Vol. XXVI No. 2 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society www.ctiahs.com 2014

You can blame an Irishman from for all the uproar on the Connecticut shoreline in 1814

t may be a bit harsh to point a finger at or houses that still dot the Irish countryside Peter and St. Paul Church. The standing of one Irishman for all the trouble the and ruled the Irish peasantry with an iron the Coote family is evident from the fact I Brits brought down upon Essex during hand. that in the choir of that church there was a the War of 1812. But, it cannot be denied Charles Coote settled in County Roscom- handsome monument to the family of that the leading man of the devastating mon in Connaught, Ireland’s western prov- Coote. Royal Navy raid on Essex just 200 years ago ince, but his offspring and kinfolk spread The record of Richard Coote’s nativity was a native of . It is also throughout the island. Within a generation stated: “This is to certify that Richard true that there were many, many Irish-born or two they were influential and powerful Coote, fourth son of Charles Coote of Mount sailors and marines in his supporting cast. landlords in counties Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo Coote in the Kingdom of Ireland was born Richard Coote, the Royal Navy officer who and Laois. In southeastern County Limerick on the tenth day of May 1782 in the Parish led the attack on April 7, 1814, hailed from of Kilfannan …” Strangely, the record Kilmallock in the southeastern corner of makes no mention of the infant Richard’s Limerick. He was a descendant of Charles mother or the maternal family. Coote, a Devonshire soldier of fortune In any event, it was common in as- of Anglo-Norman French ancestry. cendancy families that first sons Charles landed in Ireland in the inherited the lands while siblings year 1600 and immediately be- often were left to choose careers came as much a thorn in the side either in religion or in military ser- of the native Irish as did his descend- vice. Such was the case with Richard ant, Richard, in the side of the resi- Coote of Kilmallock. In 1804 when 22 dents of Essex in 1814. years old, he was already on his way Charles was a captain in the army of up in the Royal Navy. That year he was pro- Lord Mountjoy who had been commis- moted to lieutenant, the lowest ranking sioned by Queen Elizabeth I to stamp out a alone, two brothers of the Coote clan, Rich- commissioned office. He was then serving nine-year-long rebellion in the province of ard and Chidley, were awarded almost on HMS Centurion, a 50-gun ship launched Ulster. Mountjoy adopted a scorched-earth 10,000 acres of confiscated land in the in 1774, on duty in the exotic Bay of Bengal. policy that did the trick. 1660s. Richard became baron of Colony in In 1810, he moved up a step to commander. Cavan, while Chidley was the ancestor of With their Ulster mission accomplished, In June 1812, Richard Coote was chosen the Cootes of the area of Limerick around Charles Coote and many of his fellow ad- to command a newly launched ship, the 14- Kilmallock. venturers remained in Ireland, prospering gun brig Borer. Built at Bursledon in Hamp- Among them was the Richard Coote who and proliferating. During the 1600s, they shire, England, the Borer arrived in Halifax, was destined to play a role in the history of and their descendants wrested ownership Nova Scotia, on Sept. 13, 1813. Capt. Coote Essex, Connecticut. He was born at Mount of most of the land of Ireland from the na- and his ship must have departed almost Coote, the manor of the family at tive Irish. The invaders-turned-Irishmen immediately for their first involvement in came to be designated “the ascendancy.” Kilmallock, Limerick. His birth was regis- They were the folks who occupied the man- tered by the rector of St. (Please turn to page 4)

Waterbury Irish factory workers of the 1890s Page 2

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Folksy paper portrayed Waterbury’s Irish in the 1890s Sketches and profiles are unusual, but valuable, historical records

