PA-SOUTH-PHILLY-L Archives

From: joe moore <>
Subject: [SO.PHILLY] Re: [PHILLY-ROOTS-L] Native American Party Riots of 1840
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 11:23:14 -0500
References: <76.11f6da01.290d64d7@aol.com> <3BDD8F47.3FA84663@home.com>

Claire wrote:

> wrote:
>
> > Evidently there were"two Germantown Blues" killed in the Native American
> > party riots of abt 1838-40, I am not sure of the date...I have never been able
> > to
> > ascertain the names of these two or to find much else on the riots other than
> > a brief mention here and there.
> > Speaking of riots, the HSP has a wonderful article on the Phila Irish Riot of
> > 1831 but I don't think there is a connection with the "Natives Party".
>
> Joan,
> The Native American party (dubbed the "Know Nothings") rioted in 1844 (May 6-10
> and July 4-8 in Phila.) and targeted Catholics, especially Irish Catholics.
> (There is some analysis suggesting it was at least partly an Orange Order
> rising). One of the most interesting accounts of it I read was in the parish
> history of St. Patrick's (South Phila.). According to it, St. Michael's (2nd and
> Masters) was attacked, as was St. Augustine's (4th, below Vine), which was
> destroyed. On July 4, St. Philip's was attacked (the rioters now had cannons).
> Major General Paterson petitioned the President (of the US) to send troops from
> Carlisle, Fort Mifflin, and Fort McHenry, and petitioned the Governor (of PA) for
> soldiers from Lancaster and Harrisburg. On July 8, the Gov. posted more than
> 5000 troops in Phila. According to this account, the May riots ended with
> $150,000 of church property damage and $100,000 city property damage (presumably
> in 1844 dollars, which would be worth much more today), 40 dead and more than 60
> seriously wounded; the July riots ended with 14 dead and 50 wounded. There was
> also a lawsuit in which the Catholic Church was awarded some damages.
>
> The St. Patrick's history traces the history of the "Nativism" from the Tory
> elements in the Federalist Party, through the Alien and Naturalization Laws of
> the Adams administration, to a fresh growth in the "second quarter of the
> Nineteenth Century" (sometime between 1825 and 1850, I would have said!) based on
> the spurious revelations of "Maria Monk" and other self-proclaimed "escaped nuns"
> (all of whose claims were proven false), resulting in the 1834 burning of a
> convent in Charleston, Mass. The "Native American" Party continued to exist
> until 1860, but had lost a lot of support after its 1844 rioting. So, those are
> the time periods you'd want to research.
>
> The St. Patrick's history, written c. 1940 for the 100th anniversary of the
> founding of the parish, refers to/quotes from "Catholicity in Philadelphia" by
> Kirlin and, briefly, "Nativism in America" by Sister St. Henry (no further
> bibliographic info is provided for either piece), in case you're able to track
> down either of those sources. Ken Burns' documentary on NY mentions the rioting
> in NYC.
>
> So, that's my effort to provide you with names, dates, places, terms, etc. so you
> can search newspapers, history books, parish histories, Catholic libraries, legal
> and governmental papers (e.g. re the lawsuit, calling out troops), etc. I'm sure
> there are lots more sources just waiting to be researched.
>
> Hope that helps. Sorry I couldn't help with the names of the dead.
> Claire
>
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> helped yourself!

Very enjoyable & informative information. Thanks!
The only other items that I have read about these riots were that the construction
design of the Peter & Paul Cathedral - on the parkway in Philly across from Logan's
square was changed to eliminate windows on the first floor. I also thought the
number of deaths were much lower. At St. Phillips' located at 218 Queen St. ( my
roots) was from what I read about 15 yrs. ago a one day fight to the finish. The
results being The Catholics kept out the non-paying guests. I also recall from that
article that it was very much neighbor against neighbors in some instances.

In any event, I do not wish to spread any further urban legends. My understanding of
the St. Philip's as well as the Southwark area in the 1830-1860's era was that if you
were Catholic & wanted a job ( meaning a public type) you saw the local Protestant or
compromised Catholic ward leaders.

I suspect- This environment where one group feels it's fate is under the heels of
another helped ignite the riots.

It's still does- see Newspapers any day of the week.
( This is a non -paid Heart felt Preaching Point!)
Thanks once again for this - Sincerely!!
Joe Moore
2 St.
Baptized on premises of St. Philip's 1948

PS - For South Philly Group - " What's up with this? " -see following:

The Vare elementary school -3rd & Moyem. is a great example of how little we know of
our " Baggage" or past. During the 1915-1920's Mr. Vare was a politician who pocketed
millions of dollars of public monies. He ran the city's public works dept. When the
funds for cleaning up the bodies on the curbs disappeared during the Flu epidemic
-1917-1918 ?- and consequently, the bodies were not being picked up, Mr. Vare was
exposed. Being a Philly politician, He wasn't forced out of office- see history
elsewhere.

So, I would like to throw these questions out to whom it may interest:

Why is a school named after him - Mr. Vare? Are there schools named after Al Capone
in your neighborhood? If we can name school's after public crooks such as Mr. Vare
why not change Central High School or South Philly High to Pete Rose's Academy of
finer odds?
I realize these are difficult questions. I was hoping Ed Randel would take them on.
I am not sure about J Street's interest.

Summary- " What's up with this? " ...
A number of my ancestors were on those sidewalks ( It's true! - even before the Flu
struck!) so, I kind of have an " obligation" to raise the tough questions( also,
because I almost broke 1000 on my SAT's)

Love to see more on this. Thanks,
Joe Moore
2 St.

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