Conn«licul e Irish-AmerIcan HilforlcalSociety TtJ 5banacbie /anualJl-Feb'UCII'JI2DD.J Vol. xvNo. , ~------_.

Toundinq Tather John Adams defended irish sailors in case that .was prelude to Boston Massacre and American Xevolution.

n June 1769, Connecticut's Honorable Thomas Hutchinson, impressment ofmen by the royal nearing its home port with a I newspapers recounted details Esq., Lieutenant Governor of navy. Plagued by shortages of cargo of salt from Europe. Lt. of an important trial in Boston this Province. The Honorable manpower on ships where Henry Panton led a party that where four Irish sailors were Robert Auchmuty, Esq., Judge crewmen were subjected to boarded the Marblehead ship imprisoned on charges of of the Court of Vice Admiralty. brutal treatment, the navy filled with the intention of impressing murdering an English naval The Honorable Andrew Oliver, its ranks by boarding and several of its crew. officer. Esq., Secretary of this Province. carrying offcrewmen from ships Two ofthe six crewmen were The case, in which the Robert Trail, Esq., Collector of on the high seas or by sending Massachusetts residents and thus Irishmen were defended by the His Majesty's Customs for "press gangs" to comb the streets exempt from impressment by famous John Adams, ranked not Portsmouth. John Nutting, Esq., and taverns of seaports for provisions of an agreement too far behind the Boston Collector of His Majesty's unsuspecting civilians. between the colonial government Massacre among a growing Customs for the Port ofSalem. A typical case of and the British navy. The other number ofclashes between royal "The Court was formed for impressment involving four - Corbett, Fanning, Conner authorities and American the Trial of Michael Corbett, Connecticut residents occurred and Ryan - were Irishmen who, colonists that eventually led to Pierce Fanning, William Conner in 1760. Two New Londoners, knowing that they would be open revolt against the mother and John Ryan, charged with John Brown, a student, and targeted for impressment, hid in country. being concerned in the Murder Singleton Church, in whose the hold of the Pitt Packet. Lt. On June 2, 1769, the of Lt. Panton of His Majesty's home Brown boarded, sailed for Panton ordered the Irishmen out Connecticut Journal in New Ship Rose; but some Doubts New York City on Church's of the hold, but they refused and London published this notice of having arisen whether the sloop on New Year's Day. On vowed to defend themselves the commencement ofthe trial: Prisoners were not intitled to a Jan. 5, just as they were arriving even though the only weapons "Boston - May 29 - On Trial by Jury, the Court was in New York, their boat was they had were an antiquated Tuesday last His Majesty's adjourned to Thursday Morning boarded by a press gang from the musket and a harpoon. When commission for the trial of Nine o'Clock, who in the mean royal navy ship Fowry. They Panton had his men tear down piracies, robberies and felonies Time took under Consideration were freed only after New York the bulkhead protecting the on the high seas was read and a the Prisoners' Right to a Trial by authorities intervened and Irishmen, one of them hurled the court formed as follows: His Jury as aforesaid. The Court was supplied two substitutes to serve harpoon, striking the British Excellency Sir Francis Bernard, further adjourned to this on the Fowry. lieutenant in the neck and Baronet, Governor of this Morning Eight o'Clock." The Boston case unfolded severing his juglar vein. Panton Province. The Honorable Samuel At issue in the Massachusetts when the British frigate Rose in died within minutes and the four Hood, Esq., Commodore and courtroom was one of the April 1769 intercepted the brig Irish sailors were imprisoned in Commander of His Majesty's English practices most detested Pitt Packet owned by Richard Boston on charges of murder. Ships in these parts. The by American colonists: Hooper of Marblehead, as it was (Please turn 10 page 2) Page 2 irishmen triggered case rivaling Boston Massacre in importance

(Conlinuedfrom page I) choice but because they were Head, and an Irishman. Atlantic coast, including the Their case was scheduled to be kidnapped by the notorious "Miles Murphey, Twenty­ Connecticut Gazette published heard not by a jury in a civil press gangs. Harsh discipline Four Years of Age, 5 Feet, 5 in New London. Two of the court but by the special further alienated such unwilling Inches high, of a Swarthy deserters were Irishmen: admiralty court. The case soon sailors and they jumped ship as Complexion, wears his own "Thomas Short, Aged about became a cause celebre. soon as they reached port. The short, black Hair and an 26 Years, of a dark "Nothing roused Americans to navy did everything it could to Irishman. Complection, about 5 Feet 4 greater fury," observed one hunt down and punish deserters. "William Lockhart, Twenty­ Inches high, wears a Wig or historian on the case, "than the When the British fiigate Five Years of Age, 5 Feet 10 Cap, a native of Ireland, a well practice of kidnapping citizens, Cygnet wintered in New London Inches high, of a Dark set stout Man, has a speck on forcing them into the service." in )763-64, three seamen and Complexion, much pitted with one or both his Eyes. Another historian wrote, three marines deserted. All the the Small Pox, and wears his "Jeremiah O'Hara, aged "The feeling against sailors were Irishmen and one of own short Black Hair, and an about 30 Years, of a Swarthy impressment and the denial of the three marines was a Irishman. black Complection, smooth trial by jury ran so high in the Prussian. The skipper of the "Gabriel Bean, Twenty­ Faced, wears a Wig or Cap, a colonies," that their conviction Cygnet, Capt. Charles Leslie Eight Years of Age, 5 Feet 7 well set stout Man, about 3 Feet by the special court might have offered a reward of £2 sterling Inches high, of a Brown 7 Inches high, a native of led to an attempt to forcibly for information on the Complexion, wears his own Ireland." rescue them with a clash whereabouts of the deserters. long, Black Hair, Red Breeches, Sources: Connecticut Gazette, Dec. between Bostonians and the His advertisement In Waistcoat, and a Blue Jacket; 2, 1763, April 6, 1764; Connecticut British garrison "even more Connecticut newspapers he's a Prussian." Journal, June 2, 1769; John Adams and the American bloody than the Boston described them thus: In 1763, when four sailors Revolution by Catherine Drinker Massacre 10 months later." "Daniel McClean, Twenty­ deserted from His Majesty's Bowen; John Adams by Page Retained by the Irish sailors, Seven Years of Age, 5 Feet, 5 Ship Alborough in Halifax, Smith, VoL 1; Growth of the Adams intended to challenge the Inches high, of a Brown Nova Scotia, British authorities American Revolution by Bernhard jurisdiction of the court and Complexion, wears a Wig or advertised for their capture in KnoUenberg. demand a trial by jury. When Cap, with many Scars on his newspapers up and down the the court declared that it properly had the right to try the case, Adams began his case by Multiculturalism in U.S. histOl1/! You bet there is! stating, "May it please Your There is a school of thought fushionable today among some historians and politicians that would Excellencies and Your Honors, have everyone believe that placing emphasis on the contributions ofminority ethnic and racial groups my defense of the prisoners is is dangerous and represents a watering down of the history of the United States. The article above that the melancholy action for about the HMS Rose incident in 1769 reveals how wrong-headed is that narrow view of our history. which they stand accused is Those who oppose the multicultural approach to history would emphasize the role ofFounding Father justifiable homicide and John Adams in winning an acquittal, but would completely ignore the fact that by taking a stand therefore no crime at alL" against impressment, the four Irish sailors were doing just what Bostonians did when they dumped tea Before Adams could into Boston Harbor to protest unfair taxation. The fact that numerous Irishmen and Prussians served continue, the court went behind on and deserted from British warships in America in colonial times is another clue to the multicultural closed doors. The next morning, makeup of our history and our people. Events in Boston just a few months after the HMS Rose case apparently sensitive to how provide similar examples of the importance of multiculturalism in our past. On Feb. 22, 1770, in a volatile the situation was, the dispute over adherence to the non-importation tactics adopted by colonists, a young apprentice named court announced a verdict of not Snyder, the son ofa German immigrant, was shot dead, stirring up more resentment among the people guilty for all four defendants. ofBoston. On March 5 that year, three men were killed in the so-called Boston Massacre. They were The HMS Rose case wasn't shot by British soldiers who had been harassed by a mob. John Adams defended the soldiers and the only time when the affairs of described the mob as "a motley rabble of saucy boys, Irish teagues and outlandish jack tars." Of the the British Royal Navy made three shot and killed, the first was Crispus Attucks, a Bostonian of mixed African-American and the pages of Connecticut's Native-American blood, who was said to be the leader of the crowd. The second was Patrick Carr, a papers. Desertion was common J7-year-old native of Ireland Carr survived for a few days and told the doctor attending him that as a among crewmen of British navy boy he had often seen people shot by English soldiers in disturbances in Ireland Obviously, the story vessels serving in America in of America cannot be told truthfully and completely without recognizing how people of many colonial times. Oftentimes men different ethnic and racial groups have played important roles in it. ended up on shipboard not by -- Page3

Loving Irish son became a recluse when devastated by parents' deaths Mike Horan, a kind-hearted After that, Horan lived in www.Celtic.Comis a fun and potentially very productive place and outgoing Irislunan who seclusion, his only contact with for family historians. Its home page describes Celtic.com as "the loved his fumily dearly and took other people being an occasional first truly global online community for Celtic people aroWld the great pride in his Irish heritage, trip to Waterbury to sell the world." Among the site's offerings are lists ofCeltic festivals, was destined to die a lonely produce of his farm. "His long cultural events, pen pals, merchandise, and travel opportunities. death as a recluse in the town of white hair and grey beard made Wolcott in Connecticut him a conspicuous figure on the The genealogy link ofCeltic.com features a listing ofCeltic Horan was born in Ireland in streets of the city," according to nanles and posting boards on which people leave notes about 1846 during the Famine, and the newspaper. "He declined to their family backgroWlds and their searches. Visitors to the site came to America about 1867 as a talk with his friends here except can go through the alphabetic listings to select a name they are yOWlg man of 21. He settled in a on matters relating to Ireland. To interested in or type the name in and click the search button. house on Brewster Street in them he often said, 'I only wish I There is also a feature that visitors can use to request the Waterbury and Iived very can live long enough to see posting ofa new search board for a nanle in which they have an frugally for two years Wltil he Ireland free.'" interest. Just browsing through the names is fascinating with had saved enough money to One of the few people who queries posted from allover world - from the Isle ofMan to bring over his parents and had contact with him was a man Thailand, Saskatchewan and San Jose. The only problem is that brothers and sisters. named Fred Andrews, the dealer there are no postings for a number of names in the master list. The family remained in who sold him feed for his Several typical postings are shown below. Waterbury for about IO years. livestock. After his brothers and sisters had In March 1907, Andrews From R Coady in England: "There were Carrolls in Liverpool married, Mike bought a fann in became concerned that who owned a large ship cleaning company, still going circa Wolcott "on the west road something was amiss when he 1950. Not sure where they hailed from in Ireland, but my great­ leading from Spindle Hill in the failed to see Horan aroWld the grandmother was supposedly a Carroll (disinherited for direction ofBristol." fann. marrying below hersel.f.)" There he settled and lived in Andrews contacted the town's relative prosperity, supporting first selectman and together they From Kathleen Goodwin ofPhiladelphia: "Searching for his parents and himself with the visited the fann. They were Campbells ofKilrean Lower, Co. Donegal, and O'Donnells of earnings ofthe fann. alarmed to fmd some of his G1enties, Co. Donegal. My part ofthe fan1ily emigrated from He was described as "a jovial, Iivestock dead in the barn, and there in I 880s." companionable rnan," and it was when they peered through a said that "he always had a full window they saw Horan's body From Heather Rankin in the United States: "I've been searching pantry. " on the floor. for 15 years for Robert Rankin and his wife, Dora Doyle. The Horan also took a great They called Wolcott's good news is that I fOWld their marriage certificate in New interest in Irish history and medical examiner, Dr. E. W. Orleans; the bad news - not much information on it: Rankin, current events. "He was one of Goodenough, and he determined Robert, b Scotland, married 6 April 1852 in New Orleans; the best versed men in Irish that Horan fell on the floor after Doyle, Dora b. March 1827, COWlty Wexford, Ireland." history," said the Waterbury being taken ill and was Wlable to American at the tinle of his move. From Paula Ryan of Indianapolis: "I am looking for information death. "He loved his books and "With plenty of coal nearby about McConnells in the Washington, D.C., area in the late 19th had a good library." and a cellar full of split wood as century. My great-grandfather, Hubert McConnell, was one of Tragically, Horan's devotion well as a pantry fujI of good IO children to Isaac McConnell. Isaac's wife and 8 children died to his parents was his downfall. eatables, he lacked the strength in an epidemic (black dyptheria) leaving Hubert and one When they both died about 1882, to make his way to them and he brother, John. I believe that Isaac was born in Ireland and fought he was devastated. died from exposure and with the Union in the Civil War at Gettysburg." "He was a changed man starvation," said the newspaper. altogether," said the newspaper. In the farmhouse was fOWld From John R. Mitchell in Auckland, New Zealand: "Meagher, "On the way to the cemetery "a bWlch of old letters, $25 in W. and S. A daughter (Julia) was born in Naas about 1826. Her with the body of his father, who money and a large number of father was a sergeant in the British army. The Meagher family was the last to die, he told his books containing the history of arri ved in Sydney, Australia, in 1844 and were then stationed at relatives never to call on him Ireland and England." Port McQuarrie, New South Wales, in early 1845. Julia married again. 'My poor old father is Source: Waterbury American, my great-great-grandfather John Richardson Mitchell in gone,' he said, 'and I am left March 15, 1907. Pararnatta/Sydney in 1846. Shortly afterward they lived in New alone. From this tinle on I will Zealand." always live alone. n, Page.

