Vol. V, No. 1 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society January-February 1993 St. Patrick's parish celebrated in 1942

Just 50 years ago -<>n Jan. 25, ( 1942 - one of the earliest Irish .. Catholic parishes in New Haven ­ St. Patrick's - celebrated its 90th anniversary with a special rededica­ tion ceremony and publication of a booklet commemorating the event. The Mass for the rededication was celebrated by priests formerly assigned to the parish including Fa­ ther John J. Kelley, Father Joseph A. Rice, Father James G. Lengen, Father Joseph D. Casey, Father John F. Kenney, Father Joseph A. Degnan and Father John B. Logan, O.P. The story of St. Patrick's began in 1851, when the influx of Irish immigrants into New Haven caused Father Edward J. O'Brien, pastor of St. Mary's Church, to purchase land at Wallace Street and Grand Avenue with an eye to establishing a second Catholic parish in the city. Shortly ------~ ... - - thereafter Bishop Bernard O'Reilly approved the project and designated St. Patrick', Church and rectory, New HavlHJ, 1852-1966 Father John Sheridan to supervise construction of the' new church. to be named, appropriately, St. Pat­ The final construction work was convent were constructed. In Janu­ rick's. not completed until mid 1853 and ary 1875. fire destroyed the roof of The cornerstone of the church the dedication of St. Patrick's the church and severely damaged its was laid on Aug. 31. 1851, but Church occurred on Oct. 9. 1853 interior. During reconstruction. the Father Matthew Hart replaced Fa­ ~ith Archbishop 8edini. papal dele­ front wall of the church caved in and ther Sheridan before construction gate to Brazil officiating and with the church was almost totally re­ was completed and it was Father Bishop Fitzpatrick of Boston, Bishop built. Hart who offered the first Mass in Timon of Buffalo and Bishop O'Reilly The long-time pastor did not live St. Patrick's.on Dec. 19, 1852. of Hartford in the sanctuary with a to see the completion of the renova­ The first baptism was that of· number of priests from throughout tion. dying at St. Vincent's Hospital Catherine.~allaher, daughter of Tho­ Connecticut. in New York City on July 9. 1876. mas and Rose Gallaher on Dec. 21, Bishop Fitzpatrick preached the He was buried in front of his beloved 1852. The first marriage took place dediCation sermon. while Bishop church and his likeness was carved on Dec. 26 that year when Patrick O'Reilly preached at vespers in the on the front wall'of the building. Noonan and Mary Ahern exchanged afternoon and Bishop Timon He was succeeded by Monsignor their vows before Father Hart with preached at evening services. James Lynch, vicar general of the Edmund Gamel and Johanna Father Hart remained as pastor for diocese, who died in Decem- Henessey as best man and maid of 24 years. During his pastorate. a honor. .rectory, two school buildings and a (Please turn to Page 2 Page 3

O'Neill - O'Sullivan families had roots stretching back to County Waterford Editor's note: Thanks to the stayed behind until passage fare generosity of members and could be sent to them ... their interest in preserving the Mary O'Neill married Michael stories of their ancestors, the McNamara on Nov. 19, 1890. She Connecticut Irish-American probably met him in a manufactur- Historical Society has begun ing plant in Canton, Conn .... Can- to receive for its library a num- ton's principal industries were ber of family histories. We m~nufacturing of edge tools, re~ularlypublish in The Shana- knives, axes, plows, wrought iron chle excerpts from these his- and brass. Michael was an axe tories both to disseminste the grinder, my mother said. valuable historical information Harry J. McNamara, their first contained in them and to en- child, was born in Canton on July cour8(Je others to get down on 3, 1892 ... The family moved to paper whatever they know New Haven about 1896 and their sbout the history of their own second child, Mary Teresa was families. The excerpts below born on Feb. 3, 1897. A third Cd. sre from s fsmily historyof the child, Margaret Veronica was born Bridgeport liveryman O'Neill, O'Sullivan and Me- at 43 Bradley St. in New Haven on Namsrs fsmilies resesrched Dec. 11, 1898 ... Michael Mc- knew when to quit snd written by Mrs. Germaine Namara died on Sept. 18, 1899 at M. Grady of Spsrta, N.J. 43 Bradley St. from tuberculosis, Owen Keenan was a man who could see leaving Mary widowed with three the handwriting on the wall. For 25 years Mary O'Neill McNamara Fitzger­ small children, ages eight months, Keenan was. Bridgeport's foremost live~ three and seven ... al~, t~e fourth child of Or. Timothy stable proprietor. But in 1918, he ac­ o Neill and Margaret.Cunningham, Mary O'Neill established a cepted the inevitable and converted his was born July 26, 1865, at Glen­ boarding house to support her stable at 160 Fairfield Avenue into an auto­ beg. Ballyduff, County Waterford family at 43 Bradley St., and at mobile service station. ... When she was five years of age 129 and 119 Olive St. in New .The event was so noteworthy that the her father died at the young age of Haven ... Bridgeport Herald sent a reporter to inter­ 44 on Sept. 23, 1870 ... Her All of Mary's family lived with view the liveryman. mother was widowed with five her at one time or another. Teresa "It used to be cabs and carriages," children, ages eight months to and her daughter, Marie Keenan told the reporter. "When you eight years ... Her mother remar· McGowan, lived with her for sev­ wanted to take your best girl out on a ried Henry O'Sullivan three years eral years; Teresa worked as a Sunday afternoon, you wanted a good later ... seamstress; Anthony was single stepper and a neat rig. You liked it and she Mary was brought up with her and lived at the boarding house liked it. It was pretty good for the livery brothers and sisters at Glenbeg, and Joseph, who was married to business, too. But very few fellows would Ballyduff, on the River Blackwater Ann Murphy, had two daughters dare mention a horse and carriage now for and attended the local schools Rita and Josephine, who visited a. Sunday afternoon drive. unless he owns which they went to by pony cart. often. Daniel lDonal) came down ~I~ own ~orse. If any vehicle is to be hired, It must have been lovely there with from Boston after his sister was It. IS a taXicab or a touring car. The automo­ the wide fields leading down to the widowed in 1899 and met his bIle has demonstrated its attractiveness river and the orchards and gardens wife, Elizabeth Maroney from Mil­ and its usefulness. People want it. The to play in. The family stayed at town Malbay, Clare. Her sister, automobile is even replacing the horse­ Glenbeg farming about 200 acres Susan, also lived there and both dr~wn hacks and hearses at funerals. It is and raising their children ... were employed as seamstresses. qUicker and more fashionable, no matter About 1883, the family decided Daniel is listed in the city directory what use you have for it. So what chance to emigrate to America where of 1900 as an insurance canvasser has the horse these days?" Hftnry's parents,Cornelius and who boarded at 43 Bradley St., In i~s Jan. 13, 1918, issue, the newspa­ Catherine O'Sullivan and family and in the 1905 directory as a clerk per. pnnted Keenan's comments alonQ. with had previously settled in North­ at Union Depot ... an Interesting sketch of the Irish liveryman. ampton, Mass. The older children (Please tum to Page 4) Page 4

1 Briefly noted 0 Neills - 0 I Sullivans came from Waterford WELCOME· - Welcome to our new members: Sherry D. Tennyson, (Continued from Page 3) Don and Joan Cavett, 8eth Ann Stewart, P. Ann White-Jelen, Thomas Harry McNamara, Mary's son, was an F. Geirin. James l. and Martha C. Shea. Edward A. Petrela, Catherine electrician by trade, served in the Mer­ E. Aldridge, Patricia A. Moran. chant Marine and was in World War I in the Army. He remained single and died BOOKS AVAILABLE - Copies of our book "The Wearin' 0' the Green: on Oct. 15, 1965 while a patient at the 150 Years of St. Patrick's Day in New Haven" can be ordered through West Haven Veterans Hospital ... Mary our mailing address below at $10 a copy plus $1 .50 handling charge. Teresa married William l. Hadden, a The book was published last year to commemorate the 150th anniver­ judge and lawyer who became lieuten­ sary of the first St. Patrick's Day observance in New Haven in 1842. It ant-governor in 1943-45 and attomey is a 234-page paperback with 40 drawings and photographs of St. general in 1945. They had three chil­ Patrick's Day observances in New Haven over the years. dren. Margaret married John K. Cash­ man, a fine salesman, and they had five LETTERS NEEDED - Each year, our society sets up Irish Heritage Month children Mary (Molly) died in Febru- displays at area public libraries during March. This year we are looking ary 1982 .. for letters sent from relatives back home in Ireland to Irish immigrants Mary McNamara remarried Edward who had settled in New Haven. We do not need to actually display the Fitzgerald in 1916. He also boarded with originals of the letters in the libraries. We will photocopy the originals Mary and worked as a steamfitter. She so that there is no chance of them being lost or destroyed. Anyone with died on June 14,1920. such letters should contact Pat Heslin through the society's post office "Fitz" visited our house many times box listed below. Pat is also looking for photographs and other memo­ and was a kind gentleman with a lovely rabilia of Irish imigration. brogue. Teresa remarried Frank Lavery also GRANT - The Ethnic History Archives Center, of which we are one of in 1916, a lineman with the UI company the member ethnic historical societies, has received a grant of $15.000 and who owned and moored a power from the Carolyn foundation of Minneapolis. The grant will be used to boat out in Long Island Sound. The further the center's objective of establishing an archives center for all whole group, Molly, my mother, Fitz. ethnic historical groups in the greater New Haven area and for school Teresa and Frank went out fishing many programs promoting an awareness and appreciation of ethnic history. times and had a wonderful time to­ gether. My mother told me that there were always two tables in the dining room at the boarding house; one for the finer Connecticut Irish·American Historical Society sort and one for the working men who could come to lunch (dinner was served P.O. Box 120-020 at noon) in their working clothes. East Haven, Connecticut 06512 Three meals a day were served and her reputation grew as Yale students "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu­ would come for meals. In the 1910 ture. " Padralc Pearse. census, there were 19 boarders besides her own family to cook and clean for. Pres. Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven 06512. 468-0426. She always fed people who came to Vice Pres. George Waldron, 69 Perdee St., New Haven 06513.468-6948. her door and tried to give them odd jobs. She had some extra help for cleaning Secretery Patricia Heslin, 143 Haverford St., Hamden 06517. 248-6050. rooms and dishes later on and Molly, Treas. Mlchaei V. Lynch. 171 Grend Ave., New Haven 06513.467-5307. Marie and my mother waited on the tables, but Molly always got the good EdJtor: Nail Hogen, 26 Crestview Terrace, Wallingford 06492. 269-9154. table, she said. Membership: .10 IndlvldulIII, .15 femily. Send name, address and check The house was only a block from made out to Connecticut Irlsh-Amerlcen Historlcllll Society to above address. State and Chapel streets where I sup­ pose the marketing was done and deliv­ The Shenachle: In Irelend, a .henechie Is a fOlklorist, hlstorlen and keeper of ered to the door. the people', tradftJons. The family said she was a saint. Vol. V. No. 2 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society March-April 1993 Landmark to Irish immigrants threatened One of the earliest monuments to memorial to the Irish laborers who people. Specifically, the society sup­ Irish immigrants in Connecticut - built the canal. The filling in of the ports the maximum possible preser­ the bed of the old Farmington Canal bridges now, however, will guaran­ vation of the old Farmington Canal - is in danger of destruction. The tee the destruction of the remains of bed. canal was constructed during the the canal in New Haven and the loss We are concerned that a hasty 1820s mainly by Irish immigrant la- =---3.--__. _ decision will be made now that may borers digging by hand a trench . _.-{;':~~~~::"'-~~_.~-- later be regretted after por­ which extended from New _~~~~~~.:~-- , tions of the canal bed Haven northward '~~~~2--~~~~4 have been destroyed. through Hamden, ""~"l "fF~~_,; To prevent that, we ~-~4..:..N."::,11 -...,. - ~-1 Cheshire, Southing- ~,..~ '-; ~ j-- encourage members to ton, Farmington,"' • ~-=-i'-:- - '.:, write or call those who , -. ~ Simsbury and East -. . I ' ~ - have the authority for making decisions on ~:~~~~e~~d ;nto Mas-.,,,;,~~ ~ ~-,;'!~i;ii~~~ the fate of the canal to express concern (1) T~e application for' I-;~~\~-;'e'~'- ~el=£.}1fI~. nomination of the ca- '~ ~ ~li that no hasty action be nal for the National Regis- ' ~~';>' ,t~ _ ?"- -,N.-'. taken and (2) that every try of Historic Places states: ''''-1,\ ~ ..... _.~~ effort be made to preserve as "The canal also introduced to these much as possible of the canal which communities the first element of of any further-opportunity to explore our ancestors constructed. ethnic diversity: Irish laborers archaeologically or to commemo­ Calls and letters should be di­ brought new customs and attitudes rate the Irish experience in its con­ rected first to State Commissioner to the small towns, and in New struction. of Transportation Emil Frankel, 24 Haven they formed the core of an The Connecticut Irish-American Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield Irish-American community which Historical Society opposes efforts to 06129,566-3577; to Mayor John later would be swelled by immi- destroy any structures that are of (Please turn to Page 3) grants of the Famine generation." significance to Connecticut's Irish The City of New Haven plans to demolish five overpasses over the bed of the canal, fill the portions of Our society celebrates its fifth birthday the canal bed under the bridges and Happy birthday to us! construct new streets over the bed. Just five years ago - on March 3, 1988 - the Connecticut The filling of the canal bed would Irish-American Historical Society was founded. effectively seal off that portion of The society came into being as part of an effort to organize an ethnic the canal in New Haven from the heritage center in New Haven comprising historical societies repre­ canal bed north of the city which is senting a number of ethnic and racial groups: Afro-Americans, Hispan­ being preserved as a "greenway" ics, Jews, Italians and Ukrainians. for recreational uses by Connecticut Starting with just four founding members, our society has grown to people. more than 400 members from communities throughout Connecticut Preservation of the canal bed and from such faraway places as the West Coast and Chile. And during through the city of New Haven as our five years, we have sponsored a number of projects to preserve far as the Arena block is being pro­ and promote the history of Connecticut's Irish-Americans. moted by citizens' groups attempt­ We havk conducted Irish heritage programs at the Connecticut ing to turn the historic canal bed into Historical Society in Hartford during March. a greenway. Preservation of the ca­ nal for the enjoyment of all Connecti­ (Please turn to Page 2) cut's citizens would be a fitting Page 2 First 5 years were good; let's do even better in second 5

