drogheda election 1847

8/6/2019 Drogheda Election 1847

1/14

The Drogheda ParliamentaryElection of 1847 and itsAftermath

By Ned McHughThe general election of August 1847 produced few unexpected results. Peel'sConservative government was defeated and a Whig administration headed by Lord JohnRussell was returned to power. The hope of a strong united Irish parliamentary lobby was notrealised however, as the election did not bring about the return of a coherent disciplined groupof Irish representatives. The repeal movement in Ireland had been divided; in 1846 many

Young Irelanders had either left or had been expelled from the Repeal Association whenDaniel O'Connell committed it to the doctrine that physical force could never be justified as ameans of gaining independence. The Young Irelanders, who were romantic nationalists, set upa repeal association of their own on 13 January 1847. Itwas called the Irish Confederation andwas led by William Smith O'Brien, a Protestant landlord and member of parliament. Otherprominent members of this organisation were Thomas Francis Meagher, Gavan Duffy andJohn Mitchell. In the spring and early summer of 1847 these two wings of the repeal movementmade some attempts to reunite, but failed. However, they were united in calling on the Irishmembers of parliament to withdraw from Westminster and form a council of national distressin Dublin. Daniel O'Connell died at Genoa on 15 May of that year but it was not until 5

August that he was buried at Glasnevin cemetery. By this time election results were coming in.Most of the successful repeal candidates were from the Repeal Association; only two, WilliamSmith O'Brien and Chisholm Anstey, fully endorsed the Irish Confederation. Nonetheless,between them, these two rival repeal organisations only managed to capture aminority of theparliamentary seats, and once again the Conservatives and Whigs had the lion's share ofelectoral support.1It was against this background that the Repeal Association attempted to unseat SirWilliam Meredyth Somerville, the Whig MP who represented the Borough of Droghedaconstituency in the outgoing parliament and had just been appointed chief secretary forIreland. Sir William Somerville was born in 1802 and matriculated from Christ Church,

Oxford in 1822 but did not graduate. Having succeeded to the baronetcy when his father diedin 1831 he spent some time in the diplomatic service. He unsuccessfully contested the 1835general election forWenlock. However, as he was the only candidate standing for the boroughof Drogheda in the general election of 1837 he had little trouble taking this seat for theWhigs.In 1841 he was again unopposed and therefore t'he election of 1847 was the first occasion onwhich he had to face an opponent in the constituency.2 In his parliamentary contributions headopted a position typical of a liberal landlord. He played a leading role in the downfall of the

Tory government in 1846 and on theWhigs assuming office under Lord John Russell he wasrewarded with the post of under-secretary for the Home Department. In July 1847 he was1. Angus Macintyre, The Liberator: Daniel O'Connell and the Irish Party, 1830-1847 (London, 1965), 285-308; J.C. Beckett, The Making of Modern Ireland, 1603-1923 (2nd ed., London and Boston, 1981), 323-47; Freeman's

Journal, 20 August 1847.2. Brian M. Walker (ed.), Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland 1801-1922 (Dublin, 1978), 63, 69, 76.

297


2/14

298 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journalappointed chief secretary for Ireland.3 He had a residence at Somerville House, Balrath,

Ashbourne, County Meath as well as an English address at 7 St George's Place, London.4The first salvo in the repealers' campaign was fired when they held ameeting of electors inthe Linen Hall on 25 July 1847.5 Itwas requisitioned by seventy-two electors for the purpose of'taking into consideration the most effectual means of securing the return of an independent

Repeal representative at the coming election'. The chairman, Patrick Boylan TC, opened themeeting by informing the large attendance of the shortcomings of Sir William Somerville: aperson whose votes clearly proved that he was no longer deserving to be the representative ofthe large commercial town of Drogheda; one who neglected to get a grant for theimprovement of the harbour ? there had frequently been large foreign vessels unable to getadmission to the quays owing to the condition of the river; the people of Drogheda in commonwith other cities and towns had petitioned the House of Commons for a uniform Poor Lawsystem of rating to achieve a fair equalisation of the burden, but Sir William opposed the

motion made; he had dispensed patronage in jobs in the excise, customs and revenue; thegrand question, however, was repeal of the legislative union of Ireland with Britain, and SirWilliam was an avowed anti-repealer.Town councillor Collins told the attendance that every year the country presented an

aspect of greater distress; fisheries were neglected; a great number of poor were flocking intothe town to get employment, but Sir William opposed a uniform system of rating; SirWilliamcame to town while the relief committee was sitting, but he went to see the Primate and thenleft without making a donation ? when written to, he sent ?25 to be divided between 20,000 ata time that merchants and shopkeepers were each subscribing from ?100 downwards, inaddition to giving weekly subscriptions; the public works initiated by the government of whichSomerville was a member, rendered roads impassable by leaving them in an unfinished state.He concluded by proposing the first resolution: That this meeting of the Repeal electors ofDrogheda are unanimously of opinion that Sir William Somerville, Bart., is not a properperson to represent this borough any longer, on account of his not being a Repealer, nor anadvocate of the tenant right; and inasmuch as he has in the last parliament voted in a mannerdirectly contrary to the interests of his constituents, and the welfare of Ireland'. The motionwas seconded by T. J. Rowland, a solicitor. Having adopted this, a second resolution was thenunanimously passed, calling on the members of Drogheda Corporation to come forward andgive their votes for a Repeal candidate to represent the borough. John Apperson, the editor ofthe Drogheda Conservative Journal, informed the meeting he could not see what good the

Whigs had done for the country. He was aware that they had inflicted grievous calamities on itby permitting the people to perish of want rather than interfere with the heartless speculatingmerchants who traded in corn; that nearly two million people were sacrificed for the gain ofBritish merchants. He would support a Conservative candidate, but as he saw no chance ofsuch a person standing for election, he considered it his duty to aid the Repealers who were

working to put the Whigs out. He then attacked the corporation: 'those men who haveheretofore made such liberal professions in favour of Repeal, where are they today? We seethem neither leading the van nor bringing up the rere . . .Why should they not be here, andnot have me a Protestant, as well as others professing the same religious opinions, to take theirplace'.6 The third resolution declared that any elector who would vote for either Whig or Torywould be a traitor to his country and the sacred cause of nationality. It was carried amid

3. Sidney Lee (ed.), Dictionary of national biography (London, 1909), xviii, 666-1.4. The Dublin almanac and general register of Ireland, for the year of our lord 1847 (Dublin, n.d.), 300.5. Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal (hereafter cited as DAL]), 31 July 1847.6. Ibid.