briefllj noted I

Civil War search - A work­ Also on display at the Mu­ shop titled Finding Your IRISH CONNECTIONS seum ofConnecticut History Man: Connecticut's Civil until Feb. 26 is an exhibit War Soldiers has been sched­ titled Preserving Memory: uled from 10 am. to noon on "On any farm in Ireland in the 19208 and 1930s, all work was America's Monumental leg­ Feb. 22 at the Museum of done by manual labor. This was especially true of small farms. acy. Connecticut History in the There were no mowing machines, combine harvesters or potato Connecticut State Library. diggers; the scythe, the reaping hook and the pitchfork were the Family bistory - Registration The workshop will introduce tools in use. Farm workers prided themselves on their physical can be made now for a three­ participants to research meth­ strength and abilities, and competition was intense to see who session class in basic family ods that are effective in un­ could mow a field of com, or plough an acre of 'bawn' (a green, history techniques at Gateway covering a wealth ofbio­ unbroken field) in the shortest time. Hiring fairs were common Community College in New graphical information on indi­ in our part of the country then. They were held once a year, usu­ Haven. The course will be vidual soldiers. Dean Nelson, ally on the first of January, at the same time as the cattle and pig taught by CIAHS President director ofthe museum, will fairs. Boys and girls who had left national school and were now Jeanne Whalen and will cover speak on "Reconstructing looking for employment attended, dressed in their Sunday best. topics such as talking with Your Soldier's World." Diana When the livestock market was over, the youngsters lined up near relatives to uncover family McCain, historian and author the cattle pens and the farmers who needed servant girls or boys history and the use oflibrar­ ofConnecticut's African went along the ranks, judging them for their ability to work, and ies and archives. The course American Soldiers in the Civil sometimes, in the case ofa widowed farmer or a bachelor, for the wiU be held on Saturday War, 1861-1865, will speak girl's looks as well. It was almost like the days of the sale of mornings March 29, April 5 on "Digging for Information, slaves in the United States, the difference being that Irish labour­ and 12 from 9 am. to noon. Using the Archives." Mary ers and servant girls were indentured labour, that is, they signed a Tuition is $59 and registration M. Donohue, Save Outdoor piece of paper declaring that they would work for the farmer for a may be made by contacting Sculpture coordinator for the year, and iftheir work proved satisfactory the contract would be the college, (203) 285-2000. Connecticut Historical Com­ renewed The boys received £ I a week, the girls £20 a year, plus mission, will speak on their keep. If, however, they proved unsatisfactory in some way, Book club - A book club has "Preserving Our Past, Con­ they could be dismissed at a moment's notice, and had little been organized in the New necticut's Outdoor Monu­ chance of employment elsewhere ... Not all the people lined up Haven area to focus on Irish ments and Cemeteries." The at the hiring fairs were boys and girls. At Mallow fair there were and Irish-American literature. workshop, hosted by the De­ often labourers from West Cork unable to find employment in The club will meet every scendants ofthe 29th Regi­ their own mountainous area, and without the wherewithal to emi­ other month on di fferent ment, Connecticut's first Af­ grate to America They were hard men, taU and rangy, and there weekday evenings. Members rican-American Civil War was no need for a farmer to ask them to show him their hands; recently read and discussed regiment, is free and open to they had been labouring since they were twelve or thirteen." Charming Billy by Alice the public. For more informa­ McDermott. For more infor­ tion, contact Mary M. Down by the Glenside mation, contact Neil Hogan, Donohue, 860-566-3005, or By Sean o'Callaghan (203) 269-9154, or Elizabeth [email protected]. Dalton, (203) 288-9035.

President Jeaane Roche Whalen Vice Presidellt George Waldroa "We have kept faith Published bRonthly by tile Secretary Mau..- Delallant with the .-t; Connectlcat Iri8lt-An1erican Treasurer T_ Slaler we have hllllded Historical Society Shuachle Editor Netl Hog_. (203) 269-9154 P.O. Box 120020 at....ilioa to the fatare.'· East HlIVen. CT 06512 M_ltershlp $10 IIIdlWlual. $15 flIMlly. SClIMI n_e. addrtlll8 ad (203) 392·6126 check ....e out to cWtS to addrtlll8 alleft. - Padraic Pearse In lre....d. a 8hanachle Is a folklorist. hl8lo"'" IlIMI keeper of the t....ltlons of the people. e Conned/cui Irllh-AmtNIcan HistoricalJoc/fty TtJ 5banacbfe Mardr-April zoo, Vol XVliD. /I

rene K. Dunn raised a lot of Hartford Courant, "She belongs to I eyebrows in 1919 when she several clubs in New Haven and gave up her post as a teacher in was especially prominent in her Traveling New Haven's public schools to go war work." on the road as a saleswoman for During World War I, she was a Sperry & Barnes, the oldest and founder of the city's Girls' largest meat-packing concern in Patriotic League and an organizer saleswoman southern Connecticut. of weekly dances that were "a If Dunn's career change was wonderful success both fmancially alarming, however, it might well and from the point of view of have been predicted had anyone League work." looked at the past record of the It was while she was engaged in young woman who was a daughter wartime work that Dunn came to of one of New Haven's most the attention of Sperry & Barnes, a respected cops, Capt. Thomas firm that employed 300 workers at Irene K. Dunn Dunn, chiefof the city's Detective its offices and packing house on broke Bureau. Long Wharfin New Haven harbor. new ground A graduate of New Haven Hearing of her success selling for women Normal School who had studied at advertising space for a charity In the world Columbia University and at Yale, performance, company officials of business. Irene Dunn was a leader in both offered her a job hawking the patriotic and feminist activities in company's specialty line of her hometown. "minced ham all done up in nice She was an ardent proponent of glass jars and cooked frankftuts the suffragette campaign to win for also in glass jars." women the right to vote. "She has Her acceptance of the position organized for suffrage and swept her into a world then marched in suffrage parades and dominated by men. Like them, she has spoken for the cause," said the (please turn /0 page 2)

he Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society hopes to observe with several special Tactivities this year the lOOth anniversary of the dedication of the monument to Connecticut's Irish regiment -the 9th Connecticut Volunteers - in the Civil War. The monument stands in Bay View Park in the City Point neighborhood of New Haven. For the past several years, the Irish History Round Table and the CIAHS have sponsored a memorial ceremony near Veterans Day in November to conunemorate the service of the regiment, comprised largely of Irish-Americans recruited throughout Connecticut. This year, with the assistance of Mary Donohue of the Connecticut Historical Commission, an Irish application will be submitted to the Save Outdoor Sculpture! program sponsored by the National regiment's Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Property in Washington, D.C., for a grant to conduct a survey of the monument The purpose of the survey is to determine the condition of the monument monument and the nature and cost ofany renovations needed to preserve it Donohue, coordinator and survey and grants director for Connecticut Save Outdoor Sculpture!, centennial has been instrumental in conducting surveys and overseeing the renovation ofdozens ofmonuments in the state. She was involved, for example, in efforts by the City of New Haven to renovate the (please turn /0 Page 2) II Page:Z

2003 marks lOOth anniversary of 9th Regiment monument

(Continuedfrom Page J) numerous losses - 200 deaths - from swamp fever contracted monument honoring World War I Irish-American hero Timothy in the swamps along the river. In 1864, the regiment served in , Ahearn. A corporal in Co. C, 102nd Infantry, Ahearn took the Shenandoah VaHey campaign ofGen. Phil Sheridan. command of his company in battle near Verdun on Oct. 17, The monument was dedicated on Aug. 3, 1903, in 1918, after all the officers and sergeants were killed or conjunction with the annual convention of the American-Irish wounded. He led the company through the day's action and Historical Society in New Haven that year. A parade featuring later braved a machine-gun barrage to rescue a wounded military units from around the state foflowed a route from the officer. The city received a grant for a survey of the Ahearn Green out to Bay View Park for the dedication. In 1950, the statue, located at Ella Grasso Boulevard and Route 34 near the monument was moved a few feet south of its original location Yale Bowl, and,,1ater refurbished the monument. during improvements to U.S. Route I. The soldier's figure atop The 9th Regiment monument is unusual in several respects, the monument was removed from the base and the two parts according to a description of it written in 1993 by historian moved separately and then reassembled on July 10 that year. I David F. Ransom of West Hartford. Ransom noted that the The survey and possible future renovation of the 9th monument, unlike most from that era, is located on the site of Regiment monument could serve as the cornerstone for a round the original encampment of the regiment. He also noted that it ofactivities to fittingly recognize the regiment for its Civil War is one offew dedicated to a particular ettmic group. service. The activities hopefully will include a rededication, After training at City Point in New Haven, the unit served in publication of a pamphlet describing the regiment's service, the capture ofNew Orleans and in early efforts ofthe Union to lectures on the regiment and related Civil War topics. capture Vicksburg, the Confederate stronghold on the Anyone interested in getting involved in the centennial Mississippi Rjver north of New Orleans. The regiment suffered activities should contact President Jeanne Whalen. New Haven schoolteacher became traveling saleswoman

(Continuedfrom page J) known and established firm, it some propaganda and who are Persistence is a very necessary crisscrossed her territory - all isn't as difficult as trying to always willing to tell of their requirement, and if one is to of New England - by train, introduce an article being put views. And then, of course, take to the road he or she must traveling in parlor cars, out by an unknown house." one stands a chance ofmeeting not be easily discouraged. " boarding and eating in hotels, Dunn also discovered that mayhap future presidents or Dunn also credited her and carrying a typical she enjoyed the traveling. governors or other equally teaching experience for her salesman's case ofsamples. "Now ~ get more time to read important personages." success in sales work. "( think Dunn said she took the job than ( did before," she said. "( Asked about her sales there is a good deal to studying "with a good deal of get a hold of all the really techniques, Dunn replied, people," she said. "You know ( misgivings ... as to how men worthwhile books I can and it "You've got to gain a man's taught school for a few years who had known only salesmen is surprising how much reading confidence in you, first. You and one can't do that without would receive me and whether one can do on trains. must concentrate on the learning to study people ... ( traveling would prove to be a "While ( am deprived of my purpose for which you have think that my school pleasure or irksome." home life and of my friends, come. Stick to your subject experience has been my She discovered that her there are compensations. until the deal is closed, and greatest asset in selling. A fellow salesmen-travelers were Occasionally ( will be in a then ifyou want to have a few teacher must be resourceful "a fine lot of men, chivalrous town where there is a good pleasantries, all right. And and she must have initiative and helpful in every way," concert, and ( go to it. Or there is good articulation. So and one needs both these giving her tips on sales maybe there is some play I many people mumble their qualities in selling. A teacher techniques even though she have been waiting to see. And words and don't really give the usually sizes up a child at the was their competitor. when time hangs heavy on my buyer a fair chance to size up beginning of the year and as "My confidence was hands at night, I remember that the salesman or woman and his the days go by she finds out restored with the first order," the movies are always with us. or her goods. And, above all whether she formed proper she said. "As (look back now, "Traveling is a lot of fun if especially, a girl must be opinions or not. In this way, the orders were pretty small one wants to take the trouble to dignified. ( think perhaps the she learns to judge people then, but ( used to think they make it interesting. ( meet no best line of salesmanship, or at much more quickly than one were of mountainlike end of fascinating people. least I have found out that it who had not this training." proportions. Of course, Women who are doing worked best in my case, is the Source: Hartford Courant, Dec. working as ( am for a weU- worthwhile work in spreading act of gentle persuasiveness. 28, 1919. ------~-----_--~------Page3 Globetrotter found temporary job in state family history In the summer of 1916, an mighty fine people but were "The 'crackers.' or the poor Irishman named Tom Murray governed by the dregs of whites, down in Florida hate Back to books - Amid all the turned up a<; one of the English cities, being snubbed northerners and the Negroes modern-day, hi-tech aids to workmen constructing a dam at and ill-treated. are afraid of their jobs so that family history, it is easy to Lane's Pond in Wallingford. "There were many fine you're liable to be stuck in the overlook plain old books as a Rumor apparently got Englishmen of the old school night if you are looking for a great source for the kind of around that Murray had, down in the Cape job. 1 was glad to leave it, background material that adds, indeed. kissed the Town section, but although Mrs. Palmer paid depth and perspective to Blarney Stone. the y w ere good to act as her footman and genealogy. The Mer ide n outnumbered by take care ofthe horses." Edward MacLysagbt is an " "\ Morning Record sent a ~ the others. Going off on a di fferent especially valuable author for reporter to the pond to ~ "Returning home, topic, Murray said he had anyone doing Irish fumily check the rumor. The . . 1 again entered the traveled allover the wor,ld as a research. For years, he was "Cr, reporter discovered that '%.~ constabulary and sailor. chiefherald and genealogical it was well-founded. - remained with "One of my last trips was to officer ofthe Irish office of Murray was well- them until the call Naples. /t's a dog's life arms. He wrote what remain traveled, well-versed ~~ 0 I' Am e ric a though. The Americans are not the most authoritative and not at all shy about carried a number of us across found in the forecastle any volumes on Irish family narrating his experiences. the sea more. Negroes, Italians and history: Irish Families. Their The reporter quoted "One of the funniest jobs 1 other races are the sailors of Names. Arms & Origins; Murray's monologue thlK ever had in America was down today. More Irish Families; and The "I was here years and years in Florida with Mrs. Potter- "If you go firing, you may Surnames ofIreland. In these ago and went back to Belfast to Palmer who is said to be a meet a few Englishmen and volumes, he discusses the serve as a member ofthe Royal society leader of the country Americans, but it's pretty derivation ofthousands of Constabulary. and resides in Chicago. tough work and requires Irish names. He traces the "For six years my duty was "Mrs. Palmer had SO acres considerable of a knack to geographical location of to act as pointsman at the of oranges on her plantation keep it up. The men are given families and categorizes ShankiIJi Road in Belfast. A there, and just threw them to two glasses of whiskey in names to indicate whether pointsman is the same as your the pigs. There are lots of between shifts to keep them they are ofGael ic, Norman, traffic conductor or traffic apple- and peanut-fed pigs, but cool. Viking, Anglo-Irish, Scots­ policeman while a peeler is an the pork from Palmer's farm "The young man of today Irish, Huguenot. Palatine, etc. ordinary policeman. must have been fine tasting who believes in working his origin. "The policeman's life in with orange-fed pigs ready for way over on board ship is Name issues - MacLysaght also Belfast is much the same a<; the table. foolish. I've been around some addresses questions that tend that in this country although he "Florida is a mighty poor and as long as I have any cash, to baffle those ofus who do occupies in most cases a more place to live in. Except for a I'm going to pay my passage. Irish family history, such as dignified position and does not few plantations and the shore The pay is better nowadays. puzzl ing spell ings of Irish have to break up shindys as resorts, it is a desert. "'fhe best country of them names, the use of0, Mac and one does over here. "Anybody that tells of great all is America New York State Mc in Gaelic names and the "Along about 1900, 1 had real estate profits down in is the best state in the country. confusion that arises about been studying hospital training Florida has a gold brick behind "At' the present time, the relationship ofsurnames and had certificates as a first his back to sell you. I see by Connecticut is coming up big and clan or tribe names in aid assistant from the doctors. 1 the papers the other day that because of the munitions early ueland. left Belfust then to join the they are going to divide it into works, but it was only a little Ready access - MacLysaght's hospital corps in the Boer War two states. while ago when Connecticut works are standard genealogy and served a year and a half in "One part is 'dry' and the was ranked by travelers as a textbooks and are available in the corps, having to give it up other 'wet,' one is Democratic cheap state. many public libraries in because of a bad attack of and one Republican. I lived in "I worked in Oridgeport and Connecticut. The CIAHS also diphtheria the 'wet' section. They're all have folks there whom I has a supply of The Surnames "My sympathies were with divided up, but as far as haven't seen for six years." ofIreland in handy paperback the Boers and their dying in the making two states, there Source: Meriden Morning form. The book makes a hospital camps only increased wouldn't be enough to go Record, SepL 2, 1916. good, quick reference for that feeling. The Boers were a around. family historians. page 4

