. Clare came from just five*** of the Electoral Districts of the Ennis Poor Law Union – I don’t think any other Poor Law Union in Co. Clare availed of this emigration scheme. Many of the guardians of the Unions opposed state-assisted emigration, considering it a plan for the depopulation of the country and the wrong response to the real needs of Ireland. The window of opportunity for availing of the scheme was only six months; when the Co. Clare emigrants were leaving on the 4th July 1883, the scheme had already closed – the funds allowed having dried up by May 1883. No more applications were considered after that date.

Clare Freeman, Wed 4 Jul 1883:
Departure of the Assisted Emigrants from the Ennis Union. On Saturday afternoon the magnificent steamship “Austrian,” 3,000 tons burthen, Captain Barrett, one of the fleet of the Allan Line, entered the Shannon direct from Queenstown and anchored a little below Foynes Island. About 70 state-aided emigrants had just arrived at Foynes from Ennis Workhouse. At the same time 150 state-aided emigrants from the Glin Union [County Limerick] had also arrived and were with the others arrayed in readiness upon the pier awaiting the approach of H.M. Gunboat “Orwell” to assist in their embarkation. The intending emigrants of both sexes looked exceedingly comfortable, and would scarcely be recognised as going to seek their fortunes in the New World under the auspices of a benevolent Act of Parliament. The embarkation was personally conducted by the energetic agent of the Allen Line, Mr James A Grant, who accompanied the party to the “Austrian” and saw them provided with comfortable berths. Nor must we forget to add that the deepest interest was also felt in the welfare of the poor people by the Commander of the “Orontes” Captain Needham, whose sympathies appeared quite stirred by some of the usual affecting sights consequent upon the embarkation. The splendid ship having received the large draft of emigrated on board, signalled its preparation to lift anchor, and in a few hours after entering the Shannon, once more stood to sea on its way to the New World.
On the 14th inst. the Canadian Emigrants from the Ennis Union will make their departure form the same port of embarkation in another steamer of the Allan Line.
*A discussion during a meeting of the Ennis Board of Guardians on Sat 30 Jun 1883 mentions that 169 are going to Canada (see below).

** Freeman’s Journal, Thur 2 Nov 1882: The Arrears Act – Emigration. The following rules have been prescribed by the Lord Lieutenant in relation to the Emigration of poor persons under the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Sections of the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Act, 1882, and are applicable to unions scheduled under this act: [the details follow here].

*** the districts of Ennis, Furroor, Kilcloher, Killaniv, and Kinturk.

The Clare Freeman did not report on every meeting of the Board of Guardians, but such reports as I found give some idea of how the scheme was received and the discussions that followed. Unfortunately there is no report on the selection of the emigrants and no report (that I can find) on the group that was scheduled to go to Canada:

