Connecticut Irish-AmeriCdn T~e Sbanacbie HistoriCdI Socieflj JanuarlJ - FebruarlJ 2 ODD! Vol. XII, No. I
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SPECIAL MILLENNIUM ISSUE THE IRISH IN AMERICA AND CONNECTICUT
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.. ' ", .. . ·•· •• I~:.·~¢I~b.t~ti~Jl·.~ .. :t·hill·.()Il~~ilJ-~-tlt()~~~J1d-;~a .... ()l:c~sion,··.TlJe •••• ~ ·,'.'.$h~~~¢hi~:I()~ks~~¢~.~.,f~~.~¢llttlrl¢s'~.thi.begill~il1g s .~Ild·t~e,···· ,) .:J ·•• •• ,g~~~th()(.· .•II#~,.i\.~¢ri¢~.~J)d·lrish't'~l1rtecti¢llt.·~~ril1g tbe·rtiii-.·.·. ·.",lellrij#ittjlJ#~II~i~g~,.)ris~.~n~:$c~tc~-Irjsh'.JleopJe.beillnmaking •.. · ..--~:., . ~ ',~", .• ·.,tflek.Ji:l~rk.i~:t.IJe..~ar-li~st.c()lolllal·~itlles·.and •• iJl.:Spanish, ·Dotcb·.· ·.·.·.*l1.d·'~r¢l1¢h,·'~~,#¢ll··~,,~~glis~,.¢(JI~~ies
IRISH IN UNITED STATES AND CONNECTICUT, 1990 CENSUS
CONNECTICUT % U.S. % Tatal Population 3,287,116 249,632,692 Born in Ireland 5,766 1.7 269,7 41 1.1 Of Irish descent 613,924 18.7 22,721,252 9.0 Of Scotch-Irish descent 45,742 1.4 4,334,197 17 ...... :·:~tr~t.~~~#6¥(".1~~~ .. ESTIMATES BASED ON 1790 CENSUS :::: B.~(qre· I:8$b~tli~it $;: (jensus. ·dJ~iiot: ·:::4¢$j8~te::::~~~::p1~e::::~(·pi~A::.Q(· STATE POPULATION EST. 'I, EST. NO. OF IRISH OF IRISH :::: toreign;{jo:rit:weric:ans: so: that: j(is:· :.:: :iiriposSlWe t~iiei~riili~e ~Xa:ct1y ·h6;,v." Connecticut 238,000 2.6 6,188 ·::::manY::ii,~~:·:p~rSQHs:·were:::}iI·::·.: ..• Maine 97,000 5.5 5,335 :·::triilt~~f:swe~:::$ever~i·sCb9iilrs:have:·' :::: ~stimated the.· nu:mbei· bn the. basis ~f::: Maryland 320,000 12.5 40,000 ::·:~v~jl~bl~:~rt~ii~·diUA·~iith::~S.~ri~h/ Massachusetts 379,000 3.1 11,749 ·:::~~JiIdl~g··~~~:::A..(:ieft;:·~~·:·":~<· .: :~ai¢$ p'repar~: ~y: :fo.iTe~( ~n4: :el~~~· New Hampshire 142,000 5.4 7,668 .:.:Sha·.P...... iroMcI)Onald.fdf.126Nhe;:16< New Yorl< 340,000 5.5 18,700 .:.·.si~tes:·in.:i79.()::E:aily:estimai~s·v31Y: •(jQns[der~bly> j3elo\V:iiie:•~hOWJi·: ~~ .. North Carolina 394,000 13.3 52,402 :seis9fe$iim~1es;.Qne:~y.:the·c¢ii&uf Pennsylvania 434,000 10.2 44,268 ::::j3ateatl;::jt\e::::~t~¢.i:::by'.hisiCi~~. :::·WiQi~m.I'OtbeSA..daltlS;Orith~n~~: Rhode Island 69,000 3.0 2,070 :::·~er~t:Iiish·~rnv:lng·Ii{Airi~nc~:~~:· South Carolina 249,000 11.7 29,133 ··::·i~g·:G~al~:Y~~ui~ft~e::¢a~lY YEAR IRISH IMMIGRANTS 1825 4,826 4,888 1830 12,765 2,721 IRISH NATIVES IN UNITED STATES 1835 13,307 20,927 YEAR U.S. POPULATION IRISH NATIVES 1840 25,957 39,430 1850 23,191,876 961,719 1845 50,578 44,821 1860 31,443,321 1,611,304 1870 39,818,449 1,855,827 ·····································~ 1880 50,155,783 1,854,571 }#Y#r)~~...... ' ...' ...... ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I J890: :::-.<:62M?il:1.4< <:)i~71;~9 . I 1900 65,994,575 1,615,459 1910 91,972,266 1,352,251 1920 105,710,620 1,037,234 1930 122,775,046 923,642 1940 131,669,275 678,447 1950 151,325,798 520,359 1960 179,323,175 406,884 1970 203,211,926 292,212 1980 226,504,825 217,648 1990 249,632,692 269,741 PASSENGERS ON CONS"mUTION TO NEW HAVEN IN 1821 NAME AGE WORK NAME AGE WORK ..... , ...... , . O'Brien, Daniel 30 Gentleman Keate, Hugh Jr. None , " o 12 ,:::::::::::V"~i:::iS~~::tll~::iJ.:S;::~n~Ui:l~t~::: Henderson, Jas. 30 Farmer o Keate, Susanah 30 None ::: ::::::::~i\ii:the::~ariies:of:J~ads:of::b~~:: Henderson, Patt ;.28 Farmer o Keate, Daniel 28 None ~-"":::1i01~::~i\d::4i4:ri~t:::ask:\Vh~re:ihey:: ::::w~~:~;:$iIIk.4i~r~:iirii:~aystri: Ryan, Palt 22 Farmer o Keate Martha 22 None :::~: :~~: ~Pqu~~ti~li~Qie:iioW:t~ 'i~:': Hands, Catherine 20 None o Keate, Honora 20 None ::: th¢:: ~Utnl)er::O{: Irish: :peoPle.:1n:the:: :::PO'pu13ti,Ori:::()ne:~ay:Jst1le:pas&~n~·.: Hands, Edward 10 None o Keate, Thomas 10 None :::g~r:::Jl~tfQf:~~p~:.aJTiVirig •• ~n::the.: Hands, Elisa 6 None OGorman, Thos 6 None :::Vmt~::~.~~;::At:ie~::j~:ih~·ijSt:Qf: ::. ti)e: ~~p :C ...... ::::::::.~f~b:::jj~~~:::p~~lft.~~~b3:::::::::: ::::Giiis~:d~~:::~~~::Wi~~~f:~~~~g:p'~~~::cif:::': :::~i~~:::r~@::~:4~~~9P.iP~~fQ(jns~~~(;~~v.~s:::::: ...... ::::Ql::q;~~4#~:~:~~~~~~;::~:~~e~~Q~::9t::::: -....,., ...... ::::~~re:::Ul,d::lri()ti;';,::tYPiC:lUy:::li~s~::nlUri~:Y~@~s:::::: «~~f#m:~:f)~~ce~: . ::::this;::ai1i1::!li~:~VkIt.ri~::i~::stt.6~8tt.:%e~::~~s:::::: .:: :rh~.:~: ~: a~'Vel11sing. £0l~ID:nS :tif.: . ::::f~~:~~\y:::(~H~s:W1$::~~::~~::it~Yjrig:::::: .:: :Ui~: :~~i~:~:: p~:: Qc~si(,p~ly: ~ U.S. CENSUS 1830 - NEW HAVEN CITY t.,t------NUMBER JOHN O'BRIEN, HEAD OF HOUSE t,1r..RCIlAST.T.,\YLOR. FAMILY FOREIGN E,SEN~.S his compliments 10 I.•• ll'~oi. In ,atll,,,hr .nd If'll' ;>\ot.I,L in Timothy McColley 3 2 ,(~a:• •nd ....vld il"d'J'''' '''''"' rhu he- ".At '"&'hI1,11 h' ''''' I.:"n imp~n.lt;on. fro:n l",,,";.c. " t,nH.l James McHarg ,Uf""",,~I'H of . 4 4 Lo//J"II SUlojinc' C:~!h ; Timothy Bohan VI r._I1:",r. "I.~k. ',ffcn. 1.11 ·111 ••1•• .,. •• ,,1 1;r. lll 4 2 "";.11\1'<': C.lrl.l... r\ 4.1( "04' "c..r"H\. Charles Maloney 5 5 ~,1Jr(ti\lcS' ~';Il'i;~ ar.J l\IuOiol't Vrfll'a:u,nI. o( ,"~ nc""ci\ ' .. Ih,on -R\'/l~ ~.". "CoC'" l pri.,... Sit" 0"",." ~tril..-.1 ~;IJ~ ()o. rl.a;n John Sliney 2 2 n:.ir-4 ,aad do"dul Uo. In1;.. tol'.nk~·If\l1 C.l'Ilh".'II: lofh L.orr.l, I.:. Af\,J. JuJl' ,troflmt'1'!;1 ..,1 T,iln. Francis Bagley ft';I"~ •• -"'ht\h Ilc " tct(lm:n:d (0 (ell 'ItUp 1.A 10 5 caa. Of Otor, CtcC'ic,. .. tr.::7"' S.id O'lh.E,,'infornl' hi. fritnd. John Bagley 5 4 hd 'I.e p\ltMic Lhu he ,holY (\;11 "c I••v" kJ tot.e,-""c ,hor;, ,ernm.",d, on Ihc lli."rA ncuiu'. I('l4 ~'\ ,I", ftr.(n .,... f'l'.O!\ "'juo'Td (.. ~loe. Th.. {.ual1cA John Donovan 5 3 'Uot'l &,.tef"JI, .ckl\o_I,.!~td. '. . to:cw.I.ol'don. )'h,'IO, 0". James Cormick 11 5 Timothy Coleman 4 2 A MAdOR CONNECTICUT MINORITY ...... , ...... , .. - ...... ,,: :.... :-::- ,,'::-::: :.:-:: ·W90·:.(tS~ .. census:::-:· j'" -:.:-: .. , .:.:'::-: . :-:'.' >. :::::jn::i~d;:~e:celtsus:B.Uieau::as~ed:a:s~iis#caily:\iitli4:~pie.:Of:Alii~ri~ns.:to~l~t::ihe:::: :::::an~strY.:W:il)i::\VI1i~h:theY::idCinWY:::i~:C~itri~tlc~4:1q::per¢e#t::sel(#~d:either:liish:or::::. ::j::~~i9lt~I#.~~;::tli~n~:~~:~:rO?~:1Iiji¢4ti1~:~e::~rt¥:~~~~:~j~~?:~r~uP~;:::: ...... - ..... ,. , ...... ' ,' . .. ~.::-::::.:.:.: . TOP 10 • IRISH BORN ...... Stamford 650 ...... TOP 10 • SCOTCH·IRISH »I~r$b>:» Greenwich 303 DESCENT ... Hamden 289 Stamford 1,255 ::::::::::Commanf6ee: TOP 10 . IRISH DESCENT ...... W. Hartford 281 Manchester 1,005 :::: In: l?9(};S:~iilf:qr(f :w.a{: Hartford 239 New Haven 969 Waterbury 19,325 .. ::tb~ro~tn!ih~l)mmu~ Fairfield 207 :: :nitY::: (;oJi~e¢ti~u( Norwalk 949 Stamford 15,383 in: It::: New Haven 207 .·1e ....' ..IIIiiiiii".....·.···,·,·__....._IIIIii_Illi·.···iiIIiIii'·'·'.··•..'•.,....•...... •...... •.....•...•.:...:.•.....•...... •'...•.,..,.•._1IIIIi__•·.•.,..,.•...... •.....11I.':"..' _ ... 1780-81: Connecticut's year of the French ... and the Irish ... It was an altogether unlikely manner and theology that they hussars of a French mixed cav Robert Guillaume Dillon. scenario for the autumn of 1780: a called him to lead the church. alry and infantry unit, the le Dillon, 26, was the eldest of French major general, who was The day before his ordination, gion of Lauzun, were bivouack three brothers who were officers also one of only 40 members of however, a substantial minority ingjust 15 miles away in Wind in the Legion. Guillaume Henry, the prestigious French Academy, petitioned the General Assem ham awaiting completion ofbar or Billy, was 20; and Francois spending an evening by the fIre bly to reject him. "We are in racks for their winter quarters in Theobald, or Frank, was only 16. side with two Irishmen in a COWl formed he came out ofIreland," Lebanon. The Legion was sent Their father, a native of Ireland, try inn in Voluntown, Conn. had settled near Bordeaux The Frenchman was in France and died prema Comte Francois Jean de turely in 1764 leaving his Chastellux, a top aide of the ... Lauzun's route traced wife and nine children pen Comte de Rochambeau, who niless. Apparently, the commanded a 12,000-man .. During 1999 and 2000, the COimecticut Historical friendship and military pa- French anny which had ar Commission has been tracing the route ofa French tronage of the Duc du rived in Rhode Island in July , anny that marched through Connecticut in the Amer- Lauzun saved the family fi to bolster the American rev ...... ' . iean Revolution. That anny, led by the Comte de nancially. Robert became a olutionaries in their struggle '::i1fi:~' .' Rochambeau, sailed from France and landed in cavalry cadet when only 12 for independence. With .. Rhode Island in the summer of 1780, wintered over or 13 years old, and, after Chastellux was his aide-de there, then crossed Connecticut to rendezvous with serving as Lauzun's aide de camp, a 25-year-old Irish of ':<". Gen. Washington's anny on the Hudson River. The camp in a campaign in ficer, Capt. Isidore Lynch. "". \:.d/ allied anny then marched to Virginia and success Senegal in 1778, was ap The captain had won laurels ':<'?~' '. fully besieged the British anny ofGen. Cornwal pointed second colonel for his bravery Wlder fue in lis at Yorktown in the last campaign ofthe Revo when Lauzun organized his the French Regiment ofDil lution. There were no strictly Irish units in Rocham- Legion in 1780. Ion at the Wlsuccessful Due de Lauzun beau's anny, but there were Irishmen scattered about The oldest of the Dillon Franco-American siege of in it. In the Duc de LaUZWl's Legion, which spent the brothers had a well British-held Savannah in winter of 1780-81 in the northeastern Connecticut village ofLebanon, there deserved reputation as a 1779. were mercenaries from all over Europe, including a number of Irish offi hothead. While the French The third storyteller at cers. In this issue, the Shanachie traces the year ofthe French - and of the fleet waited at Brest to sail the fue that evening was a Irish - in our state. Robert A. Selig ofHolland, Mich., a professional his for America, he went Scots-Irishman described by torian and expert on the French anny in America, is working with the State AWOL and got himself cut Chastellux as "Mr. Dor Historical Commission on this project. Selig will give a talk on Lauzun's up in a duel. Shortly after rance, 73-years-old, tall and Legion and the Yorktown Campaign at the Old Statehouse in Hartford at landing in Rhode Island, he still vigorous and a native of noon on May 16. The public is invited. was in another duel with a Ireland." fellow French officer, the The Dorrance family had ViscoWlt de Noailles. wrote the petitioners, "and we settled in VolWltown half a cen into the wilds of eastern Con brother-in-law ofLafayette. do observe that since he has tury before after overcoming some necticut because Rhode Island Besides the three Dillon broth been in town, Irish do flock into "no Irish need apply" nativism. In fanners were overcharging them ers, a cousin, Chevalier Do town and we are informed that 1723, the Congregational Church for fodder for their horses. minique Sheldon, served as mar the Irish are not wholesome in at VolWltown was looking for a Named after its commander, the shal of the Legion's camp. The habitants." pastor. The Rev. Samuel Dor Duc du LauzWl, the Legion's chevalier's brother, Francois de The chance meeting of rance, a Presbyterian and a gradu ranks were filled with soldiers Sheldon, is listed in one source as Chastellux, Lynch and Dorrance ate of the University of Edin offortWle from 15 European na a cadet in the Regiment of Dillon was only one of many unlikely burgh, applied for the job. He tions. Few of the enlisted men and as being with the Legion of Franco-Irish-American encoWl presided at several SWlday ser were Irish, but the Legion had a Lauzun in 1780 and having died, ters in Connecticut that year. vices, and enough of the parish coterie of Irish officers. headed presumably in Rhode Island, on That very evening almost 250 ioners were satisfied with his by its second-in-comrnand, Col. (please turn to page 2). FAMINE