Volume IV, Number 1 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society January-February 1992

Feb. 22 meeting 'h,onored patriots of two nations

An Irish-American celebration in Haven. Introduced as a representative of New Haven on Feb. 22, 1882 commemo­ a race '''which long oppressed, is fast rated the memory oftwo great revolution­ developing intellectual powers equal to aries, one American and one Irish. any, " Chambers was, if anything, more Honored at a mass meeting that eve­ vehement in his denunciation of English ning at Loomis Temple of Music were imperialism than the Irish-American George Washington, the father ofAmeri­ speakers. can independence, and Henry Grattan, He described English treatment ofIre­ the father of a short-lived Irish inde­ land as "iniquitous, barbarous and hell­ pendence in the late 18th century. ish," and said that English Prime Just 100 years before, Grattan had Minister Gladstone "raved like an infuri­ successfully lobbied for the Irish Parlia­ ated ass against the spirit of the age and ment to pass an Irish Declaration of Inde­ roared like a madman against the inevita­ pendence. The declaration was accepted Henry Grattan ble progress ofevents... by the English government and was fol­ Irishmen all ovp,r the world, he con­ lowed by the repeal of earlier English and give liberally for the Irish cause. " If tinued, should swear that England shall laws which affirmed the right of England they did this, their country's inde­ have no rest until Ireland is free. to legislate for Ireland. pendence would surely be achieved. "The Irish." he said, "deserve the Unlike the independence fought for Another speaker, James G. Pigott, highest praise for their msterly self-con­ by Washington, the Irish independence also alluded to the connection between the trol and should maintain it until the occa­ did not lead to complete separation from American Revolution and the movement sion came and there should be sent forth England and was wiped out by the union for Irish independence in the 1780s. blistering burning bolts of hellfire that of 1800 which once again placed Ireland "Great Britain," he said, "granted Ire­ would sweep away every vestige of Brit­ under complete control of the English land legislative independence because ish rule." Parliament. she had a war with this country on hand, Chambers predicted that the time One of the speakers at the meeting at and because the Irish people were armed would come when all of its colonies Loomis Hall, Cornelius T. Driscoll said, and in a position to enforce their rights. would rise up against England and at that according to the New Haven Register, The situation was one which ought to time blacks, Irishmen and men of other "that it seemed eminently fitting that this afford a lesson as to their policy at the races and ethnic groups would fight double celebration in commemoration of present time. The Irish people should be shoulder to shoulder for freedom. Washington and Grattan should be held. again armed and drilled so as to take Chambers, reported the Register, At the time of the American Revolution, advantage of any opportunity that Eng­ '''was given several rounds of hearty ap­ the English soldiers in Ireland were with­ land's trouble with other nations might plause when he finished and when he drawn to fight the rebellious Americans. offer. ... Europe is probably on the eve of walked down the aisle toward the door In 1778, Ireland being threatened with an a great war which might give Ireland the many stopped him to shake his hands and invasion by France, organized a home favorable opportunity desired. Armed re­ offer their congratulations... militia force of48,000 men. The spirit of sistance is not to be thought of at the Aurelius MacSwynie of Hartford also liberty spread fast among the soldiers and present time with 65,000 (English) troops made an eloquent plea in favor ofcontinu­ civilians and, in 1782 Grattan carried in Ireland, but the people should be sup­ ation of the struggle for Irish inde­ through the British Parliament a resolu­ plied with arms and ammunition so that pendence. tion giving Ireland a legislature of her when there is an opening they might After the speeches, Miss Kitty O'Don­ own." strike with effect. " nell sang "Kathleen Mavourneen" in Abolish landlordism, Driscoll contin­ One of the speakers that evening was "pleasing style and responded to an en­ ued, and native legislative independence an African-American clergyman, the core with another patriotic selection. " would follow. He urged Irish men and Rev. A.J. Chambers, r ..:;(or of the Afri­ women in America to "meet frequently can Methodist Episcopal Church in New (New Haven Register, Feb. 23, 1882.) Page 3 Explosion in Dublin had reverberatlions in New Haven On New Year's Eve 1891, Dublin dent, "this fellow had been allowed to Castle, the headquarters of the English raise the American flag on the official administration in Ireland, was rocked by standard of the City of New Haven to an explosion. celebrate the succes~ of a parcel of cow­ The explosion occurred in an office ardly rascals in their attempts by violence directly under the meeting room of the to frighten the authorities of a friendly Privy Council, the highest administrative power.• body in Ireland and sparked rumors that "It would very much interest me and a new campaign of bombings was about I think a good many others to know to be unleashed by nationalist forces. whether those who have charge ofthe flag "A number of workmen have been flying on the liberty pole were aware of employed," reported The New York the reason for which permission to fly the Times, "in making alterations lately in flag was granted. I assume, of course, and about the castle. One of the places that permission was given. If it was not which was being overhauled was the of­ can flag up the flagpole on the Green, a given, perhaps it would be well to find fice directly under the room in which the practice that at that time was reserved for out who assumes to take such liberties. " Privy Council holds its meetings ... patriotic occasions like the Fourth of Meanwhile, Detective Philip Reilly While the workmen were pursuing their July. also encountered the man raising the flag occupations, there was suddenly a ter­ It so happened that as the Irishman on the Green and when he inquired why mendous report in the office above re­ was attaching ;his American flag to the the flag was being raised was unable to ferred to, which shook the building and halyards, a prominent city lawyer, Mor­ understand what the man was saying. caused one to tum pale with fright. For­ ris F. Tyler of the firm Tyler, Ingersoll Reilly reported the incident to Capt. tunately, no one was hurt, but the force and Moran, happened to be strolling James Wrinn and the two of them con­ ofthe explosion was so great that several across the Green. Tyler asked the man cluded that the man must have received of the windows of the castle were badly if he was running the flag up because it permission to fly the flag from City Audi­ shattered. " was New Year's Day. tor Lake who was responsible for giving "All the dynamite outrages that have "Yes, it is partly that, " replied the or denying permission to fly the flag from been perpetrated in London and other man. the liberty pole. places in Great Britain are called to mind "Well," Tyler asked, 'what's the Lake said that he had not given any­ and a large number of people have no rest of it?" one permission to fly the flag and sent the other opinion than that the physical force "Well, I'll tell you," explained the police to haul it down. party has again put its policy of terrorism man. "It's because I and the boys have The identity of the Irish patriot re­ into effect. Since the thorough estab­ done a good job in Dublin. " mained a mystery with several persons lishment of the Irish Parliamentary agita­ Tyler went straight to his office and who witnessed the flag raising saying tion, the men who believe in the use of fired off a letter to Mayor J.B. Sargent. only that the perpetrator was "somewhat dynamite to force England to grant their "In other words,"he complained as ifthe aged, with gray hair and not very well demands for Ireland's legislative inde­ affair were a serious international inci- dressed." pendence have been comparatively quiet. In fact, it is believed that since the explo­ sion at London Bridge and the attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament, the Of Irish ways principal instigators ofdynamite outrages in England and Ireland have either been imprisoned or else fled the country. At any rate, there have been no outrages of that kind for a number ofyears until now, and the explosion of today has had the effect of causing far more excitement than would otherwise have been the case." Indeed, the excitement was so wide­ spread that the reverberations were felt as far away as Connecticut where the explosion caused a minor bruhaha on the New Haven Green. Turf barrows were used to carry turves, or chunks of peat, from the It seems that one exhuberant New bog where they were cut to the spread field where they were dried. One Haven Irishman was so pleased with the feature of the barrows was a large wheel strong enough to carry heavy news from Dublin that he thought it only loads over rough ground. ("lrish Folk Ways," E. Estyn Evans) right to celebrate by running the Ameri- Volume IV, Number 2 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society March-April 1992

Irish Heritage Month MARCH 1992

EXHIBITS - We will "A RAINBOW OF IRISH TRADITION." - A pro­ ." .. ' have exhibits in eight gram of Irish song and dance will be presented by public libraries - New our President Jeanne Hickey, balladeer Johnny Mo­ Haven, West Haven, ran and the Duffy Academy of Irish Music and East Haven, Stony Dance at the Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Creek, Cheshire, Elizabeth St., Hartford, on Sunday, March 15 at 3 Southington, Meriden, p.m. Irish bread will be served by Eva Madigan and Stratford - and in the her committee. Hickey and Moran also will present ". "-- _~ .. _;: .- University of New Ha- the program at the Hamden Rotary Club meeting at 1iI1~~-~""Si-~-:..",.- ven library. In three the Laurel View Country Club at 7: 15 p.m. on March other libraries - Ham­ 1· 6, and at the Ridgefield Public Library at 7:30 p.m. den, Milford and Branford - information will be on March 23.The program in Ridgefield is being available about the work of our society. sponsored by one of our members, James White. The programs will be in memory of Liam Delaney.

