USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Pilot > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 11
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Irwin > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 11
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Goodrich > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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MICHAEL MURPHY-Born at Summit, Cook coun- ty, Ill., in 1848. Came with his parents, Dennis and Mar- garet Murphy, to Salina Twp., Sec. 15, about 1850, where he stayed for 19 years. In 1870 or thereabouts he located in Pilot Twp., Sec. 34, where his stepfather, Daniel Hurley, bought 160 acres from the Illinois Central Railroad com- pany, 80 acres being to the interest of Michael Murphy who sold his land to A. Hossack in 1886, when he moved to Che- banse, where he rented approximately a section of land. In 1904 he retired to Kankakee. Married to Ellen O'Shea, whose parents were John O'Shea and Johanna O'Brien, both born in Cork, Ireland. When they came to the states they settled near Summit, (O'Shea's Hill). Children: Mary, Margaret, Ellen, Dennis, John and Charles.
MICHAEL MORTELL, Sr .- Born in Limerick, Ire- land in 1816, the son of James and Bridget (Bohan) Mor- tell. Emigrated to the states in 1847 and was on the ocean six weeks. First lived in Vermont, then in 1849 in Chicago and came to the Irwin district in 1870. Married to Ellen Gallagher at Burlington, Vt. Children: James, Honora, John, Edward, Ellen, Michael, Patrick, Anna, William, Margaret and James. According to land records he bought 200 acres from Jas. C. and William Burke for $4500 in 1869 in Otto Twp., Sec. 29. Broke the first land near Irwin. David Lavery and Ellen Mortell were the principals in the first marriage which took place in the old St. James church
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near Irwin by Rev. A. Goulet, Sr. Michael Mortell, Sr. moved in Kankakee in 1893, where he died in May, 1909 and is buried in Kankakee.
MICHAEL O'CONNOR-Born in Tralee, Kerry county Ireland, in 1837 where his parents owned an acre of land. Worked four years as a plasterer in London then crossed the ocean in 1864. Settled in the Irwin district in 1871. Married in Utica, Ill., to Catherine Casteloo, and worked there for seven years in the cement quarry. Chil- dren: Mary, Patrick, Nellie, Nora, John, Thomas, Hannah, Maurice, Margaret and Michael. Bought 80 acres in about 1875 from Peter Larche at $35 per acre. In order to cross the ocean he had to embark in Liverpool, the trip taking about four weeks in a sailing vessel. Retired to Irwin.
DANIEL SHEEHAN-Born at Corough, near Tra- lee, Kerry county, Ireland, in 1845. Emigrated to America via Liverpool, in 1864, with Michael O'Connor. Settled in Utica, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he worked in the cement quarry. Moved to the Irwin district in 1872. Was married to Honora O'Connor. Children: Julius, John, Michael, Nellie, Maggie, Johanna, Mary, Thomas, Nora and Lilly. Bought 120 acres from Joseph Legris in 1882 in Otto Twp., Sec. 20, for $30 per acre. Retired to Irwin.
DANIEL KELIHER-Born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Wishing to secure better opportunities in Am- erica than his native land could offer, he crossed the ocean and settled in Illinois in 1860, locating in Utica, LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1862. Married Mary O'Connor in Ire- land. Children: John and Thomas who both died in Ire- land; Maria, wife of Morris O'Connor; Peter, Katie and Patrick. Moved to Otto Twp., in 1872, where he bought 93 acres of land for $3300 in Sec. 30. Died Oct. 2, 1894. Mrs. Keliher died May 18, 1897. Both are buried in Che- banse, Ill.
THOMAS MULCAHY-Born in Cork, Ireland in 1830. Emigrated to the states in 1851. Located at first in Canada, then in White Cloud, Mich. Bought 80 acres of railroad land at $8 per acre in Pilot Twp., Sec. 26, in
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1870, and settled there permanently in 1872. Married to Mary Stack. Children: Margaret, Maurice, Thomas and William. Died in 1911, and is buried in St. James cemetery, Irwin.
MARTIN BRENNEN-Born at Tubbercurry, County Sligo ,Ireland, in 1824. Emigrated to America in 1857, went back to the old country and returned again with his family in 1860. Remained in New York City for about three months. In 1873 he bought 120 acres of land at $35 per acre in Pilot Twp., Sec. 24. Married Catherine Connel- ly. Children: John, Thomas, Ann and Mary. In 1878 he moved to Hastings, Neb., where he died Aug. 15, 1886, and is buried. Mrs. Brennan died in 1894 and is also buried in Hastings.
