Armenians In Whitinsville
The Armenian people who came to work in the Whitin Machine Works (a.k.a. "The Shop") had a unique history and were an integral part of the labor pool. Of note: Mr. Ira Naroian and Mr. Ira Maghakian were two outstanding individuals who rose to become presidents of their own companies after the Whitin Machine Works was sold in its entirety in the 1960s.
According to the foundry payroll book and its records, there were some Armenian laborers working in "The Shop" during the early 1900s. One such person was Sarkis Asadorian as a laborer in the foundry in 1909. His son, Varkis, worked over 40 years mostly in the Core Room. Sebouh Kalousdian was a draftsman in the Whitin Machine Works from 1952 to 1958. Jerry Baghdasarian, who was very much involved in town affairs, worked in the Engineering Department prior to 1940. Warren Mooradian was employed by the Whitin Machine Works some time after 1940.
Representatives of Whitin Machine Works, with an interpreter in Providence, R.I. welcomed some of these immigrants by offering them housing and employment during the early 1900s.
Knights of Pythias
Many Armenians belonged to the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization organized prior to 1910. The Knights met regularly near the corner of Cross St. on Linwood Avenue. The Pythian Building, purchased by the Kizirbohosian family (later changed to Kurzon), during the Depression of 1923, became a social meeting place within the furnishings of a guilded ceiling in a grand upstairs hall. This unique building is occupied today by some local business people and used in a constructive purpose.
In the 1950s, candlepin bowling leagues with human pin-setters were common in the Pythian Building. "The Shop" had many employees, both men and women, who bowled here in organized leagues. Indeed, the Pythian Building housed many memories and past events.
Armenian History in Massachusetts (click here to read more)
Source: “Armenians in Massachusetts,” BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, Written and compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for the State of Massachusetts https://archive.org/stream/armeniansinmassa00uswo/armeniansinmassa00uswo_djvu.txt
First Settlers
As late as 1870 there were only 69 Armenians in the United States. Most settled permanently at their port of entry, New York City, but a few ventured as far as Boston and Worcester.
American missionaries in Turkey sent young Armenians to study at American colleges, and thus paved the way for further immigration. The first Armenian in Worcester is said to have come to America because of missionary influence.
The Reverend George C. Knapp, on leave of absence from his duties in Turkey, came to the Massachusetts city for a brief stay about the year 1867. He brought with him his Armenian servant, a man named Garo or Garabed, who was to receive in America his accustomed monthly remuneration of seventy-five cents. The Irish laundress in the house opened Garo's eyes when she told him he could exceed that amount daily in the factories of Worcester. He then found work in the wire mill which later to employed many of his countrymen.
By 1880 there were 40 Armenians in Massachusetts: 20 in Worcester County and 20 in Metropolitan Boston. By 1889 there were 300 Armenians in Worcester County.
1890-1900
It was not, however, until the last decade of the 19th century that Armenian immigration began in earnest. The long slumbering fires of religious fanaticism and race hatred were fanned to a white heat. Political persecution and the wholesale massacre of Armenians by Turks in 1894 and 1896 gave added impetus to migratory impulses, and Armenians set forth in droves for America, in an attempt to escape persecution and to ameliorate their economic condition.
They came from every village and town in Armenia, as well as from other sections of Turkey where large Armenian communities had been established before and during the Turkish occupation. The greatest number, however, came from the province of Harpoot in Central Armenia, and today a large majority of Armenians in Massachusetts trace their origin to that province.
The annual reports of the United States Commissioner of Immigration show that, while the total number of immigrants from Turkey for the period from 1834 to 1894 was 9,472, half of whom were in all probability Armenians, immigrants from Turkey during the next four years (1895-1898) numbered 15,913.
These reports also show that Massachusetts was, next to New York State, the favorite destination of Armenian immigrants from 1899 to 1917, New York receiving 32% of them, Massachusetts 26%, and Rhode Island less than 10%.
1899-1907: Emigration forbidden
From 1899 to 1907 there was a halt in the exodus of Armenians to America. During this period the Turkish government forbade the emigration of Armenians, and it was therefore not until 1908, when a new constitutional government was established which gave them freedom to travel, that immigration was resumed. The chief motive for leaving at this time was improvement of economic status.
