The pre-revolutionary Irish in Massachusetts, 1620-1775, Part 5

Author: Donovan, George Francis, 1901-
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: [Menasha, Wis.] : [George Banta Pub. Co.]
Number of Pages: 340


USA > Massachusetts > The pre-revolutionary Irish in Massachusetts, 1620-1775 > Part 5


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14



42


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS


TABLE III.


1763


1764


1765 1766


1767


1768


1769


Total


2. Domestic


Servant


0


26


1


86


18


0


0


131


Coachman


0


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


Total


0


27


1


86


18


. 0


0


132


3. Business


Merchant


2


1


3


3


1


0


0


10


Trader


1


0


2


3


3


0


0


9


Bookkeeper


0


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


Clerk


0


0


0


0


1


0


0


1


Total


3


2


5


6


5


0


0


21


4. Professional


Teacher


0


1


0


3


0


0


0


4


Clergyman


0


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


Physician


0)


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


Gentleman


0


0


0


1


0


0


0


1


Total


0


3


0


4


0


0


0


7


5. Agricultural


Farmer


0


0


2


1


£


0


1


1 .


5


Total


0


0


2


1


0


1


1


5


6. Military


Soldier


3


1


0


0


1


4


0


9


Marine


2


0


0


0


0


0


0


2


Ensign


0


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


Total


5


2


0


0


1


4


0


12


GRAND TOTAL


8


34


8


97


24


5


1


=


177


of only .021. In the agricultural group only five are listed, indicat- ing the relatively low percentage of .015.


Before the sixties came to a close one more fact stood out in regard to Irish participation in Boston life. On Bonner's map of Boston sixteen places of worship are located as existing between 1743 and 1769, one of which was the "Irish Meeting-House."208


One of the most momentous events in eighteenth century Ameri- can history was the Boston Massacre, which took place on March 5, 1770. Of the five men killed in the Massacre, one, Patrick Carr, was an Irishman, thirty years of age. He worked for a Mr. Field, a


43


PLYMOUTH AND BOSTON


leather-breechers-maker on Queen Street.209 With a mortal wound on his body he lingered till March 14 when he died. His funeral was attended three days later by a large number of people. The remains were buried in the same grave with the four other victims. The unmarked spot was near the Checkly tomb, where was laid the remains of Samuel Adams.210 Some of the testimony in the trial proved his Irish identity beyond a doubt. His surgeon, Dr. John Jeffries, said that "he [Carr] told me also, he was a native of Ireland, . . . that he had seen soldiers often fire on the people in Ireland, but had never seen them bear half so much before they fired in his life."211 At four o'clock on the afternoon of the day before he died ". . . he then particularly said he forgave the man, whoever he was, that shot him; he was satisfied he had no malice, but fired to defend himself."212 John Adams spoke at the trial of Attacks, with his "mad behavior" and of "Carr from Ire- land" as the leaders of "their thoughtless enterprises," who were at the head of "such a rabble of negroes. "213 During the trial an Irish element on the British side was in evidence. A Captain Barbason O'Hare of the British army was among those who testified.21+ Another captain in the British army, John Riordan, also testified.215 Four of the thirteen British soldiers of the 29th regiment brought up for trial had Irish names. They were all classed as laborers. Their names were William M'Cauley, Matthew Kilroy, John Carrol and James Hartegan.216 Through a messenger, a Mr. Forrest, the "Irish infant," "with tears streaming from his eyes," John Adams was obtained as a defense attorney by Captain Preston, who commanded the troops that fired upon the inhabitants. He wished to obtain Mr. Adams as a counsel for Preston which he did, paying Adams a single guinea as a retain- ing fee.217


In 1773 one brief indication of wealth was the marriage of Rose, servant of Mrs. Margaret Malony, to Cato, the servant of Mr. Nathan Spear. The marriage ceremony was performed on August 23 by Reverend Samuel Stillman.218 The year 1744 was marked by two unusual incidents. Joseph Massie printed in Boston a work entitled An Account of the Trade between Ireland and London, the edition amounting to one thousand copies,219 while William Cunningham came to the town with some Irishmen whom he had kidnapped with the intention of selling them as indentured


