Irish immigration to Puerto Rico
Part of a series on |
Puerto Ricans |
---|
By region or country |
Subgroups |
Culture |
Religion |
|
History |
Language |
Puerto Rico portal |
Part of a series of articles on |
Irish Latin-Americans |
---|
Irish immigration to Puerto Rico began during the period of Spanish colonization of the island, continuing through 19th century to the present day. During the 16th century, many Irishmen, who were known as "Wild Geese", deserted from the English Army and joined the Spanish Army. They did so either in Europe or when they could "jump ship" off the coast of Puerto Rico (whenever English ships came to trade or when the Royal Navy was engaged in attacks against the Spanish colonial forces on the island), at which time they joined the Spanish colonial army, mainly in San Juan.
Many of these men who served in the Spanish colonial army in Puerto Rico remained in the service of Spain after their military service was completed and decided to stay on the island, most often sending for extended family members from Ireland or Spain. Some married local women.
In 1797, the Spanish governor of Puerto Rico, Ramón de Castro, ordered the expulsion of the Irish from the island. This immediately led to protests from the
The Spanish government enacted the Royal Decree of Graces (Real Cédula de Gracias) in 1815 to encourage European Catholics of non-Spanish origin to immigrate to the last two remaining Spanish possessions in the New World, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Spain hoped to blunt the nascent independence movements in both colonies by way of this measure.
Many Irish who fled their homeland because of the Great Famine of the 1840s (over one million people died as a result of this famine) immigrated to the United States. A significant number of them went to Puerto Rico after being turned away at American ports because of epidemic outbreaks on board the ships on which they sailed. Many of these Irish settlers were instrumental in the development of the island's hugely successful sugar industry. This industry was vital to the growing local economy.
After Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States by Spain as a consequence of the
The Irish influence in Puerto Rico is not limited to their contributions to the island's agricultural industry; they have also influenced the fields of education, the arts and sciences, and politics.
Irish in the service of Spain
Beginning in the 16th century, the
18th century
In 1765, the
Some of O'Reilly's other recommendations resulted in a massive twenty-year program of modernizing
The training which he instituted was to bring fame and glory to the Puerto Rican militia some thirty years later during the British invasion of Puerto Rico in 1797. Field Marshal O'Reilly's civilian militia had become known as the "Disciplined Militia."[4][5] O'Reilly was later appointed governor of colonial Louisiana in 1769 where he became known as "Bloody O'Reilly."[6]
Another Irishman, Colonel Thomas O'Daly, joined Field Marshal Alejandro O'Reilly to work on the further revamping of San Felipe del Morro and was named chief engineer of modernizing the defenses of San Juan, which included the
O'Daly and fellow Irishman Miguel Kirwan became business partners in the "Hacienda San Patricio" which they named after the chief patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. The plantation no longer exists. The land on which it was located is now a suburb called San Patricio with a shopping mall, San Patricio Plaza.[7]
O'Daly, following the example of other Irishmen in Puerto Rico, married a local woman of social standing, María Gertrudis de la Puente, herself of Spanish background, and had three children, Isabel, Manuel, and Demetrio. Easily, he joined a thriving Irish immigrant community on the island that would come to be associated with the growth of commercial agriculture.
Upon his untimely death in 1781, his brother Jaime took over the property and helped raise Thomas's children.[8] Jaime O'Daly was named director of the Real Fábrica de Tabaco (Royal Tobacco Factory) in Puerto Rico by the Spanish Crown in 1787.[9]
Jaime O'Daly became a successful sugar and tobacco planter. His nephews, Julio and Arturo O'Neill, moved to Puerto Rico in 1783 with their slaves and plantation equipment and were later followed by Thomas Armstrong, another Irishman and planter in 1791.
