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Distressed Weavers of Limerick So small was their means to meet the variety and magnitude of the Weavers' miseries that, in the very outset, the Committee almost despaired of accomplishing their objects; but, by zeal and perseverence, with determination not to be diverted from their philantropic purpose by any untoward circumstances, they have been enabled to bring their labours to such a termination as may, theu hope, obtain fo4r their exertions, public approbation. In order to accelerate the departure hence to Manchester, of the multitude who were clamarous to escape from the evils of idleness and the ravages of famine, the Committee had a communication made to the Irish Inland Steam Navigation Company, who, at once, generpously agreed to convey adults from Limerick to Liverpool, at the rate of ten shillings a head, and children, between the ages of three and twelve years, for one half of that sum, out of which, however, this valuable Company was obliged to pay the sum of Four Shillings and Nine-pence per head to the Grand Canal Company, who would no make any abatement whatever. Having thus secured a cheap passage for the people, calculations were made for their sustenance and expenses to their place of destination, as also for redeeming from Pawn-brokers the necessary wearing apparel of those who were to embark. It was accordingly regulated that a suitable supply of bread, sugar, and coffee should be provided for each person; that all indispencable articles of clothing should be released from pawn, and furnished to their owners; that every man, with a family, should get the sum of two shillings on board the Canal boat, for incidental expenses to Dublin; and every man without a family, one shilling for the like use; and, moreover, that the Agent in Liverpool of the Steam Navigation Company should pay the sum of ten shillings to every man with a family, to defray their expenses from that city to Manchester, and to every man without a family, the sum of five shillings for the like purpose. These arrangement having been completed, eight lots of weavers and their families, amounting together to Two hundred and Sixty-five individuals, were conveniently despatched to Manchester, where they all arrived safe, and are, with the exception of some few bad workmen and idlers who have returned to Limerick, now all employed. Indeed several of those who remained in Manchester, have, as the Committee has been informed, sent for many of their families, who have proceeded thither by their own resources. The names of the persons who went to Manchester are hereunto annexed. According to information which has been communicated to the Committee, they are warranted in saying, that every Cotton, Check, and Ticken Weaver now in Limerick, capable and willing to work, may be employed—in fact, the whole body of that class of operatives are engaged at their looms; and her the Committee cannot avoid quoting the last sentence of their former report, in order to shew how well founded were their anticipations at the period:—" By these arrangements the City will be at once relieved from a mass of misery, and the Weavers who remain at home instantly put to work; for the Committee are confident that the Master manufacturers, who have manifested sincere solicitude for the comfort of the operatives, between whom and their employers the best understanding happily prevails, will, as well from feelings of humanity as motives of policy, di all in their power to improve the condition of a class of tradesmen who are not surpassed by any others, for peaceable demeanour and good conduct." After the removal from the city of so large a portion of unproductiveness and misfortune which absorbed almost the whole of the scanty fund of the Committee, their next duty was to ascetain how many remained at home to be employed, and to endeavour, of possible, to set to work those that may be idle either from the want of materials or utensils; and also to afford pecuniary relief to such of the Weavers as were at work, but suffering distress with large families. Enquires having been made, it was found that twenty-nine men were in want of slieds, shuttles, reeds, harness, or