Clare group in Manhattan NY late 1800s/early 1900s

Genealogy, Archaeology, History, Heritage & Folklore

Moderators: Clare Support, Clare Past Mod

Post Reply
smcarberry
Posts: 1281
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:31 pm
Location: USA

Clare group in Manhattan NY late 1800s/early 1900s

Post by smcarberry » Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:07 pm

The New York Irish by Ronald H. Bayor, Timothy J. Meagher (Baltimore MD, 1996) ISBN 0801851998

This book provides information on the Clare Men's Association, one of several such "county societies" in New York City. Manhattan is the island borough first settled in pre-colonial times and the first to be known as New York City, to which surrounding counties were added as time went on, such as Kings County which is Brooklyn and Richmond County which is Staten Island.

p. 295
"Many of the county societies purchased burial plots in Catholic cemeteries for emergency use. This was indeed the reason that had brought several of the county organizations together in the first place, since burial in a pauper's plot was considered a terrible disgrace among the immigrants. For societies like the Claremen, a proper burial was more than just charity: '...the mission of the Clare Men's society is a holy one...The good ship carries her human freight o'er turbulent water, so does the Clare Men's Society safely guard the precious souls who are committed to [its] care...'
(Irish Advocate, July 30, 1904)"

p. 296
"The county societies demanded the active participation of their members at frequent meetings and often levied fines for failing to participate at meetings and events. This discouraged those who could not conveniently reach Manhattan from becoming members.

...It was common for many of the counties [which constitute New York city] to have 3,000 guests or more at their major dances, and as many as 6,000 attended the sailing excursions in the summertime. It was at these mammoth gatherings that the county organizations came closest to fulfilling, at least numerically, their ideal of uniting all their exiled countrymen in New York.

...No neighborhood at the turn of the century [i.e., 1900] was as closely identified with a specific county as was County Clare with the western section of Greenwich Village. The Claremen were so firmly entrenched there by 1900 and for the next two decades that the area's Irish gave 'one of the principal thoroughfares the nickname of County Clare Street.' When the Irish-born declined in this neighborhood after World War I, the County Clare organization moved out of the neighborhood because their still numerous descendants were not interested in perpetuating old country traditions. A vigorous Irish American social life remained in the West Village [section of lower Manhattan], but in the 1930s it was to be found mainly in the church, athletic, and political clubs."

p. 297
"Clare immigrants were heavily employed as longshoremen on the lower West Side, near 14th Street, and this factor certainly kept them together in this neighborhood after all the other [NYC] county enclaves had practically vanished."

Footnote 50, p. 644, provides the author's sources for the above text:
"Author's interview with Monsignor James Brew of the Clare Association, May 11, 1978; James Muvihill of the Kerrymen's Association, Feb 6, 1992; and William J. Cunningham of the Donegal Association, Mar. 11, 1992. See also Irish Advocate, Apr 11, 1911.

see also Footnote 54, same page:
"William J. Crowley, president for several terms of the Clare Men's Association, was a successful businessman in the Clare stronghold on the Lower West Side. In addition to his liquor stores, he was the owner of the Huron Cigar Company, which employed 200 hands. The Clare organization endorsed his candidacies for alderman, and although he lost he did quite well for a Republican in such an overwhelmingly Democratic district..."

posted by Sharon Carberry USA

smcarberry
Posts: 1281
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:31 pm
Location: USA

Re: Clare group in Manhattan NY late 1800s/early 1900s

Post by smcarberry » Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:26 pm

Clare Ladies Assn 1898.jpg
Clare Ladies Assn 1898.jpg (19.08 KiB) Viewed 9336 times
Clare Men's Assn 1892 officers.jpg
Clare Men's Assn 1892 officers.jpg (56.77 KiB) Viewed 9336 times
Claremen's Assn 1898 officers.jpg
Claremen's Assn 1898 officers.jpg (32.98 KiB) Viewed 9336 times
Clare Men's Assn 1910 officers.jpg
Clare Men's Assn 1910 officers.jpg (79.05 KiB) Viewed 9336 times
These news articles about the Clare Men's Association provide names of officers, plus there was also a Clare Ladies' Association which made the news. If someone could locate the records of these groups, there might be a fabulous amount of information on their exact Clare ties, including former addresses.

