A Journal
By: Natalie and Anson
The following is a product of Student Section 2 of the Immigrant Unit. In this section, we make predictions about experiences the Ryan family expect to have in America. What do they hope to find in America? What is pulling them to America? The journal and diary entries below are the "American dreams" for the Ryan family members as they try to reach Boston in 1840.
April 13, 1840
Dear Diary,
Right now all is quiet in our cabin in the belly of the Alexina; it is night and while the rest of my family lies in slumberland, I lie here awake in this tedious state. I spoke to one of the crew while he was passing out our daily rations, which have decreased to water, stale biscuits and what is left of the ship’s supply of rice, and he said that there is only a few weeks until we arrive in Boston. It has been a long, hard journey and I am consistently worrying and wondering what lies ahead in the strange land of America.
Rumors and wild expectations are being throw about in increasing numbers with each day that we near the shores of the New World; I cannot help but become absorbed in them also. They say that in America the streets are paved in pure gold and Irishmen are free to make their own fortunes. These things, however, mean little to me. I have a stronger, more pure hope, that in America I may become a teacher and restore the Irish culture that the British have been so long trying to wipe out with their "free" education. Free, economically speaking, yes, but it will cost you your entire identity as an Irishman!
I also have the hope of having children and instilling in them the strong Catholic faith that I hold so close to my own heart. In America they, my children, will know no pressure from the Protestants, who, back in Ireland, were continuously trying to force us from our faith.
So freedom – of faith, culture and in education – is what I hope to find in America. I only wish that my father and mother were here to make the journey with us. They would be so proud to see how our entire family has come together, despite our differences.
Yours,
Mary
Dearest Diary,
Aye! I am so sick of this ship! As each day passes I get more and more restless and yearn more and more to get to America. When I walk below the deck of the Alexina, I cannot help to hear the murmurs of men and women discussing their big plans on what they wil do once they reach the shores of America.
My plans are not grand - I do not seek to make my fortune nor buy land - I only hold one wish and that is to get married. Simple, yes, important, extremely. All my life I have been told "Sorry, Ellen. You'll never get married." You see, my parents had arranged for my sister, Catherine, to get married to Christopher O'Brien, the shopkeeper's son. That would take the entire dowry that my family can afford, which means that, lucky me, I would get to remain a spinster my entire life.
Now that we have been forced out of Ireland, everything has changed. In America, our lives will have to start over again and my dowry troubles will halt. I would not need a dowry and, best of all, I can marry anyone my heart desires.
Love,
Ellen
Dear Journal,
We are in the midst of our journey to America, and although it has been a far more difficult journey that I had anticipated, I believe that this move will be well worth it. Since I was a young boy, I have heard second hand stories of great men going off to new lands and having legendary journeys. Now granted I was forced out of Ireland, I think that it is remarkably exciting to make an extraordinary journey such as this one, and to America no less…
Back in Ireland both James and I were peasant farmers. We worked long, hard days and receive little compensation for our efforts. As it was we were barely making the grade. Then what do those lousy British snob landlords do – they raise the rent! I guess they value their pocketbooks more than human life!
In America, though, things like that will not occur. America signifies a new life equipped with dignity and justice for all Irishmen who lived there. We shall all make our fortunes and laugh in the face of the British rulers who have oppressed us for so long. The Penal laws have been repealed, but that does not right the wrongs that the British have pressed upon us for so long. I do however have the capacity for forgiving the British, I even have a sense of pity for them, after all, force is the weapon of the weak.
America is a place were we shall all create new beginnings. New beginnings not only for the Irish, but for all peoples whom have been wronged and abused. We shall all be on equal ground in America.
These are my dreams for America; freedom and a fighting chance. Freedom from British landlords who hike up the price of rent whenever they see fit. Freedom to practice my religion. Freedom to live life as I see fit. I will find these freedoms in America; I know I will.
