Staffing the Workhouse

Sentinel - Clerk Appointed 12th Dec 1840

Extract from "The Carlow Sentinel" regarding the appointment of a Clerk to the Carlow Poor Law Union on December 12th 1840. On that first appointment, there were three candidates for office. Of these Robert Davies was appointed Clerk. Another candidate, Henry Montgomery declined to give up all his time to the Office. Davies continued in office until 1849.

Carlow County Library

Sentinel - Clerk Appointed 12th Dec 1840
Carlow County Library

Sentinel - Clerk Appointed 12th Dec 1840

Extract from "The Carlow Sentinel" regarding the appointment of a Clerk to the Carlow Poor Law Union on December 12th 1840. On that first appointment, there were three candidates for office. Of these Robert Davies was appointed Clerk. Another candidate, Henry Montgomery declined to give up all his time to the Office. Davies continued in office until 1849.

Carlow County Library

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The salaried officials were responsible for the day-to-day running of the Workhouse.

The Clerk was the first official to be appointed. A notice appeared in the Carlow Sentinel of November 21st 1840 stating the Board of Guardians intention to elect a Clerk. Candidates were required to attend the Board on December 10th. The Clerk's salary would be £40 in the first year of office. Applications and testimonials were ordered to be forwarded to Col. Bruen of Oak Park, Carlow by December 1st. Candidates should also furnish the names and addresses of two sureties in the amount of £100 each.

Interest in this post had already been generated. Henry Montgomery had earlier placed an advertisement in the Sentinel. He pledged to discharge his duties with "zeal and integrity". The paper noted his qualifications and experience. He had already filled the office of secretary to local societies gratuitously. He was an active secretary to the committee appointed for the relief of the poor. The Sentinel felt that they were "discharging a public duty" by drawing attention to his claims. Later, on December 5th Robert Davies also offered his services as Clerk of the Union. He trusted that his long experience as an accountant would enable him to carry out his duties to the "satisfaction of the Board".

At their meeting on Thursday, December 10th 1840, the Carlow Poor Law Guardians appointed Robert Davies to the office of Clerk of the Union. Henry Montgomery had declined to give up all his time to the office. In the opinion of the Board, Mr. Davies was well qualified to discharge his duties efficiently.

Clerks of the Union

• Robert Davies

  Signature Robert Davies

  Extract taken from Carlow Board of Guardians Minutes Book 17 Feb 1848 of the signature of Robert Davies Clerk of the Union.

  Carlow County Library

    1840 - 1849
• A.G. English

  Signature A.G. English

  Te signature of Andrew George English Clerk of the Union from 1st Feb 1850 taken from the Carlow Board of Guardians Minutes Book.

  Carlow County Library

    1850 - 1854
• John Clarke

  Signature John Clarke

  Extract taken from Carlow Board of Guardians Minutes Book of the signature of John Clarke Clerk Nov 1854 to June 1862.

  Carlow County Library

    1854 - 1862
• William Fishbourne

  Signature Wm Fishbourne (jnr)

  Extract taken from Carlow Board of Guardians Minutes Book July 1862 of the signature of William Fishbourne (jnr) Clerk of the Union July 1862 to August 1866.

  Carlow County Library

    (jnr) 1862 - 1866
• E.L. Jameson

  Signature E.L. Jameson

  Extract taken from Carlow Board of Guardians Minutes Book of the signature of Edward L. Jameson Clerk from 1866.

  Carlow County Library

    1866 - 1886