(Continued from Page 1) the state's Irish people. A good ex­ We have displayed exhibits of ample of this is the effort to preserve Connecticut Irish memorabilia at a the bed of the Farmington Canal number of public libraries in the state discussed in greater detail in this during March. issue of the newsletter. We have published our bimonthly These are only a few of the pro­ newsletter, The Shanachie, with jects that we ought to be involved stories about Connecticut's Irish­ in, but to do that we need those two Americans and about other ethnic standard commodities: people groups. power and money. We have sponsored a float in the While a large number of our mem­ St. Patrick's Day parade in New bers have given their talents to vari­ Haven. Please renew ous projects, we need still more of We have published a 234-page your membership our members to take responsibility book, "The Wearin' 0' the Green: for spearheading one of the above­ 150 years of St. Patrick's Day in With this issue of The Shana­ mentioned projects or other projects New Haven," in 1992 on the 150th chie is included a membership for which they see a need. anniversary of the first St. Patrick's renewal envelope. Please make We need someone with library Day celebration in New Haven. sure to fill it out and return it experience to bring order and sys­ We have microfilmed the records with your $10 annual member­ tem to the ever-growing collection of old St. Patrick's parish in New ship dues and a donation if you of books, magazines and papers at Haven, one of the city's original Irish feel you can. Your dues are the our library at the Irish Community parishes. lifeblood of our efforts, making Center in New Haven and to make We have conducted workshops it possible to put up Irish exhib­ the library available and useful to the on orat history for members. its, publish this newsletter and state's Irish community. We have established a library of sponsor other projects to pre­ We need someone to take charge Irish historical and genealogical re­ serve and promote the history of of our oral history program. Each sources at the Irish Community Cen­ Connecticut's Irish people. year that we delay, we lose the ter in East Haven. Please also encourage your stories of more of the older Irish We have sponsored a charter bus friends and relatives to join us. people in the state. trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Thanks for your continued sup­ We need people with financial Uberty in New York City. port. expertise to plan an overall fund­ We have cooperated with the raising program so that money is other historical societies in the Eth­ ine which began in 1845 and con­ raised in a systematic fashion to nic Heritage Center in such projects tinued for several years drove thou­ conduct various programs. as an exhibit on the ethnic history of sands of Irish to Connecticut. We need people to organize a New Haven. -Publication of a book or books membership drive so that we can While we look back with pride on detailing the history of Irish people expand our membership to more and what we have achieved in so short in Connecticut. No such book has more areas of Connecticut. a time, we also must look forward ever been published. We need someone with musical with a sense of responsibility and -Organizing a program to collect talent to collect the songs of Con­ challenge to much that remains to for the historical record the newslet­ necticut's Irish-Americans and infor­ be done, to many other projects ters of the many Irish organizations mation on the lives of the many Irish which can be initiated to preserve in Connecticut. Such newsletters musicians who have lived in Con­ the history of our people, Connecti­ represent a wonderful month-by­ necticut. cut's Irish. month narrative of the activities and We need someone with an aca­ Among the projects which need the concerns of the state's Irish demic background to help us estab­ doing are the following: community and should be kept on lish ties with colleges and -Establishment of scholarships file at a central library for the use of universities in the state that offer and grants to encourage high school researchers. courses or programs in Irish history, and college students in Connecticut -Organizing an oral history pro­ language and literature so that we to undertake Irish studies and Irish gram to build up a collection of tapes can benefit from their resources and researc'h projects. containing the recollections of older they from ours. These are some of the challenges -Proper commemoration members of the state's Irish commu­ that we need to take on if we are to through publications, exhibits, slide nity. make our next five years as fruitful shows or similar presentations of -Becoming an effective lobby for as our first five were. the 150th anniversary of the tragic the preservation of structures and Hopefully, members will come Potato Famine in Ireland. The Fam- artifacts representing the history of forward to make this happen. Page 3

Civil War veteran Charles Lynch waited half a century for discharge

Charles Lynch marched off to the to convince him that he would be the gratitude of his fellow citizens of Civil War in 1861, but it was more severely punished for missing the 9th Connecticut. than half a century later that he re­ Regiment's boat. Instead, the bounty In 1915, Lynch's plight as a man ceived his honora Ie discharge. hunter urged Lynch to join another who had fought long and well, but A New Haven resi­ regiment. Accom­ whose record showed him deserting dent, Lynch joined the panied by the twice, came to the attention of Con­ 9th Connecticut Vol­ bounty hunter, necticut Congressman John Q. Til­ unteers and served Lynch trav13led to son. The congressman went to bat with that largely Irish Boston where on for Lynch, presenting military docu­ regiment for most of July 28, 1864, he ments to show that far from desert­ the war. enlisted in the 4th ing the Union cause, Lynch had After a furlough Massachusetts actually fought in two regiments. back in Connecticut, Cavalry Regiment. As a result, the War Department Lynch on July 16, When the war reopened the files on Lynch a half 1864, missed the boat ended, the 4th century after the fighting ended. Af­ that was sailing from Massachusetts ter reviewing all the facts, the de­ New York City to take was among the last partment found that Lynch had the regiment back to units mustered out served the union cause well and that the front. and Lynch, growing his so-called desertions were techni­ Stranded in New impatient with be­ cal rather than substantive. York, the Connecticut ing stuck in an army On Sept. 14, 1915, Tilson· re­ soldier ran into one of camp in the South, ceived a letter from Washington in­ the bounty hunters who hired re­ simply packed up and went home. forming him that the War placements for welt-to-do citizens As a result, Lynch's military record Department probe had cleared seeking to avoid the draft. listed him not as a patriotic soldier lynch. In the envelope along with Lynch was only a teen-ager at the who had done his duty to his coun­ the letter was Lynch's honorable dis­ time and the bounty hunter was able try but as a scoundrel unworthy of charge.

Canal endangered Genealogy workshops May 16 and 23 (Continued from Page 1) Genealogy workshops will be sponsored by our society on Sunday, Daniels, 95 Orange St., New Ha­ May 16, and Sunday, May 23. The workshops will be at the Irish­ ven 06510,787-8200; and to U.S. American Community Center, Venice Place, East Haven. Rep. Rosa Delauro, 265 Church St., On May 16, registration and "get acquainted time" will begin at New Haven 06510, 562-3718. 12:45 p.m. At 1 p.m., the workshop will begin with a talk entitled Whether action on filling the canal "Ireland: The Land, the People, the Surnames," by Neil Hogan. After can be delayed will depend largely a coffee break, talks on "Getting Started With Local Resources" will on the number of our members and be presented by New Haven Registrar of Vital Statistics Michael V. other citizens who write or call these Lynch and Jeanne Hickey. The final session of the afternoon will be a officials. show-and-tell presentation by one of our members, Tom Slater, who Five or six people writing won't has traced his ancestors in Connecticut, West Virginia, Ohio and stop anything, but if all 400 of our Ireland. members write or flood the switch­ The time of the May 23 workshop will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. board with calls, it is very likely that and it will also featurtl two talks and a show-and-tell presentation. government officials will take notice The first talk, entitled "Locating the Irish in U.S. Records," will be and the destruction of the canal bed given by Judith Ellen Johnson, librarian and genealogist at the Con­ will be delayed at least until such time necticut Historical Society. The second talk will be on genealogy as the situation can be thoroughly sources in Irish records and will be given by a speaker to be announced. studied to make sure that as much as The workshops will be open to the public as well as members. There possible of the canal is preserved. will be no charge, but donations will be accepted to help defray the We owe that much to the Irish costs of conducting the workshops. people who came before us and made Directions to the Irish-American Community Center: 1-91 to Exit 8, the canal a realitY by the sweat of Route 80, go east on Route BO to second traffic light and go right on their brows. Eastern Ave., approximately 1 mile and right on Venice Place. Page 4

