Halpins of Wicklow, etc. - Part 4

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The point of posting stories from Wicklow's local newspaper is to provide a little historical context for the Halpin family saga.  While the Halpin clan was riven by infighting and rivalry before 1866, the views and loyalties that were to galvanize my branch of the family and propel them into the second half of the 20th century came together in 1867, at around the time of the Fenian Rising. 

My great grandfather, Edwin Francis Halpin (1855 - 1924), was born upstairs in Wicklow's Post Office.  He grew up serving customers in his parent's business, and received most of his education at home.  By the time he was around ten he was reading extracts from the national newspapers to all classes of customer as they queued outside the postal hatch waiting for mail.  Apparently, his job was to prevent people from becoming impatient as they stood around in all kinds of weather.  Edwin's sister Emma (1850 - 1939), who died in my grandfather's home on Clonliffe Avenue, Dublin, at the age of almost ninety, said that Edwin became very entertaining on the steps of his father's post office, adding scenes from the novels of Dickens, Trollop, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, among others, to his repertoire.  In time, my great grandfather became a Telegraphist and took up a position as a postal clerk in Wexford, where he lodged with a family of native speakers by the name of Murphy.  They taught him the language, and he married their daughter, Marianne, in 1883, a month after his father died, and six months after the death of his mother. 

In addition to his responsibilities as a Telegraphic Clerk, Edwin had aspirations to be an entertainer.  In the early 1880's he stage-managed a number of shows in Wicklow, where he appeared regularly before an audience of 1,000 people.  A reviewer who saw him perform in the lead role as a Christy Minstrel, had this to say about his abilities:

It would be invidious to single out particular members for special notice, but we would certainly be doing an injustice if we did not mention that Mr. Halpin has established his name as a first class Christy Minstrel.  His drollery of manner, inimitable mimicry and natural humour combine to place him in the front of the rank.

My grandfather often referred to Edwin's skill as a mimic, which is a curious talent to develop in a country town like Wicklow in the third quarter of the 19th century.  At least I thought so, until I read this:

Wicklow Newsletter, September 8, 1866.

Valentine Vousden.

The popularity of this clever ''Polynational Mimic'' may be fairly said to be unlimited.  Wherever he has appeared he has invariably won the unqualified appreciation of all who have had an opportunity of witnessing his splendid entertainment.  His ''Unity of Nations'' is, in a word, faultless.  It is truly original and possesses the power of increasing the desire to see it again and again repeated.  Of Mr. Vousden's gifted accomplishments it is unnecessary to speak a word of commendation.  He is well known to the Wicklow public, and it is only to be regretted that he does not appear more frequently among us.  We learn, however, that he will, on Monday evening next, visit our town for a short time, and it is not unreasonable to anticipate that his reception will be commensurate with the excellence of his talents, and the superior character of his spirit-stirring entertainment.  We cannot but regard Valentine Vousden, as a true Irishman, and as an accurate exponent of Irish character, fondly attached to the ''Emerald Isle,'' and thoroughly imbued with idiosyncrasies he brings her in juxtaposition with other countries, and by his original songs, and faithful representations illustrates with great discrimination the character of ''Poor Pat'' which unfortunately has been but too often held up to ridicule by contemptible ''strollers'' whose reputation is as questionable as it is ephemeral, and whose performances, while they are repulsive to good taste, operate materially against the interest of true genius and deserving merit.

Edwin would have been about eleven when he saw Vousden perform, and there's every chance that his experience that night was a formative one. 

More can be found out about Valentine Vousden here: http://www.vousden.name/valentine.htm

The Christy Minstrels toured Dublin in 1864: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy%27s_Minstrels

For an uncomfortable glimpse at what Edwin's performance in Wicklow's Christy Minstrel Show might have looked like, try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NqbxQw0rdY

[Shanachai]

Part 1.

Wicklow Newsletter, September 1st 1866.

Editorial

.