3/14

The Drogheda Parliamentary Election of 1847 and itsAftermath 299tumultuous cheering.7 The meeting ended after giving three cheers for O'Connell, three forthe honest forty-shilling freeholders, three for the Protestant freemen and three for repeal.8The Repeal candidate, Thomas Lamie Murray, came to Drogheda on Sunday 1Augustand he received a rousing reception. The trades and amateur town bands met him on theDublin road and crowds of people lined the streets, cheering, applauding and shouting forrepeal. He addressed the crowd from one of the windows of Simcocks' Hotel inWest Street. Inhis speech he professed himself an advocate of repeal of the union and declared that hefavoured tenant right. He said he supported freedom of conscience and every other measurewhich would improve the condition of the people. Having praised the 'Liberator', he went onto state that if he was elected he would be a constant attender in the House of Commons, sincehe lived in London. Moreover, being an Irishman, he would do all in his power to lessen localtaxation, improve the harbour and encourage the spread of capital inDrogheda.The nomination took place on Monday 2 August at 12 o'clock. All through the morningthe streets were thronged with supporters of both candidates. The court was packed tocapacity as soon as the doors were opened. The writ for holding the election was read byWilliam Horan and this was followed by cheering for Repeal. The high sheriff warned that 'ifthe freedom of person and property is not protected, I will feel it my duty to call out the

military'.9 Elections in nineteenth-century Ireland usually brought with them the potential forserious public disorder, and Drogheda had its share during previous campaigns. Only a tinyproportion of the population had the franchise, but the fact that those entitled to vote had topublicly indicate who they were voting for, meant that they were wide open to the chilly windsof public opinion. Election time thus gave the opportunity to exert strong pressure andsometimes physical violence was employed.10 Presumably the high sheriff was mindful of the1835 election when about 100 Orangemen marched into the court-house, causing such adisturbance that the sheriff had to have it cleared; indeed on that occasion a number of theOrangemen carried pistols and daggers in full public view as they marched through the streets.This time however, the disturbances were confined to some window breaking and minorassaults.11

Once the high sheriff declared that he would accept nominations, James Gernon ofAthcarn Castle rose and proposed the Right Honourable Sir William Somerville, just as hehad done on the occasion of the previous general election. This nomination was seconded byThomas Carty JP. Alderman Rogers then proposed Thomas Lamie Murray as a Repealcandidate and this was seconded by John Collins TC, a Shop Street businessman and long timesupporter of Daniel O'Donnell.12 Carty, Rogers and Collins had each been elected to thereformed corporation of Drogheda in 1842 and when, in that year, Carty went on to becomeits first Catholic mayor he was paid generous public tributes by Somerville, the local MP.13The time had now come for Carty to return this support. John Collins pointed out that SirWilliam had voted against repeal of the union, against tenant right, and against Lord George7. Drogheda Conservative Journal (hereafter cited as DCJ), 31 July 1847.8. DALJ, 31 July 1847.9. DALJ, 1 August 1847.10. K. Theodore Hoppen, Elections, Politics and Society in Ireland 1832-1885 (Oxford, 1984), (hereafter cited as

Hoppen), 341-423.11. Third report from the select committee appointed to inquire into the nature, character, extent and tendency ofOrange lodges, associations or societies in Ireland; with the minutes of evidence, appendix and index, pp 7-10,U.C. 1835 (476), xvi; DCJ, 26 February 1848.

12. DALJ, 7 August 1847.13. A. Hughes, The History of Drogheda up to date with Memoirs of the Martyr-Primate, Dr Oliver Plunket;Cardinal Logue, Etc., Etc. (Drogheda, 1893), 262-6.


4/14

300 County Louth Archaeological and Historical JournalBentinck's bill to give sixteen million pounds for Irish railways. He urged people not to votefor theWhigs 'that starved the people ? that spends the money of the country in spoiling theroads in cutting down hills and filling hollows, instead of having you employed usefully'.14 Sir

William Somerville attempted to speak but could not be heard amidst the clamour. Finally thehigh sheriff restored order and SirWilliam proceeded to castigate Patrick Boylan, stating thatBoylan had applied to him for 'one of the following situations . . .', even though Boylan wasnow denouncing him to his friends. Chaos and confusion ensued and the high sheriffthreatened to clear the court on several occasions. SirWilliam repeated that Boylan had askedhim for 'a place in the Court or the Castle ? to be appointed Stipendiary Magistrate ?Assistant Poor Law Commissioner ? a magistrate in any of the colonies ? a place in thefisheries . . .and yet this is the man who talks of me to the people of Drogheda as a place man'.He claimed that although he had obtained no grant for Drogheda harbour, he had procured anAct by which the town could elect its own harbour commissioners, with power to borrowmoney to improve the harbour. He declared himself to be one of the few people in parliamentin favour of a union system of rating, and said he was one of those who constantly urged on thegovernment the injury that would be done to the towns if this were not introduced. He deniedthat he was against tenant right, but was cautious and vague about it. As to his opponent, hehad this to say: 'My opponents ransacked all Ireland without success to get a candidate tooppose me, and were then obliged to go to London for one'. Thomas Lamie Murray then roseto speak and immediately charged Somerville for his betrayal of the confidentialcommunications of one of his constituents. He accused him of not addressing the greatquestions of the day and called him a servant who had to obey British government ministers.He went on to make an impassioned speech favouring repeal of the union with England.Several others contributed to the debate, with some very emotive speeches being made, suchas that of Joseph Henry Dunne, a barrister and Repeal activist:When you, SirWilliam Somerville, heard that the people of this country were crusheddown by famine, sickness and death, how did you sit in your drawing-roomsurrounded by all that gives polish to refined society? What did you do, or resolve to