briefly noted Good times

Time to pay dues - March , for barbers is the month for renewal The year 1883, proved to ofdues. Dues remain, as be very rewarding for a they have since we organ­ IRISHCONNECTIONS couple of New Haven ized in 1989: $10 for indi­ immigrants. viduals and $1 S for fami­ "Did you ever see a jaunting cart? It is not the Late in that year, a lies. Please send renewal comeliest thing in the world, but, take our word for journeyman barber in New checks to the address it, it is mighty convenient for a small sociable party. Haven learned that he was listed at the bottom ofthe Imagine two short benches back to back with people about to "come into page. While you are at it, on them .... Imagine another low bench on top ofthe possession of $87,000 try to think of relatives, other two and between the back of the company. through the death of friends friends or neighbors who Cover the benches (in) your mind, put them on in his native Germany." might want to join our wheels, add a seat in front for the driver and a The barber, named Henry society. We have no reve­ something for the passengers feet and you have a Leyerzaph was said to have nue other than our dues to very good imitation of the vehicle we have the come to New Haven a few pay for the expense of honor to occupy. The driver is a lively, loquacious years previously to enter publishing this newsletter personage, full of fun and anecdote. He kept us college. and for other activities. laughing all the way out, and will probably help us He went to work in a Thanks -A tip ofthe hat to to laugh all the way in, but his horse has grown res­ barbershop for $10 to $12 volunteers who work in tive. He has to stop and mend (with a malediction per week after he became the archives at the Ethnic and a piece of twine) the constantly breaking har­ dissipated and his Heritage Center at South­ ness and the 'nasty baste' as he calls her ... He con­ remittances from his family ern COlU1ecticut State tinued, however, to get along in some fashion and in Germany were cut off. University: Frank O'Day, his good humor returning, he explained everything At about the same time, an Dorothy Heslin, Maureen notable that carne in our way. He seemed to be gen­ Italian immigrant, the wife Delahunt, Tom Geirin, erally known, too, for nearly all spoke to him that of Henry Pensabene, learned Florence Fit~bbons, we encountered and amongst the rest, a party of that she was to receive Kathy Kraffiniller, and hunters in red coats, white knee breeches and long $7,000 from her mother in Martha Alquist. More boots whose splashed habiliments and joyous coun­ Italy. volunteers are needed tenances denoted a good day's sport. The road by Source: Meriden Daily Republican, Dec. 16, 1883. Thursday mornings from which we returned to the city was a very good one, 9 am. to noon and the and kept in excellent repairs ... A four-horse mail Editor's note: In recogniJion of first Saturday ofeach the bond between our historical coach with its guard executing 'Dan Tucker' on a society and the other societies month from 9 to noon. trumpet passed us on the edge oftown." in the Etllnic Heritage Center, Thanks also to Judy and and tQ foster appreciation for Phil Cronin, Joan Carney, Lettersfrom Ireland aU races and nationalilies, The Mae DuffY and Pat Heslin New York Catholic Register Slranaclrie regularly prints for donating letters to the articles about otlrer etlrllic archives. groups

Presld.I Jeanae RooIIe Wllalen Vice Presldenl George Waldroa "We U¥I! kept falIh P.1tIIsIIed ..0IIth1y tty lile Seuelary Maureen Delaltunl CoRaedicul Ir"ll-ARlertcaa willi tile past; IreaHrer Ie. Slider _ 11_ IIl111del1 H..loricaI Society Shllllachie Editor Neil Hog.... (203) 269-9154 I P.O. Box 120020 a lradlUolI 1o lile fat.n." East HaveR. CI 06512 "'-ltersilip $10 Indiridual, $15 ra..lly. Send n_e address lIIId (203) 392·6126 check ....e out 1o CWtS 1o addresa .. left. - Padraic Pearse In lrellllld. a Sbanadlill .. a folklorisl. h..lorian IIIId keeper of Ibe , lradltiofts of Ille .-ple. Connedicut Irllh-Amerlcan T~e HlstorlcallDelety Sbanacbie May-June 2003 Vol. XV No. III

LE1TEIl DAY Anti-popery book sold in New London may have come from pen of Irish Spaniard

n its Dec. 3, 1773, issue, Catholic family living in 1715-16. He accepted a I New London's Connecticut Saragossa in northeastern Spain. chaplaincy on an English naval Gazette notified readers that an The evidence suggests that hc ship, HMS Preston, and was of Irish descent. His Don't delay! Enclosed Is your interesting new book was subsequently went to Ireland membership renewal envelope. available at its offices. surname is that of an ancient where the Anglican archbishop "Subscribers are desired to call Gaelic sept - Gabhain. His of Cashel appointed him a Please write out your check for 0 membership this year and return for their copies," urged the father or grandfather likely was curate ,in the parish of Gowran it right away. Setting it aside newspaper. one of the Wild Geese soldiers in County Kilkenny. Gavin later who served in the Spanish greatly increases the chances of The 300-page book, printed settled in Cork. military during the 17th and forgetting it ahogether. in Newport, R.I., sold for four "As for the reasons which shillings. Titled "A Master-Key 18th centuries. moved me to publish this to Popery," its author was D. There are other intimations book," he wrote, "I shall only Antonio Gavin, a clergyman of of Irishness in his book. Gavin say that as the corrupt practices the Church ofEngland. alludes to a parish priest with which are the subject of it, first The book is filled with the Irish name Peter Bernes in set me upon examining into the revelations about corruption in Saragossa, and some editions of principles of the church of the Catholic Church. It is an his book also include a narrative Rome and by that means of example of a genre of literature by a Rev. Joseph Blanco White, renouncing them, so :1 thought that was immensely popular who was born and brought up in that the making of thcm public On Sunday, Aug. 3, a special during colonial and early Spain, the son ofan Irish father. might happily produce the same program win mark the centennial national times in the United Gavin himself was educated effect in some others." of the dedication of the ,States. Published first in at the University of Saragossa Gavin's volume focuses on monument to Connecticufs Irish Europe, the anti-Catholic books and was ordained a Catholic the accumulation of great Civil War regiment: the 9th found a large audience when priest. wealth by the Catholic Church, Volunteers. Please tum to Page 4 reprinted in America. He writes, "As soon as it had on sexual predations by its for more details. Historian Ray Allen pleased God by his grace to clergymen and on its neglect of Billington places Gavin's book overcome in me the prejudices the basic tenets ofChristianity. at the top of a list of what he of my education in favor of the He contrasts, for example, calls "several outstanding corrupt church in which I had the di fferent treatment accorded English No-Popery works," that been bred up and to inspire me to penitents in confession. "If a appealed to American with a resolution to embrace poor countryman goes to Protestants. He notes that avid the Protestant religion, 1 saw confess," Gavin writes, "the readership of such books was that in order to preserve my life, father confessor takes little pain driven by fears that the growth I must immediately quit Spain with him for as he expects little of the Catholic population was where all persons who do not or nothing from him, he heareth only the first step in a Catholic publicly profess the Romish him and with bitter words On Sunday, Sept 14, we are conspiracy to subvert religion are condemned to corrects the poor man, and most planning a bus trip to the Famine democracy in America. death," commonly, . without any "emorial at Battery Park in New The Catholic antecedents of Gavin says he escaped from correction imposing on him a York City. Please turn to page 4 many of the authors of the Spain by disguising himself as a hard penance, sends him away I. for more details about the books lent credence to their military officer and made his with the same ignorance hc excursion. narratives. Gavin, for example, way to England where he joined went to confess." was born in the.late 1600sinto a the Anglican Church on Jan. 3, (Continued on page 3) Page 2