Clare Freeman, Wed 20 Dec 1882:
Kilrush Union. Proposed by Mr M Studdert and seconded by Mr C Martin: That they would approve of the emigration clause in the new Land Act, to which all the guardians differed in opinion. Thomas Brew, J.P., in a most eloquent and lengthened speech entirely differed from Mr Studdert and said the ruin of Ireland would be to depopulate it.
Clare Freeman, Sat 30 Dec 1882:
The Government and Emigration. A Times Second Edition telegram, dated Philadelphia, Wednesday, says Major Gaskell, of Dublin, member of the Government Emigration Commission, has arrived at Boston. He says it is not high rents that cause the Irish anxiety to emigrate, but inadequate crops; that he comes to examine into arrangements for the reception of emigrants and that the object of the British Government is not to send people out against their will, nor to stimulate emigration, but to help those who are determined to go but who do not possess the means of doing so. The Government instructions are that none shall be sent till the commissioners be satisfied that there is a fair prospect of employment upon arrival, while care will be taken of them if it be necessary for them to remain at the landing place.
Clare Freeman, Sat 17 Mar 1883:
Ennis Union. Emigration Act. [a letter regarding Emigration scheme] “Dublin, 10th March, 1883. Sir, The Local Government Board for Ireland have under consideration a resolution of the Board of Guardians of the Ennis Union on the 21st ult., applying to have the union scheduled under the provisions of the 20th sec. of the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Act, 1883, together with the particulars since received, and the Board desire to state that having recommended to the Lord Lieutenant the scheduling of the Electoral Divisions of Ennis, Furroor, Kilcloher, Killaniv, and Kinturk, His Excellency has approved of those divisions being added to the second Schedule of the Act. The Local Government Board on careful consideration of the circumstances of the other Electoral Divisions of the Union, with the particulars furnished by the return forwarded, do not feel justified in including these divisions in the schedule. The Local Government Board think it right to state that the Board of Guardians in considering the question of persons to be assisted to emigrate must not rely upon the maximum grant of £5 being allowed per head on every Electoral Division, as the sum must depend on the circumstances of each Electoral Division scheduled. The Board will, however, address the guardians again with respect to the grant for each person, which will be met in the Scheduled Division. Two copies of the rules framed under the 21 Section of the Act, and a copy of the Board’s circular of the 2nd inst., are enclosed for the guardians information. By Order, W. D. Woodsworth.”
The Clerk read the printed circular which says “as a rule the Government grants shall be applied to the emigration of whole families, but in exceptional cases individuals approved of by the guardians may be assisted to emigrate, and in the case of married couples or other persons approved of by the guardians till they arrive at their destination.”
The Chairman – They have put on only five Electoral Divisions. You will have union rating passed this session, and the other divisions would have to pay the money we borrowed.
Mr W. Cotter did not think the people ought to be sent out of the country; he was opposed to emigrating them.
The Chairman thought the funds should be for those who had been turned out of their holdings, men with families who had no prospects at home. In Newmarket there was a tenant evicted; he was anxious to emigrate, but as the division was not scheduled he cannot come under the Act.
Mr Ryan – On whose property was he evicted?
The Chairman – Mr Vandeleur’s; his was the first application that came before us; he has six children.
Mr Ryan – It is a hard case; there is not a division in the union in which you won’t find evicted tenants or broken down tenants, and what can be done for them when the whole union is not scheduled?
Mr Mungovan – We should send a strong resolution to the Local Government Board on the subject.
Clare Freeman, Sat 24 Mar 1883:
Ennis Union. Emigration under the Arrears Act.[A letter regarding the Emigration Scheme] “Local Government Board Office, Dublin, 19th March, 1883.
Sir – With reference to the letter addressed to you informing the Board of Guardians of the Ennis Union that the Lord Lieutenant has been pleased to consent to certain Electoral Divisions of the Union being scheduled under the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Act, 1882, and enclosing copies of circulars made under the Act, and the Local Government Board of Ireland desire to state that the Guardians will observe that the grants which may be made under the 20th sec. of the Act must not exceed £5 per each person, for whom the means of emigrating may be provided under the Act. The Local Government Board are enabled to state that at present the following grant will be allowed for each emigrant selected in the scheduled Electoral Divisions of Ennis union whose emigration may be approved in the manner prescribed by the rules made under the Act. For each applicant in Ennis £5; Furroor, £5; Kinturk, £5; Kilcloher, £4; and Killaniv, £4.
