New Haven's Grove Street Cemetery Has Irish Roots

Vol. XXIX— No. 3 — 2017

New Haven’s Grove Street Cemetery has Irish roots ...

n Saturday, April 29, members of the vener who was the driving force in estab-

O Connecticut Irish American Histori- lishing the cemetery was an Irish American. cal Society enjoyed a professional quality A native of Montville in New London guided tour of the historic Grove Street County, Hillhouse was a fifth generation Cemetery in downtown New Haven. Estab- descendant of ancestors who settled near lished in 1797, the cemetery is the first Lough Foyle in County Derry during the chartered burial ground in the United States plantation of Ulster that began in 1609. and a National Historic Landmark. The purpose of the plantation was to The tour guide was Patricia Illingworth, colonize much of Ulster with Protestant who in addition to being the chief docent of settlers from both England and Scotland. the cemetery is associated with the Jewish Wealthy men and London trade associa- Historical Society which shares space with tions were designated as “undertakers” of the Irish society at the Ethnic Heritage Cen- the plantation. They were granted land on ter on the Southern Connecticut State Uni- the condition that they import Protestant versity campus. tenants to replace native Irish Catholics The burying ground in downtown New whose land had been confiscated after the Haven is the resting place not only of nu- “Flight of the Earls,” the emigration from merous residents of early and even modern Ulster of the native Gaelic lords in 1607. -day New Haven, but also of renowned early In her 700-page history and genealogy of Americans: Eli Whitney, inventor of the the Hillhouse family published in 1924, cotton mill; Noah Webster, the author of Margaret P. Hillhouse of New Haven, wrote, American dictionaries; Roger Sherman, the “Abraham Hillhouse, or his father, was one only signer of all four of the nation’s bed- scholarship at Yale for African-American of those undertakers to whom … the peace- rock documents: the Continental Associa- divinity students; Walter Camp, the father ful development of Ulster depended after tion, the Declaration of Independence, Arti- of American football; etc., etc. the expulsion of the native owners of its cles of Confederation and U.S. Constitution; Grove Street Cemetery is a particularly soil. Of these (undertakers), fifty were of Mary A. Goodman, a former slave and New fitting destination for a tour by Irish Ameri- (Please turn to page 2) Haven tradeswoman who established a cans because James Hillhouse, the New Ha-

… and Mory’s Temple Bar probably does too

fter the tour of Grove Street Ceme- sion of the surname of the two New Haven southwestern coast of Ireland. A tery on April 29, members of our residents — Frank and Jane Moriarty — The clan was powerful and fierce. One historical society walked a block along who first owned the establishment that has source reports the Moriartys “possessed nearby York Street on the fringe of the Yale been a gathering place for Yale students for middle Kerry with Sullivans,” and built Cas- University campus to lunch at, in the words more than a century. tle Drum on the Bay of Tralee. Another says of the song, “the place where Louis dwells” Moriarty is an Irish name that originated that in 1641 when Irish rebels in Ulster and “where sing the Whiffenpoofs assem- centuries ago in the time when Celtic tribes were attacking plantation settlers like the bled with their glasses raised on high.” ruled Ireland. The name is written “O Muir- Hillhouses, County Kerry “became also in- Like the cemetery itself, Mory’s Temple cheartaigh” in the Irish language. It means fected … and had several regular troops and Bar is a treasured institution in downtown “sea worthy” or “navigator.” That name is companies (of rebels) proper to take the New Haven. Also like the cemetery, Mory’s appropriate given the homeland of the Mo- field.” Among the Kerry rebels was “Daniel seems to have had an Irish origin. Its name riarty clan near Tralee at the base of the Moriarty of Castle-Drum.” suggests that because it is a shortened ver- Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry on the (Please turn to page 7)

2

(Continued from page 1)

