Category Archives: 1842

1842 – Knockers, St Angelo,Pills, Stagecoaches and death of Richard Dane.

13 January 1842. TO THE ENNISKILLEN PUBLIC. The Amateur Band and the Band and Impartial Reporter. Our old musical friend has given us a few sulky growls last week — a dying kick of a most harmless strength – evidently a worsted effort. Among his venomous fabrications he attempted to insinuate that the injured rappers and bridge dilapidations were the work of our mischievous hands. In such a stride of his falsity, we felt it only necessary to point to a recollection of the rapper hubbub, when week after week the public were dosed with vollies of his Billingsgate, against the 30th, as the perpetrators. In answer to our simple but staggering argument old sulky says— ‘‘Our townsmen will recollect that we did not spare the 30th depot for its misdeeds, nor rest till they re-placed every knocker and bell-pull that they destroyed, which they did through Mr. Christopher Gamble, and which we then published. Yet in the vain endeavour to falsify, our statement, this military is now charged with the brilliant action.

“The 76th need no defence at our hands. Under Majors Grubbe and Martin their conduct has been a credit to her Majesty’s service, and a comfort to the people of Enniskillen.’’

In the name of common sense what could induce the poor fool to add the last three lines in particular. Why lug in the name of the 76th, who were not here at the time alluded to. We hope, for the credit of the town, he is not itching to blackguard then in the ruffiantly manner he did the officers of the 30th, and for some of which may be remembered an occasion on which a respectable shopkeeper felt called on to tell him that but for the provost’s presence he would treat him as he deserved, and likewise hinted some very appropriate allusions; and now behold his sucking hypocrisy to the 76th!!! Take him from his own low cunning and his redoubtable self and his ass have about an equal quality if not an equal quantity of brains.

As to his prophetic guessing at the writer of these replies one can only tell him in one contradiction of his statement that the youngest among us would deserve to be served as an idle schoolboy if he could not write with more sound sense and evince a better education than the learned editor of the renowned Impartial Reporter.

Signed on behalf of the Band,

  1. L. ELLIOTT,
  2. ELLIOTT,
  3. ELLIOTT,
  4. ELLIOTT,
  5. BLEAKLEY,
  6. S. HURLES,
  7. CADDY.

 

COUNTY OF FERMANAGH. TO BE LET. From the first day of February next for such term as may be agreed upon, SAINT ANGELO, at present occupied by Andrew Johnston Esq. CONTAINING 133 ACRES  IRISH PLANTATION MEASURE Of PRIME LAND in the best condition. THIS most desirable FARM, upon which there is a comfortable Dwelling-house, extensive Offices, a garden and two orchards – is beautifully situate on the banks of Lough Erne, opposite Ely-Lodge, within four miles of Enniskillen—possessing the great advantage of communication by water with the county town and every part of the lake. For particulars apply to Francis G. Johnston Esq, 4, Beak Street, Regent-street, London or Robert Keys, Fort -Lodge, Enniskillen, or 16,Bolton Street, Dublin. Dated 17th Nov, 1841.

KEARSLEY’S ORIGINAL WIDOW WELCHE’S FEMALE P1LIS. So long and justly celebrated for their peculiar virtues, are strongly recommended, haying obtained the sanction and approbation of most Gentlemen of the Medical Profession, as a safe and valuable Medicine in effectually, removing obstructions,, and relieving all the “inconveniences” to which the female frame is liable, especially those which, at an early period of , life, frequency arise from want of exercise and general debility of the system: they create an appetite, correct indigestion, remove giddiness and nervous headache, and are eminently useful in flatulent disorders, pains in the stomach, shortness of breath, and palpitation, of the heart being perfectly innocent, may be used with safety in all seasons and climates.

It is necessary to inform the public that KEARSLEY’S ORIGINAL and GENUINE MEDICINE of this description ever made, and has been prepared by them for more than FIFTY YEARS!! Purchasers are particularly requested to remark that, as a testimony of authenticity, each Bill of Directions contains an affidavit, and bears the signature of “C. KEARSLEY,” in writing, and each box is wrapped in white paper. Sold wholesale and retail, at Butler’s Medical Hall, 54 Lower Sackville Street, Dublin by H. BEVAN, Enniskillen and by the appointed Agents in every city and town in Ireland.

