Monthly Archives: March 2020

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The Mussenden Connection: Clifton House, Larchfield & the National Trust

2020-03-30T14:45:22+00:00

How is the original Belfast Poor House, a country estate outside Lisburn and a National Trust property connected? Well, through the merchant banking Mussenden family! Daniel Mussenden was an early promoter of the Belfast Charitable Society's scheme to build a Poor House and Infirmary for the town of Belfast. Whilst Daniel was philanthropically minded, he was also a business man with many varied interests. He was involved in opening the first bank in Belfast, Mussenden Adair & Bateson, in 1753, the year after the inaugural meeting of the Belfast Charitable Society. Daniel was responsible for the building of the original section [...]

The Mussenden Connection: Clifton House, Larchfield & the National Trust2020-03-30T14:45:22+00:00

Clifton Street Cemetery: ‘The New Burying Ground’ opened 223 years ago

2020-03-30T10:27:59+00:00

Until well into the 19th century ships could come up into the foot of High Street, and maps from that time show a large bay of the Lagan which if it where there today would cover the Victoria Square and a large area to the south of it. This meant there was tidal water on each side of a tongue of land on which the Old Corporation Church stood, the site of St George's on High Street today. Although the Corporation Church had been replaced by St. Anne's Parish Church in the 1770s, the churchyard was still used for the burial [...]

Clifton Street Cemetery: ‘The New Burying Ground’ opened 223 years ago2020-03-30T10:27:59+00:00

The Generosity of Captain McKenzie

2020-03-28T12:08:57+00:00

On one of the oldest donation boards in Clifton House it is recorded that ‘ Capt. Chas. McKenzie and crew of the ship Peace and Plenty’ made a generous donation to the Belfast Charitable Society in October 1786. ‘Peace & Plenty’ was a merchant barque sailing-ship of 400 tonnes. Captain McKenzie had sailed her very successfully from Belfast to Philadelphia and New York for at least the previous twelve years, maybe as often as 4 or 5 times per annum. He regularly advertised to carry passengers to the New World. He would also carry such goods as sail cloth, candles, soap, [...]

The Generosity of Captain McKenzie2020-03-28T12:08:57+00:00

At the heart of the North Belfast since 1774: Share your stories, memories & photographs of Clifton House

2020-03-27T11:16:24+00:00

Clifton House opened in 1774 as the original Poor House for the town of Belfast. As the first public building in North Belfast, we have been part of the community for over 245 years. During our tours of Clifton House many people tell us about the photographs they have of family events from weddings and christenings taken in the grounds of Clifton House, to those who had relatives who lived or worked in Clifton House. Now, we would like to encourage people to send in any photographs, memories or stories associated with Clifton House. You can do this by emailing archive@cliftonbelfast.org.uk

At the heart of the North Belfast since 1774: Share your stories, memories & photographs of Clifton House2020-03-27T11:16:24+00:00

Dr William Drennan’s (1754-1820) advice: Wash and be clean

2020-03-24T13:40:26+00:00

In 1793 Martha McTier wrote to her brother, Dr William Drennan, seeking advice for the new ‘Lying-In Hospital’ she was helping to establish. In these times, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, his advice is as relevant today as when he penned his response in 1793. If a house [the Lying-In Hospital] be established, the great advice is cleanliness and frequent washing. Simple water is the sovereign remedy against all infectious diseases when frequently and properly used. Nature has supplied the remedy in abundance, but we trust to a thousand follies such as vinegar, camphor, tobacco & c. WASH AND BE CLEAN should [...]

Dr William Drennan’s (1754-1820) advice: Wash and be clean2020-03-24T13:40:26+00:00

On This Day 1826: The Belfast Charitable Society Ladies Committee is formally established

2020-03-24T10:31:35+00:00

March is Women's History Month and is is very appropriate that a number of our key anniversaries surrounding the formation of the Poor House Ladies Committee fall in this month. On this day 1826 Belfast Charitable Society received the letter written by the women who had attended the meeting with Elizabeth Fry earlier in March 1826. After considering the contents of the letter, the men agreed to to the establishment of a 'Ladies Committee' for the Poor House. Mary Ann McCracken, a women who had close familial ties to the Poor House, remained involved the the Ladies Committee from the early [...]

On This Day 1826: The Belfast Charitable Society Ladies Committee is formally established2020-03-24T10:31:35+00:00

Elizabeth Fry & the Foundation of the Ladies Committee of the Poor House

2020-03-13T10:19:53+00:00

On 13th March 1826 a meeting was called by Elizabeth Fry to encourage the women of Belfast to take an active role in the various charitable institutions within the town of Belfast. The women of Belfast agreed to write to the Poor House Committee for permission to set up a ‘Ladies Committee’ for ‘superintending the female department’ of the Poor House. The initial Minutes made the following statement; “The Ladies forming this Committee respectfully submit this proposal, to the Committee of Gentlemen, in the hope of obtaining their approbation and support to enable them to effect their object; And beg most [...]

Elizabeth Fry & the Foundation of the Ladies Committee of the Poor House2020-03-13T10:19:53+00:00
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