In our last publication we expressed our gratitude that, notwithstanding the spread of Cholera to other counties in Ireland, Wicklow had been entirely exempt from the fearful epidemic.  At the same time, we remarked that too much attention and care could not be bestowed on the part of those on whom rests the responsibility of taking all precautionary measures to improve, to the fullest extent, the sanitary condition of our town and neighbourhood.  Regard to external matters is all very well in its way - the cleansing of the streets, repairing of the roads and footpaths - but it should not be forgotten that whilst the surface may appear healthy, the fatal cancer is eating its way within.  So it is, with respect to the dwelling houses in some localities, which, to the passer-by may present a clean and healthy aspect, while within are to be found, huddled together, no less than eight or ten families - writhing in the agonies of the death-striking monster.  It cannot be denied that there are powers, amply sufficient to prevent this state of things, and carry out the desired object.  Regulations can easily be made to fix the number of occupants of houses let in tenements, not being common lodging-houses - to compel the registration of the place, and enforce the lime-washing and otherwise cleansing of the house at certain periods.  There is also abundant provision made for providing the several districts with sufficient sewers, or with a proper supply of water where the public health is imperiled from either the in-adequateness or unwholesomeness of the existing supply.  Surely, when such means are open to those in authority, the least that may be done is to adopt them immediately - not when the plague arrives, and when all measures, preventive or precautionary, cease to be effectual.  We feel that we cannot too strongly urge this matter upon the Town Commissioners of Wicklow; and in making these observations, we do so without in any way imputing to that body the slightest dereliction of duty, or any indifference to an interest so vital as that of the health of the inhabitants, but simply with the view of drawing their attention to the rapid progress which Cholera is making in adjoining counties. 

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Part 2.

We have just learned that a case of this alarming disease has occurred so near as Arklow.  We have not been furnished with the particulars of it, and trust that the rumour is without foundation.  A great amount of evil arises, no doubt, from false alarms and shivering anticipations, but we should, nevertheless, be prepared, should it please Providence to visit us with a plague whose influence is so deadly and devastating to the human family as that of Cholera.

(Since writing the above, we have been informed that the rumour of the Cholera having reached Arklow is unfounded.  A man named Ivory, a coaster, residing in that town, took suddenly ill, and the circumstances having been made known, medical aid was at once procured.  The medical gentleman in attendance pronounced the case to be free from any symptoms of Cholera.  The occurrence, however, produced considerable excitement in the district.)

[The 'medical gentleman in attendance' may have been Dr. Stopford W. Halpin, brother of Captain Robert Charles Halpin.  Dr. Halpin spent most of his professional life as an MD working in Arklow, where he was 'supported' rather than liked by the Protestant community, and generally reviled by the Catholic community.  His deserved reputation as a competent medic was overshadowed by his reputation as a class snob and anti-Catholic bigot.  Dr. Halpin was not averse using his influence in a highly unethical way to punish or subdue his Catholic neighbours, as when he maliciously deprived the starving inhabitants of Arklow's Fisheries of their only supply of half-decent drinking water, an act of undeniable bastardry that resulted in what the media at the time described as 'the Arklow pump riots', in which reserves of constabulary from nearby towns were called on to subdue the furious peasantry, up to five hundred of whom had attempted to burn Dr. Halpin and his family out of their home.  On another occasion, the son of the owner of the Green Tree Hotel in Wicklow - a prominent Dublin barrister - was implicated in a case of illegitimacy when Dr. Halpin named him as the father of the child of a young Catholic girl who worked as a maid in the hotel.  The Doctor, it appears, simply didn't like the barrister's pro-Home Rule politics and, when the opportunity arose, did what he could to blacken his good name.  Therefore the 'doctoring' of a report on the cause of the death of the coaster named Ivory, who was feared to have brought Cholera to Arklow, should not be discounted as improbable, whether 'the medical gentleman in attendance' was Dr. Halpin or not.  The motive for doing so might have been to prevent the 'evil that arises from false alarms and shivering anticipations', but outbreaks of contagious disease in 19th century Ireland often reflected badly on the reputations of the local medics, resulting in a near-total boycott by townsfolk of doctors' surgeries, which seriously damaged their personal finances.  Therefore it simply wasn't in a doctor's interests to be the one to declare a medical emergency unless it was absolutely necessary.  In other words, the initial rumours may well have been right - the coaster named Ivory could have died of the effects of Cholera after all.]

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Part 1.  Wicklow Newsletter, September 8, 1866.

Wicklow Town Commissioners.

The usual monthly meeting of the Town Commissioners was held on Monday last, in the Courthouse.

Mr. Thomas Troy, Presiding.

The other Commissioners present were: - Captain Wynne, Captain Howard, Wm. Magee, Esq., J.P., Dr. A. Nolan, J. Nolan, Esq., and Messrs J. Chapman, J. Hayden, T. Doolittle, H. McPhail, J. O'Brien, W. McPhail, J. Oakes, M. McCabe.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Absent Commissioners.