Short biography ofSayers family from Kerry donated to archives

Editor's note: ClAHS member Jim distance of 30 to 40 mites. His besides. Needless to say, he was and must be picked by a tool, McCabe recently donated tq the trade did not consist of any comfortably off ... similar to what cleans the ice Irish archives at the Ethnic Heritage stock, sometimes a cupboard or a "... Michael .,. received a from the sidewalks. When the Center in New Haven, a brief load of baskets or a load of nice third ofthe land, that is, the grass material is collected, a man must "Biograplry of the Sayers Clan." cobblestones for the purpose of of one cow. He married El'Ien work fast to get it to the top The biography WQS dictared by John Sayers and typed by Mary Adams decorating well-ta-do people's O'Brien, daughter of Pady who before the tide comes in, making Oliver Sayers in 1951, then driveways and various things. Of was transferred from Cashel in it very laborious and dangerous reprinud in 1989 by Susan Adams course, on his return trip he the parish of Ventry to Carhoo along the coast ... Rutherford. The biography is a good brought a load of commodities ... O'Brien gave his daughter the "... They were of a noble reminder that family histqries need not be long nor in bookform tq have suitable to the conununity such grass of one cow merging with family ... There were Mike Jack, value, both in tracing ancestors and as pitch forks, shovels, spades, Mike's, making the grass of two Tom Jack, John, Tom at in providing details of life in reaping forks and all other cows ... Vicarstown. There were Pat and Ireland. In jllSt jive typed pages, farming implements ... Around "This was in 1864 (the John at Park Gariv near Slea John Sayers tdIs much about the 1830, he came across a family grandparents married). He built a Head, Pat at Blackfields in the background of his County Kerry ancestors and heritage. Excerpts named Pierce in a place called fine house, bought stock and parish of Ferriter. One of them from his family history are printed Ballyheige in the northwest part farming implements and now lives in Holyoke, Mass. Her below: of Kerry between Tralee and the obtained the share of the boat. name is Esther Sayers Lynch ... "Around 1779, John Sayers River Shannon. Here is where That left him independent. There There was James Sayers who resided in a place called Ballana Jack-Jack met his wife, Honora, was at that time 18 landowners was Ici'llcd by his own horse Howe (English translation: the (great-grandmother), daughter of living at Carhoo ... coming home from town around Village of the River) in the James Pierce, around the year "Michael's family consisted 60 years ago in Ballaheige. Near parish ofDunquin, 10 miles west 1830 ... He lived in that locality of five sons and two daughters, Ventry lived Carrott Andy. His of Dingle '" close to the shore ... around seven or eight years, four ofthe sons emigrating to the uncle was Bishop of SL John, off the Blasket Islands, in the returning to Dunquin in 1844 ... United States and one daughter Newfoundland. After his death vicinity of Dunmore Head, the evidently his father retaining his ... Thomas, John, Mike and he requested and recommended westernmost point of Ireland. fann west of Ballana Howe in a Garrett came to the United States Carrott's oldest son to go to The name John was place called Ferriters Quarters ... college and was later ordained at characteristically known in the and took possession of the land The village of Carhoo All Hallows College in Dublin family as Jack. He had a family in his father's name, the original consisted roughly of 100 (acres) around 60 years ago. Then came of four sons and a daughter, Jack. of land, including bog land his brother, Pat, who was also namely Jack-Jack (great­ He had his family come to besides being well-provided with ordained and went to grandfather), Tom Jack, Rabon Dunquin, two sons and one bogs for fuel ... Michael's Sacramento, Cali f. Then came Jack, Michael Jack and Kate Jack daughter: Michael (grandfather), property extended along the his brother, Martin, who was also ... Too It had to be exercised in Thomas and Elizabeth. DWlquin Atlantic a distance of about one­ ordained in the same college and order to keep ahead of the was the parish. Ferriters Quarters eighth of a mile consisting of went as curate to his brother times .... A man had to grow his originally belonged to the parish cliffs 100 to 200 feet high. There Andrew to Newfoundland. Also own barley, potatoes, turnips, of Ferriter and since its merging was no sand to be seen except their nephew is somewhere in the oats and some wheat, milk being with DWlquin is called Carhoo. blue sea and rocks. Close to the United States. Carrott's brother plentifuL During the summer He had born to him at Carhoo: cliffs the land was not productive lived in Lathive, Mass. Tom, months, also, fish had to be cured Shawn, Jack, Honora, Kate, except for sheep and dry cattle another family that lived in the for winter use, also for the Margaret ... eight children ... When the tide went out a man same village. Met a large number market as it was the only means altogether. could travel a distance of a of them in this country from of getting money. This goes to "... Due to the advantages quarter of a mile. It was Derrymore in Tralec and still are show there was no loafer at that obtained from the sea from necessary to know the geography living in this country. Carrott in time. No one knew anything but fishing, the slogan was then that as the top could not be reached Waterbury, James at Savin Rock, work. a man having the grass of one except in a few places. The tide Carrot in Hartford and his " ... As usual, Jack's family cow equal to four acres and the usually went out 200 or 300 feet brothers Martin, Tom and John a'll got married in the vicinity of share of a man in a boat, that for an hour. In such time, you born in Bondsville, Mass, had a Dunquin, except his oldest son man never had to worry about should act quickly to accomplish large family in New Haven ... Jack-Jack who took himself the poverty or want. Jack-Jack whatever you were about to do Came in contact with all those tact of trading such as getting a owned the grass of three cows such as cutting black seaweed mentioned and without fear of horse and car and becoming a car supporting five cows and a horse, that grows on the rocks eight or contradiction, they are all man. His run was from Dunquin 50 or 100 sheep, and always two ten feet long similar to leather; without blemish ..." to Tralee and beyond that a or three hogs and dry cattle mussels also grow on the rocks Page 3

Ethnic Center Library +Irish Names, Donnchadh O'Corrain and F. Maguire. How to get started is the flrst hurdle faced by anyone setting out to + The Book ofIrish Families Great and Small, Michael O'Laugblin. trace his or her family history. For members of the Connecticut +Families ofCounty Cork, by Michael O'Laughlin. Irish-American Historical Society, a good place to begin is in \he +A Genealogist's Guide to Your Irish Ancestors, Dwight Radford. small, but valuable, library of \he society. The library is located at \he +Richard Griffith andHis Valuations ofIreland. James Reilly. Etlmic Heritage Center on the campus of Southern COimecticut State +Irish Reocrds. James Ryan. University in New Haven. Those who do research there should call +Guide to Tracing Your Dublin Ancestors, James G. Ryan. ahead - (203) 392-6126 -- to schedule their visit. In a recent issue, +Irish Records: Sources for Family and Local History, James G. Ryan.

I we started a listing of the books and other materials available at the +A Genealogical Gazeteer ofEngland, Frank Smith. library. Below is \he remainder ofthe list: +How to Climb Your Family Tree, Harriet Stryker-Rodda. +English Surnames: Family Nomenclature, Mark Anthony Lower. + Video Family History, Duane and Pat Sturm. +Irish Families: Their Names. Arms andOrigins, Edward MaeLysaghl. + Talking About Connecticut: Oral History in the State, John Sutherland. + The Surnames ofIreland, Edward MacLysaghl. + Irish Names and Surnames, Patrick Woulfe. + Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, Peggy Magee. +Irish Family History, Marilyn Yurden. + Collection of1851 Census Records, County Cork, Josephine Master.;on. +MOrlon Allan Directory ofEuropean Passenger Steamship Arrivals. +Surnames in Ireland, Robert E. Matheson. +Land Owners in Ireland 1876. +Insh Passenger Lists, 1847-1871, Brian Mitchell. + The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches.

+A GUide 10 Irish Parish Registers, Brian MitcheU. + U.S. Vital Records Catalag +A New Genealogical Atlas ofIreland, Brian Mitchell. +The Source +Pocket Guide to Irish Genealogy, Brian Mitchell. +Guide to Genea/ogic Research in the National Archives +A Guide to Irish Churches and Graveyards, Brian Mitchell. +Aspects ofIrish Genealogy +/-{ow to Trace Your Irish Roots, Nora Ni Aonghusa. +Tithe Applotment Books, 1823-1838 (CD ROM) + The Genesis ofYour Genealogy, Elizabeth L. Nichols. +Irish F1ax Growers List. 1796 (CD ROM) +Poolbeg Book oJ1rish Heraldry, Michael O'Comain. +An Index to Griffith's Valuation (CD ROM)

Did Irish Spaniard write anti-popery book sold in New London in 1773?

(COntinuedjrom page I) given her a dose to make her a brought up with great tenderness. behind that was dear to me," and Tn contrast, "If a modest, barren woman. At point of death My father's family were Irish and became an Anglican clergyman. seriolls religious lady comes to the friar admitted it." the English language being Gavin's book went through confess, (the priest) useth her in In another case, Gavin spoken by him and many of his several editions and remained another way; for he knows that describes the debauchery of dependents, I learned it when a popular in New England and such ladies never come to confess Father Peter Beroes, a secular boy ... elsewhere. without giving a good charity for priest who was pastor of the "Both my father and mother In fact, 75 years after New masses. So all the confessor cares parish of Mary Magdalene in were Roman Catholics, extremely Londoners were encouraged to is to get himself into the lady's Saragossa. Beroes became pious from their youth ... and purchase a copy, another edition favor." seriously ill and vowed to spared themselves no pains to was published in Hartford in Gavin also relates lurid stories become a Carthusian monk: if he make me a good Roman 1848 by Ti ffany and Burnham. of deceit by Catholic clergymen. were cured. The illness passed Catholic." At that time, the arrival in One case involves the daughter of and Bernes did enter a Carthusian White was ordained at the age Connecticut of thousands of Irish a nobleman, the Marquis of monastery three miles from of 25 and appointed one of the people fleeing the Potato Famine Arino. According to Gavin, the Saragossa, taking to live with many chaplains to the King of had triggered a rebirth of anti­ marquis placed his brother, an him a young woman. Eventually Spain. Like Gavin, he wrestled in Catholic sentiment. Augustinian fiiar, in charge ofthe the prior discovered that Bernes his conscience with what he SOllrces: "History ojPopery: Giving. young woman's finances. had a live-in girlfriend and turned considered the abuses of a Filii Accollnt ofAlltire ClIStoms of The woman's two husbands her out along with her child, Catholicism. tire Priests and Friars, and the Rites and Ceremonies of the Papal died and left their estates to her, apparently fathered by Bernes. After spending 10 years as a Chllrch" by A ntonio Gavin. but the friar had secretly arranged A portion of one edition of priest "in a most wretched and "DictiDnary of (BritislrJ National that the estates would pass to \he Gavin's book is actually a distressed state of mind," he Biography." "The Protestant church if there were no children narrative by Father White who sailed from Cadiz, a Spanish port Crllsade, 1800-1860," Ray Allen in the marriages. What's worse, writes of his own background: "I on the Mediterranean Sea, to Binington. "Before she married, the friar had was born of gentle parents and England leaving "everything Page 4 ...... iiioiiiooi...... ;.,; ...... ___ briefly noted

ing to meet with representa­ 9th Regiment centennial­ tives ofthe Connecticut One hundred years ago this Humanities Council to seek coming August, New Haven IRISHCONNECflONS a grant for activities mark­ and Connecticut's Irish ing the event. She hopes to celebrated an important St. Kevin, whose tower still draws pilgrims and visitors to obtain funds for a program event: the dedication ofa the valley ofGlendalough in the Wicklow Mountains, is the that would include Civil monument to the 9th Con­ Irish equivalent ofSt Francis ofAssisi. War re-enacters playing the necticut Volunteers, our roles of9th Regiment sol­ state's Irish regiment in the "Among the many stories and legends told about St. diers plus publication ofa Civil War. The ceremony Kevin, we find a collection oftales which deal with the ani­ brochure recalling the his­ was conducted in connec­ mals and birds he loved so much;' wrote George tory ofthe unit, whose tion with the annual conven­ McClafferty in the March-April 1989 issue of Ireland ofthe members were drawn tion ofthe American-Irish Welcomes. "Kevin was especially fond of birds and we are mostly from the Irish com­ Historical Society, which told that when he lived at Glendalough, the birds used to eat munities in the state's towns was founded in Boston in from his hands and perch on the top of his head. One day he and cities. 1897. Many local and state was praying in Reefert Church near the Upper Lake, with dignitaries were on hand Famine Memorial- Re­ his arms outstretched in the form of a cross. Suddenly a including Gov. Abiram cently, the long-awaited blackbird landed on his arm and laid her eggs in one of his Chamberlain and William Famine memorial was hands. Kevin was so moved by this that, in order not to dis­ McAdoo, assistant secretary opened to the public at Bat­ turb the bird, he kept his arms outstretched until the eggs ofthe U.S. Navy. The tery Park in New York City. monument is located in Bay were hatched. This explains why St. Kevin is often por­ The memorial pays tribute View Park, just off1-95 and trayed in pictures and statues holding a blackbird in his to the thousands ofIrish within sight ofNew Haven hand." who flocked to the United Harbor and Long Island McCafferty also relates this legend ofSt Kevin: "Near the States during the Famine Sound. Tht: statue is topped footbridge over the GleneaJo River and not very far from St years, and to the nation that by the figure ofa soldier of took them in. We are hoping Kevin's Kitchen is the Deer Stone. This is a large block of the 9th standing at parade to get enough interested granite with a small basin carved in it. It is said to have got rest. On bronze plaques on members and friends to­ this name during the time ofSt. Kevin when he was building the base ofthe monument gether to fill two buses for a are listed the names ofits the churches. One day, the wi fe ofone of Kevin's workmen visit to the memorial on members who died in ser­ died leaving twin babies. The father was lUlable to look after Sunday, Sept. 14. Anyone vice during the Civil War the children and he brought them to the monastery to be interested in attending and the battles in which the cared for by the monks. UnfortlUlately, the monks had no should contact George Wal­ regiment participated Plans milk to give the babies and they went to Kevin to ask his dronat(203)281-1742. We are only tentative at present advice. Kevin prayed to God and the next morning a wild will have more details on for the observation ofthe doe carne down from Derrybrawn." the cost and schedule for the centennial. CIAHS Presi­ day in the next issue ofthe

dent !leanne Whalen is ~ newsletter. I

Presidenl Jeanne Roche Whalen Vice PresillMlI George Waldron "We h_ kept fail.. Pultli8llell -.onthly IJy tile Secretary ....reea Delahunl with lhe pIIIIf; ConlleClicld IrisJI.-A..erican Treasurer To.. Slater we haw handed Hildorical Society Shanacllie Editor Neil Hogan, (203) 269-9154 P.O. Boll 120020 a lrallitioll 10 Ihe Mure.W Eas1 Haven, CT 06512 "eRIHrs11ip $10 illdMdual, $15 faIIIily. Senll _e address lIIlId (203) 392·6126 clIedl.lIIIe Old to CWtS 10 address lillie". - Padrak: Pearse In Ireland, a SIIanac11ie is a folldorisl, hlslorian aIICI keeper of Ihe IrMltlons of Ihe people. Connecticut T~e I,ish-American Histo,icalSociety 5banacbie July-August 2003 Vol. XV No. IV 11';';-:-:-:':-:;:-:-:;;-;':'::-:-:';-:';':-:';-;';-:':-;;:':':-:-:-;':':':;:;:':':-:';':-;':y':::;::;'.:::::-:':':':-:':':':-:;:;:";':::':";-;::-:-:;:':':-:-:':-:':':-:':j:':-:-:':';j:,':-:':':-;':-:::';';;:':-:-:-:-:::-;::':-:':':-:-;-;';':':':j:':-:-:::-;':j:':':-:7;-;-:-:':':-:j:;:j:-:-;j:-:;::;j:::;;;:-:':-;';':j:-:j:::';':-:':::'::~:':'~:~~ib 9th Regiment \. Monument Centennial