If the guardians desire to take advantage of the provisions of the Act above mentioned and to make arrangements for the emigration of poor persons resident in any of the scheduled Electoral Divisions of their Union, the Local Government Board will furnish them with forms for the purpose and also with the form of application for consent of any loan that may be required in addition to or supplementing the grant per head, and will instruct one of the members of the Emigration Committee to afford them the necessary assistance. By order, W.D. Woodsworth, Secretary.”
Clare Freeman, Sat 31 Mar 1883:
The Emigration Clauses of the Land Act. Adverting to the discussion which took place at last meeting of the Board relative to the schedule of only five electoral divisions of the Union under the Emigration clauses of the Land Act.
The Chairman said that he was not so anxious to encourage emigration, but if they were to take advantage of the Act, it would be desirable to have the entire Union scheduled, as certain cases might occur in the divisions not scheduled, to which it would be desirable to extend the provisions.
Mr O’Brien – How will you draw the lines?
The Chairman – It rests with the emigration Commissioners.
Mr Wm Cotter – We had a long discussion on this subject on last day, and Major Fox said one of the Emigration Commissioners would be sent down to assist the guardians in making a selection for the applicants. Exceptional cases would however crop up and it would be unfair to give certain divisions an advantage under the Act and to exclude others. He agreed with the Chairman as to the expediency of having the entire Union scheduled.
The Chairman – I thought it would be necessary to pass a resolution, but the Clerk suggests it would be better not to, and that we would trust the Local Government Board to admit these exceptional cases that may arise in the divisions not scheduled.
Mr W Cotter – The board would be powerless; they could not manage except the division was scheduled.
Mr Greene – There is a strong feeling outside against this system of emigration.
Mr Halpin – We can do nothing till we get Home Rule and have the management of our own affairs.
After a desultory conversation on the subject the chairman with the approval of the board, drew up the following resolution, which passed unanimously: -
“Resolved – That the board earnestly request the Local Government Board to reconsider their determination only to schedule certain electoral divisions under the Emigration Clause of the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Act, and they desire to express their hope that the board will consent to schedule the whole union, so as to enable the guardians to deal with cases which may arise through extreme hardship, owning to the parties being within non-scheduled unions.”
A large number of applications under the Emigration Clause of the Arrears of Rent Act, the consideration of which had been adjourned from previous meetings, were again submitted to the Board. The Chairman said there was no use at present in going into any application, not in the scheduled divisions. It was better to refer them to the Clerk and let him make out a list furnishing particulars in each case.
The Clerk said it would be impossible for him to do it with the multiplicity of other duties he had to attend to.
Mr Wm Cotter – You can get assistance.
The Chairman made an order that the application be made in the first instance to the Guardian of the Division, and that notice to that effect be given.
Clare Freeman, Wed 11 Apr 1883:
The Exodus from West Clare, Kilrush, Monday. Although the districts of West Clare have not been scheduled by the guardians of the Kilrush Union under the provisions of the Arrears Act for assisted emigration, still the flow of people, young men and women together with the heads of families, has commenced to an alarming extent in this part of the country. Large numbers leave by the steamer from Kilrush to Limerick every day for America and the colonies. During the past month or more the guardians have upwards of 30 applicants weekly before them for even expenses to Queenstown or Plymouth. The farmers in some districts are beginning to complain of this wholesale emigration, fearing there will be no labourers soon.
Clare Freeman, Sat 19 May 1883:
The Emigration Scheme – The Fund Exhausted. The Local Government Board for Ireland has addressed a circular to the Poor Law Boards stating that the £100,000 voted by Parliament for emigration purposes have been expended, and that no more applications can be entertained.
Clare Freeman, Wed 27 Jun 1883:
President Arthur on Assisted Emigration. The “Daily News” New York correspondent telegraphs; - A deputation of 23 representative Irishmen, headed by Mr Sullivan, the president of the National League, made a formal call upon President Arthur on Sunday, and entered into an elaborate protest against assisted emigration. In reply the President said – “The subject will receive my careful consideration. It has already been under the consideration of the Secretary of State. Correspondence with regard to it has been had with our diplomatic and consular representatives, and an investigation into the facts is now being made by them. It is proper that this government should ascertain whether any nation with which it holds amicable relations is violating any obligations of international friendship before calling attention to such a matter. In the meantime the law now provides that the officers of the Treasury shall examine into the condition of the passengers arriving as immigrants, and should it be found that any one unable to take care of himself without becoming a public charge he will not be permitted to land. The investigation will be thorough and exhaustive on both side of the Atlantic, and in the meantime the law will be strictly enforced.
