With the onset of the Great Famine (1845-50), a Relief Commission was established in Dublin to set up local relief committees throughout Ireland composed of landowners, their agents, magistrates, clergy and notable residents. The local committees were supposed to help organize employment projects and distribute food to the poor while raising money from landowners to cover part of the cost. The British government would then contribute a matching amount.
TYRONE RELIEF COMMITTEES
The following are the relief districts for the county of Tyrone, with the chairmen and secretaries, appointed by the Right Hon. the Earl of Charlemont, lieutenant of the county: -
| DISTRICT | APPOINTEES |
| Caledon | H. L. PRENTICE, Esq., Caledon, chairman, Mr. John CORR, Caledon, secretary |
| Pomeroy | R. W. LOWRY, Esq., J.P., Pomeroy-house, chairman; Mr. William James ROBINSON, Pomeroy, secretary |
| Aughnacloy | The Ven. Archdeacon STOKES, chairman; Rev. M. POLLOCK, Aughnacloy, secretary |
| Dungannon | R. WRAY, Esq., J.P., Dungannon, chairman; Mr. Arthur FULLEN, Dungannon, secretary |
| Moy | James E. JACKSON, Esq., J.P., Tullydooey, chairman; Mr. William HEANEY Moy, secretary |
| Stewartstown | E. H. CAULFIELD, Esq., J.P. Drumcairn, Stewartstown, chairman; Mr. J. DUDGEON, Stewartstown, secretary |
| Cookstown | Colonel STEWART, J.P., Killymoon, chairman |
| Gortin | A. W. C. HAMILTON, Esq., J.P., Beltrim, Omagh, chairman; Mr. Charles McFARLAND, Gortin, secretary |
| Omagh | Rev. Thomas STACK, J.P., chairman; Mr John McKENNY, Omagh, secretary |
| Trillick | Rev. J G. PORTER, J.P., chairman; Messrs. BOOKER & O’DONNELL, secretaries |
| Castlederg | James ANDERSON, Esq., J.P., Castlederg, chairman; Mr. R. MONTEITH, Castlederg, secretary |
| Fintona | Charles ECCLES, Esq., J.P., chairman; James BUCHANAN, Esq., secretary |
| Fivemiletown | Thomas R. BROWN, Esq., J.P., Aughintain, chairman; Mr. Patrick CLARK, Fivemiletown, secretary |
| Newtownstewart | John ROGERS, Esq., J.P., Glennock; chairman; J. G. RAMSAY, Esq., secretary |
| Donemana | Hon. and Rev. Charles DOUGLAS, chairman; Rev. John MONTEITH, secretary |
| Leckpatrick | Rev. G. SMITHWICK, chairman; Rev. M. CHAMBERS, secretary |
| Urney | Rev. Robert HUME, chairman; A F. KNOX, Esq., J.P., secretary |
| Camus | Rev. James SMITH, chairman; Mr. Wm. RAMSAY, secretary |
| Augher | Sir J. R. BUNBURY, Bart., Augher Castle, chairman; Rev. W. B. ASH, Clogher, secretary |
| Carrickmore | Sir Hugh STEWART, Bart., Balligawley House, chairman; Rev. Samuel ALEXANDER, Termonmaguirk, secretary |