the crop failure and the spread of diseases like dysentery meant that these efforts were overwhelmed. By January 1847, a local relief committee was activity raising funds to provide emergency food supplies. The committee contacted local landlords seeking financial support and debt forgiveness for tenants in rent arrears. The response from landlords was varied; some were willing to provide help; others were not. Local landlord - Michael Loughrey of Binion hall - contributed to the fund. John Harvey and Mrs Merrick wrote to Father O'Donnell - parish priest and chairman of the committee - indicating they would not support the relief efforts until rent arrears and other costs were paid first. This correspondence was published in the Derry Journal. Around the same time, the Derry Sentinel reported that Clonmany was experiencing a death rate of five to six individuals each day. Land Wars in the 19th Century Throughout the 19th century, the rural areas surrounding Clonmany experienced significant conflict over the issues of land ownership and tenant rights. During the 1830s, the Ribbon men and night-walkers were active in the area. This was a popular Catholic movement that protested against landlords and their agents. In February 1832, crowds of up to three thousand local tenants attacked the properties of two prominent landlords: Michael Doherty of Glen House and Neal Loughrey of Binnion. The protesters demanded a reduction in rents and the elimination of tithe payments to the Church of Ireland. Unrest also broke out in mid-1833. A local man, surnamed O'Donnell, had his house destroyed by rioters because he had taken over the property from an evicted tenant. Rioters also destroyed the forge of the local blacksmith (by the name of Conaghan) after he had provided services to the tithe agent. Rioters also smashed the property of local people who were employed directly by landlords. In February 1834, the army posted to the village a detachment of the 1st Royals Regiment from the Londonderry Garrison to provide support to the civil authorities. Further unrest occurred out in April 1834 when large crowds rioted and destroyed property. Violence again broke out in June 1838, when a crowd of local people attacked the house where an absentee landlord, Mrs Merrick, was temporarily staying. At the time, she was visiting the area to view her properties. The home of Mrs Merrick's bailiff, Hugh Bradley, was attacked in September 1838. Bradley was badly beaten