O'Daly's connections with the non-Hispanic Caribbean and European nations helped him economically but hindered his nomination to a post on the prestigious San Juan City Council. O'Daly remained in Puerto Rico where he died of natural causes in 1806 and was buried in the San Juan Cathedral.[8]
Joaquín Power y Morgan, of Spanish, Irish and French ancestry, came to Puerto Rico in connection with the Compañía de Asiento de Negros (Black Agreement Company) which regulated the slave trade on the island. He married María Josefa Giralt of Catalan and Irish descent and they settled in San Juan. In 1775, they had a son whom they named Ramón. Their son would go on to an illustrious career in the service of both Spain and Puerto Rico.
Power y Giralt, who according to Puerto Rican historian Lidio Cruz Monclova was the first native-born Puerto Rican to refer to himself as a Puerto Rican,[10] was named Puerto Rico's representative to the Spanish Cortes in 1808 and later became vice president of this legislative assembly. He served in the Cortes until his death in 1813.
In 1820, he participated in the successful revolt against the Spanish monarchy which resulted in his promotion to
In 1823, O'Daly was exiled by the restored Spanish Crown only to return to Puerto Rico in 1834. He returned to Spain in 1836 where he died the following year.[11]
Miguel Conway, Patricio Fitzpatrick, Felipe Doran, Jaime Kiernan, and Antonio Skerret were other Irishmen involved in commercial farming around northern Puerto Rico. They expanded their agricultural endeavors with the help of additional Irish immigrants to the island that they had brought over to work on their farms and plantations.
Their properties covered areas from
Irish influence in Puerto Rico's sugar and tobacco industry
Undoubtedly, Irish immigrants played an instrumental role in the development and further expansion of Puerto Rico's economy and trade with Europe and other European colonies on the North and South American continents.
One of the most important industries of the island was the sugar industry. In addition to Thomas O'Daly, whose plantation was a huge financial success, other Irishmen became successful businessmen in the industry, among them Miguel Conway, who owned a plantation in Hatillo, and Juan Nagle, whose plantation was located in Río Piedras.
Not surprisingly, Puerto Ricans of Irish descent also had a hand in the development of the island's tobacco industry. Miguel Conroy is credited with being the founder of the tobacco trade in Puerto Rico[12] and another Irish family, the Quinlans, established two very profitable tobacco plantations, one in Toa Baja and the other in Loíza.[13]
Brief expulsion of the Irish from Puerto Rico
On February 17, 1797, the governor of Puerto Rico,
After the Spanish victory in San Juan against Great Britain in what is known as the Battle of San Juan of 1797, Governor de Castro became suspicious of all English-speaking European foreigners, mistakenly believing that they supported the anti-Spanish military campaigns of the British and ordered some of the local residents and foreigners, especially those of English and Irish descent, to be placed under surveillance. Many were given eight days to leave the island and those who did not leave were imprisoned.[15]
The people in Puerto Rico, among them Treasury official Felipe Antonio Mejía, were so outraged by de Castro's actions that they sent special envoys to Spain on behalf of the Irish immigrant and merchant community on the island. They made their views known to the Spanish Crown to whom they condemned the governor's measures as legally unjustified and economically counter-productive, promoting their strongly held conviction to the Crown that the Irish immigrants had already proven their allegiance to the Spanish colonial government and were invaluable economic and trade partners that expanded Puerto Rico's trade horizons with Spain and the Western Hemisphere colonies. Eventually, the temporarily-banned Irish and their families returned to the island, including the O'Dalys, Dorans, Kiernans, Quinlans, O'Ferran, Butler, Killeleigh and Skerrets, among many others.
In 1823, Robert and Josiah Archibald, Irish brothers, imported and introduced to Puerto Rico the island's first steam-operated mill which they successfully used in their already profitable Ponce sugar plantation. By so doing, they further highlighted the economic importance of the Irish immigrant community in Puerto Rico.[15]
19th century
Royal Decree of Graces of 1815
By 1825, the Spanish Empire had lost all of its colonial territories in the Americas with the exception of Puerto Rico and Cuba.
