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The Early Irish Settlers in the town of Gardner Massachusetts
By Marie M. Gearan
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Meditation Company warof To -Yearon B. C .-
The only thatched-roofed house now standing in Fierres, County Kerry, Ireland
Photo by Marie M. Gearan June 23, 1932
BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY CHESTNUT HILL, MASS.
THE EARLY IRISH SETTLERS IN THE TOWN OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS
By MARIE M. GEARAN ~
BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY CHESTNUT HILL, MASS,
Read before the GARDNER HISTORICAL SOCIETY January 7, 1932
REFERENCES
History of the Catholic Church, in the New England States. Vol. I and II. Pub. 1899.
History of Gardner. Herrick 1878.
History of Gardner. Glazier 1860.
History of the Catholic Church, Springfield Diocese. Rev. J. J. McCoy, 1900.
A Century of Atlantic Travel. Frank C. Bowen, 1930.
Changing Civilization in the Modern World. Harold Rugg.
Ireland's Story. Johnston & Spencer, 1905.
Letters of Irish Emigration. Edward E. Hale, 1852.
Ireland Past and Present. D. P. Cogyngham, L. L. D., 1883. Irish Pedigrees, by O'Hart, 1881.
Gardner Tax List, 1859-60-67-69-78.
Irish in America. John Francis Maquire, M. P. 1884.
Atlas and Encyclopedia of Ireland. Murphy & M'Carthy Publish- ers, 1902.
History of Royalston. Caswell, 1917.
Atlas of Worcester. F. W. Bears & Co., 1870.
Picturesque Worcester County, Part II North. Kingsley & Knab, 1895.
A Century of Catholicism in Western Massachusetts Diocese of Springfield, by The Mirror, 1931.
History of Worcester County, Gardner, by W. S. Heywood. Vol. I Pages 810-84.
Atlas of Gardner, Massachusetts Maps. Worcester Library. Osca W. Walker & Co., Printed 1886.
FitzGerald's History of Ireland.
Green's History of Ireland.
N. E. Catholic Historical Society Publications, No. 2 - 4.
Worcester Legends.
Recollections 1834 - 1843. Worcester.
Vital Statistics of Ashburnham, Hubbardston, Barre, Petersham, Phillipston, Westminster, Winchendon, Templeton, Athol, Roy- alston, and Gardner.
Church records at:
St. John's Catholic Church, Worcester;
St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Fitchburg;
St. Martin's Catholic Church, Otter River;
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gardner.
THE EARLY IRISH SETTLERS IN THE TOWN OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS
The French author, Andre Siegfried, in his book, "America Comes of Age," says "without the Irish love of amusement, mischief, and disorder, the American atmosphere might have been too heavy to breathe."
John Francis Maquire, M. P. wrote his "Irish In America" in 1884. In that book we find, "One is enabled almost at a glance, to recognize the marked difference between the position of the Irish race in the old country and in the new .... In the old country, stagnation, retrogression, if not actual decay - in the new, life, move- ment, progress: in the one, depression, want of confidence, dark apprehension of the future - in the other, energy, self-reliance, and a perpetual looking forward to a grander development and a more glorious destiny. ... America, of all countries, is the one most suited to the successful transplanting of a race which has in it every essen- tial element of greatness - alertness and vigour of intellect, strength and energy of body, patient industry, courage and daring in battle, cheerful endurance of adversity and privation, quickness of inven- tion, profound faith, with firm reliance in the wisdom and goodness of God, and a faculty of thoroughly identifying itself with institutions, interests, and the honour of its adopted home." Such were the qualities for citizenship which were brought to Gardner almost a century ago by its pioneer immigrant, the Irishman.
The writer feels that her reading and research has covered his story. Time should be taken however to show how Gardner felt Irish influence previous to the past century. The History of Worces- ter county (page 818) gives a list of sixty-five family names as set- tlers of Gardner at the time of her incorporation in 1785. Irish Pedi- grees by O'Hart, a world-recognized authority, contains thirty-six of these names as family names prominent in Irish history. A pure Celtic name is Moore, direct from the line of Ir, the fifth son of Mileus of Spain, who reigned over Ireland jointly with his brothers in 1699 B. C. Descended from more recent royalty we find Wood, in Gaelic, O'Coilligh - from the 40th King of Meath; Holland of County Ulster and County Hy-Maine from Colla de Chrioch, found-
6
The Early Irish Settlers in the
er of that kingdom; and Bacon from the line of Brian Boru, King in 1008. Among prominent families found in Waterford County in 1447 is Jackson; in Dublin as early as the 12th century is Foster; and in Waterford in the seventeenth century is Bolton. On the sub- scription lists of 1642 -1646 are such names as Childs, Eaton, and Richardson. One might go on and show that over half of the original settlers in this city had the honor of bearing a family name renowned in the history of Ireland.
