Early Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations in the United States
The earliest American celebration of St. Patrick's Day, of which record has been found, took place in 1737.
From: 1737 C.E. To: 1845 C.E.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
From St. Patrick's Day; Its Celebration in New York and Other American Places, 1737-1845 by John D. Crimmins.
The earliest American celebration of St. Patrick's Day, of which record has been found, took place in 1737. On March 17, that year, the Charitable Irish Society was organized in Boston, Mass., by a number of leading Irish Protestants. The Society is still in existence, though there is no longer any religious qualification for membership. The preamble adopted by the founders reads as follows:
"Whereas; Several Gentlemen, Merchants and Others, of the Irish Nation residing in Boston in New England, from an Affectionate and Compassionate concern for their countrymen in these Parts, who may be reduced by Sickness, Shipwrack, Old age and other Infirmities and unforeseen Accidents, Have thought fitt to form themselves into a Charitable Society, for the relief of such of their poor and indigent Countrymen, without any Design of not contributing towards the Provision of the Town Poor in general as usual. And the said Society being now in its Minority, it is to be hoped and expected, that all Gentlemen, Merchts, and others of the Irish Nation, or Extraction, residing in, or trading to these Parts, who are lovers of Charity and their Countrymen, will readily come into and give their Assistance to so laudable an undertaking; and for the due Regulation and Management of said intended Charity, the Society, on the 17th day of March, in the year 1737, agreed on the following Rules and orders."
…These men were proud of their Irish blood and emphasized this pride by selecting St. Patrick's Day as the occasion on which to organize their Irish society. It is believed that the religious clause was early repealed or permitted to become a dead letter. It is thought that Roman Catholics were admitted to membership as far back as 1742. It is known that Catholics were members of the Society in 1770. Today, the greater part of the members are Catholics, but members are admitted and officers chosen irrespective of church affiliations. Many of the members served in the patriot ranks during the Revolution, some of them bearing commissions on land or sea. Henry Knox was admitted to the Society in 1772. We shall have occasion to again refer to this Society, later.
On March 17, 1757, a celebration of St. Patrick's Day took place at Fort William Henry "at that time the most northerly outpost of Great Britain in America." It was located at the head of Lake George and had been built by Sir William Johnson, an Irishman by birth. At the time of which we write the garrison was largely Irish and included a battalion of Provincial Rangers under John Stark. Forty miles away was the French stronghold of Ticonderoga. On the evening of March 16, 1757, an extra ration of grog was distributed to the Irish troops in Fort William Henry, in which to "drown the shamrock."
Stark fearing the effect on his Provincial Rangers issued orders that no grog was to be given his command, on March 17th, except on a written order from himself. He then, it is said, had it noised around that he could not fill out any orders as his right hand was lame so that he was unable to write. In the meantime, the French had made a forced march from Ticonderoga to attack Fort William Henry.
On St. Patrick's night they fell upon the latter, perhaps thinking they would have an easy time of it. They were repulsed, however, Stark and his Provincials taking a leading part in repelling the assault. Hon. John C. Linehan declares that "The truth of the matter is, that with an Irish commander, Sir William Johnson, an Irish regiment in the fort, and a possibility of there being a part of the old Irish brigade in the French stronghold, St. Patrick had an all-round celebration and the attack was undoubtedly planned by the Irish exiles in the French service, who knew what the custom was on March 17, and thought to catch their Anglo-Irish opponents unawares."
In 1763 a celebration of the day took place at Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). Capt. S. Ecuyer, in command at the Fort, wrote to Col. Boquet and in the course of his communication said: "We had St. Patrick's fetes in every manner so that Croghan could not write by this express."
In 1766 St. Patrick's lodge of Masons was instituted at Johnstown, N. Y., being the first lodge organized, in that province, west of the Hudson river. It was still in existence at a recent period. The lodge was warranted under the administration of George Harison, provincial grand master of the Province of New York. Sir William Johnson, who was a native of the County Meath, Ireland, was the first master of the lodge. In 1770, Col. Guy Johnson, a native of Ireland, was elected master of St. Patrick's lodge, and Michael Byrne, junior warden.