Work on railroad Briefly noted attracted Portuguese

IRISH HERITAGE MONTH - Proclamations for Irish Heritage Month in March During the Great Depression in the have been issued by GOII, lowell Weicker, Mayor Hank Luzzi of East Haven, Mayor Lilliar' Clayman of Hamden, Mayor John Daniels of New Haven and Mayor 1930s,. some of New Haven's Portu­ Richard Borer of West Haven. Displays organized by Patricia Heslin will be placed guese people were interviewed by re­ in Hagaman Mem,Jrial library in East Haven, Jves Memorial library in New searchers working for the federal Haven, Miller Memorial library in Hamden, West Haven Public library and Works Progress Administration. several other libraries. Musical programs presented by The Shanachies of Those interviewed revealed that a Connecticut, featuring Johnny Moran and Jeanne Hickey, include Hewlett number of Portuguese people had Memorial Hospital, March 8, 2:30 p.m.; Hamden Health Center, March 9. 2:30 come to Connecticut around the time p.m., live on WNHU, 8S.7 FM; Derby Nursing Home, March 10. 2 p.m.; Orange of World War I. AAAP. High Plains Community Center, March 11. 2 p.m.; Southbury Senior Joao de Castro came from a seafar­ Citizens. East Hills Condominiums. March 11, 6:30 p.m.; 51. Joseph's Manor, Trumbull. March 12, 2 p.m.; St. Leo's Church, Wolcott, March 13, 5 p.m.; ing family in Portugal. "When I was Avon Convalescent Home, March 14, 4 p.m.; Prospect Country Manor, Pros­ 12 years old," he said, "I got a job on pect, 2 p.m.; Bethlehem Memoria! Hall. March 16, 10 a.m.; Woodbridge Senior a schooner as a cabin boy. We sailed Center. March 16, 1 p.m.; New Fairview Hall Convalescent Hospital, March 17, from Lisbon to Brazil and Argentina. 10:30 a.m.; Middlebury Convalescent Home, March 18, 2 p.m.; St. Mary's When we got to Brazil, I left the ship Church, Union City, March 18, 7 p.m.; Sound view Health Care Center, West and got a job on the new railroad they Haven, March 19, 2 p.m.; East Farms Village, East Haven. March 24,7 p.m.; were building. By and by I came to the The Willows, Woodbridge, March 26, 2 p.m. United States where I got a job in Texas. Then I went to Indiana and SPRING FESTIVAL - Our historical society will represent Connecticut's Irish at worked for the railroad there. I used to the Connecticut Historical Society'S Spring Festival which will be held Sunday, April 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the society, 1 Elizabeth St., Hartford. We need soda travel to Chicago a lot to see some bread, cookies or other Irish goodies to selt. Proceeds will be used lor our library. friends. They told me to come to New The Ethnic Heritage Center will have a table and will sell ethnic loods. Proceeds Haven where I could get a job. will be used lor the heritage center's office at Southern Connecticut State "So during the war, I came to New University. Anyone wishing to donate load should contact Jeanne Hickey. Haven and got a job on the railroad for 468-0426. $29 a week. I was also an agent for the Portuguese banks. I used to help MASS FOR PEACE - The 2nd annual Mass lor Peace with Justice in Northern the Portuguese in the state arrange for Ireland will be held March 28 at 11 a.m.at St.Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford. transportation to and from Portugal It is sponsored by the Ancient Order 01 Hibernians. An Irish lair will be held at and to exchange their money. There St. Josenh's Hall alter the Mass. were many Portuguese in New Haven during the war and I did a good busi­ ness because they came to me when Connecticut Irish~American Historical Society they wanted to send money home or to send for their relatives. In 1920, r P.O. Box 120-020 Quit my job on the railroad and opened East Haven, Connecticut 06512 a small rooming house on West Water Street. "We heve kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu­ "Later I opened a hotel next door, ture." Pedraic Pearse. My wife and I managed the bU'siness and many of the men who worked on Pres. Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ava., New Haven 06512. 468-0426. the railroad used to stay at our place. Vice Pres. George Waldron, 69 Pardee St., New Haven 06513. 468-6948. Now we have a larger hotel on George Street and all the Portuguese who Secretary Patricia Heslin, 143 Haverford St., Hamden 06517. 248-6050. come to this city for a visit stay at my Tleas. Michael V. Lynch. 171 Grand Ave.• New Haven 06513. 467-5307. place." Editor's note: In recognition of the Editor: Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terrace. Wellingford 06492. 269-9154. bond between our historical society Membership: $10 individual, .15 family. Send name, address and check and the other societies in the Ethnic made out to Connecticut Irish-American HistOf'icel Society to above address. Heritage Center and to foster appre­ Ciation of all races and nationalities, The Shanechie: In Ireland, 8 shenachie is a folklorist, historIan and keeper of the people's traditions. we print in each issue of The Shana­ chie one story about another ethnic group. Vol. V, No. 3 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society May-June 1993 AOH held national convention in Hartford In May 1890, the Ancient Order the headline "Hibernians Parade, attendance at the service. Bishop of Hibernians held its national con­ Over FiveThousand Men in the Long McMahon was present at the Mass. vention in Connecticut for the only Line" that Hartford had all but been The Rev. William A. Harty, rector of time in its long history. taken over by the AOH. the cathedral, was the celebrant, the Two hundred and fifty delegates "Every train coming into the city Rev. Walker Shanley deacon, the representing 39 states, five territo­ yesterday morning brought crowds Rev. Frank Harvey, sub-deacon, and ries and three of visi­ the Rev. Andrew F. Harty master of Canadian tor s . ceremonies. The sermon was provinces, Special preached by the Rev. J.J. Quinn, along with nu­ trains, chaplain of the Hibernian Rifles." merous rank· one af­ The convention began its busi­ and-file ter an­ ness sessions at noon that day at the members, other, Allyn House with National Delegate gathered at fro m Maurice F. Wilhere of Philadelphia the Allyn various presiding. "State Delegate John P. House hotel in parts of Murphy of Norwich made an address Hartford on the of welcome," commented the Cou­ Wednesday, state, rant, "saying that he had often at­ May 14, deposit· tended national conventions of the Hartford's Allyn House hotel 1890, for the ed their order, but the crowning ambition opening of the 37th national meet­ loads at the Union Depot, and long was reached when he heard the ing of the organization. before noon the streets of the city national delegate rap the convention In 1990, long-time AOH activist were crowded to an extent that is to order in the state of Connecticut and state historian of the order, J. seldom seen." '" Nearly all the states and territories Philip Gallagher of Bethel researched The celebration began at 9 a.m. are represented, as well as the prov­ and printed an account of that con­ with a High Mass in St. Joseph's inces of New Brunswick, Ontario vention. With our thanks to Gal­ Cathedral. "The services were at­ and Prince Edward Island, Canada. lagher, we reprint portions of the tended," said the Courant. "by John Kilpatrick comes all the way account which he compiled from the about 200 delegates who marched from Greenock, Scotland. pages of the Hartford Courant. On from the Allyn House to the cathe­ May 14, the Courant reported under dral in a body. There was a large (Please turn to Page 2) Ansonia educator Annie Larkin reached back to help others The daughter of immigrants her­ Larkin, Annie Larkin began her teach­ Larkin also taught in the religious self, Annie Larkin of Ansonia spent ing career at the old Park's Row education program at her own par­ a lifetime reaching back and helping School on Factory Street in what ish, the Church of the Assumption. other, newer immigrants. For 25 then was Derby. She later taught at And when Holy Rosary parish was years in the early part of this century, Grove Street School and Academy built in the early 1900s because of Larkin served as superintendent of Hill School. the large influx of Italian immigrants, religious education at Holy Rosary About 1890, Ansonia was incor­ Larkin was selected to be its school parish in Ansonia, a parish which porated as a municipality and when superintendent and she also held served the spiritual needs of the a new Elm Street School was con­ that post until her death. city's growing Italian community structed by the newly organized "Her work among the children, during that time. town, Larkin was appointed princi­ not alone at the Elm Street School A native of Ansonia and the pal, a post she held until her death and the Sunday school of Holy daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter on March 1, 1933. (Please turn to Page 4) Page 2 Hartford hosted national convention of AOH in 1891

(Continued from Page 1) New London. Capt. M.P. Fitzger4 concert given by the Second, Third "The gavel used by the presiding aid, 1st Lt., J. McBany, 2nd Lt., D.J. and Fourth divisions. AOH of this officer was made from a portion of Brennan. city. Constantly during the evening the old Chart6/' Oak. and was pre· Company B, Hartford, Capt. P.T. the floor was packed with dancers, sented to Mr. Wilhere by Mr. John Dwyer, 1st Lt. H.J. Mcinnis, 2nd who seemed not to mind the con­ E. Scanlan on behalf of the Hiber­ Lt. John Leahy. Company C, Meri­ tinuous jostling about which inevita­ nians of the city." den. Capt_ James H. Burke. 1st Lt. bly resulted from so many being on The parade that afternoon was J.F. Fitzpatrick, 2nd Lt. Henry C. the floor. The grand march was led scheduled to step off at noon from Cashen. by Mr. William l. Sheehan. the flO()( Bushnell Park, "but as division aher Company 0, Middletown. Capt. director. with Miss Mamie Burns ..." division of the order marched upon W.J. Spain, 1st Lt. R.F. Flynn, 2nd The next day was spent in routine the green, the immense mass be­ Lt. J. Warren. business with a highlight being the came so unwieldy that it was an Company E, Waterbury. Capt. report of National Secretary P.H. hour after the appointed time when P.H. Corden, 1st Lt. J.E. Finley, 2nd McNellis which indicated the order the march was begun. The Tolland Lt. Thomas F. Ducoy. had 168,053 members in the United County divisions were first to reach Company G, Winsted, Capt. Ed­ States and Canada. that member­ the park.They were headed by the ward Finn, 1st Lt J.E. Dardis, 2nd ship had increased 33,055 that year AOH Band of Rockville. all wearing Lt. M.1. Finn. and 58,058 over a two-year period. shining silk hats, and every member Company H. New Haven, Capt. that expenditures totaled of the Rockville division had the Thomas K. Dunn, lst Lt J.H. $9,889,707 during the two years same kind of head gear. O'Brien. 2nd Lt. M.J. Connolly. and that the value of cash and prop­ •'Other divisions came quickly Company I, Wallingford, Capt. erty of the order stood at upon the heels of those from Tolland James Dunn, 1st Lt. William Butler. $ 1,480,850. and soon the green north of the 2nd Lt. William Powers. The convention banquet was de­ Capitol and west of Trinity street Company K, Putnam, Capt. D.F. scribed by the Courant as "an occa­ was completely covered with a X. McEvoy. lst Lt. John Murray. sion long to be remembered:' The 2nd Lt. James Grady. mass of people. State delegate Mur4 paper credited Chairman John E. phy and his aides with the county That evening. the Hibernians oc­ Scanlan for the success of the affair marshals and aides. worked hard to cupied two halls for dancing. "Sel­ which was held in the dining hall of get the divisions formed in their dom. if ever." said the Courant. the Allyn House where six long ta­ proper order, but this work was "has Allyn Hall been the scene of a bles seated the delegates and made harder by the arrival every few prettier ball than the one given there guests. Eleven courses were served minutes of another division... last night by the Irish-American citi­ "all washed down with champagne "A few minutes after 1 o'clock zens of Hartford to the delegates of and punch." Colt's Band provided the procession started. Throughout the AOH national convention. The music. "all the old army and patri­ their line of march the men saw the floor, covered with crash, was al­ otic songs were given and when the sidewalks and edges of the street ways filled with dancers. but it was refrains were reached the crowd packed with people, who cast ad­ never uncomfortably crowded. joined the instruments with their miring glances at their friends in the while the gallery was packed with voices... parade. In every street through those who preferred to look on. The following afternoon the Hi­ which the parade passed flags Some exceedingly pretty and be­ bernians re-elected Wilhere as na­ waved and streamers flew in the coming costumes were worn by la­ tional delegate by acclamation and wind. The number of men in line, dies present and the military selected M.J. Slattery of Albany. according to the Courant's figures, uniforms of some of the gentlemen N. Y•• as national secretary on the obtained partly by count and partly gave a pleasant relief to the prevail­ sixth ballot. Thomas J. Dundon of by figures furnished by heads of ing black evening dress. Ohio was elected treasurer. divisions. was 5,961. It is believed "The hall had been tastefully Directors chosen by the delegates these figures are a little too high. due dressed by McClunie with red. white included: P.J. O'Connor of Savan­ to the overestimate by some of the and blue streamers hung from the nah, Ga.; J.W. McGreevy of Logans­ heads of divisions of the men under center of the ceiling to the gallery port, Ind.; Thomas J. O'Brien of them. There were. however, cer­ rails. and with flags and designs Ontario; Cornelius Horgan of Pitts­ tainly 5,000 in the parade." about the rails and boxes. While the burgh; and John E. Tyrrall of Jack­ guests were assembling a concert son. Mich. Among the parade units were Hi­ was given. Weed's Military Band After the election of officers, the bernian Rifles groups from a num­ and Colt's Orchestra playing alter­ convention adjourned, but not be­ ber of Connecticut communities, led nate numbers." fore selecting New Orleans as the by Cot. William Donaghue of Hart­ At Foot Guard Halt, "the crowd site for the 38th annual convention ford. They included: Company A, was drawn by the reception and in 1891. Page 3