do, to stop the people from dying . . .Every man, let it be recollected, who votes fortheWhig candidate at this election becomes the approver of that policy, and of thatgovernment who have thinned the population.A show of hands was taken and the sheriff declared it in favour of Murray. A poll was thencalled for by Somerville's supporters and Wednesday 4 August was fixed for the election.The campaign aroused considerable interest, with the streets crowded and both camps

engaged in hectic activity. Six election booths were opened on Wednesday at 8 a.m. There wasintense activity all through the day, but when the polls closed at 5 o'clock, Somerville had amajority of three votes. The result was officially announced next day by the high sheriff in thecourt-house. Both candidates were absent but each sent a letter which was read to theassembly. After the announcement the packed court-house was drowned with a mixture ofcheers, groans and cries of bribery, bribery!15 Somerville had got 155 votes toMurray's 152.16On 1 February 1847 there were 734 electors registered for the Borough of Drogheda andalthough this had declined to 612 on 1February 1848, the total valid poll of 307 indicates that

14. DAU, 1 August 1847.15. Ibid.16. John Chester Esq., high sheriff of Drogheda to the electors of the county of the town of Drogheda, 5 August1847 (PRO London, C219/248).


5/14

The Drogheda Parliamentary Election of 1847 and itsAftermath 301only about half of the electorate had bothered to vote at all.17 The Drogheda Argus andLeinster Journal had this to say of Murray's defeat: Tt soon became evident that the peoplecared not for him personally ? except so far as they believed the principle of Repeal wasmixed up with his name'. This cannot be taken as a completely impartial observation,however, as the proprietor of this newspaper cast his vote in favour of Somerville.18At ameeting of the Loyal National Repeal Association held on Monday, 16 August 1847the chairman, Maurice O'Connell, MP for Tralee, gave his verdict on the Drogheda election:19and in Drogheda the Secretary for Ireland, Sir William Somerville, was so hard

pressed, that he was returned with amajority of only three, though the Repealer hadonly two or three days to prepare for the contest. If there be a petition theWhig willcertainly be put out, and I hope the honest men of Drogheda will vindicate thecharacter of their town and replace theWhig official by Mr Lamie Murray, the Repealcandidate (cheers). This of all matters was one of the most important for ourconsideration. It particularly behoved us to dispute the representation of Droghedawith theWhig. We have done so, and our running him so close ? our having so nearlydefeated him with all his influence and amiable private character, proves in theclearest manner that the honest people of Ireland are determined to work out thelegislative independence of their country.The tension with the Young Irelanders surfaced later on in the meeting when a speakerrecounted that while canvassing for Murray in Drogheda he met a Young Irelander whorefused to vote forMurray even at the close of the poll when they were running neck and neckwith theWhig nominee: 'But Mr Murray would lose ten thousand elections rather than takeone of their miserable and calumnious pledges'.On 14 August the Drogheda Conservative Journal published the names and addresses of

those who voted for each of the candidates. This makes very interesting reading because manyof Somerville's voters are marked as defectors from the repeal cause, i.e. those who wererepealers are indicated by an r; those who signed a requisition inviting a Repeal candidate tooppose Somerville are marked with an s; corporation repealers are indicated by the letters cr.It is clear from the voting lists that many who adopted a repeal position prior to the election,actually voted Whig when the crunch came. However, one of Somerville's voters, Hector

Hugh Chambers, in a letter published in the Freeman s Journal on 18 August, denied that hehad signed the requisition as alleged in the Drogheda Conservative Journal's lists. Noteverybody was surprised by these Repeal defections, and indeed the Nation newspaperpredicted as much in its issue of 31 July; the reason was also given:The Repealers foremost inwealth and station in that borough have addressed Sir W.Somerville, assuring him? an Anti Repealer ? of their support. A strange spectacle;but a correspondent makes it intelligible enough, by enumerating for us the variousoffices procured by Sir William for, at the direct instance of, nearly every one of the

entire number.

17. Returns of the number of electors registered for the several counties, cities, towns and boroughs of Ireland from the1st day of February 1846 to the 1st day of February 1847, and from the 1st day of February 1847 to the 1st day ofFebruary 1848 . . ., p. 9, H.C. 1847-8 (691), lvii.18. DCJ, 14 August 1847.19. DALJ, 21 August 1847; The Freeman's Journal, 17 August 1847.


6/14

302 County Louth Archaeological and Historical JournalTHOSE WHO VOTED FOR SOMERVILLE

Samuel Atkinson, William St., freeman, sJames Daniel Dowd, South Quay, householder, r

William Henry Beddy, Alleys, freemanJames Bellew, North Quay, householder, crJohn Doherty, Peter St., householder, sRobert Daly, West St., freeholder, rPatrick Byrne, West St., leaseholder, rA. R. Apperson (shoemaker), Fair St., freeman, sMichael Daly, Peter's church, freemanJohn Drew, West St., leaseholderHenry Byrne, Magdalene St., freeholder, rOliver Bridges, Potato-market, freemanThomas Beddy, West St., freemanFrancis Anderson, Eastham, County Meath, freemanOwen Boyle, West St., householder, rJohn Byrne, Gernonstown, freeholder, rLaurence Delany, Navan, freeholderRalph Eccleston, Blackbut Lane, freeman, sPatrick Byrne, Dyer St., householder, crSimon Duffy, Gernonstown, freeholder, sThomas Ennis, Belmarino, householder, crOwen Beahan, Duleek, freeholder, rPatrick Beahan, Dyer St., freeholderJohn Donegan, Gernonstown, freeholder, rBernard Devin, Gernonstown, freeholder, rJohn Dardis, Laurence St., freemanJohn Bollard, Gernonstown, freeholder, sFrancis Brodigan, Pilltown, freeholderNicholas Andrews, Thomas St., householder, rHector Hugh Chambers, Church Yard, freeman, sJohn Collins, North Strand, freemanWilliam Campbell, '82 Club, West St., householder, crWilliam Campbell, Magdalene St., householder, rBernard Clinton, St James's Road, householder, r