, n Sunday, Aug. 10, a wreath-laying ceremony and a special and has a special interest in songs of the state's Irish people and their 0 program at the Irish-American Community Center in East contributions to patriotic endeavors and the cause of Irish Haven will commemorate the centennial of the monument to independence. Connecticut's Civil War Irish regiment - the 9th Connecticut The program will also serve to kick off an effort to evaluate the Volunteers. physical condition of the 9th Regiment monument and to undertake The wreath-laying ceremony at II am. wi'll be at City Point Park preservation measures that will refurbish the monument and prevent just off 1-95 at Long Wharf Drive in New Haven, where the its deterioration for years to come. Donohue will discuss the monument is located. The ceremony will condition of the monument, the aid that is available to undertake Sunday, Aug. 10 feature color guards, Civil War reenactors renovations and examples of successful renovation programs to and music by the Gaelic Highland Pipers. preserve other monuments in Connecticut. The program at the community center on Venice Place in East Both the wreath-laying and the program afterward are open to the Haven will follow the wreath-laying and will include Irish and Civil public free of charge, and should be of interest to the state's Irish­ War songs by state troubadour Tom Callinan, a talk by Mary Americans, Civil War buffs and monument preservationists. Donohue, architectural historian and coordinator of the Connecticut The programs are being sponsored by the Connecticut Irish­ Historical Commission's monument preservation program, and the American Historical Society, the Irish History Round Table and the introduction of a new 50-page booklet describing the contributions of Civil War Round Table in honor of the tOOth anniversary of the Connecticut's Irish to the Union cause in the Civil War. dedication ofthe monument to the 9th Regiment on Aug. 3, 1,903. Callinan is known throughout the state for his folk music programs (Please lurn 10 page 4)

eservations are being taken now for a bus excursion on

R1 Sunday, Sept. 21, to a New York City site of very special • interest to all Irish-Americans: the Irish Hunger Memorial in Banery Fanune Park City. Located on the edge of the Hudson River near Manhattan's MelDorial sOllthern tip, the memorial commemorates the greatest tragedy in Irish history, the Potato Famine of Sunday, Sept. 21 the 18405 and 1850s. Hundreds of lI.sTriP thousands of refugees fleeing the Famine began their new lives in America in lower Manhattan debarking there from "felTies after Turnpike in North Haven, just off the Mt. Carmel connector, at 9 a passing through the quarantine station on Staten Island. m. and will begin the return trip from New York City at 5 p.m. It is The trip is being offered for just $25 per person. Reservations may expected that that will give those taking the trip plenty of time both be made by calling 281-1742. If no one is available, leave a message to fully explore the unique and highly creative memorial and then on the answering machine with your phone number. visit the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island or the nearby South Street The bus, or buses ifenough people wish to visit the memorial, will Seaport. leave the commuter parking lot at Devine Street and the Hartford (Please lurn 10 page 4) Page:z. Free Internet sites add new dimensions to genealogical searches

By Paul R. Keroack ethnic groups worldwide are provided on Rootsweb. Depending on the The Internet has become an enticing destination for family historians. skill and ambition of the volunteers who host each site, a great deal of However, as experienced researchers emphasize, online sources are only how-to and source information may be available there. part of the process of finding ancestors. Vital records, oral history, For Ireland, the www.leitr:im-roscommon.com site is particu.larly family papers, city directories, microfilm and many more sources are valuable; it includes some Griffiths Valuation and 1901 census still important. Most ofthe data you are secking has not been put on the extractions for these and some additional counties as well. From here (nternet, and much may never be one can find a searchable list of all townlands in Ireland (www. The (nternet has become a major means of communication for seanruad.com). One can put in a county or parish name and be given genealogists. Access to fellow genealogists and communicating the townlands within each. Irish birth, marriage, burial and other data, overseas with documents and photos as attachments and without the arranged by county, submitted by individuals can be found on www. cost of postage is a great advantage. Several largc web sites have been cmcrp.net. While at prescnt it covers only eight counties - with a organized to coordinate such interaction by creating "mailing lists," to minimum of vital data, the site also includes a listing of persons who which one subscribes without cost, sharing questions, answers and owned land over an acre in Ireland in 1876 - including quite a few discussions by country, state, topic or surname. Each subscriber is sent "native Irish" owners who were able to purchase small parcels, a copy of all e-mail posted to the list. Each list has a searchable especiaHy when estates were sold during bankruptcy proceedings in the "archive" of earlier messages that is worth checking. I have often years following the Great Famine and subsequent land agitation (the learned unexpectedly valuable information just by reading messages! complete owners' listing has been published in book form). As more Rootsweb (www.rootsweb.com) is the largest such organization. counties are added, the site will become more valuable. Another basic source is the searchable database. Family Hi,story Organizational and personal websites can be very informative if the Library (www.familysearch.org) offers one ofthe largest with extracted topics posted are in your area of interest. Large institutions such as the vital data from around the world and submitted family trees. There may National Library (www.nlli.ie) and National Archives of Ireland (www. be no source for some data so information must be used with caution nationalarchives.iel describe their holdings and procedures. Some and should be verified. The 1880 U.S. census and 1881 United American libraries, such as the O'Neill Library at Boston College Kingdom and Canadian censuses are now on this site. The website is (www.bc.edu/libraries/centers/oneill) have great holdings of Irish sponsored by the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) genealogical information. U.S.-based organizations such as www.tiara and includes a searchable catalog of microfilm holdings. .i!< and the Irish Genealogical Society (www.rootsweb.com/-irish) have Ellis Island immigrant passenger list (www.Ellisislandrecords.org) is very informational websites with many links. The Brooklyn Public another massive database recently put on line. If your ancestors arrived Library is hosting a new project, the entire run of the Brooklyn Eagle, in New York between 1892 and 1924 you may find their arrival in this from 1841 to 1917, fully searchabl'e with easy-to print articles in digital listing. The site is easy to search but printing the large digital images of format. In the personal category are sites of Jane Lyons (www.from­ the passenger lists is not! If your ancestors arrived earlier, another new ireland.net), Nick Reddan (www.webone.com.au) and Kathryn site may help. Famine immigrants from Ireland to New York (1846­ McCarthy (http://home.att.net/-wexlababe). 1851) are compiled in a multi-volume set of books but one must check These sites have their strengths and weaknesses but offer personal each volume's index separately. However, there is now a free database touches as well. Searches for "irish genealogy" on Internet search of these immigrants online through the National Archives - http://aad. engines such as www.google.com bring up varied offerings, some archives.gov/aad/title Iist.jsp - (the agency's main gateway is www. interesting, others dubious - oftentimes a mixture of free content and archives.gov). It is not the easiest database to use - but it is free. enticements to purchase access or products. Another version incorporating Boston as well as New York data is Finally, here are a couple of for-profit sites that are important. r have available on CD, for purchase. used the Heritage Quest U.S. Census in digital format, with certain Rootsweb, mentioned above for its e-mail Hsts, also hosts a number years now fully searchable, 1870 and 1910 being perhaps most useful of large free searchable databases. One, "Worldcormect", consists of for Irish immigrant families. Searching is not difficult (but you must family tree records submitted by individuals, accessed through a single have the exact spellings), the source microfilm numbers are given, and index. Again, its quality varies. Submitters' e-mail addresses are listed the page images are digitally enhanced - very often easy to read. The so one can contact them for further information. The Social Security large format pages are difficult to print without graphics software. My Death Index (SSDI), updated monthly by the government, is another access is through a library subscription but ProQuest Inc. offers access searchable database hosted by Rootsweb. It includes all deceased via its Genealogy.com subscription service. If you are still looking for persons who collected Social Security who died from about I%3 to the immigrant family members in the U.S., a good census search is present. There is an option to order from the SSA a copy of the original invaluable. Another promising site is www.otherdays.com. a new Irish­ application made by the subject that contains additional information but based service that offers, among other sources, the Griffith's Valuation the price for this is now $27 per record. (1848-1864) in digital image format, fully searchable. r have not used A third major type of website is one consisting mainly of links to the site, but if their claim that they have put together the entire other sites, arranged by topic, country, ethnic group or surname - www. valuation - no complete set is found in anyone repository - is true, a cvndislistcom is !probably the best known and most comprehensive. subscription is well worth the price of$44 a year. Links to genealogical information on most geographical areas and ______.... Pave3

The following article appeared in About his only advice to those friends his greatest asset and structures rise above New York Connecticut Circle magazine, who would live to a ripe old age soon became the most popular City's traffic-jammed streets the January 1940, VoL Ill, No.1. is to keep busy. "Keep active in bell-boy in the hotel. construction of which he mind and body," is his Various jobs followed in New supervised. y neighbor, Peter Behan, prescript ion. York and several years later he Many years he had looked M of Roxbury, has just He has a prodigious memory joined the Navy. For four years, forward to a farm and at the age celebrated his 105th birthday. It and mentions names, dates and he was at sea along the Atlantic of76 he came to Roxbury. "I was was like any other day to him. He events by the hour. He loves coast and in the West Indies a young man then," he said arose early and by noon had children and his face lights up at aboard the Cayuga. With the tossing his head back vigorously. patched up his barn, repaired a the mention ofa child's name. physique of a lumbcJjack and a "I liked the country and the chair and chopped a generous Neighbor Behan was born in knowledge of rough-and-tumble people that were tucked away in supply of kindling wood. wrestling, his shipmates these secluded valleys. I decided In the afternoon, he soon discovered that he to stay, and a week or two later I visited with his children, At 105, was well able to take bought this farm. This house is grandchildren and great­ care of himself. During over 250 years old. I've got 132 grandchildren. Later he Irish this period, England acres of good land but it was read for an hour or two. was engaged in a war hard work 'a getting' it into During one of the neighbor with Russia and here at shape. recent cloudbursts, home the slavery issue Peter Behan usually found a Neighbor Behan's roof was bundle was being hotly debated better way to do most everything. and mine were among the in the Senate. Civil war He raised better hogs, taller com, many that devel'oped broke out in Kansas larger strawberries and finer leaks. Not being as ofenergy over the burning issue vegetables than tarmers for miles philosophical as the ofslavery and threats of around. For years, he took more the lowlands, on a bog, in Arkansas settler, he was up on secession were thundering prizes for vegetables than almost Blackwood, County Kildare, his roof the following day. He across America. Peter Bohan was anyone else in the state. Irdand, in 1834. His father died hadn't finished the work when I 27 when Lincoln was elected His farm is located a mile off when Peter was a child and years stopped in to see him several president. the main highway, completely later his mother remarried. days later. For three hours we Chauncey DePew, a year or out of sight of man-made For several years, he came visited. Repeatedly he pounded two older, was campaigning for contrivances. From his fTont door under the protecting wing of an his fist as he told of experiences Lincoln. he looks out across a grass­ aunt and when in his early teens in the Navy before Lincoln He remembers well hearing of grown field fringed by deep he decided to cast his lot on became president. Frequently the news of the firing on Fort woods, where once tall wheat American soil, she offered to pay during the course of the Sumter, on April 12, 1861, and rippled in the sunlight. his passage. afternoon, he looked up at the the ... excitement that foHowed. I left him sitting there, his Aboard the packet ship Great ladder that he had fastened across Recovering from an accident cheerful, sun-tanned face fTamed Western, the youthful Peter lay the roof with cleats, during the aboard ship, he watched the in a flowing white beard, his long sprawled on a hard berth during morning, and said, smiling, 110,000 troops fTom the veranda hair resting lightly on square the entire passage. "You're keepin' me fTom fixin' of the Bellevue Hospital when shoulders. For seven weeks and two days that roof. but it'll be a good day they marched down Broadway as Neighbor Behan has kept the the famous old ship nosed her tomorrow and I'll do it then." the country mourned Lincoln's wheels of life well lubricated way through storm-tossed seas "Why shouldn't I repair that death. with a keen sense of humor. and there were times when it root'? It's my roof," he said Job after job followed for He has stayed young by ,looked as if she were on her last emphatically as I shook my head. Peter Behan. Each was a new and keeping busy and has seen to it voyage. III, without friends and "I'll now admit for the first time interesting experience where he that most of his Ii fe has been with the exchequer at a new low, that I'm an old man, although I made new friends and spread his spent out of doors working close he arrived in New York at the feel better than at any time cheerfulness where it was needed to the soil. age of 15. during the last five years." most. Whenever I stop in to see him, Anxious days followed, but he Neighbor Behan has a mind of While working at Tarrytown I am always reminded of what I recovered rapidly and set out to his own. He ha<; never lost any he married and his wife is still heard Elbert Hubbard say when I find a job. After days of rebuffs sleep worrying about anything living. She will be 87 on her next was a boy: from all directions, he landed a over which he had no control. birthday. "To grow old and never know job as a bellboy in the Stevens "People ought to do more He became a foreman and later it is to achieve the greatest House. thinkin' for themselves," said he. a superintendent with a possible success in life, next to He found his cheerfulness and "They'd feel better, be happier, construction company in New growing old and never having his uncanny ability to make and maybe they'd live longer." York City and today many your friends suspect it." Page 4