JEREMIAH GRANEY-Born in Kerry county, Ire- land, about 1847. He emigrated to West Hampshire, lo- cated in Mica, Ill., in Iowa, in Utica, Ill., and finally settled on the present site of Irwin where he bought 40 acres from the Illinois Central Railroad company for $440 in 1874. Married to Jane Kennedy. Children: Patrick, Mary Anne, Edward, Jane, Jeremiah and Catherine; some deceased. Died in 1879, and is buried in the old St. James cemetery, four miles northwest from Irwin, from where his body has never been removed.
DANIEL MORIARTY-Born in County Kerry, Ire- land, in 1834. Crossed the ocean in 1850. Settled in the Irwin district where he bought 80 acres in 1881 from Joseph Legris for $2000 in Otto Twp., Sec. 29. Married to Julia Kennedy. Children: Mary, Edward, Katherine, Julia, Mar- garet, Ellen and Honora. Died in 1888.
JOHN SPILLANE-Born in Cork county, Ireland, the son of Florence Spillane. Moved to Otto Twp. from Utica, Ill., in the 1880's. Owned 160 acres bought from Geo. V. Huling in 1893 for $4800 in Otto Twp., Sec. 21. Children of first marriage: Florence and Dennis. Of sec- ond marriage: Isaac, Mary, Maurice, Michael, Nora and Kate.
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The First Wedding.
The first marriage in St. James church (after it was re- moved two and one half miles south from its first location at Lehigh), occurred Oct. 25, 1877, and was contracted be- tween David Lavery, born in Cork, Ireland, on Sept. 15, 1852, the son of Richard and Elizabeth (Barry) Lavery, who emigrated with his parents to America in 1854, and Loretta Mortell, daughter of Michael and Ellen (Galla- gher) Mortell of Chicago.
Marriages-1877-1899
The only available parish records of St. James church besides a very few extant notes and documents are the mar- riage records at the court house of Kankakee.
St. James Church-Pilot Twp., Sec. 24. Rev. A. Goulet, first resident pastor, officiating.
1877 Oct. 25-David Lavery and Ellen Mortell.
1878 Jan. 14-Alec Girard and Julia Bertrand. Jan. 23-David Sheehan and Mary O'Keefe. Feb. 4-Joseph Caron and Melvina Pare. April 23-Edward Mortell and Delia Morissette. June 30-Christopher Archambeau and Ellen Nevens
Dec. 8-Michael O'Connor and Margaret Durkin.
1879 Jan. 1-Mose Bertrand and Cordillia Mayette .
Rev. Geo. Kerston, officiating as pastor. Oct. 4-Edward Francoeur and Philomena Trem- blay.
1881
1880 Jan. 20-Patrick Scanlon and Margaret Coleman. May 9-Geo. Richard and Melvina Boudreau. Nov. 2-Zephir Pare and Pauline Balthazar. April 21-Philip O'Maley and Johanna O'Connor. July 27-Oscar P. Livingston and Maggie Daylor.
1882 Jan. 22-Alec Desjardin (Gardner) and Josephine Plante.
1883
1884
Feb. 21-William Dalay and Margaret Brown. Sept. 6-Jeremie Aubertin and Caroline Martin. Oct. 30-Frank Gigle and Mary Schnell. April 10-John Morin and Ezilda Denault. Oct. 1-Pierre Legare and Marie Dandrian. Nov. 21-Michael Mortell and Lizzie O'Keefe. Nov. 22-Weston Brule and Carrie Stephens. Feb. 5-Thomas Devine and Mary A. O'Connor. Feb. 20-Thomas O'Connor and Elizabeth B. Power. Feb. 28-Joseph M. Bertrand and Addie Peltier. Dec. 16-William Gigle and Sophia Metska.
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1885 Jan. 15-Michael Scanlon and Mary Devaney. April 5-David Duchene and Georgina Martin. April 8-William Martin and Julia Sheehan. Nov. 21-Mose Betourne and Josephine Regnier. Dec. 30-Thomas Caron and Mathilda Couture. March 2-Alec Levasseur and Adeline Pare. Oct. 19-Neal Mclaughlin and Elizabeth Murphy. Nov. 16-Alfred Caron and Ida Lane.