English and fifty of Scottish birth … The family have held the tradition that our an- cestor was from England. In his will, COUNTY DONEGAL (Abraham) styles himself of Artikelly.” Artikelly — meaning “height of Ceallaih’s Dunboe house” — is a small village near the south- eastern shore of Lough Foyle, which is the COUNTY DERRY estuary of the River Foyle that separates County Donegal and County Derry. Aghanloo In more recent research, Robert Forrest of the Ulster Historical Foundation writes: Artikelly “The origin of the Hillhouse family is un- doubtedly Ayrshire in Scotland. Hillhouse is a surname of local origin from one or other of the half-dozen small places of the name in Ayrshire. The second home of the family is most definitely north Derry.“ On the map, the Hillhouse family settled in the early 1600s in Dunboe and Artikelly in County Immigration to Ireland Derry. Below, the gravestone of the Rev. James Hillhouse in New London, Connecticut. Forrest writes, “The earliest settler and Parish. The settlers took the advice of Con- the first of the name in Derry was Adam necticut Gov. Gurdon Saltonstall who urged Hillhous of the parish of Dunboe whose will them “to engage the services of Mr. James was probated in 1635.” Dunboe is on the Hillhouse from Ireland …” coast five or so miles northeast of Artikelly. Hillhouse agreed to accept their offer at a Hillhouse was a tenant of Robert McClel- yearly salary of £100 and began his pastor- land of Bombie, Scotland, one of the under- ate in October 1722. Because no meeting- takers in the plantation. Forrest says, “One house had yet been built, he preached his family that came with McClelland to north first sermons in the tavern of Samuel Allen, Derry was the Hillhouse family who initial- one of the founders of the parish. In his first ly resided in the parish of Dunboe … “ entry in the parish records, Rev. Hillhouse After the native rising of 1641, “the sub- listed Allen along with six others as the sequent history of the family became inex- founding fathers of the North Parish. tricably linked with the parish of Aghanloo Return visit to Ireland and with Artikelly …,” writes Forrest. Refer- ring to a tax list known as the Hearth Mon- Whether the Hillhouses were of Scottish ey Rolls, he adds, “Abraham Hillhouse of or of English origin, they retained a strong Artikelly in Aghanloo parish had two sense of attachment to their ancestral home hearths in the 1663 hearth returns.” in Ireland. While the meetinghouse was being built in New London in summer Hillhouse, he says, was “a citizen of some (Photograph by Tammy Woods) means … the largest tenant on the estate 1723, the Rev. Hillhouse became the first of with an annual rent of £7 sterling.” He also Glasgow University when about 15 years of many of the family to return, in the words was the collector of rents on the estate and age, and was ordained a Presbyterian min- of the family genealogist, Margaret P. Hill- an elected burgess of the nearby market ister after returning to Artikelly. house, “for a brief visit to his fatherland.” town of Limavady. After the death of their parents in 1716, Several years after assuming his duties as The Hillhouses of Artikelly occupied a the oldest brother Abraham inherited the pastor of the North Parish, the Rev. James mansion house which they called Freehall. family property and the Rev. James immi- Hillhouse married Mary Fitch the daughter Their home stood at the foot of a mountain grated in 1720 to Boston where he was of parishioners Daniel and Mary Sherwood about two miles from the village of Limava- described by the Puritan clergyman Cotton Fitch. James and Mary had four children. dy on the land adjacent to Artikelly. It com- Mather as “a worthy, hopeful and valuable The Irish-born minister remained in New manded a fine view of Lough Foyle and the young minister lately arrived in America.” London until his death in 1740. Unfortu- landscape for many miles around. Such was the Rev. Hillhouse’s reputation nately, his later years there were marred by Abraham Hillhouse and his wife Janet had that in 1722 he was invited to come to Con- controversy with a faction of church mem- three sons: Abraham, John and James. John necticut. At that time, the growth of New bers led by Capt. Robert Denison, one of the and his wife Rachel had six sons. Their sec- London had prompted settlers in what to- original parishioners. The rift notwith- ond son, James, was born at Freehall in day is the town of Montville to organize a standing, the registry of the pastor’s death 1687. He entered the school of theology at second Congregational parish, the North in the New London record book included a

