Thomas P. Cahill Papers 1897-1967 MS.1997.015 http://hdl.handle.net/2345/1137
Archives and Manuscripts Department John J. Burns Library Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill 02467 [email protected] URL: http://www.bc.edu/burns Table of Contents
Summary Information ...... 3 Administrative Information ...... 4 Biographical / Historical ...... 5 Scope and Contents ...... 5 Arrangement ...... 6 Collection Inventory ...... 7 I: Correspondence ...... 7 II: Manuscripts ...... 7 III: Printed Materials ...... 9 IV: Scrapbook ...... 9 V: Periodicals ...... 9 VI: Artifacts and Ephemera ...... 10
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 2 - Summary Information
Creator: Cahill, Thomas P. Title: Thomas P. Cahill Papers Collection Identifier: MS.1997.015 Date [inclusive]: 1897-1967 Physical Description 2 Linear feet (4 Boxes) Language of the English, Irish Material: Abstract: The papers contain manuscripts and publications of journalist and historian Thomas P. Cahill, as well as photographs, periodicals, newspaper clippings, correspondence and related items, mainly concerning Irish history and the role of James Cahill in the Manchester rescue of 1867. Also included is an account of the Boer War by P.A. Cronje. Preferred Citation
Identification of item, Box number, Folder number, Thomas P. Cahill papers, MS.1997.015, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 3 - Administrative Information
Publication Information Processed by AnneMarie Anderson, February 2010; Ray Hartley and Rachael Young in 2018. This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace.
Restrictions on access Collection is open for research.
Restrictions on use These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.
Provenance Gift of Winifred Olivieri in 1997.
Processing Information Three binders containing typescripts were disassembled for preservation purposes and are designated as Binder I, II and III in the inventory to reflect their original housings.
A scrapbook that was received disassembled but in order has been assigned page numbers and organized accordingly.
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 4 - Biographical / Historical
Thomas P. Cahill, journalist and historian, was born in Manchester, England in 1862 to James and Catherine Cahill. James Cahill was involved in the 1867 rescue of fellow Fenians Timothy Deasy and Thomas J. Kelly, which resulted in the death of British police sergeant Charles Brett and the subsequent execution of Cahill's companions Allen, Larkin, and O'Brien (also known as the "Manchester Martyrs"). Cahill, along with his family, escaped to the United States. This event would be influential on the life and work of Thomas P. Cahill.
As a young man, Thomas Cahill helped to organize labor unions among the workers of the textile industries and served as the National Secretary of the National Union of Textile Workers. In 1912, Cahill was awarded the Carnegie Medal for saving the life of a young girl who was nearly struck and killed by a street car. During World War I, he was a war secretary for the Knights of Columbus with the 2nd Army, serving in France and earning recognition for the efficiency and merit of his work, especially during the Battle of the Argonne.
Cahill was also an editor, journalist, and author who composed works of verse and historical prose. Of particular interest to Cahill were the topics of the Manchester Rescue and the role of Irish Americans --especially Captain Jeremiah O'Brien of Machias, Maine -- in the American Revolutionary War. It is largely owing to Cahill's efforts that O'Brien has been recognized as the first naval officer commissioned for the Revolutionary War.
In his later years, Cahill became a celebrated historian and lecturer. He belonged to and was honored by a number of historical and Irish American societies including the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He died in the O'Brien Convalescent Home in Somerville, Massachusetts at the age of 80. His wife, Margaret Hamill Cahill, had died the previous year.
Source: The Thomas P. Cahill Family Papers, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.
Scope and Contents
The Thomas P. Cahill Papers consist primarily of the correspondence, manuscripts, and published works of Thomas P. Cahill. Correspondence is both incoming and outgoing and includes letters from Col. John Y.F. Blake, Boer hero John Oliver "Jack" Hindon, and a copy of the letter from Knights of Columbus Secretary James Murtha recognizing the quality of Cahill's work in France during the First World War. There is also significant correspondence between Cahill and Bryan Hannon discussing Irish history and the state of Irish American affairs between 1940 and 1941. The manuscript and printed materials contain mainly typescript and pamphlet versions of Cahill's works on the "Manchester Martyrs" and Irish history in general. There is also a typescript of the memoirs of Boer General Piet Cronje translated by Hindon.
