NO WELCOME ON THE MAT Ch: 5

NO WELCOME ON THE MAT Ch: 5

Chapter 5

NO WELCOME ON THE MAT

The people from Ulster who arrived in America in the early 18th century were soon to find that there was to be much opposition and resentment to their settling in particular areas. A lack of goodwill was often sensed by them and this sometimes showed itself in unfriendly remarks to them by some of those already settled there. These, on occasions, called into question their nationality, In one recorded incident a resident official spoke in a slighting way to some new arrivals terming them

“a parcel of Irish,”

“We are surprised to hear ourselves termed Irish people, when we so frequently ventured our all for the British Crown and liberties, and are always ready to do the same when required. We are people of the Scottish race in Ulster, who have given our strength and substance and our lives to uphold the British connection there, It is hard in this new land to be identified with the very people to whom we have always been opposed.”

Thus angrily and emphatically objected one of the Ulster clergymen to the disparaging remark. He had landed in 1718 in Massachusetts along with some 800 of his fellow-countrymen. He, himself, like many who had sailed with him, had taken an active part in the defence of Londonderry. It must have been extremely galling to
veterans of the heroic stand in the “Maiden City”, to be classed as similar in race to

those who had been attacking it and trying to drive them out of Ulster. This careless lumping together of the two distinct races by the official has often been repeated, and has led to much misunderstanding and, even more misrepresentation. It has, especially in America, been very much to the detriment of those of Ulster Scottish blood. As a result of the protest on that occasion and of others later, the settlers from the red hand Province came to be known in America as the Scotch-Irish. Whilst this term did make a distinction between them and the Celtic Irish, It has often been taken as a combination of the two races, part Irish; part Scottish. It is a great pity the term used had not more correctly been used “Ulster Scots” as it would surely have been more accurate and would have prevented in latter times, the Southern Irish and the so-called Irish-Americans from falsely claiming outstanding Ulster Scottish achievements in America to their advantage.
The lack of goodwill demonstrated against these Ulster emigrants as shown by the derogatory term “a parcel of Irish”, was simply one aspect of the opposition they encountered from the people already settled in New England. They quickly found that their religion was not deemed acceptable either. The people of that region were almost entirely Puritans, who, although in religion being nearer to the Presbyterianism of the new arrivals than to the Anglicanism of those in New York, did insist that all arrivals should worship exactly in their way. Indeed, they sought to limit citizenship of Massachusetts to those of their religion. Later they did pursue this exclusive concentration on their own Puritanism with such ruthless determination that there are recorded cases of severe physical punishments like whippings. boring holes in persons’ tongues, and even hangings inflicted on those who would not conform. This ill-treatment was directed chiefly against Quakers, although Roger Williams was driven out because he was a Baptist.

There was much concern, too, among those already settled in that part of America about the limited food and produce of their territory. This concern was expressed on one occasion by Thomas Lechmere, the Surveyor – General of Customs at Boston, in a letter of August 11th, 1718,

“These confounded Irish will eat us all up, provisions being most extravagantly dear and scarce of all sorts.”

This opposition to the new emigrants occurred also, in the more Southern seaboard states, but not to such an extent. One factor common in all the settlements on the Atlantic coast was the limited possibility to extend Westwards. There were two formidable barriers to expansion in that direction, the long North South mountain ranges and the hostile Red Indians. Certainly the Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains Southwards from Pennsylvania were more forbidding than those farther North, but then the Atlantic Plain in the New England states was much narrower than in those farther South.

However, the limitation for expansion and settlement was in them all. Perhaps the colonists in Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Carolinas extended more of a welcome, because they had more land available. The “First come, first served” resentful attitude of those already there maybe, understandable. But their persuading, and in many cases, forcing of the people from Ulster to occupy the lethally dangerous frontier regions and to act as a barrier against Indian attacks was unjustifiable. It is worth mentioning here, perhaps, that the widespread and deeply felt ill-feeling shown at later times between the peoples of the coastal Tidewater area and those in the more inland and higher land called the Piedmonts stemmed in many cases from the lack of welcome extended to newcomers. It did lead to two revolts against the piedmonts set up in coastal areas.

Many mass emigrations from Ulster in the 18th century in some ways followed the pattern set by the “Eagle Wing”, in that several ministers encouraged their congregations to go with them on the still hazardous journey. But they did not go as far as to have their own boats built. Some were constructed, but by others, to accommodate those who travelled, and for the profit of the makers. Between 1714 and 1720 at least 54 ships containing probably in the region of over 5.000 people arrived at Boston. This was the start of the mass exodus of Ulster Presbyterians in the 18th century, which was to reach such great numbers later. Indeed it has been likened by Harold R. Alexander as “a diaspora similar to that of the Jews.”