3 note: “He was descended from a respecta- ble family in Ireland … Good natural abili- ties, a liberal education, and a well attempt- ed zeal for the truth rendered him eminent and useful in the ministry in this place.” Hillhouses in New Haven Two of the sons of the Rev. James and Mary Hillhouse became prominent in public affairs in Connecticut. Their first son, Wil- liam, who was born in Montville in 1728, served in the Connecticut legislature, was a county and probate judge and a major in the Connecticut cavalry in the Revolution- ary War. Their second son, James Abraham Hillhouse, born in 1730, left Montville to attend Yale. He graduated in 1749, and set- tled in New Haven where he became a prominent lawyer and was elected one of 12 assistants who advised the colonial gov- ernor and comprised the Connecticut colo- nial senate. Unusual circumstances brought the most The name of New Haven’s James (the Senator) Hillhouse is under the “New” in New England famous Hillhouse to New Haven. Because and between the lines designating the fifth generation of the County Derry family tree which James Abraham Hillhouse had no children begins at bottom with Abraham Hillhouse of Artikelly. (Ulster Historical Foundation) of his own, he adopted one of the seven sons of his brother William in Montville. nial legislature in March that year and on A contemporary hand-drawn map by Ezra That son — another James Hillhouse — was April 22, Arnold led 57 of its members, one Stiles contains two longhand entries on the born in 1754 and named after his grandfa- of the officers among them James Hillhouse, West Haven side of the bridge. The one ther, the North Parish pastor. Young James off to Massachusetts to respond to the Lex- closest to the bridge reads: “Here Capt. Hill- was only seven years old when he came to ington and Concord Alarm. house’s party first began to fire.” The one live with his uncle in New Haven. He be- Several months later, on July 2, James nearer the shoreline reads, “Here Capt. Hill- came, in the words of New Haven historian Hillhouse was in command of an escort house first attacked them.” the Rev. Leonard Bacon, “an only child, the provided by the Second Company for an- That day, the Hillhouse family was caught pride and hope of his adopted father.” other historic event when Gen. George up in the conflicting sentiments of the time Young James attended the Hopkins Gram- Washington passed through New Haven on for while young James was commanding the mar School founded in New Haven in 1660 his way to take command of the rebel forces armed resistance, his foster mother, known and graduated from Yale in 1773. He was in Boston. for her loyalty to the king and the Church of described by the Rev. Bacon, as “Tall, long British invasion in 1779 England, was welcoming British officers to limbed, light in motion and light in step; her home in New Haven. During 1779-1780, Hillhouse served as firm, he seems like some Indian chief of The stand taken by James and his small the recruiting officer in New Haven for the poetry or romance …” band of troops against the English invaders Continental Army. On July 5, 1779, he led After graduation, young James began won him considerable public support for in the Second Company in its defense of the reading law with the intention of joining the following years he was, while still in his city when a task force of 1,500 British his foster father’s firm. But other events 20s and 30s, elected to the Connecticut troops landed at Savin Rock. “Capt. Hill- intervened. In 1775, his foster father died. House of Representatives from 1780 to house,” according to the Second Company That same year, the colonial ill-will toward 1785, to the U.S. House from 1790 to 1796, history, “marched his men out Davenport England that had been simmering, boiled and to the U.S. Senate from 1796 to 1810. Avenue, crossed the bridge over the West over into armed rebellion. Young Hillhouse When Thomas Jefferson was elected presi- River, and encountering the invaders, fired was among the New Haven men who orga- dent in 1801, Hillhouse was chosen to be upon them from every available shelter the nized a militia unit — the Second Company the presiding officer of the U.S. Senate. roadside offered. Greatly outnumbered, the of the Governor’s Foot Guard — to stand up In politics, Hillhouse was a Federalist, the defenders retired, recrossing the bridge, against the mother country on behalf of the conservative party of that era. “He had sup- which they destroyed … The British, cross- colonies. The company was commanded by ported the administration of Washington ing the river at another point, met contin- an energetic town merchant named Bene- and the elder Adams, and he was in the ued resistance until, cover becoming poor, dict Arnold. opposition under the administration of further opposition was inexpedient.” The company got a charter from the colo- Jefferson,” wrote his contemporary the Rev.