Tipperary native became soldier, businessman, politician

John Clancey was a jack of many trades. Born in Tipperary on June 25. 1845, Clancey came to New Haven with his parents when only an infant, Educated at Eaton and Hamilton schools, he got a job as a driver of a bakery wagon at the age of 15. When the Civil War began, he enlisted in the First Connecticut Cavalry and served until his discharge in August 1865. Returning to New Haven,Clancey became active in the Fenian movement and in June 1866 was among the Fenians who mounted an unsuccessful military attack on Canada in the hope of securing freedom for Ireland. After that escapade, he entered the soda water busi­ ness in New Haven with a partner, Capt. McCarten. In 1870. he bought McCarten out and continued to operate the business until his death in May 1901. In connection with his business, Clancey sold soda water on the steamboats that ran from New Haven to New York. One Sunday afternoon in the 1880s, a group of The attempt created quite a stir and every effort was hoodlums got on the boat as it was preparing for its made to capture the would-be murderers, but without return trip to New Haven. "Clancey," according to a success. In a few days, Mr. Clancy was as robust and newspaper account, "was selling soda water and other healthy as ever notwithstanding his experience." soft drinks on the upper deck of the steamer and taking In addition to his business interests, Clancey was in considerable money when off Stamford the gang of active in New Haven politics, serving as a Democratic toughs surrounded him and pitched him overboard so alderman from the Fourth Ward in 1882-83-87-88, and that they could get the money in the cash drawer. police commissioner in 1887, 1889 and 1892. Nobody on the boat except the gang knew of the Clancey also was active in the Emmet Guard, the occurrence and he was not missed until the boat reached Knights of St. Patrick, the Catholic Club and Admiral (New Haven!. Mr. Clancey swam for six hours until a Foote Post GAR. Providence boat picked him up and took him to that city. (New Haven Register, May 21,1901)

Pequot Indian from Connecticut fought bias on Cape Cod A Pequot Indian raised in Colches­ that virtually none of the tribe at­ nearby communities - as is usually ter and New London became a min­ tended church because the minister the case when someone challenges ister and savior to an Indian tribe on chosen for them by a board of over­ the establishment - pilloried Apes Cape Cod. seers isolated himself on a 500-acre as an outside agitator and Apes was After serving in the War of 1812, farm and didn't even provide the arrested. William Apes returned to Groton, most basic religious services for the Even while in jail, Apes used sev­ married and experienced a religious Indians. In addition, the Wampano· eral liberal Boston papers to chal­ awakening. ags had virtually no say in the gov­ lenge the way the Wampanoags Becoming a Methodist minister, eming of their community which was were governed and to demand re­ he traveled throughout New England supervised by the board of three form. Finally in the spring of 1834, and New York preaching at camp white overseers. the Massachusetts legislature meetings and revivals. Apes took up the cause of the passed a taw giving the Indians the Having suffered discrimination Wampanoags, drawing up an appeal right to rule themselves. himself, he took a special interest in to the Massachusetts legislature. Editor's note: In recognition of the human rights and in his preaching The appeal cited the constitutional bond between our historical society emphasized the equality of all men rights of the Indians to self-govem­ and the other societies in the Ethnic and women before God. ment and stated that they intended Heritage Center and to foster appre· In May 1833, Apes visited the to begin exercising those rights on elation of a/l races and nationalities, Cape Cod town of Mashpee to July 1 of that year. When the Indians we print in each issue of The Shana­ preach to a congregation of Wam­ actually began to ignore their overse­ chie one story about another ethnic panoag Indians. There he discovered ers after July 1, newspapers in group. Page 4

Dedicated teacher Briefly noted helped immirants SUMMER FESTIVALS - Again this summer, our society will sponsor a lContinued from Page 1J booth at the Connecticut Irish Festival at Yale Field in New Haven on Rosary School, but also in the neigh­ June 25-27 and at the Glastonbury Irish Festival at the Irish-American borhood where she lived," said the Home Society, 132 Commerce St., Glastonbury, on July 30·Aug. 1. We Ansonia Seminel, "won her the re­ will need people to attend the booth in two-hour shifts during the spect and admiration of the entire festivals. That means merely being at the booth and greeting people. community. Her influence with the Anyone wanting to help should call Jeanne Hickey, 468-0426. young was often commented upon and boys and girls looked upon Miss WELCOME - OUf new members include Catherine E. Aldridge. Susan Larkin as one entitled to confidence H. Brosnan. John F. Daohan. John Donohue, Gerald E. Farrell Jr., Robert and respect. This feeling was shared J. Fitzsimmons, Jeff Flynn. Alicia Hitchcock, Stephen and Kathlyn Ryan by elders, many of whom had been Kraffmiller, Patricia K. Lenihan, Anna May McNulty, Patricia A. Moran, pupils of Miss Larkin, and old and Janet F. Pestey, Dorothy Barry Shuler. young bear testimony to the unselfish and untiring labors of the woman THANK YOU -A number of members have made donations: Patrick whose entire life was devoted to the Bohan, Janet L. Brinton, James P. and Catherine S. Condron, Elizabeth service of others. Conway Cuomo, John and Ellen Donahue, Bill and Jane H. Dunn, Patricia "Miss Larkin found her teaching A. Heslin, Jeanne Roche Hickey, Vincent J. Hines, Neil Hogan, Carolyn work an inspiration and was able to and Pat Hosey, David C. Howe, Judith E. Johnson, Hugh F. Keefe, arouse in her students an enthusiasm Joseph T. and Mary A. Kennedy, Paul R. Keroack, Daniel Kirby, William in their studies that made the Elm C. Lynch, James and Eva Madigan, Frank Maher, Mary Ellen Mininberg, Street School a model in efficiency." Madge and Bill Mulhall, Orion Capital Companies matching the gift of Larkin also promoted involvement John and Ellen Donahue, the Reynolds family, Kathleen and Fred of parents in their children's schooling Saunders, Patricia Roche Shaw, Tom and Noreen Slater, Bob and Gen arranging "each year for various exer­ Smith, Marybeth Stevens, James Sullivan, Colleen and Michael Tierney, cises at the school that brought the Thomas Tymon, George Waldron, Joel Wasserman, Carolyn E. Wester­ parents and friends of the students field, Frances C. Winston, John J.White. and made people acquaitned with the institution and the work it was do­ MEMORIAL -A gift of $100 was given in loving memory of John David ing." and Theresa Hare Roche by Patricia Roche Shaw. "During her years of service as teacher in Ansonia's schools," said the paper, "she came in personal con­ tact with hundreds of students who always remembered the woman who Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society did so much for them. P.O. Box 120-020 "Miss larkin's interest in her pu­ pils," said the paper, "did not cease East Haven, Connecticut 06512 when they left Elm Street and many of them went to her for counsel and "We have kept faith with the pest; we have handed a tradition to the fu- ture." Pedraic Peerse. advice when they entered high school and college. Pres. Jeenne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven 06512. 468-0426. "Her interest and pride in her stu­ dents was always an incentive to Vice Pres. Nail Hogan, 26 Crestview Terr., Wallingford 06492, 269·9154. work and study and the knowledge Secretery Petric/a Heslin, 143 Heverford St., Hamden 06517, 248-6050. that Miss larkin expected them to make good proved an inspiration that Trees. Tom Slater, 55 Robertson Dr., Hamden 06518. 248-4826. brought success." Shenachie Editor: Neil Hogan. Always early to arrive and late to leave the school. larkin remained on Membership: 610 individual, 615 f6f1lily. Send name, address and check the job until five weeks before her made out to Connecticut Irish·American Historical Society to above address. death. The Shenachie: In Ireland, a shenachie Is 8 folkl(l(ist, historian end keeper of (Ansonia Sentinel, March 2, 1933) the people', traditions, Vol. V, No, 4 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society July-August 1993 Milford woman grew up In• Irish Troubles Editor's note: Our member Nora The house had a large kitchen where family also owned land that ex­ Brosnan McKenna ofMilford was an the family would gather to eat to­ tended from Maharese Road to the eyewitness and a participant in the gether, and a back kitchen, where beach where they grew corn, pota­ events that led to Irish independence meals were prepared. toes, carrots, barley and oats. in the early years of the 20th cen­ The family farm consisted of a Nora's brother Jim was the only tury. In 1975, on the occasion ofher front garden, back garden and lower farmer in the family. Nora's father 60th birthday, her daughter LJ'lIian garden. The Brosnans also owned and her other brothers worked in the Marie McKenna Lenehan, wrote a two cow fields, in Cahir and Cool­ forge where people from the area biographical sketch ofher mother, a rue. Nora's most vivid childhood brought their horses to be shod. The copy of which, thanks to the efforts memory of her father is watching entire family worked the fields in the of one of our members, John Mo­ him drive the cows to the fields. The (Please tum to Page 2) ran, has been donated to the Con­ necticut Irish-American Historical Society and is now in our library at the Irish-American Community Cen­ J. WHEATO'.. STONE, Mnnogcr Orick Mochinuy Ocp.rlm,nt. ter in East Haven. The fol/owing are f'RF.D. O. t'ARNSWORTH. Pre... And Tru.. HARRY D. IIROWN,'Secretary excerpts from the sketch: THE UcLAGON FOUNDRY CO., Hanoria McKenna was born on Sept. 17, 1905, the youngest of 10 IRON FOUNDERS, children. Her parents, Mary Flynn X,chiniah, hUm Maklrs, Blacksmi~hs, Brick M,chinery and Brick Yard Equipment Brosnan and John Brosnan, owned MODI~ed M:tc~ioerl a large piece of property in Castle Madlioe Pu1l6Js, Cas liOgs, FurnaCil Caslings, Grata !lara Etc. Gregory, County Kerry, Ireland. 26 to 30 AUDUBON STREET, NEW HAVE~~I, CONN. Nora's father was a farmer and the ownerloperator of the local forge. Nora has no memory of her oldest New Haven foundry employed many Irish sister, Catherine, or of her oldest brother, Thomas. Both had traveled The McLagon Foundry at Audubon Street and Whitney Avenue to the United States before World provided employment for many of New Haven's Irish immigrants in War 1. as had her brother Michael. the mid- and late 19th century. Among the documents in our library Her only memory of Michael is that and archives is a payroll ledger for the McLagon company from the he would play the accordion to en­ 1880s. tertain the family. The workers' names are listed neatly. with the daily rate of pay, Tadg, Molly, Lillian, Maurice, days worked and total pay carefully recorded in long hand for each James and Nora all eventually came worker for the period from May 1883 to March 1888. Notations to the United States. Sean was the indicate those weeks when some workers produced extra plates, only Brosnan to remain in Ireland. He stands or rings, thus receiving additional compensation and suggest­ ran the family farm, which is still ing that the production workers may have been on a quota or piece maintained by his son, Sean Bros­ work system. However. those receiving such bonuses were few. nan. The workers usually collected their straight six days - Saturday Nora's home in Castle Gregory was part of the normal work week in those days - at an average was a comfortable place where Nora rate of $2 per day. Some weeks it was less due to working fewer shared the loft bedroom with her days. In January 1884, there was an across-the-board pay cut of 25 sister, Lil. Her mother and father cents per day, a cut which remained in effect to the last entry in the slept in the lower room next to the ledger. kitchen. Her brothers, when they {Please tum to Page 31 were home, slept in the upper room. Nora McKenna participated in Ireland's fight for freedom back of a postcard and sent a mes­ a doll with a porcelain face that her (Continued from Page 1) senger to Nora's school ... older brother, Mike. had sent her spring during planting and in the fall For the next six years, Nora only from America. One of the Tans took during harvest. saw her brothers when they man­ the bun of his rifle and smashed the Nora attended Castle Gregory Na­ aged to sneak home without the doll's face in front of Nora before tional School from the time she was British learning of their where­ throwing her Qut of the house. three until she was 17. Her teachers abouts. During those years they When Nora went out the front referred to her as the "little up to were on the run or in jail. The whole door, she saw her mother standing date girl," because she was always family suffered during this time. The by herself in the yard wearing only so fashionably dressed. boys were gone, the forge had all a nightgown. Nora fought her way The family had a variety of ani­ but closed and the British had stolen through the soldiers, who by this mals on the farm for work, food and anything of value ... time were busily dousing the house companionship. They had a pony for The British made frequent raids with gasoline, She made her way going to the creamery, chickens, on the Brosnan home. sometimes into her parents' room just to get her ducks, cows and pigs. One of the stopping more than twice in one mother a pair of shoes and a shawl. pigs, "Sweet La," became attached week, always looking for Tadg and After the soldiers had stolen all of to Nora and took to following her to Sean, or the weapons that the two the valuables and doused the feather school, much to her embarrassment. men might have hidden. Jim Bros­ beds with gasoline. they lit the fire. The Brosnans also had twO Kerry nan was often arrested by the British tn the meantime. Nora became con­ blue terriers, Rory and Oscar, who simply because the soldiers were cerned for her father's safety. She helped with the cows, and several frustrated in their attempts to appre­ knew it was common for the Tans cats for mice control.... hend Tadg and Sean and took any to kill the father of the family in, Nora's happy childhood was cut Brosnan boy they could find ... retaliation if they could not find the short by the arrival of the Easter Throughout this time, Nora was sons who were on the run. Nora Rebellion ... little more than a week doing whatever she could for the took her father to the stables and hid later, Nora's brothers Tadg and Sean cause. She would make up bundles him in the stall with the meanest were ousted from their beds and of clean socks and shirts and take horse the 8rosnans owned. The arrested. At that time, the Regular them to the boys on the run ... horse was famous for kicking and British Army was billeted in Tralee. In 1918. a bad situation became biting and attacking any stranger The British Army did not have its worse. The British opened up their who came near ... own cars and so the soldiers com, jails, gave their criminals guns and The Brosnans watched their mandeered cars from the wealthier sent the alack and Tans to Ireland to house burn and knew its destruction Irish merchants in Tralee. It was in put down the Irish ... One November represented the passing of a way of those Irish cars that Tadg, Sean and night in 1921, the Black and Tans life. There was nothing to do but five others were taken from Tralee made one of their usual raids at the persevere. They sought shelter from to be tried for crimes against Eng­ Brosnan home. The family was re­ their good friends and neighbors. land ... Tadg was the commandant lieved to have the raid over early, by The following day was a Sunday and of West Kerry and the head of the 9 p.m., and went 10 bed. But the the Brosnans went to church, just as Irish Volunteers, which was part of peace was short; early the following they did every Sunday. Nora had no the Irish Republican Army ... Tadg morning the Black and Tans re­ clothes and so she borrowed a skirt was sentenced to life in prison and turned. The soldiers had burglarized and blouse from her best friend, was sent to Dartmoor Prison in the local pub and were drunk. They Katie Doohig. Unfortunately for Cornwall, England. The British later kicked in the front door and an­ Nora. Katie was about six inches commuted that sentence to 20 nounced that they were there to shorter than Nora. years. bum the house down. Nora lived with the Doohigs for At the same time, England was Mary Brosnan was the first to the weeks following the house burning. suffering tremendous losses in front door. The soldiers were shout­ Every day her parents would return World War I. In an attempt to get the ing at the Brosnans to get out of the to try to repair what they could ... Irish to fight for England, England house. They threw Mary out the Even after the family was able to entered into an armistice with Ire­ front door, then headed upstairs to move back into the house, life was land and released all the political Nora's room. She was roughly not the same. prisoners ... Nora received word of awakened just in time to witness the The windows in the house, which Tadg's release while at school. The total destruction of all of her most had been broken in the fire, were IRA had made postcards with precious things. In Nora's room was now all boarded up and all but a few Tadg's picture and his name, along a chest which contained much of the pieces of furniture had been de­ with information regarding his sen' family's china. The soldiers stole the stroyed. Nora and Lil had saved only tencing. Someone learned of Tadg's china they could carry and smashed their dresser and a pitcher and bowl liberation, wrote "Released'" on the the rest. Her prized possession was from their room. Page 3