Sharon Carberry

smcarberry
Posts: 1281
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:31 pm
Location: USA

Re: Clare group in Manhattan NY late 1800s/early 1900s

Post by smcarberry » Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:40 pm

The Clare Men's grand event in November, 1912, New York City, was well attended, as noted for several who are specifically named in the attached new article which appeared on Nov. 30th in the Irish American Weekly. Likewise the Clare Ladies' event of 1911 made the news (p. 5, Irish American Weekly, Feb. 4th edition), with many attendees named, including the men's hurling team.

S. Carberry
Attachments
Clare Ladies Ball 1911.pdf
(116.72 KiB) Downloaded 573 times
Claremen's Assn event 1912 NYC.pdf
(101.63 KiB) Downloaded 594 times

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Clare group in Manhattan NY late 1800s/early 1900s

Post by Sduddy » Tue Oct 11, 2022 10:13 am

Thank you Sharon for those attachments.

Here are my transcriptions of the Claremen's Association event in 1912 and the Clare Ladies Ball in 1911:

Claremen’s Association event 1912 NYC. (as reported in Irish American Weekly, on Nov. 30th 1912)

The Claremen’s Entertainment and Ball

The Biggest Social Event of the Season Needed the Grand Central Palace Instead of Lexington Opera House.

Well may the members of the Claremen’s P. B.& S. Association feel proud of the popularity their organization enjoys in New York social circles. This popularity has been proverbial for many years, but was never demonstrated to such an extent as it was on last Saturday night, when the annual entertainment and ball of the association was held in the Lexington Opera House and when over 3,000 friends of the Dalcassians came to pay their respects to the men of “The Banner County.” To say that standing room was at a premium, is putting the story mild. The crowd that failed to gain admission to the affair would be sufficient to make the annual ball of many the Irish County Associations a success.
Every box was filled to overflowing and several requisitions for box seats had to pass unattended to for lack of accommodation.
The entertainment, consisting of seven numbers, was started at 8.30 p. m. and the attention of the audience until 11 o’clock. The last item on the programme was pictures, - moving and stationary – of Ireland, and included the present officers and ex-officers of the Claremen’s Association. The display of these caused great outbursts of enthusiasm as, when the various officers’ photos were cast on the screen, each had a following which gave vent to its feeling by round after round of applause. After the conclusion of the entertainment, the floor was cleared for dancing. American dances monopolized the main floor; the Irish dances were held upstairs, where music was generously provided by two pipers, two violinists and a flute player. Full justice was done to the sets in the hall and there was no time allowed for any other dancing. Plain sets, Clare and Limerick sets, Mazourkas, Caledonians, the Paris, Orange and Green, Polka and Reel sets were danced in rotation with little rest for the musicians.
The officers of the society had a busy night looking after the multitude. The genial President, Wm. Crowley, did not waste any time in idle enjoyment, but stood at the door with Mr. John Clune, Arthur Comyn, J. W. Bourke, Luke O’Connell, James Reidy, Patrick Coughlin, James Kane, et al, to receive the many friends of the association.
Judged by its great gathering of Saturday night, Clare may lay claim to be the “Banner County” in social affairs as in more militant activities.
Following are the names of the box-holders of the evening: Michael J. Quinn, Joseph M. Breen, Dr. James F. Quinn, Patrick Coughlin, Clare Hurling Club, Edward J. Hart, Lion Brewery, Kern and Dunn Distilling Co., James F. Crotty, William Crowley, Kilrush Social Club, Hon. Matthew P. Breen, Thomas Russell, Gibson Distilling Co., Hon. Michael H. Blake, James Curtin, Huron Cigar Co., Joseph Ryan, St. Alphonsus Club, James Keane, Patrick J. Murphy, Thomas Lynch, James Duffy, J. McNamara, Michael Crowley, Michael McManus, R. B. Henry, Luke O’Connell.
The grand march started promptly at midnight, being led by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Russell. Following were Mr. John Lynch and lady, Mr. and Mrs. William Crowle, Mr. Luke O’Connell and Miss Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. James Reedy, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Bourke, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick West, Mr. and Mrs. Martin O’Dea, Dr. James F. Quinn and Mrs. Quinn, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. James Keane, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Kett, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Murphy, Mr. Patrick Coughlin and lady, Judge Mathew P. Breen, and Master H. Breen, Joseph M. Breen and lady, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Reidy, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Coffey, Mr. and Mrs. John Reidy, Stamford, Conn.; Mr. Jack Kelly and Miss Fannie O’Dea, Mr. P. Malloy and Miss Liddy, John Sheehy and lady, Mr. Martin J. Hurley and Miss Mulrooney, Mr. Michael Casey and Miss McInery, Mr. Michael and Miss Ellie Sheehan, Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle, Mr. and Mrs. John McInerney, Mr. Patrick Markham and Miss Liddy, Mr. John Brennan and lady, Mr. Michael J. Murphy and lady, Mr. Thos. Malone and lady, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gorman, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Greene, Mr. and Mrs. John Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Carroll, Mr. Edward McDonald, and Miss Mollie Downe, Mr. William Downes and Miss Elize Greene, Mr. Edward J. Hynes and Miss Eleanor Reedy, Mr. Michael Carey and Miss Bessie Downes, Mr. Michael Haugh and Miss Griffin, Mr. and Mrs. James D. Haugh, Mr. Richard Downes and Miss Nellie Greene, Mr. John J. Sexton and Miss Sexton, Mr. John Clune and the Misses Clune, Mr. Michael Sheehan and lady, Mr. Patrick Skehan and Miss O’Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Looney, Mr. William Render and Miss Mellody, Mr. Joseph Fitzmartin and Miss Aggie Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. P. McDonald “Captain” Clare Hurling Team and over 400 other couples.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clare Ladies’ Ball (as reported in Irish American Weekly, Feb. 4th 1911)