William Cairnes, Cotton Hall, freemanChristopher Jordan, West St., freeholderWilliam Clinton, Dyer St., householder, rJohn Cooper, Cooper-hill, freemanT. Campbell, (repeal warden) Laurence St., householderJohn Coulson, Lisburn, County Antrim, leaseholderJohn Cook, Bullring, freeholderMichael Campbell, Great George's St., freeman, sBernard Chapman, King St., freeman, sNicholas Coogan, Gernonstown, freeholder, rLaurence Carton, Gernonstown, freeholderThomas Crolly, Dyer St., householder, rPeter Connolly, North Strand, householder, rMichael Chester, Stonehouse, leaseholderH. B. Coddington, Oldbridge, freemanPatrick Crosbey, West St., householder, rThomas Carty, West St., leaseholderJohn Cowley, Beamore Road, householder, rMichael Crinnian, Linenhall St., householder, rJohn Fanning, Laurence St., householderR. E. Fairtlough, Clonmore Rectory, freemanLathum Fairtlough, William St., freemanJames Hughes, West St., householder, rJohn Grendon, Barrack Lane, freeholder, sJames Forde, Magdalene St., freemanWilliam Hoey, Gernonstown, freeholder, rPatrick Hinchy, Levins' Bridge, freeholder, r

Peter Greene, Mannimore, householder, rThomas Falkner, road to Greenhills, leaseholder, rPhilip Heaney, Prospect, householder, rCharles C. Farrell, Fair St., householderThomas Grendon, West St., freemanMathew Fegan, out Laurence's Gate, householder, rAnthony Graves, Newtown Platten, freeman, sRobert Finegan, Bullring, householder, rThomas Hammond, Sheephouse, County Meath,

householder, rJames Gilmore, Dundalk, rent charge ?20James Gernon, Athcarn Castle, freeholder

Robert Hardman, Hardman's Garden, freemanHenry Garvey, Peter St., freemanJ. H. Hudson, Riversdale, freemanJoseph Holmes, Dublin, leaseholderPatrick Murtagh, Peter St., householder, sPatrick Moore, Sunday's Gate, freeholder, rJames Mathews, Mounthanover, freeholderJames Mullin, out Duleek Gate, householder, rFelix M'Mahon, Irish St., freeholder, rJames M'Cartney, Peter St., freemanJohn Mullin, James's St., householder, rRev. T. Martin, Rathmoural Lodge, freeholderPeter M'Evoy, Fair St., freeholder, crJohn Mulloy, Gravel Walk, freeholder, rJames Moore, Mannimore, freemanSamuel Moore, George's St., freemanWilliam Moore, Killineer, freemanIsaiah Moore, jun., Killineer, freemanWilliam Murray, Eastham, freemanIsaiah Moore, sen., Killineer, freeman

Thomas Mulholland, Yellow Batter, freeholderWilliam Hill M'Cready, Summerhill, freeholderPatrick M'Kenna, Gaol of Drogheda, freemanRichard Maguire, Newgrange, freemanRobert Morton, Fair St., householderPatrick Mathews, Annagor, householder, rJohn Morton, Church Lane, householderHugh Maguire, West St., householder, rJohn Murphy, Fair St., householder, rNicholas Madden, Scarlet Lane, freeholder, rJohn Magee, Laurence St., householder, rJames M'Donnell, Dublin, leaseholderJoseph M'Loughlin, Ball's Grove, householder,

rW. A. M'Kenna, Laurence St., householder, rPeter Kirwan, Yellow Batter, householder, rFrancis Kirwan, Townrath, householder, r

William Owens, Laurence St., householderEdward Kirwan, Laurence St., householder, r

William Patterson, Great George's St., householderPatrick Kelly, West St., householder, crJames Philips, Gernonstown, freeholder, rFrancis William Leland, Laurence St., freemanJames O'Neill, Gernonstown, freeholder, sJohn Richardson, Gernonstown, freeholder, r

Hugh Reilly, out Duleek Gate, householder, rHenry Osborne, Dardistown, freemanJames Reilly, Beamore Road, householder, rJohn Reilly, William St., freemanPatrick Rogers, Gernonstown, freeholder, rJohn Pendry, Merchants Quay, freeman


7/14

The Drogheda Parliamentary Election of 1847 and itsAftermath 303Anthony Keappock, West St., householder, crJohn Richardson, Palace Row, freemanGeorge Knaggs, West St., leaseholderGeorge Pepper, Mosney, freemanThomas Kelly, Laurence St., freeholder, rWilliam Leonard, Townrath, householder, rThomas Kelly, Peter St., householderWilliam Roy, Beaulieu, freemanJohn Kelly, Fair St., householder, rJames Levins, Shop St., householder, crMichael Skelly, road to Cord, freeholder, rJames Watson, Magdalene St., freemanPeter Walsh, James's St., householder, rJohn Shaw, Church Yard, freemanJames Simpson, Hurtle, freemanThomas Simcocks, West St., householder, crPatrick Ternan, Hardman's Garden, householder, r

Peter Verd?n, West St., leaseholder, rMichael Vaghey, Stockwell Lane, householder, sMichael John Verd?n, West St., householder, rJohn Walsh, Linenhall St., householder, rPatrick Ternan, Greenhills, householder, crLaurence Steele, Banktown, freemanJohn Stewart, Potato-market, freeman

Walter Skelly, Gernonstown, freeholder, rRalph Smyth, Queensborough, freemanSt George Smith, Greenhills, freemanMichael Walsh, South Quay, householder, crRobert Thompson, Killineer, freemanJames Simpson, Mattock Lodge, freemanJohn Shegog, Fair St., freemanNicholas White, West St., householder, rCharles White, West St., householder, r

THOSE WHO VOTED FOR MURRAYThomas Apperson, Peter St., (printer), freemanWilliam Barker, Peter St., freeman