JOURNAL January - February 1850 #27 Perspective Letter From A Pauper Emigrant Irish Wanderers Nenagb Guardian, Jan. 5, 1850 - The following letter has Speech in Manchester, Eng The New Year found been received in Nenagh from a young girl who, with several others, land, by member ofParlia Ireland in a virtual state of emigrated from the Nenagh Workhouse about 12 months ago ... ment John Bright, Jan. 3, 1850 bankruptcy. Estates that Dear Uncle -I - ... For 30 years past, the Im represented a twelfth of the perial Legislature has had laid entire acreage of the country arrived in this had been turned over to the colony after a before it, time after time, a state courts for sale. Evictions favourable voyage ment ofthe actual condition of continued to throw thousands ofabout 100 days the Irish people; and I brought it ofpeasants out oftheir homes. from Plymouth. The as a serious charge against the In Tuam, Galway, tenants greater part ofus Constitution ofthis country, were evicted even though they got employment in against the aristocratic form of were current with their rent Melbourne at from our government, that all these and had built their own £8 to £12 per statements had passed unre cottages. annwn. I was garded and that the condition of In Killarney, Co. Kerry, a employed by a Mr. Ireland had scarcely, until re lire in a workhouse took the Bowles from the cently, excited any real solici lives of some 40 young girls tude on the part ofthe ministry and nurses. In Limerick City, county Clare ... Wages of all kinds of labour are much depressed a false alarm of a fire in a now, in consequence ofthe continual flow of emigrants from the Old or Parliament. workhouse led to the deaths of Country. But, still there is plenty of food for every body in the Now my object was this - to 27 women who rushed to colony. Food is very cheap, beef being only I 1/2 d per lb., mutton take away from all those who escape down a narrow stairs. I 1/2d to 2d per lb, and almost every. thing else in proportion and have done evil to Ireland that A Limerick newspaper Mote clothing is almost as cheap here as in Ireland. I am in wxJ nCJltll subterfuge under which they of the disaster, "Wheresoever and spirits at present, thank God, and it w~)Uld b~ well for the have constantly sheltered them we turn, death is upon us." It majority, ifnot for the whole, ofthe starving Irish, if they were in was a cry ofhopelessness that selves, that there is something in this country. seemed to echo the anguish of the race and religion ofIreland all Ireland after years of Uncle, you will be so kind as to let me know ifmy uncles sent for which makes it impossible for suffering. And people were my two brothers, or ifyou heard from them since I left home; also, the country to prosper. stil1 dying ofdestitution by the let me know how my brothers and sisters are, and where they now I have stated before, and state roadsides. are, or how they are situated. If my uncles have not sent them any again, that the Irish people are In some cases, authorities assistance or sent for them, I hope I shall soon send them something not the possessors ofIreland paid the passage ofworkhouse which may assist them. I entreat you to take every care ofmy little that the country is not theirs inmates who agreed to sister and I m?y some day have it in my power to make you some that the land is not theirs, that it emigrate. A young girl from return for your kindness towards her. I also beg ofyou to send me has been purposely and system Tipperary wrote back from atically and by law, prevented the address ofmy uncles in America, in order that I might write to Australia commenting that from becoming theirs - that even though wages were them ... Irishmen are wanderers and beg depressed in Melbourne, Cath. Kennedy and Margaret Cawley got married after landing gars in their own land - that the everyone had enough to eat. here, and Margaret Kennedy is about to get married also. Almost all raw material ofa nation's indus She said it might be better if ofmy shipmates are living quite near me, and I can see them on try, the sod, is in chains, and in all the Irish people could chains of law and therefore to Sundays at Chapel. My master and mistress are kind and friendly simply pack up and emigrate. rely upon that as a source of in towards me and I am almost as comfortable as ifI had been in my dustry is impossible. And fur own house. ther, I have shown that ifby any FAMINE JOURNAL Uncle, you will give my best love and respects to my brothers means there is any industry and and sister, Mrs. Kenna and your family and to my uncle, John and any productiveness, there is no Publbhed bimonthly during his wife, to my uncle Rody and his wife and family, my aunt Biddy security for the reward of indus the l50th anniversary orthe try and therefore no stimulus for and to my uncle James and wife and family and Winifred and Mary Irbh Potato Famine. the exertions ofthe people. The Kenna, and Bridget Quin, Mary Hogan, Pat and Mary Kenna and Copyright 2000 by the present possessors ofland are Connecticut hish-American Mr. Ryan and his family, and let me know how Michl. Gleeson is the successors ofthose who were Historical Society, P.O. Box getting on, and all my friends and neighbours. I am, with the the possessors ofit through con 110-020, East Haven, cr greatest love and esteem, yours faithfully - quest and through confiscation 06512. Mary Kenna FAMINE JOURNAL March - April 1850 #28 Perspective Quays Crowded London Times, March 22, The devastated condition 1850 - The class of emigrants now of Ireland in the spring of crowding the quays ofDublin is 1850 is evident in writings composed of the very poorest farm ranging from daily accounts in ers and labourers, their wives and newspapers to thought pieces children being without shoes or in periodicals. The topics 'An Enormous Graveyard ...' stockings, and covered only with a scanty shawl to protect their emaci range from the wholesale Fraser's Magazine, London, April 1850 - We have ... an ated frames from the inclemency of emigration going on all over authentic account ofthe appalling state ofhuman society still a long sea voyage. the island to the destruction existing, probably increasing, in some parts oflreland, as the wrought by evictions of entire consequence ofthe potatoe blight - drawn up by two men in There are, in addition, indis villages to the lack of food as the empire, who, without any obligation ofduty, have seen the putable traces of famine in both seen by a traveler. most ofthe horrors which they describe ...The description by sexes and their general aspect is Even amid much squalor Mr. Scrope appears fully justified by the facts before us:--,- "To altogether sad in the extreme. and continued hardship that me some parts of the country seemed an enormous graveyard; There no doubt are some exceptions spring, however, almost the numerous gables ofthe unroofed dwellings were indeed to be seen in the strong farmers and everyone corrunented on the records ofdecay and death, far more melancholy than any their followers carrying to another large amount of planting that graveyard can show. Looking on them the doubt arose in my land the capital and industrial en was also going on in all mind. Am I in a civilized country? ... The process going on now ergies which should, in a better sections of the country. ... is not the mere pulling down ofthe houses ofa few defaulting state of society, be employed at Potatoes, oats, barley, etc. tenants, to whom the workhouse is open, and to whom the poor home. were all being sown in larger laws offer a certain resource; it is the general and systematic The following is from the Lim quantities than in the earlier depopulation of the whole country by the razing ofentire erick Chronicle: Emigration is years ofthe famine. villages, and the expulsion ofthe inhabitants, not into the again amazingly on the increase, In many poor law unions, workhouses, for they are choke full and will hold no more, but not, however, so much to Canada as there were also reports of on the bare roads, or into wretched huts, raised in ditches or to the United States and the train decreases in the number of bogs, where they die by inches ... " from this city to Dublin is daily people either living in the In confirmation ofthese statements we shall only quote a few crowded with intending emigrants workhouses or on outdoor words from the report of Count Strzelecki:- "While hundreds mostly all agricultural and who em relief. The reasons for this ofthousands were deprived of food ad health by the failure of bark for their designations at liver were probably multiple: the potatoe crop, about 90,000 holders of lands had lost their pool. emigration was draining away hearths, by eviction or voluntary surrender and become The banks in Liverpool are many people who otherwise houseless; some taking refuge in the workhouses, others, hourly paying out money upon the would have needed welfare; dreading domestic separation, availing themselves ofthe out-of orders remitted by the friends of death had taken large door relief only, and this in a state ofemaciation, nudity and those people in America who emi numbers; the policies of the sickness, hardly credible; crowding together and crouching under grated the last and preceding years. government made it difficult heaps ofrotten straw from their unroofed cabins, under bridges, There are nine vessels at the quay for people to get relief. burrowing on the road side, or in ditches ofthe cold and wet taking passengers, three for New The search for causes bogs. Perishing from want offood, unfortunately was the lot of York and six for Quebec. remained at the level it had many." always been. The English Waterford Emigrants blamed the situation on the Death Of A Pauper Waterford Mail, March 1850 indolence ofthe Irish; the Irish - The quays for the last two days blamed it on English rule. Nenagh Guardian, April 10, 1850 -A girl named Mary have been literally crowded with Hogan, 12 years ofage, was found drowned in a river at the ex persons from this and the adjoining treme end ofthe town ofBorrisokane. It appears that on the pre counties preparing to emigrate. FAMINE JOURNAL vious evening she called at the auxiliary workhouse at Bor risokane, and presented a ticket for temporary relief ... The mas On Thursday, between half past Publlshed bbnonthly durina: ter did not feel himselfjustified in granting admission, but one o'clock and two no less than 98 the 150th lUUliversary or the promised to provide her with food and lodgings during the night. horses and cars, laden with emi Irish Potato Famine. The girl was not afterwards heard of, until found drowned ... grants' luggage, passed over the Copyrla:ht 2000 by the T.T. Abbot, Esq., cororler, held an inquest on the body and the bridge. The other inlets of the town Connecticut Irish-American jury returned the following verdict: That Mary Hogan was found have presented a similar appear HhItorical Society, P.O. Dol drowned and the jury are ofthe opinion that the master ofthe ance for the past few days. On Fri J20-020, East Haven, cr auxiliary workhouse should be allowed to admit travelling pau day nearly 1,000 persons left for 065J2. pers for one night, which might have prevented this occurrence. Liverpool. - 9 Pa 83 Wild Geese (Conrinued from page 2) in 1851 in Brooklyn or New the battle, the Legion's losses were Search goes on York of immigrant parents. three killed and 16 wounded. Among When you're doing geneal Philip L. Exman, 210 J3th the latter was Col. Robert Dillon. ogy, it's nice occasionally to Ave. North, South Saint American and British casualties be reminded that just about Paul, MN 55075, is looking were about the same, but the victory everyone else is still trying for information on his grand went to the Franco-American force to plug holes in their re mother, Rosana. which pushed its lines to within a search too. Following