Worcester Historical Museum Library and Archives

[It’s] ironic that there were fewer than 300 Pilgrims who landed on American shores and we know the whole Pilgrim story, but not much at all about the Scotch-Irish immigrants who started coming to New England in 1718

– Mary Drymon, South Portland historian

Massachusetts has gained itself a reputation for being the first port of call for people fleeing from religious, political, and economic hardship. Most people immediately think of the Pilgrim Fathers arriving in Plymouth in 1620, but another vitally important group of people came to New England just shy of a century later, bringing agricultural and social enrichment to the people of Massachusetts and its surrounding states.

This project explores the history and legacy of the Scotch-Irish who emigrated to Massachusetts in 1718.

If you can provide more information…

If your family history includes Ulster Scots/Scotch-Irish immigrants to Worcester back in the 18th Century, we would love to hear from you! Add a comment to a post here or drop us an email at library@worcesterhistory.net

Explore the story of the Ulster Scots

• Scotch Immigration to Worcester
• Water is Wide – Ireland to New England
• Five Ships from Ulster
• First Scotch in Worcester
• Winter of 1718
• Governor Shute
• Flax, Farming and Food
• The Burnt Church
• Rev Smalley on the Burnt Church
• The Fergusons of Worcester
• Life of Asa Gray
• Matthew Thornton’s Climb
• 830 Pleasant Street
• Further Details on the Five Ships

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