The President’s reply merits with general approval. The Herald says the deputation’s complaints are unfounded, and that assisted immigrants hitherto sent are fully up to the average of immigrants, and that the President’s reply is just and temperate. The Tribune takes a similar view.
Clare Freeman, Sat 30 Jun 1883:
The Port Collector at New York has ordered that some of the emigrants who arrived by the Anchor Line steamer Furnessia, should be sent back to the Irish ports from which they took passage.
Clare Freeman, Sat 30 Jun 1883:
Assisted Emigration to America. The Daily News New York correspondent says: The Commissions of Immigration received word on Wednesday that 80 paupers left Carrick-on-Shannon [County Leitrim] on the 6th of June per the steamer Londonderry, being the first batch of 352 paupers who have been selected by the poor-law guardians of Leitrim for shipment to America. On the same date 100 paupers left Strokestown [County Roscommon]. Public feeling on the subject grows in bitterness. The Times expresses it accurately by saying ‘If our Government is ever to protest against paupers being sent hither at the expense of a foreign Government this is the time.’
The Standard New York correspondent states that it has already been decided to return 40 emigrants.
Clare Freeman, Sat 30 Jun 1883:
Ennis Board of Guardians. Mr Smith, superintendent manager of the passenger traffic of the National Steamship Company, and the local agent, Mr Parsons, attended for the purpose of remonstrating with the guardians against the rescission of the contract which they had entered into with that company for the transportation of the emigrants under the Arrears of Rent (Ireland) Act. It appeared that the rate per head was the same by both companies, viz: £3 10s, but as the National steamships don’t sail to Boston the guardians changed the contract and gave it to the Allan Company, one of whose ships, the “Austrian,” is to sail from Foynes on Saturday, the 30th June, where the emigrants from the Ennis Union will embark. Only two or three families have selected Boston as their destination, all the others have booked for New York, and the guardians will be at additional expense and railway fare of 175 miles. The number of emigrants from this union to the United States is 72 and 169 to Canada.
Mr Symth plainly intimated that the National Company would hold the guardians to the contract. At the same time he suggested it would be prudent not to ship the emigrants at present in consequence of the agitation which has been got up against them in New York. He said the company had sent telegrams to their managers not to take any of those pauper emigrants.
Major Fox – That does not apply to Canada.
Mr Smyth – There has been a great block in labour market through the influence of this class.
Major Fox – It is better to hold where there is danger.
Mr Smyth – It is very important; it would be better to hold them over as the Company would have to send them back.
Major Fox – If you find any difficulty it would be better to wire to Mr Reddington, and get a specific answer from him.
The Clerk – Captain Sampson will be here this evening, if there was any hitch he would have sent me word.
Major Fox – I was speaking to Captain Sampson and he never mentioned a syllable to me on the subject.
Mr Smyth – The New York managers wired to their Liverpool agents not to take those emigrants.
Major Fox – Whatever the consequences are must proceed in the absence of any communications from the Emigration Committee.
The Master and Mr Paul McGrath were deputed by the Board to take charge of the emigrants to the port of embarkation at Foynes on Saturday.
Arrangements have not yet been made for the Canadian contingents.
The Board adjourned after the remaining business which was routine.
The County Clare emigrants left Foynes (a port on the Shannon), as planned, on 4th July, but applications after that date were not accepted:

Clare Freeman, Sat 14 Jul 1883:
Ennis Union. Assisted Emigration. A list containing the names of 47 applicants, heads of families – from Ennis, for emigration to the Australian Colonies, and letters of application from several other were laid before the board, and all refused, as the funds were exhausted and the guardians were not disposed to borrow any more money for Emigration purposes.
It is clear that some emigrants were returned to Ireland, but the County Clare emigrants seem to have been accepted - I've found nothing to show that they were returned. I would like to know if the emigration scheduled for Canada went ahead.

Sheila

Sduddy
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Re: Emigration to America assisted by Poor Law

Post by Sduddy » Thu May 27, 2021 10:09 am

This short notice appeared in the Clare Freeman of Wed 11 Jul 1883:
Pauper Emigrants. New York. Monday. It is asserted that assisted pauper immigrants are coming to the United States by way of Canada.
The same notice had been sent to the Freeman's Journal (Dublin newspaper) the previous day, by Reuter's telegram.

Sheila

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