The list of names of Catholic Newry electors (2/2) of 1832 reproduced here is more interesting in a variety of ways to us 180 years later, than was its original intent (which was to intimidate Catholic electors who had failed to vote for the Catholic Dennis Maguire).
|
George Johnston |
Queen Street |
Flax Dresser |
|
Thomas Kelly |
Doran’s Hill |
Farmer |
|
George King |
Cowan Street |
Tailor |
|
Arthur Kildare |
Market Street |
Gardener |
|
David Loughran |
Chapel Street |
Jaunting Car Owner |
|
Daniel Lavery |
Dromalane |
Labourer |
|
Thomas Lowry |
Canal Street |
Publican |
|
Patrick Magee |
Lower Commons |
Farmer |
|
James Magennity |
Kiln Street |
Lath Splitter |
|
Michael Markey |
Canal Street |
Lath Splitter |
|
Joseph Malone |
Barrack Street |
Servant |
|
Daniel Morgan |
High Street |
Flax Dresser |
|
Marty McAteer |
Upper Commons |
Farmer |
|
William McAteer |
Upper Commons |
Farmer |
|
Joe McAnulty |
Ballinacraig |
Farmer |
|
John McNeal |
Ballinacraig |
Farmer |
|
John McNamara |
Stream Street |
Cooper |
|
David McKay |
Queen Street |
Weaver |
|
James McCartney |
Mall |
Labourer |
|
Terence McCambley |
Lower Commons |
Farmer |
|
Patrick McAvoy |
Water Street |
Metal Founder |
|
John McCaffrey |
Queen Street |
Labourer |
|
James McCrudden |
Canal Street |
Publican |
|
John McAteer |
Needham Street |
Labourer |
|
Patrick Hanlon |
Lower Water St |
Jaunting Car Owner |
|
Daniel Quinn |
Kiln St |
Mariner |
|
Miles Russell |
Castle Square |
Baker |
|
John Ryan |
Pound Street |
Pipe Maker |
|
Mark Savage |
Lower Commons |
Labourer |
|
James Smith |
Lower Commons |
Quarryman |
|
James Savage |
North St |
Mariner/Delf Dealer |
|
James Teggart |
Drumalane |
Mason |
|
Owen Trainor |
Mill Lane |
Huxter |
|
Patrick Treanor (Sen) |
Hill Street |
Huxter |
|
Daniel Turley |
Lower Margaret St |
Blacksmith |
|
Peter Turley |
Canal Street |
Labourer |
|
John McConville |
Needham Street |
Cooper |
|
Herbard Feran |
Water Street |
Innkeeper |
|
John&Charles O’Hagan |
Market St |
Wool/Hat Vendors |
We examine the list from the point of view of who won the franchise in this ‘reform’ period, what profession or jobs the average man held, what names and addresses are similar to those of today, what was the geographical and economic spread of these voters, whether any of them were our forebears, and a host of other queries that may occur to us.
Of course women did not win the franchise for many generations to come. Some may be surprised to learn there was no apparent property qualification: or that no one is declared unemployed. The list of occupations is clearly radically different from today’s occupations: some indeed need explanation.
The occupation of huxter is not to be found in the dictionary: indeed it is unknown today, but in 19th century Ireland the word described a lowly dealer of no shop or stall but who tried to trade in whatever bits and bobs that came his way (an early Ebay trader!): later it was applied to the meanest of market traders. A cooper made or repaired barrels. A flax dresser prepared that yarn for the spinning/weaving trade.