AOH FAIR - We will sponsor a booth at the Ancient Order of Hibernians fair at Kolbe-Cathe­ dral High School in Bridgeport. The fair will be held after a Mass for peace in Ireland at St. Augustine's Cathedral in Bridgeport at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.

"WEARIN' O' THE GREEN" - Our new book PARADE FLOAT - Designed by Norman Hickey chronicling 150 years of St. Patrick's Day obser­ and donated by Dr. Brian Vitelli of the Foxon vances in New Haven will be on sale at many of Veterinary Hospital, the society's float will again the St. Patrick's Day activities and at the Gaelic appear in the St. Patrick's Day parade in New Club on Thursday evenings for only $10 a copy, Haven at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. all proceeds to go to our society.

PROCLAMATIONS - March MUSIC - Johnny Mo­ MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL ­ has been proclaimed Irish-Ameri­ ran will conduct sing­ Don't forget to renew your member­ can Heritage Month by Gov. alongs sponsored by our ship during March. Just $10 a year Lowell P. Weicker Jr., by Mayor society at Sound view helps the so- .FI Henry Luzzi of East Haven, by health care center in West ciety put out Mayor Lillian Clayman of Ham­ Haven on March 11 at 2 the newslet­ den, by Mayor John C. Daniels p.m. and at Fairview Hall in ter and spon­ of New Haven and by Mayor H. New Haven on March 17 at sor other Richard Borer of West Haven. 10:30 a.m. projects. Page 3 Teacher writes thesis on history of Waterbury Irish

Mary Ellen Carolan of Waterbury "The harbinger of what was to be chil'dren would become priests and has just completed a 45-page thesis a very large family," Caro'lan wr'ites, nuns and two of his sisters were entitled "Waterbury's Irish 1674­ "was one Lawrence Kilbride, a tailor educated on the continent to be­ 1924." A teacher, Carolan re­ .. , who came to Waterbury first and come nuns ... searched and wrote the thesis for who first appears on the city direc­ "James worked for the 'Hayes the Immigration History course tory listing in 1869. Lawrence came family, a wealthy, Catholic family which is part of her sixth-year pro­ from Queen's County and sometime who owned an ice business and had gram at Central Connecticut State within the next ten years managed many real estate holdings in Water­ University. She graciously has given to bring off six of his remaining bury. The Hayes family sub­ us permission to quote from the brothers and sisters to Waterbury. sequently disposed of the ice project. The direct line research was that of business and bought a brewery Carolan traces the appearance of Lawrence's sister, Margaret Mary, called the Eagle Brewery and took Irish people in Waterbury to Revolu­ and errors in some local records of James with them as an employee. tionary War times. Quoting Water­ the day made it a challenging task. This was poetic justice because bury historian Joseph Anderson, she ... The assumption was that she James first met the elder Hayes tells the story of a man named­ came in the early 1870s and it was when he supposedly returned a $10 Joseph Rourke, "a solider originally known that she came as an inden­ bill to him that James found on the attached to a regiment led by Gen. tured servant to a family named floor of a bar they were both visiting Israel Putnam ... a friendship with Bronson who lived on Church at the time. The elder Hayes com­ one Gideon Hotckiss, a local lad, Street.... mented on his honesty, inquired into brought Joseph to the area around "Margaret married Daniel Houli­ his skills and eventually hired him to Waterbury. Joseph's name became han at the old Immaculate Concep­ do books at the ice business. " well known locally because he was tion Church. Daniel Houlihan came "James was moved to a tiny of­ a shoemaker and had to move all from an adjacent area of limerick, fice at the brewery and was treated over the settlement in order to ply but the account of how they met to the noise of the horse-drawn his trade." was lost in time... Daniel and Mar­ wagons pulling up all day for refills Irish immigration to Waterbury, garet bought a house in the very Irish while he worked ... as to other Connecticut communi­ section of Waterbury known as "In one last gesture, not un­ ties, multiplied after the Potato Fam­ Brooklyn where they registered at known among immigrant families, ine and Carolan points out that by the newly built church of St. Pat­ James helped his cousin's family to 1874 there were in Waterbury five rick's.... The Houlihans produced emigrate. The family consisted of a chapters of the Ancient Order of two daughters: Margaret (Maggie) widow and six children. Helen kept Hibernians with more than 200 and Helen Mary (Nellie) ... Margaret very good tabs on the entire arrange­ members, and that in the next 20 married the very popular policeman, ment. She found a rent in the neigh­ years their membership grew to Patrick (Patsy, Whitey) Riley. The borhood for them within a month of 1,600. choice ot profession is one that the their arrival ..." Waterbury was the birthplace of Irish so often made and did so suc­ Father Michael McGivney, founder cessfully. A list of the police force in Editor's note: The Connecticut Irish­ of the Knights of Columbus, the the 1890s looked like the member­ American Historical Society is inter­ home of an Irish Medal of Honor ship of the Ancient Order of Hiber­ ested in any project undertaken to winner, Capt. Edwin Neville, in the nians with only a few exceptions ... preserve the history of the state's Civil War, and of an Irishman, Martin Their family exemplified the goals of Irish-Americans. We would appreci­ Whins, who fell with Custer at little many Irish. Education was given a ate being informed of such projects Big Horn. very high priority. They had three by members who are involved in Between 1863 and 1913, six of boys and three girls: 'two priests, them or who know of others in­ Waterbury's seven mayors were one teacher, two nurses and one volved. Projects can range from full­ Irish as were most of its superinten­ fireman. length books, college papers, dents of schools. " ... Helen attended the New Brit­ pamphlets. slide shows, videotapes Especially interesting in Carolan's ain Normal School, CCSU today, for or just family scrapbooks. We thesis is the chapter entitled "Typi­ teacher training. She completed would like to run regularly in The cal Irish Family 1865-1924" In the one year of a two-year teaching Shanachie reports about such pro­ chapter, the author traces the story course before marrying James jects both as a means to disseminate of some of her own ancestors in Power on June 16, 1898 ... James the valuable historical information Waterbury over a 60-year period Power was also a native of limerick. gained from the projects and as a shedding considerable light on the He was a well educated man as were means for encouraging others to experiences of a typical Irish family all the known members of the fam­ undertake similar works. We also in its immigration and settlement in ily. His family in Ireland evidently would like copies of the results of this state. had strong expectations that their such works for our library. Volume IV, Number 3 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society May - June 1992

