DOI: 10.7925/drs1.ucdlib_256153
title: Diary of John Oram
title: Diary commencing January 1st 1879

description: The 4th of 6 diaries by John Oram, covering the period January 1879–July 1888. For the most part the diaries record the day-to-day administration of the estate managed by John Oram in Burrishoole, County Mayo. The estate was owned by Captain Alexander Wyndham. Each of the diaries consist of one-line entries recording the management of the herds on the estate, the purchase of feed, management of the fisheries, sowing crops, collecting rents, settling terms with existing and new tenants, drawing up leases, attending the Assizes, and the upkeep of buildings and roads. Also attending markets and the buying and selling of livestock. An observation about the weather is made for each daily entry. Also refers to unusual meteorological events, astronomical events, and current affairs. In general John Oram concludes his diary for each year summarising the number of days of rain and dry days, the harvest, prices for livestock and a few lines of religious verse.
description: Scope and content: Despite returning to England in 1881, John Oram records in his diary regular journeys to Ireland up to and including the year 1885. Some of the trips involved buying and selling livestock. John's son Arthur and his wife Catherine née Anderson remained in Mayo living in Wilford Lodge. Includes: - Records that Mr Sydney Smith was shot at near where he himself had been shot at in 1872. Remarks that Mr Smith's son returned fire and shot the man (1 October 1879). - Remarks that he was at Mulranny sitting on the coroner's jury regarding the man who was shot by Mr Smith's son. The verdict returned was justifiable homicide (2 October 1879). - Records that a 'Land meeting' was held on the street at Newport (19 October 1879). - Concludes his diary for 1879 remarking that it was the 'most disastrous' year for farmers and the worst harvest in England. Remarks that in Ireland the oat crop was fair but that potatoes were diseased '…much distress among the poor—rents badly paid …' Refers to the beginning of the Land League (31 December 1879). - Remarks that he sent off his application and testimonials to the trustees of the Achill Mission, formerly the O'Donel estate (3 January 1880). - Refers to crowds at Newport 'looking for relief' (12 January 1880). - Remarks that there are 172 applicants for the Achill Mission agency (17 January 1880). - Records that he was not chosen as the agent for the Achill Mission. (4 February 1880). - Remarks that he received an offer of Wheathill farm in Somerset (21 February 1880) and that he declined to take it (27 February 1880). - Records polling day at the county election and that John O'Connor Power and Charles Stewart Parnell were returned (12 April 1880). - Records the arrival of his cousin Marshall Bartlett (23 August 1880). - Remarks that he received a letter from Revd L. Bartlett offering a farm at Weston (12 October 1880). - Remarks that he received 'particulars' of a farm in Lovington (6 November 1880). - Records his journey to England to visit the farm at Lovington and his decision to take it. Remarks that on his return to Ireland as he made his way from Dublin to Mayo he came across the 'Boycott' expedition in Roscommon (13–27 November 1880). - Remarks that he travelled to Newport to have the Lovington agreement signed and witnessed (17 December 1880). - Remarks that he brought his son Jemmy to Dublin who was travelling on to Liverpool (18 January 1881). - Records his journey from Dublin to Holyhead to oversee matters in preparation for the move back to England (3 February 1881). - Records his arrival back in Ireland (7 May 1881). - Refers to another journey to England, again to attend to the farm at Lovington (3 June–17 September 1881). - Remarks that he settled terms with his son Arthur (5 September 1881). - Records his return to Lovington (6 October 1881). - Records the news of Lord Cavendish (Chief Secretary for Ireland) and Sir Thomas Burke (Permanent Undersecretary) being murdered in the Phoenix Park (8 May 1882). - Records the marriage of his daughter Jane to William Puttock. (19 October 1882). - Refers to a great storm and flood that destroyed the ancient Lovington Cradle Bridge (24 October 1882). - Records the presence of foot and mouth disease (12 February 1883). - Records the departure of his daughter Jane and husband, William Puttock, for New Zealand (28 February 1883). - Remarks that he was re-elected as Church Warden (24 March 1883). - Remarks that there has been no sale of store stock at the markets or other public sales because of foot and mouth disease (31 March 1883). - Records the re-opening of the markets (6 April 1883). - Refers to an order prohibiting any stock from being brought from Bristol (3 November 1883). - Remarks that he received notification offering him a continuation of his lease for the farm (22 December 1883). - Concludes his diary for 1883 by remarking on the prevalence of foot and mouth disease and the effect this had on the buying and selling of livestock (31 December 1883). - Remarks that he travelled to London to sign the agreement for the farm (8 February 1884). - Records that he was reappointed as Church Warden (24 March 1884). - Records a 'great eclipse' of the moon (4 October 1884). - Remarks 'Prospects of peaceful settlement of dispute with Russia …' referring to the Panjdeh incident which caused a diplomatic crisis between Russia and Britain (6 May 1885). - Records that he used a machine to cut the wheat (15 August 1885). - Concludes his diary for 1885 remarking that there were low prices for all farm produce, livestock and that the price for wheat was lower than it had ever been for more than a century (31 December 1885). - Records the marriage of his cousin Marshall Bartlett (23 February 1886). - Remarks that there has been frequent communications concerning Teevemore, County Mayo and the sale or purchase of the estate as a result of bankruptcy (2 May 1886). - Records that he 'retook' the farm. (26 June 1886). - Remarks that he is very anxious on account of not hearing from Ireland. (12 October 1886). - Expresses relief at hearing from all of his absent family (16 October 1886). - Records that John [his son], his wife and their son left for America (4 August 1887). - Records that the drought continues and that there is 'great scarcity of water and grass in many places' (5 August 1887). - Expresses relief that the rain has come at last (31 August 1887). - Remarks that he has received a letter from his daughter Jane informing him of her arrival from Australia (12 September 1887). - Announces that Jane has arrived safely (26 September 1887). - Remarks that he was elected as a Guardian and Waywarden, Ladyday Vestry and that he received a letter concerning the purchase of Teevemore (23 March 1888).