The Last Influx
Armenian immigration to the United States received a great impetus in 1908 when the new Turkish Constitution gave the Armenians the privilege of leaving the country freely. While up to that time the majority of the Armenian immigrants had been peasants or unskilled workers, now skilled workers, tradesmen, students and professional men began to seek their fortunes in the New World.
1914-1918: Immigration ceased
During the War years, 1914-1918, Armenian immigration ceased almost completely. Excepting a few occasional refugees who found their way out of Turkey and arrived here through the help of their relatives or friends in this country, no Armenians were permitted to leave Turkey. With the cessation of hostilities, however, most American Armenians sent for the survivors of their families until the new United States laws restricted the flow of all immigration.
Armenian Genocide: 1915-1916
The Armenian Genocide was the Ottoman government's systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1916. The genocide was carried out during and after World War I and implemented in two phases—the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and subjection of army conscripts to forced labor, followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly, and the infirmed on death marches leading to the Syrian Desert.
Video: Armenian Genocide – Lesson From History
Read here to read more.
1920 and 1924
The years 1920 and 1924 represent the beginning and the end of this last inrush of Armenian immigrants to the United States. The totals for these years were 2,762 and 2,940, respectively.
A comparison of statistics for immigrants from European countries to the United States during these years shows that the proportion of professional and skilled people among the Armenians was one of the highest.
America as Home
With the establishment of the Kemalist regime in Turkey all Armenians in this country definitely abandoned their intention of returning to their native land. The new Turkish political policy entirely exterminating Armenian influence made them realize that permanent settlement in the United States was their salvation. With this realization came the necessity of reorganizing their lives. Many invested their savings, formerly kept liquid. Most of this money was now utilized for setting up small businesses, some went toward building and buying homes. Unskilled workers began to aspire to better positions.
A general desire to better their social condition awakened within them as they learned to look upon America as their home.
The Armenian people who came to work in the Whitin Machine Works (a.k.a. "The Shop") had a unique history and were an integral part of the labor pool. Of note: Mr. Ira Naroian and Mr. Ira Maghakian were two outstanding individuals who rose to become presidents of their own companies after the Whitin Machine Works was sold in its entirety in the 1960s.
According to the foundry payroll book and its records, there were some Armenian laborers working in "The Shop" during the early 1900s. One such person was Sarkis Asadorian as a laborer in the foundry in 1909. His son, Varkis, worked over 40 years mostly in the Core Room. Sebouh Kalousdian was a draftsman in the Whitin Machine Works from 1952 to 1958. Jerry Baghdasarian, who was very much involved in town affairs, worked in the Engineering Department prior to 1940. Warren Mooradian was employed by the Whitin Machine Works some time after 1940.
Representatives of Whitin Machine Works, with an interpreter in Providence, R.I. welcomed some of these immigrants by offering them housing and employment during the early 1900s.
Knights of Pythias
Many Armenians belonged to the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization organized prior to 1910. The Knights met regularly near the corner of Cross St. on Linwood Avenue. The Pythian Building, purchased by the Kizirbohosian family (later changed to Kurzon), during the Depression of 1923, became a social meeting place within the furnishings of a guilded ceiling in a grand upstairs hall. This unique building is occupied today by some local business people and used in a constructive purpose.
In the 1950s, candlepin bowling leagues with human pin-setters were common in the Pythian Building. "The Shop" had many employees, both men and women, who bowled here in organized leagues. Indeed, the Pythian Building housed many memories and past events.
Armenian History in Massachusetts (click here to read more)
Source: “Armenians in Massachusetts,” BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, Written and compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for the State of Massachusetts https://archive.org/stream/armeniansinmassa00uswo/armeniansinmassa00uswo_djvu.txt
First Settlers
As late as 1870 there were only 69 Armenians in the United States. Most settled permanently at their port of entry, New York City, but a few ventured as far as Boston and Worcester.
American missionaries in Turkey sent young Armenians to study at American colleges, and thus paved the way for further immigration. The first Armenian in Worcester is said to have come to America because of missionary influence.
