Read more
The Irish have a long and proud history in America, and New Jersey is no exception. Beginning with the first Irish immigrants who settled in every corner of the state, this vital ethnic community has left an indelible mark on all facets of life in the Garden State. New Jersey's Irish natives expressed their own discontent over British oppression by fighting alongside colonists in the American Revolution. Brave Fenians fought to preserve their new home in the Civil War. New Jersey's Irish also have become professional athletes, Unites States representatives, religious leaders, spies and business trailblazers. Author and Irish heritage researcher Tom Fox relays these and other stories that demonstrate the importance of Ireland to the development of New Jersey and the United States.
About the author
Thomas Fox is currently a librarian and researcher at the Bella Biondo Research Center of Pope John High School in Sparta, New Jersey. He has previously been employed as an English teacher, history teacher and basketball coach. He has published one book, Drummer Boy Willie McGee, which was reviewed favorably in the Journal of Military History, and is a contributor to the recent book, New Jersey Goes to War (Longstreet). He has also conducted an extended history of the Irish surname Sionnach since 1026 (not a family history project) that has been submitted to the Irish Studies Program at Notre Dame and Kean University.