he Sunday Waterbury Herald is one of “The Brass City,” the Herald explained in its and white that one cannot help but remark T a kind in the more than 200 year his- usual bold and authoritative style, “has them. A smile that shows she is ever cheer- tory of newspapers in Connecticut. established its claim as being the leader in ful plays about her mouth … Dora is but 18 The Herald — published at different this state for having more pretty girls with- years of age and promises to be a hand- times in Bridgeport as well as Waterbury in its borders than any other city in the some woman. She is the sister of Miss Liz- — was a sensational, flamboyant, disre- state, and the young men (of Waterbury) zie Egan to whom the Herald gave the spectful, gaudy and occasionally bawdy plume some years ago for being maverick among the journals pub- the best looking girl in the lished in the Land of Steady Habits. clock shop.” From the 1890s to the 1930s, the Another remarkable young Herald was to mainline Connecticut Irish girl was Evangeline Hol- newspapers like the Hartford land. The Herald described Courant and New Haven Register, her as the most stylish maid- what the New York Mirror and Post en of all the clock shop ladies. are today to the New York Times. Holland, it said, had a dress The Herald’s pages told stories for every week of the year. It not only of political corruption and added, “She always keeps her petty crime, but also of folksy hair short and curled and neighborhood news from all over there is a dreamy tenderness the state. Equally important, in the in her dark eyes and when she early years at a time when newspa- smiles she is quite attractive, her per illustrations were uncommon, the Her- manner being her most winning have placed it foremost in sporting, singing ald went out of its way to publish sketches point.” and other records of their abilities.” of many of the people it wrote about. Fortu- An outstanding male specimen in the nately for the cause of preserving grass- There were, claimed the Herald, more clock shop was the Irishman James Lynch. roots history, the Herald is available today pretty girls and manly men employed in the He was, according to the Herald, “the on microfilms at the Connecticut State Li- clock factory in Waterbury than in any oth- smartest young fellow of his age employed brary and elsewhere. er town in Connecticut. in this concern. He is fast acquiring a popu- Ethnic groups, immigrants and The newspaper apparently assigned a larity both in social, church and business circles that threatens to blue collar workers got plenty of ink in the Herald. The timing was perfect Waterbury Irish photos, stories sought dethrone the many who for Connecticut’s Irish. Arriving in now move with power in Authors Janet Maher and John Wiehn, both members of huge numbers from the 1830s on up them. At the recent election to the early 1900s, the Irish made the CIAHS, are writing a book about the Irish of Water- of Division 2 AOH, he was just the kind of news the Herald bury. The book will be published in early 2015 by History elected recording secretary loved. The Herald was filled with Press. Anyone having stories or pictures about the Water- though he is comparatively insightful stories of the everyday bury Irish should contact John and Janet by email: a young member in that lives of the Irish — their strivings, society.” The paper noted [email protected] or [email protected]. successes, failures, foibles and hu- that he also was an excellent mor. singer. Another fine young Irishman was For example, in just two issues in June reporter and an artist to visit some of the Michael J. Keefe, perhaps the most ambi- 1891, the Herald published thumbnail biog- factories for the proof of the pudding. raphies and pen and ink sketches of several tious young man among the army of work- “The prettiest girl among all the clock dozen people in Waterbury. Most of them ers in the shops. “He is very widely known,” shop belles,” concluded the Herald, “is Miss were Irish. said the Herald, “… for on entering active Dora Egan. Her eyes send rays of sunshine life he became a coachman and now can In the June 14 issue, a story titled “Brass into an admirer’s face and between her handle the line as well as any of the coach- City Boys and Buds, Sketches of Water- scarlet lips are two rows of teeth so regular men in town. When not engaged in the bury’s Lilies and Lilacs” filled half a page.