44


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS


servants. Later, Cunningham became keeper of the provost jail in New York. He confessed that he had resorted to the kidnapping of Irish people.220


Marriage-records for the period 1730-1775 throw important light upon the numbers of Irishmen and Irishwomen in the town. There was a very general increase in marriages over those of the first era, 1700-1730. In the thirties a decided increase was noted. During 1730 three Irish persons, Margaret Dillon, Edward Kelley and John Quinn, were married to non-Celtic parties.221 In 1731 Sarah Connely, Walter Dougherty, John Fitchgerel, James Kelley, Mary Logen, Cornelius Mahony and Patrick Rouck were married, all to non-Irish partners.222 For 1732 there is the marriage of Jeremiah Fitch Patrick to Sarah Manning and also the marriages of Katharine Cunningham and James Obryon.223 Margaret Corran, Ann Noland and Dennis Collehan were parties to three separate marriages in 1733.224 In 1734 Terence Kelly was married to Mary Odell and John Mooney to Margaret McDaniel, while Mary Bryon, William Dougherty, Anne Maccarty and Dennis McGutre were married to non-Celtic persons.225 The year 1735 witnessed the following parties entering into marriage contracts : Eleanor Maccarty, James O'Brain, John O'Bryan, James Moore, Mary Patty, Paddy Purcell male and Michael Shaughnashy.226 During 1736 James Barry, Arthur Cavenno, Daniel Cavenaugh, William Connors, Elisabeth Maccarty, Margaret Maccarty and Mary Moran were parties to marriage while Elisabeth Maccarty became the wife of Joseph Dunnel.227 In 1737 Michael Geoghegan, Wil- liam Hogan, Elisabeth Kelley, Jane Kelly, William Lynch, and Mary Magenas appeared on the marriage lists.228 The year 1738 numbered the largest number of Irish marriages during the thirties. Among the persons married in that year were William Burk, Florence Carty, Mary Carty, Charles Henesey, Elizabeth Kelly, Cornelius Linch, Elizabeth Maccarty, Jeremiah Maccarty, John McCarty, Mary Maccarty, Michael McCarty, John Mack- guire, Robert Harley, Mary McMennin, Daniel Ryan, Michael Shaughnashy, John Sullivan and Mary Driskill.229 In 1739 John Hayes was married to Cicely Barry, James Barrey to Ann Creagh, John Welsh to Julian Dunowho, John Grady to Elenor Sullivan, and William Morfy to Ann Ireland. Those married to non-Irish parties were James Dihue, Barrey Dillon, Richard Dillen, Mary


45


PLYMOUTHI AND BOSTON


Droughady, Esther Eagin, Patrick Finn, Martin Kelley, Elenor Malony, Bridget Mecabe, and Mary Rork.230 During the decade, 1730-1740, there were thirteen marriages in which both parties were of Irish extraction, an increase of four over the number for 1720-1730. The total number of Irish names in the Boston mar- riage records, 1730-1740, was eighty-five, an increase of forty-five over the figure for the preceding decade.


