The Most Famous Irishman Who Never Was

AND The story of the Irish arrival in Franklin

Ireland and Franklin in 1840

US population 17 million, Irish population 8 million Mass. Population 737,000, Franklin population 1,700 – none of

them Irish Through 1840-1890, approx. 260,000 Irish settled in Mass. Today, more than 22 percent of Massachusetts' population

reports Irish ancestry, more than any other state's, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2012 (Gatehouse Media)

Nina Santoro finds about 250 Irish birth records in Franklin up to 1871

The Great Famine aka Potato Famine

Irish economy largely agrarian and export oriented; staple crop for people: the potato

Blight ruined potato crop 1845-52 leading to starvation and sharp increase in emigration to the US and elsewhere.

Irish in America – a Mixed Welcome

US was vast and growing but thinly populated; labor was generally in short supply so the Irish were not unwelcome, however…

First large group of Roman Catholics, cultural differences and competition for jobs led to conflict. (burning of Charlestown Convent earlier, in 1834, formation of anti-Catholic No-Nothing Party, which elected a governor, Henry Joseph Gardner in Massachusetts in 1854)

The Irish Discover Franklin

The Norfolk County RR 1847-49

First Mass in town was celebrated in a house on Lincoln St with only five attendees. By 1851 they were using the town hall for monthly services, conducted by a priest from Foxboro.

In 1871, by which time Nina Santoro has found there were some 250 names of Irish persons borh in the town, they banded together to acquire the former Congregational Church. The church, thereafter, became the principal adornment of the Irish community.This building served until 1899.

Two views of the Catholic School on corner of Beaver St., constructed 1899. Basement used as Church after former Cong. Church become unsound and later burned. School closed in 1902 due to funding problems.

“New” St. Mary’s built between 1923 and 1927

The Irish --- A continuing tradition in Franklin

Irish entered many fields in Franklin area and community, closely aligned with Catholic church, continued to grow and prosper. Some examples and milestones:

Nunnery built on Oak St before 1900 McDermott, an Irish cofounder of Clark, Cutler McDermott textile company, established in

1911. Had worked and learned with “Yankees” and set out on own business, founded by a diverse group of businessmen.

Italian immigrants begin to become more numerous and share the Catholic parish starting around 1900.

Orphanage added to convent in 1944. St. Mary’s school building opens in 1956 facing common (present home of Charter

School). School closed in 1972 1979 First Feast of St. Rocco organized – a nod to the big growth of the Italian-American

community in town (Remember the line striping on Union St in colors of Italian flag?)

Now…. Changing the Subject a Bit…

Some of the Irish went further west.

DISCLAIMER AND WARNING: This presentation includes the frequent use of historically accurate ethnic slurs that may, but should not, offend anyone.

Along came MR DOOLEY…Born – maybe around 1860 or 65 Last heard

from around 1926...

Journalist Finley Peter Dunne, 1867-1936

Mr Dooley “active” 1893 through mid 1920s. Became extremely popular during Spanish American War with humorous commentary

...For Example...

Admiral George Dewey, Hero of Manila Bay

Mr. Dooley – a “trendsetter” in bringing the Irish into the hearts of their countrymen...Many other’s followed...

Mr, Dooley, the most famous Irishman who never was...

Thank you for listening!