3 shipping department he is out driving … At the Plume and Atwood’s factory, Miss gan at the East End Democratic Club. The Michael is level-headed and free from the Maggie Casey was singled out by the Herald. club asked Owen Finnegan, who was em- common vices of young men about town “ She commanded the admiration of her gen- ployed in the rolling mills at Scoville and Another woman who caught the newspa- tlemen friends with … “the inner being that who had “an idea how tug-of-war teams are per’s attention was Mamie McCormick, de- beams through her eyes and while it sheds managed,” to pick four men to compete scribed as “a pretty blonde of the purest thoughts of home comfort and kindness against a team from Rogers & Bros. Finne- type. When she was employed in the pin around her, a piquant expression lights up gan selected three Irishmen and a German: factory, she was the handsomest girl there, her face and makes her men friends wish Philip Ryan, Francis Healey, John Guinan but her beauty was over-shaded when she they had never known her for they think and Robert Kiersted. joined the clock shop belles. … When on the she will drive them to madness.” Emphasizing its solidarity with the city’s street, there is a self-confident air in her Samuel Sloan was a sub-foreman over the working people, the Herald commented: gait that would put to flight a timid beau. “turners” at one local shop. The newspaper “These are not the sons of luxury and ease Mamie dresses nicely but not over her and fed on the fat of the land, neither standard. Someday she will proba- were they born with a silver spoon bly become Mrs. James Culligan in their mouths …” and go to keep house in Bridge- The four athletes were given the port where Mr. Culligan is em- use of the Scovill mill to practice ployed.” after working hours and two Nellie Maloney was described months later they took on their as a blonde who had “straight rivals with the prize a gold-lined and pleasant looking features, silver cup. “A larger crowd was and a merry smile is usually never in City Hall as on that about her cherry lips and blue night,” reported the Herald, and eyes. Her chief delight is in danc- the Scovill fans were delighted ing.” as their co-workers “pulled the Mamie McCarthy was a “pretty Rogers & Bros. team all around little lass who was impossible to the hall ‘out of their shoes’ to use look upon without admiring.” an expressive phrase.” Mamie, said the newspaper, “is A few weeks later, there was a one of those girls whose beauty return match “at an entertain- does not appear on the surface, ment given by Company E, Hi- but in her every movement there bernian Rifles.” The Rogers & is a distinct magnetism. Bros. team did better that time, “Her head is crowned with but Scovill triumphed again and wreaths of natural curls and from received the prize of $25. The her eyes, come bashful glances of matches had sparked interest in charming maidenhood. Mamie is the sport throughout the city an excellent roller skater and is and the Scovill pullers were getting into trim for the High challenged by a number of teams Rock Grove season of roller skat- from other factories and military ing. On the whole, Mamie is pe- organizations. tite, good, loving and true.” Scovill defeated the Benedict and Miss Mary Sherlock was one of Burnham squad and what was de- the belles at another Waterbury factory, scribed as a lightweight team from Co. G of said he was the shortest man in the depart- the National Guard. The disgruntled sol- Holmes, Booth and Hayden. The Herald ment. It added, “Still beneath his 46-inch said, “She carries cheerfulness and mirth diers of Co. G then put together a heavy- vest their beats a heart larger than his hat. wherever she goes. Not a dark cloud has weight team which was favored to finally He has a pretty home over which a pretty cast its unpleasant shadow on her horizon take the measure of the Scovill lads. But and intelligent wife presides not far from and her face indicates the sincerity of her Scovill came out the winning team. The the shop. Sam enjoys a joke … and is popu- Herald reported, “The shouting and cheer- actions and good nature. In her every action lar with his help.” and feature there is a combination of mag- ing was now deafening; the people jumped In a story on June 21, 1891, the Herald netism that draws around her many admir- into the center of the hall and crowded in revealed a new pastime in Waterbury ers who would fain have her change her on the victors … and the champions left the sports: tug-of-war competition. According name.” hall amid a clamor that has not been ever to the newspaper, interest in the sport be- equaled in this town …”

