Vol. VII, No.1 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society January-February 1995 Personal ad brought only trouble to Irish lover Here is a Valentine's Day story youth who was pining away in the winter time I work days. I wish you about a New Haven Irishman who estate of bachelorhood. But he did would meet me at Klock's drugstore set out to find his true love through not despair, He would wait a little Wednesday about 2 o'clock if it is a personal advertisement in the longer. They were modest and convenient for you. I will be there at newspaper. The personal advertise­ backward, he thought, none of them 2 o'clock and we will be convenient ment that we like to think is a phe­ had yet seen him and they could not to the cars to take a ride down to nomenon that belongs to the 1990s, know what was in store for the lucky the shore ... " actually was in vogue a century ago. one." . J.T. thoughtfully suggested a And, the humorous incident involv­ Finally, the lad's patience was system of signals whereby they ing this Irish lad rewarded when could recognize each other. and his he re­ He said he would wear a blue personal ceived a ribbon on his finger and asked her to ad made note in a wear a blue ribbon on her sleeve. the news delicate "Wednesday afternoon came," columns of femine reported the Register, "and about 2 the New hand: "I'm o'clock the clerks and customers in H a v e n a blonde, Klock's drugstore were surprised to Register 19 years hear a young lady, who stood in the on July old. My store waiting for a car, indignantly 28, 1890. friends say I'm repulse a large, big-boned Irishman It seems that Quite good look­ who had approached and spoken a the gentleman placed the following ing. I can speak two languages and few words to her in a low voice. advertisement in the Register c1assi­ play on the piano." "Yes, instead of a lover's meet­ fieds: "Young man would like a The note was signed "A,B,C." ing, J.T. had to put up with a sound young lady companion. Address and J.T. Quickly wrote back to the rating for his impertinence. Where J.T., this office." address given as follows: "I am of was A.B.C., the blonde of 19 sum­ According to the Register, "The Irish birth, like young lady's com­ mers? J.T. wrote another note and days went on, but the girls did not pany all the time, never grow wary. really rush to offer themselves to the Now in summer time I work nights; (Please turn to Page 4)

Sunday, Feb. 12 Renew - please Full Irish breakfast and storytelling by Rita Hughes This is the time of year for renewal of member­ of Cheshire at Kenny G's Pub in Wallingford. ships and this year we especially need renewals Breakfast, 11 :30 a.m. Storytelling, 12:30 p.m. by every last member of the Connecticut Irish­ Info. - Pat Heslin, 248-6050. American Historical Society. The prices of many items such as postage have risen and our ex­ penses for printing and mailing six issues of The Thursday, March 9 Shanachie, offering stipends to experts who con­ CIAHS sponsors performance by Gaelic Players at duct genealogy workshops and other programs Ouinnipiac College. Info. - Jeanne Hickey, 468­ have increased along with them. In addition, we 0426. hope to participate in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Famine by publishing a book about the Famine Irish who came to Con­ necticut and by having exhibits about the Famine Sunday, March 26 at summer Irish festivals in Fairfield, Glastonbury Slide show about the Irish Potato Famine which and New Haven. To do these things the way they began 150 years ago this year. 2 p.m. at Irish­ should be done, we need money for the cost of American Community Center, East Haven. Info. printing and the cost of exhibit materials. - Neil Hogan, 269-9154. (Please turn to Page 3) Page 3 Horse named arsfieldwon winter race in Middletown In the 19th century, before the to be determined by the judges: Tho­ advent of such pastimes as readily mas O'Connell, W.H. Smith and Lu­ accessible ski resorts and the Super ther S. Hall. The three awarded the Bowl, horse racing was one of the victory in the heat to Sarsfield. most popular of winter sports. There then ensued, however, a Weather permitting, the competi­ lengthy dispute about whether Sars­ tion took place with sleighs on ice­ field was actually trotting or really covered ponds, lakes or rivers. running. And even in milder winters, races To settle the dispute, it was on city streets attracted large crowds agreed to appoint a committee which and large bets. would closely watch Sarsfield in the In January 1887, the people of next heat to make sure that he only Middletown were treated to a hotly & Bent. The horse was described as trotted and did not break into a run. contested race between two well­ black in color and "a combination of With that settled, the second heat known horses, one of whi h was a trotter, runner, pacer and single was held and Sarsfield again out­ named for a legendary hero of Irish footer." paced Topsy. history: Patrick Sarsfield. His opponent in the race was The latter's owner again com­ Patrick Sarsfield was a leader of Topsy, a "little, black trotting plained long and loud that Sarsfield the Irish forces of King James II in the horse" owned by P. Dorsey, a Mid­ was running. war against William of Orange in the dletown saloon keeper. This time the dispute became so 1690s. He directed the defense of South Main Street in Middletown intense that Dorsey refused to com­ the city of Limerick in 1690 and led was crowded with townspeople and pete in a third heat and the judges his troops to France after the Treaty visitors from across the river in Port­ awarded the purse to the owners of of Limerick. land for the race which took place on Sarsfield. The horse Sarsfield was owned by Wednesday, Jan. 5. two Portland gentlemen identified in The first heat began about 3 p.m. (Source: Middletown Penny Press, a story about the race only as Augur and was so close that the winner had Jan. 6, 1887.) Irish organizations chartered by special act of state legislature Considerable information about legislature are retained at the Con­ John Golden, Patrick Tate, Jeremiah the organizations of Irish people in necticut State Library in Hartford. Flynn, John Rock, Thomas Brown, Connecticut is contained in special A typical special act was that Patrick Culligan, James Bane, James acts of the state legislature. adopted on July 1, 1869, for the Harris, Hugh Manan, Terry Ryons and The General Assembly passed incorporation of "The Saint Mary's such other persons as are or hereafter such special acts to charter benevo­ Benevolent Teetotal Temperance So­ may be associated with them, and lent organizations and the legislation ciety of Bridgeport." The legislation their successors be, and they are usually lists the names of the foun­ read as follows: hereby constituted a body politic and ders of the organizations along with "Resolved by this Assembly, Sec. corporate by the name of The Saint a summary of the purposes of the 1. That Martin Devaney, Patrick Mary's Benevolent Teetotal Temper­ organizations. Hackett, James 0' Brien, Michael ance Society, of Bridgeport, Con­ Kelley, William Doyle, Christopher necticut,for the purpose of promoting The records of special acts 0 th McGuire, John Tate, John Dunn, the cause of temperance and of ren- dering under certain conditions, assis­ tance to sick members of said Renew - please corporation and their families and aid in the payment of funeral expenses of ( ontinue from page 11 the members of said corporation and We hope to get grant money to defray some of these expenses, but by that name said organization shall with cutbacks threatened in National Endowment for the Arts fund­ have perpetual succession and by that ing, it is possible we will receive Ie s than we need or even no grant name may sue and be sued and prose­ funds at all. We may ave to rely on the only regular source of income cute and defend suits in all courts in we have - members' dues - to e able us to continue publishing this state, and may have and use a The Shanachie and to commemorate the Famine. That's why it is common seal, and alter the same at very important for all members to make sure they renew their pleasure; may make contracts and memberships. We also hope members will consider making a donation shall be capable in law of purchasing, above the $10 per i dividual and $ 15 per family dues. Members can leasing, holding and conveying any help by renewing by return mail and not taking the chance that this real or personal estate for the use and request will get set aside and forgott n. Members can also help by benefit of said society or corporation; seeing if they can find another family member or friend who is provided that said corporation shall at interested in Irish-American history and heritage and might be inter­ no time hold real estate of a greater ested in joining our society. Send your checks for renewal to the value than five thousand dollars. Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society, Post Office Box 120­ "Sec. 2. That said corporation shall 020, East Haven, CT 06512. (Please turn to Page 41 Vol. VII, No.2 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society March - April 1995 Senator's roots are in County Clare and Norwich