are mile of Gloucester village on the some queries we have re river. ceived. Reading them sug Headstones The only other action at Glouces gests that just about every The June 1999 issue of the ter occurred on the night of Oct. 16 one has an interesting family Nutmegger, the publication 17 when Cornwallis ferried some of story to tell. Reading them ofthe Connecticut Society of his troops across the river in a des also suggests that we have Genealogists published the perate attempt to break the siege. members not only locally, listings compiled by our ge Some of the British were forced to but all over the nation. We John Egan' nealogist Paul Keroack of tum back when a fierce storm blew Timothy Egan of Northumber hope our other readers may the headstone inscriptions in up on the river, while those who did land, Pa., is trying to locate be able to help out. We also S1. Mary's Cemetery in Nor make it to Gloucester were unsuc where his grandfather of the hope that members who do wich. The cemetery contains cessful in their attempt to punch a same name died and is buried. family research, will provide the graves of many of the hole in the American-French line. The elder Timothy was living us a copy of whatever they very early Irish families in Several days later, Cornwallis in New Haven when his wife, corne up with, from a simple Norwich. Having the listings surrendered. On Oct. 19, Lauzun's Sarah Canavan, gave birth to a genealogy chart to a book, so published in the Nutmegger Legion with its handful of Irish offi son John Egan - the younger that we can put the copy in assures that they will be cers and men took part in the official Timothy's father - on April our archives where itwill be available to future genera surrender as British troops marched 19,1915. Two years later, the available to other resear tions of Connecticut Irish out of their fortifications and Egans were in Chicago when a chers in the future. Americans as they research grounded their weapons. daughter, Margaret, was born. their roots. Paul also is doing Interestingly, a number of Irish StilI living in Chicago, the ei valuable work in collecting served in the British ranks, too, the Thomas Malay der Timothy became a natural such records as Irish names most important of them being Corn The 18 I0 federal census ized citizen on May 9, 1918, as found in city directories in wallis' second in command, Gen. shows Thomas Malay (or a result of his World War I various Connecticut towns. Charles O'Hara. Cornwallis pleaded Maley) living at Warehouse service. A railroad man, he There are dozens ofcemeter sickness and left O'Hara to handle Point in the town of East later moved back to New ies with large numbers of the unpleasant duty of leading the Windsor. Later, he pur Haven. He and his wife were Irish gravestones in our British at the surrender ceremony. chased property in the town parishioners of St. Francis state. Wouldn't it be nice if Cornwallis later had a measure of of Farmington, Ontario Co., Church. Contact Timothy at we could put together a team revenge for the humiliation of York N.Y. One of our members, RR #l, Box 365, Northumber of J0 or 20 members willing town when he led a British force that Gloria Peck Brown ofBelle land, PA 17857, or Tje to spend an occasional day defeated French troops who had vue, Wash., is looking for [email protected]. collecting information from landed on the west coast ofIreland in more information about cemeteries all over the state. 1798. Malay. Her father told her Rosana Quinn Anyone interested? Sources: Robert A. Selig, "The Duc de that Thomas' son, Edward, John and Katherine Conroy Lautun and his Legion," in Colonial worked on the Erie Canal, IVdliomsburg, Dec. 1999-Jan. 1000; Les Quinn lived on Filmore Street leading the donkeys that CombalJants Francais de 14 Guerre in New Haven at the time of pulled the canal boats. Ed Americaine; Thomas BalcJr, The French the 1900 census. They had in America During ,he War ofIndepen ward later moved to Long is three children: Rosana, Freder dence; The Siege ofSavannah; John de land and then to Jackson ick and Flossie. They lived Courcy Ireland, "Irish ParticipaJion in County, Mich. Contact Glo the French Naval Ac:Jivities which led to with the Joseph Brennan fam ria at 5808 Lake Washington the fall ofYorktown," The Irish Sword., ily. Katherine (or Catherine) No. 31, 1981; Marquis de Chastellux, Blvd., SE, Bellevue, WA was born in 1862 and immi Travels in North America; Francois 98006-2633. IVdliom Van Brock, Le Lie"unant Gen grated in 1880. John was born eral Robert Dillon, Revue Historique des Armees, 1985. Connecticut e Irish-American TtJ Sbanacbfe HistoricalSocietv Mag - .June 2000 VoL XI, No. 3 Irish housewife was more than a match for the census-taker Editor's note: This satirical essay ap ould Ireland. The devil bum the peared in the Middletown Wulc/y spalpeens that drove us from its Press on March 15, 1851. We reprint green sod." iJ in honor ofthe 22nd U.S. census this "Never mind madam, [ would year. On page 3 is another census arti cle about efforts by researchers to de willingly hear your gievance but termine the nationalities ofpeople in my time is precious. I have but six thefirst census in 1790. months to complete my return. Now your name, ifyou please." "Madam [ have called to take "Me name's Biddy. Be the the census ... [ wish to send a re same token, I was blessed by the turn to Washington of the people praste be the name of Bridget." ofyour family." "Now your age." "Shure now, it's jokin' ye are. "The devil roast ye and it's a Is it Congressmen you would lady's age ye be after axing her to make ofus?" her own face?" "0 no, it's only to find out how "Madam, it is not my intention many souls there are in the to insult you, but these questions Union." must be asked and there is a heavy "Well thin, ax me the ques For 210 years. the taking ofthe census has been afavorite penalty incurred by those who tions and if they are dacent, it's topic for cartoonists. This sketch ofa family gathered around refuse to answer, which can be re meselfas will answer." the census taker appeared in Harper's Weekly, Nov. 19, /870. covered by law." "Begin with eldest and inform "[s it the law ye would be after me their names and occupations." "I don't apprehend you." then? Teddy carries up bricks for threatening me wid, and me son, "First there is Teddy and a fine "Apprehend me is it ye dirty new houses and brings 'em Pat, one of the police, too, and ye broth uv a boy is he. He is 45 years lout. It's more than the like of down from old ones." think he would be after seeing his old and is an elevator and descen ye can do that .. ." H[ perceive he is a laborer." blissed murther in jail when only der by trade." "Don't get in a passion, you "Just the same vulgarly a word he would have to speak to "A what madam? I did not un misconceive me. I merely speaking." the Mayor to get her out?" derstand you." wished to say I do not under "In what county was he "Am I to understand that you "Sure English I'm spaking, stand your husband's trade." born?" refuse to give your age?" pure Malasian English." "Why don't ye spake English "Balinalee, Co. Longford, in (Please lurn 10 page 2) Thanks to our treasurer, Tom Slater, the annual New Haven St. Patrick's Day parade has been recognized by the Library of Congress as one of our nation's local legacies. ~s~arn. Parade history and materials collected by Slater in a yearlong effort will become a !t permanent part of the library's American Folklife Center. The local legacies Project is part of the library's bicentennial celebration this year. In the project, individuals and ~1s~la groups from throughout the United States documented thousands of grassroots cus toms, traditions and events to provide a unique picture of life in America. Slater put together an extensive portfolio of materials about the New Haven parade which began in lila~ mtonlress in 1842. The materials include: a video on the past 10 years of the parade, pho tographs, newspaper clippings, parade brochures, radio interviews and a copy of our book, The Wearin' 0' the Green. The materials will be available to researchers at the Library of Congress and on the library's Web site: www.loc.gov. FAMINE JOURNAL May - June 1850 #29 Gamble On Potatoes Perspective Horrible Conditions In Workhouses London Times, May 7, 1850 To the Editor of the Times, June, 1850 - When I vis - The widespread reliance upon From all corners of Ireland ited the Limerick union house last year - it was on a Sun the renovation ofthe potato, which came reports in late spring day - so clean, so orderly did I find it that I spoke most appears, for better or worse to 1850 of the largest plantings highly of it in your columns. of potatoes not only since the have infected all classes of Irish I have now to tell a very different tale. It is generally in a beginning of the Famine, but agriculturists, seems so far to be condition that is disgraceful to all concerned in its govern even for years before that. strengthened by the healthy and ment. The paupers lately hroke out into open rebellion Early observations of the promising appearances ofthe forcing their way from the houses, they paraded the streets fields suggested that the crop crop. ofthe city, to the general terror and disgust. I will now give would be healthy and There are three accounts from some facts from a mass ofdisgusting detail as to the condi- abundant and there was some southern counties now before me, tion of a large proportion ofthe inmates ofthe houses ofthis hope that the year would find two ofwhich speak in most san union. the country returning to a state guine terms ofthe prospects of the ofcomparative prosperity. There were about 8,000 in the houses the day I visited ensuing harvest, while all are them. (n two large wards, one each side of the way into the The evil effects of the agreed that so extensive a breadth body ofthe house, there was an assemblage of many hun previous five years of want of land has not been laid down dreds young children ofboth sexes in the most piteous con lingered throughout the with potatoes for many years pre dition. They were dirty in the extreme; their clothes for the country in a vicious cycle. vious to the fatal blight of 1846 most part mere rags, evidently infested with vermin; a very Large-scale evictions and the and that if the experiment of 1850 large number ofthese were infected with ephithalima in its law that required small be successful to any considerable different painful and worst stages ... The condition ofthe landholders to turn over their degree a great stride will be made yards was such that no kennel man wouJd keep his place property before they could towards a return to the state of another day whose hounds were found on floors in such a rece ive we Ifare had Ie ft comparative prosperity which that state. thousands homeless and with country enjoyed until thrown back' no other recourse than to enter These children are very many ofthem orphans. As such I by the combined effects of famine the workhouses. Conditions in claim for them all the protection and the humanity ofa and pestilence powerfully aided by many workhouses, however, Christian people, demands that the law should afford to a system ofwild speculation, the continued to worsen because children ofthat state. As they were herded from all sides of evil fruits ofwhich are not even land owners had no money to these yards to stand for our inspection, they stood a sight yet wholly developed. pay the taxes to maintain the that would have wrung the hardest expression of indignation Says tbe Cork Constitution .., workhouses. from even a very hard heart. The potatoes never appeared more Emigration to America or The women and men seemed generally in health. The promising than at present. The Australia was the only other former looked well fed and well clothed, but disorder and breadth of land set thus far ex alternative