Tall tales about Irish published in early U.S. newspapers

In the early part of the 19th exhibit it to his master. "Master, The gentleman cast his eyes upon century, American newspapers Master," cried Pat, "ounley just look the bird and discovered it to be a were filled with tall tales about here!" (Pfease turn to Page 41 typical American characters: Yan­ kee peddlers, frontiersmen. fire lad­ New Haven foundry hired Irish dies and the like. (Continued (rom Page 1J One of the most popular types In spite of what must have been hard work, long hours and no of these folktales was the anec­ raises, the workers stayed, perhaps because there was no other place dote about Irishmen. To some de­ that offered better conditions. Sons sometimes followed fathers into gree, the anecdotes were what the shop with even young boys being employed. The young and folklorists call ethnocentric. that is, inexperienced started at 50 cents a day. the Irish characters and their cul­ The names in the ledger are predominantly Irish with a number of ture were assumed to be inferior to other ethnic groups represented. Some of the Italians, whose names the predominantly Anglo-American apparently were difficult for the clerk to spell, were simply listed as culture of the nation. However, if "Italian." you can look beyond that ethno­ Names on the ledger include: Fred K. Farnsworth, Matt Cahill, centrism, many of the stories are Patrick Carey, John Mullen, Patrick Contan, Thomas Daniels, John not only delightful, but tell much Coleman, Edward F. Kelley, Jacob Boilers tor Bollerer), Bernard Regan, about the Irish and Irish-Americans. C. Faulkner, John McGarty, Ed Carr, M. Callihan, M. Reynolds, Pat The following are several exam­ Dooley, Jas. Brady, John Dunn, John Quigley, John Ortseifer, P.R. ples of such tales from Connecticut Quinlan, Hiram Stevens, John McGUffin IMcGurris or McGurrianl, papers: Thomas Mooney, John McKierwan. Middletown News and Adver­ Also, Patrick McCuen, Wm. Quigley, Wallace B. Hott, H. Ed. Alden, tiser. April 1851 - "Now, 26. Geo. McNamee Jr., John Boehm, Geo. Boyle, Tom Fallon, Henry Patrick," said a judge, "what do O'Donnell, Nick Frankrich, Pat Kerrigan, Phineas Clark, Jerry Carey, you say to the charge, are you Robert McKiernan, M, Leo, John Molloy, Dan Kennedy, Wm, Morgan, guilty or not guilty?" Peter Howard, Geo, McNamee Sr., J. Mullen Jr. boy, Thomas "Faith but that's difficult for lonergan, Nick Rich, Thomas Broderick, John Craig molder, Dan your honor to ax, let alone meself. O'Hern. Sam Mike (or Mino). Wait till hear the evidence." I Also, Pat J. Grant (or Geran). Timothy Sullivan, Thomas Dominic, Norwich Courier, Jan, 7, 1824 Leonhardt Reiss, Nicholas Wlaonick, M. Egan, John Jruningh, -A gentleman in Ireland having Pasquale Federico, Pat J. Gerard, Julius Strauss, James Fellow (or built a large house, was at a loss Fellon). ... Tucker, John Connell, M. Bryan, Mike Welch, J. Brandigan, what to do with the rubbish. His B.J. Sherhan, Henry Clark, Phil McCue, M. McCarthy, J. McGoverny, steward advised him to have a pit A.J. Hewitt, Patrick Rinn, R. Murphy, Mike Tierney, Luke Daniels. dug large enough to contain it. Geo. Dale, James Oats, James Langdon, P. Guida, "And what," said the gentleman. Also, John Ennis, Edward Crane, Harry Burke, Ed. McPharlin, John smiling, "shall I do with the earth Ring, Patrick McParthin, John Gerlin, Michael Leg, W. Clark, ... Drier which is dug out of the pit?" The (or Prierl. Frank McParthin, M. J. Flemming, John F. Sheehan, Patrick steward with great gravity replied, Dolan, Frank Carr, W. Gleason, Ralph Durand, Geo. Webber, Richard "Have a pit large enough to hold Nevins. James Doyle, Patrick Foley, Thomas Daniels Jr., M.C. Kelley, all... Thomas Scully (or Scally). John McLaughlin, R.E. O'Brien, P, McGuin­ Middlesex Gazette, Aug. 15, ness. 1827 -A gentleman residing in Also, John McKiernan, Isaac Bradley, Charles Goldenstrams, Wm. the vicinity of N. York was desirous May. M. Kane, Patrick Curren, Michael Bates, James Robinson, Daniel of raising some gamecocks and ac­ McKay boy. John Richardson, Thomas Dominic, Frank Pascal, Tho­ cordingly dispatched his Irish ser­ mas McCarthy, Charles Lauson, J. Wheaton Stone, ..... Italian, Peter vant to the city to purchase a ..... Italian, Edward Lynch, Mike White, James Finderey, John Mur­ Quantity of eggs. The Irishman re­ phy, Peter Johnson, Larry Mausch. turned highly pleased with the suc­ Also, W. Kane, Chas. Eafty, Geo. W. Hall, Jas. Dunderdale, Chas. cess of his mission and placed the Hurley, John Kuler, John Carroll mason, P. McGivisey, Frank Bohn, eggs under a hen to hatch. He .... Fitzgerald mason, Gus Anderson mason, Joseph Barry mason, watched the process of incubation James Carroll mason, Mike Hedison helper, P. McGivney helper; P. with great impatience and when Monahan, Cris McBride, Peter Donnerly, Peter Ward, Dominic Musch, the future prize fighters emerged Matt Cusic, John Winn. from their oval prisons, he seized (Our secretary, Patricia Heslin, supplied the data for this article.) upon one and hastened with joy to Page 4