By PAUL KEROACK in Ireland are of English origin, others. MacNamara is one of the Sherry may be a variation of Mac­ leading names in ancient Thomond Christopher J. Dodd, currently Serraigh, usually rendered as Mac­ comprising Counties Clare and lim­ senior U.S. senator from Connecti­ Sherry. erick. cut, and his father, the late U.S. Sen. While I have not searched the By the time of Griffith's Valuation Thomas J.Dodd, are descended parish registers for records of these in 1855, no Dodds or Cherrys were from the youngest of three brothers families, a search of the Household­ living in Bunratty or in the surround­ who emigrated from County Clare ers' Index produces only one parish ing area, although a Mary Cherry is before the Civil War. in Clare where members of both listed as leasing three acres to one John, Patrick and Thomas Dodd, these families were living in 1828 at John Kennedy. By this date, the whose birth dates seem to have the time of the Tithe Applotment Dodd's may have emigrated. been 1836, 1839 and 1841, were Survey. The earliest mention of the Dodd the sons of Thomas and Ann Dodd. In that parish of Bunratty, chiefly brothers in Connecticut is the mar­ The name Dodd among the native pastureland bordering the River riage of John Dodd and Bridget Irish is an anglicization of the Gaelic Shannon, in the townland of Wood Mulquin on May 19, 1858, in St. o Dubhda, more frequently seen as Park lived Patrick and Daniel Cherry Mary's Catholic Church in the O'Dowd or Dowd and often seen as and Michael Dodd, perhaps the Greenville section of Norwich. John Dowda, Duddy and Doody. grandfather of the immigrants. Their was listed as a resident of Franklin, Ann Dodd's family was appar­ three households held plots of five a rural town bordering Norwich on ently Cherry, although records list or six acres each, alongside neigh­ the north. Bridget's family name, her name also as Sherry or Cheney. bors bearing names of MacNamara, Mulquin or Mulqueen, originates pri­ White the names Cherry and Cheney McMahon, Boyle and Hayes, among marily in Clare. Thomas Dodd was married to Catherine Doyle, daugh­ ter of Michael and Ellen Doyle on April 19, 1861, also at St. Mary's. Both were Norwich residents. I have Flag raising not found a marriage record for the The annual raising of the Irish flag on the New Haven Green in third brother, Patrick, but he married commemoration of the Easter Rising of 1916 in Ireland will be held this in the 1860s Elizabeth Ross, whose year at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 23. The flag raising was organized in parents were born in Scotland. 1991 on the 75th anniversary of the rebellion which began in Dublin Thomas established himself as a on Monday, April 24, 1916. Our member and former treasurer Mike teamster and stonemason along Lynch is in charge of arrangements. Providence Road, now Boswell Ave­ nue, overlooking the heavily Irish­ American mill village of Greenville. Music & dance festival He also operated a stable where transportation could be hired. John The second annual Ethnic Heritage Center Festival will be held May 7 was a coachman and a laborer for at 2 p.m. at the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern many years, although some records Connecticut State University. The program will include, among others, list him as a farmer in the town of performances by Michael Mills Hampton in Windham County. Pat­ with "The Children of the Sun," rick was a gardener, then a farmer the Gaelic Highland Pipe Band of in Lisbon, a rural town east of Nor­ New Haven, Ralph Marcarelli and wich, and later in life a butcher. All Ensemble. The performers are do­ three brothers displayed consider­ nating their talents for the benefit able independence in earning livings of the Ethnic Heritage Center outside the mill and factory milieu comprised of the Afro-American, which employed the bulk of their Italian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Irish fellow Irish-American immigrants. historical societies. Tickets are Thomas and Catherine Dodd had $1 0 for general admission and at least six children - John, Ellen J., $25 for reserved seats. For information contact Jeanne Hickey, 468­ Thomas J., Michael E., Catherine A. 0426, or Ethel Litt, 248-2625. (Please turn to Page 3) Page 3 Anyone know where Jerry Scanlon's hawthorn is? Somewhere in the Mt. Cannel insure a good start. He also section of Hamden there was in learned much about the raising 1939 a thriving hawthorn tree of flowers as a young boy in brought to Connecticut from Ire­ Ireland, but became rather impa­ land by an immigrant born in tient of the 16 cents a day and County Kerry. Can any of our decided while a youth to try a members tell us exactly where new country for better pros­ the hawthorn tree was in Mt. pects. Scanlon was with the Cannel and if it is still growing W.W. Woodworth Company of there? Everything we know Mt. Carmel for 53 years when it about the tree is contained in this started as a carriage factory. short article published in the New "This hawthorn tree differs Haven Register's Sunday maga­ from the American variety in the zine on Oct. 23, 1939: color of its flowers. The Mt. Car­ "When Jerry Scanlon left his mel tree has white flowers so home in Kerry County, Ireland, in fragrant that one can hardly 1881 to sail for America, he breathe the spring air, while our brought with him a hawthorn tree trees have pink flowers. carefully wrapped in peat moss. "These trees, which are The small tree, then about a foot showy in the spring for they high was planted in Mt. Carmel bloom before the leaves put in where Scanlon came to live and an appearance, are not favored has resided ever since his arrival as much as they should be. The from the land of the Killarney hurricane (of 1938) made no in­ Lakes. The tree has grown into a roads on this tree. sturdy compact one with tiny "Scanlon's sight is failing but dark green leaves of delicately his mind is alert and his step cut pattern attracting attention to brisk. He points to his tree with its rareness. County, the hawthorn fences rise in pride and says, 'I brought a tree "Its presence reminds the owner a deep green study edging fields of from Ireland to shelter me in myoid of the many hours he toiled as a boy from 10 to 15 acres. The red seed age, I and the hawthorn does just that in marshy land planting the seeds of which drops from the tree in the later for under its limbs there is a seat these trees which later grew into summer is placed in hay and planted where its owner spends many a con­ strong live fences. All through Kerry in trenches with plenty of loam to tented hour. " Irish immigrant family produced two U.S. senators (Continued from Page 1) In 1929, Thomas J. Dodd, who 1986 during his three terms in the was by then also a widower, relo­ U.S. House of Representatives, In and James. Thomas J. Dodd was cated his family and contracting the latter year, he was elected to the married in Norwich on April 3, 1902, business to West Haven. Senate, a position he still holds. This at the age of 32 to Abigail Margaret His son, Thomas J. Jr., graduated year he was chosen national chair­ O'Sullivan, daughter of Jeremiah from Providence College in 1930 man of the Democratic Party. O'Sullivan and Bridget Mahoney of and from the Yale Law School in Norwich. 1933. After service in the FBI, he (Sources: Tithe Applotment Books, The younger Thomas worked rose to become a prosecutor at the Ireland; Griffith's Valuation, Ireland; with his father and brother John, Nuremberg trials after World War II. Connecticut State Register and eventually establishing his own busi­ He was a congressman from the Manual; Hampton, Conn., Vital Re­ ness as a mason contractor. 1st Congressional District when his cords; Lisbon, Conn., Vital Records; The couple had five children ­ father died on May 24, 1953, at the Edward MacL ysaght, "Irish Fami­ four daughters, Catherine Patricia, age of 83 in West Haven and was lies; " New Haven city directories; Helen Louise, Margaret Mary and buried in the family plot in St. Mary's Norwich city directories; Norwich, Mary Elizabeth and one son, the Cemetery in Norwich. Conn., Vital Records; headstones in future senator, Thomas Joseph Jr., Thomas Dodd was elected U.S. St. Mary's Cemetery, Norwich; U.S. who was born on May 15, 1907. senator in 1958. He had married census Soundex index, 1880 and The immigrant generation began Mary Grace Murphy of Westerly, 1900; Patrick Woulfe, "Irish names to pass away in the second decade R.I., in 1934. They had six children, and Surnames. " J of the 20th century. John Dodd died the second youngest being on June 4, 1913, his age given as Christopher J. Dodd, born in 1944. Editor's note: Paul F. Keroack, a 78. Sen. Thomas Dodd was residing member of our society, is a cata­ Thomas died on Feb.ll, 1916, in Old Lyme when he died in 1971 loguer for Primary Media Sources in aged 74, and Patrick died on May shortly after his defeat in a bid for a Woodbridge and editor of The Maple 16, 1920, aged 80. All three broth­ third Senate tenn. Leaf, the newsletter of the French­ ers were widowers, John having Christopher was the first Dodd to Canadian Genealogical Society of been widowed twice. live again in Norwich, from 1980 to Connecticut. Vol. VII, No.3 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society May - June 1995

Patriots and Tories Revolutionary War divided Irish loyalties in Connecticut

Like their fellow settlers up and down the Atlantic Seaboard, Connecticut's Irish had a difficult choice to make when the 13 American colonies declared their independence from England in 1776. Here are the stories of one Connecticut Irishman who threw his lot in with the revolutionaries and another Irishman who remained steadfast in support of the mother country.