The years 1740-1750 point still more to the numerical growth of the Irish element. In 1740 Richard Barry was married to Kath- arine McCarthy, Patrick Burk to Anna Connolly, John Toole to Ann Maloney, Cornelius Ryon to Mary Makinerney, and Phillip Spolly to Katharine Crowley. Elizabeth Macarty, Timothy Mac- carty, and John Whelan took non-Irish partners.231 In the course of 1741 Patrick Corkery was married to Eliza McCarthey, John Hogan to Mary Cummins, and Merte Kelly to Jane Kelly. Parties to marriages with non-Celtic persons were John Bryan, Phillip Carrigan, John Kelly, John McMurfy, Margaret Mooney, Peter Murfey and Thomas Patrick.232 In 1742 there took place the marriage of Phillip Makning to Katharine Conner, of Bartholo- mew Fennecy to Margaret Lawlor, of Daniel McCarty to Neley Finnicey and of John Ryan to Margaret Clark. John Hogan, James McLaughlin, and John Sullivan were also married during the year.233 In 1743 Cornelius Sullivan was joined in wedlock to Honer Cartzy, James Connelly, to Jean Duglass, William Morris, to Eliza Corkery, John Kelly, to Elinor Burn and James Kanney, to Margaret Maccarty. Others married were Michael Geoghe- gan, John Kelly, Robert Legan, Daniel McCarty, the Reverend Thaddeus Maccarty, Florence Mahony and Alice Tool.234 The year 1744 was the most important year numerically. Thomas Barrey was married to Judith Collins, Patrick Cooney to Ann Bryan, Danby Cavener to Anstis Tool, Andrew Fitzgerald to Mary Donaly, Thomas Dugen to Elizabeth Haley, Thomas Phe- land to Hannah Finn, James O'Bryan to Ann Murphy, Thomas Obrian to Jane Murphy and John Phelun to Hannah Finn ; Mar- garet Callihan, Katharine Conolly, Catharine Donovan, Patrick Hogan, Bartholomew Linch, John Raegen and Patrick Vady.235 In 1745 Michael Bourk was united in matrimony with Jane Bryan, Matthew Donallen with Mary Cock and John Maden with Katharine Donnawen. Cicely Barry, Dennis Dennaven, Mary


4


46


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS


Eagane and William Fitzgerald were also joined in wedlock.236 In 1746 Bartholomew Collogan became the husband of Bridget Brenning, Timothy Fitch of Abigail Donahew, Thomas Cahil of Mary Maccarty, John O'Brien of Susanna Gee, Patrick Sinot of Abigail Faitch. Parties uniting with non-Irish persons included John Conner, Eleanor Conally, Darby Fitzpatrick, Mary Hegan, Susannah Kelley, Margaret Maccarty, John Murfey, Susanna Ryan and Michael Sullivan.237 In 1747 Felix Hogan was married to Ann Sullivan, Patrick Malloney to Jane McGuire, Mark Mc- Klauglan to Ruth Kanney, William Moore to Joan Obryan and John Phelen to Johannah Sulavan. In the same year Adam Cavenaugh, Esther Egin, Patrick Lynch, Patrick Mahar, John Ryan and Patrick Welch were also united in matrimony.238 For 1748 the figure is lower. John Fluharty took Elizabeth Foye for a wife. James Fennese, Michael FitzGerald, Thomas Fitz Patrick, John Hogan and Patrick Lench united with non-Irish parties.239 (The last year, 1749, was marked by a decided increase over (1748). Charles Dunn was married to Eleanor Conner, John Keal- ley to Mary Leamon, William Thomas to Mery Logan and James McCarty to Elizabeth Montgomery. The names John Denovan, Mary Fitzgerald, Prudence Geagan, John Gready, James Kelley, David Obriant, John Sullivan and Tobias Toole were also on the marriage-rolls.240 In this decade, 1740-1750 there were forty-four marriages to which both parties were Irish, an increase of thirty- one over the number for the decade 1730-1740. The total number of Irish names was one hundred and forty-seven, an increase of sixty-two over the number for the preceding decade.


For the decade 1750-1760 a considerable reduction is noted in the number of Irish persons who were parties to marriage. In 1750 Christopher Linch was married to Deborah Moar, Patrick MacDaniel to Margaret Hays, and Patrick McKirgon to Ann Rock. Elizabeth Burck, Thomas Heargarty, Sarah Hensey and James Linch were joined to non-Irish parties.241 In 1751 a de- crease was noted. Thomas Cogin, Ann Conner, William Fitz- gerald, Hugh O'Bryan and Ambrose Rion were married to non- Celtic persons.242 An increase was observed in 1752 when Michael Butler was married to Jane Gyles, John Molony to Margaret Smith and Thomas Obrian to Mary Obrian. Catharine Driskell, Catharine Fitzgerald, Mary Kelley, Patrick Lary, James Bready,