Sincerely,
John Ryan
Dear Diary,
The sea is stormy tonight and our ship is being tossed about like a mere toy on the ocean’s waves. The stench is strongest on these nights from so many people becoming seasick in our tight quarters. Oh how my legs long to walk on dry land again! Sometimes I wonder if this trip is worth the hassle it has caused us, but I realize that there was no other choice but to leave…
We’re going to a country called "America", the New World. The land were men find there fortunes and women find their freedom. I hear that in America there are no prearranged marriages like there are back in Ireland. I hear that woman are allowed to make their own decisions.
Back in Ireland my father had set me up to marry the shopkeeper's son. At first I was flattered, however, the feeling did not last. The problem lied not with Chris; he was a fine boy – handsome, and his father held a strong social status within the community – but I did not love him. Now, back in Ireland I would have no choice but to marry the man, but since we have left Ireland for America, I am no longer condemned to a loveless marriage.
In America I shall be able to marry any man I choose, for reasons of love and not dowry. I know that this decision will not please my father, but I do not think that he would wish me to live a loveless life. I have high hopes about this land; I think it holds the liberation I have been longing for with freedom from the British rule, freedom from poverty, and freedom from being a pawn for my father’s will.
With love,
Catherine Ryan
Dear Diary,
I fear that my bones have grown weary on this journey across the great ocean that separates Ireland from this New World, this America, we are traveling to. My heart often yearns for Ireland, but I realize that to stay in Ireland would have been to seal the fate if my entire family; ill fate that is.
Mary tells me that there are only a few weeks left until we reach the shores of America. They say that we’ll be landing in a city called Boston. I can that we’ll see land soon – sometimes, when the weather is good enough, I go on the deck, and when the wind is just right, I swear that I can smell land. It’s the smell of firm, moist soil and grass floating across the sea to properly welcomes me.
Our ship, the Alexina, is crowded, it’s true, but I find it extra-ordinary to hear the buzz and the life force that occurs when we begin to speak of what our hopes and dreams will be once we reach America.
My American dream is not for myself, particularly, but for my husband and my children, especially my youngest son, James. For James I wish him more opportunities than my husband and I were ever granted. I wish him a good Catholic education and freedom from British rule. I pray he will find joy in the New World, find his fortune in land, and live a long, prosperous life.
I wish for my husband to finally lead the life that he has always wanted. In Ireland we were under consistent pressure for the British and my husband was forced to sell his farmland to become a laborer just to support our family. It was frustrating for me to watch him; he has always been a very proud Irishman. So a good job and a joyous life for my husband whom I will always remain faithful to.
For my daughters I would like to see them both happily married to nice Irish Catholic men and have large families.
I find that my greatest rewards in life are lived through my children and so I wish them all long, healthy, liberated lives in America.
God Bless,
Sarah Ryan
Dear Diary,
To think that in a few weeks we shall be standing on the shores of America is incredible! When we stepped a board this ship I was not sure if any of us would make it – so far we all have. Praise the Lord!
I had been speaking to Mary late last night and we were discussing what we would like to achieve in the New World. I think that my dreams are fairly similar than to those of any other Irishman, on the basis that I really don’t want anything different that I would wish to have in Ireland – well, except freedom from British rule and every Irishman in his right mind wants that! I don’t wish to become rich as my Uncle does, nor do I have the qualifications to become a teacher as Mary does. I simply wish to raise godly children and live a quiet, but useful life. I don’t think that I’ve ever met an Irishman who wishes to be a useless thing to society and his family.
I do share hopes of freedom and justice. America will be places were we can finally feel proud to be Irish again! We will teach our children the stories of our ancestors and our religion again in our own native Gaelic tongue, without the disapproval of the British ruling class. In America our children will be able to dream again.
Sincerely,
James Ryan
Dear Journal,
Currently I am sitting on the deck of the Alexina searching for the sight of land. We have been on this ship for weeks, months – I really don’t know, I’ve lost track of time. I have long since given up the hope of ever seeing the shores of Ireland again, but I am hopeful about the opportunities that I shall receive in America…
Ireland is not at all a kind land to be a farmer in – the soil is rocky and malnourished – hardly any condition to try and raise crops in. I hear in America, though, the soil is rich and dirt cheap, after all America is a land that belongs to no one.
