Jan. 28, 1887 Condolence Letter from George C. Betts of Louisville, KY

February 21, 2018

In this 28 January 1887 condolence letter to John F. Armstrong, George C. Betts addressed JF as “My dear friend: and closed with “Faithfully yours, Geo. C. Betts”. An Irish-born Episcopal minister, Betts was a well-known Irish nationalist who served as chairman of the 1881 Irish-American congress (meeting of Irish societies) in Chicago. He became a high-ranking member of the Irish National League of America.

On 9 November 1885, the Atlanta Constitution announced that Betts was coming to Atlanta to give a lecture on Ireland. It was noted that he was a friend of John F. Armstrong of Augusta and that the two men had worked together in the Irish National League of America. Betts was identified as a member of the Clan na Gael in the Parnell Commission Report (1890).

See References and attached notes below for more information on Rev. Betts.

References

“Erin’s Hope – The Irish-American Congress Concludes Its Labors,” Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL), 3 December 1881, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 March 2018), citing original p. 10.—-Notes: Rev. George C. Betts acted as chair of the 1881 Irish-American Congress in Chicago. The convention raised money and passed resolutions supporting the no-rent manifesto in Ireland.

“The Irish Cause,” Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA), 9 November 1885, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 March 2018), citing original p. 4.—-Notes: Announcement that Rev. G. C. Betts was coming to Atlanta to speak about Ireland. Also mentioned that Betts had worked with John F. Armstrong of Augusta in the Irish National League of America.

Parnell Commission, A Verbatim Copy of the Parnell Commission Report With Complete Index and Notes (London: Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union, 1890), 130, 135 and 140; digital images, Archive.org (https://archive.org/stream/verbatimcopyofpa : accessed 6 March 2018).—-Notes: The Parnell Commission identified George C. Betts as a member of the Clan na Gael and a high-ranking member of the Irish National League of America.

Thomas Power O’Connor, M. P., and McWade, Robert, Esq., Gladstone-Parnell And the Great Irish Struggle: A Graphic Story of Injustice And Oppression Inflicted Upon Irish Tenantry, And A History Of The Gigantic Movement Throughout Ireland, America, and Great Britain For “Home Rule”,  Also A Complete History Of The Great Times Conspiracy, With Biographies Of The Great Leaders Gladstone, Parnell, Davitt, Egan And Very Many Others (Philadelphia, Pa.: Hubbard Bros., 1890), 624-625; digital images, Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/gladstoneparnell1890ocon : accessed 6 March 2018). Biographical sketch of George C. Betts.