The Day We Celebrate

St Patrick Church, 1880s

So begins the opening line of the first recorded celebration of St Patrick’s Day in Lowell.  The Lowell Mercury of 1833 gives us a picture into the past.  They were all there at the Mansion House.  Mr. Blanchard, the owner of the establishment, served a fine supper.  He was known for his oysters and setting a fine table.  They were a close-knit group, a tight band of “native sons” who were making new lives for themselves.  Of course there was Hugh and Eugene Cummiskey.  Hugh’s close friend and business partner, Samuel Murray, was also there.  At the head table would be Charles Short.  He seemed to be involved in everything in the Paddy Camps, land dealings, business arrangements, and even causing the Bishop some grief with choosing a new Pastor.  But that won’t be for a few months.  The Campbells came in, one a tailor and the other a laborer for the Corporation.  They were among the growing number of businesses in the Acre.  Most of the crowd, being solely men, made their way over from Lowell (Market) Street and Fenwick Street.  Most were part of Lowell’s growing Irish middle class.  There were teamsters, carpenters, real estate agents, stable owners.  They were here to show their fellow Irish countrymen that America had much to offer.

Lowell Directory, 1833

After the table cloth was removed the musicians, and they were a fine group by all accounts, started up their tunes.  Of course the first was St. Patrick’s Day.  They slapped their hands on the tables and prepared the first round of toasts.  “The day we celebrate- may its memory be celebrated in the breast of every Irishman.”  The glasses were lifted, another jig was played and the sentiments continued.  They remembered their homeland and those left behind.  They remembered their heroes and cursed their oppressors.  They lifted their glasses to O’Connell and the Irish harp.  Over and over again they remembered their new home: President Jackson, Democracy, the Constitution, the Merrimac River and to the owners of the loom.  They sang Adeste Fideles when they recalled Bishop Fenwick and sang Yankee Doodle.  Music and poetry filled the room.  As the night drew late someone reminded the crowd that it was a Saturday and the next day was Mass.  And so some made their way to their hacks and others bundled up and walked out into the March night to return to their homes. 

In the words of James Campbell, “May the Sons of Old Hibernia celebrate the festival of their Patron Saint, with mirth, cheerfulness and convivia

Thank you, Mr. Murray

This week's guest blogger is Walter Hickey.  Walter probably knows more about Lowell history than most folks.  After being a classroom teacher, working in Special Collections at Pollard Memorial Library and now working for National Archives and Records Admin, he is filled with data.  He is one of the few people who share the obsession of collecting facts, visiting cemeteries, and reconstructing the lives of Lowell famous and just plain regular folks .  Now trying to get him to put all he knows down on paper is another thing.  This is his first step.

It was just about two years ago that Dave asked me if I would like to meet Colm Donnelly and go with them to St. Patrick Cemetery.  Of course I said “yes”.  In the course of showing Colm the “shamrock” stones, Dave also stopped at the grave of Samuel Murray.  Well, unlike Dave, I had not committed all of O'Dwyer to memory and had to ask, “Who was he?”, and was told he was Hugh's partner and right-hand man.  Interesting, but in itself, no big deal.  Or so I thought at the time.

            In the two years since, that one day has led to an examination of  tax assessment records, land records, probate records, and court records, as well as newspapers, all in a beginning attempt to learn more about those early Irish.  Contrary to what several sources might lead one to believe, not all Irish lived in the crude huts described as the Irish hovels in the Paddy Camps of Lowell.  Undoubtedly some (many?) of the early Irish did live is such hovels as have been described, but there was also a middle class as early as the 1830's, who lived in more substantial housing and had a higher standard of living than the poor 'shanty' Irish.  Samuel Murray was of that middle class.

According to his petition for naturalization in the Boston Municipal Court, 10 May 1830, he was born in County Tyrone on/about 10 August 1797 and arrived at Boston on/about 14 May 1817.  The Lowell City Directories of 1832 and 1833 show him in partnership with Hugh Cummiskey as West India Goods, Merrimac Street, which he alone is so listed in 1834.  With Hugh, he was appointed a town constable, 1833-1835.  I had 'always' heard of Hugh's appointment but not of Samuel's.  He married Margaret Harland [O'Dwyer says Holland] (Intention filed 6 January 1833) and dies 22 April 1835 at age 39.  He died intestate so we do not have the benefit of his will.  However, as an active Trader, his given occupation, he did have business debts.  In order to satisfy those creditors to the extent possible, an inventory of his estate was ordered by the Probate Court.  That inventory provides us a glimpse of the relative wealth and standard of living of a middle class businessman of the 1830's, who just happens to be Irish.