Hartford Irishman fought on land and sea in Civil War Thousands of Irish-Americans served on both sides in the American ~ Civil War, but only a handful served . , on both land and sea. One of them .'. ;.11- was a Connecticut Irishman, a ...:. '*..... Bridgeport native and Hartford resi­ .I dent named William Boyle. Boyte was in on both the begin­ \ ning and the end of the fighting, '. '~r..4~tff; -,:,:'.: : .~~.~ serving in the first major engage­ .. _~ -~~...::a ment of the war, the Battle of Bull 7 "'. Run in July 11861, and at the sur­ render of the Confederate Army of Willism Boyle S9IVtKl on the USS Hsrtford, shown sbove, st Mobile. Northern Virginia by Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, Va., in April months later, Boyle was back in with his shipmates was cited for 1865. In between, he was with uniform after enlisting in the Navy valor and courage. Adm. David Farragut at the capture on Dec. 16, 1863. After a brief tour Mustered out of the Navy on of Mobile, Ala., in August 1864. of duty on the ship North Carolina, Dec. 20, 1864, Boyle still hadn't got Boyle was in Hartford when the Boyle was posted to Adm. Farra­ his fill of war and on-Feb. 9, 1865, war broke out, but for some reason gut's flagship, the Hartford. he enlisted in the 40th New York he enlisted on May 7, 1861, in a Just before dawn on Dec. 5, Regiment just in time for the major New York unit, the 38th Volunteer 1864, Farragut, with the wooden battles of the final spring of the war. Infantry Regiment, rather than in a ships of his fleet lashed together, With his new regiment, Boyle was Connecticut regiment. forced his way past two Confeder­ part of the army besieging Peters­ The 38th New York was initially ate forts guarding the entrance to burg, Va., that spring. In early stationed in Washington, D.C., and Mobile Bay. The fight was one of the April, Gen. Lee broke through the Boyle and the rest of the regiment bloodiest naval engagements of the Union lines and headed westward in saw their first action in a skirmish war with Confederate cannon the hope of 'leading his Army of at Fairfax Station, Va., just south of "mowing down the men, deluging Northern Virginia to join forces with the capital on July 16, 1861. A few the decks with blood, and scattering another Confederate army in the days later, on July 21, the regiment mangled fragments of humanity so Carolinas. fought in the Battle of Bull Run when thickly that it was difficult to stand The Union army under Gen. Ulys­ what appeared to be a Union victory on the deck." ses Grant fo'llowed in hot pursuit and was turned into a headlong flight of It was during the fury of the Boyle and his regiment fought in the army back to Washington. battle that Farragut, in reply to a"\ one of the final battles of the war, a Boyle's regiment remained with report that the bay was mined with skirmish at Farmville, Va., on April the Army of the Potomac through torpedoes, shouted his famous, 7, just two days before Lee surren­ the hard campaigning of 1862 par­ "Damn the torpedoes, full speed dered. ticipating in the bloody battles of ahead." When he returned to Hartford Gen. George McClellan's Peninsula During the 'fight Boyle was on after the war, Boyle became janitor Campaign, in Gen. Ambrose Burn­ deck when the Confederate ironclad at the Lawrence Street School and side's near suicidal assault on Fre­ Tennessee closed with the Hartford. a member of the Grand Army of the dericksburg, Va., and in the spring Farragut ordered the Hartford and Republic, the veterans organization of 1863 in Gen. Joseph Hooker's two other Union ships to ram the of the Civil War. defeat at Chancellorsville, Va. Tennessee and it was soon put out He died in August 1908 and was Boyle was mustered out on June of the fight. buried in Mt. St. Benedict's Ceme­ 22, 1863, just days before the deci­ When the battle was over and tery in Hartford. sive Battle of Gettysburg. Six Mobile Bay had been secured, Boyle (Hartford Times, Aug. 13, 1908) Page 3 Naugatuck Kennedys' roots traced back to Limerick

Editor's note: Thanks to the gener­ ashore, where his compatriots "John Kennedy died July 23, osity of members and their interest helped him escape to America. The 1887, aged 61 years according to a in preserving the stories of their an­ brother who didn't jump overboard memorial card in his son John A.'s cestors, the Connecticut Irish- was never heard from and so was family Bible. He and Mary Kennedy .American Historical Society has presumed not to have survived the are buried in the Old Catholic Ceme­ begun to receive for its library a rigors of the voyage ... tery in Naugatuck (East Hill). They number of family histories. We hope "Mary Powers Kennedy's par­ had seven children - four boys and to publish in each issue of The Sha­ ents (or grandparents), may have three girls. Two nieces, Catherine nachie excerpts from these histories been 'strong farmers' as their home (d. 1893) and Mary (Molly) Murphy, both to disseminate the valuable his­ in the Glen of Aherlow escaped be­ were added to the family when their torical information contained in ing raised in the evictions of the father Joseph Murphy decided to them and to encourage others to get Famine period. This house was vis­ allow their aunt, 'Mother Kennedy' down on paper the stories of their ited by her daughters when they raise them after their own mother, families. The excerpts below are took a trip to Ireland a number of Ellen, died ... from a 35-page manuscript entitled, years before World War I. They The manuscript then lists the "The Kennedy Family Tree: Seven brought back a photo of the house descendants - sons, daughters, Generations of a Naugatuck, Con­ and copies were passed around by grandchildren and great-grandchil­ necticut, Family." The Kennedy various members of the family at dren - of John and Mary Powers family history was begun in 1975 that time. Kennedy, including William Kennedy by Edward Kavanaugh Kennedy and "The Kennedy home was on the who was Naugatuck,'s first con­ continued by Father Christopher east side of the Naugatuck River ... gressman: "Born in Union City, a Kennedy, a missionary priest sta­ at South Main Street and 'Kennedy suburb of Naugatuck (in 1854), Will tioned in Chile. Father Kennedy Corners.' From this crossroads one received his early education in the donated a copy of the manuscript road leads south out of Naugatuck borough's public schools and to our library. to Beacon Falls paralleling the east learned the fundamentals of his bank of the Naugatuck River; the future profession in the office of a The manuscript begins with a de­ other road leads southeast through Naugatuck attorney. He then en­ scription of John and Mary Powers Bethany.The house was washed tered Yale Law School (Class of Kennedy who came to America away and destroyed by the flood of '79), and at the end of his junior year from Ireland: "John Kennedy, a 1956. pursued his legal training in the law native of County Limerick, 'near the "Helen Cullinan writes, 'I remem­ office of D.A. McQuillan in Portland, Tipperary border,' born in 1825/26, ber driving past the Kennedy house Conn. He was admitted to the bar in married Mary Powers, born in the at the crossroads and my mother 1879 and set up office in Nauga­ Glen of Aherlow (Eatharlach), pointing it out to me and comment­ tuck. In November 1882, he married County Tipperary, Ireland. This mar­ ing that the· outhouse had been Mary H.Clerkin ... He handled a num­ riage took place c. 1850. John was much too far from the house ­ ber of murder cases during the employed by various foundries in the especially on dark nights. height of his career, but never had a Naugatuck area as a blacksmith. "'Mary Powers was evidently first-degree verdict returned against (The 1860 U.S.census lists his oc­ quite a character. She always came a client. He was attorney for the cupation as 'hoe grinder.') He is to call when it rained because it was town and borough of Naugatuck and said to have had a brother who came dreary to stay at home in the rain. member of the Naugatuck Board of with him from Ireland and later went Aunt Annie had a picture of the Education. South before the Civil War and was Battle of Limerick at the foot of her "A Democrat, Will was elected in never heard from after the war. Ed­ stairs and Mary Powers Kennedy 1899 to the state Senate and two ward J. Kennedy heard his maternal always kissed it when she came to years later was elected to a second aunt Norma say they came via Can­ visit. I, of course, wanted to see term. He was also a delegate to the ada. the picture but was told it was given National Democratic Conventions "A story attributed to grandson to the Irish Society in Naugatuck and of 1896, 1900, 1908 and in 1912, Bill Kennedy of Jamaica, L.I., has it hung on the walls of their clubroom.' chairman of the Connecticut delega­ that John Kennedy was captured by The Battle of Limerick was the de­ tion at the Baltimore convention the British with a brother in 1848, nouement of the Battle of the Boyne which nominated Woodrow Wilson. which would be around the time of and would have been a matter of In 1912 he ran for national office the Young Ireland Rebellion. They living memory in Mary Powers' fam­ himself and was elected repre­ were both supposedly placed aboard ily when she was born. It had been sentative to the 63rd Congress a prison ship to be transported to the a tragic watershed in Irish history (March 4, 1913 - March 3, 1915), penal colonies, but John managed to and the women of Limerick had Naugatuck's first member of Con­ jump overboard as the ship sailed played a crucial and heroic role in it gress. He was an unsuccessful can­ out of Cork harbor and swam didate for re-election in 1914." Volume IV, No.4 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society July - August 1992 Irishwoman exposed unfair labor practice