4

Leonard Bacon. “Yet his speeches show that New Haven. He singled out James Hillhouse he was by no means a mere partisan, and on among four New Haveners “who not only the great question of statesmanship, he dominated the life of the community in ordinarily rose above the range of party their own generation, but set a pattern of interests.” civic consciousness for the generations to In 1808, motivated by his fear that the come ...” He described the four — Roger United States would fall under the influence Sherman, Simeon Baldwin, Ezra Stiles and of ambitious demagogues, he proposed a Hillhouse — as towering above their fellow radical amendment to the U.S. Constitution citizens: “four figures of national im- as a safeguard to prevent that. His proposal portance who were never too preoccupied was that members of the House of Repre- to work for New Haven’s welfare.” sentatives be elected annually by the people Hillhouse began that period with an act of and that members of the Senate be elected healing the wounds left by the Revolution- for only three-year terms. Senators, in turn, ary War. When the war ended, he was in- would elect the president from their num- strumental in choosing a path of reconcilia- bers for a term of only one year. tion toward those citizens who had re- Advocate for democracy mained loyal to England. He and David Aus- ten headed a committee that recommended Hillhouse feared that the longer terms magnanimity toward Tories. Townspeople stipulated in the Constitution would eventu- accepted that course and encouraged the ally lead to a dictatorship. “The office of return of loyalists. President,” he said, “is the only one in our That same year, Hillhouse was chairman government clothed with such powers as of a committee on hospitality and set a simi- might endanger liberty … and at some fu- larly humane course “to welcome and assist ture period, they may be exerted to over- all strangers coming to reside in New Haven throw the liberties of our country. The and cultivate their acquaintance so that change from four to 10 years is small; the their residence may be rendered as agreea- next step would be from 10 years to life …” ble and eligible as possible.” He warned that some future crisis of public In 1782, Hillhouse was elected treasurer safety or possible invasion “might place in The Irish are not the only people who of Yale College, a position he held for 50 the hands of an ambitious, daring President, are fond of Celtic crosses. Tour guide years. He suggested that the governor of the an army of which he would be the legiti- Patricia Illingworth is shown describing state be made a member of the corporation mate commander” and which he might use a handsome Celtic cross that marks the thus paving the way for funding that ena- to destroy democracy. Grove Street Cemetery graves of Dr. Tim- bled the construction of new buildings. In December 1814, Hillhouse was among othy Huggins Bishop and his wife Jane In 1785, the state legislature granted to the New England Federalists opposed to the Bennett Bishop, both descendants of Hillhouse and three partners a license “to War of 1812 who met in secret sessions in early English settlers. The shamrock, Coin and Manufacture Coppers.” They pro- the Hartford Convention. The delegates below, inscribed with the traditional duced the coins until 1787 in a mint on Wa- proposed seven amendments to the Consti- Irish blessing “Cead Mile Failte” — “a ter Street tution including one restricting a president hundred thousand welcomes” — is Also in 1785, Hillhouse and Ezra Stiles to one term. thought to mark the burial place of collaborated on designing a seal for the city. The convention led to a decline in popu- someone who was cremated. The seal depicted the city harbor with a larity of the Federalist party because of ship at the entrance, and an Ionic pillar en- rumors that delegates were intent on seces- twined with a grape vine. sion from the Union. Hillhouse’s participa- In the early 1790s, Hillhouse was the tion in the convention was held against him leader in efforts to preserve and beautify by some even to his death. The Columbian the historic center of New Haven. “No man, Register, later the New Haven Register, men- has ever done so much by personal influ- tioned in an otherwise laudatory obituary ence and labor for the beauty of New Ha- on Jan. 5, 1833, that Hillhouse “was unfortu- ven,” wrote the Rev. Leonard Bacon. nately a member of the Hartford Conven- tion.” City of Elms While attaining national status in politics, Hillhouse was chairman of the committee Hillhouse was equally or even more so a established to level the city’s lower Green mover and shaker in local affairs. City histo- and enclose the whole square of the Green rian Rollin G. Osterweis described the peri- for the first time. More than any one else, he od from 1784 to 1800 as formative years of is credited with making New Haven the Elm