William Boylan, South Quay, householderPeter Bannon, Laurence St., householderMathew Biggers, Peter St., householderPatrick Black, Peter St., householderChristopher Dogget, Peter St., householderJames Butterly, Laurence St., householderJohn Bowen, Shop St., householderThomas Branigan, Shop St., householderNicholas Boylan, North Quay, householderJohn Duffy, Laurence St., householderWilliam P. Berrill, Bullring, householderThomas William Doyle, William St., householderBernard Duffy, West St., householderJames Durnin, West St., householderThomas Barron, Shop St., householderDenis Devin, Bullring, householderGeorge Dowd, Shop St., householderMichael Downey, Morgan's Lane, freeholderOwen Donegan, Trinity St., householderRichard Barron, John St., householderJohn Butterly, Shop St., householderPeter Branigan, Peter St., householderJohn Davis, Laurence St., householderPatrick Brennan, West St., householderBryan Byrne, Dyer St., householderFrancis Berrill, West St., householderRichard Cooney, Peter St., householderWilliam Jephson, Magdalene St., freemanRobert Johnson, Laurence Gate, freeholderMichael Callan, Carntown, householderPatrick Connolly, West St., householderJames Curtis, Peter St., householderPatrick Clusky, Platten Road, householderThomas Callaghan, Laurence Gate, householderJames Colgan, Laurence Gate, freeholderJohn Clarke, James's St., leaseholderBernard Johnson, West St., householderJohn Connolly, Bullring, householder

Michael Callan, Laurence St., householderThomas Carroll, West St., householderPatrick Courtnay, Shop St., householder

Peter Clarke, Trinity St., householderPatrick Courtnay, Stockwell Lane, householderBartholomew Collins, Stockwell Lane, householderThomas Carpenter, John St., householderBartholomew Courtney, West St., householderJohn Campbell, North Road, householderMathew Curry, Trinity St., householderPatrick Conway, North Road, householderNicholas Campbell, West St., householderJohn Collins, Shop St., householderPatrick Casey, West St., householderThomas Connolly, Bullring, householderJohn Carney, Killineer, leaseholderJohn Carter, Crooked St., householderJohn Campbell, West St., householderNicholas Collins, James's St., householderMichael Connolly, Laurence St., householderJohn Cooke, Duleek Gate, householderJohn Callaghan, Great George's St., householderPatrick Hughes, Road to Staleen, householderJames Halligan, West St., householderPeter Flinn, Magdalene St., leaseholderJohn Glover, Ship St., freeman

Hugh Glover, Ship St., freemanPatrick Fedigan, Road to St. James's, freeholderRichard Harvey, West St., householderEdward Fitzgerald, North Quay, householderPatrick Flinn, Ropewalk, freeholderNicholas Fitzpatrick, Shop St., householderJames Hand, Out Laurence Gate, householderBernard Hatten, Peter St., householderGeorge Hoey, Trinity St., householderMichael Finegan, John St., householderJohn Holland, Peter St., householderJohn Healy, Trinity St., householderJames Healy, West St., householderJames Fitzpatrick, Trinity St., householderJoseph Gargan, Bullring, householderThomas Farrell, Platten Road, freeholder

Bartholomew Halpin, West St., householderJohn M'Ardle, West St., householderJames Mathews, Allen's Lane, leaseholderPatrick Maguire, West St.. householder


8/14

304 County Louth Archaeological and Historical JournalJohn Markey, North Road, freeholderFelix M'Cabe, West St., householder

George M'Cann, James's St., freeholderJames M'Donnell, Peter St., householderRichard Moore, Duleek St., householderPeter Mathews, Cromwell's Mount, freeholderMichael Mackin, Laurence St., householderMichael M'Gough, Ropewalk, freeholderOwen John M'Gough, Ropewalk, freeholderPatrick M'Cabe, West St., householderJoseph M'Cann, Beaumont, householderPeter M'Connin, Laurence St., householderCharles M'Cabe, Shop St., householderFrancis Moore, Road to Greenhills, freeholderPatrick Mohan, James's St., householderJames Markey, Duleek St., freeholderNicholas M'Connin, Sunday's Gate, householderBartholomew Malone, Scarlet Lane, householderPatrick Malone, Scarlet Lane, householderMichael M'Govern, North Strand, leaseholderWilliam Moore, Road to Greenhills, householderJohn M'Gough, Peter St., householderThomas Maypother, Dyer St., householderThomas Moonan, Trinity St., householderPeter Mohan, Bullring, householderDenis M'Cullagh, Magdalene St., householderThomas M'Kone, Road to Greenhills, householderJohn Murtagh, Laurence St., householderPatrick M'Cue, Stockwell Lane, householderJames Long, Old Cornmarket Hill, freeholderWilliam Kelly, Road to St James's, freeholderPatrick O'Brien, Road to Beamore, freeholderPatrick Lynagh, Shop St., householder

Patrick Reid, Carntown, freeholderThomas Nugent, West St., householderJames Kennedy, North Quay, householderNicholas Leonard, Townrath, householderJohn Kelly, Shop St., householderJohn Reilly, Scarlet Lane, householderJames Leonard, North Strand, householder

George Ogle, Trinity St., householderJames Kelly, Trinity St., householderMichael Rogers, West St., householderJohn Reilly, Road to Beamore, householderJohn O'Neill, Dyer St., householderThomas Reilly, Beamore Road, householderJohn Kelly, West St., householderWilliam Kertland, Peter St., householderLaurence Pentony, West St., householderGerald Lynam, Trinity St., householderHugh Quinn, Green Batter, householderLaurence Kelly, Windmill Lane, freeholderJoseph Kearnes, Great George's St., freemanMichael Swift, Peter St., householder

Thomas Kelly, West St., householderWilliam Smith, Killineer, householderJames Williamson, Marsh, freeman

Richard Whearty, West St., householderNicholas Woods, Ballymakenny, householderEdward Traynor, Stockwell Lane, householderRodger Williamson, Bolton St., freemanJohn Traynor, Townrath, freeholderBryan Whearty, West St., householderJohn Walsh, West Gate, householderPatrick Tiernan, North Strand, leaseholderJohn Tiernan,'Road to Greenhills, freeholder

The Drogheda Conservative Journal then went on to list the names of people whopromised to vote for Murray, but were not forthcoming at the poll. They were:

H. Crolly, Palace St., ciJoseph Prendergast, Shop St., rThomas Flanagan, Shop St., rThomas Waltrin, Shop St., r

James Slevin, Fair St., rR. Flinn, Duke St., rThomas Connor, North Strand, rStephen Drew, Shop St., cr