These two possessions, nevertheless, had been demanding more autonomy since the formation of pro-independence movements in 1808. Realizing that it was in danger of losing its two remaining Caribbean colonies, the Spanish Crown revived the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815.
In this second incarnation, the original decree was printed this time in three languages, Spanish, English and French, with the absolutely fervent intention of immediately attracting Europeans of non-Spanish origin. The hope was that the independence movements would lose their popularity and strength with the arrival of new settlers. Furthermore, free land was offered to those who wanted to immigrate to the two islands on the condition that they swear loyalty to the Spanish Crown and allegiance to the
Among the hundreds of Irish immigrant families who received free land was that of Angus McBean. The McBeans became involved in the cultivation of sugarcane and established a huge plantation in Bayamón. In 1821, the slaves owned by McBean were involved in a failed slave revolt planned and organized by Marcos Xiorro, a bozal slave.[17]
During this time, the O'Neill family arrived in Puerto Rico from Spain and other locations in the Caribbean, among them the islands of
Many Puerto Ricans with the O'Neill surname can trace their ancestry to Colonel Arturo O'Neill O'Keffe. O'Neill O'Keffe was the son of Tulio O'Neill O'Kelly and Catherine O'Keffe y Whalen. On August 8, 1828, O'Neill O'Keffe, a Knight of the Royal Order of King Carlos the 3rd of Spain and 2nd Marqués del Norte, served as a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish garrison of the City of Bayamón. He was married to Joanna Chabert Heyliger.
The offspring of Arturo and Joanna O'Neill were Tulio Luis, Arturo, Micaela Ulpiana and Gonzalo, all of whom had the surnames of O'Neill (their Irish father) y Chabert (their French mother). All, with the exception of Tulio Luis, were born in Puerto Rico where they married and raised their families.[18]
Great Famine
Because of the many economic and political changes occurring in Europe during the latter part of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, hundreds of agricultural farm workers and their families abandoned their work in the countryside. With the advent of the Second Industrial Revolution they moved to the larger cities in search of better paying jobs.
Those who stayed behind and tended to their farmlands suffered the consequences of the widespread crop failures brought about as a result of long periods of drought and diseases such as the
20th century
After Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain to the United States at the end of the Spanish–American War in 1898, many Irish-American soldiers who were assigned to the military bases in the island chose to stay upon meeting other Irish-descended individuals in Puerto Rico. Unlike their counterparts who settled in the United States in close knit communities, the Irish immigrants on the island quickly became part of the community in Puerto Rico and adopted the language and customs of the island, thereby completely integrating themselves into the society of their new homeland.[21] From the first wave of Irish immigration in the 16th century this had been the case. Irish immigrants to the island intermarried with Puerto Ricans.
The Irish influence in Puerto Rican politics is also notable. After
Irish influence in Puerto Rican political and popular culture
Besides having distinguished careers in agriculture and the military, Puerto Ricans of Irish descent have made many other contributions to the Puerto Rican way of life. Their contributions can be found in, but are not limited to, the fields of education, commerce, politics, science and entertainment.