to the workhouses want ofall discipline were the ruling features ofthe whole ceeds that ofany other, and should for many families, and the tide place. the crop turn out favourable it must have a most beneficial effect of those leaving the country And now, sir, go with me to the Clare street auxiliary on the market ... In the district of was larger than it had been in house. There were in it 830 women, about 115 of whom Skull and for miles around it the the worst ofthe Famine. They were reported as sick, some suffering from epilepsy. For one potato plant is flourishing remark often sent back money orders fortnight they had been allowed no candles, for one month ably green and healthy and unusu to pay for the passage of no linen, &c., had been washed; for three weeks they had ally forward. The farmers there relatives. In one J8-month been utterly without soup; for months the matron had been are in the greatest spirits, calculat period, emigrants from the without brushes and the usual means ofcleansing the wards. ing that at best, after four years of parish of Ballinakill in Co. So crowded are they that some have to lie three weeks with severe suffering, they will be able Galway, sent back £686. out beds or any covering. to realize a remunerating crop. I have no language with which I can convey to you the Crops In Down - The ap FAMINE JOURNAL appearance ofthese women, crammed into the day wards, pearance ofthe crops is, in all their noise, violent demeanour, language and gestures directions, delightful and promis showed an amount ofsavage depraved spirit, quite appalling Published bimonthly during ing. Grass lands are clothed with ... I heard the same day at the board ofguardians a report ... the 150th anniversary of the rich verdure and afford abundant that says that the house is full ofvermin for want ofclean Irish Potato Famine. pasture to cattle. Wheat and oats straw and changes of linen and over 200 ofthe inmates in Copyright 2000 by the are both springing up vigorously. this house in their own filthy rags creating a stench which Connecticut Irish-American We are glad to observe that con must be destructive to the health ofthe poor ... Historical Society, P.O. BoJ. siderable preparatons are being 120-020, East Haven, CT S. Godolphin Osborne made for sowing green crops .. 06512. ______Page 3 Scholars attempt to get ballpark figure on foreigners here in 1790 A sprinkling of Irish-solUlding \\~I'e English. Gennan. Irish. McDonald, lounu 20:; OCUII' names can be found in Ule Con Estimate of Irish etc. Jlanh~S. /\Ithough it \\as a renl:CS of those nam~s. III Irelunu, n~l:til:ut r~tums thos~ r~pr~s~nt~d for the first in Connecticut 1790 start, the dlort sufkrd from the names ahout 2() United Stat~s census in 1790. ~mplo\~~s' lack of e:xp~rtis~ in perccnt or th~ total population In their research in the 1980s, In Wethersfield, the census Forrest and Ellen Shapiro Mc sorting. out surnames that onen The McDonalus. thcrdor~. us tak~r r~cordt::d the nalll~ ofPatrick Donald estimated the number of wt:r~ l:OlllinOn in Se\'~ral coun ,um~u that in Connecticut thos~ Ocono\. Ev~nthough h~ wa, hst~d Irish in Connecticut in 1790 on tries. namcs prohuhh also r~prc,cnl~d the basis of the occurrences of as th~ head of a hous~hold, these common Irish names in T\\ 0 later researdl drorts 20 perccnt of th~ Irish population Oconol probablv was a single man the actual census returns that \\'~nl at th~ probl~1ll in a dilkr If 203 sumam~s accounted fol' lor no d~p~nd~nts ar~ list~d aller year. The McDonalds actually ent way. ·n1e Am~ril:un L~am~d 20 p~rc~ut 01· the population 0'· worked from a list of 53 Irish his name. Societies in 1l)~2 and Forrcst lrcland, then the towl Irish popu surnames, but only these 28 of In D~rbv, th~ rdums include the names appeared on the and Elkn Shapiro Ml:I)OIWkl in lation in Connecticut wulu he es .kr~miah and Jos~ph Ocain~. In 1790 returns for Connecticut I()SO began with an assumpt ion timated at ahout tivc limes 2().~ \'1' Cant~rbu.r)' a William and a John that sumames \\'ould tum up in l.lJ)6 lamilie,. In a state where Obrian are list~d and in Litch.tidd , Atneril:a in about the same Ire the C~llSUS returns list~d ·W,-I57 th~r~ is a Partrick Obriont Th~ , qu~nc\ as in th~ country \\ h~re liullili~s. the l.lJ56 Irish liunilics Barry Healy 15 spdlings, especially tk way the I the\' originated Instead ortrving \\ould cQnstitnll: ahollt 2.6 perceut "0" prdi:x frequ~ntlv is attach~d Burke Hughes 7 to assign each nume Iisted iiI the 01' the populiltion to th~ nam~s, d~monstrat~ wh~' c~nsns retums to un cthnil: Th~ dilricul!\' ot' Jetermining som~ Irish sumalll~s from that pe Carroll 7 Johnston group, thcse rl:s~archcrs tri~d to lor sure that a partiwlar pers\)!l' s riod are no long~r r~cognizabk as dcvelop a list of names ~spe name IS [rish remains to some c, Casey 4 Kelly 15 Irish. cialh t\pical or ~aeh dlUlil: tent in the Mcl.>onalJs· r~s~arch. New Haven listings include a grou~ For e:xampk. t\VO 0\· the ,llr Connell Kenny 46 numh~r of prohahlv Irish nam~s: I The\ then detennincd what namc, inlhe McDonalds· li,ting,. percenlag~ lllnllh~rs Edmond Burke, William Reiley. Connelly 2 McGee of the population of 11<1\. es anJ Kenll\.. IUI\'e 00\\n)' Molon)', Edward Mcloy, th~ foreign count!y such nam~s - 50 and -16 - all Ollt of pWl--'Or Edward Larkin, NellI' Hov~, Connor 3 IMcGraw represent~d. For c:xample. if 25 lion to the rest of the snpposed Danacl Malon~, .101m P~nd~r nam~s lound almost e:xdusivd\ Irish names. Ha\es ami KelUl\' arc Daley grass, Hugh McHolland, Philip 8 IMcMahon in Ireland represented 50 per also popular surnames in EnglunJ Mahan, James Downev. Doherty Murphy cent ofthe population of Ireland. and it ,e~ms lik~h' that th~ Mc In Middletown, Irish sounding the researchers assluned that the Donalu, counted a, Irish a lot or names include: Patrick O'Daniel, Doyle 3 Nolan Humber of times those sam~ 25 Ule Ha~'es and KelU1Y names lhal Simon R~ardon, Patrick DarbI', nanl~S w~r~ IOIUld in U.S. c~n \\·~re English rath~r than Irish. William Joyce, John Mahanna and Farrell O'Brien 3 sus returns \\ oulu rcpres~nt Whik none or the ~stimat~s is Margarett Gleason. about 50 percent of the Irish in e,act, the research does provide Fitzgerald 2 Power 15 Among the residents of Ash tlle Uuikd States. The r~ some henclunarks of the varions ford, the census taker listed Flynn 2 Ryan 5 searchers then multipli~d th~ eUmic groups in COlUl~cticut in Jeremiah Connel and James number of UlOse names appear 1790 Hvnes, and in Wallingford Eliza Hayes 50 Sullivan ing on the 1790 US census lists beth COlUler is listed. bv two to arriv~ at an estimate of Sources: "Tire £tlmic OrigillS of tire Unfortunatdy, it is impossihle the total Irish population of the American People." by Forrrest Me to know for certain that these p~o turns any efrort to detennin~ Unit~d States Dal/aid and Ellen Slrapiro AIcDOItald. ii, Tire William and Mary Quarter~l'. pIe were Irish, because the tirst how many Irish - or Scottish, While this system is hetter April 1980. "A Cel/wry ofPopllia/iol/ census - and the next five cen French, German, etc. - people than just trying to assign a na Gro",": From the First CelISliS oftire suses, too - contained no ques th~re wer~ in early America into tionality to eVel)' name in the United States 10 the Twelfth. 1790- . tions about place ofbirth or ances somwhat of a guessing gam~. 1790 census, it doesn't entirely 1900." Bllreau ofthe Cel/sus. "Head. try. To make it even more diffi Scholars have tried different solve the problem of developing of Families at the First Census oftire United States ii, the 'fear 1790." BI/ repr~ cult, these first six censuses also methods to solve this problem, a list of names that truly reau of the CellSl/s. "Report of the listed the names only ofthose who hut with only li..mited success. sent the population of a particu Comminee all Lu.guistic al/d Na were the head of a household so The Census Bureau made a lar country. tiollal Stocks u. the PopulatiQ/I ofthe that Irish people who were domes pioneering effort back in 1909. The McDonalds developed a United States." American Historical Association Annual Report for the tic servants or hired hands didn't Bureau employees went through list of 53 Irish surnames to use 'fear 1931. "National Origins ofNew show up on the returns. the census returns and assigned as their basis. In Connecticut, Yorkers," ~r TI.omas L. PUTl'is. ii, The absence on these early each person to an ethnic group only 28 ofthose names appeared New York History. censuses of a nativity question on the basisofwhat they thought on the 1790 census returns. The Connecticut Irish-American T~e Sbanacbie HistoricalSociety Jullj - August2000 VoL XI, No. 4 ~------_. Famine events Daughter ofIrish rebel was literary leader at Quinnipiac Anne Charlotte Lynch Botta exile, Thomas Traynor. A ship years. The couple had two chil Quinnipiac University in had a lot ofrebellion in her genes. builder by trade, Traynor was dren, Thomas Rawson and Anne ,tlamden will dedicate a spe She became famous in mid-19th the Dublin City delegate to the Charlotte. cial collection of books and century America, however, not as United Irishmen's Leinster Di About 1814, Patrick Lynch left artifacts on the Irish Famine, a revolutionary but as a writer, rectory - a council of the rebel the dry goods store in Bennington. and sponsor an all-day semi teacher and literary hostess. leaders in the province of Lein He apparently either was in diffi nar on the Famine in late Born in Bennington, Vt., in ster. culty financially or simply longed September. November 1815, she was for a more adventurous On Thursday, Sept. 21, at the daughter of Patrick life because he immedi 7:30 p.m., the university will Lynch, one of many Irish ately set out to get in dedicate the Lender Family rebels who fled to America volved in the fur trading Special Collections Room in after the disastrous Rising business. the Arnold Bernhard Library of 1798, and, on her While his wife and in the university quadrangle. mother's side, the grand children went to live in Guest speaker will be the daughter of Lt. Col. Windham, Ct., perhaps noted Famine scholar and au Ebenezer Gray of the Con with her relati ves, thor Christine Kinealy, senior necticut Line in the Conti Patrick headed to what lecturer in the Department of nental Army of George was then the frontier Historical and Critical Stud Washington. western Pennsylvania ies at the University of Cen Her father was born, ac and western Virginia tral Lancashire in England. cording to one of the few as a land agent and a Kinealy is the author of A sources of information trader. Some ofhis letters Death-Dealing Famine: The about him, in "Lucan near to Charlotte have sur Great Hunger in Ireland, Dublin," and was a student Anne Lynch Botta vived. They are ad- and The Great Calamity: The at Trinity Col lege when the dressed to her in Wind Irish Famine of1845-52. United Irishmen made their un He was captured at the disas ham "care of John Staniford, The Lender Room, donated successful attempt to overthrow trous directory meeting of Esq." by the well-known New English rule in 1798. March 12, 1798, when the En From Pittsburgh, Lynch wrote Haven Jewish family, will be Lynch either joined the rebels glish military swooped down on her on Sept. 10, 1814: "After a home to an extensive collec or was already one of them. He the home on Bridge Street in most tiresome ... eight days, two tion of art and literature on was captured, imprisoned and Dublin where the meeting was from Philadelphia to Chambsburg the Famine. eventually offered his freedom if held and rounded up almost the ... and six from Chambsburg to The dedication will be fol he would take the oath of alle entire rebel high command. this place, we arrived here last lowed on Saturday, Sept. 23, giance to the British crown. Re Traynor eventually escaped evening almost exhausted with fa by a seminar about the fusing to do that, he was banished to America, and in 1811 pur tigue. Tis not in my power to give Famine from 8:30 a.m. until from Ireland. chased the Bennington Iron Fur you the most distant idea of the 5 p.m. when Kenealy will de Like many of the 1798 rebels, nace which he operated until country or roads passed over since liver the plenary lecture: Lynch found refuge in America. around 1820. last Sunday. Let it suffice to say "The Forgotten Famine: When the famous Irish poet, When Lynch came to Ben we started every morning at I Hunger, Famine and Sectari Thomas Moore, visited the United nington, he opened a dry-goods 0'clock, changed horses, which anism in Belfast 1840-1850." States, Lynch was said to have ac store. At the store, he suppos are the finest I ever saw, every Registration for the semi companied him on his travels edly met his wife-to-be, Char eight or 10 miles, and drove con nar is limited to 200. For in throughout the country. lotte Gray, the daughter of the stantly till nine at night progress formation and registration, Later, Lynch settled in Ben Revolutionary War officer. ing in that 20 or 21 hours about 25 contact Betsy Delaney, (203) nington, Vt., perhaps selecting Patrick and Charlotte were or 30 miles ..." 