Famine memorial bus trip 9th Regiment monument centennial

(Contilluedfrom page I) (Continued/rom page I) When the memorial. designed by 38-year-old New York In some ways, the monumcnt is typical ofCivil War monuments. sculptor Brian Tolle, was unveiled in July 2002, The Ncw York It consists of a largc base atop which is the figure of a Civil War Times described it as "a startlingly realistic quarter-acre soldier at parade rcst. Inscribed on the monument are the names of replication of an Irish hillside, complctc with fallow potato battles in which the regiment participated., and bronze plaques list furrows, slone walls, indigcnous grasses and wildnowers and a the namcs ofthosc who died in the service. real abandoned Irish fieldstone cottage. In an asscssment in 1993, historian David F. Ransom wrote that "The 96-by-170-foot tield rests on a giant concrete slab that is the monument aJso has some unusual and remarkable features. raised up and tilted on a huge wedge-shaped base. It slopes "Several components of thc history of the City Point Soldiers upward from street level to a height of 25 feet. A packed dirt path Monument set it apart from others," Ransom wrote. "The ethnic winds up the slope, culminating in a hilltop with sweeping views feature of its recruiting is one, together with the continued focus on of Ellis Island and the Statuc of Liberty ... The field is a walk-in ethnicity ... The fact that the monument is located on the site of the relic of a distant time and place tenderly inserted into the modem original encampment is unusuaJ. The history of the regiment's world. almost as ifit were an otlering:' woes - ignored for two months and then generating 80 percent of Thc Times went on to suggcst that the monumcnt "could be its casualtics thru lever rather than battle - remind of the dark New York City's equivalent of the Vietnam War Memorial in underside of the Civil, War's practicaJ difficulties:' Washington, an unconventional work of public art that strikes a In conjunction with the centennial, the Irish-American Historical deep emotional chord, sums up its artistic moment tor a broad Society has begun a project to gather and publish information on audience and expands the understanding of what a public the participation of the state's Irish-Americans in the war. While memorial can be ... Although the subject lacks the nationaJ scope the 9th was labeled the state's Irish regiment, thousands of Irish and immediacy of the war in Vietnam," it said, "the Hunger served in other state regiments and in units such as New York Memorial ... illuminates Ireland's tragedy in undeniably human, state's famous Irish Brigade. The booklet which the society is even universal, terms; it can grip the viewer with its combination publishing will bring together information both on Connecticut of information and spatial experience:' Irishmen of the 9th and on those who served in other units. The For many Connecticut Irish, the sitc of the memorial is booklet will be available at the program on Aug. 10. particularly significant, marking the place, as it does, where their Refreshments will be served at the Irish-American Community ancestors set foot on American soil after a perilous trans-Atlantic Center. journey to escape from the starvation and disease that swept Directions to the 9th Regiment monument: Coming from the Ireland leaving at least a million dead ofa total population ofonly west and south, take 1-95 to Exit 46, at end of ramp turn right, go eight million. under bridge and turn left at traffic light in front ofthe New Haven The Irish Hungcr Memorial is the latest addition to the Register building, at next light go left onto Howard Ave, park is on culturally rich Bauery Park City whose 150 acres already include the left just over the bridge, From the east and north, take 1-95 to more than a dozen large-scale public artworks, the Museum of Exit 46, at end of ramp go left, at second light go left onto Howard Jewish Heritage and the New York City Police MemoriaJ. Avenue, park is on the left just over the bridge. The Irish Hunger Memorial is one of numerous works that Directions to the Irish-American Community Center: From the were completed from 1995 to 2000 in New York, Boston and monument, take 1-95 north about hal f a mile to 1-91 north. Go elsewhere from the United States to Canada to Australia in about two miles to Exit 8, just north ofNew Haven. Go east on Rte. connection with the observances of the I50th alUliversary of the 80 to Eastern Avenue (3 tTamC lights). Go right on Eastern Avenue Great Hunger in Ireland. I mile to Venice Place on the right.

Presiden. Jeanne Roche Whalen Vice President George Waldron Published bimon'hly by 'he "We have kept faith Secre'ary Maureen Delahun. Connedicu' Irish-American Treasurer To.. Slater with 'he pas'; we have handed His'orical Society Shanacl1ie Editor Neil Hogan, (203) 269·9154 p.o. Box 120020 a'radltlon Eas. Haven, CT 06512 Melllbership S10 Indmdual, S15 family. Send' nanle address and '0 'he fu'ure." (203) 392-6126 check made out CIAHS address at len. '0 '0 - Padraic Pearse In Ireland, a Shanachle is a folkloris', his'orian an~ keeper of 'he 'radltlons of 'he people. e ConntH:llt:ut lrilh-Amerlean HllforlealJ«/ely TtJ 5banacbie Jeplember-Ddober:zoos Vol. xvNo. 5

Freak storm left trail of dead and dying in Wallingford Irish neighborhood

n Holy Trinity Cemetery on In less than a minute and I North Colony Road in a hal t: the winds formed Wallingford is a gravestone that into a tornado and swept tells but the briefest outline of through the central part of the most horrible disaster in the the town virtually history ofthat community. destroying an entire It is the marker of a family neighborhood of Irish named Lynch. The father and immigrants' homes before mother were natives of County sweeping up to the more Cork. The mother, Ellen, died affluent area on the crest of on Aug. 9, 1878. Their daughter, the ridge running south to A contemporary sketch ofthe devastation left by the tornado. Maggie, died 22 days later on north in the center oftown. Aug. 31. The inscription on the Twenty-nine people died in back. Drs. Davis and Banks 50, head and shoulder; Mrs. marker beneath her name reads the disaster, all but one of them spent three or four hours each Patrick O'Neil, about 47, badly simply: "Died in the tornado." Catholics and most of them day dressing her wounds. She bruised; John Coughlin, 10, Friday, Aug. 9, began as a Irish. Severnl dozen others were died on Saturday, Aug. 31, three wrist broken; John Cline, about typically hot summer day in injured, mostly Irish Catholics, weeks after the disaster. 3D, somewhat bruised; Mrs. Wallingford. In late afternoon, too. Before succumbing, she was Patrick Coughlin, 50, bruises the wind picked up, blowing Maggie Lynch had frightful able to describe what she and a deep posterior flesh from the west and the southwest. injuries. Her right ear was nearly recalIed from the terrible wound; Mrs. John Condon, 42, It was accompanied by flashes severed and her right cheek was moments. "Mother was sewing bruises and cuts; her daughter, of lightening and thunder claps. rent by a deep gash, as though at the sewing machine, and I II years, dangerously injured; Then at 6:15 p.m., according to made by a flying shingle. Her was sitting near her," she said, Mrs. Michael Caten, injured an account of the disaster that right leg was broken in several "when all ofa sudden we heard internally; Matthew Trncy, 9, followed: "the black clouds places above the knee, while a great noise, and then mother scalp tom oft; Conrad Tracy, 7, hastening from the southwest below the knee there was a and I were throwed right down bruised; Eloise Tracy, 14, and from the northwest met severe bum more than eight just before the stove; and then, bruised and arm cut, serious above Community Lake just inches long and equally broad. before we could even think, injury; Mary Tracy, 15, back west of the village and The ligaments of the left knee something, I don't know what it hurt severely; John Toohey, 12, positioning themselves for a were severely strained and the was, came and throwed us ever arm broken. moment or more, as ifgathering bottom of the left foot had two so fur." Also, Henry Saunders, 35, force and wiD for their death fearful and deep bums. She was The wounded included: John severely bruised. His son, 2, work, swept eastward over us injured internally also and Condon, 50, back and head badly bruised about the head; with desolating fury." seemed to have been hwt in the injuries; Patrick O'Neil, about (Please lurn 10 page 4) Page 2

he Ethnic Heritage Center on the campus of Southern T Connecticut State University is hosting until Nov. 6, a traveling exhibition of the life and work of Oskar Schindler, a German Catholic who risked his life to rescue and save more than 1,100 Jewish men and women during the Holocaust period of Wor1d War II. Featuring photographs and other materials, the exhibition is on loan from the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The Ethnic Heriitage Center is the only venue in Connecticut for the traveling exhibit Viewing hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a. m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge. The Ethnic Heritage Center is located at 270 Fitch St. on the SCSU campus. The Ethnic Heritage Center was founded in 1989 by five local historical societies: the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, the Connecticut Ukrainian-American Historical Society, the Italian-American Historical Society of Connecticut, the Greater New Haven African-American Historical Society and the Connecticut lrish­ American Historical Society. For information, contact the center, (203) 392-6126 or 6125, or VvWW.ethnicheritagecenter.cjb.net.

Immigrant from Lithuania constructed perpetual motion machine

he machine built by just perfected. It has been his They continue to revolve until the of any kinds is used to keep the T. Lithuanian native Joseph hobby for many times three inventor brings the machinery to wheels and driving rods in Sutkaitis didn't revolutionize the years, and he had it in mind years a stop." motion. There is no ooal, no production of power, but for a ago when he made a grist mill in During a test, Sukaitis said the steam, no heat of any kind, no while it caused quite a stir in Lithuania. Slowly, but surely, he engine ran steadily for seven water, no gas or electricity Connecticut. has developed his ideas and now days. Some of those who saw it employed ... The gears tum and As a young man, Sutkaitis he feels confident that his years believed the engine was run by the driving. rods perfonn their came to Connecticut in the huge of thought and study have been compressed air, but the inventor function with little noise and the tide of immigration that swept crowned with success." denied· that, saying that it ran structure is not even jarred in the over the nation in the late 19th The machine was about 7 feet without any source of power, and slightest degree ... So !Iight is the and early 20th century. long and two feet high. It had two once started would run on sound when the engine is in He settled in Union City in the separate engines, one at each end, without interruption until the motion that a person standing on Naugatuck Valley and went to with the driving wheel between machinery wore out He also said the sidewalk below would not be work in the packing room of the the small boxes containing the that on a larger scale the engine aware ofthe fact that the machine G.MR. Shoe CO.'s factory. He engines. "To start the engine," would provide sufficient power to was in operation. spent much of his spare time in wrote the reporter, "the inventor run the machinery in the grinding Sources: NlUIgtl/llct DtIUy News, his tenement room on Spring presses a button and a bell room ofany rubber factory or the Aug. 6. 1909; New Hllven Journal Street working on what he called tinkles. He next does something machinery in any of the other Couner, Sept 111. 19fJ9. his "dry power" engine. to one of the little gears and shops in the highly industrialized Editor's nok: III recogllitUJIf ofIlle The engine, according to immediately the wheels begin to Naugatuck Valley. bOlld betweell our lIistDrlcal society and tire oilier societies in tire Etllnic newspaper reports, was at least tum. He goes through the same Those who witnessed HeriJage Cellter, lI11d 10 foster three years in the making. "But operation at the others side ofthe demonstrations were impressed, appredlllioll for aU rllces lI11d three years," explained one machine and in less time than it and marveled "at the sight which IIallolllllllies, Tlte SlIlIIIlIcltle account, "would not cover the takes to teU it the driving rods are meets their gaze when the regulllrly prim articles about otJur time that he has been thinking going back and forth and the inventor starts it running, for so etIIlfic groups. about such a machine as he has wheels are turning smoothly. far as the eye can discern, no fuel Here's an ideafor those on your shopping list who like Irish and Connecticut history: Any one or allfour ofthe books we have published on that topic. The books are described below. Just complete the form at the bottom ofthe page andsend it, along with your check, made out to CIAHS, to Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society, Ethnic Heritage Center, Southern Connecticut State University, 270 Fitch St., New Haven 06515.