4 An Irishman literally lit up the town of Essex in the War of 1812

(Continued from page 1) when he congratulated the captain of the “The ships then commenced firing at the the War of 1812, a voyage to the Connecti- Alert, telling him that “he deserved to have men stationed on Hammock and Sandy cut shoreline because on Thursday, Oct. 7, a command of a frigate for his great exertions Point, and at the waterside, which they Halifax newspaper reported that the Borer to escape under so heavy a fire.” continued till the darkness prevented, dur- had arrived back in Halifax “from off New Capt. Coote continued his aggressiveness ing which time 54 shots were fired from the London.” once he reached Long Island Sound. Off ship and brig, and 11 from the shore … 12 Within a week, Coote was back in New Watch Hill, R.I., in mid-November, he cap- or 15 (shells) have been dug out, and are England raising havoc with American mer- tured the Providence packet ship Huntress, found to weigh nine, 12 and 18 pounds. chant shipping. His marauding was made carrying flour, whiskey and butter from Several of the shot passed the North side of easier by the fact the Borer, whether on his New York City. He sailed on to the eastern Sandy Point and struck in the water be- orders or someone else’s is unknown, had tip of Long Island and seized off Plum Is- tween there and the wharf; and one shot is been camouflaged. A New Haven newspa- land a New Bedford sloop, Tripp, home- lodged in the bank east of Pelton's house. per cautioned American ships, "Persons bound from New York and the United The vessels are now at anchor off the har- who have been lately captured by the Brit- States, which was headed for New York City bor and we are fearful they intend to make ish brig Borer report that she is so com- with a load of coal. The coal was all thrown an attack on the shipping, if not on the pletely disguised that it is impossible to overboard and the United States was filled town. The town is all in confusion. There distinguish her from a merchant vessel, with the cargoes of the Borer’s other prizes. are but few people, who are able, but will even at a very short distance – her maneu- Again, Coote was a gentleman with the pilot be on guard all night.” vers, etc., are similar to those of a merchant of the United States, a Mr. Billington, whom The next morning, the letter writer re- vessel … and the trim of the brig is altered, he “landed on Gardiner’s Island from the ported: “9 a.m., the Atalanta is off the har- patches on her sail, fore-top gallant mast Borer” later that day. bor at anchor. The brig is in chase of a sloop down, etc." Off New London, Coote joined a blockad- off Falklands Island. The brig’s barge board- In late October, off Chatham on Cape Cod, ing squadron of seven other ships that in- ed a sloop at 7:30 this morning, and let her Coote was said to have hoisted a signal that cluded the 74-gun frigate Valient, sloops of pass. The sloop … is bound westward, I a pilot was needed A pilot who came out to war Acasta, Atalanta, Loup Corvier; a three- suppose for New York.” Later that day, he aid the Borer was “detained and compelled masted lugger and two schooner tenders. added, “the ship and brig are still in sight. to take her over the shoals.” Whether on his own initiative or at the or- The ship at anchor three or four miles The next day, in Vineyard Sound between ders of higher-ups in the squadron, Coote southeast of the harbor and the brig under Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, Coote soon was on the prowl along the Connecti- easy sail to the southwest.” captured five American vessels, “including cut shore as far west as Norwalk. Coote’s shelling of Killingworth was part the schooner Fair Play … from Hartford for He was looking for trouble and soon of the intensification of the war along the Nantucket with provisions; the mail packet found it at what today is Clinton harbor at Connecticut shoreline that began in June sloop Alert from Nantucket for Falmouth the mouth of the Hammock River. At that 1813. At the beginning of that month, with passengers; two sloops with wood and time, Clinton was still part of Killingworth. Capt. Stephen Decatur, commanding three a chebacco boat … deeply laden.” On Nov. 24, 1813, a letter writer from that American warships, was chased into New When the Alert refused to heave to as town sounded the alarm: London harbor by the British. From his Coote ordered, the Limerick captain did not “The sloop Dolphin, Capt. Saunders, drop- homeport in New York City, Decatur, who hesitate to use the firepower at his disposal. ped down the river on Tuesday morning, had a bit of Irish in his blood, was trying to He ordered the Borer’s gun crews to open but has not had a favorable opportunity to sail down Long Island Sound to reach the fire with grapeshot, a type of shell whose get out and I am fearful he never will. Two open sea. outer casing was filled with small metal British armed vessels, a ship and a brig Keeping Decatur cooped up in New Lon- balls that spread when fired and were effec- supposed to be … the Atalanta and the Bor- don would greatly reduce American sea- tive in mowing down human beings over a er, anchored abreast of the harbor, about power in Long Island Sound. With that in wide area. Several grapeshot from the Bor- three-fourths of a mile from Hammock mind, the British increased the strength of er struck the Alert. Point, at three o'clock this afternoon, and the blockade squadron and went on high In their first encounters with him, New got out their barges for the purpose of tak- alert to make sure Decatur did not escape. Englanders were discovering the Limerick ing a small vessel, the Experiment, of Sag Meanwhile, Decatur enlisted whatever help Irishman to be a tough customer. Still, Harbor, coming from New Haven, which he could get among Connecticut and New Coote had a softer side too. That evening he they chased in … York patriots to find a way to break out. anchored the Borer off Holmes Hole on “The tide was falling, so that they could Without a strong naval or militia force of Martha’s Vineyard and freed his hostages. not get to the wharf. But I conclude the their own, and never enthusiastic about the They testified that they had been “very po- ships saw the movements onshore and war anyway, Connecticut patriots could litely treated,” reported one newspaper. thinking the barges might find it too warm only organize a few guerrilla-type attacks Coote also showed respect for a brave foe a reception, they were ordered back. against enemy ships hoping to help Decatur