47


PLYMOUTH AND BOSTON


John Maloney, Lydia Newgent, Ambrose Ryan and Cornelius Sullivan were also married in 1752.243 In 1753 a slight decrease took place. Michael Fitzgerald was married to Joanne Gorman and Patrick Whealan to Ann Burns. Those married to persons not of Irish extraction were Elizabeth Carty, Eleanor Connil, Laughlin Flannagan, John Flin, John Lary, Elizabeth Linch, Phillip Ma- honey and James Obriant.244 A further increase was noted in 1754. Christopher Linch was married to Mary Higgins, John Carlaion to Mary Keefe, James FitsSymmonds to Judith Kalley and Wil- liam Patterson to Elizabeth Murphy. John Brian, Francis Coner, Mary Fitzgerald, Hannah Hogain, Patrick Kelley, William Kelley, Elizabeth Linch, Daniel Murphy, Sarah Nolan, Michael Now- land, John Riordan, Luke Ryan and Mary Sullivan were married to non-Irish persons.245 A decrease was noted in 1755. Patrick Hobane was married to Mary Hobane. Honour Condun, James Fennesey, Mary Fitzgerald, James Hennesey, William Kelly, Elizabeth Linch were also married.246 Another increase came in 1756. Fatrick Connelly was married to Mary Cocks, William Toamy to Margaret Dunnavan and Edmund Flemming to Mary Flannakin. The following Irish persons were also married in 1756: Susanna Boyl, Mary Brian, Adam Cavenah, Grissel Dun- navan, Eleanor Flanekin, Richard Hannessy, Peter Hennesy, John Kelley, Christopher Linch, John Murfey, Mary Quig, Dennis Shehan and John Sullivan.247 In 1757 another decrease was noted. Only one marriage between Irish parties was observed, the mar- riage of Daniel Ryan to Ann McCoy. Others married in the same year were John Barry, Mary Connor, Catharine Fitzpatrick, Kath- arine Hoar, John Hurley, Patrick Kelley, William Nowlan and John Ryan.248 A slight increase took place in 1758. Dennis Shehan was married to Mary Callanan, Daniel Conely to Mary Clark, and Daniel Lacey to Mary Swinney. Thomas Casey, Charles Con- ner, James Dogharty, Elizabeth Hogan, Hannah Kelley, Joseph Mooney and Timothy Ryan were also married.249 The last year 1759 was marked by a very small increase. Thomas Casey was married to Mary Moore, James Roach to Mary Fitsgerald and Roger Ryan to Ann McGuire and in the same year William Fennacey, Rebecca Flanagan, John Hickey, William Kelley, Gil- bert Logan, Daniel McCarthy, Catherine Ryan, and Timothy Sullivan.250 For the decade 1750-1760 the number of marriages


0


48


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISHI IN MASSACHUSETTS


to which Irish persons were both parties was twenty-three, a decrease of twenty-one marriages under the number for 1740-1750. The total number of Irish names was one hundred and twenty- nine, a decrease of eighteen over that for 1740-1750.


