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Monthly Archives: April 2022

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Children of the Poor House: William Lacey’s Mysterious Death

2022-04-27T09:38:31+00:00

The 'Children of the Poor House' series sets out to highlight the stories that we have uncovered from our archives. This week we are examining the mysterious death of one of our apprentices, William Lacey. William Lacey was admitted to the Poor House at the tender age of 7, in February 1803. He lived with us for six years until, in November 1809, he was apprenticed to Matthew Currie to learn the trade of weaver for a period of five years. However, three years after Lacey's apprenticeship began, on 25th April 1812, it was reported by the Poor House Orderly that [...]

Children of the Poor House: William Lacey’s Mysterious Death2022-04-27T09:38:31+00:00

From Merchant to Pauper: The burial of John Blackwood, Dromara

2022-04-26T08:46:06+00:00

John Blackwood was born in Dromara, County Down sometime around 1763. John was a provision merchant by trade and lived most of his life in his home town. It is not known why his circumstances changed but in November 1833, at the age of 70, he arrived in Belfast and was admitted to the Poor House. John spent the remainder of his days in the institution, passing away on 26 April 1847. He was recorded as a pauper in the Clifton Street Cemetery burial register  but unlike most who passed away in the Poor House he was buried in a private [...]

From Merchant to Pauper: The burial of John Blackwood, Dromara2022-04-26T08:46:06+00:00

Children of the Poor House: Helena Kelly and her search for employment

2022-04-22T08:40:32+00:00

The third in our Children of the Poor House Series is Helena Kelly- no relation to last week’s Barney Kelly as far as we can tell! Helena Kelly was born around 1805 and lived in Belfast with her family until the age of eight. The Kelly family’s circumstances must have changed as Helena was admitted to the Poor House in August 1813. Unfortunately, the admission book does not provide an insight in to why she was admitted. It would appear from our archive that Helena was a well-behaved child, as she had no transgressions recorded against her name. Helena’s case was [...]

Children of the Poor House: Helena Kelly and her search for employment2022-04-22T08:40:32+00:00

Exciting New Job Opportunity: Development Co-Ordinator – Mary Ann McCracken Foundation

2022-04-25T08:06:24+00:00

The Mary Ann McCracken Foundation, established by Belfast Charitable, are seeking to appoint a Development Co-Ordinator to be based here at Clifton House. For more information on the role and to apply visit: tinyurl.com/mzk6nfvt

Exciting New Job Opportunity: Development Co-Ordinator – Mary Ann McCracken Foundation2022-04-25T08:06:24+00:00

Easter Traditions in the Poor House

2022-04-15T09:04:41+00:00

Easter has always been an important holiday. It marked a time for family to come together and take part in the religious rituals surrounding the holiday. In preparation for Easter families would have had a ‘spring clean’ and a hearty meal was prepared for Easter Sunday, marking the end of Lent. Aspects of these Easter traditions can be found peppered through the Belfast Charitable Society's Archive, held in Clifton House. Although it was now explicitly mentioned in the Minute Books, Easter 1775 was the first with residents in the Poor House. On Easter Monday 1775 the bell and clock from the [...]

Easter Traditions in the Poor House2022-04-15T09:04:41+00:00

Children of the Poor House: The Troublesome Barney Kelly (admitted 1776)

2022-04-15T09:00:32+00:00

When Belfast Charitable Society opened the Poor House in 1774 it did not originally envisage children being admitted to the institution. However, due to growing pressures and the fact that the Poor House was the only institution that could support destitute children, it agreed to allow up to twenty children in 1776. These children were to be between the ages of 7 and 12 and would be educated and supported by the Society. Barney Kelly, the second in our series exploring the lives of the children, was part of this original twenty. Barney was found on the streets of Belfast and [...]

Children of the Poor House: The Troublesome Barney Kelly (admitted 1776)2022-04-15T09:00:32+00:00

The American Revolution in Belfast Lough

2022-04-14T08:34:05+00:00

On 13th April 1778 the American Revolution was brought to our shores. John Paul Jones, a Scots-American, sailed his privateer, the Ranger, into Belfast Lough. He attacked, and captured the British warship HMS Drake and made off with its cargo. He described the scene: “The sun was now a little more than an hour from setting, it was therefore time to begin…The action was warm, close and obstinate; it lasted for an hour and five minutes when the enemy called for quarters.” The British surrendered with 40 men dead, while only two Americans were killed. Fears for the safety of the [...]

The American Revolution in Belfast Lough2022-04-14T08:34:05+00:00

Children of the Poor House: Johnathan Bryans (admitted 1804)

2022-05-10T10:20:05+00:00

Thousands of individuals, from the young and old, to local citizens and passing sailors all sought sanctuary within the walls of the Poor House, today known as Clifton House. However, it is the stories of the children (some were orphans, others deserted and many who came from families struggling to make ends meet) which still continue to fascinate visitors to Clifton House. In this new series we will be highlighting the stories of those children who were admitted to the Poor House, using the unique Belfast Charitable Society archive held at Clifton House to explore what we can about the their [...]

Children of the Poor House: Johnathan Bryans (admitted 1804)2022-05-10T10:20:05+00:00

Clifton House

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    2 North Queen Street, Belfast,
    Antrim BT15 1ES

  • 028 9099 7022
  • info@cliftonbelfast.org.uk
  • Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 4.30 PM

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