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CSO/RP/SC/1821/1438

Letter from Richard Boyle Townsend, Castle Townsend, County Cork, magistrate, to Charles Grant, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, offering his services to government, should the unrest in remoter parts of County Cork, spread to his neighbourhood. Recalls his efforts against the rebels during the 1798 rebellion.

3 Dec 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1822/482

Letter from Reverend Robert Merritt, Creagh Glebe, Skibbereen, County Cork, to Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, providing defense of his handling of a cargo of potatoes which was the subject of a dispute with another local relief committee; encloses letter from Thomas Rowcroft, London Committee, England, to local relief committee of Castlehaven, enclosing a bill of landing [not extant] for the cargo of potatoes, sent ‘for the Relief of the district of Skibbereen’; also encloses letter from Richard Boyle Townsend, Castle Townsend, Cork, to Major General Sir John Lambert, complaining that Merritt had summoned the military to take possession of the ship containing the potatoes; also encloses copy letter from Rowcroft to Townsend expressing ‘much surprise’ at the nature of proceedings; also encloses copy report of local committee of Castlehaven parish to the London Committee, protesting against the conduct of Merritt; also includes ‘Account of Money expended by the Rev[eren]d Robert Merritt in making and repairing roads’, for period May to August 1822.

30 May 1822-13 Aug 1822

1822

CSO/RP/1825/1682

Letter from Richard Griffith, civil engineer, Antrim, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting upon an application for relief from Patrick Crowly, a stone mason of Skibbereen, County Cork, who engaged in construction work on a bridge without having secured a presentment or approval by the grand jury. He notes this is the third attempt by Crowly to solicit payment for his work, the former two ‘having been refused’. Returns memorial from Crowly to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, stating he erected a bridge on the line of road between Castletownbere and Glandore harbour in County Cork but has received no remuneration. He asserts that work completed on the bridge is consistent with the specification laid down in the presentment. Claims to have completed the bridge plus repair of the surrounding road under sanction of the grand jury for which he was paid, but remains owing for the initial phase of work. Asks for government intervention to have an order granted by the county grand jury for settlement of the outstanding arrears. Certificate added beneath by Richard O’Donovan, Richard Boyle Townsend, magistrate, and [Richard] Townsend of Castle Townsend in County Cork, attesting to the authenticity of the claim.

Nov 1825-16 Dec 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1826/429

Letter from Richard Boyle Townsend, Castle Townsend, [County Cork], to unspecified recipient, recommending that a proposed new road between Skibbereen and Bantry be constructed on the western side of the River Ilen instead to the eastern side. Also requesting Mr Griffith’s assistance in examining a coppermine on his estate near Skibbereen.

20 Mar 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/1352

Letters from the Commissioners of Education Inquiry, Office of Education Inquiry, 28 Upper Merrion Street, [Dublin], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, drawing attention to applications made to them for aid for building schools, received from Rev Richard Boyle Townsend of Abbeystrewry, County Cork; Rev FB Woodward of Tralee and the Earl of Westmeath on behalf of the poor of Delvin, [County Westmeath].

19 Jul 1826-17 Aug 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1828/326

File of documents concerning the dismissal of Robert Humphries and McGuire, from the constabulary in County Cork for questioning the orders of their chief constables, WJ Brownrigg and SH Lawson. Includes letter from Brownrigg, Skibbereen, [County Cork], to Capt Gallwey, Local Inspector, Ballincollig, [County Cork], noting that the incident arose when he ordered Humphreys to relocate to the barony of Kinsale. Also statement signed by seven magistrates, to Henry William Paget, Lord Lieutenant, declaring that Humphreys has served for 24 years in the police and has earned the entire ‘approbation of the magistracy’ and did not deserve to be dismissed. Also affidavit of Humphreys. Also letter of recommendation for Humphreys, from Rev Richard Boyle Townsend, Abbey Strowry Glebe. Also letter from SH Lawson, Chief Constable, Kinsale, to Gallwey, reporting on a similar case involving Constable McGuire, who was ordered to relocate to Skibbereen. Also related medical certificate from J McCarthy, for McGuire. Also covering letters from William Miller, Inspector General, Clonmel, [County Tipperary], to William Lamb, Chief Secretary, concerning both cases and observing that both men should be dismissed as an example and in order to prevent any spirit of insubordination in the force.

4 Jan 1828-29 Mar 1828

1828

CSO/RP/1831/77

Letter from Rev Richard Boyle Townsend, church of Ireland clergyman, Abbey Strewry [Abbeystrewry] Glebe, [County Cork], to Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Chief Secretary, complaining of the cost of postage on papers sent to him and requesting the post master of Skibbereen issue a refund; seeking redress of the impediment as something ‘a most grievous expense to the inferior Clergy’. Also letter from Townsend to Stanley drawing attention to the matter of heavy postage costs on ‘public printed papers’ to members of the cloth and requesting the favour of free postage.

8 Jan 1831-24 Jan 1831

1831

CSO/RP/1831/3099

Letter from Richard Townsend, magistrate, Castle Townsend [Castletownshend], County Cork, to Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Chief Secretary, enclosing copy of a communication signed by Rev Richard Boyle Townsend and four other householders of the town of Skibereen to certain magistrates of County Cork, drawing attention to a local outbreak of typhus and seeking assistance under the relevant statute to prevent the threat of cholera; also enclosing the resolutions of the medical practitioners of Skibereen on the question of the state of health of the neighbourhood; warning that if cholera did make an appearance in the district ‘its ravages would be formidable’ and recommending the formation of a board of health to enforce cleanliness and hygiene in dwellings occupied by the poorer classes.

19 Nov 1831-25 Nov 1831

1831

CSO/RP/1833/686

Address from Rev Richard Boyle Townsend, vicar of Abbeystrowry, Skibbereen, County Cork, and seven other [Church of Ireland] clergymen of the diocese of Cork and Ross, to Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess Anglesey, [Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Dublin], regarding the current system of intimidation, and arguing in favour of government itself enforcing recovery of their properties from the peasantry. Also, letter from Townsend, stressing the adverse role of [Roman Catholic] priests in their suffering.

6 Feb 1833-15 Feb 1833

1833