Mr. H. McPhail applied for a record of the attendance of the several commissioners for the previous six or eight months.  He said he made the request in consequence of some gentlemen having voted at the last meeting whom he had not had the honour of seeing at the meetings for many months prior.
The Secretart (Mr. Robert Wellington Halpin) said - Mr. MacPhail can inspect the roll book after the meeting, but -
Mr. McPhail - I would prefer another course.  I will not wait until the meeting is over, unless the members express their desire that I should do so.  At least unless the majority of the members express that desire, and make that decision.
Mr. Chapman - I move that Mr. McPhail get the roll and be allowed to make out the list of the names.
The motion was agreed to and the book in question was handed to Mr. McPhail.
Mr. H. McPhail having inspected the registry book said - Mr. Chairman, I find by reference to this list that Mr. Barry has not for eight or ten months attended your meetings, and according to the terms of the Act, any Commissioner absenting himself for six months is, at the expiration of that period, liable to a penalty or fine.  Now I wish to know whether that has been enforced in this case or not.
The Secretary said that the date of Mr. Barry's last attendance was within six months.  It was over five, but did not come exactly up to six months.

The Wesleyan Chapel.

The Rev. Mr. Cather said he had an application to make with regard to the Old Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.  With the notification which he had received he was ready to surrender the premises, and had forwarded a letter to the Commissioners which he would request the Secretary to read.
The Secretary then read the letter which was referred to the next monthly meeting.

The Wicklow Tramway.

The subject of the Wicklow Tramway, which had been discussed at the last meeting, and postponed until the present was then taken up for consideration.
Mr. O'Brien inquired if there was any person present to represent the Tramway Company.
Mr. Hayden replied that he appeared as the representative of the Company.
The Secretary then read a letter from Mr. Ebbs, stating that he would not allow the original lease to go out of his possession, but that he would let the Commissioners have a copy of it at the usual charge.
Dr. Nolan thought that as a matter of courtesy the inspection of the copy of the lease held by the Tramway Company should be open to the Commissioners.
Mr. Hayden - We got no notice to produce the lease, and I do not see that we are in any way bound to produce it.
Dr. Nolan - I put it to you as a Town Commissioner, whether it is reasonable for you, or is it consistent with your duty as a Town Commissioner, to put us to the expense of getting a copy of the original lease.  If, however, we have to go to the expense of getting it we shall do so. 
Mr. Hayden - If the members think that that document should be now produced I will send for it, but I would suggest that the matter should lie over until after this meeting.
Dr. Nolan - If it is not produced I will move that the Secretary be directed to write to Mr. Ebbs for a copy of the original lease.
Mr. Hayden then went for the document referred to, and after a short interval returned, and said that having further considered the matter and consulted with Mr. Fox, he believed it to be his duty not to produce the lease.
The matter then dropped.

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Part 2.

The Wicklow Gas Company.

The Chairman said that the next matter to be brought before the notice of the meeting was the payment of a sum of £20 to the Gas Company.  He was of the opinion that the sum due to Mr. Byrne (Of Croney-Byrne) should also be paid.
The Secretary said that the gross amount in bank was £56.
After some further discussion with reference to the items due, the several amounts were ordered to be paid and the matter dropped.

The Lighting Of The Towns.

The Lighting of the Town was the next subject brought forward.
Mr. O'Brien moved a resolution to the effect that on or after the 1st October next, the town be lighted until the 1st April 1867. Mr. O'Brien, whilst moving this resolution, strongly complained of the deficiency of the Gas lights hitherto supplied.  Several other Commissioners made similar observations with respect to the quantity of the Gas supply.
Dr. Nolan remarked that the lighting of the locality at the crossroads in High Street, leading to Bayview Terrace, was insufficient.  He made that observation not from any personal motive, but simply because the want was apparent to every person.
Mr. O'Brien agreed with Dr. Nolan that the additional light be given at the Crossroads, provided that the Gas Company would put up the lamp free of expense.
It was then proposed by Mr. Chapman, and seconded by Mr. O'Brien, that the lighting of the town be referred to the Managing Committee, giving them power to treat with the Gas Company, and have the Town lit by the 1st of October.

The Public Health.

Captain Wynne drew attention to the sanitary condition of the town, and in doing so referred to the spread of Cholera in adjoining counties.  He remarked that too much attention could not be given to the matter, and concluded by suggesting several improvements (of a sanitary character) which were acquiesced in by the meeting.

Some business of a routine character was then disposed of, after which proceedings terminated.

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Presentation To Lord And Lady Powerscourt.

On Tuesday last, according to previous arrangement, a large number of the tenantry from the Enniskerry, Tyrone, Dublin, and other estates of this highly esteemed nobleman, met for the purpose of presenting to Lord and Lady Powerscourt their portrait in a large oil painting, by Mr. Weigall, an artist of considerable standing, also to present Lady Powerscourt, with a splendid diamond and gold bracelet, value 120 sovereigns.  The entire cost of the presentations was about £900. 