A tribute to St. Patrick's memory was paid at a meeting in Boston, Mass., March 18, 1768. The Boston Gazette of March 21, that year, thus refers to the event: "Friday, the 18th inst.," the anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp act, "a select company of truly respectable Gentlemen, upwards of Fifty in number, assembled at the British Coffee House, and devoted the happy Day to Mirth and Festivity." One of the toasts was to "St. Patrick," and "The preceding day being St. Patrick's, and a Number of Irish Gentlemen present, this Toast was cheerfully drank." Another toast on this occasion was "May the Sons of America and Ireland never be involv'd in Slavery."
St. Patrick's Day was enthusiastically observed in the American army during the Revolution. The British evacuated Boston on St. Patrick's Day, 1776, and the Americans marched in and took possession. Washington in the camp at Cambridge authorized as the parole for the day "Boston"; and the countersign, "St. Patrick." Gen. John Sullivan was brigadier of the day. An historical writer declares that as the British departed from Boston they "left sentries standing in effigy with their muskets shouldered and bearing the usual appearance of being on duty."
In Philadelphia on St. Patrick's Day, 1778, there was a celebration by men in the British service. Elizabeth Drinker states that "A crowd of Irish soldiers went by this afternoon, with one on horseback representing St. Patrick."
There was also an observance of the day in 1778 by Washington's army at Valley Forge. The event was marked by an exciting incident or two. Some trouble-makers in the army, it appears, sought to have a little fun at the expense of the Irish by indulging in antics of a "stuffed Paddy" nature. This led to "great indignation among the Irish in the camp" and a row ensued. Washington appeared on the scene and " kindly and feelingly argued with them," promising to punish the parties who had given offence if the latter were shown to him. It was on this occasion that Washington is stated to have said "I, too, am a lover of St. Patrick's day." Then there was an extra issue of "grog" to the army "and thus all made merry and were good friends."
We learn that on St. Patrick's Day, 1779, a lot of "bigots congregated" in St. Mary's churchyard, Philadelphia, drinking and singing, and that some Irishmen and Frenchmen in the American army "decided to teach the desecrators a lesson." They accordingly fired on the offenders and wounded a number of them. The next day Baron Steuben ordered "those engaged in the affair to 'step to the front,' when forty-nine did so." Forthwith, the cause being ascertained, "they were discharged from arrest."
In the St. Louis "Republican," October, 1887, appears the following:—
"Quite an interesting and curious old manuscript relating to the time of the American Revolution has been discovered by one of our reporters. It is in possession of a resident of St. Louis. It is no less than the original "military orders of the day" issued to the "Main Guard and Morristown Picket" from February 15 to April 7, 1780, while the American army, under Gen. Washington, was stationed at Morristown, N. J.
"Though musty with age, and on that account in some places almost illegible, the manuscript as a whole is as clear as on the day it was written, and presents a photograph of the interior workings of that famous little American army, its morale, its soldierly discipline, the character of the common soldiers, the manner in which they were provided for, the kind of arms with which they were equipped, and of other incidents, as even the very pastimes and amusements allowed the soldiers—such as perhaps no historian of that period has ever presented to the world. At present only two extracts from the manuscript are given, and they are selected for the purpose of showing how this nation, in the throes of its birth, as heartily as it does now in the plenitude of its might and power, sympathized with the Irish people:—"
Headquarters, March 16, 1780.
Officers for duty to-morrow: Brig-Gen. Clinton, Maj. Edwards, Brig.-Maj. Brice. The General congratulates the army on the very interesting proceedings of the parliament of Ireland and of the inhabitants of the country, which have been lately communicated. Not only do they appear calculated to remove the heavy and tyrannical oppressions on their trade, but to restore to a brave and generous people their ancient rights and privileges, and in their operation to promote the cause of America. Desirous of impressing on the mind of the army transactions so important in their nature, the General directs that all fatigue and working parties cease for to-morrow, the 17th [a] day held in particular regard by the people of that nation. At the same time that he orders this as a mark of pleasure he feels in the situation, he persuades himself that the celebration of the day will not be attended by the least rioting or disorder. The officers to be at their quarters in camp, and the troops of each State are to be in their own encampment.
Division orders: Captain of the day to-morrow, brigadier-major from the Second Pennsylvania brigade.
Brigade orders: Captain of the day [name illegible]. Adjutant of the day to-morrow, Herbert.
Different versions of the foregoing general order have been published from time to time. They all agree in essentials, and differ only in some minor points of phraseology. The following, however, is an exact copy of the order in the form in which it appears on the records of the War Department at Washington, D. C. The writer is indebted for this copy to Col. F. C. Ainsworth, chief of the Record and Pension office of the Department:
Head Quarters Morris Town, 16th March, 1780.
