The Search for James Wilson:
From the Catalpa to Central Falls

James (McNally) Wilson escaped with six other Irish revolutionaries (or Fenians) on the whaler Catalpa from an English prison in Australia in 1876. He spent 45 years in Rhode Island, most of them in Central Falls, before his death in 1921. He is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Pawtucket, R.I.

Commemoration, Lecture and Symposium 
on the Life of James Wilson

Saturday, December 7th

Saint Mary’s Cemetery, George and Pine Streets, Pawtucket, RI:

11:00 AM:
Commemoration 
Blessing of the grave by Fr. John McNulty of St. Augustine’s, Newport, RI 
Musical tribute by Phil Edmonds 
Oration by George McLaughlin 
Poetry recitation by Thomas Shannahan 
Singing of the Irish National Anthem by Maire Concannon



Adams Memorial Library, 205 Central Ave., Central Falls, RI:

12:30 PM: 
Traditional Irish music by Trua and sean nos singing by Maire Concannon and the Cumann na Gaeilge Singers
1:00 PM: 
Lecture, Symposium and Book Signing by Peter Stevens, editor of the Boston Irish Reporter and author of The Voyage of the Catalpa and members of the Search for James Wilson Roundtable
2:30 PM:
Video presentation of The Life and Times of James Wilson of Central Falls by Dick Tierney, member, The Search for James Wilson Roundtable
3:00 PM: 
Unveiling of the James Wilson exhibit to be housed in the Lysander Flagg Museum in Central Falls by Thang Hyunh and Thecia Faria, Central Falls H.S. students and members of the Search for James Wilson Roundtable 


Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served
Suggested donation $5.00
All proceeds will go to the Search for James Wilson Fund of Adams Library

For information and directions call 401-727-7440 or 401-273-3935 or e-mail Don or Seoirse

Members of the Search for James Wilson roundtable are: George Thomas McLaughlin (Central Falls High School, Cumann na Gaeilge  Boston, and the Irish Freedom Committee), Dick Tierney (Irish Historical Society of Pawtucket), Thang Hyunh and Thecia Faria, (Central Falls H.S. students) Niall Fennessy, (Irish Freedom Committee), Al McAloon, (Irish Historical Society of Pawtucket) and Don Twohig (Computer Specialist, Adams Library) and Tom Shannahan (Director, Adams Library, Central Falls, RI).

Press Coverage: 

Pawtuckett Times, July 22 2002:  Looking for Mr. Wilson

Pawtuckett Times, November 22 2002: