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WEST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News West and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald edition areas
Serving the communities of Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
March 14, 2021
Issue No. 11
westsidenewsny.com
Ancestral Pot of Gold found as grave of human rights crusader discovered in Brockport by Joanne Michielsen Mike McBride, of Rochester, fully embraces his Irish heritage. So much so that in the pre-COVID era, he could often be found in costume as Eddy the Leprechaun, volunteering his time to entertain seniors in nursing homes and collecting donations for charitable causes with his “pot of gold” outside of bars and restaurants. When Mike began researching his ancestry, he never imagined what he would find and the journey it would take him on. Through his research, Mike discovered a previously unknown great uncle who was a world-famous Irish Freedom Fighter, John Joseph “Exile” McBride. An online search of newspaper archives from 1870 to 1911, turned up over 1,000 articles from across the United States about the storied character who fled Ireland in 1862, at just 19 years old. While caught helping to plan a rebellion against British tyranny, the teen escaped and fled first to France before securing transit to America. He arrived in New York City and then traveled along the Erie Canal, stopping in Brockport. In Brockport, he became involved with the new field of photography. Capturing and selling various images, he was able to save enough money to bring his parents, Matthew and Jane King McBride, and four siblings – Stephen, Patrick, James, and Mary – to America three years later. In 1866, Exile went to Buffalo to join the Fenians, a secret society of Irish patriots who had emigrated from Ireland to the United States. In the historic Battle of Ridgeway, the Fenians attempted to take Canadian territory by force. Since
it was part of the British Commonwealth, they had hoped to return the conquered land, when England gave Ireland its independence. The Fenian invasion proved unsuccessful and Exile was captured and imprisoned in Canada. Bishop John Timon, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Buffalo, and Congressman Bass helped secure his release. Undeterred, Exile spent the next 40 years of his life passionately traveling throughout the United States, at his own expense, speaking out against British oppression in his homeland. He addressed Congress and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, met with numerous mayors, senators, governors, and four United States presidents – Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt – building support for Irish independence. On his travels, he would also circulate petitions and gather massive numbers of signatures. Acting like an ambassador, on three occasions, Exile sailed to England and met personally with Prime Minister William Gladstone, delivering the petitions signed by tens of thousands of America’s most prominent and powerful citizens. In negotiation efforts, the two developed a rapport, and on his last visit, Exile stayed a week as a guest at Hawarden Castle. Gladstone came to support Home Rule for Ireland and used Exile’s petitions as part of his campaign, but the proposal was defeated in the House of Commons. For over 25 years, Exile promoted his cause as a popular contributor to numerous newspapers. He wrote inspirational columns covering such topics as the importance of having a democracy - where every
Before he was “Exile,” John Joseph McBride (second from left) with his mother and siblings.
Mike McBride (right) and his sister Mary Perry, of Spencerport, learned that their great uncle Exile McBride is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Brockport. Photo by Karen Fien. citizen has freedom, independence, and liberty. He considered these to be essential, God-given rights, which every human being deserved. According to Mike, Exile marveled at the Declaration of Independence. “Over 100 years earlier, the United States also had a serious problem with British tyranny and boldly declared its independence. He was also most appreciative of American civil rights, having lived in British-oppressed Ireland. Some of their laws prohibited freedom to own land, freedom of speech, freedom to vote, freedom to worship, freedom to peaceful protest, freedom to have a trial, etc.” Interestingly, Exile became a wellknown fixture in Washington, D.C., during presidential inaugural parades. Starting in 1865 with Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural, Exile was assigned to walk directly behind the newly-elected president who rode in a horse-drawn carriage. Exile’s death in February 1911 made national news, including the New York Times and Boston Globe. The Buffalo Commercial said, “McBride was a picturesque figure
and familiar to most who frequented the downtown districts…Few characters were more widely known in Buffalo than Mr. McBride. He was also widely known throughout the country.” Exile’s funeral was held at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo and, according to reports, was very well attended. While Exile lived in Buffalo, he considered Brockport his hometown. His siblings remained in the area. His brother Stephen, Mike’s great grandfather, resided on Clinton Street. His mother Jane and brother James lived in Adams Basin, and his sister, Mrs. John (Mary) Carney, in Clarkson. Exile owned property at 10A Salmon Creek Road where he would spend much of his summers. He also helped his elderly, widowed mother with her farm. After his funeral in Buffalo, Exile’s body was returned to his brother Stephen’s home in Brockport. Several articles stated that Exile was given a second funeral at the Church of the Nativity and was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. continued on page 2