1886
1887 June 2-Florence Spillane and Maggie Mortell. 1888 Jan. 25-Maurice Sheehy and Ellen O'Connor. May 22-Joseph Provancal and Lizzie Knittel. July 22-Edward Dumas and Mary J. Girard. Nov. 14-J. W. Balf and Anna Mortell. 1889 Jan. 1-Peter Pare and Zedilie Denault. March 5-Alfred Fraser and Josephine Martin. July 9-George Coache and Mary J. Clark. July -John Shea and Maggie Powers. Nov. 19-Arthur Flageole and Agnes Girard. Nov. 20-Jerome Evans and Helena Lewis. Dec. 31-Lucien Plante and Marie Blanchette. Jan. 6-Maurice Connor and Martha Powers. Jan. 15-Francis Balthazar and Sarah Clark. March 13-Felix Frechette and Rose Pare .
1890
Rev. J. E. Levasseur officiating, as pastor.
1891
Oct. 28-Joseph Desnoyer and Emma Plante. Dec. 30-Philias Provencal and Alice Menard. Jan. 14-John Ferris and Margaret Sheehan. Feb. 2-Henry Heeler and Fannie Lewis. Feb. 3-James Mortell and Catherine Moriarty. March 31-Edward Mortell and Mary Sheehan. Dec. 29-Arthur Duval and Mary Herbst. Dec. 31-Ferial (Fred) Denault and Celia Levas- seur.
1892 March 1-Mose Martin and Eugenie Arpin. Aug. 19-Michael Daylor and Anna Keefe. Oct. 26-Edward Soucy and Marie Arpin.
1893 April 24-George Hoffmann and Emilia Dwyer.
1894 April 2-Frank Joseph Stevens and Louise Girard.
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1895
Rev. E. Therien officiating, as pastor pro tem. Jan 2-John Sheehan and Hattie Powers.
St. James Church, Irwin Station. Rev. J. C. Simard officiating, as pastor. Oct. 23-John Rantz and Agnes McGillivray. Oct. 13-Alfonse Gosselin and Marie Girard. 1896
Goodrich Mission Church. Oct. 13-John Senesac and Josephine Gervais. St. James Church, Irwin Station. Dec. 28-George Beland and Josephine Martin. Dec. 29-William Walsh and Mary Ellen O'Neill .
1897
Jan. 5-Henry Begnoche and Amanda Kerouack (Breton).
Jan. 27-William J. Dwyer and Catherine Devanney. Feb. 16-Francis Caron and Ozilda Blanchette.
Feb. 24-Thomas O'Connor and Johanna Sheehan.
Nov. 23-Dennis Blanchette and Anna Arpin.
1898
Goodrich Mission Church. Jan. 1-Remi Denault and Cora Lacost.
St. James Church, Irwin Station.
Feb. 2-William O'Connell and Johanna Conners. Feb. 17-Arthur Gosselin and Catherine Schedler. Feb. 17-Louis Martin and Harriet Schedler.
Feb. 22-Daniel L. Castigan and Mary Levasseur. Oct. 4-John Murphy and Margaret Moriarty.
Oct. 30-David Regnier and Victoria Denault.
Geneological Tables.
O'CONNOR
THOMAS, married Anna Purcell - Born in Dingle, Ireland. Came to America when 18 years old. Died Feb. 7, 1892. Buried in Chebanse.
-
Johanna
MICHAEL, married Ellen Devine Born in Dingle, Ireland. Died
Dec. 28, 1917. Buried at Irwin.
Thomas Mary Michael Elizabeth Johanna Daniel John Helen Grace
JOHANNA
MARY
Michael O'CONNOR . married Mary McMAHON
-
MARY, married Michael Ferris -
Thomas Mary Anne John Elizabeth William Johanna Anna Maurice
WILLIAM, married Margaret Hurley - in 1876. Born in Dingle, Ire- land, 1849. Come to America at the age of 26 years.
1
Daniel Mary
(Sister Mary Gervase) Alexander William Loretta (Sister Mary Protase) Virginia Catherine
TIMOTHY
MAURICE, married Maria Keliher - Born in Paria, Kentucky. Died March 20, 1917.