Commenting on the voting lists, this newspaper observed:had not undue influence been exercised ? had not Castle patronage and Whigpromises been employed, even the colourable majority of three which Sir WilliamSomerville had on the poll, would not have been obtained. The most cunning andknowing agents were employed against Mr. Murray, and many of SirWilliam's voterswere brought to the hustings by the priests! Freemen from the distance of ten mileswere polled, and not objected to, owing to the confusion in the booths. Deadfreeholders were personated ? persons voted from certificates long since out of date? and SirWilliam Somerville's agents were all polled! . . .had those who signed therequisition toMr. Murray stood firm, a majority of twenty at least would have beenobtained; or had the priests not interfered a majority of at least ten! However, the

majority of the people set at nought clerical influence, and stood nobly to theirprinciples.Indeed a study of Somerville's support reveals the striking fact that well over half the votes castfor him came from defectors from the Repeal camp. Another feature is the number of


9/14

The Drogheda Parliamentary Election of 1847 and itsAftermath 305Somerville's voters with addresses very distant from the constituency. That so many localpoliticians deserted the Repeal nominee is also worthy of note. There is also considerabledisparity between the voting qualifications of the electors in each list. The dearth of freemensupporting Murray stands out ? householders make up the main body of his support.Somerville was obviously more successful in wooing the freemen, leaseholders andfreeholders.

The role of the clergy in this particular contest cannot be clearly established, but there aresome indicators as to their stance. Clerical influence was a factor that all serious contenders forpolitical office had to take into consideration. The chief secretary's office was not unaware ofthe potential that existed, as evidenced by the words of the incumbent in 1845:20 'Wheneverthe priests came forward and collected their parishioners a large force was brought into the(meetings) . . . but from those parishes in which no such influence was used, few personsattended'. These opinions were not without any factual basis however, since inMay 1843government questionnaires issued to county constabulary inspectors and stipendiarymagistrates revealed that clerical influence was amore potent force than all other factors (suchas the depression, the press, municipal reform etc.) as a promoter of enthusiasm. It alsoemerged that the majority of priests favoured Repeal.21 So what of the Drogheda ConservativeJournal's assertion that SirWilliam was given clerical support? It is the case that Somervillevisited the Primate, Dr Crolly, inDrogheda prior to the election, and that although there waschurch-state conflict on issues such as the Queen's Colleges and national education, Dr Crollyheld a position more in sympathy with the government than with many of his fellow bishops.22In addressing the Repeal Association subsequent to the election, Lamie Murray,acknowledging that he had not received clerical support, refused to be vindictive but expressedthe hope that they would support him on the next occasion.23 In view of all this there seemslittle doubt as to where clerical allegiance lay in this contest.That Somerville was an established local personage, while Murray could possibly havebeen depicted as a carpet-bagger, is bound to have affected the outcome. It is all too obviousthat the Repealers lacked proper organisation in the constituency. The fact that the LoyalNational Repeal Association was asked to provide a candidate within a deadline of a few daysensured that proper deliberation and consultation would not be feasible. As a result thecandidate chosen was a stranger to Drogheda folk, and having arrived in town only three daysprior to the actual election, the taking of Somerville's seat must have appeared a gargantuantask. When The Nation claimed on 7 August, that Murray had joined the Repeal Associationonly amatter of hours before being chosen as candidate, they merely echoed a charge that hadhaunted him throughout his campaign. In the final analysis, to have come within just threevotes of his objective was no mean achievement. The election was not free in the fullest senseand some people were victimised because of their political affiliation. The local press reportedthe case of Patrick Condra, a steward on one of the steampackets, who prevailed on a relativeto vote for Murray:24 'when he went on Friday morning, to his employment as usual he wasinformed ? hear it Irishmen, treasure it in your mind ? in your hearts, that he would nolonger be continued'. Lamie Murray himself informed the Repeal Association of a catalogue20. Hoppen, 250.21. Ibid, 236.22. Rev. James McCaffrey, History of the Catholic Church in the nineteenth century (1789-1908) (Dublin, Waterford,St Louis, 1910), ii, 191; Rev. George Crolly, The life of theMost Rev. Doctor Crolly, Archbishop of Armagh andPrimate of Ireland (Dublin, 1851), xciii-xcix; Ambrose Macaulay, "The Maher-Crolly Controversy, 1850",Seanchas Ard Mhacha, 11,1, (1983-4), 80-106.23. DCJ, 14 August 1847.24. DCJ, 7 August 1847.


10/14

306 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journalof cases of intimidation and other irregularities that had lost him votes: aMr Crosbie, clerk toMr Ennis, was threatened with dismissal if he did not vote for Somerville; the twoWhites whodeclared that they would not vote at all, but were brought to the polls by the clergy; a MrSlevin was locked up in his house by his wife to prevent him voting Repeal; etc.As is evident from the voting lists, a large proportion of the corporation, including the

mayor, James Mathews, supported the Whig, and in the process incurred the wrath of JohnO'Connell, the Liberator's son:25

The honest people of Drogheda had the corporation of the town opposed to them ?that corporation which only two short years before pledged its fidelity to Repeal, butwhich, forgetting that pledge, followed in the track of its Orange predecessor, andvoted against the man who was the choice of the people. Of course after what hasoccurred, there is considerable bitterness of feeling in the town; but there is also ananxiety on the part of the Repealers to forget the past, and offer the right hand offellowship to their opponents, if what was once the Repeal corporation will exhibitsome signs of repentance for their mistake, and for the crime they have committedagainst the country. If they don't do so, I hope the Repealers of Drogheda will, at the

municipal elections inNovember, by turning out of office those who have been falseto the cause, prove that they did not speak the sentiments of the people.However, some corporation members, notably Michael Rogers, John Collins and PatrickConway, were active supporters of Murray.The mayor's court in Drogheda on 13 November 1847 heard quite a bit of pettysquabbling among Lamie Murray's supporters when they fought over the balance of an orderfor ?4 which was issued during the election. The Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal pointedout that the people involved had very suspect Repeal credentials:26

Thus ended one of the many petty fights between Mr. Murray's friends, who led thegood people at a distance to believe the question of Repeal was involved inMr.