The Cry ofthe Famishing: A 200-page paperback narrative about Connecticut and Ireland during the Potato Famine in the late 1840s -- focuses on humanitarian aid sent from Connecticut to Ireland, the thousands of Irish immigrants who settled in Connecticut, the jobs they took, their relations with their Connecticut neighbors, the way they changed life in Connecticut. Price: $15 per copy

The Wearin' 0' the Green: SL Patrick's Day in New Haven, Connecticut, 1842-1992: A 234-page paperback telling the story of 81. Patrick's Day celebrations in New Haven in the 150 years from the fIrSt parade in 1842 up through 1992. Describes the observance in each of the 150 years and shows how the parade, lectures, banquets and other activities frequently were interconnected with events such as the Irish movement for independence. Price: $10 per copy

Green Sprigs from the Emerald Isle: A 106-page paperback describing the practice of 19th century American newspapers of printing folk tales about ethnic groups ranging from Yankees to African-Americans, with reprints of 121 Irish folklore stories from the Hartford Courant, New Haven Palladium, Waterbury American, Norwich Courier, etc. Price: $10 percopy

Connecticut's Irish in the Civil War: A 72 page paperback describing Connecticut's Irish at Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, New Orleans, Bull Run, Port Hudson, the Shenandoah Valley, Fort Sumter, the Wilderness, etc. Highlights the history ofConnecticut's Irish regiment, the 9th Volunteers, and as well as those Irish who served in other Connecticut regiments. Price: $15 per copy

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The Wearin' 0' the Green No. of copies X $10 = $

Green Sprigs from the Emerald Isle No. of copies X $10 = $

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Internet catalog of300 Connecticut libraries is great genealogy tool

By Paul R. Keroack graphic symbol in front indicating whether it is a book, audio. video. As you delve into Irish fiunily history, it is helpful to have "how­ etc. The number of "Locations" indicates how many libraries own to" books, as well as valuable source books to consult. Many such that particular title or edition. Click on the tide for the full record. books have been published in recent years. While some avid On the full record page there will be, below the detailed researchers are willing and able to purchase such titles for their home information on the title. a listing oflibraries that have this title in their library, it usually makes more sense to use them when needed in a collections. Ifyou click on the library's name printed in underlined public, academic or private library. blue, a box will pop up giving basic information about the library and The Connecticut Irish American Historical Society has a collection its borrowing rules - sometimes a link to its website. You can visit ofsome ofthese key works at the Ethnic Center Archives at Southern that library and use reference materials there or borrow circulating Connecticut University. For those who cannot go there or who seek titles (from public libraries) with your home library card. If it is not other material, there are many libraries in Connecticut, and beyond, possible for you go to a particular library, you may borrow circulating that own books. microfilm or maps. materials through Interlibrary Loan. Ifthe words "D...L lender" appear There is now an easily accessible computerized resource to help on the line following the library's name, you may apply for an find which institution has the titles you want - even some you didn't Interlibrary loan online by clicking on the green button higher on the know you wanted until you read the online catalog. The state­ page labeled "Request this item." However, this request will first be sponsored website www.iconn.org is available via the Internet at routed to your home library for approval and processing. It would be home and at your local library. On the home .i .' .' best to first inquire from your home page ofthe site there are buttons arranged on .:d;/\: , library whether they handle Interlibrary the left. The first says "Find a Book" and . 'I I loans _ most do _ and what the rules are. the second "Find a Library." "Book" here I ~Il You can simply fi II out an ILL request in means any material a library owns, including >, ':::. '~'.: :I:,.', ii person there also. UsuaHy this is a free audio. video, etc. , i - : service. Such loans may take up to Click on "Find a Book." The first item in ~3;;Jr.i--;; several weeks to fill. the center of the page you are brought to : To give you an idea of how valuable this says "ReQuest State Library Catalog." ~-= database can be. more than 300 Choosing this, click on the "Begin" button . Connecticut libraries. including most on the following page. Then you will be on - public libraries, transmit their catalog the "ReQuest Main Catalog." TIlls is a information to the "ReQuest" database. as "union catalog," bringing together records from many other libraries well as the Connecticut State Library in Hartford and some privately for easy perusal. operated libraries that are open to public use such as the Connecticut The system is easy to use once you get used to some library Society of Genealogists, Inc., in East Hartford, Godfrey Memorial terminology. The first blank box near the top ofthe page is preceded Library in Middletown and the Connecticut Historical Society Library by "Search by All Headings for -" The "All Headings" box has a in Hartford, although the latter four do not circulate their collectioos. pull-down menu that allows you to substitute "Author," "TItle," or Most public and private colleges and universities in the state also "Subject." Ifyou're not sure where to start, choose subject and type a have their library holdings on this database, with the exception of subject term in the blank box. The other blank boxes below, headed Yale University. Yale's library catalogs arc available online at www. "QualifY search by" can norm8lly be left empty. Qualifiers allow you yale.edll, but special permission or fees may be necessary to gain to narrow a search down to "only video," for instance. or "only in access to their collections. To see a list of the available libraries that French," etc. are affiliated with ReQuest. go back to the "Find Library" button on The subject term "irish Americans genealogy" results in 57 the www.iconn.org home page. They will be listed in alphabetical "hits" (as ofthis writing). Using a broader subject "Irish Americans" order by town. within categories (public, academic, etc.), with a link results in 879 hits, but many will not be genealogy-related. "Ireland to the home page ofeach. genealogy" results in 215 hits. Not all of the hits represent separate When you find titles you want to consult or borrow directly at a titles. Each edition ofa title will be listed separately, for instance. particular library, it is oonvenient to access the library's website to Play around with the options - you may stumble across interesting find out directions, hours. regulations, special collections and events. resources you didn't know were available in Connecticut. If you It is also wise to locate the title you are seeking in their online already know the title, just change the option to "TItle" and key it in. catalog. While libraries send their holdings periodically to ReQuest, For this option, you do not have to key in the entire title, but it must sometimes titles are added, withdrawn or lost in the meantime. begin with the correct word or words; similarly with "Author." Ifyou Another advantage in visiting a library is that some materials, such are desperate, try "All Headings" which is a keyword search. It may as microfilm collections _. U.S. censuses or newspapers, for return too many choices ifyou use common words, and most results instance - or genealogical databases. on CD or online, may not be will be irrelevant to what you are seeking. The initial results list, if listed in the catalog, but the reference librarian can advise you oftheir there is more than one option. wiIJ have numbered items, with a availability. Page 4

briefllj noted Tornado destroyed Irish neighborhood (Continuedfrom Page 1) Memorial sought for those who died at Vicksburg wife, badly bruised; Patrick Cline, 33, badly cut about the Ninth Regiment casualties ­ low, one of the soldier's of the welcome a tribute to the gal­ head and body; Mrs. Patrick Connecticut's hish regiment Ninth who died at Vicksburg, lant soldiers from Connecticut Cline, 30, four bad cuts in head; in the Civil War suffered its is heading an effort to place who participated in the Vicj(s­ John Cline's stepdaughter, 6, heaviest casualties at Vicks­ some small memorial to honor burg Campaign of 1862. shoulder out ofjoint; Mary Ann burg on the Mississippi River. the Connecticut troops. Larkin Please let us know ifwe can O'Rourke, 15, badly bruised In the summer of 1862, the has corresponded with offi­ be ofassistance to you." about head and feet; Matthew,

Ninth was part ofan expedi­ cials at the Vicksburg Na­ Construction ofa dassic monu- I 18, left arm crushed above the tionary force that attempted tional Military Park. They ment to the Connecticut elbow, Winnie Early, 12, unsuccessfully to dig a canal have told him that the original troops is wilikely at this late probably injured internally; that would isolate the Confed­ legislation regarding the date, but Larkin has received Delia Cassidy and Barney erate stronghold on the east Vicksburg park provided for positive feedback from Win­ Cassidy, husband and wife, bank ofthe river. More than monuments and markers only schel for the placement ofa severely bruised and cut, but 150 men ofthe Ninth died in for troops that fought there wayside exhibit panel paying will recover; Mrs. Daily, the effort, almost all of them during the siege led by Gen. tribute to them Winschel re­ bruised severely about the back the victims ofmalaria and Ulysses S. Grant that led to cently wrote: "The park would and hips; baby killed on her othersicknesses rather than the surrender ofthe stronghold gladly accept either a financial ann; Andrew Ennis, 6, skull enemy fire. in July 1863. That would ex­ donation ... for that pmpose laid bare, will recover; Miss Despite such heavy losses, there clude any memorial to the or even a panel and stand it­ Sarah Fields, an invalid lady, is no monument nor memorial Ninth Regiment self, provided the text and was buried in John Munson's in the national park. at Vicks­ In 1990, however, Congress illustration met with prior ap­ house, not materially worse burg to the regiment or to passed legislation broadening proval." Larkin hopes to focns from the shock; George Joel, otherConnecticut soldiers the definition ofthe cam­ efforts on such a panel, the about 35, quite seriously who served there in the same paigns at Vicksburg to include cost ofwhich would be about bruised, arm broken; Charles campaign. The recent celebra­ the 1862 canal-building effort $3,000. Parmelee, about 25, bruised. tion ofthe centennial of the Under the broadened defini­ Larkin hopes to organize a about head and body; Henry Ninth Regiment's monument tions for the military park, committee comprising mem­ Jones, 33, bruised; Charles at City Point in New Haven both Connecticut and Ver­ bers ofour society, descen­ Logan, 60, bruised; Katie has focused attention also on mont were eligible to erect dants ofNinth Regiment sol­ Mooney, 14, head hurt; James the total absence ofany me­ monuments to their soldiers diers and others interested in Holl, a Frenchman, badly cut morial at Vicksburg, even who were there in 1862. In a Civil War history to plan and about shoulders, and two though the park there contains letter to Larkin several years implement erection of a me­ children bruised. more than a thousand monu­ ago, Terrence 1. Winschel, morial. Anyone interested in Sources: John B. Kendrick, ments to soldiers from varions historian at the national park, helping out can contact him at History of the Wallingford states. Robert Larkin, a de­ stated, "The Vicksburg Na­ (203) 272-6301. Distuter, Hartford: 1878. scendant ofPvt. John 1. Mar- tional Military Park would

The Shanachie

PresJIIMf ..lie Rodle WIIl11e1t Vk.e PresiIIent George WlIIdl'Oll "We haw kepC fait...... ecI "'OII.hly IJy 'he 8ecretlU)' ..aa DeIaII... ~ ...... e ....i e-lledialt I...... Treaserer T Slider _ .._1Ianded Historiclll Society Shlllllldlie Eliltor Neil , (203) 269-0154 P.O. Box 120020 ••raIIlt.... to 'he tu'.re." Eas' U-, CT 06512 .._lIen"lp $10 ....iWI $15 "'Uy. 8eMI_e l1IIdnl8lll11H11 (203) 392-6128 died! .alle CIAH8 lIIIdnl8ll Id '0 '0 len. - PaIIl'lIic Pearse I

'III IreIaINI, II 8Ilaalldlie Is II follllorist, ...... MIl keeper of 'he I' .radltlons of '''e people. Connedlcut e Irish-American HistoricalSociety rtJ Sbanacbie November-December2003 Vol. XV No. is

History does, indeed, repeat itself ...

Research for our recent booklet commemorating the 9th Connecticut Regiment uncovered so many fascinating stories about Irish-Americans in the Civil War that we didn't have enough space to include them all in the booklet. Two such stories are particularly interesting because they are mirrored in our own current events. A story about a woman with Connecticut links serving in the Union army brings to mind the saga of Jessica Lynch's capture and rescue during the invasion of Iraq. And politicians who talk like heroic patriots but find ways to keep themselves out of harm's way were as common, and notorious, in Civil War times as they are now.

... Women serve in military ... Politicians avoid combat essica Lynch isn't the first heroic woman soldier in American n August 1865, jW>1 after the Civil War ended., the Meriden J history. At Ileast as long ago as the Civil War, American women, I Literary Recorder published a fictionalized accOlmt about the some ofthem lrish, were serving bravely in combat. patriotism, or lack thereof, of two politicians engaged in a campaign The magazine Irish America recently published a story about for oflice. The account was designed to expose the hypocrisy of some Jenny Hodges, a native either of Belfast or of Clogherhead in County politicians who did not hesitate to let lrish immigrants do their Louth, who served in the 95th Illinois Inlantry fighting for them during the war, but still Wlder the name Pvt. Albert D.J. Cashier. Her wanted to capitalize on the glory of having war record included participation in Gen. served in mufonn. Grant's 1863 siege of Vicksburg, the "Smith lives in Podwick," began the account. Confederate fortrcss on the Mississippi. "So do I. We are both ambitious men. He Another lemale soldier in the Union cause wants to go to Congress. Same here. We both was an lrishwoman with some ties to figured, so to speak, to establish ourselves Connecticut. She was Sarah Emma Edmonds, a favorably in the eyes of the constituency native of New Brunswick, and the youngest of among whom we live. And this is the way we six children or a Scotch-lrishman, Isaac have done it. Edmundson, and his lrish wile, Elizabeth "When the war broke out, over four years Leeper. The four Edmundson - later shortened ago, Smith enlisted and was made a colonel. to Edmonds - daughters were pressed into He went forth to the field and remained there service as farmhands, and Sarah wa" until last December. He was wounded at detennined to show her father that she could Antietam, and again at Chancellorsville. I "outwork, outshoot and outride any boy that he thought he was a very foolish man to be so had ever known." reckless ... The idea of fighting our Southern Sarah's life was changed at the age of 13, brethren and engaging in an unholy abolition she later wrote, when a passerby left with the crusade was decidedly repugnant to my views family a book titled, Fanny Campbell, the Female Pirate Captain. A of matters and things. Tale oj the Revolution. Reading of Campbell's exploits, the young "Finally, however, after the war had got well going, 1 concluded Canadian girl detennined that she, too, would free herself from the to join some of my Democratic friends in rendering substantial aid to constraints that limited women in the 19th century. When her father the govenunent. I furnished a substitute. He was a valuable man; had arranged a marriage with an older man, Edmonds, with the help ofher lived in New York and made fighting his business ... His name was mother, fled her home and became an apprentice in the millinery shop Michael O'Gonnan '" I considered him a valuable acquisition to the ofan Irishwoman named Annie Mollitt in Salisbury, New Brunswick. anny of the Republic. He joined the Potomac forces and was killed at Subsequently, Edmonds established her own millinery shop in Fredericksburg. A IO-inch board marks his resting place upon which Moncton, and then, to avoid discovery by her father, moved to St. appears these words: "Mike O'Gornlan, Deceased ... A Country John, where she cut her hair and assumed a male identity, calling Mourns." (please turn to page 2) (please film to page 2) Page 2 Irish girl with Connecticut links served in Union army in Civil War

