Robert Goodbody Journal

many things were tried, hot baths, and strong remedies, but about 10 minutes before three in that day he departed it being a very hot day, and immediately after he died the obstruction in his bowells gave way, which if it had done before he might have a chance. He was interred on 3rd day evening following. William Pim died the day week before him. My father was a severe loss in his family, a loss to the town and to the meeting. I don't think there was a more upright man in the town. He was also a public spirited man. That summer in consequence of the wet weather of 1799 all the wheat being malty and the potatoes very wet, and bad much of them about Mountmellick being spoiled by the floods and water lying on them, so that in the markets potatoes rose to 20/-sfl(barrel). The oats were also very bad, and malty, also the wheat. I think about the 4th mo. the poor were so much distressed by the high price of provisions that there was a subscription set on foot to buy oaten meal at a distance, most of which was purchased at Waterford. A large sum of money was collected and also a large sum lent to purchase food. A store was opened for the sale of food, the poorest got for nothing, others at reduced prices, and those able to pay full cost got at that price, which most of the summer was 6/6d. per stone, but none were allowed to get more than two stone even at all cost, unless they were known to have large families, but many hundreds from the town, and all parts of the county, partook of the charity. The weaving trade was then very good, and high prices paid them for their labour. There was a large and respectable committee sat twice a week for the purchase and distribution of food. There was also a public oven built or rather two ovens to bake brown bread, which was sold at cost price. I did

Copyright © 2004 Mr Tony Lynch All rights reserved.