Clare Ladies’ Ball

The most successful annual ball given by an Irish County Lady Society this winter was that of the Clare Ladies at Murray Hill Lyceum last Saturday night.
The Lyceum was crowded to the doors. There were two halls, and both were crowded. The Clare Men were there in force to help their sisters carry out their arrangments; the Clare hurling team was there to receive the beautiful silver loving cup which was presented to them by Major Edward T. McCrystal, the Irish-American. The cup was a trophy in the great popularity contest recently held by that paper, and it was won by the Clare hurling team after a grand display of their popularity.
There were also delegations from the Kilrush Social Club, the Munster Social Club and many kindred societies. There were many distinguished persons among the guests. Miss Mary G. Crowley, the popular president of the society, was one of the busiest persons in the great gathering. She was attentive and courteous to every one. Her brother, Mr. Wm. Crowely, president of the Clare Men, was also there with his usual energy and careful attention to detail, and he helped his sister in the performance of her manifold duties.
Captain M. J. McDonnell, of the hurling team; Jerry Kett, Tom L. Moloney, P. J. Walsh, M. J. Hurley, J. J. Hickey, Tom and James Lillis, Joseph Breen, Peter Crotty, P. J. McInerney, Hugh Curtin and many others were there and assisted the ladies in making the occasion one of sincere pleasure to all who attended.
Above the platform, in letter of blazing characters, hung the great electric sign, “Clare Ladies’ Association, Welcome.” Prof. Ward’s grand orchestra was at its best, and it kept the great crowd in a gay and merry whirl throughout the night. Miss Christina McMahon was the floor manager. Her assistants were Miss Sissie O’Dea and Miss Annie Kitson. Miss Josephine Crowley was chairlady of the Floor Committee, assisted by Miss Lizzie Higgins, Miss Pauline Ryan, Miss Delia Lynch and Miss Mollie Madigan.
The Reception Committee was presided over by Miss Katie Kennedy, assisted by Miss Annie Kelly, Miss Nora Donlan and Miss Delia Madigan. Miss Margaret Crowley and Miss Nellie Mescall also gave valuable assistance.
The march was led by Miss Christina McMahon, escorted by Mr. John Cahill; Miss Lizzie O’Dea, escorted by P. J. Walsh, was second, followed by Luke O’Connell, manager of the Clare football team, and Miss Mary G. Crowley, president of the Clare Ladies. Then came James Kitson and Miss Annie Kitson, Mr. Geegan and Miss Katie Kennedy, President Wm. Crowley of the Clare Men, and Mrs. Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Russell, Jeremiah Kett and Miss Taylor, Mr. Carey and Miss Driscol, Mr. Slattery and Miss Mahoney, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph [Breen?], P. Keneally and Miss Higgins, Mr. and Mrs. James Reidy. The march was splendidly handled. Great bouquets of flowers were presented to the first four ladies.
