Karen, A quick Internet search brings up several possibilities: 1. Sprigging is a type of embroidery or lacework with an Irish heritage and an early to mid-1800's time frame. Here are a few websites that mention it: http://www.magni.org.uk/handson/wysiwyg/content.php?table=newsroom&field=description&edit_id=36#10 http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E900004-001/text010.html http://www.vindicator.ca/history/famine/workhouse1.asp http://homepage.eircom.net/~rathbarry/sprigging%20school.htm http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/donegalitems.htm The following is a quote from another Anglo-Celt edition, found on this website http://www.irelandoldnews.com/Cavan/1850/MAY.html May 31, 1850 OLDCASTLE UNION - May 24 The board met at eleven o'clock. The following guardians were present: Anthony O'Reilly, Esq., J.P., D. L. (in the chair); W. Blaynet Wade, Esq., J.P.; Thos. Battersby, Esq., J.P.; Edward Plunket, Esq.; Robert H. Battersby, Esq.; Edward Rotheram, Esq., J.P.; John Muldoon, Esq.; S. A. Reynell, Esq., J.P.; J. W. Harman, Esq.; Michael Muldoon, and Michael Seery, Esqrs.; Messrs. Morrow, Brady, Fitzsimmons, John Love, and Peter Smith. A conversation took place relative to the "sprigging" carried on in the workhouse. It seems that the sprigging was put up to competition some time ago. There were two candidates; one of whom got the contract. Since that, the unsuccessful candidate has been supplying the paupers with work, which was introduced clandestinely by them into the workhouse, and on being finished they were paid for their labour, which payment they retained to themselves. Some of the guardians suggested that all such work found in the house should be confiscated, while others insisted that the paupers doing it should be discharged and sent to earn their own subsistence out of doors. The latter opinion prevailed, and an order was made to that effect. While this seems the most likely candidate for the meaning of "sprigging" that you are looking for, there were two other possibilities. 2. A means of "seeding" turf or grass, often Bermuda, and frequently employed in the process of building pasture land or establishing large areas of turf such as a golf course. Here is a link to some details http://www.turfgrassamerica.com/sprigging.phtml 3. A pottery technique - these two sites tell a little about it http://www.cr.k12.ia.us/hard/Arts/Visual/scapes/vocab.htm http://www.boothemold.com/classroom/SprigMolds/Default.htm Hope this helps! I plan to visit the lace factory in Carrickmacross when I am in Cavan this may - I'll see if they have any literature or pictures of "sprigging." Kimberley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cush and Karen Anthony" <cushkaren@gwi.net> To: <IRL-CAVAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 10:16 PM Subject: Re: [IRL-CAVAN] ANGLO-CELT - FEBRUARY 16, 1854 > Does anyone know what sprigging is? > Thanks, > Karen > > > SPRIGGING WORK > > > > Mary REILLY of Garrymore summoned Robert WILSON of Cavan, for > > the balance of 3s. 6d., wages for sprigging work done in January last > > at the request of defendant. Defendant alleged that the work was not > > properly finished; the magistrates thought otherwise, and ordered him > > to pay 2s. and costs. > > > > Mary BRADY of Legaweel against same defendant for balance of 2s., > > wages for sprigging.--Defendant to pay 1s. and costs. > > > > Margaret GOFF of Garrymore against same, for the balance of 3s. > > 10d., wages for sprigging.--Defendant to pay 2s. and costs. > > > > > ==== IRL-CAVAN Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from this list click on > mailto:IRL-CAVAN-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe (list mode) or > mailto:IRL-CAVAN-D-request@rootsweb.com?subject=unsubscribe (digest mode) > >