Slave fled twice Briefly noted in bid for freedom The strength of the desire in all men WElCOME - Our new members include Jean M. Adams, Martha and women for freedom is evident in Donovan Ahlquist. Diane Dorman Arduini, Ronald & Katherine Roche the case of a runaway African-Ameri* Bozelko, Margaret Collilon, Dorothy Grindrod, Dorothy Byrne lashinsky, can who was the object of an adver­ Roberta Morgan, Thomas P. O'Rourke, James Sheehan, Bohdan & Ella tisement in the New York Gazette of Sowa, Rosemary Rourke Tanezio. Sept. 24, 1759: "Run Away from Dennis Hicks of FUTURE WORKSHOPS - Plans are being made this fall for a hands-on Philipsbourg in Westchester County workshop on the use of materials in our library and a slide show on and Province of New York a mulatto archaeological digs in Ireland. Also requested for a subsequent meeting man named Bill, aged about 20 years. is a videotape showing persons tracing their Irish rootS in Ireland. Details Had on a brown Camblet Waistcoat will be announced in the next issue of the newsletter. without sleeves ... a pair of new black stockings and a pair of new shoes, a DONATIONS - Thanks for donations to Patrick Bohan, John & Joan pair of Leather Breeches with old Boyle. John & leonora Farley, John & Helen Farrell, Sister Anne Virginia Trousers ... has very large ears, Grimes, Cornelius J. Healy, Carolyn & Pat Hosey, Judith E. Johnson, speaks good English and pretends to Joseph T. and Mary A. Kennedy, Jack Lawler, Robert leeney, William be free. He says he has a White C. lynch, Madge & Bill Mulhall, Nora Brosnan McKenna, Mary E. Mother and was born in New England Reardon, the Reynolds family, Tom & Noreen Slater, Thomas Tymon, ... All persons are forbid to harbour George Waldron. him and Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry him off as they will answer it GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS - Thanks to those who made our genealogy al their peril .. workshops in the spring a great success. Speakers --- Neil Hogan, Mike "N.B. This Fellow was advertised Lynch, Jeanne Hickey, Tom Slater and his daughter Michelle, Peg in the New York Papers the 5th of limbacker, Judith Ellen Johnson, June French and John Moran. Hospi­ June and in Newhaven the 11th of tality an9 information -- Pat Heslin, Dorothy Heslin, Maureen Delahunt, June and was afterwards taken up in Eva Madigan, Alicia Hitchcock, Ray Donahue. Hall selUp --- Christy and Waterbury and was put into litchfield Maureen Mulhall, Tom Faherty. Thanks to the Irish-American Commu­ Goal from thence he was brought to nity Cenler for the use of the haiL Bedford and there made his Escape from his Master again. Those who apprehend him are desired to secure him in Irons. He was taken up by Moses Foot of Waterbury in New Eng­ land. It is likely he will change Clothes Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society as he did before." P.O. Box 120-020 Editor's note: In recognition of the bond between our historical society East Haven, Connecticut 06512 and the other societies in the Ethnic Heritage Center and to foster appre­ "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu- ture." Padraic Pearse. ciation of all races and nationalities, we print in each Shanachie one story Pres. Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven 06512. 468-0426. about another ethnic group. Vice Pres. Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terr., Wallingford 06492. 269-9154. Tales about Irishmen Secretary Patricia Heslin, 143 Haverford St .. Hamden 06517. 248-6050. (Continued from Page 31 Treas. Tom Slater, 55 Robertson Dr .. Hamden 06518. 248-4826. duck. Astonishment and indignation Shanachie Editor: Neil Hogan. prevented him from replying and Pat continued, "The paraty orchards of Membership: $10 individual. $15 family. Send name, address and check auld Ireland never seed the like of this made out to Connecticut Irish-American Hislorical Society to above address. - look at his bill and look at his fut The Shanachie: In Ireland, a shanachie is a folklorist, historian and keeper of (turning up the webbed toes of the Ihe people's traditions. biped} what a jewel of a fighter he'll make - the holy St. Patrick couldn't trip him up. Vol. V, No.5 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society September-October 1993

Yanl(ee Doodle Dandy George M. Cohan repaid Hartford with premier performance

The great Irish-American en­ was confined to the hospital for tertainer and playwright George two weeks under the care of Dr. M. Cohan scheduled the premier PARSONS' A.M. Rowley and Dr. Ernest A. of his play, "The Miracle Man," Wells. in Hartford as a token of grati­ Cohan was so pleased and tude to Hartford Hospital. thankful for his treatment at the Cohan's relationship with the Tonigh'l hospital that the first thing he did hospital began badly on the af­ on being discharged was to pur­ ternoon of Sept. 22, 1912, .... r'" "'trnco on A n" ~fnct'· chase a large quantitY of toys l'OIl.\~ ., ·1f..(lHllS I·.....·n. when he, his daughter Geor­ \tll. IO',:OIlC;I': )1. ('011.\ ".", ~1'~\\'I':l'lT and send them to patients in the giana, Wallace Eddington and PI.\\', children's ward. In addition, the Francis X. Holt were motoring entertainer pledged that he on the Berlin Turnpike south of would stage the premjer of his Hartford. As they were coming "The Miracle Man" next show in Hartford for the down a steep hill, a farmer with 1-'1'''111 ,I,,· I"rllnl" r.~ 'l'ar"~r,' ~lnrr, benefit of the hospital. 1',lIlIllt:,·1I l:n.l.-.r 11"\ 1','r!'CHI\1l1 )1'r('r:l1nn a wagon and a team of horses '1\1' .\11', t "'ha It. Thus it was that on the eve­ drove across the turnpike. Co­ '1'10 .. ('n.. 1 "lit IlId",I", ning of Sept. 14, 1914, Cohan's (;.U I\'nll.. "',,,. It. 'I'hfun".nn han's car crashed into the ,\tlu (altunn 'if'nrj(r ~ .... h play, "The Miracle Man," made .\I"r,,~ ~lurl.bT .'n,ul'. to; :\Iarlo'", wagon, throwing all the motor­ '~,"r..I"III" ..'Ur"·" t·:"rl IIr..,,"n its debut on the stage of Parsons F ...nk 11."0'.(' 1'lIfTn.<.I Il..,np...y ists out of the vehicle. t·.~,I ...I..k 'Ioi,'"n.,. 1)""...1 nurn. Theater in Hartford before a Ambulances took them all to .\rthur {.Il..U.h" • '·~r.·, U .. ltun "very large and fine audience, of Hartford Hospital. Georgiana ,\'uIOlh...... course, and a very appreciative I' It I (; t-; ~ , sustained a concussion and for audience as well," according to :\:''''''1'' n,,01 :-'1\1111'01"" .\lntlll('~' ~~.~_ to several days doctors were un­ Sl.~": \("~Cork. Dublin Dancing Master." After serving as a surgeon's orderly in the Civil War In 1872, Cohan brought his own show, Jerry and working as a saddle and harness maker in Cohan's Comedy Company, along with Healy's Hi­ Providence, Jerry developed a vaudeville act com­ bernian Gems, to Allyn Hall in Hartford. The com­ bining dancing and harp and violin playing. pany included vocalist Alice Gleason; soubrette, Jerry played his first engagement in Hartford on Nora O'Brien; banjoist John P. Mack; James June 2, 1869, at Roberts Opera House as an end (Please turn to page 3) Page 2

Cork native thrived Family History as dry goods retailer A County Cork native became one of New Britain's most successful re­ RESEARCH BOOKS - The Genealogical Publishing Co. of Baltimore, tailers during the latter years of the Md., publishes a number of books of interest to those tracing Irish family 19th century. He was Denis Riordan history, including the following: and he was born in Kilgarvan in 1847. IRISH AND SCOTCH-IRISH ANCESTRAL RESEARCH. By Margaret D. At an early age, he immigrated to Falley, 2 volumes, 813 pages and 354 pages, each volume indexed. New York where he worked for A.T. The first volume describes genealogical collections and indexes in all Stewart in dry goods, or clothing, major Irish archives and published indexes, catalogues and printed retailing. In 1875, he came to Con­ sources. The second volume is a bibliography of family histories, necticut and opened a dry goods pedigrees and source materials. It contains a list of 1,400 manuscript store with another Irishman, Patrick family histories in public records offices and a survey of the microfilm McLaughlin at East Main and Main holdings of Irish and American institutions. streets in New Britain. Riordan subsequently bought out A NEW GENEALOGICAL ATLAS OF IRELAND. By Brian Mitchell, 123 McLaughlin's interest in the store and pages with maps. Includes at least three maps for each county showing "by his shrewd business manage­ civil and religious subdivisions such as baronies, poor law unions and ment, he thrived in the business until parishes at various periods in Irish history. he became recognized as one of New Britain's ablest businessmen. He was A GUIDE TO IRISH PARISH REGISTERS. By Brian Mitchell,151 pages. successful and his wealth was esti­ Tells which Irish parish registers (births and marriages) exist, their mated at about one Quarter of a mil­ starting dates and where and how they can be located. lion. " Riordan remained active in busi­ IRISH CHURCHES AND GRAVEYARDS. By Brian Mitchell, 253 pages. ness until 1911, when he sold his Every church and every graveyard in Ireland is identified by the townland store to another Irishman, Peter Cur­ in which it is located. Townlands are located in their civil parishes and ran, and retired. parishes are located alphabetically in each county. Riordan was active in Democratic politics in New Britain serving on the THE IRISH IN AMERICA. By Michael J. O'Brien, 63 pages. In the early city's Board of Education for more 20th century, Michael J. 0' Brien researched Irish-Americans in Ameri­ than 20 years. can colonial records and published the results of his research in the He was also a leader in estab­ Journal of the American Irish Historical Society. This book brings lishing a chapter of the Knights of St. together many of his articles listing the names of thousands of Irish who Patrick in New Britain. came to the colonies from Maine to Virginia. He was a director of the Burritt Savings Bank and when the New IRISH FAMilY HISTORY. By Marilyn Yurdan, 207 pages, Includes Britain Business Men's Association discussion on genealogical geography of Ireland; history and language; organized, he was elected its treas­ names; social and political conditions in Ireland; emigation to Britain, urer, a post he held for 11 years. United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa; beginning He also was active in the Elks, Irish family history; research in Ireland; glossary of terms used in Irish Knights of Columbus, the Emmet research; bibliography. Club and the Rev. William Harty branch of the Ancient Order of Hiber­ IRISH PEDIGREES: The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. By John nians. O'Hart. Two volumes, 925 and 875 pages. A vast compendium of family In 1895, he married Anna O'Keefe hisory and source material. Family genealogies traced from the dawn of of New Haven and they had two history down to the 19th century. Lists of principal families by counties, daughters, Marian and Rita. Ulster plantation adventurers, soldiers in the service of foreign govern­ The Riordan family had a home on ments, lists of kings, etc, Lexington Avenue in New Britain and also maintained a summer residence HOW TO ORDER: The Genealogical Publishing Co. also publishes a large at Ocean Beach in New London. assortment of books on American genealogical sources and on family Riordan died on July 11, 1914. history of various other ethnic groups. Order books or a catalog from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. (Hartford Courant, July 12,1914.) 21202-3897. Telephone: (410) 837-8271. Page 3