6-1-1842. SHAREHOLDER COACH. By a report of an adjourned meeting of the subscribers it will be seen, the Shareholder has ceased running for the .present. It was well expressed by our former High Sheriff, Simon Armstrong, Esq., “that it was the child of Fermanagh enterprise,” and had proved itself capable of a large amount of benefit to this and surrounding counties, by establishing a heretofore unknown facility between this and the metropolis and was supposed perfectly capable of a permanent existence, had it been as well supported in its trading as it is thought it might have been. The Gentry, Clergy, Traders and Farmers, have certainly at all times subscribed most liberally, but something more was required, and therefore it was thought better to suspend it for the present than continue to draw so heavily, from the subscribers. To Mr Gossen it is due to state the willingness manifested by him and partners to accommodate the inhabitants of Enniskillen, and we trust his coach will meet with a studied support. As regards the Shareholder, we must say for ourselves, that besides being a shareholder we strictly confined our business to it, and believe we may with truth boast that in the way of trade, we paid more money into its parcel office than any other trader in Fermanagh.

6-1-1842. LOCAL CROWN SOLICITORS.-—We perceive that the Local Crown Solicitors of the, different counties throughout Ireland have been placed on salaries, and the situation rendered permanent. Their duty will be to prosecute in all criminal cases at Quarter Sessions in future. This judicious arrangement of the Attorney-General will be the means of having the law carried into Effect in many instance, where offences would otherwise have escaped their due punishment, and will, we have no doubt, tend in a great degree, to repress public crime.

6-1-1842. ACCIDENT BY BELFAST COACH.—Friday evening last as the clerk of the peace was returning from the Newtownbutler Sessions the Belfast mail from Enniskillen came in contact with his car between the Bellview turn and the new entrance to Castle Coole which was near being the cause of very serious mischief. Mr. Frederick Nixon and Mr. Attorney A. Collum sitting on the side of the car next the coach were the sufferers. The coach and car having met at the sudden round of the road came into contact; the wheel of the car got fastened between those of the coach by which one of Mr. Nixon’s legs received an injury that was declared by the Doctor the most severe he ever saw without a fracture and Mr. Collum had his trowsers (sic) quite torn, but fortunately no serious injury to his legs. The car was totally unable to avoid the collision as the coach having had no lamps lighted, nor the horn sounding, at such a critical place which should have been the case. The driver of the car shouted to the coach, but was either unheeded or unheard; this spot was certainly the most unfortunate on the road for the want of those necessary precautions on the part of the coach, and might have led to the loss, of life. The Dublin mail was met half an hour before and had its lamps lighted and its horn sounding and surely a later hour, and a more, dangerous part of the road, must have required the Belfast mail to be equally provided against the chance of accident. We understand the injured gentlemen are about to have legal recourse not only as regards themselves but as a duty to the public, to prevent a like occurrence in future.

6-1-1842. LIBERALITY TO THE POOR. The Right Hon. The Earl and Countess of Belmore have, we understand, within the past and present weeks, distributed large quantities of blanketing and clothing in the district of Castlecoole to meet the very inclement and distressing season to the poor, who have at all times been objects of the kind attention of this noble house.

The Rev. Mr. Storey, with his usual munificence, has given £10 to Mr. Thomas Beatty, of Newtownbutler to buy flannel for the poor of the parish of Galloon.

6-1-1842. Mr. Hill Parkinson, head armourer of the Enniskillen ordnance department, left this town on Monday on a tour of inspection of the constabulary arms, through the Connaught district, having only returned from the inspection of this district through Donegal downwards. We understand the arms of the constabulary force are undergoing a most strict inspection as to effectiveness..