Many of this vanguard were from the Foyle and Bann Valleys, and likely sailed from Londonderry and Belfast. The reception accorded to them can be judged from the experiences of those on one vessel, called “The Robert” which sailed in 1718. Now there had been a prior arrangement made about their coming.

Rev. William Boyd, minister of Macosquin, near Coleraine, in Londonderry County, had gone over to discuss the possible emigration with Samuel Shute, Governor of New England. He had taken with him a petition baring the names of 322 persons, almost all of whom had signed in good handwriting, only 11 having to register their marks. This in 1718 surely reflects highly on the standard of their literacy. They expressed their desire to settle in the Governor’s territory and he agreed to accept them, However, when their ship arrived at Boston, they were told that to settle in any of the existing communities they would have to join the Puritan State Church. This they were unwilling to do. Governor Shute said that they could disembark at Boston but would have to go inland from that town, or stay on board and journey to a good tract of land farther North along the coast of Maine, He offered them in either case a tract of land 12 miles square as a grant. Some of them decided to go inland which meant they had to settle quite close to land that had very recently been attacked by Indians. The others decided to sail along the coast to the coastal area indicated by the Governor. There, they found that the land was rather unsuitable for starting a settlement.
However, some did land, while the remainder decided to remain on board for theWinter. It did not seem to matter where they landed in New England, the general rule insisted on by Thomas Lechmere appeared to apply. It was, “They (the Ulster Presbyterians) can have so many acres given gratis to settle our frontier as a barrier against the Indians) This, although, he did observe, “They are generally men of estates.” However, in spite of this rather discouraging welcome, the newcomers seemed to disregard the dangers and drawbacks in front of them, and push forward to make a success of their ventures. Those hardy souls, who had gone ashore in Maine, had to push inland along the banks of the Penobscot River, and settled at two places, which they afterwards designated Belfast and Bangor. Those who had stayed for the Winter on board the “Robert” returned to a place nearer Boston. where after disembarking, they were forced to move inland.

They came to a pleasant place in New Hampshire named Nutfield, so called because of the abundance of nuts of different varieties to be found there. This settlement they later named Londonderry, after the town many of them had so valiantly and successfully defended. Their spirits seem to have remained undaunted, for the settlement grew rapidly. In 1723, following their building of a strong fort against Indian attack. and wooden huts for their own accommodation, they erected a house for their minister Rev. James McGregor. The following year they built a meeting-house for worship. In a few short years there were some 700 communicants. Four schools were also constructed to provide their children with the education so highly prized by the parents. Their much respected minister, Mr. MacGregor, himself, a Siege of Londonderry veteran, who had been ordained at Aghadowey in Ulster in 1701, would be one of the dominies engaged at the schools to impart knowledge to the pupils.

The folk from the ship who had landed In Boston went inland and settled at Worcester. There again they were unkindly treated. The framework of a church they had started to build was deliberately sawn down, and burned by Puritans. Although a hardy remained to face things out, others went on to found two new settlements which they called Coleraine and Pelham. Years later some had pressed on into Vermont and New York States. In the latter of which they founded Orange and Ulster Counties. In 1729 the Londonderry Presbytery was formed. This was followed in 1745 by that of Boston, which had 25 churches served by 16 ministers. So, in spite of Puritan Congregational 1st opposition they had made remarkable progress.The quality of these settlers in New England States is well shown by the outstanding achievements of, and renown accorded to, some of their descendants.

Dr. W.F. Marshall, in his book, “Ulster Sails West” tells of how in 50 years of New Hampshire’s history nearly half of the State Governors were of Ulster Scottish descent. Also from Massachusetts came Matthew Thornton one of the “‘Signers of the Declaration of Independence.” His parents had brought him
at the age of four in 1718, probably on board the “Robert”, since they had lived in Maine before moving to Worcester. He, for a time, was a colonel in the militia. In 1775 he was elected President of the Provincial Congress in New Hampshire. In 1776 he took his seat in the Continental Congress which represented all the American Colonies and was the real driving force of the Revolution. Another eminent man descended from one of the Ulster families of Worcester was Professor Asa Gray, the world-famed botanist. His ancestor was James Gray, who with others stood up successfully to Indian raids on the frontier. There was, too, Horace Greeley,
who has been described as the most noted American journalist. He was the editor and great moral driving force behind the New York Tribune.” It had been recorded that he stubbornly held to writing what he believed to be right, no matter how unpopular it was. He was the only editor ever nominated by an American political party for the Presidency. Harry S. Truman stated his belief that Greeley would probably have been elected to that high office, if he had spoken in a more appealing way the people. Had he been, he would have added to the very high number of Ulster Scots who have reached the highest political position in America.