An Inventory of the Goods of S. Murray, Deceased

1 Sofa                                                                                    $ 12.00

1 Burau                                                                                 8.00

3 Feather Beads     ….                          11                          33.00     

3 Set Beadsteads                                                                 10.00

2 Looking Galsses                                                     3        6.00

1 Lot Bead Cloathes                                                           8.00

20 yds Carpet                                              62                   12.40

6 parlor Chairs                                                                     2.22

6 Common Do.                                                                    1.00

1 Set fire Irons                                                                      4.00

2   ?    Dogs            [fire dogs or Andirons]                        1.00       

1 Set China ware                                                                 3.00

1 Common   do. & plates                                                   1.50

3  Dished & saucers                                                             1.75

1 Cooking Stove                                                                  8.00       

1       Do     Drainage ???                                                     1.00                       

1 Secretary                                                                            3.00

1 Lot Knives & forks                                                          1.50                                                                      

1 Lot Iron Ware                                                                   1.60

1 Lot Glass Ware                                                                  2.50

1 Set table matts                                                                   .20

2 Glass Lamps                                                                       1.00

3 Brass Candlesticks                                                           .25

2 Wash Tubs                                                                         .25

1 Boiler                                                                                 1.50

2 Clothes  Baskets                                                               .20  

                                                               

3 trunks                                                                                 4.25

1 small glass                                                                         .20

1 Tin Kitchen                                                                          .75

1 Work table                                                                          1.50

1 Light Stand                                                                         .85

1 Wash Stand                                                                        .70

2 Waiters                                                                              4.00

2 tables                                                                                  6.00

3 table Cloths                                                                       1.20

2 Silver Watches                                                               10.00

1 Case Pistols                                                                      3.00

1 Lot Brushes                                                                        .30

1 Lot Books                                                                          1.00

1 Surtout Coat                                                                    20.00

4 pr. Pantaloons                                                                   2.00

5 Vests                                                                                   2.50

Boots and Shoes                                                                  3.50       

1 Cane                                                                                   .20

Window Curtains                                                                 1.67

Bread pan                                                                             1.00

1 Lot Crockery                                                                     1.20       

1 Hat                                                                                      3.00                                                      

                                                                                                               

   Totals and Furniture                                                         189.29

                           By Cash                                                     2.00                                                       

                                               

Cash Received                                                     126.92                                                  

                                                     Total Amount          318.21

List of debts owed by the Estate of Samuel Murray late of East Cambridge in the County of Middles4ex Trader, deceased, intestate, which have already come to the knowledge of Margaret Murray, Widow and Adninistratrix of said deceased –Viz-

To Means & Clark—Note dated Apr. 29, 1834, besides interest $188.12

 “          Same              Do      “       “ 16, 1833         “            “        210.31

“              Same             Do     “   Jany. 8, 1834        “            “          30.80

                                                                                                       $429.23

        Less endorsed on Note of Apr 16, 1833----------------------     100.00             

                                                                                                        $329.23

To Pope & Perry ----     Note-------------------------------                    600.00

“    Pierce & Goodnow     Do  Dated Octr 2, 1834 beside int             45.00

“          Same                     Do     “ March 1, 1833                               684.02

“           Same                    Bill                                                             171.88                                                    

“     Crosby                         Do                                                               90.00                      

“     McLellan                      Do                                                               40.00

                                                                                                          $1960.13

                                                                                      Margaret Murray, Admx

                                                                              Mar 21, 1837

It is for  this insight into his household furnishings, I say, 'Thank you, Mr. Murray”.

Samuel Murray

In the last 2 years more research has been done regarding Lowell's Irish pioneers than in the past 2 decades.  I'm honored to be playing a small part in it, but I'm just the guy who collects all the stories and data the real historians are gathering.  Needless to say my laptop's desktop is covered with files.  There are dozens of dozens of them.  I need a better filing system.

Over the last months, we've found out much about the life of Hugh Cummiskey, his family, Father McDermott, and other prominent names.  We sometimes forget how tough life was back then.  The name of Hugh has come down through the generations as Lowell's premier Irishman, but certainly he was not alone.  A friend of Hugh was Samuel Murray.  Murray was 7 years younger then Hugh.  There was a strong bond between the two.  Maybe the strongest link was they were both Tyrone men, but it is assumed Hugh brought over many workers from his home County.  One story back in Ireland was that anyone wishing to come to America would go to the Cummiskeys in hopes of making a connection across the Atlantic. 

The two men were close enough they the went into business together running a West Indies Dry Goods store on Merrimack Street.  It would be compared to a modern variety store today.  He was probably quite successful since he later branched out and opened his own store.  Success meant he now how the ability to ask Margaret Holland to marry him, and in the cold of winter 1833 the two went to Saint Pat's Church and were married.  He takes the step to become a citizen in his new adopted homeland.   Life is good for the newlyweds and Samuel, along with his best friend Hugh Cummiskey, are among the first constables in Lowell.  The two men must have been held in the highest regard by their peers and the Town Fathers.  They would have to patrol the Acre, settle small disputes, and keep the peace.  The reputation of the community was on their shoulders.  Hugh and his protege were on their way up the social and economic ladders.  But the Fates must have their way, and Samuel Murray at the age of 39 dies, leaving his young wife alone and in debt.  His will shows that he owed money to several creditors.  The document gives us a glimpse into the life of an up and coming middle class Irishman in Lowell.  Among his possessions were sheets and pillowcases, candlesticks, 3 tablecloths, 1 cane, 5 vests and 1 great coat, window curtains, and 2 looking glasses (mirrors).  The list goes on, followed by creditors.

His young wife has enough to erect a marble stone (not slate like most others) in the Catholic Burial Ground.  Did his friend, Hugh, grieve?  What happened to Margaret, his wife of just 2 years?  Were there no children to grieve?  One wonders if it would have been Samuel Murray's name in the story of Lowell's Irish community   if he lived.  As research continues we find out more about the lives of those who came before us.  They become more than historical figures.  Once again they have a voice.