An Irish woman created a great plained that the agreement was not stir in Connecticut business and la­ to solicit each other's help. bor circles in 1890 when she chal­ There seemed to be general con­ lenged a long-standing business sensus among them that the infor­ practice, that of informal under­ mal agreement was designed "to standings among retailers designed avoid the annoyance that resulted to keep wages down. from the constant interchange of Mary Nevins, daughter of Tho­ clerks and also to prevent the clerks mas C. Nevins a shoe dealer whose from using the different firms place of business was at 491 State against one another in the attempt St. in New Haven, had been em­ to raise their wages." ployed by F.M. Brown & Co. dry A representative of one firm said goods store for about four years as that by offering their services to a clerk. When she decided to seek another store the clerks were able to employment elsewhere in April get more than they were worth for 1890, D.S. Gamble, the junior part­ Co. he told me that he knew I was skilled dry goods clerks were com­ ner of F.M. Brown & Co. offered her going to Neel'ey's and that I would­ paratively scarce in New Haven. an increase in wages which she re­ n't get in there if he could help it." Gamble explained that before the jected. Gamble denied intervening to get agreement, "The various heads of Nevins took a week off and then Nevins fired, but did comment, "As departments in the different stores accepted the offer of a job as a clerk long as we have this agreement and would go about indiscriminately hir­ in the ribbon department at William Mr. Neeley is told that a clerk is in ing clerks that they wanted here and Neeley's & Co. with an increase in his establishment who had come there by offering them an extra dol­ pay of $2 per week. At the end of from ours, he will naturally dismiss lar per week. We would go to the first day of work, however, R.C. her. But I did not procure this clerk's Neeley's or Mcintyre's and they Groning, who ran the ribbon depart­ dismissal. How could I thus run Mr. would come to us and there was a ment, took Nevins aside and told her Neeley's business?" great dea'i of passing and changing he would have to let her go. When Neeley was interviewed, that was very inconvenient." There was no question in Nevins he stated that the reason for the One observer suggested, "The mind that she had been fired be­ dismissal was that Nevins had been agreement was practically an in­ cause of what was, in effect, a black unable to provide satisfactory refer­ fringement on the rights of every list, an agreement among the three ences. Nevins replied that no refer­ individual to sell his labor in the major dry goods companies in the ences had been requested at the dearest market. Perhaps this fact city - Neeley, Brown and Mcintyre, time of her being hired. was not realized by the parties to the McGuire & Co.- not to allow clerks The dry goods firms gave varying agreement, but their own state­ to improve their situations by leav­ explanations of the agreement. A ments show that this was in effect ing one of the three and finding spokesman for Mcintyre & Maguire the result which would be reached. employment at another. said his understanding of it was sim­ They saw that the clerks would'see­ "One thing I am sure of," she ply that the store.s would not invade saw' between the different employ­ said, "and that is that Mr. Gamble each other's work forces. A repre­ ers and would hit up their salaries of F.M. Brown & Co., secured my sentative of another firm said that several points beyond 'what they dismissal from William Neeley & Co. there was indeed an understanding, were worth' by this process. Now He was in the store that Monday but only "that they should all be what is the test of what they are morning and I understand in secret courteous to each other in a busi­ worth but what they can get in an conference with Mr. Neeley. What­ ness sense." Another said the open market under the free working ever he did or did not do there, I agreement was not to employ each of the law of supply and demand." know that when I left F.M. Brown & other's help, while still another ex- (Please turn to page 2) Page 3 Connecticut Irish voted support of Land League campaign On Aug. 2, 1883, the Connecti­ years ago. They have been taught to but that the interests of England cut state branch of the Irish National stand up like free men and assert have always been paramount in Brit­

League of America held a conven­ their independence.' I ish legislation for Ireland. tion at Peck's Opera House in New A Connecticut man, Judge J.B. "In the language of the Philadel­ Haven. In Ireland, the Land League Quillinan of Ansonia told the crowd phia convention: :England forcibly agitation was at its height and dele­ that interest in the cause of I,rish robbing the Irish people of the fruits gates to the convention were freedom was growing every year in of their toil, produced by their own treated to a full evening of oratory America and that the Irish deserved labor, has buried not a hundred, not praising the Land League and de­ the sympathy of all Americans. a thousand, but more than one mil­ nouncing English rule in Ireland. "The Irish troops in American ar­ lion of the Irish race, unshrouded, James Reynolds of New Haven mies had been brave and at the front uncoffined, in the grave of hunger; presided and the main speaker of the in every war from the War of Inde­ as if the sword, the cannon, the evening was M.V. Gannon of Dav­ pendence on down. It is time for the torch, the scaffold, the dagger and enport, Iowa. He decried criticism in Irish to stand up for themselves and the explosives were not enough, it America of the goals and methods when they do the 'British lion will enjoys the unique infamy of being

of the Land League activists in Ire­ have to 'git up and git. I The Land the only government known to an­ land. "Men say that no country League is flourishing." cient or modern times which has could get along with any such class While one speaker had asserted employed famine for the destruction of men as the Irishmen, who shoot his willingness to die for Ireland, of those from whom it claimed alle­ landlords from behind hedges." Quillinan said he wanted to kill for giance. Gannon said. "When the New Eng­ Ireland. Too many had died for Ire­ •'The intrepid attempts of the land farmers of Concord shot Eng­ land already, he said. patriotic Irish deputation to obtain in lishmen down they had not declared Aher the speeches,the delegates the English parliament just and hu­ their independence. Where is the adopted the following resolution: mane laws for Ireland have always difference between them and the "The convention of societies been a failure, Therefore be it Tipperary farmer? They tell us no held in New Haven this 2nd day of "Resolved and affirmed that the revolution can be recognized with­ August 1883 submits to the people wrongs of the Irish peole suffered at out reasonable chance of success. of Connecticut the following facts: the hands of the British crown and

But when we try to make the chance •I English domination over Ireland parliament are immeasurably greater of success they grumble. What do has existed 700 years; that this do­ than those of any other people who you expect us to be, English loyal­ minion originated in fraud and has in modern times had asserted their ists or Irish rebels? Shall we, ban­ been continued by force; that at no rights to self-government and that ished from home and kindred, turn time in its history have the people of the British government has no moral around and be loyal. to England be­ Ireland voluntarily submitted to the right to exist in Ireland and there­ cause some think she is the mother jurisdiction of the British crown and fore, country? parliament but on the contrary, re­ "Resolved that is is the duty of "Not content with murdering, peated efforts have been made by the Irish race throughout the world with robbing the Irish, England has them to assert and maintain their to sustain the Irish people in the debased them. The dust of my fa­ own independency, that during the employment of all legitimate means ther and mother lies there and I period of English supremacy Ireland to substitute for British supremacy would conspire and subscribe until has not been governed by England national self-government. that dust is not trampled on by a for the purpose of protecting its "Resolved that we earnestly urge coward or a knave. We are trying to people or promoting their welfare, (Please turn to page 4) educate our American brothers that the cause of •83 is as just as the cause of 1775, that we want to Of Irish ways raise a Limerick monument as well as a Bunker Hill monument. Let us pray that the twin angels of liberty and peace shall hover over 'Ireland and remain there resplendent and determined. " Another speaker, Matthew Harris of Ballinasloe, Irel,and, said that Land Visitors to the west of Ireland often will see curraghs, the traditional League efforts had succeeded in re­ long, narrow boats upside down awaiting the return of fishermen on ducing the rents for Irish peasants beaches from the Shannon estuary north to Donegal. Modern curraghs by one-fourth. "The people of Ire­ are usually constructed oflaths covered by tarred canvas. ("Irish Folk land," he commented, "now are Ways," By E. Estyn Evans) very different from the people a few Vol. IV, No.5 Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society September-October 1992 Prejudice!