Hearty in the rebel cause Loyal to the king John Conderick, ac­ Timothy Hierlihy was a cording to an account native of Ireland who came to America in war, "was one of those 1753 possibly as a sol­ I~!I~~~~writtenhearty Irishmenlong afterwhothe dier in one of the Eng­ promptly stepped into lish army regiments the American ranks and stationed in the colo­ bravely fought ... He nies. He settled in Mid­ was a jolly and faithful dletown and rose I volunteer in our ranks." rapidly in the colonial It is not clear how Con- militia. In 1759, the derick came to Con­ Connecticut General necticut, perhaps as an Assembly appointed indentured servant, perhaps as a soldier in the him a captain in the colony's militia andcommand­ British army. Whatever the case, on Jan. 15, ing officer of the 7th Company, 4th Connecticut 1777, he enlisted for the duration of the war in Regiment under Col. Eleazar Fitch and Lt. Col. Sanford's Co. of the 5th Connecticut Regiment Israel Putnam. The regiment took part in the in the Continental Line. successful siege which forced the French to Raised through recruitment mainly in Fairfield evacuate Fort Ticonderoga in late July that year and Litchfield counties, the 5th Regiment saw and the capture a week later of Crown Point, the action at the battle of Germantown in early other French stronghold on Lake Champlain. October 1777 and then went into winter Quarters In 1761 and 1762, Hierlihy commanded the with Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, Pa. In 6th Company, 1st Regiment, under Putnam. In June 1778, the regiment took part in the Ameri­ the latter year, Hiertihy's company was part of a can victory at Monmouth, N.J. It wintered in 1,OOO-man contingent that Connecticut supplied 1778-79 with the rest of the Continental Army for the invasion of the Spanish bastion of Havana, at Redding in the western part of Connecticut. Cuba. The expedition was organized after the fall Throughout these campaigns, Conderick of Canada and there were high hopes of riches to earned a reputation as a hard fighter, a hard be divided up by the troops. drinker and a bit of a rogue. It was said, for In the event, more than half of the colonial example, that he tried to take advantage of the troops succumbed to tropical diseases and the bonus offered to those who signed up by enlisting lion's share of the booty from the captured Cuban several times with different recruiting officers. city went to British regulars anyway. However, For his trouble, he received not several bonuses, Hierlihy was promoted to the rank of major for his (Please turn to Page 2) (Please turn to Page 2) Page 3 Genealogy project links New Haveners to Irish roots One of our members, Paul erations of a family and provides a vide such information, on up to Keroack, has 'undertaken a project good start for searches of parish 1869. The registers are available on that holds promise of being a major records and census substitutes in microfilm up until about 1900. The resource for Connecticut Irish­ Ireland. In at least a few instances, registers are not foolproof since the Americans tracing their family histo­ the information in the death register birthplaces and parents of the de­ ries. even provides a town or county in ceased are not always listed. How­ Based on work done by genealo­ Ireland from which the family came. ever, they certainly are a source that gist Richard Andrew Pierce in Mas­ According to Keroack, the infor­ Irish-Americans searching for their sachusetts, Keroack has begun to mation is available on microfilm both ancestors should not overlook. compile from the death registers of at the Mormon Library, 990 Race­ The listings extracted by Keroack the city of New Haven a list of all brook Road in Orange, and at the for New Haven for the year 1864, deceased who were born in Ireland Connecticut State Library in Hart­ almost 50 entries, are printed below, along with the names of their par­ ford. To date, he has been able to including death dates, ages and ents which generally are listed in the compile listings of Irish born persons names of parents. registers. The combination of names dying in New Haven from 1864, the gives immediate access to two gen- year the city registers began to pro- (please turn to Page 4)

Deaths of Irish-born persons in New Haven - 1864

Date Name Age Birthplace Parents

Jan. 4 Garrett Kennedy 45 Ireland John & Catherine Kennedy Jan. 9 Eliz!lbeth Jackson, widow 70 Ireland Rachel & James Gibbons Jan. 11 Patrick Dllgnan 28 Ire/and John Degnan & Bridget Reynolds Jan. 24 Ann Fit'Zg!lrald, widow of Thomas 40 Cleric, Ireland Jan. 27 Honora Lynch, widow of James 71 Hospital, Ireland Paul & Ellen Slattery (Co. Limerick) Feb. 10 Stephen Maher 18 Ireland Joseph & Mary Maher Feb. 12 Mary Hutchinson, widow 77 Ireland John & Ann Fox Feb. 13 Delia Hussion 4 Ireland Michael & Elizabeth Hussion lEast Haven) Feb. 18 Owen Sullivan 65 Ireland Owen & Ellen Sullivan Feb. 26 James Purcell 78 Ireland Simon & Mary Purcell Mar. 7 Bridget Purcell, widow of Edward 27 Ireland John & Ellen Barnes Mar. 13 Ellen B. Bramen 27 Ireland Wm. & Alice Bumford Mar. 18 Thomas Egan 40 Ire/and Michael & Mary Egan Apr. 1 William Looly, widower 83 Cashel, Ireland May 10 John Fahey 30 Ireland Patrick & Mary Fahey May 15 Mary Rooney, widow 42 Ireland Francis & Mary Carroll May 28 Ed. Dunn 40 Donegal, Ireland June 13 Thomas Bowman 52 Ireland Mich. & E. Bowman June 26 Mary Ann Gray "Green" 30 Ireland Andrew & Ann July 1 Michael Morin 2 Ireland Mich. & Catherine Moreland, lEast Haven) July 3 Patrick Edmund Trainor 18 Ireland John & Ann Trainor, (Hamden) July 5 James Mahoney 33 Ireland Jeremiah & Ellen Maloy, (d. Boston, Mass.) Aug. 21 Mary McDonald 19 Ireland Patrick & Cath. McDonald Sept. 1 Hugh Coyle 24 Ireland Patrick & Mary Coyle Sept. 22 William Moran 5 Ireland Patrick & May Conner, (New York) Oct. 2 Maria Kilroy 22 Ireland Patrick & Mary Kilroy Oct. 23 Cath. McG. Croston, widow of Danial 32 Ireland Patrick & Rosa McGale Oct. 24 Alice Edwards 29 Ireland John & Catherine Shields Oct. 27 Bridget Reily, widow of Owen 37 Ireland L. & C. Inglesby Oct. 29 Charles McCue 47 Ireland James & Catherine Nov. 3 Mary Ann Piggott 23 Ireland Patrick & Mary Piggott Nov. 4 Morris Connelly 62 Ireland Michael & Elizabeth, (Orange, Ct.) Nov. 5 Daniel Mullin 38 Ireland Mich. & Ellen Mullin Nov. 10 Thomas Turner 47 Ireland Patrick & Julia Turner Nov. 12 Catherine Rerry 18 Ireland John & Fanny Rerry, (Hartford, Ct.) Nov. 13 Ellen Darman 90 Ireland Timothy & Mary Nov. 15 Thomas Shanley 24 Ireland Bernard & Catherine Shanley Nov. 21 Bridget Reynolds, widow of John 60 Ireland Patrick & Winifred Reynolds Nov. 23 Ann Gallagher 17 Ireland Peter & Bridget Dec. 5 Marg. Lilly 19 Ireland James & Jane Lilly Dec. 5 John Maher 45 Ireland James & Kate Maher Dec. 6 Paul Shahan 41 Ireland James & Catherine Shahan Dec. 16 Bridget Delaney 48 Ireland Mich. & Mary Coughlin Dec. 20 Catherine Bowen 42 Ireland Thomas & Jane Stanford Dec. 23 Mary (Wade) Easton 23 Ireland Richard Wade Dec. 24 John McCuen 45 Ireland Anthony McCuen Dec. 27 Denis Cahill 45 Ireland Maurice Cahill ch£ shan~ch1e

Vol. VII, No.4 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society _July - August 1995 Civil War soldier's diary conles home to New Haven