In America I intend to buy land and begin farming again. The difference, though, is that I shall not have to pay rent to any greedy British landlord. This will allow me to buy more land than I would have ever imagined possessing in Ireland. I have always wanted to be a farmer, it’s a long tradition in my family, and I do not intend to let tradition die just I have physically relocated; my heart shall forever remain a captive or Ireland.
I also intend to get married in America and have a large quantity of children to help out on the farm.
I do not intend, nor wish to become an American "king" but rather I simply wish to carry out Irish tradition in a new land.
Sincerely,
Matt Ryan
Dear Diary,
As our ship edges ever closer to the shores of America, I think more and more of the prospects of finding my fortune in the New World. They say that in America the streets are paved in gold and there is silver and gold lying in ditches just waiting for someone to pick it up. In Ireland I had farmland, but when the rent was raised I was forced to sell it. Luckily I had not yet built my house on that land and could still afford to pay for the small plot of land my family’s home was built upon.
In America, though, things will be different. I will restore my father’s name and live with honor in remembrance to my poor dead brother, who died fighting for the freedom of Ireland. I often go on deck and stare out to sea, dreaming of the new land that awaits me. In America I shall have a grand house and it will be filled with my wife and children.
Since Catherine’s suitor, Christopher, did not accompany us on our quest to America, I shall find her a new Irishman to marry; one who will treat her well and provide her with the luxury she deserves. I think, though, I shall keep my youngest daughter, Ellen, at home so that she can remain close to us and contribute to the family. Ellen can find a good job in America that utilizes her talents as a seamstress.
As for my sons they shall also find good jobs in America, were they can seek out their dreams without interference form the British Protestants. With my newfound fortune I shall become wealthy to not only my own respect, but it shall also make my sons wealthy when they receive their inheritance.
Well, I must be off now; Sarah’s calling from down below.
Sincerely,
Michael Ryan, Sr.
Dear Diary,
Aye! We are well on our way to America. As much as I am saddened from being exiled from Ireland, I am a buzz with the prospects of seeing a new land. To think, me, who had never been out of our town, much less Ireland would be going to live in the New World. I can feel the excitement and the anxiety building within the walls of our tiny cabin with the hopes of finding better lives in America.
On our ship, the Alexina, there are a verity of different people with one thing in common – we have all been exiled from our home of Ireland. And yet we all have very high hopes about coming to America. In America I have much the same dreams as my brother, Matt.
I hope to buy my own farmland, free from the over priced rent of British landlords. I hope to have a successful farm, as any farmer does. But unlike my brother I have a strong passion for my Irish Catholic religion. In America I would like to help set up churches for the free worship of all Irish Catholics. This was something that was denied to us for a very long time back in Ireland, but instead of discouraging us from practicing our religion, it merely ignited our passion.
These seem like very simple dreams, true, but when you have been stripped of your basic human rights for so long, it is the simple things that often bring you the most joy.
Yours truly,
Patt Ryan
Dear Journal,
As each day passes, I grow more and more tired of staring at the walls of this ship. We have been exiled from Ireland and I suppose that I shall never see the old sod again. In Ireland, the British were torturing us with major and many fickle laws. They were greatly surpressing my family and me. They pushed us off our land and executed my uncle for not reason at all.
In America, I shall never have to worry about those English murderers again. I will own my own land as my father had before the British raised our rent. Now that we are an ocean away from the English, we will suffer no more. There are no more life-threatening, religion-controlling Brittish. They cannot take away my privilege of being a farmer away from me. In America, I will be able to practice my most precious religion; Catholicism. My family will live with nobility and in freedom.
Michael Ryan Jr.
Copyright 1999 by Natalie and Anson