About half-past one o'clock the tenantry (in well dressed groups) arrived at Powerscourt demesne, which, under the influence of the fine weather, presented a very attractive appearance.  The house was decorated with flags, bannerets, &c., and from its summit floated a red ensign.

Among the Wicklow and Dublin tenantry present, were - The Rev. Charles McDonagh, Rev. T. O'Dwyer, P.P., John F. Meekins, Esq., Edward Vaughan, Esq., Messrs Patrickson, Buckley, Shirley, Keegan, Walker, Clarke, Quigley, Sutton, Mason, Hanicks, Smith, Byrne, &c.  The representatives of the Tyrone tenantry included the Rev. David G. Smyth, Presbyterian Minister, Dungannon, and H. Harper, Esq.  The Wexford tenantry were represented by John Whitmore, Esq., Robert Dowse, Esq., and W. H. Dowse, Esq.
Several residents in the neighbourhood of Enniskerry (including Dr. King) were also present.

The deputation of the tenantry were admitted to the main hall of the Mansion, where they were courteously received by the noble lord.  The presentations having been formally made, Mr. C. Posnett, an agent to the Powerscourt Estate, read an address highly eulogistic of Lord Powerscourt as a kind and liberal landlord, and his lordship delivered a suitable reply.

The tenantry were then entertained at a substantial dinner, at which several toasts, including the health of Lord and Lady Powerscourt, and the Agent of the Estates were proposed and drunk with enthusiasm.

The festivities were kept up till an advanced hour in the evening when the tenantry retired to their homes, evidently delighted with the proceedings of the day, surely it is a source of great satisfaction to witness such an indication of good feeling as that manifested on this occasion between the noble owner of Powerscourt and his industrious and respectable tenantry.

- Wicklow Newsletter, September 1, 1866.

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Part 1.

Summary of News.

The Constabulary: A circular from Colonel Wood, Inspector-General of Constabulary, has been issued, announcing that the regulation granting increase of pay to the Constabulary had come into operation, and would date from the 1st of April last past.

The Lord Lieutenant and his private secretary are tolerably hard worked just now, preparing replies to the numerous addresses poured in from every conceivable public body on the occasion of a new vice-royalty.  Every word has to be nicely balanced, so that carpers and critics may have no ground of offence, and yet to say something assuring and satisfactory in each particular case.  The corporation of Dublin were unusually windy and particularly anxious about the Irish tenants, though they said not a word about their own dirty streets, or of the utter neglect with which as a rule in their private capacity they treat those in their employment.  We will be bound to say there is hardly one of these gentlemen of the scarlet robe could even tell where their workpeople live, and of course are utterly ignorant how they live, while most landlords know all about their tenantry, and take an interest in their welfare.  There are exceptions, it is true, but as matters stand it is altogether out of place in such people as the present corporation of Dublin is composed of to lecture so good and kind a landlord as the marquis of Abercorn.

An aged pauper in the New Ross Workhouse committed suicide last week by throwing himself from one of the dormitory windows.

The Countess of Portarlington has closed her subscription list for wounded Austrians.  The sum collected was exactly £100, which certainly does not represent a very large amount of sympathy.

Private Michael Hartigan, late of the 61st regiment, one of the soldiers tried at the recent Courts-martial in Dublin, is sentenced to penal servitude for life.  These courts still continue.

All the Fenian prisoners - fifty-seven in number - in Belfast jail have been removed to Mountjoy prison, Dublin.

The rate of interest is this week again reduced to 6 per cent.

Troops for Canada: The Herald says - We believe that the Canadian authorities have applied for a military reinforcement, to give confidence to the colony during the present complications in the United States.  It is probable that two infantry regiments, which are under orders to embark in the usual course of relief, will proceed to Quebec, and be placed at the disposal of the Governor-General if he should wish to retain them.  Further, if it should be required, a cavalry regiment, to be furnished with horses in Canada as on a former occasion, will follow in a short time.  The 53rd and 61st Regiments and 13th Hussars are the regiments indicated.

The Wicklow Line: A very influential deputation of gentlemen from the county of Wicklow waited on Thursday morning on the directors of the above line of railway for the purpose of representing the inconvenience likely to arise by the closing up, as arranged, of the Glenealy station and showing that it would prove not only an inconvenience to the public, but also a loss to the company.  The chairman and directors promised to attend to the application, and it is understood have agreed to allow the Glenealy station to remain open.  The deputation consisted of the Rev. John Drought, Rev. Samuel Clark, Captain Drought, Captain De Butts, Thomas Acton, Esq., A W Byrne, Esq., Colonel Donovan, Robert Donovan, Esq., Edward Keogh, Esq., John Hayden, Esq., Mr. Robert Lawrenson, Mr Richard Fawcett, Mr Richard Edge, Robert Holt Truell, Esq., Captain Truell, Samuel Fenton, and Rev. John Fletcher.  The Killoughter station also remains open.

