The following interesting article, written by a
person who chooses to employ the pseudonym "An Old Resident," is
furnished this newspaper at a most appropriate time, for the breaking of
ground in the "Irish Settlement" was coincidental with the setting off
of Wyoming County - both taking place in April of 1842. It is published
with our sincere thanks to the writer. --
Editor "Wyoming Countian" 10
April 1842.
This was supplied by Maureen
MistysAttic@aol.com cApril 2005
Although there are not many left to tell about
the early settlers of Stowell (in those days it was "The Irish Settlement
with many coming from County Carlow, County Clare, Roscommon and Galway
not to mention other parts of Ireland", It seems a shame to let
anniversaries pass without recollecting some facts our forefathers have
preserved for us.
In the thirties and forties and fifties England
governed Ireland with excessive force. During these years of famine and of
attempted revolution the population of Ireland was reduced to nearly two
million by starvation, bloodshed and immigration.
For several year the Irish immigrants landed at
our seaports annually in large numbers. At the time of this immigration
the North Branch Canal was being constructed through this country and this
brought a great many of these immigrants in this direction.
When the work of the canal stopped those employed
had to become engaged in other pursuits to maintain themselves and their
families, namely mining. . . . It goes on to tell about them building
their homes etc.
Prior to the erection of St. Anthony's church the
spiritual wants of the people were first attended to by Rev. Vincent
O'Rielly, (who kept records which are now part of the Parish depository).
In 1837 the pastor of Towanda took charge. The older children of "The
Settlement" were confirmed by Bishop Neuman in a little old school house
which stood near Killduff's, (one of the settlers). About 1842, Rev.
Father McNaughten was made the first resident pastor of Dushore and the
mission of "The Settlement" was placed in his charge. Mass was said once a
month in the little old school house previously mentioned.
Ground for a church had been given by John
Kinsley and in about 1849 the present building was erected, and occupied
in 1850. Although they had a church, it was still a mission of Dushore,
attended regularly once a month, until the seventies when they had mass
every other Sunday. On the off Sundays it has been known that some men and
women walked to Dushore to fulfil their religious duty. . . .
Note:
That walk really impressed me. I would have it
in the Wyoming Historical Society newsletter but I don't seem to have the
date (Bad kid!!!) I do have the newsletters. Stowell is just over the
county border. Patrick Prendergast lived in Asylum Twp (later called
Wilmot).
My gut feeling is telling me this is why they
came to the U.S. And why so many of the people of County Carlow landed
here. I think looking at the church records and comparing your records may
open up a door to some of the immigrants here for the future generations
searching County Carlow?
Please report any links or images which do not open to
mjbrennan30@gmail.com
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