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Margaret o'Clare's Life in America
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Decide to Leave Ireland
The potato famine is hitting our potato farming family really hard. My poor family in Ireland is threatened by our landlord that we must repay our debts or die, so I, as the eldest child, age 17, agree to be an intentured servant to landlord’s brother, William. Because William wants to move to America, I must come too. An indentured servant is very close to a slave, and must obey their master. It is rare, but still exists. I met the landlord’s brother and he is terrible, therefor I hate him. -
Arrive in America
The boat trip is ok - I have experienced much worse conditions. Master is wealthy, so we pass through Ellis Island easily. Master has a job waiting in New Jersey, so we settle in there. America looks quite beautiful to me. I am sure I would be much more impressed if I was not so worried all the time. I am threatened by Master William and have been physically beaten when I don't work hard enough. I am also worried about my family, because Master William has refused to update me. -
Losing Hope
It is the New Year today. I have been cooped up in this apartment, growing thinner and thinner, sleeping on the floor and assisting Master William with every little thing in his life. He is wealthy, but he does not think of me as a human, so will not proplerly feed, clothe, or treat me. I am still wearing the only outfit I wore to America, with major holes I have attempted to mend. I have not heard news, so I am worried. My family's life still depends upon me, so I cannot celebrate today. -
More Work!
Because I am becoming desperate, I am breaking more and more rules. I now sneak the paper and read the headlines as fast as I can before Master William notices. He doesn't always notice, but when he does, I am severely beaten. I look at my reflection in a window, and I see what others see: a beaten, worthless piece of scum. Master William owns a clothing factory, and when there is nothing else he can make me do, he has me clean the factory. It's filthy, so I am worked to the bone. -
Great Escape!
Two years have passed. I know the potato famine is hurting my family, so I wish to check up on them. I deliberately read Master's private letters from the landlord in Ireland, and learn that all of my family has died of starvation. Because I care about my family, I am shocked and upset. This means that I no longer need to stay with my master, something William didn't want me to know, I run away, and don't know where to go, so I hop aboard random train and escape. -
Find My Purpose - End Fugitive Slave Act!
The train takes me to New York. I’m Irish, so nobody will hire me. I have no food, money, or job, so I live on the streets for a long while, thinking I will die any day having done nothing with my life. I hear a passerby talking about Fugitive Slave Act, so I become outraged and want to act! I was once a type of slave, so I know how it feels for the Black slaves. I want to help so badly, but what could somebody like me do? -
Learn About Cazenovia Convention
On the streets, filled with fresh anger about the Fugitive Slave Act, I saw a poster advertising the Cazenovia Fugitive Slave Law Convention. There were other people, here in New York that felt how I did! Because I was a form of slave in my past, I understand and want to help Black slaves. I saw this poster, so I will attend the meeting. -
Cazenovia Fugitive Slave Law Convention
The Convention was huge and exciting. Because I went to this Convention, I made many enemies in the state of New York. We were all very public with our opposition of the Fugitive Slave Act, so our names are famous to some and infamous to the rest of New York. I made a huge impact, so I know I can’t stay here for long. -
John Augustine = Love
Today, I went to a New Year’s party. You heard me right, I go to parties now! It was a simple yet large celebration in the center of town. I was in a good mood, so I went! I met a man who was everything I had everything I had ever dreamed of, John Augustine, so naturally I fell in love. Because we talked the whole night, I found out he is a German farmer, a recent immigrant, hoping to go to the west someday. We fell in love, so he asked me to marry him. I agreed. We plan to settle in California. -
Married!
John and I stopped along the way of our trip to be married! Ohio was a stop along the train, and we hopped off and married. We both wanted a private wedding, not a big deal, because neither of us have living family left. I almost didn't come with John, because I wanted to go back to Ireland to see if my family really was dead. We quarreled. John convinced me, so I came. Because I love him so much, I know we can't be seperated. John guided me to the right choice, so I trust him. -
Problems with the Train
I don't know what we will do. Because John's money was stolen, we have nothing to pay for our train trip! We were kicked off the train, so now we are hungry and stranded. John isn't used to poverty, so I rolled up my sleeves and got us aboard the next train unnoticed. -
Claim land!
Today, John and I claimed our land! Because I was a slave, I am tougher. I helped claim this land so that we could live on it. John and I will farm, and make a steady living off of wheat crops. Our land is lush, so I've decided to also plant an orchard. Because almost anything could be better than my life as a slave, I am excited for our life together. I'm so glad I immigrated to America!
