Why Chelsea. a new settlement just north of Boston,Ma. I have done lot of work in Chelsea and as early as 1810-20 sone Irish showed up. Way before the following book s account of it. Thomas O'Connor's book "the Boston Irish" states before cathoic churchs were allowed many Catholics attended anglican services . So when St . Rose of Lime was started these Irish were already here. St. Rose's put out a book when they rebuilt and it says "It is not known precisely, who was the first Catholic to settle in Chelsea. It is know that there were a few here as early as 1833, just a mere "corporal's guard."The first Catholic settler of whom there is any definite information was Michael McLaughlin. He with Michael Farren landed in Halifax from Ireland in 1833 and after some months came to Boston, walking all the way. Mr. McLaughlin proceeded immediately to Chelsea. While Mr. Farren remained in Boston for about ten years and then moved to Chelsea. It is said that Hugh Gilmore, another Irish settler lived in No.Chelsea.Now known as Revere, as early as 1843." But why Chelsea? It defiantly sounds like this was the intended destination. Now since I started this I also realize that most of Chelsea Irish are from Leitrim, Sligo, Carvan, Longford and Meath, With Leitrim winning hands down. Then this week I thought with all these names I have done. Some where very Protestant but very Irish. Suppose in some area of Leitrim, a Protestant land owner and businessman [Scot Irish] was run out of Ireland by the Church Of England, as many where. Say this man started a business in Chelsea maybe a spice, lithography, Cigar,or Tile business, and he needed good workers. The problem was he was in New England and not considered a Townie. A factor still in effect in small town New England. Now back in Ireland he was friendly with the Roman Catholics and he heard of the starting migration. Why wouldn't he seek out workers he could deal with? Lol and he usually got the better of. So that maybe that is why they came to Chelsea. It defiantly was a better place then Boston was for the Irish Jim who thanks Chelsea for welcoming those Immigrants i believe that town was somewhere in Leitrim,Longford,Cavan, or Meath and it seems the whole town tranfered to Chelsea Chelsea,Ma.-Woburn,Ma.-denning-dennen-danin-dinan-dinihey-denningston-dinning- carlon-carroll-dever-cogan-malone-heslin-piscopo-mazzola-martini-farrell-mchug h-farley-grimes-lynch-doherty-SanDanto,Ita-Adargh,longford-Revere,Ma-Wintrop,M a.-sprague- and ever growing list Jim Denning

Jim - I too read the Chelsea and St. Rose history - when the St. Rose parish was just started, and mass was said in the cottage.... Our people, the Muldowneys, actually came from Co. Roscommon. However, the northeastern part - a stone's throw from Carrick-on-Shannon, which was their market-town and poor law union, and in later times, where they would register their births, deaths and marriages. John MULDOWNEY arrived in Boston about 1849, and married Bridget McGEE in Chelsea in 1850... not sure where she was from, but possibily Roscommon. John d. in Providence. His cousin, John MULDOWNEY, of Roscommon, married Bridget McLOUGHLIN in Roscommon, and settled in Chelsea. John d. in Boston. One of their marriage witnesses was a John McGEE. That second John had a brother, Thomas MULDOWNEY - he married in Chelsea in 1849, Catherine FARMER. She came from Leitrim. Thomas d. in Brookline. A Michael McGEE lived with Thomas and Catherine in 1850. Loree Muldowney Palm Desert CA <<...But why Chelsea? It defiantly sounds like this was the intended destination. Now since I started this I also realize that most of Chelsea Irish are from Leitrim, Sligo, > Carvan, Longford and Meath, With Leitrim winning hands down. ... > Jim who thanks Chelsea for welcoming those Immigrants>>