A harsh tale of deportation and the workhouse

HERE is a story from a paper from 1855 and centres on a Drogheda man called James Smith who spent 34 years working in England, until one day....

‘He was born in Drogheda, and on the 4th of January 1820, being then about ten years old, he went to England, where he remained uninterruptedly for 34 years until he was shipped back to this country, about three weeks since, from London.

He worked in England as a cabinet-maker, but for many years was chiefly engaged in making boxes, at which employment he was always able to earn a competence.

He lived during almost the entire of the 34 years at Chelmsford, in Essex, where, about 12 years ago, he married an Englishwoman, by whom he has had eight children, three of whom are now living.

During all this period he maintained himself and family without aid, with the exception of one fortnight, about eight years since, when he received an allowance from the parish of Chelmsford, while he was sick. In February last his health failed him, and he was obliged to apply for relief, being unable to work. The medical officer pronounced him a fit object for aid, and it was granted.

He remained chargeable on the rates for some months, when he asked the doctor if he might return to work, but was forbidden to do so, as it would be injurious to his health. The guardians reduced his allowance, and told him to do the best he could.

But, in a short time after, the relieving officer, brought him before the magistrate of the district and one of the guardians. He was interrogated on oath, and the fact was elicited that he had been born in Drogheda. He was told he could return to his native place.

Being anxious to remain in the country of his adoption, where he had resided for 34 years, and reared up a family, he removed to an adjoining parish called Springfield, in the hope of escaping from the authorities. He resumed work, and was going on satisfactorily for a month, not seeking relief from any source, when the relieving officer entered his house one morning, and told him he should immediately prepare to go to Ireland.

He remonstrated against this treatment, but was informed it was useless to waste time. His wife was unwell, and he asked to be allowed to remain until she was better, but even this request was refused, and the officer, having procured the assistance of three police constables, cleared himself, his wife and three children out of the house, locked up the furniture and retained the key.

They were hurried up to London, given the sum of 2s., and were taken to the steamer for Ireland.

When the poor man landed in Dublin he knew no person and the family were admitted into the North Dublin Union Workhouse.

What became of James Smith....