Thomas Michael Mary Johanna William Honor Maurice Patrick Helen Elizabeth Eva
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O'CONNOR
Mary
MARY
married David Horan
- Raymond Cecilia Hazel
PATRICK
Leo
married Lizzie Ferris
Leonard
JOHANNA
married W. O'Connel
Edwin Francis Lucille Mary Joseph Helen
Rita
Paul
Thomas
JOHN
.
Clarence
married Margaret Castigan
Lucille
Roy
ELLEN
NORA
Irene Edna
Edward
Marie
married Nora Moriarty
Agnes James Lucille Bernard Robert
MICHAEL
Marcella
married Mame Hammond
Margory
Catherine
MAURICE
CATHERINE
Michael O'CONNOR
Born in Kerry County, Ireland.
married Catherine CASTELOO
THOMAS
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SHEEHAN
JULIUS
William Daniel
married
Martin
Mary
Harry
-
May
Leona
married Hattie Powers
-
Eddie
Ella
Elsa
MICHAEL
Michael married Mary Horan ? Agnes
NELLIE
- May
Leo
MAGGIE
Fay
married John Lewis Alice
John
William
Daniel SHEEHAN
married Nora O'CONNOR
ELLEN
MARY
ยง Vera
married George Johnson
George
THOMAS
I. Maggie Donovan - Colman
married
II. Nellie Miller
Lawrence
Bernadette
-
Harrison Mearl Mary Elmer
NORA
married Elmer Morcal
Violet Violese Alice
BRIDGET
LIZZIE
married Hans Nelson
Coleman Margaret Hamilton Vivian Libby
JOHANNA
Earl married Thomas O'Connor Lionel
Dwane
JOHN
Mabel
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DEVINE
PATRICK, died in Utica, Ill. 1868
I. Mary Shea
JOHN
Michael Nellie
married II. Elisabeth Devine
Elisabeth Thomas Catherine Mary
DANIEL
married Johanna Shea
Margaret John Laura
Michael DEVINE married Elizabeth STOCK
MICHAEL
married Bridget Sheehy
Gertrude Thomas Francis Gregory Mary Ellen Michael John Elisabeth Maurice Edward
I. Mary Anne O'Connor
Michael Clarence
THOMAS
married 1
II. Julia Flarity
Francis
ELLEN
married Michael O'Connor.
Thomas Michael William Mary Elisabeth Johanna Daniel John Ellen Grace
Nellie John
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FERRIS
MARY
THOMAS
Mary
Leo
JOHN
Fay
married Margaret Sheehan
Alice
John
William
Michael FERRIS
Laura Thomas
married
JOHANNA
married John Sullivan
Francis Anna
Mary O'CONNOR
Joseph
ELISABETH Leo married John L. O'Connor Leonard
ANNA
MAURICE
married Louise Frazier
-
Thomas
Ireland.
The western territory of Kankakee county numbers among its pioneer settlers emigrants of a small isle of west- ern Europe, sons of the Irish race. It may be of interest to their descendants to be informed concerning the country of their forefathers, hence a short account of Ireland, gath- ered from different sources is herewith presented.
Ireland was known in ancient times as Ierna, Juverna, Hibernia, Ogygia (the ancient island), Inisfall (the island of destiny), Banba, Erin and Scotia (from Scota, daughter of Pharaoh of Egypt and the wife of Milesius who led the first settlement from Spain). The island lies in the Atlan- tic ocean about 50 miles west of England; in length, north and south, 302 miles and in breath ,east and west, 174 miles. Detached mountain chains, 2,000 to 3,000 feet high, grace- ful hills, verdant ranges, beautiful vales and mossy glens are mostly conspicuous in the coast districts of the island, the center being a level plain. The sea penetrates far into the land through long deep valleys. The climate varies be- tween sunshine and showers, yet is healthy notwithstand- ing damp winds, fog and mist. The average rainfall covers the island with a vivid garb of green that has made it known as the Emerald isle. The soil is especially suitable for agriculture and pasturage, the best in Europe. Its lone- ly moving rivers, which sometimes widen into long lakes (loughs) like the magnificent Shannon and its beautiful bays are numerous. Some of Ireland's lakes are far-famed such as the Lakes of Kilarney, whose crystal waters have few equals.
