The Glan evictions and settlements of 1892
Historian Jonathan Smyth, in his latest Times Past column, looks at how landlords, about to evict Glangevlin tenants, came to an agreement in the 19th century...
Evictions in 19th century Ireland sometimes tended towards the dystopian, a carnival of horrors. In my mind, I can imagine the evicted family, a woman holding a baby in her arms, children by her side and a husband unable to stop the battering ram as it delivers its levelling blows to the house. All too often families found themselves alone on the roadside in this manner. Social services in those days were not what we think of today. Families could choose the workhouse, or if they received financial assistance, they might seek passage to America, or Australia.
The inhabitants of Glangevlin or Glan, as it is known, are a resilient people, as an eviction party discovered on St Patrick’s Day in 1892 when a high number of evictions were organised to take place. Ten evictions were planned on the estate of Colonel Dobbyn and required the expulsion of fifty souls from their homesteads. The parish priest of the district, Fr Corr, managed to have a conciliatory conversation with Col Dobbyn.
The bailiffs arrived under the protection of 200 policemen controlled by Captain Stokes, Divisional Commissioner, and Mr Maloney, Resident Magistrate. The agents of the landlord received additional protection in the form of County Inspector Rodgers. Eager to get on with the ugly task, the bailiffs, agents and the eviction team arrived in Glan for 9 o’clock that morning. The group anticipated a riotous reception and the Cavan Weekly News spoke of Glan having ‘the wildest character’ and they expected the eviction party to have a ‘rough time of it.’
When they reached Dobbyn’s estate, all fears seemed unfounded and they did not meet a riotous crowd as on previous occasions. The RIC may have thought they did a good job in keeping protesters away, but they were wrong, for it was the work of Fr Corr whose persuasive skills saved the day. The priest was observed interviewing the tenants who had writs served against them and he was able to convince them to ‘effect settlements’. The mediation of Fr Corr between tenants and the agent of Dobbyn achieved a willingness on the part of the landlord’s representative to agree. These were seen as straightforward evictions, since many of the tenants owed between 12 and 14 years back rent. Fr Corr persuaded the agent to reach an agreement with the families. It was decided for each tenant to pay at least two years rent and that way they could remain on the property.
In return a receipt in full was agreed upon for those who paid. The region of Glan is mainly mountainous and, in 1892, an average payment of between £3 and £6 was asked for. The report stated that Fr Corr got four families to settle, and in one or two other cases, evictions were not carried out due to the ill health of people. The remainder who did not comply were put out of their houses but did not offer any resistance.
Friday evictions
On the following day, March 18, more evictions were planned. This time on the estate of Hugh Crofton where at the final hour the tenants agreed to a settlement. Crofton’s agent expected a huge disturbance and there was rash talk about the possibility of bridges been destroyed and the blocking of roads with ‘huge boulders’ and similar debris. But alas, nothing foreboding came to pass. Nevertheless, the police were out in extra numbers. Divisional Commissioner, Captain Stokes was not taking any chances and placed a nightly patrol between Belcoo and Glan for several nights. However, as already said, there was no trouble, at least not from the tenants.
Cavan’s sub-sheriff Mr Townley was in charge of the bailiffs sent to execute the writ and evict the Crofton tenantry. Again, a force of 200 policemen showed-up for the eviction party’s protection. As with the Dobbyn estate it seemed that nobody gathered to protest. The nine tenants facing evictions had failed to pay arrears that were seven years overdue. The agent, named Johnstone, was willing to accept two years payment in full to stay the eviction of each tenant.
Glan’s terrain may not be the most fertile ground in the county and is generally unsuited to most types of agricultural use. However, it was great grazing ground for a type of sheep and cattle considered to be of a ‘hardy kind of animal.’
These hardy breeds helped raise fairly large sums of income for the Glan farmers whose rent was only £1 per 10 acres. The agent let it be known, in cases of genuine distress, he would give due consideration. The Land League founded by Michael Davitt in 1879 had made landlords sit up and be a little more apprehensive about casually turning out people regardless of circumstances.
When the evictions were about to happen, some tenants came forward, paid rent for the two years and settled with Johnstone. There were three exceptions, one who gave up the property willingly and two others who partially paid two years rent. Both gave guarantees to cover the full amount owed and Mr Johnstone accepted the offer.
The only trouble that day was between a District Inspector and a constable. The DI grabbed the policeman by the throat after telling him he was not part of his squad. Then he ordered the startled constable to go away. For these rash actions, the DI got summoned to appear before the County Inspector to answer the accusation of assault. He was told that, in future, he must keep a cooler head.
The Glan tenants must have gone home happy out after settling with the agent on the Crofton estate. But a landlord’s act of generosity had its limits and Mr R.H. Johnstone, agent to Crofton, reminded readers of the Weekly News that the money collected was only a postponement to the evictions and that he still expected full payment of the outstanding amount.
It was a victory of sorts for the tenants who were allowed stay on their properties. For a while at least, the evil day had been delayed.
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