Murray's success. For their guidance we should mention that Barker is one of the oldTory freemen ? Mr. Kertland always an avowed anti-Repealer ? Mr. Apperson,Proprietor of the Conservative Journal; and Mr. Rowland, an attorney, of whoseRepeal principles we never saw any proof inDrogheda before the election. Yet thesewere the Repeal leaders at the election!!!In evaluating this assessment of events one should bear in mind that the proprietor of this

newspaper, Patrick Kelly, voted for Somerville, whom he described as a personal friend; eventhough itwas believed that this paper had been trading on Repeal principles for quite a while.It is not surprising therefore that there

was a certain antipathy between Kelly and theRepealers.On 6 December Lamie Murray lodged a petition with the House of Commons against thereturns for the borough of Drogheda. He claimed that the majority of the votes cast forWilliam Somerville 'was apparent and colourable only' since many of these votes were cast bypeople who were not entitled to vote. His assertion was that he, the petitioner, received themajority of the legal votes. In his submission he gave a detailed list of reasons why many ofthose whose names were in the register of voters as freeholders, leaseholders, householdersand freemen, should be struck from the poll: householders had either ceased to occupy therelevant property, failed to pay the various taxes which had become due, or their property hadceased to be of sufficient value to entitle them to vote; freeholders' and leaseholders' interest

25. DALJ, 11 September 1847.26. DALJ, 20 November 1847.


11/14

The Drogheda Parliamentary Election of 1847 and itsAftermath 307and estate in several properties had expired or had been sublet, mortgaged etc., and some suchproperty had also ceased to be of a value sufficient to entitle these people to vote; somefreemen and freeholders no longer resided in Drogheda or within seven miles of it, asprescribed by law. Murray further claimed that some registered voters had becomedisqualified by receiving alms or parochial relief; that many of those employed as electionagents, attorneys, poll clerks or flagmen, voted and were rewarded by Somerville; thatmembers of the constabulary voted and therefore should be disqualified; that false certificateswere produced and accepted, allowing people to vote; that many people who complied with allvoting requirements were improperly rejected or refused by the returning officer and werethus excluded from the poll; that many had received gifts or accepted bribes from Somervillein return for their votes or for refraining from voting for Murray; that many of the votersthemselves were guilty of bribery; and finally that William Somerville was ineligible to serve asan MP since he indulged in bribery, threats and undue influence (by himself and his agents)together with other corrupt and illegal practices. On this basis Thomas Lamie Murrayrequested that the election be declared null and void.27 This development caused expectationsto rise, e.g. at a Repeal Association meeting on 13 December the hope was expressed thatWilliam Somerville was 'only the warming pan of another . . . and Mr. Lamie Murray will bemember for Drogheda'.28The narrowness of the result and the prospect of this Repeal petition gave the right tovote added importance, with the possibility of another election being called. The mayor,James Mathews, held a court in the Tholsel on Monday 20 September 1847 to confer thefreedom of the borough on several applicants. The court was held under an Act entitled 'AnAct for the regulation of municipal corporations in Ireland' and the mayor informed thoseassembled that it was adjudicating on applications by birth, marriage or servitude.29 Thefollowing fifteen were successful and were declared freemen:30

NAME RIGHT BY VIRTUE OFWHICH ADMITTEDFrancis D. Henzell, Drogheda, attorney at law BirthWilliam Daly, Palace St., gentleman BirthJohn Tongue, Patrick St., bricklayer BirthHenry Hamilton, Laurence St., stationer BirthHugh Emerson, Dublin Road, basket maker ServitudeHenry Moore, West St., ironmonger BirthMichael Swift, Peter St., shoemaker MarriageJames Malcolm, Mornington, farmer MarriageRichard Graham, William St., carpenter MarriageHenry Dennis, Dublin, cork cutter MarriageBigoe Henzell, Drogheda, medical student BirthSamuel Harrison, Drogheda, engineer MarriageRobert Sanderson, Drogheda, ship wright MarriageThomas Henry Lee, Drogheda, carpenter Birth

27. Journals of the House of Commons, (1847-8), vol. 103, 57-60.28. DALJ, 18 December 1847.29. DCJ, 25 September 1847.30. Roll of Freemen of the Borough of Drogheda (hereafter cited as Freemen's Roll), Drogheda Corporationrrchive.


12/14

308 County Louth Archaeological and Historical JournalWilliam Anderson, Great George's St., carpenter ServitudeEach then took the freeman's oath which was tendered as follows:31

You shall be whole and true to our sovereign lady Victoria the Queen and as wellthose rights and franchises given and granted unto this corporation as all others thelaws, lawful usages and customs of the same, you shall maintain by your wit and

power; you shall not cover any goods whereby the king or his corporation may losetheir customs or advantages; you shall do nothing that may tend to the prejudice ofthis corporation, but by what in you lies shall promote the avail thereof; you shall notrefuse to take any office on you that the mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonsshall think fit to impose upon you; and in all things you shall demean yourself as afaithful member of the same. So help you God.Of course the main benefit of being a freeman in 1847 was that it conferred the right tovote. Before the mayor could close the hearing aMr Hugh O'Neill stood up and claimed thefreedom of the borough for himself and many of his fellow townsmen. He claimed it on thegrounds that he had served seven years to a trade in the town. O'Neill stated that the Act of1829 had put an end to the oath of abjuration and supremacy. When the mayor asked if he hadserved his time to a freeman, he got the quaint reply: T served my time to a Roman Catholicmaster unfortunately; and the apprentice was of the same persuasion'. It was pointed out tothe mayor that O'Neill was going on an Act passed in the reign of Charles the Second, whichwas passed specially for Drogheda, and entitled all merchants, traders, artificers, artisans andseamen resident in the borough to their freedom, on the payment of a fee of ?1 and the takingof the oath of allegiance. In 1831 a large number of townspeople paid the fee and took theoath, but the then corporation refused to sanction their admission. These people votedafterwards, however, but the assessor would not receive their votes since the corporationrejected their claims. The present claim was really a renewal of this earlier one. The mayorsaid it involved a question of law which could not be settled there and then, but he wouldappoint another day to enquire into the matter, if a requisition was got up to him.32The significance of this claim lies in the fact that it could produce a large number of newvotes at a time when the Repealers were preparing a petition against the outcome of the