Ireland is known for its bogs (places filled with decay- ed moss and other vegetable matter), where turf is cut for fuel. In the northern part of the island is seen a wonder- ful creation of nature, called the Giant's Causeway. As the name indicates it is a path, a mighty platform of natur- al, regular and varied stone pillars. The country has num-
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erous and varied wild and domestic animals, but is entirely free from venomous reptiles; it abounds with all kinds of grain, and fruit trees thrive well. According to historians, even gold and silver were mined there in remote ages.
Situated in the far northwest of Europe, Ireland was little known in ancient times. It was originally inhabited by various tribes which came from the east and south. One of the tribes was called Gadelinas or Gauls. Little can be said with certainty concerning the first settlers before the fourth century after Christ, when St. Patrick converted the pagan but not barbarious island to the Christian faith.
From the earliest times each province had its own king, and all kings were subject to a monarch residing at Tara, the ancient capital. Each clan comprising a certain num- ber of families was governed by a chief. The laws were dispensed by jurists styled "brehons." In the sixth sentury monasteries and abbeys arose and many students from Eng- land and every part of Europe flocked to these institutions of learning. Ireland was then truly called the island of saints and scholars, the queen of learning, piety and virtue. But soon followed a period of invasions, incursions which lasted for 300 years. Ireland fought against the attacks of the Danes, the Scandinavian sea kings, the Anglo-Norman and England, by which latter nation it was finally con- quered.
The isle of Erin is rich in wonderful prehistiric relics, memorials of Druid paganism, monuments of art and archi- tecture, priceless souvenirs of primitive Christianity. We find the gray cromlech, a burial place formed of great stones resting on smaller ones placed upright; the roth, a circular enclosure formed of raised earth, within which the chief and some of his officers resided; the cairn, a large heap of stones placed over the grave of a king or chief, the pyra- mid of Ireland; stately round towers 60 to 150 feet in height, used as belfries and places of refuge and resembling a minaret; ruined abbeys, castles, Celtic crosses telling of the religious fervor of Ireland's golden age; ogham, stones with crude letters.
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As a rule the people of Irish descent are physically strong and well built. They are a nation to be praised for their industry and the earth is full of their labors-eccles- iastical, mechanical, military and manual. Generally, they live to see an old age. As to their characteristic features they are sensitive, warm-hearted, kind, hospitable, of an enthusiastic and ardent temperament, but cheerful and im- pressionable with a trace of melancholy; liberal, tolerant, charitable, not easily discouraged. Nothing is better known than their irrepressible and brilliant wit and humor. They are possessed by a greatness of soul, a deep religious instinct, a strong attachment to home and country, and despite all the persecutions in past centuries not one Irish traitor is to be found. Ireland is reported to have the least crimes of any European country ; race suicide is not known. It has produced men of valor and ability; a few are here- with mentioned: The immortal Grattan; Daniel O'Connell, whose name will be blessed by all friends of civilization and religious liberty; Father Matthew, the apostle of temper- ance; Wellington and many others.
In the beginnig of the nineteenth century the popula- tion of Ireland was more than eight millions, but is at pres- ent only about five millions. The original language was the Gaelic, a Celtic idiom, a tongue long hushed by perse- cution into silence, but not lulled into death. It is yet spoken and taught in some districts of the island.
The Irish history is rich in legendary folklore, Celtic myths, mythology, "Gaelic fairy tales," poetry. Nation- al music and literature existed for seven hundred years, when all Europe was in intellectual darkness. Many arts were crushed by the invasion of barbarian hordes. But music and songs have revived and play a more or less im- portant part in the story of Erin. The art of singing and music was at first practiced by the ancient bards, with a twelve years' training in schools. The wandering musici- ans-harpists-and singers traveled from court to court and from festival to festival. They were heard among the hills of Wales, the rocky crags of Scotland, the banqueting halls of England, outside the walls of German castles and
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even in the romantic and beautiful mountains of Italy. They are distinguished from the rest of the people by a special garment of five colors, white mantle and a blue cap ornamented with a gold crescent. They were also exempt- ed from paying taxes and had to preserve the records of the tribes and the nation and the genealogies of the fami- lies. They sang and played the exploits and heroic deeds of their race, the sorrows, the joys, the tears and laughter of their people and handed down their story in melody and verse. Vocal culture was considered preferable to musical instruments, the voice being sweeter than the warbling of the melodious harp. This musical instrument was known in Ireland before the fifth century and recognized as the national instrument and appropriately put in the flag of the country. No one's education was complete who could not play the harp. At banquets and social gatherings it was customary to pass the harp from one guest to another. In St. Patrick's time the songs of the bards and the stream of the harp was raised in praise of God. Irish monks went to different parts of Europe to instruct the inmates of mon- asteries the art of music and psalmody.