5 escape. In March 1814, a few months after They might be bushwhacked, cut off and longer than anticipated. They had to row Capt. Coote and HMS Borer arrived on the captured. If anything went wrong, there against not only the tide, but a strong wind scene, Jeremiah Holmes, a Mystic sea cap- would be no way to reinforce them. A cool- coming out of the north. tain and patriot, constructed a 30-foot-long headed and competent leader was essential It was 3:30 a.m. when the six barges torpedo filled with gunpowder and at- to make the raid a success, and Capt. Capel, reached Pettipaug harbor. Word of the as- tempted to ferry it near enough to blow up thought he had just the man for the job – sault had reached the river town and a La Hogue, the flagship of the British block- Capt. Richard Coote. small contingent of militiamen was posted ade commander Capt. Thomas Capel. At 2 Coote had several things going for him. At on the waterfront. Shots apparently were a.m. on March 25, Holmes’ torpedo explod- age 32, he was young, energetic and aggres- fired by the Americans and Coote did not ed close enough to La Hogue to cause pan- sive. From the time he arrived in Halifax, he hesitate to respond. Each barge had a car- demonium, but not close enough to sink had captured 22 American merchant ships. ronade, a light cannon designed for close- nor even damage the flagship. up fighting. Coote ordered one The fireworks set off by Holmes round of carronade fire and a volley did, however, convince the British of musket fire by the marines, after that a show of force was necessary which, he reported, the Americans to put an end to the kind of terrorist “prudently ceased firing and gave tactics that eventually might lead to us no further interruption.” a disaster. The British barges steered into the Their resolve was strengthened town wharf. The marines quickly and their focus was narrowed on a spread out to secure the village. likely target when they heard that Their commander, Lt. Walter Grif- the torpedo attack had been orga- fith Lloyd, read a proclamation nized at the hamlet of Pettipaug from Capt. Coote informing towns- Point not far from where Capt. Coote Mount Coote, the ancestral home of the Cootes of people that the mission of the raid had bombarded Killingworth harbor. Kilmallock, County Limerick. (Courtesy Limerick Studies) was to destroy shipping and that no Pettipaug – modern day Essex – harm would befall the residents had been a maritime trade and shipbuilding and no damage would be done to center since the early 1700s. During the On reaching New London, he had familiar- their property as long as the British were War of 1812, it became a beehive of priva- ized himself with the Connecticut shoreline not fired upon. In case there was resistance, teering and intrigue. Capt. Capel ordered an near the mouth of the Connecticut River. He however, the torch would be put to the attack on Pettipaug in reprisal for the tor- did not hesitate to use force whether in entire town. pedo attack. capturing privateers or in shelling shore- The threat was effective. The sailors in Logistically, Pettipaug presented a diffi- line towns. He knew the value of stern the raiding party scattered in small groups cult target. It was located on the western threats, but also had the good sense to bar- and began to set fire to every vessel an- bank of the Connecticut River, six miles gain when possible and to treat opponents chored in the harbor or under construction north of Saybrook. From time immemorial, humanely. at several shipyards in the village. In keep- access to the 400-mile Connecticut had Once chosen for the command, Coote ing with Coote’s proclamation to destroy been hindered by Saybrook bar, a massive worked quickly and efficiently to organize only ships, the sailors dragged out into the sand shoal built up by nature at the mouth the raid. All was in readiness by April 7, harbor before igniting them any vessels of the river. Whether Britannia ruled the just 13 days after the torpedo attack that were close to buildings. waves or not, there was no way the Royal against La Hogue. At 9:30 that evening, The efficiency of the operation under Navy could send its deep-draught warships Coote’s ship, Borer, and the 22-gun sloop Coote’s direction is obvious from the fact up the Connecticut to punish Pettipaug. Sylph arrived off Saybrook with six barges that working in an unfamiliar harbor in What could be done, however, and what in tow. darkness the small task force was able by the British decided to do, was to mount an The assault force — 136 sailors and ma- the next morning to set afire six ships, four amphibious attack with small boats. Under rines hand-picked from the crews of four brigs, six schooners, nine sloops and sever- cover of darkness, a couple of blockading warships — took their places in the barges al smaller craft — a total of 27 vessels. At ships carrying an assault force would drop and with muffled oars pulled away from the sunrise, columns of black smoke and a pun- anchor off Saybrook bar. In large and heavi- Borer guided by an American turncoat gent haze hung over the entire village. ly armed rowboats, known as barges, the known as Torpedo Jack. At 10 a.m., Coote ordered his sailors and assault force would proceed up river and What turned out to be an altogether too marines to rendezvous for departure. In full retaliate by destroying the many ships un- optimistic plan called for the expedition to daylight, the return to Saybrook would be der construction or docked at Pettipaug reach Pettipaug by 1 a.m., and complete the dangerous, especially since Connecticut Point. destruction of the American ships late in militiamen armed with artillery as well as The mission was risky. The invaders the night in time to be back at Saybrook muskets were now converging along the would be on their own deep in enemy terri- before dawn. The invaders soon discovered (Please turn to page 6) tory with comparatively little firepower. that their trip upriver would take much

