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Document 27 – |
Preemption Claim of Alphonso Montuory for the |
May 25, 1848 |
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Document 27 |
Transcription
The Rev. Alphonso Montuory
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Alphonso Montuory, having been duly sworn says, That in the spring of the year 1838, the congregation erected upon lot No. 1 a church 60 feet by 24, and erected a dwelling house for the Parson upon the same lot. That in 1839 or 1840 an addition to the dwelling house was built; That in 1839 Lots 1 & 2 were enclosed, into one enclosure, and a garden was made, covering a part of each lot & the same year a stable was built upon lot No. 2. It is 15 by 12 feet, shingle roof. Some fruit trees & flowers were put out in 1839. This Church has been used ever since its erection, as a place of religious worship, by the congregation, and the dwelling, stable & garden have been used and occupied by the different successive Priests of said Congregation up to this time, and are still so occupied. There are no other improvements than those owned by the said Catholic Congregation on the said lots. Witness learns all the facts stated, up to 1842, from the Books of the congregation; since that time he has officiated as Priest to the congregation. Alphonso Montuory |
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With the canal’s completion in April, the trustees were anxious to capitalize on this success by selling adjacent canal lands made all the more valuable by the reality of the canal itself (see document 32). But many of these unsold parcels had been improved and preemption laws gave settlers the privilege of buying their land below market prices.
Father Montuory made a preemption claim for the Catholic congregation to lots 1 and 2 in block 99 of the town of La Salle. The land in question had first been improved in the spring of 1838 when Father Raho had come to establish a parish. Most of the area Irish canal laborers were dedicated Catholics and contributed generously to build a church. Contractors and canal supervisors gave as well because the church with its priests was the one moral authority most of the workers respected. Although many lacked knowledge of the subtleties of church doctrine or even the strictures of moral conduct, most considered themselves faithful and loyal Catholics. On more than one occasion a priest’s intervention had prevented a riot of canal laborers. And their daily presence along the line had helped to lessen antagonisms between employees and employers (see document 11 and document 18). It was not uncommon for ethnic Italian Catholic priests to be sent to minister to Irish congregations when no Irish priests were available.
Why was Alphonso Montuory making this statement?
Why had the Catholic Church established a parish at La Salle?
Was Father Montuory Irish? If not, why not?
What role did the Catholic Church play in the building of the I and M Canal?
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