5

City. He originated the idea of planting elms uniform width and the way it goes over hills on the Green and along the streets and, high and low … This remarkable turnpike wrote George Hare Ford, “… devoted years was laid out under the superintendence of of his life to bringing the small trees from James Hillhouse to whom the city is indebt- off his farm between this city and Meriden ed for many of its beauties …” and planting them in rows along our streets A the age of 71, Hillhouse plunged into with his own hands …” another transportation endeavor. The Erie In 1796, James Hillhouse was the driving Canal completed in 1821 quickly brought force behind the establishment of Grove boom times to New York state and city by Street Cemetery. Because the city’s original opening up a trade route into the midsec- burying ground on the Green had become tion of the nation. Hillhouse and other New too crowded with an estimated 5,000 buri- Englanders believed the success story of als, Hillhouse headed a group of 31 citizens the Erie Canal could be repeated with a to establish a new cemetery on the edge of canal dug northward from New Haven to town. In October 1797, the state legislature the St. Lawrence River on the Canadian issued a charter to “The Proprietors of the border and “thence to all Western waters.” New Haven Burying Ground.” In 1825, Hillhouse was selected as super- The cemetery they created has a national intendent of what they thought would be reputation. “Although it is much smaller the first leg of that grand vision: a canal of than Green-Wood in Brooklyn or Arlington about 80 miles northward to Northampton, National Cemetery … it is arguably just as Mass. He took on the responsibility, com- Above is the gravestone of U.S. Sen. significant,” commented a New York Times mented one historian, “with all the enthusi- James Hillhouse in the Grove Street Cem- article on June 16, 2015. “Grove Street, ad- asm and hardy vigor of his prime and for six etery, in downtown New Haven. Below is jacent to Yale University, was the first years he sustained that charge through a poem that was published in the Ameri- planned cemetery in America and is the every discouragement and difficulty.” He can Mercury newspaper in Hartford on eternal home to some of Yale’s and New even went back to Washington to lobby Jan. 21, 1833, shortly after his death. Haven’s most notable figures. The Interior Congress for aid to what he described as a Department added it to the National Regis- “national object of first importance.” No craven fear — no selfish view, ter of Historic Places in 1977. Farmington Canal “While downtown New Haven and Yale His patriot zeal e’er felt or knew, Hillhouse’s contribution to the canal pro- have long encircled Grove Street, its maple– To vindicate the oppress’d he stood; ject was evident in November 1828 when and spruce-lined alleys still feel a world He labor’d for the public good; construction was completed as far north as apart from urban bustle … And while the Held Courts and Senates in control, Farmington and the first canal boat to come grounds seem full, Grove Street is a work- And spoke the language of the soul. south was named the James Hillhouse, Nr. 1. ing cemetery, with more than 20 new buri- When the boat reached within several miles als a year …“ Prepared, his country’s right to shield, of New Haven, reported the Connecticut The sword or mace alike to wield; Arts, science and transportation Herald of Nov. 18, it was greeted by a boat Whate’er his ardent mind conceived, In 1799, Hillhouse was one of the original named for the descendant of another Irish Was by his plastic hand achieved. members of the Connecticut Academy of family — the DeWitt Clinton — and escort- His task perform’d — he sunk to rest, Arts and Sciences, the third oldest such ed into New Haven “amidst the firing of By Heaven’s approving sentence blest. society in the United States, established “to cannon, ringing of bells and cheers…” cultivate every art and science which may Ironically, the canal brought Hillhouse His name no proud mausoleum needs, tend to advance the interest and happiness into contact with one of the early groups of To say he lived — to tell his deeds: of a free and virtuous people …” poverty-stricken Irish and their families to While memory acts the herald’s part, From 1797 to 1800, Hillhouse was presi- come to Connecticut in the 19th century. A On living tables of the heart, dent of the Hartford and New Haven Turn- letter written by him in 1827 regarding a His works — and emblems of his mind, pike Company which modernized one of work site near Cheshire speaks of the In high relief, shall stand — enshrine’d. Connecticut’s oldest and most important plight of both the immigrants and the canal thoroughfares. company: “The Irish men who worked on His grave, shall through revolving years, “Not many of the present generation,” the North Half of Section 62 have complet- Be moistened by affection’s tears. commented an article in the New Haven ed their job and have a final estimate the The Pilgrims’ sons shall oft repair Register on June 27, 1881, “are familiar with balance of which is $485.85 which the men To pay their sad oblations there; the fact that there is practically a straight are very anxious to receive — but it is not And Freedom’s course be fondly staid, road from this city to Hartford. They may in my power to pay it having paid out al- To bless the spot where he is laid. have ridden over it and may have been im- most the whole of the money which I pressed with its excellent condition, its brought up … but not being authorized to