August election. If a new election was to be the result of this petition then these votes coulddecide the outcome, especially since the first result was so close. The mayor again held a courtfor the admission of freemen on Monday, 8 November 1847. The earlier claims had caused alot of excitement, and in support of these applicants the following was read from the rules forthe admission of freemen by Drogheda Corporation, under 17th and 18th Charles II, cap. 2:That all foreigners, strangers and aliens, as well others as Protestants, who are or shallbe merchants, traders, artizans, artificers, seamen, or otherwise skilled and exercisedin any mystery, craft, or trade or manufacture, or in the art of navigation, who are at

present residing and inhabiting the said town of Drogheda, or who shall at any timehereafter come into the said town, with intent and resolution to reside and dwell in thesaid town, shall upon his or their reasonable suit or request made, and upon paymentdown, or tender of twenty shillings, by way of fine into the chief magistrate or

magistrates and common council, or other persons authorised to admit and makefreemen of the said town.It was stated that these rules were ordered to continue in force for ever and were enrolled inthe Court of Chancery in Ireland. It was further stated that several other subsequent Acts31. DCJ, 25 September 1847.32. Ibid.


13/14

The Drogheda Parliamentary Election of 1847 and itsAftermath 309secured these rules. The mayor was reluctant to accept the claims, but having examined one ofthe applicants and listened to the arguments in favour, he again decided to postpone a decisionto the following Tuesday week.33 Two people however, satisfied the usual criteria and wereadmitted as freemen at this sitting. They were, Thomas Dalton, Drogheda, a carpenter, andJames Nugent, Drogheda, a tin plate worker, who were both admitted by virtue of servitude.34At the next sitting of the mayor's court there were four applicants for freedom under the newrules of Charles II. The mayor said he consulted the Attorney General and Mr Close whowere both of the opinion that the Act related solely to foreigners, i.e. to persons who were notnaturalised subjects of the Crown and who came to the town to carry on trade, to practice anyart, mystery, or become navigators. Thus, stating that legal advice was against them, the

mayor refused to admit them as freemen. One of the four, William Kertland, asked for thedecision in writing and the mayor consented to this.35 On Wednesday 8 December a furtherfour applicants were admitted as freemen. They were:36

NAME RIGHT BY VIRTUE OFWHICH ADMITTEDHenry Williamson, Drogheda, tin plate worker BirthThomas Callan, Drogheda, carpenter ServitudeJames Fife, Drogheda, working engineer 14th and 15th, Charles IISamuel Eakins, Drogheda, painter and glazier ServitudeThus the bid to significantly increase the electorate by the creation of a large number ofextra freemen, did not get very far, and Lamie Murray finally accepted defeat inmid-January1848 when he wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons:37I hereby give you notice that it is not intended to proceed with the petition presentedto the House of Commons on the 6th December last, signed by myself, and

complaining of the election and return of Sir William Meredyth Somerville for thetown and county of the town of Drogheda, and I beg to withdraw the same.One can only speculate as to the reasons for Lamie Murray's change of heart on the issue.Perhaps he was uncertain as to the legality of some of his own votes in the election. The pressentertained the idea that bribery could have been involved.38 If Somerville's wealth andinfluence were brought to bear on Murray himself then it is unlikely to have been recorded,and consequently one can but keep an open mind on this. The corporation elections held inlate November did not bring about the decimation of Somerville's supporters that the Repealside had hoped for39 and maybe Lamie Murray saw this as another straw in the wind. It is alsopossible that Murray simply got weary of political wheeling and dealing and decided that hehad enough. Murray himself explained his abandonment of the petition on the grounds that hewould have to fight the whole government and 'that his private fortune would be seriouslydamaged by the expenses likely to arise'.40 As a director of the National Loan Fund LifeAssurance Company and also of the National Bank, Murray is sure to have been conscious ofthe financial implications of his actions.41

Early in 1852 an internal dispute in the Liberal Party resulted in the government's defeat33. DCJ, 13 November 1847.34. Freemen's Roll.35. DALJ, 27 November 1847; DCJ, 27 November 1847.36. Freemen's Roll.37. Journals of the House of Commons, (1847-8), vol. 103, 146.38. DCJ, 22 January 1848; ibid, 5 February 1848.39. Minutes of Drogheda Corporation, 25 November 1847; ibid, 29 November 1847.40. DCJ, 22 January 1848.41. MS 8844 (N.L.I.); DALJ, 1 August 1847; The Nation, 15 August 1847.


14/14

310 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journaland this gave rise to the resignation of Lord John Russell. When a minority Conservativegovernment under Lord Derby took over, SirWilliam Somerville ceased to be chief secretary.In the following July a general election was held and on this occasion Somerville lost his

Drogheda seat to an independent Liberal candidate, James McCann. His defeat could nothave been more decisive ? he failed to get a single vote.42 One factor which had considerableinfluence on the voting in Ireland was the issuing of a proclamation prior to the electionreminding the population that the holding of Catholic religious processions was illegal. Theeffect of this on clerical opinion was significant and certainly did not help pro-Britishcandidates. After an absence of two years Somerville was returned to parliament at aby-election for Canterbury in 1854. On 14 December 1863 he was created a peer of Irelandwith the title Baron Athlumney of Somerville and Dollardstown, and on 3May 1866 he wasraised to the peerage of the United Kingdom, as Baron Meredyth of Dollardstown, CountyMeath. He made his last speech in the House of Commons on 21 June 1864, but madecontributions in the House of Lords for several years. A distinguished statesman and oratorhe died on 7 December 1873 inDover, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son.43

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSKeeper of Public Records, Public Record Office, LondonJohn Maurice Collins, Baltray, DroghedaDrogheda Corporation

42. Brian M. Walker (ed.), Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922 (Dublin, 1978), 270.43. L. G. Pine (ed.). Burkes genealogical and heraldic history of the peerage baronetage & knightage (London,1956), 2033-4; Sidney Lee (ed.), Dictionary of national biography (London, 1909), xviii, 667.

drogheda election 1847

Documents