Few human feelings are as positive and praiseworthy as the love of and pride in one's ethnic and racial heritage. Few human feelings are as ugly and destructive as hatred of and prejudice against others because of their ethnic and racial heritage. Unfortunately, the latter is all too common in our world. In what used to be Yugoslavia, people are being killed in what is euphemistically called an "ethnic cleansing. " In South Africa, continued violence is the legacy of years of government­ sponsored racism. In Northern Ireland, systematic discrimination against a segment of the population has led to violent reaction and years ofguerrilla warfare. And these are only three glaring examples of the evil ofintolerance in a world filled with other examples both large and small. The 500th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Colum­ bus to the New World, an occasion which itselfhas become a lightning rod for bitter ethnic confrontation and controversy, seems an appro­ priate time to pause and consider the poisonous effects of racial, ethnic and religious prejudices. To that end, we are devoting this issue of The Shanachie not to Connecticut Irish-American history as we usually do, but to some examples of prejudice in Connecticut history. We do so not to l stir. up racial and ethnic animosity, but in the hope that the examples will encourage all ofus to rethink our racial, ethnic andreligious attitudes andbecome more conscious ofthe terrible price we all pay for prejudice and intolerance in society. Page 2 African-Americans pleaded for equal opportunity in 1788

On Oct. 30, 1788, the New state of slavery have, in common lute control of his master perform Haven Gazette published an elo­ with other men, a natural right to be the duties of husband, wife, parent Quent statement of the evils of racial free and without molestation to en­ or child? ... discrimination by a group of Con­ joy such property as we by our hon­ •'We would therefore humbly necticut African­ est industry may acquire; and that pray that while you are considering Americans. The no person can have any just claim to and asserting ... your own natural statement seems our services unless we have by the rights against the arbitrary designs to have been laws of the land forfeited them or by of those who would subject you to composed origi­ voluntary compact made ourselves slavery, that you would think of our nally during the servants. neither of which is our unhappy case, who have been long Revolutionary case. groaning under the insupportable War because it "We were by cruel hand of burden. was addressed to power some of us dragged from our "We are poor ignorant creatures the Sons of Lib­ native country, and forced to for­ by reason of our circumstances as erty and it spoke of that group fight­ sake the dearest connections in life; slaves and know not what method ing for its own liberties. while others in infancy have been to devise being shut out from the Perhaps the plea was reprinted stolen from the bosom of their ten­ use of law and the benefits of peti- after the Revolution when blacks der parents and brought to this dis­ .tioning the legal way, being by un­ realized that the fight for freedom in tant land to be enslaved and to serve natural custom called the property which they had participated had not like a horse in a mill. Thus are we of others, although a part of the removed their chains. deprived of everything that tends to same species of beings which alone Titled "The humble petition of a render life even tolerable much less can be called proprietors of the number of poor Africans to the desirable... Earth; by which the order of nature Sons of Liberty in Connecticut," the "The endearing ties of husband, is inverted, proprietor and property appeal was signed by Bristo Lambee wife, parent, child and friend, we are confounded. "at the desire and in behalf of many generally strangers to in our state of "Our case being thus, we could others." It read, in part: slavery, being entirely at the control earnestly entreat you to hear our "Your petitioners apprehend that of our masters..... Thus are we by cries and exert yourselves in our liberty, being founded on the law of our deplorable situation in life ren­ behalf and consult such measures as nature, is as necessary to the hap­ dered incapable of showing our obe­ you shall judge most feasible in piness of an African as to the happi­ dience to the supreme governor of order to facilitate our deliverance ness of an Englishman; and as much the universe by conforming our­ and to receive the grateful acknow­ to be desired by the former as it can selves to the duties which naturally ledgement of thousands now un­ possibly be by the latter; and that grow out of such relations; for how happy." we, notwithstanding our present can a slave who is under the abso- Irish immigrants subjected to ridicule, warnings and bigotry

As one of the earliest minorities, specific ethnic diatribe'against both New York) to unite all good Catholics the Irish were subjected to consider­ Scots and Irish by suggesting, "this in clubs to put down the Know Noth­ able ridicule and bigotry. In the may prove a timely warning to other ings by getting each member to pay 1740s, an Irish Anglican priest, the Sawnies and their near Neighbors, in one dollar and his name with an Rev. James Lyons, complained to his the Paddies, who may travel this oath that he will not reveal the object superiors that he was abused by way, to be careful of their company.• , of the organization. I was introduced some of his parisioners in Derby be­ In later years, when Famine drove to him as a good Catholic and he cause of his ethnic background. "As thousands of Irish out of their native supposed I was. ... The money in soon as they had advice of my ap­ land and to Connecticut, the intoler­ this town will be given to Father pointment and from what country I ance was equally blatant. Lynch of Birmingham (a section of came and indeed before I arrived On Oct. 19,1854, for example, Derby) to be used as directed. That among them," he wrote, "they the Derby Journal printed this scurri­ which is raised in each city and vil­ abused me, calling me an 'Irish lous attack on Ilrish Catholics in the lage will be given to the priest in each teague and foreigner,' with many form of a letter from a Derby resident city and village to be disposed of as other reflections of an uncivilized and who signed his hate-filled epistle, shall suit the Catholic Church. I unchristian kind ... " Billy Button: "I consider it my duty to asked if it was to buy arms. No, said In 1769, when a Scot named write you a few lines and to expose he, we have arms enough in this state John Campbell was whipped in New the doings of our 'better citizens' the' to arm all good Catholics.In Birming­ Haven after being found guilty of Irish Romanists in this place. Last ham church there is 1,500 guns and burglary, the Connecticut Journal year there was in this town an agent pistols and so on to be used in case took the occasion to issue a very sent by John Hughes (archbishop of of an attack on the church ... II Page 3 New Haven Italian leader decried stereotyping in newspapers

