PHILLY-ROOTS-L Archives

From: ken milano< >
Subject: Part 2: Kensington Riots
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 13:28:54 -0500 (EST)

Dear Philly Roots,

This is the second installment of the Kensington Riot completing the
actions of the first day and winding up with the Nativists plans for the
ensuing days. Some folks seem to have thought I was talking about Native
American Indians, I am not, the Native American mentioned here are those
whites that were born in America.

The following is taken from a broadside in my possession that was published
contemporary to the Kensington Riots of 1844. The riot began on May 6th,
1844, near the intersection of 2nd and Master streets, in the then
District of Kensington, Philadelphia County, later (in 1854) to become the
Kensington neighborhood in the City of Philadelphia, Pa. It lasted three
days.

I¹ve highlighted the names of participants in order to help your search.
The riots continued for about three days and then moved to the Southwark
and Moyamensing districts. I will hopefully be able to give all three days
of reporting...provided my typing fingers don¹t give out....

Nine O¹Clock. P.M.

Kensington is yet filled with large numbers of persons, and every moment
others from the surrounding districts are pouring in. We heard that large
stacks of fire-arms and men are secreted in ST. MICHAEL¹S, and word has
just arrived that more than 1000 armed persons are in ST. AUGUSTINE¹S
CHURCH. A large bonfire has been made by the Native Americans.

We have just learned that Mr. A.R.PEALE, was seriously wounded in the head
by a brick bat, during the riot in the afternoon.

Ten O¹Clock, P.M.

A number of Native Americans have just arrived, and while near Germantown
Road and Second street a number of paving stones were showered down on them
from the roof of a house, but without any serious effect. The Natives
rallied, and stormed the house, breaking in the windows, &c. Several guns
haved just been fired, by both sides, into the air. The Catholics have
complete possession of the market, and seemingly each man is armed, some
with muskets, others with rifles, and shot guns.

Eleven O¹Clock, P.M.

The mob collected about the place where the firing commenced in the
afternoon. The excitement was most intense. After partially demolishing the
brick house, from which a musket was fired in the afternoon, they moved
towords the Orphans Asylum, where they were met with a volley of musketry
from the Irish Catholics, - instantly killing one man and mortally wounding
two others. The young man killed, we learn is a son of MR. WRIGHT, the
Commission Merchant on Vine Street wharf. We were unable to ascertain the
names of the others injured. The firing still contnued when our reporter
left the ground; the excitement was growing more intense every mement, and
large bodies of Native Americans were preparing themselves for the worst
consequences. We sincerely hope order may be restored without further
bloodshed.

AMERICANS TO THE RESCUE.

A very large Mass Meeting of the American Republicans, was held last
evening at the Assembly Buildings. B. W. GREEN was called to the Chair, and
JOHN BRODHEAD, appointed Secretary. Able and spirited addresses, depicting
in vivid colors the scenes of the evening, were made by E. M. SPENCER, GEN.
SMITH, T. R. NEWBOLD, COL.CHILDS, E. D. TARR, ESQ., and WILLIAM D. BAKER.

The following resolutions were then presented and unanimously adopted:

Resolved, that the Native American party of the city and county of
Philadelphia, attend ³en masse² the bodies of those martyers of
Republicanism who were slain on Monday the 6th inst., in the District of
Kensington, by a band of savage foreigners, to their last resting place,
the grave.
Resolved, That a committee of ten be apponted to make arrangements with
the families of the deceased, for the interments of the dead.
Resolved, that a committe of three be appointed to inquire into the
circumstances of the families of the deceased.
Resolved, that a reward of $1000, be offered by the American Republican
party of this city and county, for the detection of the perpetrators of the
murdrs of the 6th inst in addition to the reward offered by the City and
Commonwealth.
On motion of MR WEBSTER, Resolved, That the above resolutions be
published in all the daily papers of this city.
Committe to inquire into the necessities of the bereaved families.
--JOHN D. GERMON, JOHN PERRY, JOHN D. FOX
Committee for Funeral:-- COL.C.G.CHILDS, E.D.TARR, E.M.SPENCER, W.W.
HINCKLE, S.R. KRAMER, JOSHUA BETHELL, C.I.KOOKER, CHAS. WARNOCK, JOHN
BRODHEAD.
Committee on Reward -- T.R. NEWBOLD, WILLIAM D. BAKER and THOS. D. GROVER

Kensington History Project
2313 E. York Street
Phila.,Pa. 19125
(215) 426-2019

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• Part 2: Kensington Riots by ken milano< >