DOI: 10.7925/drs1.ucdlib_256162
title: Diary of Arthur Oram
title: Chambers's mercantile scribbling diary for 1893

description: The 7th of 33 diaries of John Oram’s son, Arthur Oram, farmer and land agent, County Mayo. Covers the period January–December 1893. Arthur's diaries record his day-to-day work on the farm, the management of the land under his care, the management of the animals and crops, the buying and selling of livestock at local markets. Also repairing fences, farm buildings, roads and ensuring their upkeep. The diaries also note the weather for each day, his commitments at the Assizes, attendance at the Petty Sessions and other community work relevant to his social standing. He alludes to his work as an elected representative on the Board of Conservators, his membership of the Drainage Committee and the Railway Committee, the surveying and valuing of land, the advertising and awarding of tenders, and the commissioning and inspection of work carried out in respect of these two committees. Arthur also refers frequently to the difficulty in collecting rents from tenants. The diaries record rents received, name of tenant and amount. He refers to events and milestones reached in his own family, attendance at church and the regular company the Orams kept with their neighbours and extended family. The diaries also make reference to current affairs.
description: Scope and content: Includes: - Records that his scheme to improve drainage in the area was adopted by the Board (2 March 1893). - Remarks that he signed a petition against Home Rule (5 March 1893). - Remarks that he was elected as a Church Warden (28 April 1893). - Records a journey to London. 'Left for London as delegate to the Anti-Home Rule demonstration at Albert Hall … went on board the special steamer 'Banshee' cheers and National Anthem sung by crowd on board and on the wall. Pleasant trip all the way to London' (21 April 1893). - Describes the meeting in London and the 'splendid speeches' (22 April 1893). - Describes the journey to Hatfield as part of the delegation, where they again enjoyed a reception, lunch and more speeches (24 April 1893). - Records his visit to his former place of employment at Paddington where he worked as a clerk. Remarks that many of the clerks who he worked with were still there. Arthur Oram left this job in 1873 (25 April 1893). - Records his journey from London to visit his Father and Mother at Lovington. 'Found Mother fairly well but Father suffering from bad arm and hand, very old fashioned house but comfortable' (26 April 1893). - Refers to a 'dreadful storm' and the damage done to crops, hay, and fruit trees (21 August 1893). - Refers to a Vestry meeting at Newport regarding the presentation of candlesticks for the pulpit, reading desk and communion table from the Girls Friendly Society. Remarks 'Hugh O'Donel objects to any addition to communion table, Rector (Mr O'Connor) charges sexton (D. Reynolds), with impertinence, complaint heard and sexton cautioned' (19 September 1893). - Remarks that he walked over the railway from the west end of Knockrega to Burrishoole Bridge and made notes of work needed to repair the damage to people's holdings and accommodation (29 September 1893). - Refers to the collection of rents at Aughness 'a good many tenants appeared but only 3 cases of arrears paid, 5 water keepers ask their pay and are paid which I consider bad on their part but having promised them when appointing them to pay irrespective of rent I did so' (12 October 1893).