Letters of Warm Approval.
The following are the letters that were received:
From Admiral Meade.
Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 1896.
Dear Mr. Roche:—Your note of November 26 with its enclosure has only just reached me here. In reply I would say that you are at liberty to enroll my name as you desire. My ancestor, Robert Meade, who died in this city in August, 1754, was an Irish gentleman, who, having to choose between his conscience and his native land, chose to leave his native land for the sake of conscience and to cast in his lot with the people of the New World. He was one of the “Wild Geese.” His son, George Meade, born in this city, Feb. 27, 1741, died here in 1808. His life has been written for the volumes of the American Catholic Historical Society of this city. He was a patriot of the finest type, and his name is on the Roll of Honor in Independence Hall in this city.
Since then four generations have borne the name of Richard Worsam Meade, and all, I believe, with honor. My father’s younger brother, George Gordon Meade, is sufficiently well known to the country in connection with Gettysburg. In the life of George Meade, alluded to above, you will see what I say about “Irishmen.”
My father’s mother was Margaret Butler, of this city, and she also traced her ancestry to a famous strain of Norman-Irish blood.
No, sir! None of the Meades or Butlers are ashamed of their Irish lineage! Rather the contrary do we rejoice that our forefathers came from the Emerald Isle, the land of dauntless men and pure women, and that they represented the best blood of the Island.
Very truly yours,
R. W. Meade, 3d,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
From the Governor of Pennsylvania.
January 11, 1897.
My Dear Sir:—It would give me great pleasure to unite with yourself and other gentlemen who are interested in recording the relation and influence of Americans of Irish birth or lineage to the history of our country, were it possible for me to be away from the Capitol on the 20th inst. I am in entire sympathy with the movement and hope to render assistance along the lines indicated in your letter. My father was born in Londonderry and came to this country when a youth. I believe I am entitled to membership in the proposed organization.
Very truly yours,
Daniel H. Hastings.
From the Rev. Dr. Shahan.
Washington, D. C., Jan. 18, 1897.
Dear Captain Tobin:—I regret to say that it will be practically impossible to go to Boston. I cannot very well leave all the work I have on hand, and I must go back again the following week, for Monday, the 25th, to Hartford. But I am entirely in favor of the good work, and I hope that from the beginning it will be a success. I regret again very much that so many duties all crowd in on the end of January, and make it impossible to be with so many men of one mind and one race next Wednesday. If members are proposed, please put me down as one.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas J. Shahan.
Judge Smith, of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, wrote:
“I have just read the letter which you kindly sent me, giving in outline the scope and purpose of the proposed Historical Society and bearing the names of many distinguished citizens. I am very much pleased with the project and gratified to see that so many eminent gentlemen have become interested in the movement, and regret that official duties will prevent my attendance at the initial meeting. That the undertaking is needful and timely, the letter well demonstrates, and the broad foundation indicated will undoubtedly attract the moral and material support of all American citizens who want nothing but the truth recorded and preserved in the archives of history. May success attend the noble work of vindicating the worth and memory of a superior race!”
Henry Stoddard Ruggles, of Wakefield, wrote:
“Your proposal to found a society devoted to the preservation of records of the services of Irishmen in the colonization and subsequent history of America meets my approval. Although the biographies of some of the early pioneers of that race have been carefully and fully treated, owing to the devotion of their descendants to their memory, only a very small part has ever been written of the history of the stock as a whole, and some of their achievements have, through prejudice, been ascribed to another people. Many Protestants of Irish derivation are claiming a Scotch lineage for their immigrant ancestor, which he would have repudiated; and yet they are often innocent of intent to mislead; so thoroughly in certain quarters has the theory been nursed, that Protestant Irishmen, particularly those from the northern province, are invariably descended from the Scotch blood. As an American in the ninth American generation, who, by the services of three great grandfathers in the armies of the Revolution, holds membership in both the ‘Sons of the Revolution’ and ‘Sons of the American Revolution,’ and as a member of the ‘Essex Institute’ and ‘Roxbury Military Historical Society,’ both devoted to historical research, I naturally desire that all branches of our country’s history should receive the attention they deserve. That a race so prolific, so inwrought with the old stock of the land, so productive of men of mark and merit, should till now remain without a representative society to defend its record and its heroes, is most surprising. That it is soon to have such we may rest assured from the names of its sponsors, who are a guaranty of success.”
From Rt. Rev. Dr. Conaty.
Worcester, Nov. 20, 1896.
