St. Patrick's Day 1818, Washington D C

Washington District of Columbia

St. Patrick's Day
1818

By : John G. Sharp

St. Patrick's Day 1818
Patrick Kain 1775-1825 Washington Navy Yard Master Blacksmith and his fellow Irish expatriates of the Sons of Erin gathered on Saint Patrick's Day 1818 to celebrate their mutual heritage and pledge their loyalty to their new county and their enmity to Great Britain. In the early 19th century the Irish in the District of Columbia were a growing minority. While there are no accurate figures for ethnic groups in these years, the census did not record birthplace until 1850, the Irish were significant enough presence in Washington to form their own societies and support churches and schools for both Catholic and Protestants. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, was then popular with Catholics and some Protestants as a symbol of Irish national identity. For occasions such as St. Patrick's day, when such societies and organizations gatherer all male members were expected to drink each toast. This meeting would have been held at Patrick Moss's tavern which was close to the Navy Yard. The severe anti British tone of most of theses toasts reflects the history of the British occupation in Ireland and the failure of the 1798 rebellion. The workers would have remembered the War of 1812 many had fought in the militia while all would have remembered when the Capitol and White House were burned by British troops and the Washington Navy Yard was destroyed in the great conflagration of August 24, 1814. Perhaps the greatest of these recollected injuries was the destruction of the WNY ship building and repair facilities which meant that many of the workers suffered loss of their personal property and trade tools. Even more onerous on the mechanics and laborers of the navy yard was the fact that most yard workers were unemployed for at least a year until the shops were rebuilt.
John G. Sharp Stockton, Ca.	March 7, 2009

St. Patrick's Day 1818

Patrick Kain 1775-1825 Washington Navy Yard Master Blacksmith and his fellow Irish expatriates of the Sons of Erin gathered on Saint Patrick's Day 1818 to celebrate their mutual heritage and pledge their loyalty to their new county and their enmity to Great Britain. In the early 19th century the Irish in the District of Columbia were a growing minority. While there are no accurate figures for ethnic groups in these years, the census did not record birthplace until 1850, the Irish were significant enough presence in Washington to form their own societies and support churches and schools for both Catholic and Protestants. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, was then popular with Catholics and some Protestants as a symbol of Irish national identity. For occasions such as St. Patrick's day, when such societies and organizations gatherer all male members were expected to drink each toast. This meeting would have been held at Patrick Moss's tavern which was close to the Navy Yard.

The severe anti British tone of most of theses toasts reflects the history of the British occupation in Ireland and the failure of the 1798 rebellion. The workers would have remembered the War of 1812 many had fought in the militia while all would have remembered when the Capitol and White House were burned by British troops and the Washington Navy Yard was destroyed in the great conflagration of August 24, 1814. Perhaps the greatest of these recollected injuries was the destruction of the WNY ship building and repair facilities which meant that many of the workers suffered loss of their personal property and trade tools. Even more onerous on the mechanics and laborers of the navy yard was the fact that most yard workers were unemployed for at least a year until the shops were rebuilt.

John G. Sharp
Stockton, Ca.

March 7, 2009

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Daily National Intelligencer Washington DC March 20, 1818 ST. PATRICK'S DAY
A number of the *Sons of Erin* assembled at the house of Mr. Moss, near the Navy Yard to celebrate the festival of their Patron Saint; when Mr. PATRICK KAIN was called to the Chair, and after partaking of an entertainment, the following toast were drank: *The United States of America* - an asylum for the oppressed- The true Sons of Erin will ever be foremost in supporting the rights and avenging the wrongs of their adopted country. *The Army of the United States* - May their past misfortunes prove to be only the prelude to future success. *The Navy* - I t has in glorious victories gained by Hull, Decatur, Jones, and Bainbridge proved to the world that Fir is superior the English Oak. *The Republicans of South America* - Engaged in a good cause; may their efforts be crowned by success. *The Band of Irish Martyrs* - Orr, Tone, Fitzgerald, Emmett, and Co. Sad but sweet the memory of the departed worth. *The memory of James Napper Tandy* - Britain can sacrifice her unnatural maxim of non expatriation on the alter of necessity. *Ireland* - Fallen alas its state, degraded its condition! Such are effects of national disunion and religious discord - Let Americans learn wisdom from so awful and example. *The History of Ireland* - The record of English crimes; of English Oppression and English avarice. *Our Countrymen of the Old Sod* - May they extirpate the spirit of animosity from among them and cultivate the love of Union which can affect their political salvation. *Columbia the land of our choice because it's the land of Liberty* - Dear to us is that freedom we participate in, and for its preservation Irishmen will cheerfully risqué their all. *The President and Constituted authorities of the United States* - The Magistrates and Legislators, of a free people resolved to protect their rights. *George Washington* - His advice is good, his example better, may the former be ever cherished and the latter followed. *Thomas Jefferson* - A virtuous chief, whose services cannot, will not be forgotten by a grateful people. *Our Countrymen throughout the United States* - Experiencing the blessing of freedom it would d be unusual to find them among our enemies. *The Fair of Columbia* - May their favors be conferred on the friends of their country, to the total exclusion of Tories. Volunteered by Mr. Reed *Captain Porters Foretopsail* - "Free Trade and Sailors Rights"

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Daily National Intelligencer
Washington DC
March 20, 1818

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

A number of the Sons of Erin assembled at the house of Mr. Moss, near the Navy Yard to celebrate the festival of their Patron Saint; when Mr. PATRICK KAIN was called to the Chair, and after partaking of an entertainment, the following toast were drank:
The United States of America - an asylum for the oppressed- The true Sons of Erin will ever be foremost in supporting the rights and avenging the wrongs of their adopted country.
The Army of the United States - May their past misfortunes prove to be only the prelude to future success.
The Navy - I t has in glorious victories gained by Hull, Decatur, Jones, and Bainbridge proved to the world that Fir is superior the English Oak.
The Republicans of South America - Engaged in a good cause; may their efforts be crowned by success.
The Band of Irish Martyrs - Orr, Tone, Fitzgerald, Emmett, and Co. Sad but sweet the memory of the departed worth.
The memory of James Napper Tandy - Britain can sacrifice her unnatural maxim of non expatriation on the alter of necessity.
Ireland - Fallen alas its state, degraded its condition! Such are effects of national disunion and religious discord - Let Americans learn wisdom from so awful and example.
The History of Ireland - The record of English crimes; of English Oppression and English avarice.
Our Countrymen of the Old Sod - May they extirpate the spirit of animosity from among them and cultivate the love of Union which can affect their political salvation.
Columbia the land of our choice because it's the land of Liberty - Dear to us is that freedom we participate in, and for its preservation Irishmen will cheerfully risqué their all.
The President and Constituted authorities of the United States - The Magistrates and Legislators, of a free people resolved to protect their rights.
George Washington - His advice is good, his example better, may the former be ever cherished and the latter followed.
Thomas Jefferson - A virtuous chief, whose services cannot, will not be forgotten by a grateful people.
Our Countrymen throughout the United States - Experiencing the blessing of freedom it would d be unusual to find them among our enemies.
The Fair of Columbia - May their favors be conferred on the friends of their country, to the total exclusion of Tories.
Volunteered by Mr. Reed
Captain Porters Foretopsail - "Free Trade and Sailors Rights"

End Notes :

Patrick Kain 1775 -1825 came to the United States from Ireland about 1804 and worked at the Washington Navy Yard as a Master Painter. Patrick Kain may have been involved with the Society of United Irishmen and forced to leave his native country when the rebellion 1798 against British rule failed.
See also : Obituary of Patrick KAIN

Patrick Moss a District of Columbia, tavern keeper who resided at his establishment north side near L Street between 7^th & 8^th

Sons of Erin was an Irish expatriate organization with chapters in many of the leading Americans cities in the early nineteenth century. Many members of the organization had supported the Society of United Irishmen.

Society of United Irishmen a political group dedicated to Irish independence and freedom composed of both Catholics and Protestants. The society was founded as a Liberal political organization in eighteenth century Ireland that sought Parliamentary reform. However, it evolved into a revolutionary republican organization, inspired by the American Revolution and allied with Revolutionary France. It launched the Irish Rebellion of 1798 with the objective of ending British rule over Ireland and founding an independent Irish republic. The rebellion failed and the group's followers were hung, jailed or exiled.

James Napper Tandy 1740 -1805, a Protestant Irishmen, a leader in the Society of United Irishmen. After the failure of the 1798 rebellion, Tandy was jailed sentenced to hang then exiled to France for his participation in the Society and the rebellion.

Orr, Tone, Fitzgerald, Emmett, "the martyrs" or members of the society who were hung by the British.

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