In a letter to the New Haven cracker into a trolley car and yet politic, that they are conforming to Register on July 6, 1910, Sylvester while this boy's name was given, the usages and customs of Ameri­ Z. Poli, the noted theater owner, no mention at all was made of his can life as fast as any other element decried the stereotyping of a par­ nationality. of foreign immigration that has to ticular ethnic group, in this case the "I submit that this discrimination, struggle with a new language and Italian-Americans, in the mass me­ which is but one instance that could strange surroundings, that the vast dia. What he wrote of his own be multiplied many times in the majority of them respect the laws of people could be said of virtually course of a week, is an unfair reflec­ this country and observe them; and every other racial, religious and eth­ tion on a people, the great over­ I submit that this great majority of nic minority that over the years has whelming majority of whom ara an this law-abiding and upbuilding peo­ had to fight the uphill battle against industrious, peaceful, law-abiding ple ought not be be dragged down intolerance. element of this and other American from their aspiration and have their "In reading the daily newspapers communities. When all is said and fine feelings of self-esteem continu­ of this and other cities during the done, it must be admitted that the ously wounded by needless mention past 15 years," he began, "I have Italian people are a useful and prom­ of the nationality of Italian persons. often been pained ... at the persist­ ising member of the American body who offend against the law,". ency with which the reports of of­ fenses against the law committed by men or women of the Italian race are embellished with the announcement Chinese denied constitutional rights that the offender is an Italian. Were Oriental people have been looked Haney replied, "If the Constitution it the practice in every case of law­ upon with greater suspicion and or Declaration of Independence con­ breaking to publish the nationality of prejudice than most European­ fer any such rights upon the Chi­ the offender, there might be little Americans probably because their nese, then they ought to be reason for an Italian to complain; but customs, religion, amended. They (the Chinese) mix how rarely do we read the newspa­ clothing and looks with the workingmen of the country per description of a crime as being were so different and knock down the price of labor. committed by John Jones, an from most other eth­ Decent men only ought to be free American; James Blank, an English­ nic and racial groups. and equal; it is a crime for a man to man; Paul Dash, a Frenchman "... When the Question of go around and reduce wages as they "Let a Marconi enrich science and limiting immigration do." industry by the invention of the wire­ was debated in the On the Question of religion, less telegraph; let a Mascagni or a 1870s and 1880s, Haney was similarly intolerant to­ Puccini add to the world's treasures for example, all sorts ward the Chinese. "They worship of music ...and with what little pains of hurtful comments wooden gods," he said, "There the daily press wll go to announce were made about Chinese people. In ought to be a law against this. They that this benefactor of humanity is New Haven, in one instance, a black­ ought not to be permitted to bow an Italian. Let some unfortunate Ital­ smith named William Haney was an­ before such things.... This country ian, however, offend against the law gered when the Register published is a Christian country. What do we and straightway the newspapers an interview with a Yale professor find in the Bible? The people were hasten to make known the nation­ who defended the Chinese. Haney's punished in Moses' time for bowing ality of the lawbreaker. This, too, in comments show how far intolerance down to idols and you remember the cases where no end of justice or can lead us astray. golden calf. No government pros­ utility is served by the publication. When asked if the Declaration of pered then that allowed such wor­ '" have in mind one concrete case Independence and U.S. Constitution ship. Let the Chinese come here and that will serve as an illustration of didn't confer upon Chinese as well make wooden gods to worship? No many similar ones. In one of our as others certain inalienable rights, sir. " papers on Monday morning of this week the news was published of a Jews petitioned against biased Meriden judge 14-year-old boy who threw a lighted firecracker, into a passing automobile In 1892, the Jews of Meriden state, they have endeavored to im­ and was turned over to the police by found the prejudice of one judge so plicitly obey all laws either of the the owner of the vehicle. Both in the stifling that they filed a petition with country, state or city wherein they headlines and the news article the the court seeking the removal of the may have their homes. fact was glaringly set forth that the judge. They said they were Russians "As residents of Meriden (like boy was an Italian. who had fled from despotism and other residents) they are frequently "In the very same article was "recognizing the priceless boon of before the city courts of Meriden published the arrest of a 13-year-old liberty and equality to all under the either as complainants, accused or boy for throwing a lighted fire- constitution of this country and (Please turn to Page 4) Page 4 Veterans railed Norman W. Hickey 1929-1992 against foreigners Intolerance does not move in a The Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society lost one of its steady line, but has peaks and guiding lights and most dedicated and active members on Sept. troughs depending on the times. Fre­ 12 when Norman Hickey died after a lingering illness at his home quently intolerance appears in times in New Haven. Hickey. 63. husband of society President Jeanne of national stress such as during Hickey. was one of the ear1iest members of our society when it wars. was organized in 1988 and had played a leading role both in it The World War I period was a and in the Ethnic Heritage Center. time of great outward patriotic fer­ He was a member of our society's board of directors and had vor, which unfortunately was ac­ always contributed by words and actions in the setting of policies companied by high levels of and in organizing and carrying out various programs. He organ­ prejudice against everything foreign. ized our exhibits for summer festivals in New Haven and Glas­ Typical of the intolerance was a tonbury and for special events such as the Ancient Order of movement to eliminate the use of Hibernians fair in Bridgeport. A skilled craftsman. he built the such harmless organizational names display stands used for the exhibits and was a tireless volunteer as Polish-American or Irish-Ameri­ manning our booth at the various festivals. can and foreign-language papers. In March 1921. for example, He was also instrumental in working with the Irish-American the Veterans of Foreign Wars in An­ Community Center to establish our society's library at the center sonia even voted to expunge the on Venice Place in East Haven and to secure books and equipment hypen. The resolution read: for that library. It was not unusual for him to make trips to "Resolved that this organization wholesale dealers to purchase books out of his own pocket and do everything within its power to donate them to the library. He was a technical adviser to the eliminate the hypen in organizations Ethnic Heritage Center and was among those who prepared the composed of residents of citizens of center's exhibit on the census in 1990. the United States. "Resolved that this organization A native of New Hampshire. Hickey was a retired employee of endeavor to bring about the speak­ the FMR Grinding Wheel Corp. of West Haven. He was a veteran ing of the language of our country of the Korean War and a parishioner of St. Bernadette's Church. at all times and in all places within We will miss Norman Hickey's energy. his dedication and his the boundaries of the United States. boundless enthusiasm and hard work in all our activities. We "Resolved that this organization offer our sincere condolences to Jeanne Hickey and her family. emphatically favor the publication of the newspapers of our country in the language of our country and posi­ tively discourage as an act of disloy­ Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society alty the publication of our newspapers in the language of any P.O. Box 120-020 other country or race .. ,," East Haven, Connecticut 06512 Jews petitioned "We have kept faith with the past; we have handed a tradition to the fu­ (Continued from Page 3) ture." Padraic Pearse. witnesses. "Levi S. Coe is judge of said city Pres. Jeanne Hickey. 58 Florence Ave.• New Haven 06512. 468-0426. court. Said Levi E.Coe is so preju­ Vice Pres. George Waldron. 69 Pardee St.• New Haven 06513. 468-6948. diced against the petitioners be­ cause of their religion and birth that Secretary Betty Gubicza. 126 Geneva Terrace. Fairfield 06430. 255-1343. they are unable to obtain that equal, Treas. Michael V. Lynch. 171 Grand Ave.• New Haven 06513. 467-5307. and exact justice guaranteed to all under the laws... Because of the Editor: Neil Hogan. 26 Crestview Terrace. Wallingford 06492. 269-9154. prejudice of said Coe. your petition­ Membership: $10 individual. $15 family. Send name. address and check ers are unable to obtain a fair trial made out to Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society to above address. when before said city courts of Me­ riden and because of his prejudice The Shanachie: In Ireland. a shanachie is a folklorist. historian and keeper of are unable to obtain that justice to the people's traditions. which they as citizens and residents of Meriden are entitled." Vol. IV, No.6' Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society November-December 1992 Q,uebec island was landfall for Famine Irish While the ancestors of thousands leased Grosse lie from its owner and of Connecticut Irish entered this began construction of such facilities country through New York or 80s­ as homes for doctors, a bakery and ton, others first set foot in the New long, narrow sheds with tiers of World on a beautiful, but tragic, bunks for the sick. A cannon was island in the majestic St. Lawrence installed on a hill overlooking the River in Quebec. river to warn arriving ships that they Grosse lie (pronounced Gross eel) must stop for inspection. lies about 30 miles east of Quebec The work was uncompleted when City, one of 21 islands in the L'lIe­ immigrant ships began arriving that aux-Grues Archipelago. Measuring summer. "At Grosse lie," writes only a mile long by a half mile wide, Marianna O'Gallagher in "Grosse lie, it hardly fits its French appellation Gateway to Canada 1832-1937," -'grosse" or big - when compared "people in an endless line, were with the neighboring, much larger, being brought into the unfinished islands of lie d'Orleans and lie aux hospitals for shelter and care. Ships Grues. anchored, small boats went out with Mostly uninhabited during French medical inspectors and returned colonial times, Grosse lie today is with sick passengers and their bag­ secluded refuge with a coastline of gage. If the vessels needed cleans­ tiny rocky bays and interior wood­ ing, all passengers' had to come lands spotted with raspberry, black­ ashore. So sudden and so great was berry, sumac, wild flowers. It might the onslaught of the disease that the have always been that except for island was soon overcrowded with the prominence of Quebec City as sick, dying and dead. And the ships an important international trading in their summer procession kept port in the early years of the 19th coming. Despairingly the authorities century. gave up their attempts to stop every Quebec City was the center of a ship at Grosse lie and with a mini­ prosperous timber trade with the In 1909, the Ancient Order of mum of inspection and segregation, United Kingdom. Ship owners deliv­ Hibernians erected this Celtic permitted' all but Irish ships to pro­ ering Quebec timber to England and cross on Telegraph Hill on ceed up-river." Ireland needed a commodity to pay Grosse lie in memory of the 8y the end of the summer, 3,292 for the return voyage. They found it thousands of Irish immigrants people had died in Quebec City itself in the ever-increasing number of of the cholera and it was estimated who perished on the island at poor Irish and Scots looking to es­ that more than that had died on cape poverty by going to the New the time ofthe Potato Famine. Grosse lie. World. Grosse lie remained as a quaran­ A cholera epidemic that swept Quebec while being cared for medi­ tine station in the ensuing years and Europe in the early 1830s caused cally. then in 1847, the year of the Famine immigrant authorities in Quebec to In February 1832, the legislative in Ireland, the tragedy of 1832 was become concerned that such immi­ assembly of what was then Lower repeated on a far larger scale. grants would spread the disease in Canada voted that''there shall be a The potato crop had failed in Ire­ Canada. The authorities wished to quarantine ground or anchorage in land in 1845 and then again in 1846. establish a quarantine station where the port of Quebec and that the In the winter of 1846-47, for the ships arriving from Europe could be same shall be as near as may be to first t'ime ever immigration from Ire- stopped and immigrants carrying the Grosse lie ..." With that legislative disease prevented from entering authorization, the government (Please tum to Page 2) ------