The diary of a lieutenant in the 9th While the diary's entries are burg, Miss., in July and the battle of Connecticut Volunteers - the mostly in 1862, it appears that Baton Rouge in early August. state's Irish regiment in the Civil War Sheridan carried it with him long It was a curious type of amphibi­ - has been added to the collection after that. In pages set aside for ous warfare - unlike the mostly of the New Haven Colony Historical keeping expenses in the back of the ground war in Virginia and other Society. book. Sheridan recorded transac­ theaters of the fighting - in which The society purchased the 57­ tions as late as Nov. 28, 1863, the troops were loaded and un­ page diary of Lt. Terrence Sheridan when he wrote: "Received of E. loaded from steamers for attacks on in March from a rare­ various cities and forts. book dealer in New As often as not, the York City. The Con­ troops were mere spec­ necticut Irish-American TERRENCE SHERIDAN, left, tators watching the na­ Historical Society will was bom in County Cavan, val bombardments by contribute a sum to­ Ireland, in 1838, the son of the warships that they ward the purchase price James and Nancy Galligan accompanied. of the diary to ensure Sh8fidan. He ClIme to Am8f­ Sheridan is not an that this important iCII at the age of 12. His name ideal diaryist. There are document of the history appears in the New Haven extensive gaps in the of the state's Irish­ Directory for the first time in dates of the entries, sug­ Americans is preserved 1859 when h6 is listed as a gesting that the record­ in New Haven where CIIrriage painter boarding at ing of events in writing Sheridan lived before 23 Myrtle. He joined the did not come easily to the war and where he mosUy Irish militia unit, the him. And, unfortunately, enlisted Emmet Guards, md enlisted his jottings contain little The pocket-size diary in the 9th RiJgiment on Sept. of the emotional content is bound in a black 5, 1861. He was mustered or colorful descriptions leather case 6 inches into the regiment on Oct. 30 that mark the daily mus­ long and 3 1/2 inches as first lieutenant of Co. E. ings of a writer. wide. When Capt. James P. Hen­ Still, the New Haven Sheridan's diary en­ nessey, the command8f of soldier's entries are clear tries cover the period Co. E, resigned on Oct. 25, and concise. For Civil from January to Sep­ 1862, Sh6ridan was pro­ War scholars and buffs. tember 1862 when the moted to captain and given they contain details such 9th Regiment was in­ command of the company. as the names of people, volved in operations in He was transferred to Co. 8 regiments and ships that Louisiana and Missis­ of the 9th Battalion of Con­ add to an understanding sippi. Even though necticut Volunteers on Oct. of the federal campaign there are several entries 12, 1864. He was dis­ on the Mississippi River for January, Sheridan charg9d Nov. 14, 1864. that year. And for stu­ may not have begun dents of Irish-American keeping the diary until history, they provide March because he in­ some insight into the ex­ scribed on the inside front cover the Mooney ... twenty dollars and one periences of a Famine-era immi- words. "Lieut. Terrence Sheridan, bounty check. I gave him 5 1/2 grant. Late of New Haven, Connecticut, dollars from the sum." And, "Re­ Members of our society can do Ship Island, Miss.• Mar. 3. 1862." ceived ... of Sergt T. Ryan fifteen research on the diary at the New It is possible that on that date he dollars for safe keeping. I 0 Haven Colony Historical Society, wrote in the January entries from The bulk of the entries, however, 114 Whitney Ave. Arrangements memory. Ship Island is in the Gulf of deal with the federal campaign of should be made with librarian Mexico just off Biloxi, Miss. The 1862 in the Mississippi delta. James Campbell, 562-4183. island was used as a staging area for Among the important events de­ On the next two pages are re­ the federal Army and Navy forces scribed are the fall of New Orleans printed some of the entries from whose mission was to seize the stra­ to federal forces in late June, the Sheridan's diary, in italic type, with tegic Confederate port of New Or­ first Union attempt to capture the explanatory notes. leans, about 50 miles to the west. Confederate stronghold of Vicks- (Please turn to Page 2) Page 3

Tuesday, July 1: At daybreak all the fleet opened fire. It lasted untH 7 ock a.m.

Friday, July 4: Very hot. At noon all the fleet fired a na­ tional salute.

Thursday, July 24: Left oppo­ site Vicksburg at noon. All of Williams troops and Farragut fleet lay above Grand Gulf all night.

When Farragut gave up the as­ sault on Vicksburg, he sailed back down river and the troops landed at Baton Rouge. There in early August, the Confederates made an unsuc­ cessful attack to recapture the town: Thursday, May 1: The Republic Along the way, soldiers of the 9th got aground. We started up the skirmished with Confederates who Tuesday, Aug. 5: At 3 ock in river. Passed Fort Jackson and fired on the Union boats from the morning all the brigade was in Philip at 8 ock at night. riverbank. Sheridan wrote: line. At 4 1/2 the rebels com­ menced firing. It was returned. Friday, May 2: We passed sev­ Sunday, June 22: Started at 9 Fight lasted 2 1/2 hours, the eral of our frigates and gun­ ock. Came to Allis Cliffs where enemy getting beat and fell boats and cheer after cheer they fired on our gunboats. The back ... Genl Williams got killed went up. Anchored at the dock battery joined the 4th Wisc., in the early part of the fight, in N. O. at 4 ock p.m. Landed 30th Mass., 9th, 7th Vermont. Col. Cahill taking command. at 8 p.m. Nothing transpired ... Marched up the cliffs. The re­ bels ran and burned down Although it did not bear the brunt After only a few days in New some cotton 12 mHes off. We of the attack, the 9th apparently Orleans, the 9th Regiment was as­ then returned to the boats. was engaged for in the days after signed to Camp Parapet, an unfin­ the battle, Sheridan recorded the ished Confederate fort six miles Tuesday, June 24: Started at deaths of four soldiers from his com­ north of the city near Lake Pontchar­ 3 1/2 ock a.m. for Grand Gulf pany: train. That lake was used by South­ where they fired into the Em­ ern sympathizers to smuggle goods pire coming down. Put 5 balls Thursday, Aug. 7: James Mc­ and money in and out of New Or­ through her... Marched to their Mahon of Co. E died. Michael leans as indicated by the following camp. They fled bringing 6 Scott of Co. E died. entry by Sheridan: pieces. We tore up the raHroad. Marched through hills and hol­ Monday, Aug. 11: Michael J. Sunday, May 11: Capt. Sawier lows for 15 or 20 miles. Ar­ o'Burns, Co. E died. William went to Lake End, Lake Pon­ rived at Grand Gulf at 2 p.m. Clarke, Co. E, died. tchartrain at 9 oc p.m. I started Burned the whole town, every to Lake End to reinforce Capt. building. Sawier. Next morning I came back bringing in one man with Thursday, June 26: Com­ Further research needed 25,000 dollars which was cap­ menced bombarding the town Little is known of Sheridan's tured taking it to the Southern (Vicksburg) with only the mor­ activities after the war. There is Confederacy. tar boats. a Terrence Sheridan listed as a carriage maker in post-war New After the fall of New Orleans, the Saturday, June 28: Still bom­ Haven city directories and a di­ federals set their sights on capturing barding. At 3 1/2 ock a.m. the rectory in 1906 lists a Terrence the last Confederate stronghold on whole fleet opened on the Sheridan as having left New Ha­ the Mississippi, Vicksburg. Farragut town and the batteries kept it ven and moved to the West. Is took his ships the 400 miles up to up until 6 when firing ceased. there any member of our soci­ Vicksburg, found it impregnable and 26 men killed belonging to the ety who has the time and the sailed back to New Orleans. The War fleet. interest to attempt to trace Department in Washington ordered Sheridan after the war and to him to make another attempt and in Sunday, June 29: No firing un­ find out where he died and is late June with a force of 3,200 til the rebels gave challenge at buried? troops, including the 9th Connecti­ 12 m. Firing lasted all night. cut, he steamed up river again. Vol. VII, No.5 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society September - October 1995 Mayo man founded department store in New Haven