In the decade from 1760-1770 a further decrease took place. Timothy Brian was married to Elizabeth McElroy and Isaac Fowle to Abigail Linch in 1760. In the same year Margaret Burch, Elizabeth Burk, Margaret Fitzgerald, Christian Hay, Mary Kelley, Florence McCarty, Prudence McFadden, James Roach and Patrick Walsh were parties to marriage.251 In 1761 William Bryant was married to Mary Casey, Richard Welch to Hannah Hayes, John Hogen to Mary Hoburne and Maurice Kieffe to Mary Fleming. Andrew Lynch, Walter Logan, Mary Moony. Bridget Murphy, Thomas Molen, James Reilly and Moses Roach were also married in 1761.252 A slight increase was observed in 1762. Michael Condon was married to Abbey Sullivan and Thomas Hase to Susanna McMurphy. Other persons of Irish extraction married in the same year were Charles Callahan, Judith Doharty, Michael Fitzgerald, Nicholas Fitzgerald, Rebecca Flanagan, Ann Geoghean, Sarah Henesy, Edward Kelley, John Quill and Timothy Rearden.253 1763 represented another increase. Francis Butler was married to Mary Condon, Patrick Dealy to Susanna Clark, John Fitzgerald to Mary Welch and Bartholomew Curtain to Eleanor Magee. Other Irish persons married in 1763 were Patrick Barritt, Mary Connell, Margaret Donahew, Katharine Drisscal, Michel Murphy, Nicholas Murphy, Richard Ryan, Mary Shay and Valentine Sullivan.254 The year 1764 was a very weak one. Three Irish persons were married to non-Celtic parties, Margaret Fiz- jarrell, John Molloy and Margaret Sullivan.255 A slight Increase came in 1765 when Michael Burch was married to Catharine Hoar, Michael Doyl to Elenor Higgins, Stephen Hayes to Mary Nolen and Matthew Hoggen to Jane Negles. Mary Burch and Mary Hurley were married in the same year to persons not of Irish extraction.256 Conditions remained unchanged in 1766. Thomas Roach married Judah Cunningham. A Captain Lewis FitzGarril, Mary Hogan, Katharine Linch, Patrick Sennet and John Sullivan were married to persons of other racial stocks.257 The number dropped in 1767. Michael Doyel was married to Margaret Neal and Patrick Haring to Susanna McMullins in that year. Other Irish


49


PLYMOUTH AND BOSTON


persons married in 1767 were Mary Driscoll and Katharine Ryon.258 A fair gain was made in 1768. Patrick Wall was married to Katharine Sennet, while Constantia Condon, John Connell, Anna Dunnaven, Timothy Noonane and Catherine Quin were married to members of other races.259 Next to 1763, the year 1769 was the largest, numerically, of the sixties. John McLane and Anna Conner were joined in marriage, while Jane Boyle, James Hartigan of the 29th regiment, Jean Hays, Mrs. Mary Hennesy, John Kelly, Susanna McMurphy, Edward Mulloy, Mar- garet Querk, Judith Roach, Thomas Roach, Timothy Ryan and Honora Solivan were married to representatives of other racial stocks.260 For the decade 1760-1770, the number of marriages. having both parties of Irish extraction was twenty-three, a num- ber equal to that of the preceding decade of 1750-1760. The total number of persons of Irish extraction was one hundred and six, a decrease of twenty-three under that for the years 1750-1760.


The decade of the 70's is taken only to 1775 since the Revolu- tionary period begins in that year. The number will be smaller consequently but for purposes of comparison the decade as far as 1775 will be given. In 1770 the following persons with Irish names were married : Ann Collahan, John Condon, Samuel Condon, John Doyle, Martha Fitzgerald, Timothy Flourthy, Barbary Murphy, George Mahony, Thomas Murphey, Michael Ryan, Margaret Sul- livan and Willian Sweeny.261 A decrease took place in 1771. James Butler was married to Margaret Fitzgerald. In the same year Sarah Burk, Sarah Flanagan, Patrick Fleiming, David Linch, Nicholas Murphy, William Murphy and Catharine Ryan were married to non-Irish parties.262 There was a gain in 1722. Patrick Herrin was married to Sarah Ryan and John Leary joined Cath- erine Foley in marriage. Others married in the same year were John Boyles, Michael Burk, Mary Doyle, Thomas Dugan, Patrick Dunn, Mary Flinn, Margaret Hearnes and Jeremiah Hurley.263 In 1773 a large increase was recognized. John Callahan was mar- ried to Mary Macnamara, Daniel Hickey to Uslier Raden, Josiah Hurley to Elizabeth McClelan and Nicholas Murphy to Sarah Leamon. In the same year Mitchel Conner, James Fitzgerald, Thomas Flinn, William Hurley, Patrick Kinney, Mary Madden, Luke Maccarty, Nabby Mulligan, Ann Roach and Daniel Rourke were also married but to persons not of Irish origin.264 A decrease


50


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS


made the last year of the period a rather weak one in numbers. Persons with Irish names who married in 1774 were a Captain John Callahan, Richard Condon, Mrs. Margaret Connell, Sarah Dunnaven, Dennis Flin, Michael Flinn, Lydia Hurley, Thomas Madden, Michael Molloney, and Mary Roch.265 Seven of the mar- riages had both parties from Irish stock, a decrease of sixteen under the number of similar marriages for the decade 1760-1770. There were sixty-one Irish names, a reduction of forty-five under the number for the years 1760-1770.