A consideration of the immigration records previous to 1785 will show further Irish influence. After the Irish rebellion of 1641 and the Cromwellian invasion, a new field was opened for the Irish who were driven from their native land. They came to New England and the West Indies as slaves. Johnston and Spencer's Ireland's Story says, "The Commissioners of Ireland under the Commonwealth gave the merchants of Bristol orders directed to the governors of Irish gar- risons, who were to deliver to them the prisoners of war in their keeping. The destitute who were of an age to labor, or, if women, were of marriageable age were also handed over to them, and further directions were given to all in authority to seize those who had no visible means and deliver them to the agents of these British mer- chants. On September 14, 1653 Captain John Vernon contracted to supply two hundred and fifty women of the Irish nation above twelve years and under fifty, from the south of Ireland, and to tran- sport them into New England." This instance is only one of many in history.
In 1771 and 1772 the number of immigrants from Ireland to America amounted to 17,350. From the beginning of the century the proportion of Irish to all other immigrants had been very great. Very many of them were doubtlessly disguised by the fact that they had been compelled by law in some sections (and in other sections influenced by policy) to drop their Celtic family names and to take names like Black, Brown, Smith, and Butler. This change was thought to give a Saxon air. Today a family name alone carries little historical meaning but a century and a half ago there was much less cause for change. If the change was made in New England, one may be sure that it was away from the original Irish stem.
The neighboring town of Barre was named after Colonel Barry, an Irish member of the British parliament, who was kindly disposed toward the Americans during the Revolution. There were also many Irish names among its Revolutionary inhabitants.
7
Town of Gardner, Massachusetts
Elisha Jackson (b. 1739 in Westminster) Gardner's first settler, bore a family name prominent in County Waterford. But even more interesting is the given name of his fifth child and first son, - Sul- livan Jackson. Genealogies show that this was a common given name in this section. The root of Sullivan is Irish suil, the "eye", and suil "the eye" is derived from the Irish sul "the sun", because the "eye" is the light of the body. The old Irish called Sunday "Dial Suil" before the Christian Irish called it "Dia Domhnaigh; the Lord's Day." And great commendation must be given Elisha for naming his eldest son, Gardner's first son, a name which could well mean the light of the settlement as doubtlessly Sullivan Jackson literally was that to Elisha.
This use of Sullivan as a given name was not a traditional family name but given to these children because of the admiration which their parents felt for the famous New England O'Sullivans. Major Philip O'Sullivan, one of the defenders of Limerick, who went to France with Sarsfield after the treaty of Limerick on October 6, 1691, was the grandfather of Major John Sullivan who led a body of armed men on December 14, 1774 to storm the English stronghold of Fort William and Mary at Newcastle, near Portsmouth, N. H. The garri- son was captured, the munitions of war taken and the British flag hauled down. Six months later the powder captured at Newcastle was used at Bunker Hill. Three of Major Sullivan's brothers were likewise officers in the Continental army and two of them became governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 1797 when James Sullivan was defeated for governor of Massachusetts he received 19 votes in Gardner against 16 votes received by his victori- ous opponent, Increase Summer. In 1807 when James Sullivan was elected governor he received 23 votes against 105 of his defeated opponent, Caleb Strong. In 1808 at his reelection Governor Sullivan received 22 votes against 99 of his opponent, Christopher Gore. A score of admirers is evident in these tabulations.
Consider, too, the influence of the Revolutionary stories of Major- General Anthony Wayne, known as Mad Anthony, born of Irish parents; General William Thompson, a native of the North of Ire- land; Major-General Knox of Irish parentage; General William Irving, born in the north of Ireland; Brigadier-General Stephen Moylan, a native of the South of Ireland and brother of the Catholic Bishop of Cork; General Richard Montgomery, born in County Donegal; General John Stark (whose "Irish brogue" Daniel Webster
8
The Early Irish Settlers in the
loved to imitate) of the New Hampshire Irish; and John Barry, the first commander of the American Navy, born in County Wexford. History tells us, furthermore, that there were 16,000 Irish in the ranks in this war.