Page 2 Grosse lie was quarantine station on St. Lawrence River

vessels stretching several miles of their tragic journey were entries (Continued from Page 1) down the St. Lawrence were wait­ in the records of St. Luke's Chapel land continued throughout the win­ ing to pass through the Grosse lie on the island such as "I, the under­ ter, thousands of Irish people willing quarantine station. By then there signed priest, have this day buried to brave the hardship of a winter­ were 1,100 people with fever and Patrick Murphy, John Kelly, Maria time North Atlantic crossing rather dysentery in the sheds on the island Brown and forty-three others ..." than the almost certain death of and an estimated 1,100 more on At the site of one of the cemeter­ famine at home. board the ships. ies is a monument with the inscrip­ In reaction, the U.S.Congress in In a summary of the situation, Dr. tion: "In this secluded spot lie the February and March 1847 passed mortal remains of 5,294 persons new immigrationn laws with provi­ Douglas reported that from May 10 to July 24, 4,572 immigrants had who, flying from pestilence and fam­ sions that increased the price of died: 575 men, 416 women and ine in Ireland in the year 1847, found passage to the United States and 467 children in the hospital on in America but a grave." severely restricted the influx of im­ Grosse lie; 2,366 while crossing the In 1909, the Ancient Order of migrants. Atlantic; 721 on ships anchored at Hibernians constructed and dedi­ The new laws served to make cated on the summit of Telegraph Quebec the port of entry for thou­ Grosse lie and 27 in tents on the island. Hill on Grosse lie a granite Celtic sands more Irish than usual and set Historian Cecil Woodham-Smith cross with the inscription "Sacred the stage for tragedy on Grosse lie in "The Great Hunger" says, "Over to the memory of thousands of Irish that summer. Realizing there would a hundred thousand emigrants left immigrants who to preserve the be a tremendous increase in the the United Kingdom for British North faith suffered hunger and exile in number of immigrants that year, the America in 1847. By the end of that 1847-8, and stricken with fever chief medical officer at Gross lie, year a modern authority estimates ended here their sorrowful pilgrim­ Dr. George Douglas asked for an appropriation of 3,000 pounds to that 20,000 had died in Canada, age." 5,300 at the lowest estimate on Today, Grosse lie is being devel­ prepare for the onslaught. He was Gross lie and 14,706 in Quebec, oped as a Canadian national park allocated 300 pounds. Montreal, Kingston and Toronto. A commemorating its importance as When the first ship, the Syria, further 1,120 died in the province of an immigration center from 1832 to arrived on May 17, 1847, nine of New Brunswick and 25,000 persons 1937. The development has not its Irish passengers had already died at least had been in Canadian hos­ been without controversy, however, and another 84 cases of fever were pitals. Crossing the Atlantic exacted as Irish-Canadian organizations have found among its 241 passengers. Four days later, eight ships ar­ a fearful toll and 17,000 emigrants claimed that the tragic deaths of perished during the voyage, the ma­ Irish immigrants are being glossed rived with a total of 430 cases of fever. Of that total, only 205 could jority from typhus,,," over in the plans for the park. On Grosse lie, the dead were bur­ be accommodated in the hospital on Action Grosse lie, 129 The King­ Grosse lie and the rest had to remain ied in a common burial ground in sway, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8X on shipboard. By the end of May, 40 unmarked graves. The only records 2T9, (Telephone: 416-233-9885), says that Grosse lie is "the most important and evocative Great Fam­ Irish nun served state's Catholic schools ine site outside Ireland," and de­ mands, "The Irish mass graves must Although their accomplishments have often been neglected, Irish nuns be perpetuated as the main theme of were the backbone of the Catholic education system in Connecticut from the National Historicl Park on Grosse the time that Irish immigrants began to arrive in the state in large numbers. lie and as a reminder of the Irish role One such nun was Mother Mary Alacoque. Born in Tuam, County Galway, in the building of Canada. in the early 1840s, she came to Connecticut in infancy with her parents. It suggests that Irish people con­ In 1864, she entered the Sisters of Mercy at Providence and, on April cerned that the story of Grosse lie 27, 1867, she made her final profession. She began her teaching career be told in its entirety in the park at St. Catherine's Academy in Hartford, became mother superior of the contact Canadian Prime Minister convent in Thompsonville and then served as mistress of novices for the Brian Mulroney, House of Com­ province. She then served at St. Mary's Convent in New Britain and, mons,Room 309S, Centre Block, finally, taught for 25 years at St. Patrick's School in New Haven. At her Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6, and Min­ death at St. Joseph's Convent in Hartford in 1914, the New Haven Union ister of the Environment Jean Char­ said, "Mother Alacoque was a woman of fine character and deep est, House of Commons, Room religious faith. Her disposition was most amiable and all who came under 436N, Centre Block, Ottawa, On­ her influence were charmed with her humility and true Christian zeal." tario K1A OA6, to make their con­ (New Haven Union, Aug. 7, 1914) cerns known. Page 3 The Shanachie completes fourth year of publication

With this issue, we complete four years of publication of our newsletter, The Shanachie. Our first issue was published in January 1989. We hope that the 24 issues of the newsletter have brought to light some previously forgotten stories of Irish-Americans who have made contributions to Connecticut history in such diverse areas as politics, law, sports, labor, business and entertainment. We also hope that The Shanachie has encouraged scholars to do more comprehensive research on various aspects of the experiences and contributions of Connecticut's Irish-Americans. Below, we have compiled a brief index of the main topics and people mentioned in the 24 issues of The Shanachie published thus far. The initials represent the month in which the item appeared; the numbers represent the year. J-A92, for example, means the July-August issue in 1992.