582-8954. that community because of the married in 1812 and continued In another letter written in presence there of another 1798 to reside in Bennington for some (please turn to page 2) FAMINE JOURNAL July - August 1850 #30 Perspective Evictions Tell Sad Tale In The West Anti-Rent Campaign London Times, July, 1850 - 1regret to say - I am speak Wexford Independent, July In late summer 1850, the ing ofthe most western part of Ireland -I see no improvement 1850 - During the past week in fate of the potato crop still whatever in their social conditions over what I saw it to be this the neighbourhood ofNewtown hung in the balance. From time last year. It is true I do not now see the harassed look, the barry cutting and carrying away County Kerry came reports of pressing fear which the prevalence ofcholera and fever had then crops has actively conunenced. widespread failure, while in put upon them, but I see every outward and visible mark ofthe ... On the night ofThursday many other places, the inward working ofcare and mental depression, the results of the last, a number of persons assem potatoes seemed sound even want ofshelter, the want ofa sufficiency ofwholesome food; bled at a farmer named James though some of the plants nay, the want of food in sufficiency ofany kind. To an English Nolan, at Oldtown, Curraclane, showed the black coloring of man, every mile he travels in the west ofIreland with the excep: on the property ofthe Rev. J.N. previous Famine crops. tion ofsome few favoured spots, tells him the same sad tale. Griffin, who cut and carried The Times of London's away the produces ofsix acres The all-prevailing feature on all sides is eviction. Within the reporter traveled through the ofoats. This farmer, it appears, last few weeks, God alone knows how many thousand gable west of Ireland and found the is about being ejected from the -ends, monuments of house havoc - how many sites of people not so much starving lands with several others. On the dwellings, but lately wholly levelled, I have passed. I can hardly anymore, as physically run night of Saturday last another say when this mad indiscriminate war on habitations has pre down as well as emotionally party was assembled on the vailed most - it seems almost universal in this part ofIreland. depressed trom five years of lands ofGragus Beg, who cut fighting off famine. 1suppose Irishmen ofproperty have here learnt to regard and carried away on horses and women and children without houses as they regard them without cars the produce oftwo acres of Vast numbers of them had shoes, ... arguing that the head needs no more covering than the oats, on the property ofMr. been evicted and for the many feet ... The traveler must be warned against being led to suppose Brown ofCarllill. The matter, who lacked means to embark that when he has seen the multitude ofroofless gables which having been reported to Head for America, the bitter choice abound he has seen all the evidence ofthe destrul,1ion of houses Constable Finnigan ofNew was the workhouse or digging which has taken place; in very many localities, especially by the townbarry, he with his party out some kind of a burrow by side ofthe road, the owners ofproperty remove as fast as they proceeded to the lands and there the road or in a hillside. The can all traces ofthe dwellings they destroy. I am not prepared to found about 200 persons en emigration actually increased say but that on some properties the process ofeviction has been gaged in cutting and carrying as the Famine drew to a close. forced on the landowner as a measure ofself-preservation. 1do away the com at the hour of 12 Sensing they soon might not deny but that in some instances great humanity was shown in o'clock at night, but from the be evicted too, more and more endeavouring to provide a refuge for some ofthose who were manner in which the law stands peasants took what revenge evicted by giving them passage to America, &c; but I am pre at present, he did not, we have they could. They stole the pared to assert that a very large amount of... eviction is carried been informed interfere further crops they had grown on their out in a wanton, unfeeling spirit toward the evicted and on than to take the names ofthe landlords' property and sold grounds ofmere sel fish expediency most disgraceful ... persons engaged. With these them for whatever they could The operation ofhouse tumbling is in itselfa very simple scenes at such an early period of get. Or, they assaulted and affair; the legal notices having been given to the relieving officer the harvest season, we may an murdered anyone who dared that a certain number ofhouses are on a given day to be tumbled, ticipate a regular warfare be to rent property from which he meets the sheriffs deputy on the spot. This official is some tween landlord and tenants. others had been evicted. Or, times accompanied by a body ofarmed 'pol ice. The agent ofthe they attempted to kill or maim 30 Homes Levelled owner ofthe property attends also with his gang ofoperative the livestock of those who destructives. The parties to be turned out are now offered by the Nenagb Guardian - July took any kind of employment relieving officer tickets for the workhouse. This they very gener 20, 1850 - On yesterday, Mr. offered by landlords. ally refuse ... The word is now given and with a speed only ... Pigott, agent to the Earl of Por acquired by long practice, the people are put outside their tarlington, accompanied by dwellings; their furniture - that is, the potato pot, a stool or Samuel M. Going, Esq., Sub FAMINE JOURNAL two, a large square box, and sometlling meant for a bed with Sheriff, and a party ofConstabu some things meant for clothing - are soon removed some little lary under command ofHead Publisbed bimontbly during distance from the house. It is not often that the men are at home, Constable Shanahan proceeded tbe 150th anniversary of tbe but the women and children thus forced out now take up a chorus to a street in this suburb of Irisb Potato Famine. of prayers, passionate entreaties for mercy, not seldom ending in (Roscrea) called Bohoen Glass Copyright 2000 by tbe passionate, deprecations of vengeance ... They throw themselves ... and levelled 30 houses, in CODnecticut Irish-American on the ground; they will embrace the very feet ofthe agent's which were located at least 300 Historical Society, P.O. Box horse ... It is all in vain. human beings who were in a most abject and impoverished 120-020, East HaveD, CT S. Godolphin Osborne 06512. state. ______Page 3 Clare native served as colonel in National Guard Book traces history of Hill Editor's note: A few months ago, Connecticut in 1866. It is not tant general of the state with the our historical society received an in clear when Sweeney moved to rank of colonel. On Sept. 8 of Those with family ties to quiry from Louis Paparo seeking New Haven because his name that year, Col. Sweeney died at information un hL~ ancestor Joseph New Haven's Hill neighbor did not appear in city directories the age of36, ofBright's disease, J. Sweeney who resided in New hood won't want to miss Dr. Haven in the mid-19th century, Us until 1876. a kidney disorder. Adjutant Gen. Robert M. Lattanzi's new ing information supplied by Paparo, Sweeney served in the 10th Couch wrote. ·'Col. Sweeney's book, "Oyster Village to Melt our genealogy expert, Paul R. Regiment of the Massachusctts period ofduty in the service was ing Pot: The Hill Section of Keroack, did some additional re National Guard, introducing the only of a few month's duration, search and came up with the follow New Haven." ing article about Sweeney and his Hotchkiss bolt action repeating yet by his quick intelligence and A 340-page labor of love by family: rifle to the Army, a weapon de urbanity of manner he showed a dentist who grew up in the Joseph J. Sweeney was born veloped by Connecticut inventor himself well fitted to adorn the Hill, the book traces the to Michael and Hannah Sweeney Benjamin B. Hotchkiss and pur post now madc vacant by his un neighborhood's history from in the County Clare market town chased by Winchester in 1876. timely death," Joscph Sweeney the arrival of the first English of Ennis on Jan. 20, 1847. Ac Sweeney accompanied Col. wa~ buried next to his father in settlers in the 1630s. There cording to Griffith's Valuation, Nelson A. Miles' troops in the St. Bernard's Cemetery in New are chapters on the major eth Michael in 1855 occupied a Indian wars in the Dakotas and Havcn. nic groups that have made house on Turnpike Road leased Montana, persuading the Army Sweeney's will instructed their imprint on the Hill to him by Patrick Sweeney, who in 1878 to adopt the Hotchkiss that his gold watch was to be lrish, Jews, Italians, Greeks. also leased out several nearby gun. He seems to have been a held in trust for Ambrose 1. Dev Blacks and Hispanics properties. Patrick and Michael, practical man as well as a sales ereaux Jr., a minor, perhaps a along with special chapters on as well as Richard Sweeney of man, owning a number of son of his sister-in-Jaw Eleanora. the Oyster industry, the Great Gaol Street were the only patents for improvements to the His sister Annie, a music Depression, World War II, Sweeney heads of household firm's products. teacher, married New Haven gro etc. listed in Ennis, and were likely In 1879, Sweeney was cer and cigar manufacturer Especially impressive in related. Being townsmen, the elected to the New Haven Board Michael O'Connell in 1887 at St. Lattanzi's work is the effort Sweeneys were probably trades of Education as a Democrat, Patrick's Church. Their daughter he obviously put into chasing men, small businessmen or winning by a majority of 2,500 Loretto, born in 1890 was later down all kinds of personal skilled workers. votes over Professor William C. known as a pianist. A 1917 recollections about anything Michael Sweeney and his Sumner of Yale. He served in poster advertises her recital at St. having to do with the Hill. He family immigrated to Spring that post through 1882. Mary's Academy on Orange has culled a wealth of stories field, Mass., in 1860. Joseph had On April 10, 1879, his fa Street. This may have been only and anecdotes from letters. attended Ennis College, probably ther, Michael J., dicd. The a visit to the city, as the family is newspaper articles and inter a private secondary school, and death record indicates that he no longer listed in city directo views. He covers everything continued his studies in Spring was 62 and his parents' names ries past the mid-1890s. from ballparks to police and field's high school. He became a were John and Ann Sweeney, The relative of Col. Sweeney