By PAUL KEROACK with the decline of cottage indus­ ier's on the Bowery, an estab­ Although the Edward Malley Co. tries which had provided some in­ lishment at which he had worked. department store closed in 1982, its come, and the continued division of Malley was apparently the first mer­ 130-year-existence as New Haven's farms among all male heirs, deep­ chant to bring to New Haven a sys­ most important retail outlet will en­ ened the general poverty. tem of retail marketing pioneered in sure it a place in the city's history. The Malleys were apparently New York when in 1846 A.T. Its founder Edward Malley was townspeople who were able to pro­ Stewart opened the first full-fledged born in Westport, a small port town vide Edward with sufficient educa­ department store in America. Goods on the bay of Clew in County Mayo tion for him to begin work as a dry offered at fixed, advertised prices, a on Ireland's west coast on Aug. 6, goods clerk as a youth. Whether as "carriage trade" concept of quality 1827. Malley's ancestors of the an­ a consequence of the Potato Famine retailing for the ordinary shopper, cient O'Malley clan were lords of the which began in 1845 or primarily for replaced the traditional method of baronies of Murrisk and Burrishoole, his economic advancement, Edward haggling or bargaining over the price which constitute the hinterlands of immigrated to the U.S. sometime of an item with each customer. the civil parish of Augheval in which around 1848. Soon after, Malley married Mary Westport is located. Published accounts of his early Ann Ward, who was born in Dublin His father, Michael, was a native career in America vary. One story about 1830, the daughter of James of Westport. His mother, whose sur­ relates that he began work in a dry and Mary Ward. They apparently did name was Fair or Phair, was a native goods store on Canal Street in New not marry in New Haven because of Fairhill in the civil parish of Islan­ York City, leaving only for his health there is no record of their marriage deady, a few miles inland from in 1850 and subsequently selling in local vital records. Their son, Wai­ Westport. throughout New England until he ter Edward, was born in New Haven Westport was a small, but thriv­ settled in New Haven. Another ac­ on April 1, 1856. The family was ing market town and port, trading count has him opening a small store listed as living at 41 Congress St., grain and timber with America. It on Water Street in Fair Haven in the father's age given as 25. This was the site of a distillery, a brew­ 1848. The accounts do agree that may not be accurate, but would ery, cotton and bleaching mills. he opened his downtown New Ha­ indicate his birth year as 1831. The surrounding countryside was ven store in March 1852 at 65 By the time Walter began his pri­ of poor fertility and overpopulated. Chapel St., a since renumbered lo­ mary education at Dwight School, Even by the 1840s most of the lands cation between Church and Temple the family had bought a home at of the native Irish were held in com­ streets, across from the Green. 719 Chapel St. near Orchard Street mon. Nearly three-quarters of all in­ later, Malley recounted that he in what was then the heart of the dividual plots in Mayo were under began his shop with $800 worth of middle-class, Irish-American com­ six acres. These conditions, along goods purchased for $240 at Ston- munity. Walter obtained his secon­ dary education at General Russell's Collegiate Institute on Wooster Famine Journal begins in this issue Place, after which he went to Seton College, a Catholic institution in South Orange, N.J. He then entered Included with this September-October Yale's Sheffield Scientific School in 1995 Shanachie is the first issue of our the class of 1882, but did not gradu­ Famine Journal, a two-page insert consist­ ate, leaving to join his father in ing mainly of eyewitness accounts of the business. beginning of the Potato Famine in Ireland From the beginning, the New 150 years ago in 1845. We intend to York Store, as Malley's estab­ publish the Famine Journal from now until lishment was called, grew rapidly as the year 2000 to commemorate this most least in part due to his creative mer­ tragic event in Irish history. In the interest chandising, as well as the growth of promoting a more widespread under­ experienced by the city. He enlarged standing of the Famine and the resulting the original store, then purchased a mortality and massive immigration, we ... larger one on the same block. By the urge members to pass along to friends and 1870s, he had engaged his brothers relatives each issue of the Famine Journal. James and Michael W. Malley as manager and buyer. (Please turn to Page 2) FAMINE JOURNAL September - October 1845 #1

Perspective Progress Of The Blight London Morning Chronicle, The potato was brought to Ire­ Sept. 12, 1845 - County Louth ­ land, as it was to the rest of The harvest is progressing rapidly Europe, from the Americas in the throughout the county. So far as our late 16th century. While Sir Walter observation will allow us to speak, we Raleigh is often given credit for in­ consider the crops of a superior qual­ troducing the potato to Ireland, it is ity with some trifling exceptions; and just as likely that it came by way of we have seen some samples of wheat Spain, whose adventurers brought it which could not be surpassed during from Peru and whose merchants the most favourable season. The po­ traded with Irish ports. tato crop, we regret to say, is giving In any event, potato fanning be­ up fast - many fields becoming with­ gan in Ireland arOlmd 1600, initially ered prematurely. as a garden crop for the gentry. It London Morning Chronicle, soon, as historian Kevin Whelan Sept. 13, 1845 - Very distressing ac­ puts it, "jumped the garden wall counts are received of the damage and was given the freedom of the done to the potato crop in various fields, " the fields being the domain parts of the country, especially on of the Irish peasantry. At first in lands adjoining the sea-coast. A corre­ Munster and then throughout Ire­ spondent of the Evening Post, writing land, the potato began to find a from Roscrea, county of Tipperary, place in the peasant diet. says: - "I regret to state that in this Had the potato remained just one locality, and I may say as much for a radius of ten or twelve miles, that although item in their diet, it would have less­ the seed sewn has grown that more than half a crop is not expected to be pitted. ened the chances of famine. Tragi­ The stalks have all prematurely decayed, owing to the cold and wet summer and the cally,just the opposite happened. tubes are small and few under each... Similar accOlmts have been received from By the late 1700s, the potato had re­ Cork, Wexford, Galway and Clonmel ... placed grain, beans and dairy prod­ Athlone Sentinel, Sept. 19, 1845 - There are some complaints of the potato ucts as the staple of the peasants' crop in this neighbourhood. but not so much as that stated to be in other parts of Ire­ diet throughout Ireland. It was ide­ land. aUy suited to do so in many ways. Tralee Chronicle, Sept. 20, 1845 - The Potato Disease - We are not aware It grew well in Ireland's wet and that the vegetable distemper has actually developed itself in our county ... In a few cloudy climate. It provided a won­ weeks more we shall be able to ascertain with certainty. derfully balanced diet. It blossomed in such abundance that a small par­ Londonderry Sentinel, Sept. 29, 1845 - We have not heard of any failures in cel of land could feed an entire fam­ the potato crop in the neighbourhood of this city, but we learned in the beginning of ily for most of the year. the week that a considerable portion of it had failed in some parts of the barony of Ennishowen and the stalks in several fields have suddenly assumed a sickly hue. Already living a hand-to-mouth existence, the peasants began to rely Limerick Reporter, Oct. 14,1845 - We are informed upon the best and most more and more on the potato for respectable authority that the rot or decay in the potato is more prevalent than had their subsistence and use whatever been imagined so that the greatest possible regard should be had to the preservation other crops and livestock they pro­ of this indispensable esculent for the ensuing year ... This terrible epidemic not duced to pay their rent and taxes. only threatens the loss of food in the present season, but loss of seed for next year. Those crops and livestock were ex­ Belfast Northern Whig, Oct. 28, 1845 - During a recent journey, we have ported and became cheap and whole­ had an opportunity of minutely examining the crops of the entire of the county some food for English consumers. Down ... There is a very general disease prevailing among potatoes, and that to a The Irish peasants were being fearful extent. We did not find a single field, in the course of a three weeks' ride, forced to play Russian roulette. free from it ... While there were potato crop fail­ ures in previous years, the peasants escaped disaster until the late 18408 Further The Great Irish Famine, by Canon John O'Rourke when the crop failed in three of four Reading First printed in 1874. Abridged edition published consecutive years - 1845, 1846 by Veritas Publications, Dublin, 1989. and 1848. Page 3 Family History Foresters convened in Hartford In September 1914, Hartford Orangeman. It is not in the blood; it GENERAL 'INDEXES of Irish played host to the biennial national is not in the bone." surnames have been written convention of the Irish National For­ In his report at Wednesday's busi­ by a number of authors, some esters Benefit Society, a fraternal ness session, national Secretary of whom have done thorough insurance organization established John Buckley of Massachusetts de­ research, others of whom have in Ireland in 1875. scribed the growth of the organiza­ been content to summarize the The convention was called to or­ tion since the last convention. work of the former. For those der on Monday morning, Sept. 14, Twenty-two new branches had been who have an interest in the at Foot Guard Hall by Robert M. organized and 4,000 new members surnames of one county or Beechinor, chairman of the local had been added to the rolls bringing province, there also are a few committee of arrangements. The total membership throughout the works which focus more 150 delegates were welcomed to United States to 15,000. Buckley closely on the surnames found Hartford by Daniel Doyle, acting also reported that more than in a particular region. president of the Board of Aldermen, $10,000 had been paid in death representing Mayor Joseph H. benefits to the families of members ONE EXCELLENT EXAMPLE of Lawler. The response to the greeting during the past year. this type of book is •• Families. was made by Supreme High Chief The convention affirmed its patri­ of County Wexford," by Hilary Ranger Martin R. Joyce of Boston otism by adOPting a resolution Murphy, 1986. (Geography who thanked the city of Hartford pledging allegiance to the United Publications, 24 Kensington and the members of Patrick Sarsfield States "for the establishment and Road, Templeogue, Dublin Branch of Hartford for hosting the preservation of which so many of 12.) convention. Joyce also reported on the Irish race fought and bled." his recent trip to Ireland and Scot­ And as with most Irish-American THE SOUTHEASTERNMOST land and on the progress and work organizations, the plight of Ireland COUNTY of Ireland and only a of the Foresters in those countries. was very much on the minds of the little more than a stone's throw That evening the Sarsfield Branch delegates. They adopted a resolu­ from Wales, Wexford became entertained the guests. F.J. Barrett tion, for example, endorsing the Irish the bridgehead for the Nor­ and P.F. Radigan sang Irish ballads, Volunteers, a military organization man-Welsh invasion of Ireland James Gubbins danced jigs and reels founded in 1913, "as fraught with in A.D. 1170. The influence and there was "buck and wing danc­ great consequences to Ireland, be­ of the invaders remained ing" by Edward Maher. Fred Smith's lieving that it should receive the strong in this county through­ Singing Orchestra also played. most generous support of every man out Irish history and Murphy's The convention banquet was held and woman of Irish blood for an small paperback volume at­ Tuesday evening with Congressman Ireland armed is an Ireland freed." tests to "the unique perma­ Augustine Lonergan and former Sen. Another resolution approved and nence of old Cambro-Norman Patrick McGovern as guests. Tho­ encouraged "the principles and poli­ families in Wexford especially mas J. Spellacy of Hartford was cies of the Gaelic League in Ireland in (the baronies of) Forth and toastmaster. Also in attendance and commending it for the noble Bargy. Murphy provides brief were Father William H. Rogers of St. work it is doing in preserving and histories ranging from a couple Patrick's Church and Father Simon extending the language of their fore­ of pages to six or seven pages Forestler of Our Lady of Sorrows fathers. " for dozens of these Welsh-Nor­ Church. A third resolution, encouraged man families - Lacey, Hare, The heavy nationalistic Irish em­ members to follow the example of Howlin, Roche, Walsh to name phasis of the Foresters organization the Gaelic League and study Irish just a few. He does not ignore was evident in the comments of history, literature and music. either the longer established Father Rogers who told the audi­ On Wednesday, the final day of Gaelic clans such as the ence, "An Irishman will be an Irish­ the convention, there were hard­ Kavanaghs, "the chief Gaelic­ man no matter what country he is fought contests for almost every Irish and most historic of all born in. He will have the same wit office with the Massachusetts dele­ Wexford names." He traces and humour, the same love of coun­ gation maintaining its hegemony. each name briefly and in terms try. Across the Atlantic lies the little Only one Connecticut member, the layman can understand, island famous in song and story that Robert M. Beechinor won an offi­ yet with enough detail to be of has given the world more states­ cer's position, that of third trustee. interest to those who like to men, diplomats and geniuses than Other officers were Marcus E. Joyce dabble in ancient history. He any other land on the face of the of Charlestown, Mass., chief ranger; points out, for example, that earth. Irishmen love that isle and it P.J. Larkin of Roxbury, sub-chief the name Kinsella is derived is pleasant to know that they will ranger; John Buckley of Somerville, from the ancient Ui Ceinn­ continue that love until Ireland is a secretary; J.C. McCarthy of Boston, sealaigh sept, which at one nation, for nationality is our aim. general organizer; John J. Connolly time ruled all of County Wex­ And we have reason to believe that of Waltham, beadle; Mrs. Nellie Mil­ ford. And he notes that the Ireland will soon be a nation. Eng­ lea of Worcester, first trustee; Kinsellas took their name from land has been trying to make Eng­ Joseph Ker of Cambridge, second Eannma Ceinnsealaigh, fourth lishmen out of Irishmen for years trustee. in descent from Cathair Mor, and she can no more make an Eng­ king of Leinster in A.D. 358. lishman out of an Irishman than you Source: Hartford Courant, Sept. 14­ can make an Irishman out of an 16, 1914. Vol. VII, No.6 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society November - December 1995 $5,000 gift from Wild Geese aids Famine project

