The Irish in Antebellum Richmond
Part I
The Irish population of Richmond
was fewer than 500 in 1850. By 1860 the Irish population had risen to 2,200.
Of the city's population of 37,910, 21% percent of the white population
of 23,635 was foreign born. The Irish were the largest ethnic group in
Richmond by 1860. The Irish suffered the same hardships here as they did
in the large Northern cities but they also had to adjust to the slave culture
that existed here. As usual, the local native population treated the Irish
poorly at the same time they needed the Irish to help build the infrastructure
of the growing cities.
St. Peter's Catholic Church
became the center of Irish life when it opened in 1834. At this time John
Dooley, James Dooley's father, was president of the Young Catholic Friend
Society, an organization that clothed poor children and encouraged their
attendance at Sunday school. John Dooley also served on the board of trusties
of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum.
In the 1850's the Irish established
a Hibernian Society in Richmond which was geared mainly for helping new
immigrants. Its President was William G. Paine, and he along with vice-president
P.T. Moore, treasure Thomas Bondar, and secretary P.G. Coglan conducted
the Hibernian meetings at the Odd Fellows Hall, located at the corner of
Franklin and Mayo Streets.
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