3-2-1842. DEATH OF RICHARD DANE, ESQ. It has seldom been our melancholy duty to record the death of a gentleman more universally regretted throughout a very numerous and extensive circle of relatives and friends, as well as by all to whom he was known, either personally, or by character than the deceased Mr. Dane. Exclusive of the possession of every ennobling principle that prompts the heart to continued acts of benevolence and friendship, Mr, Dane was perhaps, one of the kindest and most indulgent agents that could be selected to preside over so large a body of tenantry as that of the Castlecoole, Fermanagh Estates-in which situation he succeeded his father and grandfather. In him the distressed had a sure friend, and the suffering an attentive ear and a feeling mind; and in many hearts his memory will be long and reverently cherished. Mr. Dane breathed his last at his residence, Killyhevlin, near this town, on Saturday last, the 29th Jan., in his 73rd year, surrounded by all the members of his own family, and several of his affectionate relatives, who diligently attended him through his severe illness. Some time since he underwent amputation in one of his toes, from continued gout, which terminated in mortification in the body, in spite of the best medical skill. He was a Justice of the Peace for the counties Cavan, Tyrone and Fermanagh since the year 1802 and was also a Deputy Lieutenant of this county, and one of its oldest Grand Jurors. He filled the office of Provost of’ Belturbet, in the county of Cavan for thirty years, up to the introduction of the corporate reform act; and his ancestors filled the same honourable situation in the Corporations, both of Enniskillen and Belturbet, at various times for nearly the last three centuries. His remains were interred in Enniskillen church-yard, on Tuesday at twelve o’clock; the funeral was a very large and respectable one, consisting of all creeds, and was attended by the Earl of Belmore, and a number of the gentry of this and the neighbouring counties. The hearse was followed by the town police under the command of Capt. Henderson and by mourning carriages containing his sons, Paul Dane, Esq. Dr. Richard Dane, 29th Regt., W. A. Dane, Esq.; his son-in –law, Acheson O’Brien, Esq., Captain Corry and other immediate connexions, followed by the carriages of Lord Belmore, Daniel Auchinleck, Esq, and a great number of other carriages and cars. About250 walked in scarfs and bands, preceded by several Protestant and Roman Catholic Clergymen, and the entire procession amounted to several thousands. The body was met at the Church yard gate by the Revds. R. P. Cleary and Chas. Maude, by both of whom the funeral service was performed.

Florencecourt Yew tree in 1842.

10-2-1842. TAXUS FLORENCECOURTIAIANA.

(This is a more exact account of the origins of the Florencecourt Yew tree – Fermanagh and Ireland’s unique contribution to the trees of the world – Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata‘.)

Florence-Court Yew. This pretty fastigiated tree is now to be seen in almost every garden in Europe; in the Turkish cemetery, Alexandria, and America. The parent shrub is still in existence growing in the garden of a farmer in the neighbourhood of Florence Court. It was found growing on a neighbouring calcareous rock, in the time of the present occupier’s grand-father, about 160 years since by whom it is held as sacred as Naboth held his vineyard. (Ed. Believed to be an ancestor of Dr. Willis buried in Florencecourt churchyard who is famous for introducing western medicine to Japan.) It is indebted for its notoriety wholly on two layers planted in a shrubbery in Lord Enniskillen’s demesne, at Florence-Court, from which cuttings were given away to occasional visitors. (Ed. where a low branch has touched the ground, taken root and turned into a new shrub ready to be dug up.) The original plant has not grown any these many years although it is in good health and has formed a handsome tree with a fastigiated head from a stem about 4 feet high; one of the layers has attained the height of 21 feet and the other has been cut and broken for cuttings from time to time. The contiguous rocks and ravines have been repeatedly explored but no such plant has been found and the berries have been sown and plants reared at various periods but on examination they were always found to be the common kind with little variation, some with shorter leaves and some of a darker hue, but none of specific difference from the common  mountain yew which induces us to conclude that it is nothing else but has been produced by accident meeting with pressure in protruding through the hard substance and being acted upon by the atmosphere in a close situation has fixed its upright character in prop and propagating by extension, but not by seeds.

W. Y.

(The Enniskillen Chronicle and Erne Packet is now available from Thursday 23rd January 1840 from the British Newspaper Archive.)

1842 January & February.

  1. January.

CHRISTENING OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. Even the very restricted particulars of this great and joyous event which we give in our, first page will be read with an intensity of interest by those who have not had an opportunity of seeing more enlarged accounts. The ceremony must have been truly imposing and the feelings of joy to the nation on the occasion is the circumstance of Her Majesty’s selection of the King of Prussia as sponsor to the young Prince. It is delighting to find the worth and rank that surrounded her most gracious Majesty and Prince Albert in the altered style of her Majesty’s government, where the heart and  affections in the security of her Majesty’s person and throne, are so closely identified with the present prevailing principles.

