Massachusetts House Passes Resolution Honoring Irish Fenian, Civil War Hero and Lawrence Native Timothy Deasy

On July 21, 1971, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring Captain Timothy Deasy for his contributions to Irish freedom, his military service with the Massachusetts Irish 9th Regiment during the Civil War, and for his political career in Lawrence, where he was elected to the City Council and also represented the city in the House of Representatives.

The resolution was submitted by Representatives William H. Ryan of Haverhill and Thomas W. McGee of Lynn. Read the full resolution from the State House Library.

Born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland between 1839-41, Timothy Deasy emigrated to Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1847 with his family. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Deasy enlisted in the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment, composed of Irish immigrants and Irish-Americans from several towns in the Bay State. "He was promoted from the ranks for conspicuous gallantry and bravery to the rank of First Lieutenant, fighting through 32 engagements during the Civil War," according to the Resolution.

After the war, Deasy joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1864, and two years later led a 200 man cavalry detachment in the Fenian Invasion of Canada by Irish troops.

In 1872 Deasy was elected to the Lawrence City Council and in 1877 was elected from Lawrence to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

He died in Lawrence at age 39 in December 1880, and is buried at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence/Andover. In 1990 the Irish National Graves Association designated Deasy's grave a national grave. In November 1992, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 8, placed a memorial tombstone on Deasy's grave.

AOH Director David R. Burke said at the time, "Deasy became a leading citizen of Lawrence, serving on the City Council and later in the State Legislature. But his historical contribution to Irish freedom and human rights is significant and deserves our appreciation.

US Ambassador to the Vatican Raymond L. Flynn, whose ancestors came from Clonakilty, praised the AOH for its keeping Deasy's memory alive, saying, "Our greatest task as Irish-Americans is to learn about our history."

Learn more about Irish history in Boston and Massachusetts by visiting irishheritagetrail.com

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