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(Continued from page 5) The final contingent set fire to Eagle. paredness. Indeed, the successful attack on banks of the river. From the river bank, the Americans com- Pettipaug was a foreshadowing of how easy Coote made a decision that rather than menced heavy fire of field-pieces and mus- it would be for the British to capture and return down river in the barges, he would ketry from the woods … One of the barges burn Washington, D.C., which they did just commandeer as prizes of war two of newly was struck by a cannon ball that killed two four months later. constructed privateers: the brig Young Ana- marines, the first British casualties. A sailor In Halifax, Nova Scotia, the North Ameri- conda and the schooner Eagle. The sailors in the same boat was struck in the head by can operations center for British forces and marines boarded the two prize ships a musket ball. during the war, residents hailed the victory and the task force headed down stream, the Farther south, at Ferry Point where the and had a chuckle over the demand of a barges in tow. river was at its narrowest, hundreds of Connecticut officer that Coote surrender to Around noon, bad luck put a crimp into militiamen waited on the bluffs and fires save his assault force from being wiped out. the commander’s plan when the ships were had been set on both sides of the river in The ultimatum, commented the Halifax still only a mile or so south of Pettipaug. the hope of illuminating the British row- Acadian Recorder in its May 14 edition, Young Anaconda proved difficult to navi- boats. But the darkness of the night proved “exhibits a true specimen of American hu- gate and got stuck in mud near the western a good shield. The gunfire that erupted manity, impudence and orthography.” bank of the river. Coote used the barges to from the bluffs was sporadic and randomly The Acadian Recorder grumbled because move the entire assault force onto the Ea- aimed. Coote told his men that he “would the British had not conducted Capt. Coote’s gle. The Young Anaconda was then set on run the first man through who spoke a loud brand of tactics on a broader scale. On April fire. word. They then drifted down as still as 23, the newspaper wrote, “We cannot help By that time, an estimated 500 Connecti- possible … until they received the first fire wishing that our naval operation had com- cut militiamen were mustered on the high from Ferry Point.” banks of the river hoping to be able to cap- menced as far eastward as Salem (Mass.) At that moment, Coote ordered his men to ture or kill the entire British force, now where one vessel lies worth 10 times as pick up their oars and pull away, “which sitting ducks in plain view in the middle of much as the whole 26 that were destroyed was done until they got out of gun shot the river. The New Englanders thought they in Pettipague.” The paper was referring to (range) when they were ordered to give had the Brits safely in their clutches. So the fact that Salem not only had sent out the three cheers. Several balls struck the boats, confident were the Americans that one of first American privateer in the war, the their commanders, Maj. Marsh Ely, sent out but no person was injured … They arrived schooner Fame, but also that the Massachu- to the Eagle a surrender ultimatum gilded on board their ship just as the moon rose.” setts seaport had mustered a total of 43 with a bit of sermonizing. “To avoid the The most immediate result of the brazen privateers. effusion of human blood is the desire of raid was to put the hamlet of Pettipaug at Coote’s superiors were as pleased as were every honorable human being,” Ely wrote. the top of the news nationwide. For the first the folks in Halifax. His immediate com- “The number of forces under my command time in its history, the village was on every- mander, Capt. Capel, wrote: “The zeal, activ- are increased so much as to render it im- one’s lips. The Connecticut Gazette wrung ity and abilities of Capt. Coote have been possible for you to escape. I therefore sug- its hands: “Thus ended an expedition most conspicuous on all occasions connect- gest to you the propriety of surrendering achieved with the smallest loss to the ene- ed with this blockade, and (he) is well your selves prisoners of war and by that my, and the greatest in magnitude of dam- known to every officer under whom he has means prevent the consequence of an une- age that has occurred on the seaboard since served on this part of the station and I am qual conflict which must otherwise ensure the commencement of the war.” most highly gratified and assure you that in …” The monetary value of the ships that the present enterprise, he has fully justified Characteristically, Coote scoffed at the were destroyed was between $150,000 and the confidence I placed in him…. I am in- ultimatum. “My reply was verbal and mere- $200,000, which today, according to Jerry formed from undoubted authority that a ly expressed my surprise at such sum- Roberts, former executive director of the force of more than 1,000 troops and militia- mons,” he wrote, “assuring the bearer that Connecticut River Museum in Essex and men aided by a detachment of seamen and tho’ sensible of their humane intentions, we author of a recent history of the raid, would marines from the enemy squadron in New set their power to detain us at defiance.” equal tens of millions of dollars. It was, London, lined the banks of the river and Afternoon passed and evening arrived writes Roberts, “one of the most audacious were in boats to oppose his return… But with the situation in stalemate. The Eagle small boat operations in naval history, re- nothing could intimidate him and his gal- was anchored out of range of the cannons sulting in the largest single loss of American lant associates. His cool decision in waiting on the riverbanks, but Coote dared not in shipping during the war of 1812.” till dark before he returned; his judicious broad daylight go farther south where the American politicians, press and citizens arrangements then dropping down the river narrowed considerably. At 6:22 p.m., were aghast at the ease with which Coote the sun set and by 7 darkness and mist had stream without rowing baffled all of the shrouded the river. The British sailors and and his marauders were able to pull off so vigilance of the enemy and he passed marines climbed into the barges for the costly and embarrassing an escapade. through the heaviest of their fire, his men hazardous run of about five miles down to Alarms were sounded throughout the Unit- giving three cheers.” Long Island Sound. One by one they cast off. ed States about the nation’s state of unpre- Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, com-