Adzima, C, Roberta - J-A92 Greek Club - 5·090 O'Brien, Michael J., historian - M·A90, M-J90; African-American plea - 5-092 Grocery store - 5-091 5-090; N·D90 Allen, William - M-A90 Grogan, James, labor leader - M-A89 O'Brien, Terrence, property owner - J-A90 American Ordinance Co. - M-A90 Grosse lie, Quebec - N-D92 O'Connell, Daniel, centennial - J-A90 Amistad aHair - 5-089 Hamilton, T.F., peddler - 5-089 O'Neill, Andrew, patent lawyer - M-J90 Ancient Order of Hibernians - M-J92 Hatchett, Molly, Indian basketmaker- M-A92 O'Neill, Charles watchmaker - M-A91 Ancient Order of Hibernians, auxiliary - 5·090; Healy, John J., truant officer - M-A90 O'Neill, Suun, lawyer - J-A90 S-091 Hempstead, Joshua, diary - M-J90 O'Rourke, James, baseball player - M-J69 Antonelli, Salvatore, airplane - S·091 Henehan, Patrick, Fenian - J-F91 Puerto Ricans - N-D92 Ashe, Thomas, of Gaelic League - J-A90 Hickey, Nonnan, obituary - S-092 Pickpenny - 5-069 Australia, 5-089 Huning - M-A91 POIi. Sylvester, Italian leader = 5-092 Baseball - M-A89; J-A91 Hynes, surname - M-A89 Prejudice, racial and ethnic - 5-092 Beagan, Officer Bicey - J·A90 Irish flag - M-A90; M-J91; J-F92 Prince William, gypsy - N·D91 80yle, William, Civil War - M-J92 Irish Heritage Month - M-A91; M-A92 Rabbi, as judge - M-J89 Brady, Father John, temperance - J·A91 Italians - M-J92; 5-092 Railroad, workers - J-A69; 5-089, J·F90 Brannigan,James F., Civil War - N-D90 Jack of the Woods - 5-069 Redmond John E., Irish statesman - N-D90 Brennan, John, recluse - S-089 Jewish seminary - J·A91 Reilly, Detective Phil - N-D69 Caledonian Club - J-F92 Jews, Meriden - 5-092 Reilly, P. Harvard, dancemaster - J-A90 Campbell, John - J-F90 Jordan, Mary, marriage - M-A90 Reynolds, James, Fenian - J-A92 Canavan, Jim, roller polo player - J-F92 Kelly, John, seaman - J-F91 Riley, Bernard, immigrant - M-A69 Cannon, Bernie, horse trader - J·A89 Kelly, Thomas, Auatralian - 5-089 Robinson, William E.. speaker - M-A69 Carolan, Mary Ellen, family history - M-A92 Kelley, James E.. contractor ad - J-F90 Roche, Officer Patrick - Ja89 Casement, Roger, Irish patriot - M-J91 Kennedy, John, Revolutionary War - 5-090 Rogers, James, marriage - M-A90 Ca66idy, Dr. Patrick - S-090 Kennedy, Father Christopher - M-J92 Roller polo - J·F92 Cavanaugh, John, cop - J-F92 Kerrymen of New Haven - M-J69 Root, George, German immigrant - M·J90 Census, Irish, 1659 - M-A89 Klondike, gold rush - N-D91 Ryan, Dennis, acrobat - 5·091 Census, Italian - M-A90 Knights of Tara - M-A90 Sacred Heart Church, New Haven - J-F90 Census, U.5. 1790 - Ja89 Lambee, Bristo, African-American - 5-092 Scotsman - J-F90 Census, U.S., exhibit - N·D90 Land League - M-J90; J-A92 Shanachie, explanation - Ja89 Chinese, discrimination against - 5-092 Lee. Mayor Richard C. - N·D69 Sheehan, William, horse thief - N-D69 Civil War, American - N·D90; M-J92 Lilley. Gov. George - M-A92 5istera, Don Gabriel - N-D89 Clan na Gael - J-F90 Lithuanian, convention - M-J91 Skeffington, F. 5., Irish patriot - M-J91 Columbus 500 Festival - M-J92 Lyons, Rev. James - M-A91 Smyth, Father - M-A69 Connecticut Friends of Irish Freedom - N-D89 Madigan, Steven, historian - M-J69 Soviet Union - J-F90 Connecticut Labor Union - M-A89 Malloy, brothers, World War I- M-A90 Sons of St. George - M-A91 Constitutional League of Connecticut - J-F91 Manyard, Fred, black barber - Ja69 St. George's Day - M-A91 Corcoran, Julia, factory inspector - J·A89 Marble worics. New Milford - 5-090 5t. John's Church - M-A69 Cromwell, ship - N-D90 Mathew, Father Theobald - J-A91 St. John's Sick and Burial Society - M-A90 Dargan, Peter E., truant officer - M-A90 McAviney, Thomas E.. candy maker - M-A89 5t. Patrick's Church, picnic - J-A91 Day care, Italian - M-A89 McAvoy, surname - M-JB9 St. Patrick's 50ciety of Hartford - J·A69 DeForest, Dr. Louis- N-D90 McCarthy, Chanes Barney, peddler - 5-089 St. Patrick's Temperance Society - J-A91 Delaney, William, pirate - M-A91 McCarthY, John, Norwich shopkeeper - N-D89 Sullivan, James M., journalist -M-J91 Downes, Michael, family - N-D90 McCarthy, Samuel, Klondike - N-D91 Sullivan, James P., blacksmith - 5-090 Doyle, Patrick, street superintendent -M-A90 McCartin, James, Wond War I- Ja69 5urnames, Irish - M-A90 Driscoll, Cornelius, speaker - J-F92 McCoy, Thomas J., blind grocer - 5-091 Taylor, Thomas, Clan na Gael member - J-F90 Driscoll, John, 1796 Rebellion - M-J89 McGuire. William, Soviet traveler - J-F90 Temperance movement - J-A91 Dublin Caatle - J-F92 McKenna, Nora, Easter Rebellion - M-J91 Truant officers - M-A90 Dudley, George, colonial clothier - N-D89 McManus, Andrew, blind grocer - 5-091 Tuberculosis among Irish - N·D90 Easter Rebellion - M-J91 McNamara, Cpl. Joseph, Wond War I - Ja89 Ulster, research - 5-089 Ellis Island, excursion - M-A91 Meehan, family history - J-A92 Ukrainian convention - J-A90 Emerald Benevolent Society - M-A90 Meriden, Democrats - 5-091 Ukrainians, recollections - J-A69 Factory inspector, female - J-A69 Moran, Johnny, musician - M-A92 United Irish, fair - J-F91 Famine, Irish - N-D89; N-D92 Mother Mary Alacoque - N-D92 United Irishmen - M-J89 Farrell, Officer Michael - Ja89 Murphy, Dan, baseball player - J-A91 United Irishmen's 8enevolent 50ciety - M-A90 Fenian R"am, submarine - M-J91 Murphy, Patrick H., railroad man - 5-089 Veterans of Foreign Wars, 5-092 Fenians - J-F91 Murray, Patrick, cab driver - N-D89 War of 1812 -J-F91 Football - 5-090 Nativists, Derby - 5-092 Washington, George - J-F92 Forty·Fives, card game - N-D91 Naugatuck, feis ceili - 5-091 Waterbury Hibernian Society - M-J90 Friendly 50ns of 5t. Patrick - M-A90 Nevins, Mary, store cleric - J·A92 Waterford, Ireland, immigrants from - M-J69 Gaelic Athletic Association of Comecticut ­ New Haven Ethnic HeritllQe Center - Ja89; "Weerin' 0' the Green," book - N-D91 5-090 5-069; J-A90; N-D90 World War 1- Ja69 Gaelic League - J·A90 New Haven Hibernian Provident Society, M-A69 Worics Project Administration - J89 Genealogy, books - N-D89; J-A91; M-A92 Norfolk - N·D69 Wynne, John F., lawyer, M-J91 German singing featival - J-A92 Old Leathennan - 5-089 Yankee peddlers - 5-089 Gratton, Henry, Irish statesman - J-F9~ Oral history - Ja89; 5-089 Page 4

Briefly noted State's Puerto Ricans described in booklet CHRISTMAS PRESENT - If you're looking for a Christmas gift for A booklet describing the experi­ someone interested in Irish history, we have a supply of "The Wearin' ences of Connecticut's Puerto Ricans 0' the Green: 150 Years of St. Patrick's Day in New Haven." The book is being written by Dr. Ruth Glasser can be ordered through our mailing address below at $10 a copy plus with the assistance of a grant from the $1.50 handling charge. Connecticut Humanities Council. The 70-page draft of the booklet is filled THANKS - To all who contributed to the fund established in with interesting details of the settle­ memory of Norman W. Hickey. They include: Charles B. Petrie, Grace ment of Puerto Ricans in Connecticut. E. Petrie, Thomas W. Peckingham, Michele T. Peckingham, Patricia For example, Glasser interviewed, Howard, Uretta S. O'Connor, Laura & Jim Uhrig, M. Katz Co., Edith C. onetime migrant workers who labored Davis, Hortense Lewis, Lois Croffitt, Phyllis McKosky, Patty Allman, on the tobacco farms of northern Con­ George Allman, John & Sheila Peckingham, Teresa King, Bernadette necticut in the 1950s. One such work­ King, George M. Bellinger, Ethnic Historical Archives Center, James F. ers, Nestor Morales, stated: Begina, Christie C. Begina, Olga & John Nagorski, Mary A. Walters, "They started with the first cut, it's Francis X. O'Connor, Arlene S. O'Connor, Milton & Miriam S. Sch­ cutting the first three lower leaves, and wartz, Marguerite M. Flannery, Frances Pagliaro, Joan Seeger, Wayne the idea was doing this so quickly and Seeger, Dorothy A. Heslin, Patricia A. Heslin, Kenny, Sean & Brendan putting them on the side. Then here , O'Brien, Jeanne R. Hickey, Dr. Brian Vitelli, Juliette Roche Ewart, Mary came somebody, in the back of us,1>ut I S. Ahern, Margaret Allman, Jane W. Bickford, Deborah Elkin, Ann them together in those baskets, and Fraulo, Irish History Roundtable, John & Joan Boyle, Jim & Eva Madi­ then they had to be dropped off in the gan, James W. Moore, John & Cecelia Moran, Philip Paolella, Thomas trucks. They're going to be taking Roche Jr., Timothy P. Dillon, Tom & Noreen Slater, William & Marilyn them to the ranches, putting them Smith, Waldron family, Joel & Leslie Wasserman, Ken & Diana O'Brien, together so they can hang them so Laura Oakes, Bill, Tim and Leona DeMers, Bob & Ida Wood, Richard they can get dry. Sometimes during Hickey, Rip & Nancy Gargano, Lucille Chabot, Ray & Mary Hezzy. the winter, they I