Title: No Popery! List of the Rag, Tag and Bobtail who signed the Waterford Petition against Catholic Emancipation
Date: c. 1829
Description: This short, fascinating list seeks to name and shame those who signed a petition in Waterford city. The phrase ‘Rag, Tag and Bobtail’ (or ragtag and bobtail) is an old term for ‘rabble’ or ‘riffraff’ and the author(s) seek to condemn those who signed the petition. The document itself is in poor condition with a number of repairs to tears which have obscured the names or remarks for certain individuals. There is at least one entry not captured where it was impossible to identify the name other than that the first name was possibly ‘George’.
While the compiler of this document is perhaps a bit too pleased with their witticisms, it is indeed humorous, as it trades insults with those on the list, including to Matthew Pomeroy Murphy who is described as: "a crazy school-master, who keeps a stentorian or oratorian academy in Bakehouse-lane, and who has changed his religion as often as his clothes". Nonetheless the level of detail provided is very good, including occupations, address locations and familial relationships – eg father, son, brother-in-law and so on.
Source: PRONI, T1338/1
Compiled by: UHF staff