(Continued/rom page J) The true identity of Franklin Thompson of the 2nd Michigan herselfFranklin Thompson. She also went into a new line ofwork remained a mystery for 20 years. In the 1880s, Edmonds began to becoming a traveling book salesman visiting towns throughout reveal her wartime service to former comrades to solicit aflidavits for a the province as the representntive of publishing houses. She pension. Her wartime service as Franklin Thompson was highly eventually decided to come to Connecticut to seek work with a praised in affidavits from those comrades, and she was able to justify publishing firm in Hartford. With only $5 in her pocket, she her desertion on the grounds that she feared she would be exposed as a hitchhiked in mid-winter most ofthe 450 miles. woman. "1 reached Hartford in a most forlorn condition," she wrote. In 1884, Congress passed legislation acknowledging that she was "A stranger in a strange country - a fit subject for a hospital, Thompson and awarding her a military pension. In 1897, Edmonds was without money and without food ... I went to a hotel just as if I accepted as a member by the Houston, Texas, post of the Grand Army had plenty of money and rested several days before presenting of the Republic, the only woman ever granted membership in the myself to the publishers. My feet were badly frostbitten and my veterans' organization. boots literally worn out ... But I had a good watch and chain, Edmonds died in 1898 and is buried in Houston. which I pawned for a sum suflicient to enable me to make a more Sources: Patriots in Disguise, by Richard HaJJ. Webster's American Military respectable appearance." Biographies. She Rode with the Generals: the true and incredible story 01 Edmonds was retained by the Hartford publishing firm of Sarah Emma Seelye. by Sylvia G.L Dannetl. Women Warriors by Tom Deignall, Irish America, OctINov. 2003. Hurlburt and Company as a salesman in Nova Scotia. She returned to Canada, earned $900 selling the Connecticut publishers's books. then set out for the western United States 'Patriotic' politician hired Irish substitute retaining her male alias as Franklin Thompson. When the Civil War broke out, she was living in Flint, Mich., and promptly (Continuedfrom page J) enlisted in the Flint Union Greys, a unit that became Co. F ofthe "Now the strife has ceased, Smith and myself are traveling in joint 2nd Michigan lnfantry Regiment. debate on our military reputations, to obtain votes for a seat in Edmonds served with the 2nd Michigan at the first battle of Congress ... Our first discussion took place in Fanueil Hall, Podwick, Bull Run, during the Virginia peninsular campaign and at on Tuesday evening oflast week. There was an immense crowd. Smith Fredericksburg in December 1862. She served as a male nurse in was introduced and said, 'Fellow citizens - When southern treason the brigade hospital and as regimental mail carrier, and was raised its hydra-head and sought to stab the nation's life, I did not stop picked for several espionage missions. In at least one case, her to quibble as to constitutional questions but promptly offered my spy worked got her involved in a double false identity - a woman services to the government and for three long years have shared the disguised as a man serving in the army, then taking on the fortunes of the army of the Union. (Faint applause). I don't mention disguise of a woman to infiltrate enemy lines. In that case, she this in a spirit of egotism, but merely to show you that my whole heart later wrote, "J procured the dress and outfit of an Irish female has been in this contest and that, in the future, as in the past, I shall peddler, following the army selling cakes, pies, etc., together with never fail to stand squarely upon the platform of the Union ... The a considerable amount of brogue and a set of Irish phrases, which soldiers I see before me here have made an undying record and their did much toward characterizing me as one of the 'rale ould stock deeds of valor will not fail to be the glory of their lives. I see some of bog-trotters.", Such a bro~e and manners undoubtedly came who were with me at Antietam where a rebel bullet stuck me to the easy for the daughter ofa New Brunswick Irish couple. earth and at Chancellorsville when again a leaden shot of treason In early 1863, Edmonds contracted malaria Sent to a military nearly ended my life; and to them I appeal to remain faithful to the hospital, she deserted for fear that her disguise would be exposed. cause and to support only such men as have given evidence of their She then dropped the disguise and began working as a female devotion to the Union (Feeble cheers)....' nurse for the United States Christian Commission under her real "When Smith took his seat, I rose and was received with vociferous name. At that time, she also began writing an autobiography applause. Having answered his political arguments, I closed as follows: which, when finished, was published in 1864 by her old Hartford 'Fellow citizens - Reference has been made here to devotion to the employer, Hurlburt and Williams. In the book, Edmonds did not Union. I yield to no man in my allegiance to the government. When in reveal her double identity, but wrote as a female nurse relating her 1862 the storm cloud of war hung heavily over the land; when wartime experiences. The book, Nurse and Spy, was an hundreds of brave men were battling on southern soil for mastery; immediate success, the first edition selling 175,000 copies. when passion and prejudice had greatly subsided and the north were Edmonds gave most ofthe profits to charity for wounded soldiers. determined to maintain the contest to the bitter end if need be, I Edmonds did not resume her male guise after the war, but furnished a substitute and this day, this very hour, his bones lie married a New Brunswick native, Linus H. Seelye, who was a bleaching on the banks of the Rapidan. (Great applause). carpenter at Harper's Ferry, Va., when she was there as a nurse The effect was electrical. Then it was I rejoiced at my participation for the Christian Commission. She and Seelye had three children, and blessed the memory ofPvt. O'Gorman." all ofwhom died in childhood, and also adopted two boys. Source: Meriden Literary Recorder, Aug. 23, 1865. ______------_-- Page 3 Assignment list shows Irish representation on Hartford police force in 1901

1\ m:wspaper account or a meeting of J.F. Noonan - Main Street from State Street to Gerrnania Hall, the Board of Police Commissioners in east side. Hartford in 190 I reveals the large Mathew Fagan - Wethersfield Avenue to i\nnawan Street, to contribution that irish-Americans Franklin/\venue to Soufu Green. made to public safety in a typical D.B. Ahem - Market Street, north of Morgan, Village, Pleasant, Connecticut city in that em. At the Avon and North streets, cast side of Windsor Street. May 20 meeting, the board approved l O'Brien - Main Street, Needham's comer to turmel, Trumbull to assigrunents lor officers, including the Chapel Street. streets which each policeman was to lP. Flynn - Main Street, from Windsor Street to Ely, to Winthrop, patrol. to Pleasant Street, to Main Street. Policemen with names that strongly D.T. Molloy - Albany Avenue Irom turmelto Williams Street. suggest Irish background constitute MJ. Dooley - High, north of Allyn Street, including all streets 40 of the toull 87 names listed, or 45 east of Ann to comer High and Main streets. percent of the total. TIle percentage J.F. HClmessey - Church, Trumbull, Allyn to Aim, east side, and may actually have been higher Chapel Street. because the list includes other names Mark Grady - High Street, west side, from Main to Walnut, west such as Brown, Harvey, Johnson, to and including Edwards and Chestnut streets. Langrish, Morgan, Whitehead and Williams, which mayor may not Jolm Flanigan - Sheldon to Commerce and all streets south to be Irish. While representing less than half the force, the Irish comprise Charter Oak street. by far the largest single ethnic bloc. J.D. Flytm - Spring to Myrtle, to GardCll, to Hopkins, to Broad The highest representation of Irish seems to be on the 7 p.m. to 4 including Flower, Queen and Howard streets. a.m. night patrol roster where 20 of 34 ollicers, or 60 percent, have Jolm Sheehan - Commerce and cross streets, from Grove to Irish surnames. On the daytime patrol roster, 10 of 21 ollicers, or 45 Morgan. percent, were most likely Irish. 11mt sanle percentage held for the S. Riley - Main Street, Irom Wells to Buckingham, west side, midnight to 9 a.m. shill, where six of 14 ollicers had Irish surnames. Charter Oak to Sheldon Street., east side. The Irish were least represented on the bicycle squad. On the E.F. Dillon - Grove Street from Main to Front., to Arch, to daytime shift there were no Irish surnames readily identifiable among Prospect, to Parson's theater. eight otlicers. On the night shift, four of 10 ollicers, 40 percent, Janles Maloney - Ollice, police headquarters. apparently were Irish. If bicycle duty was more prestigious than foot Bicycle Squad B, Night Duty, from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. duty, as might be conjectured, then the scarcity of Irish bicycle officers may suggest that as numerous as they were on the lorce, the John O'Sullivan - Parkville and an streets north to the Boulevard. Irish still did not have sullicient political power to win the best Edward l Farrell - Farmington Avenue, west of Park River, south assignments. The assignments included the following ollicers with to the Boulevard and north to Elizabeth Park and west to city line. Irish surnames: T. Brassell - Farnlington Avenue south to raiIroad and west to Park River. Squad A, Day Duty, from 9 am. to 7 p.m. H.I,. Hart - Windsor Avenue east of railroad, north and west of John O'Malley - City Hall Square. Mather Street to city line. Felix Quinn - State street and cross streets. Squad C, Night Duty, from Midnight to 9 a.m. Tobin - Main Street, soufu. Gaffey - Mechanic, Potter and Ellery streets. K. Molloy - Farmington Avenue Irom Sigourney Street, west to Thomas McCue - Park Street from Washington to Zion streets and Forest until 4 a.m., then Temple and Market streets. cross streets from Russ to Ward. John FlalU1ery - Windsor Avenue north of Russell until 4 a.m., Michael Gavin - Main Street., north. then Morgan and cross streets. J.F. McDennott - Morgan and cross street<;. Callahan - Windsor Avenue to Seyms and cross streets to 4 a.m., F.P. Geary - Albany Avenue and cross streets to Williams street. then Windsor Street. J.P. Moran - Asylum Street., comer Main. Patrick Doran - Collins Street west of Garden to Woodland and IF. Sullivan - Outside depot officer. cross streets. P.A. Sullivan - Asylum Avenue west to Sigourney to 5 a.m., then Squad B, Night Duty, from 7 p.m to 4 am. raiIroad station. James Dlmn - City Hall Square. W.F. Redmond - Woodland Street to Collins until 4 a.m., then IF. Lally - Slate and cross strt-'Ct to Kilbourn Street, north side. Farmington Avenue from Sigourney Street to Broad and cross streets. E.H. Costello - Slate and cross streets to Conunerce and Grove Source: Hartford CouranJ, May 21,1901. streets, south side. Page 4

Make Irish History Round Table a monthly habit during 2004 Want to stop being a couch potato in 2004? Want to enrich your life with congenial companions and compelling conversations about topics of Irish interest? Want to impress that special woman or man in your life with your knowledge of the Emerald Isle? Here's a sure-fire, one--stop formula: Attend the monthly meetings of the Irish History Round Table at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday ofevery month at the Knights of St. Patrick Hal~ 1533 State Street, New Haven. It's free and open to the public. The agenda for the next eight months includes the foUowing programs:

~ Jan. 20 - "From Kells to Castles: Irish Medieval Art," a slide show by Dr. Maurice Rose of Fairfield University. ~ Feb. 17 - "The Celtic Gene: Irish Health," by Dr. Tom Duffy of Yale-New Haven Hospital ~ March 16 - "Treasures of Prehistoric Irish Tombs," by Dr. Marie Selvaggio of Southern Connecticut State University. ~ April 20 - "Irish Figureheads," by professional wood sculptor.run Sheehan ofWallingford. ~ May 18 - "Irish Immigration Occupations, 1850-1899, by Dr. Michael Ryan of Southern Connecticut State University. ~ June 15 - "Photographic Humor ofl.reland," by Aiden Moran, professional photographer. ~ July 20 - "Irish in Barbados," by Frank O'Day, past president ofthe Irish History Round Table. ~ Aug. 17 - "Irish in the Labor Movement," by Brian Stiltner, ofSacred Heart University.

Immigrant from Switzerland built specialty carriages in New Haven

A native of Houser came to the United States about 1850 and developed a specialty Switzerland, in the construction of "milk, baker and business wagons." In addition John P. Houser, to the business wagons, Houser also produced "a general line of light was among the carriages, surreys, etc. which are lU1SUfP3Ssed for artistic beauty and manufacturers durable service." Houser's two-story factory was located on Main who made New Street in the Westville section ofNew Haven. On the first floor was a Haven a center of rorge where iron work was completed on the wagons, while the second the wagon and floor was devoted to woodworking and painting. carriage business Source: New Ha"en and its Points of Interest I1.JJlstraJed from Original in the 19th Photographs, J89~ century A business directory published in 1895 cited Houser as an Editor's note: In recognition of the bond between our historical society example ofa businessman who lUlderstood that "the secret ofsuccess in and the other societies in the Ethnic Heritage Center. and to foster any line of business nowadays depends upon detailed specialization." appreciation for all races and nationaliries, The Shanachie regularly prints articles about other ethnic groups.

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President Jeanne Roche Whalen \lice President George Waldron "We haw kept faith Published biIWonthly by the Secretary Maureen Delahunt with the past; Connecticut Irish-A.IWerican Treasurer Tom Slaler we haw handed Historical Society Shanachie Editor Neil Hogan, (203) 269-9154 P.O. Box 120020 a tradition to the future." East HlI\Ien, CT 06512 MeIWbership $10 individual, $15 family. Send n_e address and (203) 392-6126 check IWade out to CIAHS to address at left. - Padraic Pearse In Ireland, a Shanachie is a folklorist, historian and keeper of the traditions of the people.