The Vital Statistics of the surrounding towns give a few more re- cords. In Ashburnham we find on Feb. 14, 1822 Susannah Griffin, wife of Jonathan, died aged 77 years; on Oct. 13, 1838 Patrick Ryan took out a marriage intention with Prudence Gates and on May 5, 1846 John Murphy took out a marriage intention with Mercy Hick- son. In Westminster in the North Cemetery is buried John Flanagan with the date June 18, 1831 on his stone and a church record gives a Mr. Griffin buried in 1827. In Hubbardston, Betsy Kelly of Barre married William M'Clanathan on Aug. 21, 1808 and Patty Kelly of Barre has a marriage intention record with Edmund Clark on Dec. 14, 1809. At least we have Irish ancestry indicated here. The first one or two in each village were the mustard seed of the growth this century has brought. So we know that these early settlers in Gardner had Irish influence about them as they shared the glories of founding and defending these United States of America.
THE FIRST IMMIGRANT
This paper means to consider the Irish Immigrant who has made Gardner his home and the birthplace of his issue. The first Irish settler in Gardner was probably William H. Hogan - His death record at the State House reads: William Hogan - died March 17, 1863 - male - husband - age 47 yrs. 10 mos. 16 da. - cause of death, pluro-pneumonia, residence, Gardner - occupation - chair manufacturer - place of birth, Ireland - parents -? and Mary Hogan - place of birth of parents - Ireland. The same record is in Gardner death records. The record places his birth about May 1, 1825 and proves him an Irish emigrant. He married Emily Greenwood daughter of Walter Greenwood and Rebecca Wright and the birth of a son Walter W. July 17, 1838, (a daughter, Emma R. was born May 2, 1854) places the date of his immigration earlier than 1837. His son's record of death gives his father's birthplace as Quebec. This leads one to surmise that he may have come to Gardner via Canada. He married at the age of 21. It is noted at this time that a Hubbardston Church Record found in Hubbardston Vital Statistics gives the death of Hogan, child of George Hogan, June 18, 1826.
In the tax record of 1859 we find William Hogan taxed for the
9
Town of Gardner, Massachusetts
following valuation: estate lives on $1100, one carriage $55, twelve shares So. Gardner Chair Manufacturing Co. $600, total valuation $1755, tax $17.04. Hogan & Co. were taxed for store and lot $1500, chairshop privilege and out buildings $5000, stock in trade $8500, one horse $60, total valuation $15,060, - tax $120.48. The Hogan house on the 1870 map of Gardner is located on West Broadway near So. Main Street on the north side leaving South Gardner. It is now occupied by Paul Stevens a descendant. Though other Hogans settled in Gardner there seems to be no relationship.
Herrick's history makes no mention of the first immigrant though it states "the early settlers were mostly English in descent, but within the past thirty years, there has been a gradual increase of Irish and French, till now the foreign born population and their descendants, constitute quite a percent of the whole number of inhabitants." (Page 68). As this book was written in 1878, this record would place the date of immigration roughly at 1848.
Glazier's history makes no mention of the Irish though when it was written in 1860, the 1859 tax list had exactly 100 tax-payers born in Ireland. The total valuation on their property was almost $22,000. There were 33 poll taxes bringing in $48. This record shows that about $1,000 to every $25,000 in real estate valuation and one poll tax payer to every 25 on March 4, 1858 were "Irish citizens" (as the early edition of the Gardner News refers to them). Glazier does list Hogan & Co. on the tax list of 1885 where taxes of $20. and upward were paid, this concern paying $57.12. The valuation of this concern is not used in the proportionate computation previously quoted.
The History of Worcester County (p. 857) speaks of the first Irish as the "pioneer Catholic". It says, however, "who the pioneer Catholics were or when they settled Gardner is involved in mystery. The most reliable information dates their coming in the year 1845." Because the information obtained is based on Catholic records the larger part of this thesis is dealing with the Irish Catholic of Gardner.
Among records accessible are the baptism and marriage records of the Catholic Church. Just as the city of Gardner has gathered its geographical extent from Winchendon, Templeton, Hubbardston, Westminster, and Ashburnham so the Catholic settlement reached into Worcester, Fitchburg, Jonesville (Otter River), Ashburnham, and Winchendon parishes; for not until 1870 was there a Catholic parish here. The records were kept by the pastors of the parishes in
10
The Early Irish Settlers in the
the stations mentioned. One must consider their contribution now to see who these pioneer Catholics were.
