Irish-American History

Lesson 1: General Introduction to the Period .

Emigration Stalled

There was little emigration around the turn of the 19th Century . The potato crops were adequate. Ireland was feeding the armies of Napoleon , so there was work for the farm labourers in the grain harvest.

Some people were leaving because of the development of trade links. Quakers were developing links in America to supply flax seed for the growing linen trade along the Lagan and the Bann, as flax was notoriously difficult to grow in Ireland.

The import of timber from North America became increasingly important because it was impossible for the British to obtain timber from their usual source ; Russia.

Presbyterian families from Counties Cavan and Monaghan were leaving the land and heading to meet up with Presbyterian Congregations already settled in Pennsylvania.

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