Gloucester 400 Celebrates Four Centuries of the City's Illustrious History Starting in 1623
One outgrowth of this celebration has been to create a rich archives of stories about individuals and families, milestone events, natural resources and industrial achievements throughout Gloucester's illustrious history.
Stories Project leader Terry Weber coordinated Gloucester 400's effort to collect 400 stories, and said the aim of the initiative was "to bring to life, commemorate, and preserve the rich diversity, strength of character, and unique accomplishments (large or small) that have connected the people of Gloucester today and across the centuries."
Many of the ethnic communities settling in Gloucester over the centuries came from seafaring traditions, such as Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Scottish and Canadian.
Many of the ethnic communities settling in Gloucester over the centuries came from seafaring traditions, such as Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Scottish and Canadian.
Among the stories with Irish, Scottish and Canadian Maritime connections:
The Irish in the Fort, submitted by Gloucester native Anne Power Parsons, who talks about her father, Donald Maurice Power, and three generations of Gloucester men who fished the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Georges Bank, first on sailing ships and then on diesel-powered trawlers. "Most of all," she writes, "I wanted to know what it was like for the women and children left behind for weeks and months at a time, waiting for their husband’s safe return from sea."
Robert E. McGillivray, submitted by his daughter Valerie McGillivray, in which she writes, "Born in 1930 and a lifelong resident of Gloucester, MA. Robert McGillivray was born to an Irish mother (Helen Crowley) and a Nova Scotian (Scottish) father (Joseph Anthony McGillivray). He was a man committed to his country, community and family. As an unofficial historian of Gloucester, he could recall amazing details on how the small town grew and the people who made it such a special place."
John Phalen "Stuffy" McInnis, written by Aaron Davis and C. Paul Rogers III, highlights one of Gloucester's stellar athletes. The fourth of five sons of Stephen and Udavilla (Grady) McInnis, Stuffy was born September 19, 1890. He was an outstanding baseball player who made it to the Major Leagues. "During his 18-year career in the Major Leagues," they write, "John Phalen “Stuffy” McInnis’ teams finished in first place six times, winning five World Series, and in last place four times."
John Ball, Portrait of a Gloucester Fisherman, written by his granddaughter Danielle O'Connor. John Matthew Ball was born January 8, 1908, in Rencontre, Newfoundland, Canada, and began fishing when he left school in sixth grade at age 12. He came to Gloucester around 1930 and shortly thereafter married Mary Ann (May) Ball, also from Newfoundland. "My grandfather was a great storyteller," Danielle says, "and no matter how many stories he shared, I suspect there were many more that he never told us."
The Irish in the Fort, submitted by Gloucester native Anne Power Parsons, who talks about her father, Donald Maurice Power, and three generations of Gloucester men who fished the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Georges Bank, first on sailing ships and then on diesel-powered trawlers. "Most of all," she writes, "I wanted to know what it was like for the women and children left behind for weeks and months at a time, waiting for their husband’s safe return from sea."
Robert E. McGillivray, submitted by his daughter Valerie McGillivray, in which she writes, "Born in 1930 and a lifelong resident of Gloucester, MA. Robert McGillivray was born to an Irish mother (Helen Crowley) and a Nova Scotian (Scottish) father (Joseph Anthony McGillivray). He was a man committed to his country, community and family. As an unofficial historian of Gloucester, he could recall amazing details on how the small town grew and the people who made it such a special place."
John Phalen "Stuffy" McInnis, written by Aaron Davis and C. Paul Rogers III, highlights one of Gloucester's stellar athletes. The fourth of five sons of Stephen and Udavilla (Grady) McInnis, Stuffy was born September 19, 1890. He was an outstanding baseball player who made it to the Major Leagues. "During his 18-year career in the Major Leagues," they write, "John Phalen “Stuffy” McInnis’ teams finished in first place six times, winning five World Series, and in last place four times."
John Ball, Portrait of a Gloucester Fisherman, written by his granddaughter Danielle O'Connor. John Matthew Ball was born January 8, 1908, in Rencontre, Newfoundland, Canada, and began fishing when he left school in sixth grade at age 12. He came to Gloucester around 1930 and shortly thereafter married Mary Ann (May) Ball, also from Newfoundland. "My grandfather was a great storyteller," Danielle says, "and no matter how many stories he shared, I suspect there were many more that he never told us."
You can read these stories and more online, and/or explore other stories in the Gloucester400+ commemorative book, Our People, Our Stories, available for purchase at The Bookstore at 61 Main Street, the Cape Ann Museum at 27 Pleasant Street , or the Dogtown Book Shop at 132 Main Street, all in Gloucester.
For information about visiting Gloucester any time of year, go to DiscoverGloucester or VisitNorthofBoston.
For information on year round Irish cultural activities in greater Boston, Massachusetts and New England, go to IrishMassachusetts.com.
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