fire stations to ethnic benevo clerk in the Springfield Armory, though his tombstone lists the who supplied the account to this lent societies and places of the federal government's earliest dates 1814-1879. journal would appreciate any fur worship. arms manufactory, and subse After the 1880 death of his ther information about his family The book is illustrated with quently at the nearby Smith and mentor, Oliver Winchester, and its descendants. He may be dozens of pictures - Lattanzi Wesson factory, both of which Joseph Sweeney became associ contacted through the Shanachie. says 200 - ofindividuals and greatly expanded production dur ated with Marlin Firearms Co., Sources: 1880 U.S. Census, N/!W Hill scenes. Many of the pic Haven,FHL,reeI1254105-125410~ ing the Civil War. The ending of where he was a stockholder and tures have not been published the war forced Smith & Wesson director and also employed as Americall National Biography. Con necticut Adjutant General's Office, before. For example. Lattanzi secretary. The 1880 census lists to severely cut back. General Orden' No. 17, 1883. Con contacted many lamilies and In 1866, New Haven industri Joseph as a bookkeeper, resid necticut biographies. Connecticut obtaiiled pictures of service alist Oliver F. Winchester intro ing at 56 William St., with his National Guard, biographical arti men. the kind of photographs cle, page fragment Encyclopedia of duced the successful Winchester wife Mary and sister-in-law that remain in scrapbooks un Firearms. GrijJiths Valuation, Clare, rifle, based on patents he had Eleanora Devereaux, a millner. Ennis Uniofl, parL~h of DrumclifJe, less someone Iike Lattanzi earlier purchased from Smith & On another floor of the same FHL reel 0844976. Hale Head makes inquiries about them. Wesson, renaming his firm the address lived his mother, Han stones, New Haven, p. 1192, Con The price of the book is necticut SUite Library. New Haven Winchester Repeating Arms Co. nah, and sisters Mary, a dress $29.95. It can be purchased For seven years, Joseph Sweeney maker, and Annie. City directories, 1880-1883. N/!W Haven vital records, v. 27-29, FHL from Lattanzi. 48 Gilbert Hill was the private secretary of On Jan. 20, 1883, newly reels 1405864+. Smith & Wesson, Road. Chester 06412; e-mail. Winchester, who also was elected Gov. Thomas M. Waller www.smith-wessolLcomlmL~c/story. [email protected]. elected lieutenant governor of appointed Joseph assistant adju- Connecticut e Irish-American TtJ Shanachie HistoricalSocietlj September- October2000 VoL XII, No.5 ~------_. Cancer ended presidential bid of Connecticut Irish senator By Paul R. Keroack his wife Eugenie (O'Brien) contractor, built more than 500 nership ofKeogh and Candee. n this presidential elec McMahon. William's parents, homes throughout the city. In Brien McMahon became active tion year, unprecedented Patrick McMahon and Julia 1893, William married Nellie in the Democratic Party as well as I attention is focused on (McCabe) McMahon, emigrated Burke, by whom he had one son, developing a reputation as a Connecticut because of Demo from Ireland about 1850, settling William H. Jr. After her early skilled trial lawyer. In 1933, cratic vice-presidential can death, the widower mar Wilbur Cross, the first Democratic didate Joseph l. Liebennan, ried Eugenie O'Brien of governor in a generation, ap and to a lesser extent be- Brooklyn, N.Y., daugh pointed McMahon a judge in the cause the state is the birth- ter of James and Mary Norwalk city court system. But a place of both Republ ican (O'Neill)' O'Brien. combination of distaste for ongo candidate George W. Bush Brien, known by this ing local party factional battles U.S. Sen. and the lure of Roosevelt's New and Green Party candidate Brien portion ofhis name from childhood, was the first Deal led McMahon to seek a job Ralph Nader. McMahon But almost 50 years ago, oftheir four children. in Washington. Introductions by Connecticut's U.S. Sen. Typical of many suc his senior law firm colleague to Brien McMahon, a rising l... cessful first-generation Stamford native Homer Cum young leader in the Demo Irish-Americans, mings, attorney general in the new cratic Party, put forth his , ) . William and Eugenie Roosevelt administration, resulted bid as presidential candi ;, emphasized education to in a position for him as a special date. \ their children, all of assistant in the Justice Depart McMahon was born in Nor in industrial South Norwalk whom became professionals. ment. walk on Oct. 6, 1903, and bap where Patrick worked variously Brien graduated from Fordham Within two years President tized James O'Brien McMahon. as laborer, foundry worker and University with a B.A. in 1924. Roosevelt appointed him Assis He was the son of Irish-American custodian of the J.P. Woodbury Obtaining a degree from Yale tant Anorney General in charge of building contractor and civic ac estate. William apprenticed as a Law School in 1927, he was the Criminal Division, the tivist William H. McMahon and carpenter and eventually, as a hired by the Norwalk law part- (Please turn to page 2) Hartford mayoral candidate in 1922 had Irish revolutionary roots In the midst of the mayoral sure of independence and parti in France conspiring, in the "The result of that July 23. campaign in Hartford in 1922, it tioning the other six counties words of the Hartford Courant, 1803, is of course history. An was revealed that Irish revolution into Northern Ireland which was "with various leaders of the elaborate plan of operations had ary blood flowed in the veins of to remain a province ofBritain. United Irish movement for Ire been prepared, the chief feature of Republican candidate Anson T. Against that backdrop, one of land where he was detennined which incl uded simu Itaneous at McCook. Whether or not the reve McCook's supporters retold the to strike a blow ..." tacks on Dublin Castle ... and the lation was designed to win favor story of the Republican candi In October, Emmet returned arti llery barracks. But the insur with Hartford's large Irish vote, it date's great-grandfuther, George to Ireland, and gathered, said the gents had more courage. it certainly didn't hurt him in a year McCook, who fought for ire Courant, "hundreds ofmen who seemed, than real business ability. when more than usual attention land's freedom with Robert Em had declared themselves willing Practically all of the plans mis was focused on the Emerald Isle. met in 1803. and ready to follow his banner. fired. The Wick low contingent Momentuous revolutionary Emmet was the son of a One ofhis first lieutenants in the failed to appear, the Kildare men events were continuing to take Protestant physician and the recruiting of men was George turned back on hearing that the place in Ireland. The War of inde younger brother of Thomas Ad McCook, great-grandfather of uprising had been postponed ... pendence against England from dis Emmet, a lawyer and leader Capt. McCook. And when the There was confusion everywhere. 1919 to 1921 had just ended with of the unsuccessful 1798 upris coup d'etat was ready to be "At 9 o'clock. Emmet heard the controversial treaty granting ing ofthe United Irishmen. sprung, McCook was in the front that the military were approaching 26 of Ireland's 32 counties a mea- In 1802, Robert Emmet was line with Emmet. (Please turn 10 page 2) FAMINE JOURNAL September-October 1850 #31 Potatoes Healthy Without A Coffin Insolvent Debtor Perspective Sonna, Mullingar, Sept. 6, Shrule, County Mayo, Castlebar, County Mayo, The Times of London's 1850 - Sir: The intense inter Sept. 12, 1850 -It would be 23th Oct. 1850 -Mr. Commis reporter traveled through the est with which the fate of the scarcely possible to imagine sioner Curran held a court here west of Ireland and found the potato crop is watched, and the circumstances better calculated yesterday for the rei iefof insol people not so much starving anxiety which you have uni to convey to one acquainted vent debtors ... (one of whom) is anymore, as phys ically run formly felt to get at the truth on with ireland and Irish feelings one ofthe oldest and most up down and emotionally a point ofsuch vital importance a notion of the utter disruption right magistrates ofthe county ... depressed from fi ve years of to ireland, combined with a ofsociety occasioned through The case of this gentleman ex fighting off famine. conviction existing on my mind out the country by a terrible cited considerable interest in that there are persons who Poor Law, than are the facts of court because of his age (70) and Vast numbers of them had wish that crop to be a failure, or the following letter. It was the unblemished character for been evicted and for the many at any rate considerably defi read at the Ballinrobe Union honesty and integrity which he who lacked means to embark cient, have induced me to give on Friday last: had hitherto borne ... for America, the bitter choice you the result of my observa was the workhouse or digging Gentlemen -I consider it He stated he was extensively tions in various parts of West out some kind of a burrow by my duty to report to you that engaged in farming and grazing meath and Longford. the road or in a hillside. there was a poor woman, who operations since the year 1806, That a blight has taken place died in Dalgan Electoral Divi that he held from the predeces Sensing they soon might is evident, but I am now certain sion, left unburied for seven sor of his present landlord and be evicted too, more and more that the disease is ofa mild and days, at the expiration of from himself, the farm of land peasants took revenge as best greatly mitigated character as which time, her sister, in for the balance of the rent of they could in what English compared with the past year of whose cabin she died, and which he was sued and cast into authorities characterized as our suffering. I have seen some whose family and selfwere in prison; that he paid his rent "agrarian crime." but which acres dug, and closely watched fever also, had to pull her punctually for this farm over a the Irish considered as the state ofthe potatoes belong corpse into an adjoining gar period of38-years. leaving one reclaiming produce extorted ing to a large number ofmy den, and bury it there without year's rent only unpaid; that in from them to begin with. They labourers and neighbours any assistance and without a 1829, he got from the father of stole the crops they had grown brought in daily by them for coffin, the want of which his present landlord an abate on their landlords' property their families, and I can safely caused her to remain unburied, ment in the rent of£70 per year. and sold them for whatever assert that more than three as the neighbours, after such a they could get. Or, they which was continued to him for fourths of the crop is safe lapse of time, were afraid to go 12 or 13 years, until, upon the assaulted and murdered except, perhaps, in some local near the cabin in which she death of that landlord. he was anyone who dared to rent ities near towns, where the su lay. I had been applied to for a property from which others compelled to resume the old rent perabundance of manure led to coffin for her, but could not. had been evicted. Or, they under the lease made to him of an over free use of it. I also am under existing circumstances attempted to kill or maim the the farm and he was obliged to confident that ifone-half the give it, as she was not on out livestock of those who took pay this rent, which was double immense crop planted succeeds, door relief at the time of her any kind of employment the actual value of the land. until ofwhich I have no doubt, that death, nor had I been applied offered by landlords. within the last two or three years there will be abundance and to for it during her sickness. previous to the expiration of the Meeting in a synod at plenty in the land, quite As similar cases may unfortu lease when he got an abatement Thurles in Co. Tipperary, the enough, I trust, to mar the de nately occur, may I beg your of£30 out of the £70 per year Roman Catholic bishops of signs ofsuch beings who wish instruction in such an emer the lease expired in 1837. and ireland approved a resolution for the destruction ofthe gi fts gency, as many ratepayers in he then was continued as tenant decrying the oppression of the of the Almighty to forward sel f the division are displeased at from year to year at the former poor people of their country ish and sinister views oftheir not havinga coffin applied for rent. less £70 per year. the own. To such individuals, I her interment, lest the conta amount of the 1829 abatement. wish no worse fate than that gion should spread in the In reply to other questions. he they should bi-weekly undergo vicinity. I am. gentlemen. your FAMINE JOURNAL Slated he never belore commit the distress and fright of being obedient servant - John F. ted an act orinsolvency: thai a choked by a potato to within an Lynch, relieving officer. Publisbed bimonthly during bill orhis was never be!