7 mander of the entire blockade operation, No shortage of Irish sailors in British navy passed along that commendation, and his own to the commissioners of the Admiralty In addition to providing a commander for the British Navy’s attack on Essex in in London: “I know not whether to admire 1814, Ireland provided numerous sailors in the crews of the warships that block- most the judicious arrangement of Capt. aded the Connecticut coastline in the War of 1812. The listings below include the Capel, who ordered this expedition, the names of more than 100 sailors, their rank or their jobs and their birthplaces. skillful, steady and determined manner in which Capt. Coote carried his plans into NAME RANK/JOB BIRTH NAME RANK/JOB BIRTH execution or the gallantry and discipline Allen, Timothy Ordnance Ford, Michael Seaman Galway which marked the conduct of the officers, Argan, Peter Seaman Cork Fox, John Landsman seamen and marines under his command.” Bailey, James Seaman Belfast Fullham, John Ordnance Ireland In his report to Capel, Capt. Coote gave Garlick, John Ordnance Ireland credit to his officers and men. He wrote, “I Barrett, John Waterford Gefford, Justus Seaman Cork have now the pleasure of informing you Bowdell, John Ordnance Ireland that through the steady and indefatigable Burke, David Ordnance Dublin Gigham, James Landsman Belfast exertions of the officers and men who you Burke, Edward Clerk Ireland Hagan, Wm. Capt. Mast Ireland did me the honor of placing under my or- Burn, James Armsmaster Dublin Haggerty, Peter Landsman Ireland ders, the service has been accomplished in Burne, Michael Ordnance Dublin Hamilton, James Seaman Belfast a more effectual way than my most san- Hamilton, John Landsman Ireland guine hopes could have led me to expect … Cahill, Wm. Ordnance Cavan When it is considered that the service was Caltrasse, Thos. Ordnance Wicklow Hanchey, Wm. Seaman Ireland performed in open daylight and almost in Campbell, John Landsman Ireland Hearn, Michael Landsman Carlow the heart of the enemy's country within a Carroll, James Landsman Dublin Hearn, Morris Seaman Kerry few miles of New London where there is so Clifford, Denis Ordnance Cork Henley, Roger Landsman Belfast large a naval and military force stationed, I Hensy, Daniel Seaman Ireland think, Sir, it will appear evident to you that Coadey, John Cork nothing than such coolness, bravery and Cole, Robert Ireland Higgins, Michael Yeoman Galway discipline as I have represented in these Colman, Daniel Seaman Kinsale Hogan, Dennis Landsman Ireland officers and men could have so completely Connell, Peter Ordnance W.Meath Hood, James Midshpmn Ireland affected the object which we had in view …” Connor, Patrick Landsman Dublin Hovele, James Ordnance Waterford In recognition of his achievement, Coote Cotter, Richard Ordnance Cork Hoy, John Ordnance Dublin was shortly thereafter promoted to full Hughes, Hugh Ordnance Ireland post captain, a good omen that he would Criggin, Patk. Landsman Ireland someday become an admiral. Unfortunate- Daily, Terence Ordnance Kildare Hyland, Harold Gunner Coleraine ly, less than three months later that dream Dalton, Richard Landsman Wexford Irvin, Michael Seaman Limerick was shattered when HMS Peacock, whose Dayley, John Seaman Cork Kearney, Wm. Seaman Carlow command he had been given after the Pet- Dillon, Edw. Capt. Guard Dublin Keene, Wm. Dublin tipaug attack, sank during a gale off the Keinan, Lawrence Ordnance Meath Virginia capes. Capt. Richard Coote per- Disney, Wm. Midshipman Dublin ished along with his entire crew. Had he Dolan, Edw. Seaman Roscommn Kelly, John Landsman Nwfndland lived, he probably would have become a Donnelly, John Dublin Kennedy, Andrew Seaman Meath legend in the British Navy. Donovan, Denis Ordnance Cork Lane, Cornelius Seaman Kerry Apparently, no listing has survived of the Donovan, James Gunner Dublin Lawless, Richard Ordnance Downpatrick 135 men under Coote’s command in the Doyle, Michael Seaman Waterford Leary, Humphrey Ordnance Cork Pettipaug attack. However, muster rolls Leary, John Yeoman Cork have survived of the four ships from whose Duff, Thomas Yeoman Ireland crews the assault force was picked. Duffy, Michael Landsman Ireland Leary, Patrick Seaman Dublin The rolls confirm that within the British Dwyer, Denis Ordnance Limerick Ledwick, Michael Seaman Dublin blockading squadron off New London Eagan, John Ordnance Carlow Lee, John Landsman Cork there was a large contingent of Irishmen. In Evans, John Ordnance Ireland Leman, John Landsman Ireland the columns at right and continued on the Evan, Thomas Seaman Cork Lisson, John Ordnance Kinsale back page of this issue are the names of more than 100 Irish sailors who served on Farnham, Fran. Ordnance W.Meath Lynch, Edward Landsman Dublin the Connecticut coast in the War of 1812. Flyn, Peter Cork Matthews, Rich. Landsman Cork And they are only a partial listing. Flynn, Thos. Ordnance Kerry (Please turn to page 8)