6 draw for the money I have requested Mr. mail. Their letters reveal that during the Beach who is authorized to receive their war, Mary Lucas Hillhouse, the daughter of estimates to furnish each man with a certifi- Sen. James, kept in touch with Margaret cate of the amount due them favorably ...” Cahill and her children. On one occasion, While those Irish laborers were eventual- Christmas in 1862, Margaret wrote Thom- ly paid, the canal project was beset with as that Mary Hillhouse and her daughter, financial and other problems, including Mary, had visited. “They were pleased to recurring damages from erosion and the see the children,” Margaret wrote, “they increasing popularity of railroads. gave them some little presents and inquired James Hillhouse did not live to see the particularly after you, my dear husband. We outcome of his final project. He died at his spent the evening very pleasantly.” home in New Haven on Dec. 29, 1832. “In his last years,” said his obituary in the Co- Sources: www.grovestreetcemetery.org. Wik- lumbian Register, “he has been indefatigable ipedia: Grove Street Cemetery. Clay Risen, in his labors by day and night as superin- “The Nation’s First Planned Burial Ground,” tendent on the Farmington Canal. He has New York Times, June 26, 2015. Rollin G. shown his honest zeal in that public work, Osterweis, Three Centuries of New Haven, by devoting a great share of his private 1638-1938, New Haven, 1953, p. 129, 138- property to the advancement of the enter- 139, 142-143, 167-169, 172, 182, 186-187, prise. He has always been remarkable for 244-246, 348. Margaret P. Hillhouse, Histori- industry in some calling.” cal and Genealogical Collections Relating to Along with many family members, Hill- the Descendants of Rev. James Hillhouse, New house is buried in the Grove Street Ceme- York, 1924. Biographical Directory of the tery, which was one of his fondest works. United States Congress, Hillhouse, James. Prim and proper as it is for the most part, Hillhouses and Cahills Leonard Bacon, Sketch of the Life and Public Grove Street Cemetery has its lighter mo- Services of Hon. James Hillhouse of New Ha- ments. One is a final gift of an Irish- Years after the death of the Revolutionary ven, New Haven, 1860. Ulster Historical American New Haven man, Gordon P. War hero, his descendants had a curious Foundation, Belfast: Robert Forrest, “The Courtmanche, who was a member of the relationship with a Civil War hero, Col. Hillhouse family of Irvine, Scotland and Dun- Irish-American Club and a regular in Irish Thomas Cahill, whose roots also were in boe/Aghanloo, c. 1600-1750,” p.1-13. Henry set dancing there. The inscription on his Ireland. Cahill was the son of Irish immi- A. Baker, History of Montville, Connecticut, gravestone: “Who’s this alone with stone grants Lawrence and Mary Ann Cahill. A Hartford, 1896, p. 554-562. Tammy Woods, and sky? Tis only my old dog and I …” native of County Waterford, Lawrence died photograph of gravestone of Rev. James Hill- in 1840 when Thomas was only 13 years house, New London. Frances Manwaring old. Caulkins, History of New London, Connecti- Not unlike Hillhouse in his diligence, cut, New London, 1895, p. 432-434. Collec- Thomas Cahill found work as a stable boy tions of Connecticut Historical Society, Vol. V, taking care of the Hillhouse family’s horses, 1896, p. 239-240. Connecticut Herald, Nov. and developing great riding skills in the 18, 1828. Henry P. Johnston, editor, Record of process. Hillhouse family members were Connecticut Men in the War of the Revolu- fond of the ambitious young man and tion, War of 1812 and War with Mexico, loaned him books from the family library. Hartford, 1880, p. 18. William J. Prendergast, Two Hundred Years, The Second Company As a young man, Cahill eventually became Governor’s Foot Guard, 1775-1975, Chapter a mason by trade, was elected to the New 2. George Hare Ford, “James Hillhouse,” Rev- Haven Common Council in 1857 and com- olutionary Characters of New Haven, New manded the Washington Erina Guards, an Haven, 1911, p. 9-10. Daniel E. Bender, “An Irish militia unit similar to the Governor’s Uneasy Peace, Irish Labor on the Farmington Foot Guard led by James Hillhouse. Canal, Yale University dissertation, p. 36. Neil When the Civil War began, Cahill was Hogan, Connecticut’s Irish in the Civil War, appointed commander of the 9th Connecti- 2015, p 112, 124, 134. Columbian (New Ha- cut Infantry, an almost entirely Irish outfit. ven) Register, Jan. 5, 1833, June 27, 1881. He served for three years in campaigns in Connecticut (Hartford) Courant, Jan. 8, 1833. Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia. During his service, he and his wife Margaret car- ried on a voluminous correspondence by