Primitive WESLEYAN METHODIST Tea Party. Friday evening last there was a tea meeting of the members and friends of this society held in the Preaching-house, Main-street. The attendance on this occasion exceeded in number and respectability, we believe those of any former instance. About half past five o’clock the parties at the several tables in the body of the House commenced tea and so throng was every spot that a large number had to move up to the gallery and wait till those below could afford them room. Though there were upwards of 300 present the utmost, order prevailed throughout. A short Hymn was sung at the commencement and another at the conclusion of the tea. On the motion of Mr. Joseph McCormack, senior Preacher of the Enniskillen circuit, Mr. Beatty of the Maguiresbridge circuit was called to the Chair, when the assembly was severally addressed by Mr. J. Heatley of the Cavan circuit, Mr. A. Dawson of the Ballyshannon circuit and Mr. Fitzgerald, Merchant Clones, brother to Mr. Wm. Fitzgerald of this town.

20-1-1842. ARRIVAL OF SIR ARTHUR AND LADY BROOKE AT COLEBROOKE. Friday last the extensive district of country from Maguiresbridge to Colebrooke was a scene of great rejoicing on the arrival of the worthy baronet and his lovely Bride. For many days previous arrangements were in preparation on a scale suitable to pay a just respect to so benevolent and extensive a proprietor. Sir Arthur and Lady Brooke arrived at Virginia hotel on Thursday evening and on Friday an open carriage and four went from Colebrooke to meet them beyond Lisnaskea. Being expected to reach Maguiresbridge about one o’clock, a platform was erected on the commons there, on which the young but very good, band of that town were stationed to play on, while the open space was crowded with the people of the surrounding neighbourhood. About twelve a well mounted cavalcade of the Colebrooke tenantry moved forward from Brookeborough increasing at every step towards the busy scene and crowds of men, women, and children thronged the entire way although the day was rather impropitious from the constant thick fog. About two the bugles stationed on the hills between Maguiresbridge and Brookeborough announced the advance of the cavalcade; passing through the Bridge they were received with deafening shouts and cheers which were most gratefully acknowledged by Sir Arthur and Lady. From thence they proceeded, headed by considerable party of horsemen while several hundreds followed in an orderly line three deep in the rear the bugles continually playing. At Gola, the residence of Major Sterne a magnificent arch was erected.

20-1-1842. The people of Ballyshannon have great reason to thank Colonel Conolly for his kind attention in presenting the memorial of the merchants of this town to the Lords of the Treasury and impressing on their lordships the claims of this place to enjoy the privileges of warehousing of foreign grain, teas, sugars, wines, spirits, tobacco, and other goods paying a high duty.  By referring to the annexed reply to the Memorial our readers will find but these very important privileges have been granted.  We therefore hope soon to see the aforementioned goods freely imported into Ballyshannon by some of the enterprising merchants of this place and Enniskillen.

Constabulary of Donegal.  At a meeting of the magistracy of the county of Donegal held at Lifford on Saturday they decided against the reduction of the constabulary force of the county by a majority of four.  This and the neighbouring markets were plentifully supplied on Wednesday last with the largest and richest fresh herrings we have seen for several years caught at Portnew in Boylagh Bay.

A poor woman named Molly Ginn who has for some years, at intervals, been deranged was founded dead yesterday morning on the public road at Milltown Ballyshannon. It is supposed that in a fit of insanity she wandered from her lodgings and the night being dark and extremely severe, she was unable to make her way back and accordingly foundered.

The town was visited by a terrific storm on the nights of Tuesday and Wednesday last; yet we have not heard of any injury sustained by the inhabitants; on the whole it has been the severest winter for the last 7 years. We trust the spring will set in more favourably.

Miraculous Escape. As William Wilson, Esq., was travelling in his gig from Derry to Carndonagh on professional business, on descending a steep hill within four miles of Carn, he was met by a carman who, driving the wrong side of the road, was the cause of precipitating Mr. Wilson, horse and gig into a dangerous ravine at least 15 feet deep. Although the gig and harness were smashed to pieces Mr. Wilson escaped unhurt.

Last week as Mr. T. Whitford, son of Mr. Whitford, attorney, of St. Columb,(Cornwall) was amusing himself on a shooting excursion about a mile from that town, on getting over a hedge, the gun accidentally went off and he was killed on the spot, his brain having been blown to atoms.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.  Attention has been directed by a friend to an extract from the Fermanagh Reporter inserted in your paper of the 31st of December last which was calculated to mislead the public mind and to make it appear that I read our burial service over a Roman Catholic who died within the pale of the church and that it was on that condition he was admitted into our burial ground.  Such is not the case.