Irish had rich tradition in Connecticut theater The famous Cohan family was gan's Chinese Laundry.' Munroe Irish jig and reel dancer. She was not an oddity of the American starred in 'My Aunt Bridget' later. a wonderful dancer in her day. theater in the late 19th and early Billy Barry and Hugh Fay came to Charley Diamond, the 'Milesian 20th century. On the contrary, the the American before they starred Minstrel,' sang and danced while stage in those years was filled in 'The Rising Generation.' The playing his Irish harp. His partner with Irish entertainers performing Sparks Bros. from Hartford was an was Mary Milton, jig and reel uniquely Irish songs, dances and Irish song and dance team ... Joe dancer. Pat Toohey was a famous skits. It is a phenomenon that as Sparks and Frank Lawton were the Irish bagpipe player... yet has scarcely been 'Tipperary Cards.' "Of all the old-time Irish come· explored by historians Eddie Welch was dians, none was more popular than of the Irish-American called 'Young Pat John D. Griffen. At home in the experience and awaits Rooney.' Coffee minstrel overture as middle man the attention of schol­ Bros., Edward and and with his Irish songs and spe­ ars. In 1924, the New Ashford Banford cialties, he could hold an audience. Haven Register com­ and Murray, were Many will recall his rich Irish plained, "The vaude­ song and dance brogue when called on to recite his ville stage is bare of teams. P.C. Foy, famous 'Montgomery Guards of Irish teams today." famous Irish tenor Boston, Mas-Sa-Chu.' It is turning But, going back into the 1880s, it sang Irish songs with the best of back the clock, but who will ever recalled, "Patrons of the old them ...·The LeClair sisters danced forget it and the man that spoke American Theater were enter­ Irish reels and sang Irish songs. these lines ... " tained by the leading Irish teams, "Maggie LeClair played the Poli comedians, vocalists, song and Theatre in an Irish sketch last year. (New Haven Register, March dance men ... " Kitty O'Neil was the champion lady 16, 1924.) The paper then went on to list some of the Irish performers who Cohan family had strong ties to Connecticut made New Haven a regular stop on (Continued from page 1) their circuits: Graham, John McGee and Frank Carr. Dr. John Healy was manager. "Old timers will recall Sweeney In 1874, Jerry married Nellie Costigan, daughter of two Providence and Ryland in 'Irish Eccentricities,' immigrants, John Costigan and Ellen Breen. In 1875, the Cohans returned Kelly and Ryan, the' Bards of Tara,' to Hartford for a performance of "The Molly Maguires or the Black Harry and John Kersall, a team Diamond of Hazelton," in which Jerry played the leading role as Mark without an equal, Dan Collyer and O'Oare, the engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad's Black Diamond Golden, later Keating and Flynn, Express. The play was per~ormed at Joe Newton's Varieties on State Irish specialties, Bobby Taylor, ju­ Street in Hartford. After the birth of their children, George and Josephine, venile comedian and dancer, Rus­ the Cohans often appeared on the stage in Hartford as the Cohan Merry sell Bros. (John and James) in their Makers and the Four Cohans. famous 'Irish Servant Girls,' who were famous for years and had the Performer thanked hospital on opening night audience in roars and Joe Sullivan, (Continued from page 1) famous Irish comedian who sang, hospital handled arrangements and proceeds were turned over to the 'Where did you get that hat?' and hospital. Cohan and his family, including his parents, Jerry and Nellie, 'Ump, did I hear you?' and his in-laws, John and Mary Nolan of Boston, watched the perform-­ "Then there was John W. Kelly, ance from a box along with a number of Hartford dignitaries. "Prominent the 'Rolling Mill Man,' a fine singer, people in the social and theatrical world were so numerous in the audience who originated the idea of picking that it is impossible to list them all," commented the Courant. out people in the audience and The play was an adaptation of a famous novel by Frank Packard in putting them in a song. He has a which an elderly Maine villager's power of faith healing was exploited by few imitators today. He was a four New York can artists. In the end, the faith healer's goodness touched song writer. Murray and Murphy in even the lives of the exploiters. The Courant thought the presentation 'Our Irish Visitors,' and Murphy showed "many of the admirable touches that have become a matter of and Mack, Ferguson and Mack, course in Cohan plays lately," but added that "it is too long and its action were all famous teams. too slow in several places." "George Munroe and Charley McCarthy gaine'd fame in 'Gro- (Hartford Courant, June 1, Sept. 14, Sept. 15, 1914.) Page 4

Derby Polish people Briefly noted were well organized A study published in 1946 found that Poles were the most highly organ­ OCT. 9 WORKSHOP - We will sponsor another in our series of historical ized of ethnic and racial groups in and genealogical workshops from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Derby. the Irish-American Community Center, Venice Place, East Haven. Terry The study was titled, "People Who Bowe Remeika will present a slide show titled "Archaeological Digs in Intermarry: Intermarriage in a New Ireland," at 2 p.m. Remeika has been a volunteer on several excava­ England Industrial Community," and tions of prehistoric sites in Ireland. Her presentation will be followed by its author, Milton L. Barron, com­ refreshments and an opportunity to browse through books and materi­ mented, "Their organizations are not als we have collected for our library. The second half of the program only numerous and affiliated with the will be a hands-on workshop, "The Next Step in Your Family History Polish Catholic Church, but they in­ Research." Those attending are encouraged to bring data they have clude every class of organization rec­ collected about their family history and help will be available to work on ognized in ethnic groups: benevolent, specific problems encountered in research and to move on to the next social, cultural, nationalistic and rec· step in tracing their ancestors. The workshop is free and open to the reational. Furthermore, all age groups public. Donations are welcome to defray the cost of materials. For among the Poles are organized." information, call Jeanne Hickey, 468-0426. The earliest Polish organization in Derby, according to Barron, was the WELCOME - Our new members include Edward & Eileen Bohan, John St. Michael Arch-Angel Society, & Maureen Daley, Dorothea Hast, Rita King, Bob Lingane, Beth Lee which was founded in 1896 and Mullinax, Richard J. 0' Brien. which was instrumental in the organi­ zation of a Polish parish in 1903. THANKS - Those who have made donations of books and materials The Society of Our Lady of Perpet­ to our library include: John Boyle, Katherine Roche Bozelko, Mary Bresh, ual Help, a benevolent organization for Susan Brosnan and the Knights of Columbus. Frank Corden, Mary-Joan women, was founded in 1903 and the Coyle. Ray Donahue, John Doohan, Debbie Elkin, June French. Thomas Knights of S1. John Sobieski SocietY Geirin, Patricia Heslin, Jeanne Hickey, Judith Ellen Johnson, Paul was organized a year later. The Polish Keroack, Rita King, Ruth Logan, Nora Brosnan McKenna, Jim & Eva National Alliance chapter was Madigan, Alan Meagher, John Moran. Patrick & Jean O'Donovan, John founded in 1905 and named for Gen. & Kathleen O'Donovan, Pat O'Leary. John Quinn, Mary Reilly, Patricia Tadeusz Kosciuszko.· Roche Shaw, James Sheehan, Tom Slater, Dr. Brian Vitelli. A branch of the national athletic organization, the Polish Falcons, was added in 1910, and a Polish Dramatic Society began to present plays and Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society concerts in 1913. The S1. Stanislaus Boys' Club was P.O. Box 120-020 founded in 1915, the same year in East Haven, Connecticut 06512 which an umbrella organization, the Polish-American Club, was founded. "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu­ In 1919, the Poles even organized ture." Padraic Pearse. a communal bakery. Shares were sold for $25 for this venture, the White Pres. Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven 06512. 468-0426. Eagle Corporation. The bakery was Vice Pres. Neil Hogan. 26 Crestview Terr., Wallingford 06492. 269-9154. later expanded to include a Polish meat and grocery store and a feed Secretary Patricia Heslin, 143 Haverford St., Hamden 06517. 248-6050. store. It served about 3,000 custom­ Treas. Tom Slater, 55 Robertson Dr., Hamden 06518. 248-4826. ers from the Polish community.

Shanachie Editor: Neil Hogan. Editor's note: In recognition of the Membership: $10 individual, $15 family. Send name, address and check bond between our historical society made out to Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society to above address. and the other societies in the Ethnic Heritage Center and to foster appre­ The Shanachie: In Ireland, a shanachie is a folklorist, historian and keeper of ciation of all races and nationalities, the people's traditions. we print in each Shanachie one story about another ethnic group. Vol. V, No.6 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society November-December 1993

When it was over over there • ••

On the 11 th hour of the 11 th day of the 11 th month Their pleas were reinforced when the results of the - Nov. 11, 1918 - Germany agreed to the terms for general election in Ireland to select members of the an armistice laid down by the Allied powers and for the British Parliament showed overwhelming support for first time in four bloody years, the fighting and killing Sinn Fein, the party of independence, against the stopped in Europe. Nationalists who favored home rule for Ireland in a Connecticut's Irish rejoiced not only that their union with England. Eighty of 105 seats were won by Doughboy heroes soon would be home but also be­ Sinn Fein candidates. "A close analysis of the vote, cause it seemed Ireland was closer to being freed from said the Hartford Courant, "shows the Nationalists the yoke of foreign occu­ have been hopelessly pation than ~ had been beaten by Sinn Fein even for centuries.The victori­ in places supposed to be

ous Allies had proclaimed nationalist strongholds.II throughout the war that Even in Ulster, the area of their objectives were to greatest pro-British senti­ make the world safe for ment, there was a Union­ democracy and to safe­ ist majority in only four of guard the integrity of the nine counties, hardly small nations. The Irish enough, suggests histo­ could scarcely be blamed rian Robert Kee, "to jus­ for thinking that the guar­ tify such special antees ought to extend to treatment for six coun­ Ireland as well as nations ties as would invalidate that had been overrun by the nationalist principle the Germans. for which the rest of the The Irish aspirations country had overwhelm­ were encouraged by the ingly voted. This seemed entry into the war of the particularly so when such United States which had special treatment would swung the tide of victory itself create a much for the Allies and which larger Nationalist minor­ assuredly would play a ity within those six coun­ major role in the peace IRELAND'S PLACE ties than the Unionists talks. President Woodrow Eti~...Th:. Will Complete A Perfect An:b" re presented within the Wilson's 14-point pro­ whole of Ireland." Ireland's aspirations for the peace conference after World posal for peace included The New Haven Union War I as depicted in The Irish World, Dec. 14, 1918. a provision that in deter­ reported that the voting

mining the future of lands occupied by colonial powers, "exceeded the highest hopes of the Sinn Feiners. It The the interests of the people governed would be given Union also reported the startling news that the success­ equal weight with those of the colonial power. In the ful Sinn Fein candidates had no intenion of taking their weeks between the end of the war and Wilson's seats in the British Parliament, but would instead on departure from New York on Dec. 4 to attend the peace the basis of their election victory establish an Irish conference in France, Irish-Americans in Connecticut parliament - Dail Eireann - in effect declaring that and throughout the United States sponsored rallies to Ireland no longer was a part of England. In an editorial, encourage him to support Irish claims for inde­ pendence. (Please turn to Page 2) Page 2