yarn, all of which were procured; and that twenty-six more stood in need of pecumiary aid, which was supplied in such small sums as their respective circumstances demended, and the nearly exhausted fund of the Committee could supply. Withe the exception of Seventeen persons, comprised of pensioners, who were not only at work but in the receipt of the public money, and of individuals who are also employed and otherwise, (to use a familiar but emphatic phrase,) "well off," —with these exceptions, every body connected with the cotton and check weavers have obtained such relief as was within the means of the Committee to afford. The Worsted weavers, who are a distinct class from the cotton weavers, have not as yet been under the consideration of the commmittee. These poor men, comprising 51 individuals, whose united families amount to 154 persons, have all along suffered in silence; and whatever balance (if any) may remain in the Treasurer's hands, will be applied to their use. The Committee has now to submit an account of the money received and expended; as also, the donations and names of those benevolent persons whose bounty has conduced to the amelioration of so large a portion of the people The Treasurer's Account
Expenditure. By the conveyance of Eight lots of Weavers and their families from Limerick to Manchester, viz:
Limerick, 20th May, 1330(sic). £151 10s. 6d. Rev. Mr. QUIN, £30; Messrs STEIN, 20; BROWN & Co., 20; Messrs CONNELL & FITZPATRICK, 10; Earl of Limerick, 10 ; WALKER & Co., 10; Lord Bishop of Limerick, 10; Thomas Spring RICE, 10; Earl of Clare, 10; Colonel FITZGIBBON, 10; Right Worhipful Henry ROSE, 5; Samuel DICKSON, 5; Thomas DEVITT, 5; Francis MAHONT, 5; Edmond RYAN and sons, 5; Pierce SHANNON, 5; P. W. CREAGH, 5; Samuel BINDON, 3; John UNTHANK, 3; David ROCHE, 3; Martin HONAN, 3; Right Rev. Doctor RYAN, 3; James HOGAN, 3; Archdeacon MAIUNSELL, 3; Thomas M'NAMARA, 2; John H. M'NIGHT, 2; Major-General BOURKE, 2; HARVEY, brothers 2; D.F.G. MAHONY, 2; George DROUGHT, 2; City Police, 2; P. M'ARDELL, 2; Robert MAUNSELL, 2; Patrick MURPHY, 2; William ROCHE, 2; POE & BEVAN, 2; William HUMPHREYS, 2; Stephen DICKSON, 2; Henry LYONS, 2; J.J. TROY, 2; Michael GAVIN, 2; J.&P. M'DONNELL, 2; Doctor HARDING, 2; VeryRev.Dr. HOGAN, 2; John KELLY, 2; Wm. HOWLY, 2; T.P. VOKES, 2; M.B. Ryan, 1 1s.; Rev. T. ENRIGHT, 1; W.M. GREENE, 1; James MORGAN, 1; Henry WATSON, 1; Andrew J. WATSON, 1; Patrick SHANNON, 1; Colonel O'DONNELL, 1; J.M. HARVEY, 1; John LEE, 1; G.H. FITZGERALD, 1; James DEACON, 1; Edward BERNARD, 1; John GABBETT, 1; Rev. J. O'REGAN, Dromin, 1; John CUTHBERT, 1; Rev. Doctor FORSTER, 1; S. ROSE, 1; Collector O'FLAHERTY, 1; Francis SPAIGHT, 1; Richard KENNY, 1; John MARK, 1; Pool GABBETT, 1; Robert HUNTER, 1; John BOYSE, 1; Benj. C. FISHER, 1; Patrick HOGAN, 1; ALEXANDER, Brothers, 1; H. SMYTH & Co., 1; John FOGARTY, 1; Andrew NEWELL, 1; James CORBETT, 1; John ABEL, 1; M. QUIN, 1; Mrs. LYONS, 1; Mr. JOYCE, 1; Wm. RUSSELL, 1; Pierce CREAGH, 1; Charles WALKER, 1; P. O'CALLAGHAN, 1; John BLOOD, 1; Miss A. HOGAN, 1; J. BROWNING, 1; Edward PARKER, 1; Mr. FRAZER, 1; Rev.Mr. JEBB, 1; Wm. CAUFIELD, 1; Mr. CREE, 1; John RUSSELL, 1; Mr. THOMPSON, 1; James CORBETT, 1; W.J. MASON, 1; Rev.Mr. LEWIS, 1; Daniel BARRINGTON, 1; W.B. KELLY, 1; VeryRev.Dr. COLL, 1; Dr. CARROLL, 1; Edward HOMAN, 1; Thomas JERVIS, 1; James CUSSEN, 1; T.M. ROSE, 1; Ralph (jun) WESTROPP, 1; Alexander ROY, 1; Miss MONSELL, Tervoe, 1; Rev. Richard DICKSON, 1; Rev.W.M. FITZGERALD, 1; Roger SCULLY, 1; Wm. RYAN, Carr-street, 1; Captain COPPINGER, 1; Joseph FISHER, 1; William RYVES, 1; William WILSON, 10; Captain BLOOD, 1; Dean M'NAMARA, 1 10s; Mrs. CRIPS, 1 10s; John LUCAS, 1 10s; Thomas WALLNUTT, 1 10s; Anonymous, A. R. D., 10s; Thomas MAUNSELL, 10s; S. WILSON, 10s; J. COOKE, 10s; Dr. BOUCHIER, 10s; Charles FITZGERALD, 10s; Goe. CONNELL, 10s; Eliza MORIARTY, 10s; Mr. RICHARDSON, 10s; John ELLARD, 10s; James GUERIN, 10s; Anonymous, 9s 6d; J. COX, 10s; Rev.J. WAUGH, 10s; Miss DEZOUCH, 10s; Mr. JENNINGS, Cork, 10s; Michael RYAN, 10s; John GOGGIN, 10s; Henry OWENS, 10s; Mr. HARTNEY, 10s; Dr. SAYERS, 10s; edward HYNES, 10s; Richard SCOTT, 10s; Mark O'SHAUGHNESSY, 10s; Rev. ROSE, 10s; Jas. O'GRADY, 10s; James BARRY, 10s; Henry GUBBINS, 10s; Mr. DARRAC, 7s 6d; Thomas BLOOD, 5s; Rev.Mr. SHEEHY, 5s; Wm. COLLINS, 5s; Capt. NESS, 5s; Dr. LLOYD, 5s; Mr. GUESTON, 5s; Anonymous, 5s; ditto, 5s; E. DONNELLY, 5s; Colonel SMYTH, 5s; Mr. FITT, 5s; Samuel EVANS, 5s; Wm. SMYTH, 5s; Garrett O'SAUGHNESSY, 2s 6d; Joseph RIBOLDI, 2s 6d; George M'KERN, 2s 6d; Mrs. LEDGER, 2s; Mrs. SMYTH, 2s 6d; Anonymous, 5s; ditto, 5s; Mr. ABRAHAM, 2s 6d; Mr. SEYMOUR, 3s; John O'GRADY, 2s sd; Mrs DAWSON, 2s; Anonymous, 1s 6d; ditto, 1s 6d; Mrs. ROGERS, 1s 6d; Mr. CARDIFF, 1s; Hughes RUSSELL, 4s.