My Dear Sir:—I am in full accord with a movement toward the establishment of an American Historical Society, according to the lines projected by you. The object is most praiseworthy, and the results will be most valuable. It is a shame for us that so much valuable matter has been lost because of no medium of salvation. Let us save what we can, and gather together the records of our race in the fields of literature, patriotism, business, and professional life. The story has not been fully written; but when this has been done, it will be found that our people have done their share in the work of civilization, liberty, and letters in the great Republic, for the preservation of which so many generously gave their lives.
You have my best wishes, and you can depend upon my earnest coöperation.
Yours very truly,
Thomas J. Conaty.
From Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet.
New York, Jan. 4, 1897.
Dear Sir:—I am too much occupied with my professional engagements to be able to get away from home at this season, and I will therefore not be able to attend the meeting for organizing the society on January 20. But I am in close sympathy with the movement, and believe that there exists a large and promising field for an Irish Historical Society in this country. This opinion is based on the fact that during a long life I have devoted the greater part of my leisure time to the study of American history. Until recently I possessed probably the largest library and the largest collection of autographic documents bearing on American history ever held by one individual. From my knowledge thus gained, I am firmly of the conviction that the Irish, by birth or descent, have contributed during the past two hundred years, and from every station in life, more in number, more brain work and muscle for the development of the country at large than has been furnished by every other nationality of the world combined.
With some experience in getting up such an undertaking, I will take the liberty of making a suggestion: The success of the proposed society will rest entirely, I believe, on one feature—putting it in the hands of young men, who must be put forward with the responsibility to do the work. It is but proper that the older men should make the first move, give it their support and contribute hereafter so far as they may be able to do; but unless the young men become interested in the undertaking, and sufficiently to be willing to do the work, it will prove a failure.
Yours very truly,
Thomas Addis Emmet.
From Hon. E. A. Moseley.
Washington, January 6.
Dear Sir:—I am very glad indeed to know that there will be an American Historical Society whose special line of research will be the history of the Irish element in this country, and I will cheerfully aid in the work as far as I can.
I am ninth in descent from Lieut. Thaddeus Clark, who came from Ireland and died in Portland, May 16, 1690. He was lieutenant of a company of men engaged in the defense of Falmouth, now Portland, during the Indian War. He fell into ambuscade with his company while making a reconnoitre, and was killed with twelve of his men.
I am eleventh in descent from Deputy-Governor George Cleeves, who was the founder of Portland, formerly Falmouth. I have the impression that he was an Irishman also.
I am sixth in descent from Lieut. John Brown, of Belfast, Me., who came with his father from Londonderry, Ire., and was one of the settlers of Londonderry, N. H. He was chairman of the first Board of Selectmen of Belfast, Me., chosen Nov. 11, 1773–75. He removed from Londonderry, N. H. While residing in Londonderry, he had been a commissioned officer in the Provincial Army, and had served in the French War. He was one of the Committee of Safety and Inspection.
If I had the time for research, I feel that I could find others of my ancestors who came from Ireland.
With kindest regards, sincerely yours,
Edward A. Moseley.
From the National Commander of the Union Veteran Legion.
Wilmington, Del., January 20.
Respected Sir:—I am in hearty sympathy with your proposed organization, and should feel myself honored by being considered a member of it, and will work to the best of my ability to accomplish the desired purpose in the limited field presented to me in this state of Delaware. I am now engaged in convention at Dover, Delaware, framing a new constitution for our state, and will have more leisure when that has been accomplished. In the meantime I beg to assure you of my sincere thanks and high appreciation at the honor conferred upon me by yourself and honorable colleagues in so worthy a movement, and have the honor to remain,
Very truly,
Jno. P. Donahoe,
National Commander.
From Samuel Swett Green, Librarian of Worcester.
“Thank you for sending me a circular regarding the historical society, which it is in contemplation to form for the purpose of promoting the study of the work which has been done by Irishmen in furthering the interests of the American Colonies and the United States. It is natural and commendable for residents of the United States, born in foreign countries or descended from persons born outside of this country, that, while esteeming the institutions of this land and having a patriotic interest in its welfare, they should at the same time retain warm affection for the mother country and a strong interest in the doings of its sons. Because such persons love a new country, there is no reason why they should cease to love the old country. They would show a lack of right feeling were they to do so. I heartily favor the formation of societies by studious people interested in the history of different elements of our population, and should think that Americans of Irish origin would find the study of the history of the Irish in this country especially interesting and profitable. They would find, I should think, a rich return in striving to bring to light incidents in their history by forming a society with this purpose in view.”