7

Mory’s Temple Bar seems to have link to ancient Co. Kerry clan

(Continued from page 1) by Edward G. Oakley, a former waiter at the the bank of the Thames River in southeast The Moriarty surname even found its way bar. While Oakley was popular with stu- London, Woolwich was an arms manufac- into literature. Arthur Conan Doyle, an dents, his poor business skills forced him to turing and explosives research center from Irishman himself, included in some of his close the bar in 1898 …” the 17th century until 1967. Sherlock Holmes books, a ruthless criminal Oakley also was supposedly of Irish de- When about five years old, Edward Mori- mastermind named Prof. James Moriarty. scent. One history of the establishment arty immigrated to New York City with his It would seem without question that the describes him as one of the waiters hired by parents, Mortimer and Ann, both of whom Frank Moriarty of Mory’s was Irish. Howev- Jane Moriarty: “a genial Irishman who grad- were born in Ireland. Two daughters were er, census returns record that Moriarty was ually took over the management of the born in New York: Bridget in 1873 and born in England and that his wife Jane was place … His popularity with Yale clientele Mary in 1874. Within a few years, the Mori- a native of Wales. That, of course, artys had settled in New Haven does not rule out their being of where Mortimer found work as a Irish descent because Irish people railroad switchman. frequently immigrated to England As a young man, Edward worked at and Wales, many of them later Traeger’s restaurant, another down- moving on to America. town rendezvous for Yale students. Carla Cruzoni, general manager of Later he worked at C.M. Tuttle’s gro- Mory’s, gave a brief account of the cery near the Yale campus on Broad- bar’s history at the luncheon after way. Tuttle’s store was famous for its the tour of Grove Street Cemetery. cheeses which were imported from She mentioned that Frank and Jane England and allowed “to ripen for were English natives. Later, to a years in his famous rathskeller.” question about their maybe being When Tuttle died, he willed the busi- Frank Moriarty Jane Moriarty of Irish descent, she emailed: “I’ve ness to Edward Moriarty. been in touch with a present-day In addition to running the store, Ed- relative of the Moriarty family and she be- was legendary — and with good reason: ward Moriarty became a great friend and lieved that Frank Moriarty, the husband of every undergraduate … had an automatic enthusiast of all things Yale. Known as the her great-great aunt, Jane, had been Irish.” $20 worth of credit … No one ever asked to “Mayor of Broadway,” he is said to have The study leading to the placing of Mory’s have his limit extended and the proprietor attended every concert and every lecture at on the National Register of Historic Places, never dunned anyone for payment …” Yale. He kept a diary of Yale traditions and bolsters her comment: “Mory’s derives its Despite being described as an Irishman, knew the record of every Yale athlete for 50 name from its founders, Frank and Jane Oakley, like Frank Moriarty, was listed on years. Moriarty, who opened a small tavern called census returns as a native of England. He was so well known that a friend and Moriarty’s in 1863 in Wooster Square, In 1899, a German immigrant named Lou- Yale alumnus, George Chappell, wrote a which was then a largely Irish neighbor- is Linder reopened the bar. A music lover, poem which began: hood … Located near the New Haven har- Linder encouraged Yale musical groups to “It’s good, friend Ed, to sit with you bor, the tavern was discovered one day by a play and sing while visiting Mory’s. In 1909, And drink a glass of beer or two, number of Yale crewmen on their way back a quintet calling themselves the Whiffen- Or three, as many as I please, to the campus from a race and it quickly poofs began to meet at Mory’s on Monday And munch your crackers and cheese became popular with other Yale students. evenings. In 1912, when the popular Yale Sharing the old Yalensian lore.” The Moriartys recognized the merit of mov- tavern was again threatened with closing, Moriarty’s enthusiasm for Yale was ing close to campus to be near their devot- alumni organized a non-profit corporation matched by his love of his Irish heritage. At ed clientele and opened the Quiet House on to keep it in business. The corporation pur- the age of 23, he was the toastmaster for Court Street … in the late 1860s. This move chased a Federal-style house at 306 York the St. Patrick’s Day banquet of the Friendly galvanized its standing as a favorite water- St., a venue which remains today the home Sons of St. Patrick. In the early 1900s, he ing hole for Yale students. of Mory’s. became a perennial toastmaster for the “After Frank Moriarty died in 1876, Mrs. Ironically, there was another immigrant Knights of St. Patrick’s March 17 banquets. Moriarty moved still closer to campus to a in New Haven — Edward J. Moriarty — Just after introducing the main speaker location at the corner of Temple and Center whose life was similar in several ways to for the 27th consecutive year at the 1932 Streets, and the tavern became known as that of Frank Moriarty. Like Frank, Edward banquet, Moriarty was stricken with a heart Mory’s Temple Bar. When Jane Moriarty was a native of England. He was born near died in 1885, the Temple Bar was operated Woolwich Arsenal in London. Located on Please turn to page 8