TABLE IV.200


NUMBER OF IRISH AND MIXED MARRIAGES IN BOSTON, 1700-1774.


Ycars


Irish Marriages


Mixed Marriages


Total


1700-1710


0


15


15


1710-1720


4


29


33


1720-1730


11


20


31


1730-1740


13


59


72


1740-1750


44


59


103


1750-1760


23


83


106


1760-1770


23


60


83


1770-1775


7


47


54


125


372


497


TABLE V.200


NUMBER OF IRISH AND MIXED MARRIAGES IN BOSTON, 1700-1774.


Years


Irish Marriages


Mixed Marriages


1700-1710


.000


1.000


1710-1720


.122


.87


1720-1730


.355


.645


1730-1740


.181


.819


1740-1750


.428


.572


4


1750-1760


.217


.783


1760-1770


.278


.722


1770-1775


.130


.870


Average


.252


.748


A brief explanation of tables IV, V and VI will indicate their importance. The term "Irish Marriage" means a marriage to which both parties were Irish. The term "Mixed Marriage" means a marriage to which only one of the parties was Irish. Table IV shows the peak period in Irish marriages to be 1740-1750, when forty-four were recorded. In the years 1750-1760 mixed marriages


51


PLYMOUTH AND BOSTON


TABLE VI.286


NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF IRISH MALES AND FEMALES IN BOSTON MARRIAGES, 1700-1774.


Years


Number of Males


Percentage


Number of Females


Percentage


Total


1700-1710


8


.533


7


.467


15


1710-1720


26


.702


11


.298


37


1720-1730


29


.690


13


.310


42


1730-1740


54


.635


31


.365


85


1740-1750


89


.605


58


.395


147


1750-1760


75


.580


54


.420


129


1760-1770


51


.481


55


.519


106


1770-1774


38


.622


23


.378


61


370 Average .595


252


Average .405


622


rose to eighty-three. This period also shows the highest total num- ber of marriages, one hundred and six. The mixed marriages always form more than one-half of the total marriages, reaching the very high percentages of 1.000, .878 and .87 in the periods 1700-1710, 1720-1730 and 1770-1775, respectively. Table V is simply a restatement of Table IV in percentage form. Table VI shows, e.g., both numerically and in percentages the gradual growth of the Irish female in Boston. From 1710 to 1770 there is a noticeable rise in the proportion of Irish females to the total num- ber of Irish persons. The average for the years 1700-1774, namely 59.5 indicates, however, that the male was still holding the advan- tage in numerical superiority. The table also records the number


TABLE VII.29;


NUMBER OF IRISH IN IRISH AND MIXED MARRIAGES.


Years


Irish Marriages


Mixed Marriages


Total


1700-1710


0


15


15


1710-1720


8


29


37


1720-1730


22


20


42


1730-1740


26


59


85


1740-1750


88


59


147


1750-1760


46


83


129


1760-1770


46


60


106


1770-1775


14


47


61


250


372


622


52


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS


TABLE VIII.217


IRISH POPULATION GROWTH IN BOSTON, 1680-1770.


Years


Irish


Total


Percentage of Irish


16802 **


65


4500


.012


1690


76


7000


.010


1700


81


6700


.012


1710


96


9000


.010


1720


366


11000


033


1730


389


13000


.029


1740


468


17000


.027


1750


687


15731


.043


1760


699


15631


.044


1770


1368


15520


083 €


of persons who were parties to marriage. The lowest figure is for the period 1700-1710 when only fifteen persons were married and the highest figure is for 1740-1750 when one hundred and forty- seven were married. This represents a growth of 8.8 per cent. for che period 1710-1750.


TABLE IX.


NUMERICAL GROWTH OF IRISH SKILLED AND UNSKILLED LABOR IN BOSTON, 1700-1774.