—Total, £321 8s 2d.Names of the Weavers, and the numbers of their families, who were sent to Manchester: James DALTON, Eliza HYNES, Thomas HYNES, Patrick MURPHY, John QUINN, Pat. QUINN, James COLLINS, Patrick WALSH, Thomas KEANE, Michael CRILLY, John CUMMINS, Terence QUIGLY, Pat. DWYER, Pat. WHITE, James COLLINS, John LYONS, Josehp MEADE, Edmund REILLY, Betty HARE, Thomas TOOLE, Biddy TOOLE, Mary PRICE, Biddy FARRELL, James DOYLE, Mary SCULLY, Margaret SCULLY, James HENNESSY, John SMITH, Stephen QUINLIVAN, John GRAHAM, Timothy MURPHY, Francis HALLINAN, Ellen M'COY, Tim M'NAMARA, Pat BLAKE, James CORBETT, John COGHLAN, Mart NUNAN, Patt KELLY, Michael GOGGIN, Cornelius SHEEHY, James O'CONNOR, John LYONS, all single adults; L. M'NAMARA, 2 adults and 1 child; Patrick FOY, 4 adults a child; James O'SULLIVAN, 5 adults and 1 child; John GAFFNEY, 3 adults and 2 children; William LEE, 3 adults and 3 children; Pat CLEARY, 2 adults and 2 children; Thomas HENNESSY, 2 adults and 1 child; John HOLLORAN, 2 adults and 2 children; Henry HALLORAN, 3 adults; John COLLINS, 2 adults and 1 child; Michael LYONS, 2 adults and 2 children; Pat KEANE, ? Adults and I child; Wm. STACK, 2 adults; John STACK, 2 adults; John CLEARY, 7 adults and 1 child; John O'NEILL, 2 adults and 2 children; Pat BANE, 2 adults; John SPEARING, 3 adults; John WHITE, 6 adults and 4 children; John FORDE, 2 adults and 2 children; James WHITE, 2 adults and 1 child; James QUINLIVAN, 7 adults; James STACK, 2 adults and 1 child; Cornelius HANLON, 2 adults and 2 children; James SULLIVAN, 2 adults and 2 children; Mort MULHOLLAND, 5 adults; James CRILLEY, 2 adults and 1 child; James EGAN, 2 adults and 2 children; Pat HALPIN, 2 adults; Mary HALLORAN, 1 adult and 2 children; Pat FOX, 2 adults and 1 child; Mary HENNESSY, 1 adult and 3 children; Peter KENNA, 2 adults and 1 child; John M'MAHON, 3 adults and 3 children; Pat LYONS, 2 adults and 3 children; John BENSON, 3 adults and 3 children; Pat SEXTON, 3 adults and 4 children; Malachy CONNORS, 5 adults; Michael HENNESSY, 3 adults and 3 children; Pat BOURKE, 3 adults; Jeremiah QUILLIGAN, 3 adults and 3 children; John GARVEY, 2 adults and 2 children; Garrett MEADE, 2 adults; James MOLONY, 1 adult and 2 children; John M'NAMARA, 3 adults and 3 children; John LEE, 2 adults and 2 children; William LEE, 2 adults; Pat GRIFFIN, 4 adults; John CAVANAGH, 2 adults and 1 child; Thomas CASEY, 2 adults; Joseph ROBINSON, 3 adults and 1 child; John DUGGAN, 2 adults and 1 child; Pat SULLIVAN, 2 adults and 2 children; William TIERNEY, 2 adults; John CANNON, 1 adult and 2 children; Thomas GRIFFIN, 2 adults; Henry LEE, 2 adults and 2 children. Names of the Weavers for whom utensils and materials were purchased:—Edward PEACOCK, John COLOGAN, George HAMMOND, John VAUGHAN, Michael HALPIN, John HYNES, Michael COGHLAN, Henry KEMARE, Patrick NEALON, John HOULAHAN, Patrick COLOGAN, John M'MAHAN, Patrick QUIN, Michael KEANE, Richard ODELL, John LOCKE, Henry CROKER, John MEADE, William LOCKE, Daniel MURREY, Henry M'MAHON, Peter CLEMENTS, Owen M'KENNY, Michael KEARNEY, John HAUGH, Michael KEANE Names of the Weavers who received pecuniary relief:—Michael WILSON, James FOX, Thomas BUTLER, Samuel BARKER, Edward SHANNAHAN, Terence QUIGLEY, L. M'KEON, Charles O'BRIEN, Patrick HAYES, John NASH, Michael TIERNEY, John LYONS, Pat. RYAN, Pat. BOURKE, John O'BRIEN, William DREW, Mary ABRIL. The sum of Ten Pounds Sixteen Shillings and Ten Pence, (in which the Balance is included) was distributed among Fifty-four Worsted Weavers and Seven Cotton Weavers. Signed on behalf of the Committee. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||