photo by Gloria Forouzan
In the moment when Mary Pattison locked eyes with dashing American solider John Irwin across the ballroom at the St. Patrick’s Day Ball in 1784, her destiny was set. Married by the end of the gala and on a ship to the brand new nation of the USA two weeks later, she would set up the first “Rope Walk,” rope manufacturer in the small frontier town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her foresight, skill and ambition would assure her family’s place as one of the “pillars of the city” but history would erase her name and give her husband the credit. But our guest, Gloria Forouzan, is giving it back!
Watch rope being made the way it was at “Mary Irwin and Son” in this video from the historic ropewalk at Chatham Ropery.
image courtesy of National Archive of Ireland
courtesy of Gloria Forouzan
photo by Laurie Large
public domain
courtesy of Gloria Forouzan
courtesy of Gloria Forouzan
Mary Irwin’s great-granddaughter
courtesy of Gloria Forouzan
Mary Irwin’s great granddaughter
courtesy of Gloria Forouzan
courtesy of Gloria Forouzan Strongly believed to be Catherine Irwin Rankin, with her daughter Elizabeth and infant son Henry
Gloria Forouzan works in the office of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto. In addition to her other duties, she is an unofficial historian, searching out the stories of unknown residents who have left a mark on the city. Her focus is on women of the region.
Music featured in this episode included
Niel Gow’s “Lament For His Second Wife”
Episode 51 Mary Pattison Irwin
“Killarney Boys of Pleasure / Pull the Knife and Stick It In Again”
Episode 51 Mary Pattison Irwin
“Bunch of Green Rushes / Ferry Banks”
Episode 51 Mary Pattison Irwin
“The Cricket Marches Over the Salt Box / The Silver Spear / Contradiction”
Episode 51 Mary Pattison Irwin
“The Nomad”
Episode 51 Mary Pattison Irwin
“The Gander in James McMahon’s Pratie Hole”
Episode 51 Mary Pattison Irwin
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