Others in the march were M. Kileen and Miss S. O’Brien, P. Mullens and Miss M. O’Brien, Chris Kane and Miss M. Kileen, J. Curry and Miss Hanburry, Mr. Dowd and Miss K. O’Brien, T. L. Moloney and Miss N. McNamara, Mr. Lillis and Miss Kane, Mr. O’Brien and Miss Brown, M. Houlihan and Miss K. Curry, T. Hand and Miss D. Pierce, S. Moloney and Miss Rafter, J. Mulqueen and Miss B. Moloney, J. Moloney and Miss McCarthy, C. Stevens and Miss D. Corbett, Mr. Breen and Miss A. Birmingham, M. McNamara and Miss M. Birmingham, P. McNamara and Miss D. McNamara, J. Joyce and Miss M. Kelly, J. Carmody and Miss R. Reilly, M. O’Brien and Miss Liddy, Mr. and Mrs. P. Cunningham, W. Kehoe and lady, W. Godfry and wife, R. Broughton and Miss Flannigan, J. Rhatigan and Miss Moloney, Ed. Wall and Miss McKenna, Mr. Moloney and Miss D. O’Brien, Mr. O’Connell and Miss Finn, T. Sullivan and Miss M. O’Brien, Ed. White and Miss Moore, M. Ryan and Miss N. Messall, F. Badrigues and Miss P. Ryan, J. Muldoon and Miss Hayes, P. Crotty and Miss Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. A. Murphy, P. O’Dea and Miss Carey, M. J. Hurley and lady, M. J. McDonnell and Miss O’Keefe, T. O’Leary and Miss Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. P. Heath, Thomas McDonnell and Miss Prunty, J. McMahon and Miss McLaughlin, Mr. Mallon and Miss K. Roche, G. Brown and Miss L. Roche, Dan Keneally and Miss M. Long, Pat Bresnahan and Miss Archdeacon, F. Moller and Miss N. Urminger, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kett, Mat O’Brien and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan, D. McGrath and wife, Jas. Ryan and Miss A. Palkington [Pilkington?], J. Freil and Miss A. Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Breslin, Mr. Walsh and Miss Downs, Mr. Walsh and Miss Carmody, Mr. Leahy and Miss Kenny, Mr. Kelly and Miss Barry, J. Mahen and Miss Lizzie Egan, P. Rogers and Miss McInerney, Mr. McDowell and Miss L. O’Keefe, Patrick Rogers and Miss Annie Egan, Mr. Markaher and Miss A. Leddy, Mr. Frawley and Miss A. Leach, Mr. Thompson and Miss M. Leddy, Mr. Murphy and Miss Josie Carmody, M. McKenna and Miss Hogan, P. Brady and Miss L. Hogan, L. McKenna and Miss K. Kelly.
The Clare hurling team was represented by Captain M. J. McDonnell, J. J. Ryan, M. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, M. J. Sullivan, J. Curry, J. Halloran, M. J. Hurley and J. Hickey. From the Munster Social Club were President Thos. McDonnell, M. A. Murphy, J. J. Corey, J. J. Donnelly, T. O’Keefe, W. Colligan, Geo. Berm, D. O’Connell, J. Meade. The Kilrush Social Club had present M. Moroney, J. Lillis, Jerry Kett, Thos. Lillis, R. Cahill, J. Cahlll, P. Moloney, J. Slattery, P. Crotty.
The presentation of the loving cup to the Hurling team took place just after the grand march.
Add McC speech and Luke O’Connell’s Accept.

Post Reply