The Genl. congratulates the Army on the very interesting Proceeding of the Parliament of Ireland, and the Inhabitants of that Country, which have been lately communicated, not only as they appear calculated to remove those heavy and tyrannical oppressions on their Trade, but to restore to a brave and generous People their ancient Rights & Freedom, and by their operation to promote the Cause of America,—desirous of impressing on the Minds of the Army Transactions so important in their Nature, the Genl. directs that all Fatigue and Working Parties cease for tomorrow, the 17th a day held in particular Regard by the People of that Nation. At the same time he orders, that as a mark of the Pleasure he feels on the occasion, he persuades himself that the Celebration of the Day will not be attended with the least Rioting or Disorder—The Offs. to be at their Quarters in Camp, and the Troops of each State Line, are to be kept within their own encampments.
The following order was also issued at the same time, though it does not clearly appear by whom. Some accounts attribute it to Col. Francis Johnson, a Pennsylvania officer:
"The commanding officer desires that the celebration of the day should not pass by without having a little rum issued to the troops, and has thought proper to direct the commissary to send for the hogshead which the colonel has purchased already in the vicinity of the camp. While the troops are celebrating the bravery of St. Patrick in innocent mirth and pastime, he hopes they will not forget their worthy friends in the kingdom of Ireland, who, with the greatest unanimity, have stepped forward in opposition to the tyrant Great Britain, and who, like us, are determined to die or be free. The troops will conduct themselves with the greatest sobriety and good order."
The camp parole on this occasion was "Saint," and the countersign, "Patrick" and "Shelah." It is stated that "The day was ushered in with music and hoisting of colors, exhibiting the thirteen stripes, the favorite harp and an inscription, 'The Independence of Ireland.' "
Col. Israel Angell, of the Second Rhode Island regiment in the Continental Line, left a diary in which, under date of "17 March 1781," he states that there was "A great parade this day with the Irish," it being St. Patrick's. He adds: "I spent the day on the Point and tarried with the officers." The army was then encamped at West Point, which is the locality referred to by Col. Angell.
Reference has already been made to a St. Patrick's Lodge of Masons instituted at Johnstown, N. Y., in 1766. Another lodge bearing the name was located at Portsmouth, N. H., and was chartered March 17, 1780. Early that month, a number of residents of Portsmouth and vicinity petitioned the Masonic grand lodge of Massachusetts for a charter, their new lodge to bear the name St. Patrick. The grand lodge met in Boston on St. Patrick's night, 1780, and granted the petition.
Referring to this St. Patrick's lodge, Macoy's General History of Freemasonry, under the heading of New Hampshire, says that "A charter was granted to a number of brethren in Portsmouth by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, under the name of 'St. Patrick's Lodge,' bearing date Boston, March 17, 1780. This lodge continued its meetings until the latter end of 1790, when they ceased working. This Lodge had never acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, by the charter of St. Patrick's Lodge, claimed jurisdiction no longer than till a Grand Lodge should be formed in New Hampshire; therefore, St. Patrick's Lodge was not, at the time of its dissolution, under the jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge."
A History of Freemasonry in New Hampshire, by Lyman Spalding, M.D., Grand Secretary, published in Preston's Illustrations of Masonry, as Appendix No. Ill, edition of 1804, has the following: "A petition was presented to the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, March 7th, A. L. 5780, from several brethren of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, praying that a lodge might be established there, by the name and designation of 'St. Patrick's, No. 14,' which was accordingly granted. The charter bears date, Boston, 17th of March, A. L. 5780. The petitioners met for the first time under the charter, March 24th, organized themselves, and chose Oliver Whipple, Esq. to be their first Master.
"This lodge continued its meetings till the latter end of the year 1790, when they ceased working; most of its members having joined St. John's Lodge, which was revived about that time. The funds and regalia of this lodge were entirely lost, being kept by the members, in whose hands they were lodged at that time. The loss of the regalia may in part be attributed to the want of a Grand Lodge to claim them.—St. Patrick's Lodge had never acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, * * *"
Crimmins, John Daniel. St. Patrick's Day; Its Celebration in New York and Other American Places, 1737-1845. John D. Crimmins.
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