Jan. 24, 1887 Condolence Letter from M. F. Kennedy of Charleston, SC
February 20, 2018Michael F. Kennedy of Charleston, South Carolina wrote this letter of condolence to John F. Armstrong on 24 January 1887. Kennedy, like JF, was a founding member of the Irish National League of America (INLA) in 1883 at its convention in Philadephia.
Kennedy also knew JF through the Clan na Gael, the secret Irish-American fraternity dedicated to the armed overthrow of British rule in Ireland. On 4 May 1887, Kennedy wrote a letter to JF about taking action to stop a new coercion act in the London Parliament.
For more information on Kennedy, see the References with attached notes below.
Marie Van Sant Hudson contributed research for this post.
References
“Deaths in South Carolina – M. F. Kennedy.” The State (Columbia, SC), 11 September 1923, online archives, Genealogybank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 16 February 2018), citing original, col. 6, p. 2.
“Exiles From Erin: Opening Work of the Philadelphia Gathering Performed Without Much Clashing – Parnell’s Telegraphic Advise Wonderfully Shrewd And Deserving of Close Observance – Eloquent Effort of Mr. Alexander Sullivan, of Chicago, of Opening Convention,” Inter-Ocean (Chicago, IL), 27 April 1883, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/35030279/?terms=%22M.+F.+Kennedy%22 : accessed 25 March 2018), citing original p. 1.—-Notes: Kennedy, a delegate from South Carolina, was named to the Committee on Credentials of the newly formed Irish National League of America.
Kennedy, M. F. (1844-1923) of Charleston, SC to John F. Armstrong (1845-1893) of Augusta, GA, letter, 4 May 1887, privately held by Tulie Wheeler Taylor, 2017.
“The New Irish League – A Declaration of the Principles of Which the Organization Is Founded – Who the New Officers Are – Adoption of the Dublin Platform With Some Slight Modifications and Changes – Useless Debate Choked Off – Closing Scenes of the Convention and Grand Reception at the Academy,” Times (Philadelphia, PA), 28 April 1883, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/52224560/?terms=%22M.%2BF.%2BKennedy%22 : access 25 March 2018), citing original p. 1.—-Notes: Kennedy was listed as representing South Carolina on the Executive Committee of the new Irish National League of America. James [sic] F. Armstrong was listed as representing Georgia.