On the tenth day of April 1805 Dr. Matignon baptized a child in the Fitton family of Boston. This child James became the great mis- sionary of New England and the builder of the first Catholic Church within the lines of the diocese of Springfield which includes Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, Hampshire and Worcester Counties. Bishop Cheverus confirmed him and began his education for the ministry and Bishop Fenwick completed his training and ordained him a priest in the Roman Catholic Church in the ember days of December, 1827. On July 7, 1834, at Worcester he laid the corner-stone of the first church - Christ's Church and began his records. His first coming was sometime between 1832- 1834. Up to that time no record tells of a single priest stationed within the lines of what is now the Springfield Diocese. Any Irishman who had settled here previous to this date (1832 - 1834) could find no way to practice or pass on the Catholic faith if he possessed it. (This is the story of the issue of Major Philip O'Sullivan) Besides his carefully kept records Father Fitton wrote two books; his "Diary" and "Sketches of the Church in New England." A brief survey of his record will give a better appreciation of his contribution. The following is taken from the baptismal record at St. John's Church, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Year
No. of baptisms
Remarks
1833
5
1834
38 (3 converts)
1835
65 (5 converts)
1836
91
1837
216
records in the diary a mass at Templeton.
1838
132 (3 converts)
1839
133 (3 converts)
1840
99 (4 converts)
1841
121
1842
193
1843
211
1844
227
On April 28, 1840, he baptized at Templeton Agnes (b. Apr. 3, 1833); Amelia Ann (b. July 3, 1835) and John (b. Aug. 20 1839) children of Patrick and Mary O'Brien; sponsors, Patrick and Catherine Moran. On the same day were baptized at Templeton
11
Town of Gardner, Massachusetts
George (b. Feb. 12, 1838) and Mary Ann (b. Oct. 4, 1839) children of Patrick and Catherine Moran, sponsors, Patrick and Mary O'Brien. The oldest O'Brien child was born in 1833, it will be noted. The history of the Catholic Church in New England gives Patrick O'Brien as one of the earliest known Catholics in Templeton. His house was not more than one-half mile from the Gardner boundary line in Otter River. It stood and still stands near the foundry. It seems that he probably settled in the vicinity before 1833 (the birth of his oldest child) for if he came in to the country via New York, Boston or Canada after his oldest child was born, she undoubtedly would have been baptized.
On Aug. 29, 1842 Father Fitton again visited the home of Patrick and Mary O'Brien and baptized Edward Henry (b. Mar. 19, 1842) ; sponsors, Martin and Elizabeth Burness. The same day two more children were baptized - Thomas (b. Nov. 6, 1841, s. of Martin and Eliza Burness - sponsors Patrick and Mary O'Brien) and Henrietta (b. Aug. 21, child of Oliver and Harriet Oliviere - sponsors Joseph Lanviere and Auget Gaudet). Here we have the first French record in the locality. On Apr. 6, 1845, the mission was taken by Father Mathew W. Gibson.
Before one inspects Father Gibson's records, great tribute must be paid to Father James Fitton. A recent edition of "A Century of Catholicism in Western Massachusetts" by the "Mirror," Springfield, Mass. says, "A missionary extraordinary, tireless laborer in the Master's Vineyard, first celebrant of Holy Mass in towns from Boston to Berkshire, from Rhode Island to the New Hampshire line, donor of the land on which Holy Cross College now stands. His baptismal name is recalled by Mount St. James, on which the Holy Cross group towers, and his family name by Fitton Athletic Field." Though no definite record shows that he was needed or did visit Gardner, he surely went thru the villages on his missions and the picture of him carrying that faith so precious to thousands of Gardner residents today is one not to be passed by."
The History of the Catholic Church in The Diocese of Springfield by Rev. John J. McCoy, P. R. states that the first Irish Catholic in Gardner was Thomas Carroll. An old story is told that Mr. Levi Heywood met him at the dock, hired him to come to work for him in Gardner, bought him a ticket, tagged him with a card bearing his (Mr. Heywood's) name, Gardner, and saw him on the train. Mr. Heywood went into business about 1844 with Moses Wood of Provi-
12
The Early Irish Settlers in the
dence and his younger brother Seth Heywood. This company worked thus until 1847. He may have hired Thomas Carroll himself or he may have sent an order for help to those whose business it was to place the immigrant. The "tag" story points to the latter. Thomas Carroll worked all his life for the Heywood Company. More details of this Thomas Carroll will follow, but it seems fitting here to stop and consider the Irish emigrant of 1845 - 1850.
IMMIGRATION CONDITIONS
Large merchant sailing vessels built to carry raw products from the United States to England in 1845 transported most of the 58,538 souls who came from Great Britain to the U. S. A large portion were Irish.