8 Sources and thanks to … Irish sailors in British blockade squadron Amy Trout, curator at the Connecticut River Mu- seum in Essex, was the major source for the story

NAME RANK/JOB BIRTH NAME RANK/JOB BIRTH of Capt. Coote and Essex. She provided documen- Maxwell, James Seaman Belfast Quaine, John Seaman Cork tation from the Admiralty Papers, British National Archives, of his birth in Limerick and of the Irish McCabe, Michael Seaman Dublin Quinn, Lawrence Seaman Galway origins of the British sailors. Very helpful also was McCabe, Patk. Seaman Wicklow Quinn, Michael Seaman Tyrone the just published book, The Naval Raid on Essex, McInince, James Seaman Antrim Reddy, John Landsman Dublin The Forgotten Battle of the War of 1812, by Jerry McKinn, Robert Landsman Londndrry Roarke, James Belfast Roberts, former executive director of the museum. Roberts’ book is authoritative, comprehensive and McLafforty, James Landsman Ireland Robinson, Wm. Seaman Cove a good read. Also, The Rocket’s Red Glare, The War Meagher, John Landsman Ireland Roche, Thos. Ordnance Ireland of 1812 and Connecticut, editor Glenn S. Gordinier; Mooney, John Seaman Ireland Rogan, Thos. Landsman Wicklow the Library of Ireland online, “Sir Charles Coote and the 1641 Rebellion in Ireland,” by James and Moore, Thomas Seaman Dublin Rogers, John Landsman Dublin Freeman Wills; A Genealogical and Heraldic Histo- Murphy, Edward Seaman Cork Roster, John Seaman Wexford ry of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ire- Murphy, John Seaman Cork Ryley, Edward Seaman Dublin land, by Bernard Burke, 1879, pp. 365-367; Topo- Nesbitt, James Steward Ireland Scully, Wm. Ordnance Dublin graphical Dictionary of Ireland, by Samuel Lewis, Vol. 2, pp. 171-173; online Wikepedia, Coote fami- Norton, Matthew Ordnance Dublin Sexton, Michael Landsman Clare ly; National University of Ireland in Galway, landed O’Brien, Patk. Seaman Cork Smith, John Seaman Antrim estates data, Mount Coote; New Haven Herald, Nov. O’Neill, John Seaman Meath Spellacy, Patk. Seaman Ireland 23, 1813; Commercial Daily Advertiser, Nov. 16, 1813; New York Commercial Advertiser, April 25, Pollack, Rich. Ordnance Ireland Stevenson, John Seaman Watrfrd 1814; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Acadian Recorder, Sept. Pomeroy, George Ordnance Kildare Sullivan, Daniel Seaman Cork 18, Oct. 9, 1813; Charleston, S.C., Gazette, Dec. 8, 1813; Boston Repertory, Dec. 2, 1813; Boston Com- mercial Gazette, Dec. 9, 1813.

The Shanachie

President George Waldron “We have kept faith Published quarterly by the Vice President Vincent McMahon Connecticut Irish-American with the past; Secretary Patricia Heslin Historical Society we have handed P.O. Box 185833 Treasurer Mary McMahon a tradition Hamden, CT 06518 Membership Chairperson Joan Murphy (203) 392-6126 to the future.”

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