When starting my journey back in time I wasn’t prepared for, nor had I expected it to be, an emotional trip! In fact, I hadn’t even considered it. Of course while collecting photos of my family who were more recently deceased, that I knew would bring up emotion; which it inevitably did. However, to feel a sense of sadness or pain for a great great grandparent who died in 1894; that I certainly hadn’t expected!
Walking I Am Listening….
My paternal second great grandmother was Agnes Ann Beatty. Although I have yet to find her birth record, other documents point to the fact that she was born about 1839 in Co. Antrim, Ireland. Agnes Ann married Robert Berry in the Lisburn Cathedral on the 27th of October 1860. The witnesses at their wedding were William and Sarah Ann Crothers. Their marriage record shows that Agnes Ann was residing in Clogher, Co. Antrim and she was a weaver by trade. Clogher is a small Town land in the Parish of Billy, Co. Antrim; not to be confused with Clogher, Co. Tyrone.
Library Ireland states: “Ballymacarrett, a town and parish, forming part of the suburbs of BELFAST, in the barony of UPPER CASTLEREAGH, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER; containing 5168 inhabitants. This place, previously to 1825, was simply a townland in the parish of Knockbreda, or Bredagh, and in the history of the county, published in 1744, is described as containing only two buildings, Mount Pottinger and a mill. It is now become a populous and flourishing town, occupying a site formerly covered by every tide, but which has been reclaimed by an extensive embankment stretching from Conswater westward to the river Lagan, opposite to the quays of Belfast, and thence on the shore of that river to Ormeau, the splendid residence of the Marquess of Donegal.”
Another article I came across describes the 1800s Ballymacarrett this way: “Weavers in Belfast had been reduced to a state of total destitution. The situation was worse in Ballymacarrett with almost half being out of work”. “The Belfast News-Letter reported that the weavers in Ballymacarrett were obliged to eat “oatmeal unfit for cattle” and were reduced to skeletons due to over-work and lack of sleep”. “The physical condition of Ulster’s weavers’ was worse than any other class of Irishman”. “The state of destitution and wretchedness to which numbers of the working class of the population were reduced by absolute poverty was inconceivable to those who had not witnessed it”.
My cousin came across this photo and I thought his description was fitting!
A Moment In Time
He said, “I have come upon a particular photo which sums up exactly how I think Robert and Agnes lived as the little people dwelling in the lower rent sector and not important enough to be named in the Directories. The poor, ignored and uneducated who, the Authorities deemed, were unable to contribute to society.”
Agnes Ann and Robert had at least four children that I am currently aware of; one being James my great grandfather. James birth certificate in 1864 shows the family living in Lagan Village, Ballymacarrett; which was, at that time, on the outskirts of Belfast. Agnes Ann and Robert were still residing in the same area in 1866 when their daughter Sarah was born.
Early 1900’s Belfast
Agnes Ann did not live a long life and from everything I’ve read it was a difficult life. She passed away on 27 Feb 1894. This is what I found when locating her Death Record:
Since Workhouse and 41 Moore Street (incorrectly transcribed as 31 Moore Street) were both listed in on her death record, it would suggest that Agnes Ann went into the Workhouse in search of medical attention. It’s the only sense of solace I can take from her untimely death.
The Workhouse, also known as the Belfast Infirmary , was located at 51 Lisburn Road.
The Workhouse Today
Now Part of Belfast City Hospital
A “friend” who was at PRONI sent me Agnes Ann’s Death Notice which was published in the Belfast Telegraph March 1, 1894. It read: “BERRY. February 27 at 3 Tyne Street, Belfast. Agnes Ann Berry the remains of my mother will be removed for interment in the City Cemetery on tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at two o`clock. Friends will please accept this intimation. James Berry”
Agnes Ann was buried at the Belfast City Cemetery Belfast, Grave A 492. She is buried with her daughter Sarah Hannah Teuton Berry; also her son in law, James Yeates and her granddaughter, Agnes Berry Yeats.
Belfast City Cemetery
The Area Where Agnes Ann Is Buried…
Her grave does not have a headstone; although interestingly is in an area of the cemetery where the monuments are very large and must have been rather expensive. Her husband Robert is not buried with her; nor can I find his death record. Family history dictates he was a “sea faring man” and died when he “went down with his ship”. That saga still continues…
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Colleen this is such a sad story. Workhouse deaths always make me feel upset and a little angry. I’m glad Agnes Ann was buried with family though. Cheers, Su.
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It was incredibly sad Su; and her death was so unnecessary. Her death certificate indicates that she died from diarrhea; how awful that something so simple could not be looked after. Since I haven’t been able to find her husband, my 2nd great grandfather; I’ve been judging him “left, right and centre”. If I find out that he actually did die at sea as the older generation of my family indicate; I’m going to feel like a bit of a B*%$h! 😦 I just hope he didn’t abandon her!
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Hi Colleen; the diarrhea may have been a symptom of something else, like a viral or bacterial infection or Crohn’s disease and if she was very ill, it might have been difficult to re-hyrdrate her. I read recently that diarrhea is still a very common cause of death in developing countries.
I know what you mean about judging her husband. I had a gg grandfather who was in the merchant navy. He seems to have spent most of his married life at sea (and drunk – judging by the records I’ve found for him). He contracted syphillis and eventually died in the Poorhouse having spent time in a lunatic asylum. Meanwhile his wife was at home raising the children and working in the potteries. I do feel enormous sympathy for him; his final years must have been miserable, but then I think of the life his wife must have led too. So complex and we actually know so little. I hope you do manage to find out what happened to him. 🙂
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