Wicklow Young Men's Christian Association: We desire to call attention to an advertisement in another column, announcing that His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, will deliver a lecture in connexion with the above society, in the Parochial Schoolhouse, Wicklow, on Thursday evening next.  His Grace has chosen for his subject ''Proverbs'' which it is unnecessary to say will be treated with the profound genius and masterly ability of this eminent Divine.

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Part 2.

Representation of the County of Wexford: The Wexford Independent says - "It is rumoured that the Hon. Captain White, who recently contested the County of Dublin on Liberal principles, will offer himself as a successor to Mr. George, for the County of Wexford.''  The same journal remarks, that ''Mr. George, as a member of the Conservative party, while he clung with fidelity to his own principles, was never known to give offence to those who differed from him, but acted towards every man that came in contact with him, whatever might be his political convictions, with courtesy, kindness and attention; but there was one enactment which he was instrumental in passing in conjunction with Sir Wm. Somerville, that entitles him to the everlasting gratitude of the poor - the bill for the erection of suitable dwelling-houses for the labouring classes.  As a landlord and a county gentleman, he faithfully discharged his duties.''

Holloway's Ointment and Pills: The Anchor of Hope - If there be one description of human knowledge superior to all others it is the knowledge of the means of preserving or maintaining health - wanting which, existence is a mockery - death a relief.  Holloway's twin medicaments supply this great desideratum.  In all diseases they are beneficial because they purify the blood, from which every portion of the body must inevitably be renewed.  The Ointment, by brisk friction, relaxes, penetrates, and then exerts its regulating and wholesome influence on the skin and underlying organs.  In this way the stomach, lungs, liver, and kidneys can be effectively reached and invigorated, especially if Holloway's Pills be simultaneously taken to aid in the work of purification and regeneration.

- Wicklow Newsletter, September 1 1866.

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The Dublin Markets.

For The Week Ending August 30, 1866.

Cattle Market, August 29.

With an average supply, but consisting chiefly of secondary classes of cattle and sheep, our market opened briskly for the most superior qualities of each at the fullest extreme of last week's value; but as the morning passed sales grew very dull, and a reduction in secondary, middling, and inferior stock became inevitable, and with much difficulty a clearance was effected, sheep showing the effects of bad demand in the English markets.  Top beef 68s, 70s, to 72s 6d per cwt - say 7.5d to 8d; odd instances 8.5d per lb; top mutton 8d to 8.5d and 5.5d per lb.  Wool 20d to 21d per lb.

Provisions - Spitalfields, Aug. 24 - Wicklow bacon (new) 70s to 74s; ditto (old), 68s to 70s; ditto hams (new) 68s to 70s; ditto (old) 60 to 65s 4d; cheeks 44s to 46s 8d; Limerick middles 74s to 78s; ditto hams (long) 84s to 88s; ditto gams 60s to 62s; bladdered lard 80s to 84s; American middles 53s to 56s; ditto shoulders 42s to 44s; Monte Video beef 16s to 18s per cwt.  Pork 56s to 58s per cwt.  A moderate supply of Wicklow bacon and indifferent demand led to no alteration in prices.

Egg and Butter Market, Little Green, Aug. 29 - cool butter 10d to 12d per lb; do. firkins 90s to 102s 8d per cwt.  Eggs hen 7s per 124 (wholesale); ditto ditto 7s 8d to 7s 10d per 124 (retail); supply fair but demand dull.

Potatoes - Downs 2s 2d to 2s 8d; Kemps 3s to 3s 6d per cwt.  No complaints of disease.

Hay - 2s 6d to 3s 6d per cwt; straw 1s 6d to 2s 6d; oil cake 10s.

Coals - House coals, 18s to 20s per ton, quay price; Coke, 11s per chaldron.

Wool. - Firmer; 1s 6d to 1s 10d per lb.  Buyers seem very cautious.

Only 130,000 tons of coal were raised last year in Ireland, while in South Wales alone the quantity raised was nearly eight million tons.

81,993 tons of Iron Pyrites were raised last year in the county of Wicklow, and only about 32,000 tons more in all the rest of Ireland.  The value of the whole is estimated at £71,174.

The Waterford News says that harvest labourers have been engaged there at three shillings per day and food, and that so anxious were the farmers to get them speedily to work numbers were taken off on jaunting cars.

- WNL Sept. 1st 1866.