(lre inch of their existence. till God, tbe 150tb anniversary of tbe The Guardians Ballinrobe protested. that he paid all his in his bountifiJl mercy and Irish Potato Famine. Union - Resolved that Mr. rents punctually ... that he was goodness, blesses Ireland with Copyright 2000 by the Lynch be informed that the unable lor the last four years 10 such another favourable season Connecticut Irish-American Board have only power to give put more than hal r stock on the and abundant crops ofoats and Historical Society, P.O. Box coffins under the provisions of farm ... and that the rarm from potatoes. 120-020, East Haven, CT Act II and 12 Vict. cap. 25. the high rent which he was Hugh M. Tuite 06512. sec. 31. obliged to pay lor it. was the cause of his ruin. ______Page 3 Newly published book traces generations of County Cork O'Neills We all should be so lucky as to and impressions of both sides of have a relative with the knack for the Atlantic. For example. regard research and writing and the in ing a visit to Glen Beg in 1979. terest in familv history of Ger she \\Tites: "Huge beech trees line maine C. Grady. of Sparta. N.J. the long dri ve up to the large Germaine Grady One of our long-range mem 1700s house: tall water cisterns dedicates her book bers. Grady has puhlished an ex stand on either side. The !irst floor on the O'Neills to haustive study titled. "The includes the living ljuarters and her grandmother, O'Neills of County Cork:' a clan Mary O'Neill, left. several hedrooms are on the sec of which she IS descended. ond floor; a small servants' ljuar In her handsome and hefty. tel's is on a third floor. The view 333-page paperback. she chroni from the house overlooks the val cles more than 300 years of her ley of the River Blackwater. sur O'Neill ancestors from 1666 to rounded by green fields:' 1998. She also livens the genealogi Aside from its benefits to rela cal listings. which can be deadly tives. Grady's book is valuable lor dull ifunadorned. with interesting CIAHS members because many of tidhits. She recalls. tor example. her people sCllled in Connecticut Cunningham. Murphy. McNa the wake ofthe Cromwellian era thai her mother spoke of an in with linkages to New Haven. New mara. Smith. McGowan. Kelly. of the 1640s. and with intermar law. Elizaheth Morony. as "an ex London. Collinsville. Hartford. Moroney. Cashman. elc. riage to other Count) Tyrone pert dressmaker; she could sketch Bridgeport. Milford. etc. Also. the Grady" s nanal ive com- O'Neills in the early 1700s. a dress displayed in Malley's de wide sweep of Grady"s genealogi mences with the settlement in Grady jumps back and forth partment store window and go and cal broom provides data on numer eastern Country Cork of O' Nei II hetween America and Ireland make a pattern and complete a ous Connecticut Irish families: families from County T)-Tone in and provides numerous stories costume. An extra benefit of Grady's hook tor almost anyone interested in East Cork genealogy is her care Playwright's father toured state ful and comprehensive listing of sources. In the tinal 100 pages of TIle name Eugene O'Neill is a household word among generations of American the her hook. Grady lists, with essen atergoers, whilt: lhe name of the great playwright's father, James O'Neill, is almost unknown. tial information such as book and Yet in the latter years of the 19th century, the Irish inunigrant James O'Neill was well known page numbers. dozens of O'Neill throughout the nation for his acting skills. And his ties with Connecticut were stronger than those deeds and wills. which contain not of his more famous son. only references to O'Neills but nu When James O'Neill brought his theatrical company to Meriden in October 1893, he was con merous other families in Cork. sidered an important enough personage to warrant an interview by that city's Daily Journal. She also includes a reprint of The Journal described him as "the finished and genial actor ... who has made the dramatized pages about the O'Neill clan from version ofMonte Cristo as famous as the novel on which it is based." John O'Hart's lrish pedigrees, The paper was referring to the role of the Count of Monte Cristo from the novel of that name O'Neill listings for Cork in the by French writer Alexander Dumas. O'Neill played the role for years on stages across the United Griffith Valuation and O'Neill States. It became so associated with him that he even nanled his summer home in New London marriage records. Monte Cristo cottage. For anyone pursuing genealogy In a telling indication of the way entertainers made their way from city to city in those days, studies relating to East Cork, O'Neill arrived in Meriden on the 10:45 a.m. train from WaterbW}' and was interviewed at the Grady's bibliography is an excel Winthrop Hotel after he walked there from the depot and "enjoyed inlmensely the invigorating lent primer of what records are atmosphere." available and where they can be O'Neill told the reporter that the theatrical season had been very successful that year. "We have found. filled theaters as we never did before," he said, adding, "although sometimes we have played to Grady's website address is the other extreme. But on the whole our business has been far above the average. I can account for www.germainegrady.com. Copies this, during the real dull times, by the fact that theater-goers want some entertainment and they of the book may be obtained by will patronize what they already know in this lane rather than take chances with something new." writing her at 5 Grove Terrace, Sparta, N.J. 07871. Connecticut e Irish-American TtJ Sbanacbie HistoricalSociehj Noyember - December 2000 VoL XII, No.6 & Irish lad climbed out of torpedo tube to save sub's crew n December 1921, a 19 Adams Smith, four Navy en The men got lorward into the blew the forward trimming tanks year-old Irish shipyard listed men and 36 civilian em control room just in lime or lhey and shot out the dummy torpedoes I mechanic saved the crew ployees of the Lake Co. would have heen drowned like with boards attached on which ofa submarine built in Bridgeport "The submarine behaved rats .. ." were written messages telling of from certain death after the sub, well;' reported the Times, "until The cause ofthe problem that our predicament." said the com the S-48. plunged to the bottom of 400 yards out into the Sound sent the submarine to the bottom mander. Long Island Sound during a trial when the order to submerge was of the Sound about five miles Another hazard developed run. issued. The S-48 started to sink southeast of Bridgeport was the when the action of salt \\ater on Peter F. Dunne was one of 36 evenly and then. with a quil:k malfunctioning of a hatch which the sulphuric acid in the subma civilian employees aboard the S lurch, the stern suddenly failed to close and thus allowed rine's batteries began to produce 48. a state-{)f-the-art ship under dropped." water to flood the engine and suffocating chlorine gas. Crew construction by the men were put to work Lake Torpedo Boal bail,ing water from the Co. of Bridgeport for hattery storage deck and the U.S. Navy. when eventually they were able the submarine sud to rig up a siphon to keep denly sank as it was the water away from the attempting to sub batteries. merge. A sketch ofthe S-cfass submarines, which were the workhorses ofthe Us. sub fleet Because the water was The S-48 - de during the 1920s and 1930s. only 60 feet deep and the scribed by The New submarine was 250 feet York Times as "the giant subma "We went down fast," said motor compartments. The lights long, officers ordered that fuel oil rine ... with a cruising radius of Commander Haas, "and we were went out, and all mal:hinery ex and tons of pig iron ballast be dis 10,000 mi les" - sai led from no sooner under than [ knew by cept two electric pumps were charged through a doubl e-door Bridgeport on the morning of the great pressure in my ears that without 1P0wer. tube in the hope Ihat the sub's Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1921. Aboard something was wrong. There "We dropped both anchors to bow wou Id rise to the surface were Navy Lt. Commander Stan came cries from aft and the men the hottom in order to relieve the where it might be spotted. ley Haas. who was to be the skip came rushing forward. The wa boat of their weight, blew all the The process was so slow that it per of the submarine, J.O. Austin ter was rushing into the engine oil tanks overboard ... and put wasn't until about 6 p.m. - eight a former Navy officer who repre room in such volume that the men at work bal ing out the Iubri hours after the sinking - that the sented the shipbuilder, the Navy's last man had to wade in water up eating oil tank which was tem bow began to rise. At 7 p.m., with official observer Lt. Francis to his waist to reach the door ... porarily filled with water .. We (Please fum fo page 3) In memory of... The Irish community in Connecticut has been a cable television program. He was a talented gui greatly diminished by the death of Johnny Moran. tarist and songwriter and when important events Well known throughout Connecticut as an Irish - such as the peace process - unfolded in ire Johnny musician and entertainer, Johnny died on Sept. 21 land, he wrote and performed songs about them. at the age of 80. Long before Irish cultural tradi But, Johnny Moran's legacy goes beyond his Moran tions gained the widespread popularity they now music. He will be remembered also for his kind enjoy, Johnny was an unofficial ambassador ofall ness and generosity. A member of our historical things Irish. Known for his ballads, sing-alongs, society's board of directors, he frequently per humor and stories of Irish history, he was a much formed without charge at cultural programs in sought after entertainer at public events and fam which our society participated at the Connecticut ily get-togethers. For many years, he promoted Historical Society, Quinnipiac College and other communication within the Irish community in the venues. And, he was never too busy to play and state by hosting the Echoes of Ireland show on sing at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, at nurs- WNHU radio in New Haven, and he also hosted (please lurn 10 page 4) FAMINE JOURNAL November-December 1850 #32 Perspective The Land Question Unresolved As 1850 ended, the embers Loudon Times, Nov. 13, 1850 - Mr. W. laws - many of these self-elected inculcators of of the Irish Potato Famine Maxwell, an extensive landed proprietor in the the doctrines ofChristianity, expounders of the burned out. Starvation was no county ofDown, has issued an excellent address blessed gospel ofour Saviour. Oh, my friends, longer a dai Iy occurrence. to his tenants in the baronies of Ards and LecaJe be not led astray by these professed rriendships; Epidemics ofcholera