The little green isle produces everything necessary and useful and could do well without the aid of another country. Its resources lie principally in agriculture, stock raising, fisheries, manufacturing of linen and lace products, re- nowned throughout the world for their excellency, and are capable of supporting 20 millions. Its situation for trade and commerce is splendid and many ancient nations form- erly frequented it beautiful bays and noble harbors. But why is the isle of Erin, so highly favored by nature, not prosperous, may we ask in surprise? Is it idleness? The Irish race is a race of workers, if ever there was one. The reason is rather to be found in oppression, persecution by England, which resulted in untold suffering, cruelties, riots, emigration, miseries and rebellions. And the reasons for these persecutions were in the first place a matter of race question. The Irish people were persecuted because of be- ing Irish. It is doubtful if there has been in the past cen- turies a race more acquainted with cruelties and tyrannies
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which aimed at its extinction, to be replaced by English colonists (landlords) who possessed large holdings, culti- vated by the Irish tenant. A revolt against these usurpers followed. Frightened they returned to England, became "absentees," and had their land administered by agents (middlemen) yet more cruel and exacting. Often the ten- ant, not being in position to raise a sufficient crop to pay the rent, was evicted, driven out of his home and left to starva- tion, he and his family, the dwelling place being destroyed. For a long period of time unbelievable cruel measures were taken and methods used by the English government. Ire- land's would-be conquerers, have been setting fire to Irish homes, and shooting down men, women and children as they fled for their lives. People were gathered in barns and burned alive, others were hanged, children picked up with a bayonet and were whirled in their agony. Men, women and children were sold like slaves. The condition of the Irish peasantry was the most pitiable in Europe. Histor- ians tell us that women and children were found daily perishing in ditches, starved. The bodies of many wander- ing orphans, whose fathers had been killed or exiled, and whose mothers had died in famine, were preyed upon by wolves. In the years 1652 and 1653 the plague followed desolating wars and swept away whole counties, so that for twenty or thirty miles not a living creature could be seen in those desolate places. In twenty years four great fam- ines are recorded. The worst one occurred in 1845 due to the blight and failure of the potatoe crop, which caused starvation and disease, precipitating emigration which con- tinued to depopulate the island to the present time. As a passing mention in 1839 the so-called "big wind" swept over the island, causing great damage.
There is something, however, that touches people more deeply than indifference of the rulers. It is inter- ference with their religion. The second cause of Ireland's sufferings was a religious question. The people were per- secuted because of being adherents to the Catholic faith. This religious persecution began in the time of Henry VIII, increased in the days of Queen Elizabeth, and almost reach-
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ed the climax under Cromwell. But the sufferings and atrocities were most intense in the bloody days that fol- lowed, when the persecutions were cold-bloodedly systema- tized in the Code of Penal Laws, called by a French jurist, the invention by demons, written in human blood and reg- istered in hell. By these laws the Irich Catholic was for- bidden to engage in trade and commerce, forbidden to hold a public office, forbidden to own a horse up to a stipulated value. He could not buy or lease land, receive it as a gift. He was forbidden to vote, to keep arms for self-protection, to receive an education, to exercise his religion. He could not be a guardian of a child or leave at his death his infant children under Catholic guardianship. He could not edu- cate his child at home or abroad, otherwise a dungeon awaited him. Throughout these dreadful times the Catho- lic priest ministered to his flock by stealth; he was hunted and a price put on his head. He who in his younger days had been smuggled to the continent to receive his training celebrated mass at a rock on a remote mountain side, the congregation kneeling under the open heaven. A faithful sentry watched from the nearby hilltop to give timely warn- ing of the approaching priest hunters. If taken by surprise the mass rock was besplattered with the priest's blood; men, women and children slaughtered. Whosoever was convicted of having housed a hunted priest was cruelly done to death. Bishops attended the people dressed in homespuns; they slept in holes in the ground or in bogs. A venerable prelate was led to the scaffold. After a mock trial in London the Archbishop of Armagh was hanged, drawn and quartered.
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