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 5 - The remainder of the collection comprises Cahill's scrapbook; Irish and Irish language periodicals; ephemera and artifacts including photographs; clippings and research materials concerning the Cahill family; and the Carnegie Medal awarded to Thomas Cahill in 1912.
Arrangement
Arranged in six series. I. Correspondence; II. Manuscripts; III. Printed Materials; IV. Scrapbook; V. Periodicals; and VI. Artifacts and Ephemera.
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 6 - Collection Inventory
Series I: Correspondence, 1897-1941 Scope and Contents
Contains both incoming and outgoing letters.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by last name of the other correspondent. Where there is correspondence to and from the same individual, the outgoing letters are first.
Letter of Recommendation from Colonel John Y.F. Blake, Box 1 Folder 1 manuscript, undated
Letter of Recommendation from Niman? Casey, M.D., Box 1 Folder 2 manuscript, 1908 July 7
To Bryan Hannon, typescript and photocopy, 1940 September 25 - Box 1 Folder 3 December 30
To Bryan Hannon, typescript, 1941 January 7 - March 4 Box 1 Folder 4
From Bryan Hannon, manuscript, 1940 September 9 - December Box 1 Folder 5 17
From Bryan Hannon, manuscript, 1941 January 5 - March 26 Box 1 Folder 6
From Oliver John Hindon, manuscript, 1911 January 3 - August Box 1 Folder 7 14
From D.W. Knox, typescript with photographs of portraits of John Box 1 Folder 8 O'Brien and William O'Brien, 1938 January 11
To William J. McGinley, Supreme Secretary, Knights of Box 1 Folder 9 Columbus, with article from Columbia magazine, 1928 March 20
From William J. McGinley, Supreme Secretary, Knights of Box 1 Folder 10 Columbus, typescript, 1928 March 27
From James Murtha, Knights of Columbus Secretary, typescript Box 1 Folder 11 with photograph, 1919 April 30
From Frederick M. O'Neil, State Secretary, Maine State Branch Box 1 Folder 12 AF of Labor, manuscript, 1897 March 24
To Hon. Claude Pepper, U.S. Senator, typescript, 1940 June 24 Box 1 Folder 13
From W.T. Tarrant, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, typescript, 1940 Box 1 Folder 14 February 26
From R. W—?, manuscript, 1923 February 18 Box 1 Folder 15
Series II: Manuscripts, circa 1930-1939, undated
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 7 - Scope and Contents
This series primarily contains manuscript and typescript versions of historical works by Thomas P. Cahill contained in notebooks or binders (see processing note). There are also loose leaf items and a few items by authors other than Cahill.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by author's last name (works listed are by Cahill unless otherwise noted) with the materials collected in notebook or binder form first.
Notebook, "What is the Trouble in Ireland?", undated Box 1 Folder 16
Binder I, Article "Allen, Larkin and O'Brien. Innocent Martyrs of Box 1 Folder 17 British Vengeance", circa 1939
Binder I, Article "Robert Emmett", circa 1938 Box 1 Folder 18-19
Binder II (pp. 1-22), Untitled re: Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, Box 1 Folder 20 undated possibly 1930
Binder II (pp. 23-54), Chapter, "The Arrest", undated possibly Box 1 Folder 21 1930
Binder II (pp. 55-77), Untitled re: Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, Box 1 Folder 22 undated possibly 1930
Binder III, pages inserted at front (photocopies), undated Box 1 Folder 23
Binder III, "The Rescue of Kelley and Deacy In Manchester, Box 1 Folder 24 England, September 18, 1887 and the Manchester Martyrs, Allen, Larkin and O'Brien", undated
Binder III, pages inserted at back, "The Escape of James Cahill Box 1 Folder 25 from England to the United States," (photocopy), undated
Binder III, pages inserted at back, "A Short Sketch of James Box 1 Folder 26 Cahill," (photocopy), undated
Binder III, pages inserted at back, "The Manchester Heroes Box 1 Folder 27 Reception in New York," (photocopy), undated