and other ... "'The declamations of an agitating party," says be advised that the law of property will be up diseases passed. Potato crop Mr. Maxwell, "selt:-elected delegates or Lea held, that each man may do what he pleases with fai Iures conti nued. but were guers, assuming the advocacy of tenant interests, his own. Pending these agitations, I cannot say restricted to small areas. The what our future relations shall be. If you suffer number of destitute people under the law as it is, there is a means ofmak seeking food and shelter in the ing known your grievances by petition to the workhouses lessened. Legislature, the only body who can alter and amend the law. You can address the Govern With the worst of the ment and Parliament and approach the throne in debacle over, statesmen and respectful application for relief ... Many of us organs of publ ic opinion have thus addressed the Legislature ... Although predicted a new prosperity for in the leases heretofore granted, it was condi Ireland. but the Irish were not tional that, during the tenancy, the tenant should convinced and continued to keep in substantial repair all buildings then on desert their homeland at every the lands, and all others which might be erected opportunity. More of them left denouncing aJi landlords as unjust, extortioners during the lease - to surrender at the expiration in the years following the and robbers, oppressors ofthe poor - these ofthe lease, the same in good tenantable condi Famine than during the gentlemen, themselves neither tenants nor land tion, it was my opinion that, in many case, the disaster itself. lords, assume a right to interfere in the adjust ment of bargains between man and man. tenant had an equitable claim to compensation After all the evidence ofthe Property-doctors - quacks - whose sole end or from the landlord for the value ofsuch buildings bankruptcy of land pol icies that aim is to destroy all property; to make confusion necessary and useful for farm purposes. I have, had governed Ireland before in the present relations between parties, killing therefore, acted' upon this principle. I must now the Famine, the urgings for their patient, tenant-right by way ofcure; ad advise you that, during the continuance of this reforms to give Irish peasants vancing the most preposterous nostrums and league agitation and aggression against the and farmers a stake in the land more than this, taking the office of legislators rights of property, I shall fall back upon the law were lost on the government upon themselves, raising taxes and propounding and claim my rights." and the establishment. As a result, tenant organizations sprang up in many parts of the Loudon Times, Dec. 4, 1850 - An active figure which required the highest artificial country presaging the clerical promoter of the Tenant League move prices and the fullest natural produce to enable turbulence that would ment, the Rev. Mr. Redmond. parish priest of the tenant to pay his rent and to allow his family characterize Irish life on into Arklow, has written a letter to the Wexlord pa anything like decent food and raiment. The loss the 20th century. One measure per, defending the part he has taken in the agi of the potatoe and the establ ishment of rree of how poorly Ireland had been tation which as far as he can help it, shall not be trade diminished the means of the tenant farmer governed revealed itsel I' when diverted to a party or selfish purpose: "The fully one half... The rent became thereby un a new voting rights law was Times," continues the Rev. agitator, "has very equal, unjust and extortionate; and the landlord passed that quadrupled the fairly asked why the contract between the pos was bound ... as an honest man to equalize the number of voters in most sessor of land and him who desires to hire it for contract by reducing the rent in proportion to counties rrom a few hundred to purposes oftillage should not be taken out of the diminished means ofthe tenant ... For the thousands ofvoters. the common order ofcontracts; and why a su honour ofChristianity. some good men consid pervising power to regulate the terms ofthe erably reduced their rents and had patience with bargain between the two parties should be ap their people; but the Irish landlords in general FAMINE JOURNAL pointed by the State. As a member of the Tenant exacted their pound of flesh and insisted on League, I answer this question affirmatively their bond till they did not leave a shilling in Published bimonthly during because the landlord and tenant contract in the unfortunate tenant's pocket, a sheafofcorn tbe 150t'h anniversary of the Ireland stands belore the world convicted of in his bam, a hoof or hom in his yard and then Irish Potato Famine. being usurious, extortionate and destructive of drove him. a broken-hearted outcast to perish by Copyright 2000 by the innocent human life to an incalculable amount; the wayside or lose shame and lile in the poor Connecticut Irish-American and because the State is bound to prevent leg housc. or to tly like a felon to America ... I Historical Society, P.O. Box islatively, as far as it reasonably can, usury, know at this moment many a decent farmer ... 120-020, East Haven, CT extortion and murder ... Before the lailure ofthe who is sinking into a premature grave rrom the 06512. potatoe crop and the introduction of free trade. millstone pressure of rackrent. while the land the land rent,; of Ireland ranged. as a rule. at a lord refuses to move a single finger to lighten the burden. ______...... PaeJ·3 great pluck and courage. At 9:45. he said his prayers, Boat left without closed his eyes and his soul immigrant girl (Continuedfrom page 2) you of the death of your son, passed to the company of other The family of a Cornish here is reading the papers from the James Bums, who was killed at heroes who, like him, have given miner named Rowe, coming to states which give interviews with Hougas Leyte, on the 12th of their lives for their country, and join their husband and father at the different high officials at March, by a rifle bullet, being gone to answer roll call "over the mines in Bristol in Novem Washington. telling how the war shot while in the performance of yonder." ber 1846, experienced a terri is over and the (insurgents) return his duty ... The pay due your son wi II be fYing occurrence that began at ing to their homes and laying I know the sorrow this news sent to you. His clothes after the docks in New York City. down their arms ... Why to tell the will give you ... and your family, three months are unserviceable The mother was attempting to honest truth it is all poppycock to and that nothing can erase the except one khaki coat and shoes, shepherd her five or six chil say the least. As for the war being pain from your hearts, but it may but I will hold them here subject dren, the oldest only 10 or II over, it is far from being ... and be some consolation to know to your order. years old and the youngest just never will be for some years to your son died the death ofa hero. In conclusion, let me express a babe, on board the Saturday come ... His last words after being shot to you my deepest sympathy in morning steamboat to New were: "Never mind me, boys, but your sorrow. and to say I have Haven on the last leg of their Letter from Lt. J. W. Dutton, don't let them get my gun and lost one of the best men in my journey. Co. C, 43rd Infantry Regiment, belt." command: always ready to do his At the last minute, the mother Baybay, Leyte, Philippine Is He was carried back to the duty whether it was pleasant or sent the oldest daughter to pur lands, to Mr. David Burns, Meri barracks by his comrades and unpleasant, dangerous or not chase a loaf of bread to eat den, published in Meriden they did all they could lor him, dangerous, and by his death while on the voyage. The er Weekly Republican, May 3,1900 but alas, without avail. He died showing the stuff that was in rand took longer than expected the next night at 9:45 o'clock, him - that he was pure gold. I and the fami Iy boarded the By the fortunes of war it be March 13, 1900. He was con sorrow with you. steamboat and stood anxiously comes my painful duty to notifY scious to the end and showed waiting the return ofthe girl. Bridgeport mechanic saved crew of stricken submarine Before she arrived and before the mother realized what was (Continuedfrom page I) He had managed to rig the rope, The rescue operation began in happening, the steamboat the stem still on the bottom, the however, and I think it was his darkness and in the midst of "a pulled away from the dock and bow swung upward to break water idea of going through the tube half gale from the west," which steered for Long Island Sound. at an angle of35 degrees. that explains the rescue ofall of threatened to dash the tugboat or When he learned of the "Then came the only brave us, for there were times when it one ofits barges agains~ the S-48, mishap, the ship's comman thing ofthe whole affair," said Lt. looked mighty dark." ripping the submarine open and der, Capt. Lefevre, told the Smith, "It was darn plucky ... this Using the rope, five other dooming the men trapped below. family that he would contact business of Pete Dunne. He crewmen followed Dunne's Olsen maneuvered his tug and the shipping agents, Saxton & yanked offhis clothes and insisted path through the torpedo tube barges as close as he could to the Webb, as soon as he docked at on climbing through the torpedo and up to the S-48's bow. There part of the submarine protuding New Haven. tube. We tried to tell him it was they fired off signal rockets. above the surface until the men Alerted by Lefevre's tele too dangerous, but Pete insisted When that failed to attract atten clinging to it could come down graph message, the agents that he take a chance. He grabbed tion, mattresses were tom apart the rope onto the deck of one found the girl in tears and still up a line and started to worm his and sent up to to be set on fire. barge. The last man rescued waiting at the dock. They way up the tube .. Finally, the flames caught tapped three times on the S-48 as made sure she was aboard the "After Dunne disappeared ... the attention of the crew of a a signal that another group of next New Haven boat and we waited in the darkness. Hardly Standard Oil Co. tugboat, the submariners could begin to crawl when she arrived, there was a anyone had a word to say. We Socony No.8, which was up the torpedo tube. great family reunion before the were just wondering how he pulling two barges from New Olsen launched a small boat to mother and children caught the would fare. After a while, we Haven to Bridgeport. "As we travel back and forth, rescuing train to Bristol for the final leg heard him coming back down the came closer," said Eugene the submariners. By 10:30 p.m., oftheir journey. tube and then he slid down onto Olsen, skipper of the tugboat, the rescue was complete and Source: New York Journal of the floor. He was soaking wet and "we made out a dark form that Olsen sailed for the Brooklyn Commerce, Nov. 2, 1848. in spasms ofshivering tried to tell appeared to be sticking about 15 Navy Yard where the S-48's Editor's note: In recogniJion of us what he had done, but fainted. feet above the water ... It was crewmen were examined by doc the bond between our historical society and the other societies in "When Dunne was brought not until we were pretty close up tors and all but three found in the Ethnic Heritage Center and to around, he told how he had been that we could make out that it good condition. foster appreciation for all races forced to dive off the side into the was some kind of a craft and Source: New York Times, 9 and 12, and nationalities, we print in each water and swim around the bow that there were six or seven per 192/. issue of The Shanachie one story until he could make fast the line. sons atop of it .. ." about another ethnic group.