Our efforts to commemo­ into the political arena and rate the 150th anniversary of the response of Connecticut's the Potato Famine have been predominantly native-born given a tremendous boost and Protestant population to thanks to the generosity of the influx of large numbers of another Irish organization, the impoverished victims of con­ Wild Geese based in Green­ ditions in Ireland. wich. As part of their annual Our Famine commemora­ financial aid program to promote scribe the response of Connecticut tion continued in recent weeks with Irish history and culture, the Wild people to the starvation in Ireland the presentation of our Famine slid~ Geese have presented the Connecti­ including relief efforts in the state. It show at a reception sponsored by cut Irish-American Historical Society will tell the stories of Irish people the Wild Geese and at a meeting of with a check for $5,000. The money who fled the Famine, the routes they the Irish History Roundtable. A has been given as an outright grant, followed across the Atlantic and shortened version of the slide show with the stipulation that it be used how and why they settled here. It will be shown at the Irish-American for publication of our planned book will analyze the geographical distri­ Community Center in East Haven about Connecticut and the Famine. bution of the Famine immigrants preceding the Gaelic Players presen­ The book will contrast Connecti­ within the state, the occupations tation of the drama "The Black cut and Ireland in the early 1840s in they were engaged in, the growth of Stranger" from Wednesday eve­ terms of population, economic de­ the Catholic Church in Connecticut ning, Nov. 15, to Sunday, Nov. 19. velopment and institutions and de- as a result of their arrival, their entry (Please turn to Page 3) Scots-Irishman was Courant's fastest typesetter

The fastest typesetter who ever move ahead to other responsibilities In 1844, Bonner left the Courant worked for Connecticut's oldest because of the seniority system. and Hartford for New York City newspaper, the Hartford Courant, One morning a journeyman where he found work as a typesetter was a Scots-Irish immigrant who printer asked Bonner to fetch some for the Republican American and went on to become a famous New drinking water, a task which was the then as an assistant foreman for the York City publisher. r~sponsibility of the newest appren­ Evening Mirror. In the evening, he tice. Bonner agreed to do it on the made extra money by writing the Robert Bonner was born near condition that the journeyman news of New York and sending it up Londonderry on April 28, 1824, and would teach him how to feed the to Hartford for the Courant to pub­ came to Connecticut in 1839 to live press. The journeyman agreed and lish. with an uncle who was said to be a Bonner soon became as skilled at After publishing four of his prosperous farmer. that phase of newspapering as he pieces, written under the pen name, Bonner found employment as an was at typesetting. "Threads," the Courant paid Bonner apprentice printer at the Courant. The paper was put together the $10. Encouraged by such largess, The terms of his apprenticeship evening before publication with the Bonner soon became the New York called for him to work from 7 a.m. exception of one column which was correspondent for papers in Albany, until 6 p.m. for which he received left open for late news. Once he Washington and Boston. board, washing and $25 for the first learned how to run the press, Bonner It was during his days in New year with a raise of $10 each year volunteered to come in early in the York that Bonner was said to have thereafter. morning, fill up the empty column accomplished a prodi~ous feat of It was the custom of the Courant and start the press. For this he re­ typesetting. Challenged by another to take on one apprentice a year and ceived extra pay. typesetter, Bonner agreed to a con­ for the young men to learn other An apprentice who had seniority test of speed and endurance. On the phases of printing strictly on a sen­ complained and Bonner lost this ov­ day of the contest he set 25,500 iority basis. By the end of his second ertime work. Within a short time, ems of type in 20 hours and 28 year at the Courant the Scots-Irish however, the editor of the paper minutes. One paper commented, immigrant had earned a reputation found the early news filled with "We believe there is nothing on as the fastest typesetter at the pa­ typographical errors and gave the (Please turn to Page 2) per, but he found himself unable to job back to Bonner. FAMINE JOURNAL November - December 1845 #2

