A Look Back — Salem's Irish History

Salem's Irish roots run deep and back to the early days of the colony.

Given that Salem's first settlers were British and Ireland was then part of the British Empire with many British living in Ireland, there were connections to the settlers. While those connections were probably not with the native Irish who continued to resist subjugation by the British, there are a number of early references to Ireland and the Irish.

During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (the War of the Three Kingdoms involved England, Ireland and Scotland from 1639-1651), many Scots as well as Irish rebels convicted of 'crimes' by the Puritan General Oliver Cromwell's forces were sold into bondage for six to eight years to pay for their crimes. A considerable number were transported to the Salem Colony to work off their debts as bondsmen. As trade between Salem and England, Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey increased, others who wanted to emigrate but could not afford the passage would become indentured servants paying for their passage by working in the colonies.

In 1677, during King Phillips War, many Salemites were destitute from the effects of the war. Bad crops tied to the absence or loss of the men fighting the war lead to desperate circumstances for some 61 families numbering almost 300 people. Salem as well as others colonies were aided by donations sent from Ireland to help the suffering colonies, which were connected by trade, blood and religion.

As trade and emigration grew in Salem, the rigid Puritanism faded gradually and a more tolerant atmosphere ensued. This toleration was limited, however, to other Protestant sects. The rabid Anti-Catholicism of the Puritans persisted for many generations. While it lessened legally after the American Revolution, it persisted in many other ways. This prejudice was paired to the Irish who continued to resist British domination and the outlawing of the Catholic Religion that most practiced.

Between 1714 and 1720, there was a great demand for workers in the colonies that generated a large influx of immigrants from Ireland. The majority of these immigrants came from Northern Ireland and were Presbyterians. They were initially welcomed by Puritan Salem and were assimilated into the population. When the economy took a downturn in the 1720s, strife and a curtailing of immigration from Ireland into New England took place. When this occurred, Irish immigrants went to the Middle Colonies rather than New England. The Middle Colonies were major exporters of tobacco and importers of Irish linen  and immigrants.

The Salem Irish became part of the fabric of the growing port and some rose to prominence as mariners and merchants. Notable among them was Simon Forrester, son of an Irish immigrant, who became a millionaire from
the maritime trade as a mariner and merchant. He also was a successful
privateer during the Revolution.

Many of the Irish took up the cause of the Revolution and served in Washington's Army. In the later examinations by Parliament to determine why Britain lost the colonies, several witnesses pointed to the Irish fighters as having an impact.

In the first census of 1790, there were 7,921 residents in Salem. Other sources list some 753 people from Ireland living in Essex County at that time. Country of origin was not asked on the census until 1820.

In 1790, Rev. Thayer, a former Puritan minister who had converted to Catholicism and become a Catholic priest, wrote to Rev. Bentley, pastor of the Second Church. He asked for Rev. Bentley's help in identifying Catholics in Salem. Rev Bentley, much to the chagrin of many Protestants in town, did so. They were able to identify several people, a few of whom were Irish.

From that point on, priests and bishops visited the growing Catholic community in Salem. After having services at community buildings and homes, Bishop Cheverus purchased land from John Forrester, a non-Catholic Irishman, and father of the noted privateer and merchant Simon Forrester for a church. John Forrester during these early years was a benefactor to the parish.

By 1826, the church attendance had grown to a couple of hundred people, many of whom were Irish. In response to this, Bishop Fenwick established Salem as the second parish in Massachusetts and appointed Rev. John Mahoney, from County Kerry as the first pastor. At this time, there were only four priests in Massachusetts. St. Mary's Church, that later became today's became home to a number of Irish Catholics living in Salem and the surrounding cities and towns.

With the advent of the railroads in Salem and the beginnings of industrialization, the Irish population grew steadily in the early half of the 19th century. In 1845, a famine caused by a blight devastated Ireland,
causing an unprecedented wave of immigration of almost two million people during the 1840s. Most went to the United States. The huge influx of poor, unskilled labor generated a lot of animosity and prejudice from the native population.

The American Party, "Know Nothing" was formed in an effort to curtail immigration, especially by the Irish and, if possible, deny those already here citizenship. This party was very strong in Massachusetts and in Salem, where its members swept the elections in 1858. In order to be a member, one had to be native born and a Protestant. The party soon fractured over the issue of slavery and had little impact on the laws, but it does highlight the prejudices of the "native" Americans toward the Irish. During the period from 1820 to 1880, some three and half million Irish immigrated to the United States in one of the largest movements of people in history.

The Irish population continued to grow in and around Salem, giving rise to a number of Catholic Churches and social organizations that helped new arrivals assimilate into the United States. One notable example of this was the Ancient Order of Hibernians that was formed in New York in 1836 in response to the nativist's threats to the Irish and Catholic Churches. The organization expanded throughout the country during the 19th century.

In 1901, an AOH chapter was formed in Salem and met for a number of years at 165 Boston St. This was close to the many tanneries where many Irish worked. In 1907, the Order hired M.F.

As the photos show, that building has undergone a number of changes over the years, while it has remained a center of Irish life in the City. The current Irish population in Salem now accounts for 24.3%,  which is the largest grouping in the city.

                                   Happy St. Patrick's Day!