Note: The James Swanton referred to in this article may have been the brother of Michael Swanton, my g-g-grandfather. Michael Swanton lived in Derrigra, parish of Ballymoney in 1853 as a tenant of the Earl of Bandon. In 1865, he lived in the townland of Boulteen, Desertserges parish, in 1865. In 1853, a John Swanton lived in Kinneigh. John may have been the father or brother of Michael Swanton.
HONOUR TO WHOM WHOM HONOUR IS DUE
To the Editor of the Cork Constitution
Sir -- You would oblige by giving insertion in your influential Journal to the following good act of an agent, which sufficiently speaks for itself: --
A tenant of the Earl of Bandon's, named James Swanton, living in Kinneigh, presented himself on Saturday last at the office in Bandon. When asked for the half-year's rent, which was a considerable time overdue, he answered that he could not pay it. He explained, however, that his inability to pay arose from domestic troubles, bad harvests and losses in cattle, etc.
What is the reply of Edward Applebe Esq., Lord Bandon's agent, to this statement? Does he serve a notice to quit? No -- he pays out of his own pocket 12 pounds 10s, the amount of the half-year's rent for Swanton, who returns home with a light heart, blessing his benefactor.
What was the surprise and gratitude of that fabulous character from whose shoulders the hump was removed by the wand of the faires, compared with the wonder and thanks of this poor man from whose mind a real mountain of care was removed by this generous act?
When the kindness of the agent is so great, what may not this poor man hope for from the munificence of his noble landlord? - I am your obedient servant,
OBSERVER