8

Edward J. was one of 2 famed New Haven Moriartys

(Continued from page 7) Sources: www.mory’sclub.org, membership, history. Charles Smith, The Ancient and Present State of attack. Three doctors who were present at the The County Kerry, Dublin, 1774, p. 154, 300. Robert affair tended Moriarty until he was taken by am- Matheson, Surnames in Ireland, Dublin 1909, p.65. bulance to St. Raphael’s Hospital where he died www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/ the next day. moriarty. Wikipedia: Moriarty. New Haven City The New Haven Journal Courier described Mori- Directory, 1865, 1867, 1879, 1881. Hale Collection arty as “one of the most noted characters in the of Connecticut Cemetery Inscriptions, Evergreen city of New Haven. He has been a chronicler of Cemetery, New Haven, 215-12, p. 759, Frank & Jane Yale and New Haven for the last half century. As Moriarty. New Haven Journal-Courier, March 18, an institution in the Knights of St. Patrick he is 19, 23, 1932. Neil Hogan, The Wearin’ O’ The Green, without counterpart.” St. Patrick’s Day in New Haven, CT, 1842-1992, An intriguing question: Given the similarity of 1992, p. 88, 148-150. U.S. Census, New Haven, 1870, their origins, their lives and their careers, is it 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920. Mary Dunne, National possible that Frank and Edward J. Moriarty were Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Edward J. Moriarty related? Mory’s, OMB No. 10024-0018.

The Shanachie

Published quarterly by the President George Waldron Connecticut Irish-American “We have kept faith Vice President Vincent McMahon Historical Society with the past; P.O. Box 185833 Secretary Patricia Heslin

Hamden, CT 06518 Treasurer Mary McMahon we have handed (203) 392-6126 Membership Chairperson Joan Murphy a tradition www.ctiahs.com Shanachie Editor Neil Hogan to the future.” [email protected] Webmaster Finbarr Moynihan https://www.facebook.com/ ctirishamericanhistoricalsociety In Ireland, a Shanachie is a folklorist, historian and keeper of the traditions of the people. Padraic Pearse

Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society P.O. Box 185833 Hamden, CT 06518