The facts are simply these: on the 23rd of December last an inquest was held on the body of a poor man named Thomas Campbell found dead in the snow about 2 miles from Ballyjamesduff.  The verdict of the jury was that he died of extreme cold.  When brought to the chapel yard to be buried he was refused a grave until the dues of the priests should be paid by those who carried the body; this they were unable and unwilling to do.  Although very poor they had already contributed towards getting a coffin and had left their work to carry the unfortunate stranger to his grave and were therefore indignant that this demand should be so cruelly insisted on.  The body lay on the public road at the chapel gate until evening.  Application was then made to me to allow it to be buried in our church yard and under the circumstances I felt that I could not refuse but as he had (in common with all Roman Catholics) had excommunicated himself and I could not, consistent with our rubric read the burial service over him.  He was buried by torchlight in silence.  When the internment was over I availed myself of the opportunity to address a word in season to the Roman Catholics who were present.  They listened with great attention and afterwards expressed their gratitude for our compliance with their request and the greatest abhorrence of the inhuman treatment they had received from those of their own creed. Two days after this took place two Roman Catholics partly influenced by that occurrence conformed to our church making a total of 12 who have come out from Babylon in this parish during the last year.

Yours etc. etc.

Samuel H Lewis, Perpetual Curate of Ballyjamesduff.

MUNIFICENCE OF HER MAJESTY. We learn that the Queen has been pleased to the forces employed at the capture of the outworks of Canton out of the sum received under the convention, a donation equal to one year’s amount of the Indian allowance known by the name of “Batta.” (Ed. During the British Raj, Batta or Bhatta was a military term, meaning a special allowance made to officers, soldiers, or other public servants in the field.) The shares of Colonels will be £900 each; Lieutenant Colonels £720; of Majors £540; of Captains £216; of Lieutenants £ 144, etc. the officers of the navy sharing according to their relative rank with those of the army. Those who were not present at the operations against Canton, but who were engaged in other operations of the war, such as the taking of Chusan, are to receive six months Batta. (This was part of First Opium War, 1839–42), fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Empire over diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice for foreign nationals in China. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the demand for Chinese goods (particularly silk, porcelain, and tea) in the European market created a trade imbalance because the market for Western goods in China was virtually non-existent; China was largely self-sufficient and Europeans were not allowed access to China’s interior. European silver flowed into China when the Canton System, instituted in the mid-17th century, confined the sea trade to Canton and to the Chinese merchants of the Thirteen Factories. The British East India Company had a matching monopoly of British trade. The British East India Company began to auction opium grown on its plantations in India to independent foreign traders in exchange for silver. The opium was then transported to the Chinese coast and sold to local middlemen who retailed the drug inside China. This reverse flow of silver and the increasing numbers of opium addicts alarmed Chinese officials. In 1839, the Daoguang Emperor, rejecting proposals to legalise and tax opium, appointed viceroy Lin Zexu to solve the problem by abolishing the trade. Lin confiscated around 20,000 chests of opium (approximately 1210 tons or 2.66 million pounds) without offering compensation, blockaded trade, and confined foreign merchants to their quarters. The British government, although not officially denying China’s right to control imports of the drug, objected to this unexpected seizure and used its naval and gunnery power to inflict a quick and decisive defeat, a tactic later referred to as gunboat diplomacy.)

3-2-1842. ACCIDENT.—On Thursday last a young lad about eighteen, named Stinson, from Monea, was conveyed to the county Infirmary in an almost lifeless state, from an injury received on the head while sitting at his father’s fireside, by the falling of a brick from the top of the chimney. We hear the skull is much fractured.

ROBBERY. Friday night Mr. Dogherty, shoe maker, Darling-street, while attending the Methodist Tea meeting, had his house entered through a back window and £9 10s taken from his box. It was rather singular that his watch, which was going and likely to have been heard, was left though hanging almost immediately over the box.

FIRE. Same night one of those infamous cabins in one of our back streets (Abbey-street,) was burned to the ground, some say through the design of some wags.

The carpenter, named Irvine, mentioned in our last, who fell from an office at Rossfad, while in the act of finishing some roofing, died of the injuries received in the fall on Thursday last, in the county infirmary. Dr. Nixon made a post mortem examination on the head, which it appears was fractured in almost every bone. The poor man’s relations have gratefully expressed themselves towards Dr. Nixon for his unremitting attention, both day and night, during his sufferings.

POOR-LAW RETURNING OFFICER. Mr Paul Dane, Clerk of the Enniskillen Poor Law Union, has been appointed returning officer for the election of guardians which is to take place on the 26th of next month.