Research Materials and TS re: "Connyngham", undated Box 1 Folder 28
Untitled re: Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, pg. 2 of alternate Box 1 Folder 29 (photocopy), undated
Untitled re: Early Irish History, undated Box 1 Folder 30
Untitled (title page missing) re: Karl Marx, undated Box 1 Folder 31
Cronje, Gen. Piet, My Memoirs, translated by Captain "Jack" Box 3 Folder 1 Hindon, undated
Lee, Ivy, "Brer Anancy an Brer Tacuma", undated Box 1 Folder 32
Mulcahey, Denis Dowling, Poem, "The Irish Brigade at Box 1 Folder 33 Fontenoy", undated
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 8 - Series III: Printed Materials, 1901-1942, undated Scope and Contents
This series contains printed pamphlets featuring the works of Thomas P. Cahill. There is also a pamphlet containing a tribute to Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien, given by Joseph F. O'Connell.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Untitled poem in honor of John Y.F. Blake, circa 1910 Box 1 Folder 34
A Short Sketch of the Life and Achievements of Captain Jeremiah Box 1 Folder 35 O'Brien of Machias, Maine, pamphlet, 1936
Tribute to Capt. Jeremiah O';Brien, Address by Joseph F. Box 1 Folder 36 O'Connell of Boston, pamphlet,, 1937 June 12
James Miller, Somerville's Patriot Martyr of April 19, 1775, Box 1 Folder 37 pamphlet, 1939 April
The Famous Tracys of Newburyport, Massachusetts, pamphlet, Box 1 Folder 38 1942 January 1
The Battle Tune of Concord Bridge, pamphlet, undated Box 1 Folder 39
Series IV: Scrapbook, undated Scope and Contents
This series contains a scrapbook stamped "T.P. Cahill" on the inside of both covers that houses articles and news clippings regarding Thomas P. Cahill.
Arrangement
By original page number.
Scrapbook, covers and pages, undated Box 2 Folder 1-5
Series V: Periodicals, 1936-1967 Scope and Contents
This series contains various Irish and Irish language periodicals.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by title with journals preceding newspapers.
Booktab, 1942 June - July Box 2 Folder 6
Comar, 1949-1950 Box 2 Folder 7
Dúcas, 1972 November Box 2 Folder 8
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
- Page 9 - Donahoe's Magazine, 1901 September Box 2 Folder 9
Feasta, 1949-1950 Box 2 Folder 10
Fenian Centennary, Easter Commemoration Digest, 1967 Easter Box 2 Folder 11
The Irish Review, 1936 October Box 2 Folder 12
The Landmark, 1949-1950 Box 2 Folder 13
The Poppy, 1925 December Box 2 Folder 14
The Recorder, 1940 May 1 Box 2 Folder 15
Irish and Irish Language Newspapers, 1949-1950 Box 3
Series VI: Artifacts and Ephemera, 1905-1950, undated Scope and Contents
This series contains newspaper clippings and research materials related to the Cahill family; photographs; booklets from a Work Projects Administration event; a collection of Irish language dust jackets; membership cards belonging to Cahill; and the Carnegie Medal awarded to Cahill in 1912.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Clippings and Research Materials re: Cahill family, 1905, undated Box 2 Folder 16
Carnegie Hero Fund Medal, 1912 Box 4
Membership Cards (VFW Poppy Campaign and American Box 2 Folder 17 Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic), signed by Thomas P. Cahill, 1921-1936
Work Projects Administration, "A Brief Account of the Historical Box 2 Folder 18 Records Survey and Its Works," booklet, 1940
Work Projects Administration, "This Work Pays Your Box 2 Folder 19 Community," booklet, 1940 May 20-25
Thomas P. Cahill's obituary in The Gaelic American (original and Box 2 Folder 20 photocopy), 1942 August 15
Photograph ("Billy Houghton" written on back), undated Box 2 Folder 21
Photograph ("Kiongel" written on back), undated Box 2 Folder 22
Photograph James Cahill"s tombstone, undated Box 2 Folder 23
Photographic negative, James Cahill, undated Box 2 Folder 24
Irish Language Dust Jackets, undated Box 2 Folder 25
Thomas P. Cahill Papers MS.1997.015
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