The Reverend George C. Knapp, on leave of absence from his duties in Turkey, came to the Massachusetts city for a brief stay about the year 1867. He brought with him his Armenian servant, a man named Garo or Garabed, who was to receive in America his accustomed monthly remuneration of seventy-five cents. The Irish laundress in the house opened Garo's eyes when she told him he could exceed that amount daily in the factories of Worcester. He then found work in the wire mill which later to employed many of his countrymen.
By 1880 there were 40 Armenians in Massachusetts: 20 in Worcester County and 20 in Metropolitan Boston. By 1889 there were 300 Armenians in Worcester County.
1890-1900
It was not, however, until the last decade of the 19th century that Armenian immigration began in earnest. The long slumbering fires of religious fanaticism and race hatred were fanned to a white heat. Political persecution and the wholesale massacre of Armenians by Turks in 1894 and 1896 gave added impetus to migratory impulses, and Armenians set forth in droves for America, in an attempt to escape persecution and to ameliorate their economic condition.
They came from every village and town in Armenia, as well as from other sections of Turkey where large Armenian communities had been established before and during the Turkish occupation. The greatest number, however, came from the province of Harpoot in Central Armenia, and today a large majority of Armenians in Massachusetts trace their origin to that province.
The annual reports of the United States Commissioner of Immigration show that, while the total number of immigrants from Turkey for the period from 1834 to 1894 was 9,472, half of whom were in all probability Armenians, immigrants from Turkey during the next four years (1895-1898) numbered 15,913.
These reports also show that Massachusetts was, next to New York State, the favorite destination of Armenian immigrants from 1899 to 1917, New York receiving 32% of them, Massachusetts 26%, and Rhode Island less than 10%.
1899-1907: Emigration forbidden
From 1899 to 1907 there was a halt in the exodus of Armenians to America. During this period the Turkish government forbade the emigration of Armenians, and it was therefore not until 1908, when a new constitutional government was established which gave them freedom to travel, that immigration was resumed. The chief motive for leaving at this time was improvement of economic status.
The Last Influx
Armenian immigration to the United States received a great impetus in 1908 when the new Turkish Constitution gave the Armenians the privilege of leaving the country freely. While up to that time the majority of the Armenian immigrants had been peasants or unskilled workers, now skilled workers, tradesmen, students and professional men began to seek their fortunes in the New World.
1914-1918: Immigration ceased
During the War years, 1914-1918, Armenian immigration ceased almost completely. Excepting a few occasional refugees who found their way out of Turkey and arrived here through the help of their relatives or friends in this country, no Armenians were permitted to leave Turkey. With the cessation of hostilities, however, most American Armenians sent for the survivors of their families until the new United States laws restricted the flow of all immigration.
Armenian Genocide: 1915-1916
The Armenian Genocide was the Ottoman government's systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1916. The genocide was carried out during and after World War I and implemented in two phases—the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and subjection of army conscripts to forced labor, followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly, and the infirmed on death marches leading to the Syrian Desert.
Video: Armenian Genocide – Lesson From History
Read here to read more.
1920 and 1924
The years 1920 and 1924 represent the beginning and the end of this last inrush of Armenian immigrants to the United States. The totals for these years were 2,762 and 2,940, respectively.
A comparison of statistics for immigrants from European countries to the United States during these years shows that the proportion of professional and skilled people among the Armenians was one of the highest.
America as Home
With the establishment of the Kemalist regime in Turkey all Armenians in this country definitely abandoned their intention of returning to their native land. The new Turkish political policy entirely exterminating Armenian influence made them realize that permanent settlement in the United States was their salvation. With this realization came the necessity of reorganizing their lives. Many invested their savings, formerly kept liquid. Most of this money was now utilized for setting up small businesses, some went toward building and buying homes. Unskilled workers began to aspire to better positions.
A general desire to better their social condition awakened within them as they learned to look upon America as their home.
Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church website
History of the Armenian Church
Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church festival video
compiled by S.J. Buma, updated March 2021
for additions or corrections, contact [email protected]
History of the Armenian Church
Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church festival video
compiled by S.J. Buma, updated March 2021
for additions or corrections, contact [email protected]