Among the members of the O'Neill family, whose contributions to Puerto Rican culture are evident today, are Héctor O'Neill, Mayor of Guaynabo[23] and Ana María O'Neill, an educator, author, and advocate of women's rights.[24]
Puerto Rican beauty queens of Irish descent who represented their country in the
The Irish element of Puerto Rico is very much in evidence. Their contributions to the archipelago's agricultural industry and in the fields of politics and education are highly notable.[12] In the city of Bayamón, there is an urbanization called Irlanda Heights (Ireland Heights). For the last several years, the town of Luquillo has hosted a day-long Saint Patrick's Day festival which includes a Desfile de San Patricio (St. Patrick's Parade) honoring Ireland's chief patron saint.[21] There are various Irish pubs around the island which also celebrate the holiday and serve the typical green colored beer on the occasion. Among them are Shannon's Irish Pub in San Juan, and Logan's Irish Pub in Río Piedras.[28]
Common Irish surnames in Puerto Rico
Surnames of the first Irish families in Puerto Rico | ||||
Anderson, Armstrong, Balfour, Ballantine (Valentin), Branagh, Breslin, Butler, Carney, Cole, Coll, Coleman, Coney, Conroy, Conway, Cooper, Costello, Davis, Darby, Dilan, Dylan, Donegal, Doran, Dunn, Dunaho, Duran, Ferran (O'Ferran), Finlay, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Gilbert, Hayes, Henna, Kelly, Kearney, Kennedy, Kiernan, Kilkenny, Killeleigh, Kinsella/Quinsella, Kirwan, Logan, Martin, Mayo, McComber, McConnie, McClintock, McCormick, McDougall, McKinney, Monaghan, Monroe, Morgan, Munro, Murphy (Morfi), Murray, Nagle, Nolan, O'Daly, O'Ferral (O'Farrell), O'Ferran (Ferran), O'Fray, Oliver, O'Hara, O'Mara, O'Neill, O'Reilly, Perkins, Power/Powers, Quinlan, Richardson, Roberts, Scanlon, Shanahan, Simmons, Simpson, Skerret, Sullivan (Sólivan/Soliván), Todd, Walker, Williams and Wilson...among others. |
See also
References
- ^ "Thomas O'Daly | Real Academia de la Historia". dbe.rah.es.
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography 22 vols. (London, 1921–1922)
- ^ "Irish and Scottish Military Migration to Spain". Trinity College Dublin. 2008-11-29. Retrieved 26 May 2008.
- ^ Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña
- ^ "The Celtic Connection". Archived from the original on August 13, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
- ^ Alejandro O'Reilly 1725–1794 Archived 2008-12-05 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ SAN PATRICIO PLAZA EXPANDS; All Business News, Retrieved December 2, 2008
- ^ a b c Joining many other freed Irish Indentured Servants, Papists and Colonists in Spanish Colonial Puerto Rico, ca. 1650–1800, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ Irish and Puerto Rico, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ Cruz Monclova, Lidio, Historia de Puerto Rico en el Siglo XIX, 3 vols., Ed. U.P.R., Río Piedras, 1958; 1972; 1974
- ISBN 978-84-7844-138-9.
- ^ a b Emerald Reflections, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ Remembering the Past, Retrieved November 29, 2008 Archived March 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Abercromby's Siege Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ a b Irish Indentured Servants, Papists and Colonists in Spanish Colonial Puerto Rico 2, ca. 1650–1800, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ Real Cédula de 1789 "para el comercio de Negros", Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ISBN 978-1-55876-463-7
- ^ Clan Abba Forum, Retrieved March 21, 2009 Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Archivo General de Puerto Rico: Documentos Archived October 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ Woodham-Smith (1964), 32-33. According to Woodham-Smith, "...the unreliability of the potato crop was an accepted fact."
- ^ a b Irish eyes smile on Puerto Rico - thanks to a Hilltown couple Archived 2008-12-21 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 29, 2008
- ^ Why Spanish Harlem Celebrates St. Patrick's Day Archived 2009-03-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Untitled Document". especiales.elnuevodia.com.
- ^ "Biografias". Archived from the original on July 18, 2006.
- ISBN 978-1-4165-8581-7
- ^ (in Spanish) Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular. Biografías: Deborah Carthy-Deu. Archived 2011-09-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Latin queen has Irish flair". Chicago Sun-Times. June 11, 1986. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ^ Irish Bars and Pubs in Puerto Rico Archived 2008-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 29, 2008
Further reading
- Apuntes para una historia breve de Puerto Rico: Desde la prehistoria hasta 1898; By José Manuel García Leduc; Published by Isla Negra Editores, 2002; ISBN 978-1-881715-96-2