Perspective From Bad To Worse Not Fit For Swine As autumn 1845 Gowran, Co. Kilkenny, Dec. 17, 1845, Ardagh, County Limerick, Nov. 18, lengthened into winter, a F. Nowlan - No favourable change 1845 -I dug my little garden, which I hold sense of impending doom Mr. has taken plare in the potato crop in this vi­ from a humane and respectable gentleman hung over Ireland. Early cinity; on the contrary, potatoes in the least near this village, they were all as sound as hopes that the potato rot degree affected are progressing from bad to any I ever dug, and particularly good for eat­ would be localized were worse. All means hitherto employed to check ing. I thought it a good plan to pit some, and dashed when with fewex­ the disease have proved unavailing. house more which I did. Those which I ceptions, the blight struck housed, I placed on a loft over the fire-place in county after county Arklow, Co. WickJow, Dec. 17, 1845, in my smokey little hut. When the last of a with catastrophic losses Mr. Jas. Redmond - There is no change, reserved store I had in another quarter was to the crop. A Dublin unless for the worse, in the potato crop in consumed, I was, of course, obliged to visit group calJed the Mansion my vicinity ... The disease is spreading in my pit; but upon opening I found all to be de­ House Committee solic­ some cases slowly, in many rapidly, in all composed and not fit to be thrown to the ited reports from through­ steadily a.qd surely. I consider from one-third swine. I left them as I found them and re- . out the country. Of 500 to one-half to have become unfit for human turned to my poor wife and children quite dis­ replies, 300 reported a food. tracted. My wife went to the loft, where loss of between a third Moneymore, Co. Derry, Dec. 16, 1845, there rested, not the slightest suspicion of and a half of the crop. It Rev. John P. Hewitt -I apprehend consid­ danger, but to our great confusion there was was increasingly obvious erable distress among the poor cottiers and not to be found among four barrels as many that without extraordi­ weavers whose crop of potatoes is generally sound potatoes as would suffice for the nary relief measures, mil­ under the most favourable circumstances ex­ scanty meal of my poor children that evening. lions of peasants soon hausted about February and who depend for would have no food. But the remainder of the year upon what they can I will be glad to know what new prescrip­ the British government buy from the neighbouring fanners, gener­ tion will the doctors recommend to check the hesitated on the grounds ally upon trust at exorbitant prices.The defi­ growing evil, and should be doubly glad to that reports from Ireland ciency in this neighbourhood will not be know how the Government mean to provide were always exagger­ great, if present appearances form any crite­ against the frightful famine that is staring our ated. While other coun­ rion for judging, but I fear advantages will wretched country in the face coming on the tries affected by the be taken to exact high prices ... ensuing summer ... My feelings are aroused potato blight - Holland, Tatybrack, near Coothill, Co. Cavan, to distraction when I see my wife and chil­ dren likely to starve under the fostering care for example - took im­ Dec. 17,1845, Rev. Philip Brennan - The of a government ready to stop death and all mediate action to protect potatoes in this locality, though apparently its awful consequences in the potato by their people, the British sound at the digging, early in November, chemical and humbugging experiments. - sent a scientific commis­ have since turned black to the extent of one­ sion to Ireland to study half. Owing to the progress of this blacken­ I am, sir, yours, a poor labourer - the situation. Meanwhile, ing disease, I am forced to reverse my Brian Ahem self-styled experts of­ former opinion. I think the supply ofpotatoes fered advice to the peas­ for human food will be decidedly deficient, ants on how to prevent even if all that is now sound should continue Mansion House Committee the potatoes from rotting, so. One-half of my own potatoes are black­ Dublin Evening Post - At a meeting of how to tell the good from ened and unfit for human use. Those of my the Committee held on Tuesday last, a dozen the bad, how to make neighbours are no better. letters were received, the accounts being of a even the bad edible. Kells, Co. Meath, Dec. 17, 1845, Rev. very gloomy description. A report was read N. McEvoy - Every single day that passes from the parishes of Kilfiera and Killard, Famine Jou17UI1 does but augment my painful fears on this county of Clare ... In the townland of Kil­ subject, Day the cries of famishing children lard, there are 66 families, comprising 374 Published bimonthly during are already ringing in my ears and the souls, having 106 1/2 barrels of potatoes the 150lh anniversary of the Irish Potato Famine by the ghastly forms, fed upon a stinted allowance sound and 984 barrels unsound. In Dunbeg­ Connocticut Irish-American of unwholesome food, are even now begin­ town, 45 families comprising 270 souls, with Historical Society, P.O. Box ning to emerge from the obscurity of their 85 good barrels, 581 unfit for food. In Kil­ 120-020, East Haven, CT damp and darksome hovels, affrighting by fiera townland, 77 families, having 1,309 06512. 0 1995 COlU1octicut Irish-American Historical their languishing looks the passing strangers barrels, of which 159 were sound and 1,150 Society. of our town ... unsound Page 3 Derby immigrant pioneered in flight Our flags greet Mary Robinson In November 1896. a resident of Thanks to our treasurer, Tom Slater. an Irish Republic tricolor flag Derby nearly made aviation history and an American flag. both belonging to our society. flanked Irish seven years before the Wright President Mary Robinson during her recent talk at the Yale Law School. brothers got their aircraft off the Tom purchased the flags to be part of our society's collections and ground at Kitty Hawk. N.C. arranged that they be used at Robinson's appearance to present the His name was Joseph Busoske 1995 Sherrill Lecture at the law school on Oct. 16. The flags were and the Ansonia Sentinel described displayed both at the lecture and at the dinner following. Among the him as "a mixture of Hungarian and guests invited to dine with President Robinson. in addition to Tom. Polander." He was a mechanic at were our President Patricia Heslin and Vice President Jeanne Hickey. the Sterling Co. plant in Derby and Robinson's speech was titled, "The Need to Honour Developing in his spare time he tinkered with a Human Rights Commitments." She spoke of the need of the interna­ machine that he believed would tional community to prevent a repetition of such tragedies as ethnic fly. The machine featured a light but cleansing in the former Yugoslavia. famine in Somalia and genocide in strong framework of steel to which Rwanda. were attached four-foot wings. "In witnessing these conditions." she said with great emotion Busoske took his apparatus up conceming the latter tragedy. "my mind has been drawn back inexo­ on the trestle on Caroline Street in rably to the Irish famine of the last century. I recalled the images given Derby, clambored aboard it and voice by the Irish poet and Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney. in his poem leaped off the trestle. When the 'For the Commander of the Eliza.' A routine boat patrol off the coast machine failed to soar. Busoske of West Mayo tacks and hails a rowboat crew in Gaelic: ended up in the mud and water beneath the trestle. Undaunted. he ,... 0 my sweet Christ. repeated the experiment. unfortu­ we saw piled in the bottom of their craft nately with the same results. six grown men with gaping mouths and eyes Although he never was able to bursting the sockets like spring onions in drills make his contraption fly. Busoske's six wrecks of bone and pallid. tautened skin.'" name certainly belongs with other inventors who in that era were be­ ginning to unlock the secrets of aviation which are so much an ac­ cepted part of our living today. Doughboy was officers' driver