Records of passenger lists on vessels entering Boston from 1848 on are at the State House. These early lists are arranged chronologically giving (1) the date of landing, (2)the name of passenger, (3) his age, (4) last place of residence, (5) place of sailing, (6) the name of the ship and notations of the number of passengers "bonded", "landed free" or "died" with the captain's signature sometimes. For lack of time the writer has but one record. Her maternal great grandfather, Timothy Conway and his sister-in-law, Mary Mountain both aged 30, were found registered on the "Hope" sailing from Cork, their last residence (and of all on board) Ireland, arriving at Boston November 25, 1849. Two passengers died on the trip, 258 were landed free (Timothy Conway and Mary Mountain among them) and 61 were bonded. On the same day the Anglo Ann (with one passenger here before, one died, 46 bonded and 259 landed free) and the O. H. Glidden (with 219 landed free, 49 bonded and two died) came into port with all on board from Ireland. No captain's names were signed. A "bonded" passenger signified poverty and was an arrange- ment made between State and Ship Company whereby the Company paid a sum which released them from further responsibility for the passenger.
The transportation of these people "from one climate, government and state of society to another wholly different" is given as "the most remarkable social phenomenon of our time" by Mr. Edward Everett Hale, Unitarian minister of Worcester, Mass. (1846- 1856), author of "A Man Without a Country."
The average passage money for an adult may be called twenty dollars: for a child fifteen dollars. The emigrants usually were
13
Town of Gardner, Massachusetts
brought together and put on board the ship at Liverpool or Cork by some "passenger broker". There were instances of fraud and cruelty on the part of these men but both the English and United States governments tried to rectify this condition by law. The British Statute of 1849 and its amendments of 1850; and those of the United States of Feb. 22 and Mar. 2, 1847 and May 17, 1848 had provisions for vessels with emigrants from Great Britain to the United States. "The American Statutes require that the space on deck unoccupied by stores or goods (except passenger's baggage) shall average fourteen square feet for each passenger, (man, woman, or child.) on board, excepting infants not one year old. If, between decks, there is not a space six feet high, the average must be sixteen square feet a passenger; - and if less than five feet high, there must be twenty-two square feet a passenger. If an orlop deck be fitted for passengers, they are allowed an average of thirty square feet. For the violation of these provisions there is a penalty of a fine of $50. or imprisonment for one year, as for misdemeanor. There may not be more than two tiers of berths on any deck: - the decks must be real decks, firmly built with floors, six inches above their timbers. Nor may any berths be smaller than six feet by eighteen inches." (Taken from the second letter by Mr. Hale.)
In 1852 to secure the passengers against their own want of fore- sight in providing stores, these statutes required that each vessel in providing stores shall be furnished with provisions, on the following scale for each passenger.
American Acct.
Water
60 gals.
British Acct. 521/2 gals.
Ship bread
15 pounds
50
pounds
Wheat flour
10 pounds
20
pounds
Oat meal
10 pounds
60 pounds
Rice
10 pounds
40
pounds
Salt pork
10 pounds
221/2 pounds
Peas and beans
10 pounds
Potatoes
35 pounds
potatoes may be sub- stituted for meal or rice: 5 lbs. for one.
The English act required that these supplies shall be served one twentieth part twice every week; the United States act required one tenth served every week with sufficient fuel for cooking. The maxi- mum length of sailing prepared for was ten weeks. Some ships were on the high seas twelve and fourteen weeks. Many of the passengers
14
The Early Irish Settlers in the
suffered intensely. Pestilence reigned on some ships. Those in the early forties were the most dreadful. Food was unjustly given out, water withheld or served putrid. It is a miracle more contagion did not result.
A large portion of the immigrants had been sent for by relatives. Others were out to find their own way. How Thomas Carroll happen- ed to "come out" is unknown, but it was but a short time before he had sent for others of his own family - parents, brothers, and sisters - until by 1853 all were here. When Timothy Conway and Mary Mountain came here they knew no one. One story is told of how they walked from Boston to North Ashburnham asking for work on the farms on the way. As the railroad was built at that time, it is easy to see why they chose that route. Timothy Conway found work on a farm in North Ashburnham and those people obtained work in the house of Levi H. Sawin for Mary Mountain. Miss Lucy Sawin, a daughter of Levi H. Sawin says, "Mary Mountain worked for my mother 28 years over a period of 35 years, as she was away several times to help take care of her family. As she could save the money, she helped her brothers and sisters to come here. She came in a sailing vessel which took about a month to come".
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