From Ex-U. S. Senator Patrick Walsh.
Augusta, Ga., Sept. 8, 1896.
Dear Sir:—I am in receipt of your favor of August 31, enclosing proof of an article in reference to the formation of an “American-Irish Historical Society.” I have read the announcement with pleasure, and I most cordially endorse the object in view. The history of the Irish race in America should be written. In peace and in war citizens of Irish birth have always been faithful to the United States. I regret to say that I do not very well see, at this time, how I can be present at your first meeting, but I beg to assure you of my most hearty approval of the proposed American-Irish Historical Society.
Yours very sincerely,
Patrick Walsh.
From Theodore Roosevelt.
New York, Jan. 13, 1897.
My Dear Mr. Roche:—I regret extremely that I cannot be present at the opening meeting of the Association. All these associations do good. We are a new people, derived from many race strains, and different from any one of them, and it is a good thing to have brought before us our diversity in race origin. Like most New Yorkers, whose American ancestry goes back for more than two centuries, I have an ancestral right to belong to several societies of this kind, and I enjoy equally attending the dinners of the Hollander, the Huguenot, the Scotchman, and the Irishman. It seems to me the one lesson to be remembered always by those who belong to these associations is that in time their descendants will most surely have the right to belong to many other similar associations; for in time the different strains of blood will all be blended together, English and Irish, German and French. When that time comes, and before it, the chief thing for all of us to keep in mind is that we must be good Americans, purely as such, no matter what be our creed or our ancestry in Europe.
Very sincerely yours,
Theodore Roosevelt.
From Senator Hoar.
Worcester, Mass., Nov. 12, 1896.
Dear Mr. Murray:—I think your plan for an historical society is excellent. The facts in regard to this most important contribution to our national life ought to be collected and preserved. If, as I am sure they will, they are collected and preserved in the true historic spirit, without concealing or slurring over, or exaggerating anything, they will be of great value. Let no Irishman be ashamed of his origin or the humble condition from which so many of his countrymen came. The Irish race has done a great service to America. They made a splendid contribution toward saving our national life during the Rebellion. The story of their generosity and affection for the kindred they left behind is one of the most touching and stirring in history. But they have had, have now, and will continue to have for a good while to come, grave faults. To say this is only to say that they are human. Do not be afraid to record their faults as well as their virtues, and the faithful portraiture will be one well deserving a place in our nation’s gallery.
I am, with high regard, faithfully yours,
George F. Hoar.
From the Protestant Episcopal Archdeacon of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, Jan. 8, 1897.
My Dear Sir:—I have seen a notice of the meeting called for the evening of the 21st of January, at the Revere House, Boston, for the organization of an American Historical Society, whose special line of research is to be the history of the Irish element in the composition of the American people.
Although unable to be present, to my great regret, I very much desire to be counted one of the charter members of the society when it is organized. I am a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and my name, as well as my family history, indicates my Celtic descent, a derivation of which I am very proud.
I think the purposes of such a society are admirable, and if I can do anything to further its objects I shall be delighted. Kindly advise me of the receipt of this letter at your convenience, and oblige,
Very sincerely yours,
C. T. Brady,
Archdeacon of Pennsylvania.
From Dr. Thomas Dunn English.
Newark, N. J., January 11.
Dear Sir:—My age and consequent infirmities prevent me from attending too many night meetings in a month. I have promised to be present on the 16th at the annual dinner of the Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania, and on the 25th to attend the Burns celebration of the Newark Caledonian Club. This is about as much as I can attend to without endangering my health. I regret, however, my enforced absence, because I have a cordial sympathy with the proposed movement. As a descendant on my father’s side through over two centuries of American ancestors from Norman-Irish stock, and more immediately on my mother’s side from the Gaelic, I naturally take an interest in all that concerns the honor and reputation of my lineage. I therefore beg of you to place my name on the list of original members when you organize.