(Source: "The Lower Naugatuck John W. Ahern. an Irishman from will take about five days. The roads Valley: A Rich and Beautiful Pros­ West Hartford was fortunate to get here are great and the officers use pect, "p. 57) an assignment as a driver for officers me just fine. The one from whom I of the American Expeditionary Force take orders says I have the best job Editor's note: In recognition of the in France during World War I. He over here and nothing to worry bond between our historical society wrote his parents the following letter about. Really he treats me as if I and the other societies in the Ethnic from the U.S. Naval Station at St. were his son and I have some excel­ Heritage Center and to foster appre­ Trojan: lent times; also see sights that peo­ ciation for all races and nationali­ "By the way you write. the roads ple would give thousands to see ... ties, we print in each issue of The must be very dusty back in God's "Have seen some of the boys Shanachie one story about another land. but I would eat a bag of it if I who have been at the front and they ethnic group. was only back there. However. I am say there sure is some suffering. The seeing some great sights here and rats bother them more than anything suppose I ought not to kick. Am else. There are some boys about the Famine observance going to Paris in a few days. Have streets more or less wounded, some been to nearly all the other big cities with an arm off. some with a leg off, (Continued from Page 1) and find them Quite different from some with both legs off. These are ours. Neany every other door in the the things that set you to thinking. The "Black Stranger" focuses on bit cities is the entrance to a cafe. "As to the residents. there are the tragedy of the Famine· and our They sure do drink in this country only the old people left and these slide show will be used to present and they usually laugh at me when I mostly women. These are driving the historical setting for the drama. ask for soda. Talk about women. the trolley cars. wagons and autos; Each night's program will begin at This sure is the place. They all have work on the farms and watch the 8 p.m: with different members of a dog with a big ribbon tied around cattle during the day. The French our society narrating the slide the neck and a neat little chain. They pasture their cattle along the road­ show. All proceeds from the drama sure do some walking. Some of the side for the most part and they sure will go to the Foyle Women's Aid. animals have such small feet one look good." a shelter in Derry for battered wonders how they walk. women and their children. "The car is going fine. Have hit it (Source: Hartford Courant, July 7, Tickets for the play may be ob­ up to 75 per and it can go a bit faster. 1918.) tained by calling Betty Faherty. Have just got home from a long trip 239-7363, or Elizabeth Mc­ and we are soon off for another that Namara. 248-2441. Page 3 Horse named arsfield won winter race in Middletown In the 19th century, before the to be determined by the judges: Tho­ advent of such pastimes as readily mas O'Connell, W.H. Smith and Lu­ accessible ski resorts and the Super ther S. Hall. The three awarded the Bowl, horse racing was one f the victory in the heat to Sarsfie'ld. most popular of winter sports. There then ensued, however, a Weather permitting, the competi· lengthy dispute about whether Sars­ tion took place with sleighs on ic ­ field was actually trotting or really covered ponds, lakes or rivers. running. And even in milder wintflr , races To settle the dispute, it was on city streets attracted large crowds agreed to appoint a committee which and large bets. would closely watch Sarsfield in the In January 1887, the people of next heat to make sure that he only Middletown were treated to a hotly & Bent. The horse was described as trotted and did not break into a run. contested race between two well­ black in color and "a combination of With that settled, the second heat known horses, one of which was a trotter, runner, pacer and single was held and Sarsfield again out­ named for a legendary helO of Irish footer. " paced Topsy. history: Patrick Sarsfield. His opponent in the race was The latter's owner again com­ Patrick Sarsfield was a leader of Topsy, a "little, black trotting plained tong and loud that Sarsfield the Irish forces of King James ,II, in the horse" owned by P. Dorsey, a Mid­ was running. war against William of Orange in the dletown saloon keeper. This time the dispute became so 1690s. He directed the defense of South Main Street in Middletown intense that Dorsey refused to com­ the city of Limerick in 1690 and led was crowded with townspeopl'e and pete in a third heat and the judges his troops to France after the Treaty visitors from across the river in Port­ awarded the purse to the owners of of Limerick. land for the race which took place on Sarsfield. The horse Sarsfield was owned by Wednesday, Jan. 5. two Portland gentlemen identified in The first heat began about 3 p.m. (Source: Middletown Penny Press, a story about the race only as Augur and was so close that the winner had Jan. 6, 1887.) Irish organizations chartered by special act of state legislature Considerable information about legislature are retained at the Con­ John Golden, Patrick Tate, Jeremiah the organizations of Irish people in necticut State Library in Hartford. Flynn, John Rock, Thomas Brown, Connecticut is contained in spflcial A typical special act was that Patrick Culligan, James Bane, James acts of the state legislature. adopted on July 1, 1869, for the Harris, Hugh Manan, Terry Ryons and The General Assembly passed incorporation of "The Saint Mary's such other persons as are or hereafter such speciall acts to charter benevo­ Benevolent Teetotal Temperance So­ may be associated with them, and lent organizations and the legislation ciety of Bridgeport." The legislation their successors be, and they are usually lists the names of the foun­ read as follows: hereby constituted a body politic and ders of the organizations ala 9 with "Resolved by this Assembly, Sec. corporate by the name of The Saint a summary of the purposes of the 1. That Martin Devaney, Patrick Mary's Benevolent Teetotal Temper­ organizations. Hackett, James O'Brien, Michael ance Society, of Bridgeport, Con­ Kelley, Wi,lliam Doyle, Christopher necticut,for the purpose of promoting The records of special acts of the McGuire, John Tate, John Dunn, the cause of temperance and of ren- dering under certain conditions, assis­ tance to sick members of said Renew - please corporation and their families and aid in the payment of funeral expenses of ( ontinued from page 1, I the members of said corporation and We hope to get grant money to defray some of these expenses, but by that name said organization shall with cutbacks threatened in National Endowment for the Arts fund­ have perpetual succession and by that ing. it is poss'ible we ill rec ive less than we need or even no grant name may sue and be sued and prose­ funds at all. We may have to rely on the only regular source of income cute and defend suits in all courts in we have - members' due - to enable us to continue publishing this state, and may have and use a I The Shanachie an to commemorate the Famine. That's why it is common seal, and alter the same at I very important for alt members to make sure they renew their pleasure; may make contracts and memberships. We also hope members will consider making a donation shall be capable in law of purchasing, above the $10 per individual and $15 per family dues. Members can leasing, holding and conveying any help by renewing by retum mail and not taking the chance that this real or personal estate for the use and request will get set aside and forgott n. Members can also help by benefit of said society or corporation; seeing if they can find another family member or friend who is provided that said corporation shall at interested in Irish-American history and heritage and might be inter­ no time hold real estate of a greater ested in joining our society. Send your checks for renewal to the value than five thousand dollars. Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society, Post Office Box 120­ "Sec. 2. That said corporation shall 020, East Haven. CT 06512. (Please turn to Page 4) Page 4

Special statutes OK 1 d Briefly Noted ethnic organizations MEMORIAlS - Several donations have been made to the society in (Continued from Page 3) memory of the late James F. Madigan, husband of our board member, have power to prescribe the terms and Eva Madigan. The donations were made by Stanley Lawry, Mr. and conditions on which persons may be ad­ Mrs. S.J. Lawry, Mr. and Mrs. J. Conti, and Jeanne Hickey. mitted as members of such corporation. "Sec. 3. The funds of said corporation VIDEOTAPE - Our thanks to director Charlie Starrs and The Gaelic shall be appropriated only towards the Players for a videotape of their latest production, Brian Friel's "Trans­ support and relief of its members in sick­ lations." The play was presented on the stage at the Irish-American ness or distress, for the relief of widows Community Center lin East Haven Nov. 16-20, 1994. The videotape and orphans of deceased members, for will become part of our permanent archives and will also be available the funeral expenses of deceased mem­ rOt the use of our members. bers, and such other objects consistent with its benevolent purposes, and in pro­ GRAFT ITEMS WANTED - We are seeking donations of Irish craft moting the cause of abstinence from the items to sell for the benefit of the society. Our society has tables at use of intoxicating liquors, as may be several events each year, such as the Connecticut Historical Society's prescribed by its constitution and by-laws annual ethnic festival. At these events, we can raise money by selling and to defray the necessary expenses ()f baked goods, which we have done, and craft items, which we have said society." not done. Based on requests we have received in the past, traditional Irish craft items such as St. Bridget's crosses would find a ready market. Any member who makes such Irish craft items and would be Personal ad didn't work interested in helping us raise funds should contact Pat Heslin, 248­ 6050, or Maureen Delahunt, 272- 7144. Pat and Maureen would also for New Haven man like to hear from anyone who does Irish crafts and would be interested in sharing their talents at a workshop or instruction classes. (Continued from Page 1) named another meeting place. rAMINE VIDEO - Copies of the video "When Ireland Starved" are "A.B.C. answered at once. She had . viJilable for loan. Contact Pat Heslin, 248-6050. The video describes been away and found the note lying on in 'livid detail the events of the tragic Potato Famine of the 1840s. her piano when she came back. Would he not meet at the corner of Crown and Little FAMINE PROJECT - We are seeking information about the Potato Orange streets at 4 o'clock on Thursday Famine for our commemoration of the 150th anniversary of that tragic afternoon. event. We are interested in family letters or narratives that relate "But J. T. had grown shy. Four 0'clock personal details of the Famine and especially details involving immi­ last Thursday did not bring him to the gration to America and Connecticut. Contact Neil Hogan, 269-9154. corner. "Another note was immediately sent to him at his boardinghouse with the message: 'I am waiting for you at the Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society corner. A.B.C.' "He cou'ld not withstand that. P.O. Box 120-020 "A tall powerful young Irishman was soon seen bolting down Crown Street. East Haven, Connecticut 06512 "There was a big crowd of men and boys on the corner of Little Orange, but he did not mind that. He walked straight "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu­ in among them and nervously, eagerly ture." Padraic Pearse. scanned both sides of the street. "As he stoped for a moment, hesitat­ President Patricia Heslin, 143 Haverford St., Hamden 06517. 248-6050. ing and disappointed, a man who stood Vice Pres. Jeanne Hickey, 58 Florence Ave., New Haven 06512. 468­ almost at his elbow suddenly lifted his 0426. hat. "It was a preconcerted signal. Secretary Maureen Delahunt. 15 Brubaker Road, Cheshire 06410. 272­ '"Hello .. ,' broke from the crowd as 7144. from one man and J.T. heard his own name bawled out by a score and more of Treasurer Tom Slater. 55 Robertson Dr.• Hamden 06518. 248-4826. voices. "He was being made the butt of ridi­ Shanachie Editor: Neil Hogan. 26 Crestview Terr.• Wallingford 06492. 269­ 9154. cule for a whole army of practical jokers. "Five minutes later, he was seen cut­ Membership: $10 individual, $15 family. Send name, address and check ting a lively gait out Whitney avenue, but made out to Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society to above address. no dead body has been reported in the lake in the last few days and the presump­ The Shanachie: In Ireland. a shanachie is a folklorist, historian and keeper tion is that the joke was not literally a of the people's traditions. killing one,"