Skilled


1700


1774


Total


Percentage of Increase


Baker


0


1


1


Weaver


0


3


3


Cooper


0


8


8


Nailer


0


1


1


Shoemaker


0


7


7


Joiner


0


1


1


Seaman


2


44


46


21.00


Fisherman


0


67


67


Clockmaker


0


1


1


Blacksmith


0


3


3


Sailmaker


0


2


2


Carpenter


0


2


2


Tailor


0


3


3


Dyer


0


1


1


Unskilled


Laborer


0


28


28


Total


2


172


174


85.00


53


PLYMOUTHI AND BOSTON


Table VII shows that the number of Irish in mixed marriages was always larger than in Irish marriages except during 1720- 1730 and 1740-1750 when the reverse was the case. The average per cent of Irish who entered Irish marriages was .401 while the percentage for mixed marriages was .599.


In summarizing the numerical growth of the Irish in Boston up to 1774 the topic will be presented first in tabular form in order to show its importance.


The percentage of Irish growth for the whole period 1680-1770 was 20.045 while the total population growth was only 2.449 per cent.


A second phase illustrating the growth of the Irish concerns their occupational status. The initial year chosen is 1700 for the preceding years are almost negligible.


TABLE X.


NUMERICAL GROWTH OF IRISH IN DOMESTIC, BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL, AGRICULTURAL AND MILITARY GROUPS IN BOSTON, 1770-1774.


1700


1774


Total


Percentage of Increase


Domestic


Servant


70


202


272


1.885


Coachman


0


1


1


.000


Total


70


203


273


1.900


Business


Merchant


1


41


42


40.000


Trader


0


9


9


.000


Bookkeeper


0


2


2


.000


Clerk


0


1


1


.000


Total


1


53


54


53.000


Professional


Attorney


1


1


2


100.000


Teacher


1


7


8


600.000


Clergyman


2


4


6


100.000


Physician


0


3


3


.000


Gentleman


0


1


1


.000


Legal administrator


1


1


2


100.000


Total


5


16


22


2.200


c


54


THE PRE-REVOLUTIONARY IRISH IN MASSACHUSETTS


TABLE X (Continued).


1700


1774


Total


Percentage of Increase


Agricultural


Farmer


0


5


5


.000


Total


0


5


5


.000


Military


Soldier


0


10


10


.000


Marine


0


2


2


.000


Ensign


0


1


1


.000


Total


0


13


13


.000


Grand Total


76


291


367


2.960


Unskilled


2


172


174


85.000


Skilled and Un-


skilled Total


78


463


541


5.064


REFERENCES


CHAPTER I


1 In determining Irish identity the following methods were used. In cases of positive Irish extraction where the birthplace or nationality was indicated, no trouble was encountered except among the names of Scotch- men and Englishmen who had settled in Ireland. When possible these per- sons have been removed from the list of "pure" Irish. Passengers of ships coming from Ireland were usually regarded as Irish; yet here an obstacle was met because the racial complexion of the passenger list was sometimes considerably changed by stops made in England, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, before Massachusetts, the final destination was reached. The great- est problem, however, was to determine Celtic origin from names of Irish extraction. In some instances persons bearing common Irish names gave as their place of birth, England, Scotland, France, the English colonies, in- cluding Massachusetts, and other places. Critics may say that guess work alone regulates the selection of Irish names. Recent research workers, after other methods have failed, are more and more placing a high value on family names as a means of obtaining the racial origin of the persons con- cerned. Samuel Philson of the graduate department of the University of Pittsburgh has recently done research among English names in colonial Pennsylvania with this last method as the chief means. Alfred P. James and Samuel P. Orth have also used this same method in their respective fields. The extreme use of this technique is highly dangerous. M. J. O'Brien and other Irish-American historians have over-emphasized the "name" origin. The author has employed the method in a conservative spirit but has used as references, B. J. Clinch's article in the American Catholic Quarterly Review, 31, pp. 81-91, "Irish Names and Their Changes," Bernard Burke's A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the




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