"Government hand-outs" aren't some 20th century American invention. In the late 18th century, Ireland gave incentives for people to grow flax, an important cash crop grown mainly for the production of linen. Spinning wheels were given out at the rate of one wheel for a quarter-acre of flax, two for a half-acre, three for three-quarters of an acre, and four for a full acre. For five acres or more, the grower got a loom or spinning wheels up to a value of 50 shillings. The bounty was given "To the person who should sow between the 10th day of March and the 1st day of June 1796 with a sufficient quantity of good sound flax-seed..." There were 60,000 individuals on the Flax Growers List, also known as the Spinning Wheel Premium list, which was compiled by the Irish Linen Board.
Surname First Name Parish/Barony County Slaven Christopher Rathkenny Meath Slaven Thomas Rathkenny Meath Slavin Patrick Donacavey Tyrone Slavin Daniel Donaghmore Donegal Slavin Edward Urney Tyrone Sleaven Thomas Colp Meath Sleaven Michael Kilmore Monaghan Sleaven Andrew Kilmore Monaghan Sleavin Nicholas Dromore Tyrone Sleavin Patrick Killaghtee Donegal Sleavin Peter Donegal Donegal Sleavin Patrick Kilbarron Donegal Sleavin Patrick Donegal Donegal Sleavin Bryan Donegal Donegal Sleavin Edward Killymard Donegal Sleavin James Kilbarron Donegal Sleavin John Kilbarron Donegal Sleavin Maria Raphoe Donegal Sleven Bartholomew Armagh Armagh Sleven Francis Magheracloone Monaghan Slevin John Donacavey Tyrone Slevin John Clogher Tyrone Slevin Michael Dromore Tyrone Slevin Owen Errigal Keerogue Tyrone Slevin Hugh Dromore Tyrone Slevin Sarah Dromore Tyrone Slevin Edward Dromore Tyrone Slevin Michael Derrynoose Armagh Slevin James Donaghmoyne Monaghan Slevin Arthur Dromore Tyrone Slevin Thomas Cloonclare Leitrim Slevin Francis Donacavey Tyrone