I have a further interest in the matter as a native American desiring that our federal and state historical records should be accurate and complete. Writers covering the part played by Irishmen in this country’s history generally confine themselves to services rendered during a revolutionary and post-revolutionary wars; and these the enemies of Ireland constantly depreciate, and the friends of Ireland sometimes exaggerate. Both sides lose sight of the fact that very much is due to Irish efforts in the colonization of the country and in its civil and social development. The society proposed will be able to show how much the Quaker Irish in Philadelphia and its vicinity, the Catholic Irish in Maryland, and bodies and individuals of them elsewhere on the seaboard did to develop our civilization and promote our progress. The society will have a rich and poorly worked mine of historical wealth in another quarter. The Appalachian and Alleghanian ranges and their immediate valleys found large numbers of Irish settlers among the pioneers, and from Londonderry in New Hampshire to Murphy and Coleraine in Georgia, there extends a long line of settlements where many customs, terms, phrases, and modes of thought and action attest the country of the founders. “The dark and bloody ground” of Kentucky has among its residents so many with Hibernian names, though the sept mark of O’ has been dropped in many cases, the Macs being more adherent, that in calling off the assessment rolls in some quarters it would seem to the hearer as though he had dropped in upon the meeting of some Irish society.
With my best wishes for the thorough success of the proposed organization,
I am yours truly,
Thomas Dunn English.
From Gen. Francis A. Walker.
Boston, Nov. 25, 1896.
My Dear Sir:—Your letter of the 18th inst., enclosing a cutting relating to the proposed new historical society, arrived during my absence from the city. As regards the desirability of thorough investigation into the early history of the Irish element of our American population, there can be no question whatever. The confusion that has arisen regarding the several constituents of the Irish immigration—as witnessed, for example, in the general use of the word Scotch-Irish, applied indifferently to persons of pure English, pure Scotch, and pure Irish blood—shows abundantly the need of careful dispassionate research; and all should rejoice to see the work undertaken in the most effective way.
The question whether such an investigation should be begun and carried on through existing historical societies and agencies, or through the organization of a new society specifically for this object, is one regarding which my opinion would be of little value. My life has not been mainly devoted to historical investigation; and, even where I have worked by myself in this field, I have, I fear, been a very poor member of the several historical societies to which I belong.
I am, dear Sir, Faithfully yours,
Francis A. Walker.
From Rev. J. Gray Bolton, D. D.
1906 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 1897.
My Dear Sir:—I regret that other duties will prevent me from being with you on Wednesday, January 20, 1897. I assure you that I am in hearty accord with the purpose of your organization. The Irish race owe it to themselves and their successors to leave a united history of an undivided people in America. One of the noblest characteristics of the Irishman is that he is religious, and has enough of religion to be willing to fight for it. But God forbid that this should in any way hinder in telling the united story of our people. The Irish Catholic and the Irish Presbyterian have more than once stood together for liberal government in Ireland. And the Irish Presbyterian and Irish Catholic stood together here when Washington was leading the people from under the yoke of oppressive taxation without representation. The Irish-American has a place and a name in this glorious country of ours, and as we fought for our freedom and then for the Union we will live—and, if need be, fight side by side to maintain it.
I am truly yours,
J. Gray Bolton, D. D.
From Rev. John J. McCoy, P. R.
Chicopee, Mass., Jan. 3, 1897.
Dear Sir:—For some twelve years and more I have been doing some work in looking up the records of our people here in New England, especially the records of their church building. During that time I felt the great need of some such society as you now have in intention, and I hail your work as most opportune and useful. Make me one of you and kindly tell me what is to be done to have active participation in the society’s work.
Truly yours,
(Rev.) Jno. J. McCoy, P. R.
The second meeting of the society was held in accordance with the following invitation:
Dear Sir:—You are hereby notified that the second meeting of the American-Irish Historical Society will be held at the Revere House in Boston, Mass., Monday evening, April 19, 1897 (the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, Concord, and Cambridge).
There will be a business session of the society at 6.30 P.M., followed, at 7 o’clock, by a dinner and post-prandial exercises appropriate to the anniversary.
At the business session, action will be taken on the completion of the constitution and by-laws, the admission of new members, and on such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The price of dinner tickets has been placed at $1.50 each. They are now ready.
The after-dinner features will include:
(1) A reading, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” by Mr. Thomas A. Santry, of Lawrence, Mass.
(2) A paper by the Secretary-General on “The Irish Bacons who Settled at Dedham, Mass., in 1640,” one of whose descendants, John Bacon, was killed April 19, 1775, in the fight at West Cambridge (battle of Lexington).
(3) An address by the Treasurer-General, Hon. John C. Linehan, of New Hampshire, on “The Seizure of the Powder at Fort William and Mary,” by Maj. John Sullivan and his associates, some of which powder was later dealt out to the patriots at Bunker Hill.
