Fr. Jeremiah Vaughan cuts out the middleman, 1871-72

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Sduddy
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Fr. Jeremiah Vaughan cuts out the middleman, 1871-72

Post by Sduddy » Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:40 pm

We have seen that, during the period of distress in Clare 1861-62 (http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtop ... f=1&t=7153), Fr Vaughan, P.P. of Doora parish, bought a consignment of maize, which he then distributed in his own parish and to various other parishes. It seems that Fr. Vaughan did not believe in trusting his charitable donations to any charitable organization – he preferred to give directly, and in the shape of some very basic commodity – that way, I suppose, it was guaranteed to be availed of by the very poorest, only.
In 1871 he sent seed potatoes from himself and some farmers in Doora and Quin to the French peasantry (maybe a show of opposition to the Paris Commune?): Clare Journal, Mon 3 Apr 1871 (from the Limerick Chronicle):
Aid for the French. Captain J Blood Smyth acknowledges contributions of seed potatoes for the French peasantry, from the undermentioned persons in the parishes of Doora and Quin, county Clare. He also wishes to thank the Rev D Corbett, P P, Quin, the Rev J Vaughan, P P, and the Rev – O’Meara, C C, Doora, for their kind assistance. Parish of Doora – Rev R Studdert, Rev J Vaughan, Re – O’Meara, John Kerin, Messrs P Corbett, A Power, L Kitson, T McInerney, Martin Clancy, John Lyons, James Hogan, John Fahy, M Hassett, C McInerney, M O’Loughlin, W Mack, J McCormack, James Lawlor, James Conlon, James Egan, Charles Hassett, M Clune, M Moran, T Meade, and Frank Blood Smyth – in all 2,557 stone. Parish of Quin – Rev D Corbett, Thomas Studdert, Thomas Corbett, James Moylan, T O’Callaghan, Con Clune, Tim Clune, Thomas Corbett, James O’Dea, James Clune, M Hallinan, John Hallinan, and John Halpin – in all, 970 stone. Limerick Chronicle.
In December 1872, he bought flannel, had it made up into clothing which he distributed himself: Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette, Sat 14 Dec 1872:
A Good Example. We are very apt to be spasmodic in our charities, and to forget that we have the poor with us always, and that hundreds about our own doors are, especially at this season, suffering from misery and want. The bright summer-time may afford them a respite from the sharper pangs of poverty, but the winter brings to them all hunger and cold, and to many sickness and death. Those to whom Providence has given wealth, whose homes are full of comfort and plenty, should not be unmindful of the Divine precept, therefore we record, with pleasure, instances of warm-heartedness on the part of the Rev. Jeremiah Vaughan, P.P., Doora and Kilraghtis.
Last week, we are informed, the rev. gentleman received 500 bandles of excellent flannel, manufactured to order at his own expense, which is now being made into garments for the poor of his parishes. Several destitute persons in Ennis have also been recipients of this seasonable charity, and he has given in addition thirty bandles of flannels to the Nuns for the Convent orphans. Such a praiseworthy example cannot be too extensively imitated.
Sheila

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