State I S Irish lobbied hard for Erin I s freedom in 1918 (Continued from Page 1) pockets and that the real reason for World War I was the Hartford Courant found the Sinn Fein stance, "not commercial rivalry between Germany and England." a favorable sign for the settlement of the Irish ques­ Another speaker Seamus Fields said such mass tion." The Sinn Feiners, it mused, "represent the most meetings were necessary because without them the radical element in Irish politics ... they are agitators great powers would ignore Ireland's cry for inde­ against home rule and for complete Irish independence pendence. The delegates adopted the following resolution: In the face of such heady news, Connecticut's Irish, "America stands committed, through the voice of and Irish throughout the United States did everything its chosen leader and the triumph of its proclaimed they could to guarantee that President Wilson would ideals, to sustain the right of all submerged nationalities support Irish independence at the peace conference. A to control their own destinies, Ireland seeks to regain "Self-Determination Week" was declared and rallies such rights of which she has been unjustly deprived by were held in New York, Boston. Chicago, Buffalo and force; she asks America to champion her cause at the Indianapolis. peace conference. She solemnly declares that she On Sunday, Dec. 15, Poli's Theater in Meriden was retains all the essentials of nationhood and inde­ "crowd'ed to the doors" for a mass meeting organized pendence that she possessed before the English inva­ by that city's Irish societies. The principal speaker was sion and conquest; she proclaims to all mankind that James Regan Fitzgerald, assistant corporation counsel Britain's might is the one and only bar against her for New York City and a representative of the Friends exercise of those essentials ,.. No claim can be ad­ of Irish Freedom in New York City. "We are here," vanced for the restoration of Belgium's independence Fitzgerald told the crowd. "to appeal to the American that fails to apply with greater justice to the return of government to promote making Ireland's self-determi­ Ireland's. No appeal can be made for Poland that has' nation a reality .. , President Wilson when he said this not greater equity for Ireland. No argument can be country fought to preserve the self-determination of all advanced for Siavonia or Lithuania or Ukrania or Pales­ small nations asserted a world policy and one which tine, or for any oppressed racial entity of the world, we are here to uphold. It was for this asserted policy that doesn't carry greater weight for Ireland ... Ireland that our boys bled and died on the fields of France ... is a nation, one of the very oldest in existence. Ireland This is the policy we fought for, why should it not apply asks from the peace conference only the right that to Ireland?" President Wilson says belongs to every nation ... She Another speaker, Judge Denis T. O'Brien, chairman asks only that her legitimate right of self-determination of the event, said, "President Wilson has gone abroad be granted and with its grant an accompanying assur­ on a great mission. The hopes of the whole world for ance that the will of the nation as expressed by a a just and lasting peace are in his wisdom and sense of plebiscite of its entire adult population be respected," justice. He has with him in France no more fervent Resolutions adopted at such meetings were for­ hopes than those of the friends of Irish freedom." warded to Wilson in France to make him aware of how That same day, 3,000 delegates gathered at the important the issue was to Irish-Americans. The Hart­ Hyperion Theater in New Haven for the second state ford Board of Aldermen, for example, not only adopted convention of the Sons of Irish Freedom. Among the resolutions supporting independence for Ireland, but, speakers were New Haven Mayor David Fitzgerald, according to the Courant, mailed them to Wilson's Paris Hartford Mayor Kinsella and former Sen. Patrick address along with copies to the American Embassy. McGovern of Hartford. Meanwhile, in Washington, the House Foreign Rela­ Fitzgerald said that it was because Irish-Americans tions Committee was conducting hearings on a pro­ loved America as the best country in the world that posal to support self-determination for Ireland and one they desired freedom for Ireland. He told the crowd it of the witnesses opposed was a New Haven man, was important that they "keep their shoulders to the George L. Fox, who contended that the Irish had wheel to see to it that the charity of freedom as upheld voluntarily entered a union with England in 1800 and by President Wilson shall bring freedom to Ireland and now had no more right to secede than did the South in make her one of the free nations of the world." 1860, The main speaker was Patrick McCarton, envoy of At the peace conference, the United States, in the Irish Republic which had been formed in the wake deference to England, did not push the Question of Irish of the 1916 Easter Rebellion. independence and it remained for the Irish people to McCarton told the crowd that England had used strike their own blow for freedom, which they did. Ulster as a pawn to defeat home rule for Ireland, that (Meriden Record, Dec. 14-16, 1918; Hartford Courant, Ulster was just as much a part of Ireland as any other Dec. 6, 14, 15, 1918; New Haven Union, Dec. 17, part, that Irish Protestants were coerced into opposition 1918; Nf. w Haven Register, Dec. 16, 1918; Irish World to home rule. that Protestants and Catholics in Ireland and American Industrial Liberator, Dec. 14 and 21, had fought for centuries while" John Bull picked their 1918.) Page 3 Doughboys described war's end and celebration

The letters of Connecticut Irish lads , serving with the American Expedi­ tionary Force in France to loved ones at home gave many details of the relief and elation at the end of World War I. A Wallingford soldier, Edward Quinn of the 103rd Machine Gun Bat­ tali an told of the final fighting of the war: "For several days previous to the armistice we held the lines and the 11th hour of the 1 1th day of the 11th month found us on No Man's Land going over the top and about to bust, or lry to, the Bache front lines. I tell you it was pretty hard going that morning. We had hiked, full equip­ ment, throughout the night before, leaving one position for another and only had a couple hours trying to repose in shell holes when our barrage opened up and we were told we must go over. With no breakfast and some pretty hazy thoughts of the coming armistice, we place that a hold could be had if even for only a few started ... We advanced but a few hundred yards when minutes and shouting, singing, waving flags and having - wow, not a gun was firing. We stopped where we fun in general. At night the crowd started to feel extra were, not a word, just looked and wondered ... When gay and then the wildest time I ever witnessed in my the truth of the situation dawned on us, we built a fire life. Cannon were hooked on to taxis, trucks and all right there, sent a detail to scout some food and crowded with soldiers waving flags. remained until the next day." " ... These French people would form a circle around A New Haven physician, Dr. William McGuire, was a poor fellow and gradually close in and all members of serving with the British army when the war ended. the circle kiss the poor victim. Well, it was my first During the last few days of the war, he wrote, "shells offence of being kissed by these affectionate French­ all around us and a continuous rattle of machine guns men and I could kiss a bearded lady easy now without and many a poor fellow killed and wounded and all this even wincing... About lOaf us started out after supper to happen almost at the close of the fighting, but such and started parading through the streets doing the was fate and I was lucky enough to escape ... This was lockstep, hollering, singing and enjoying ourselves and my last time in the lines and I hope for all of us it will when we would stop our agony quartet went into never again occur." action and also a little exhibition of the one step while In Paris, where Cp!. Frank J. Moriarty of New Haven crowds would gather and watch us, but then the girls was stationed, the scene was of joyful chaos: "I never insisted on joining in too and before long we had about saw such a wild time in all my life and if I live through as mixed a bunch of people as you ever saw. French, this peace demonstration I am certainly capable of Belgians, English, Australians, all in line with our lock­ going through any of the so-called horrors of war ... At step parade ... " 11 o'clock Nov. 11, all the whistles, bells, sirens, Beyond the happiness of the moment. however, was booming of cannon and noise-making contrivances the reality of what four years of war had done to France were doing their utmost to make themselves heard ... and another New Yaven Irishman found that tragic. In and all the shops. stores and other places of business a letter written Dec. 15, Patrick J. Farrelly commented, were closed and the crowds started to form parades of "I have seen a lot of France and it is a beautiful country, every description. By noon the streets were black with but a very sad one. Everywhere you go it is the same people and in many places it was blocked for hours with pathetic story. Every other person you meet is dressed little or no relief and impossible to go one way or the in black and there are no young people to be seen at other. All the buildings were just streaming with allied all, none only the very young and old are to be seen flags. The United States flag was as prominent as the .. French and 'Vive l'Amerique' was heard on all sides ... "Auto trucks were just crammed full of people and (Meriden Record, Dec. 18, 1918; New Haven Union. even hanging from the fenders, hood, top, sides or any Dec. 12, 1918; New Haven Union, Dec. 8, 1918.) Page 4

New Haven Jews Briefly noted publish sixth book Bigger and better than ever is an apt description for the recently published WELCOME - Our new members are Maureen P. Casey, James F. "Jews in New Haven: Volume VI." Coffey, Paul Costa, Doris A. Groves and Cynthia C. LeMere. The 280-page paperback edited by Werner S. Hirsch is the latest book pub­ THANKS -To Doris A. Groves and Barbara C. Revay for their generous lished by the Jewish Historical Society of donations with their dues. Thanks to all those who renewed member­ New Haven in a series that began way ships during the year, to all who made monetary donations and .to all back in the mid 1970s. who contributed their time and talents to helping preserve the history While larger than previous issues, of Connecticut's Irish-Americans. Volume VI features the same emphasis on down-to-earth, grass-roots recollec­ CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS - What gift could be more appropriate for tions that make the earlier volumes so an Irish friend or relative than a gift of Irish heritage? Our 234-page book delightful. An article by Charles Grannick about 150 years of St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New Haven, "The Jr., for example, tells the story of "Six Wearin' 0' the Green," is an ideal remembrance for that special person. Generations of Strouses in New Haven Another gift idea is a membership in our historical society which provides Retailing," while Ruth Ginsberg Caplan a year's subscription to our newsletter of Connecticut Irish-American writes of "The World of My Father: Har­ history, historical and genealogical workshops, etc. The book is $1 0 and ris Ginsberg of State S·treet.' , the membership is $10 for individuals and $15 for families. Consider And in a delightful piece, Susan L. giving both for a unique holiday gift for the Irish historians in your life. Neitlich recalls the history of New' Ha­ ven's Jewish butchers and some con­ temporary tales of a Jewish deli, Chuck's GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES - The New Haven Ethnic Heritage Luncheonette on Whalley Avenue. Center to which our society belongs has an office at Room 203, Hilton From a scholarly standpoint, the most Buley Library at Southern Connecticut State University. Genealogical significant chapter in the book may well materials that we have collected and that have been donated to us can be that written by editor Hirsch: "The be made available to members for use at the SCSU office. These First Minute Book of the Congregation materials include books on Irish families and genealogical research and Mishkan Israel, 1849-1860." The 455­ the microfilmed records of St. Patrick's Church in New Haven. Arrange-' page manuscript minute book was hand­ ments to use any of these materials may be made by contacting Jeanne written in old German .Fraktur script and Hickey, 468-0426. several years ago Hirsch began the labo­ rious task of translating it into English. His efforts have resulted in a complete translation which provides great detail Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society about the early days of the congregation on topics ranging from a leaky steeple to P.O. Box 120-020 kosher food, mixed seating, the order of East Haven, Connecticut 06512 prayers and the transformation of the congregation from Orthodox to Reform. "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu­ While the book focuses on the Jewish ture." Padraic Pearse. community, there is much in it touching on the history of the city and its people Pres. Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven 06512. 468-0426. for readers of any religiouS or ethnic Vice Pres. Neil Hogan, 26 Crestview Terr" Wallingford 06492. 269-9154. background. Copies may be obtained by contacting the Jewish Historical Society, Secretary Patricia Heslin, 143 Haverford St., Harnden 06517. 248-6050. 169 Davenport Ave., New Haven Treas. Torn Slater, 55 Robertson Dr., Hamden 06518. 248-4826. 06519,787-3183.

Shanachie Editor: Neil Hogan. Editor's note: In recognition of the bond Membership: $10 individual, $15 family. Send name, addrp.ss and check between our historical society and the made out to Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society to above address. other societies in the Ethnic Heritage Center and to foster appreciation of all The Shanachie: In Ireland, a shanachie is a folklorist, historian and keeper of races and nationalities, we print in each the people's traditions. Shanachie one story about another eth­ nic group.