(4) Address by Mr. Edward J. Brandon, city clerk of Cambridge, Mass., during which he will read a list of Irish names borne by minutemen or militia in the battle of the nineteenth of April, when the shot was fired “Heard Round the World.”
(5) A brief essay by Mr. Joseph Smith, of Lowell, Mass., on “The Irishman, Ethnologically Considered.”
Invitations to attend the dinner have been sent to the town clerks and selectmen of Lexington and Concord; also to descendants of the patriots who stood on the green at Lexington when Captain Parker exclaimed, “Don’t fire unless fired upon.”
It is earnestly desired that every member of the society who can possibly be present at the coming meeting will attend and help make the event the great success this patriotic anniversary so richly deserves.
If each member attending the dinner will bring with him at least one gentleman as his personal guest, it will add éclat to the occasion and may be the means of acquiring a large number of very desirable new members for the society.
Fraternally, and in behalf of the
Executive Council of the Society,
Thomas Hamilton Murray,
Secretary-General.
In response to the foregoing call, some thirty-five or forty gentlemen assembled at the time and place mentioned. The business meeting was dispensed with, and the time that would have been so occupied was devoted to introductions and general conversation.
About 8 o’clock the company proceeded to dinner. Hon. Thomas J. Gargan, of Boston, presided. Among those present were: John C. Linehan, State Insurance Commissioner of New Hampshire; Joseph Smith, Secretary of the Police Commission, Lowell, Mass.; Rev. John J. McCoy, Chicopee, Mass.; James Jeffrey Roche, Boston, Mass.; Thomas B. Lawler, Worcester, Mass.; Charles A. De Courcey, Lawrence, Mass.; Rev. George F. Marshall, Milford, N. H.; Daniel Donovan, Lynn, Mass.; Lawrence J. Smith, Lowell, Mass.; Thomas Hamilton Murray, Editor of the Daily Sun, Lawrence, Mass.; Edward J. Brandon, City Clerk, Cambridge, Mass.; Thomas A. Santry, Lawrence, Mass.; P. J. Flatley, Boston, Mass.; Robert A. Woods, Boston, Mass.; John A. Callahan, Holyoke, Mass.; M. A. Toland, Boston, Mass.; Dr. Eugene McCarthy, Cambridge, Mass.; Dr. M. F. Sullivan, Lawrence, Mass.; Edward Arundel, Lawrence, Mass.; Dr. George A. Leahey, Lowell, Mass.; Capt. P. S. Curry, Lynn, Mass.; E. B. Newhall, Lynn, Mass.; and several other gentlemen.
In opening the after-dinner exercises, Mr. Gargan referred to the anniversary on which this meeting is held, and read the following communication from Rear-Admiral Meade, U. S. N.:
220 Winona Ave., Germantown, Pa.,
Jan. 26, 1897.
My Dear Sir:—Your note of the 23d informing me that I have been unanimously chosen for the office of President-General of the American-Irish Historical Society, found me confined to my bed, where I have been since the 8th, with a severe attack of grippe. The hardships of a long naval career are beginning now to revenge themselves on me, and I have to take great care of my health.
I am, of course, deeply sensible of the honor your society confers upon me and shall accept the office with pleasure if you think the duties will not try me physically beyond my strength. I am vigorous enough for my years, but I am peculiarly sensitive to cold, having spent a great part of my naval life in the tropics, and I cannot travel about in winter without serious risk to my health.
I am ready to work in the ranks for the good of the new society as cheerfully as at the top. No organization is more needed than the one you have completed, and you can count on me to further its success.
Very truly yours,
R. W. Meade, 3d.
Mr. Thomas H. Murray,
Secretary-General, etc.
Letters of regret at inability to attend the meeting were received from the selectmen of Concord, Mass.; the town clerk of Lexington, Mass.; and from Governor Hastings, of Pennsylvania; Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, of New York; Osborne Howes, of Boston; Hon. William McAdoo, of Washington, D. C.; Augustus St. Gaudens, of New York; Patrick Donahoe, of Boston; the Very Rev. John Hogan, D. D., president of St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Mass.; J. D. O’Connell, of Washington, D. C.; Robert Ellis Thompson, of Philadelphia; and others.
The addresses mentioned in the call for the meeting were delivered, and were appreciatively received.
Mr. Murray, in his paper on “The Irish Bacons,” noted that the family has reflected honor on both Dedham and Needham, as it has on other towns where representatives of it have resided.
Hon. John C. Linehan read the following paper: