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NYPD Pulaski Association

Polish History Column by* Stef Komar

400 Years of Poles in America

 

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in May of 1607 by the Virginia Company of London to make profit. It was here, on October 1, 1608 that the first group of Polish people, six men, arrived in America on board the second supply ship "Mary and Margaret". John Smith, the first administrator of Jamestown, had spent some time in Poland while returning to England from captivity in the Ottoman empire. He recommended ".... the hiring of the Poles and Dutchmen to make pitch, tarre, glass, mills, and sope-ashes....". Glass making was a well established industry in 17th. Century Poland and Poles were known for their craftsmanship.

The first Poles were Zbigniew Stefanski, Jan Mata, Jan Bogdan, Karol Zrenica, Stanislaw Sadowski and Michal Lowicki who were joined by others in subsequent convoys. They immediately set about producing pitch, tar and soap and soon a ship sailed for England with not only wood, but "trials of Pitch, Tarre, Glass, Frankincense, Sope ashes." The pitch and tar was for shipbuilding, which enhanced England’s maritime standing. These products became the first industrial exports for profit from America.

The Poles also built a glass furnace one mile from Jamestown and worked at blowing glass. John Smith recorded that he was saved by two Polandres when he was attacked by Indians, while walking from the glass furnace back to the fort. The "Jamestown Glasshouse" which exists today is a successor of the glassworks built by Poles in 1608.

In 1619 the first representative assembly in American history was held in Jamestown and the Polish settlers were banned. In response they organized the first workers’ march and demanded the right to vote. When the demands were rejected, the Poles stopped working, in effect staging the first labor strike on American soil. The court record of the Virginia Company for July 12, 1619, states: "Upon some dispute of the Polonians in Virginia, it was now agreed...they shall be enfranchised and made as free as any inhabitant there whatsoever." Because the Poles were considered essential to the survival of the settlement, their demands were met. In exchange they agreed "not to allow their trade to die with them (...) a number of young people shall be placed among them to learn their trade and knowledge for the future benefit of the country (…).

This year is the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Poles in Jamestown. Their story shows the significant contribution of Poles to the development of American democracy and enterprise from its beginnings. It is a source of pride for Polish Americans and is being celebrated at different events, including the New York City Pulaski Parade on October 5, 2008.

Original references: "The generall historie of Virginia, New England & the Summer Isles, together with The true travels, adventures and observations" by John Smith, published 1624 - Volume 1, Chapter VII. Pages 150 to 184 History essays-Bill Biega, biega.com/Poles-America National Park Service

The Poles in Jamestown by Patricia Lehrer, June 25, 2007

www.Ampolinstitute.org www.Pol-am.com


Past Articles : 
Constitution Day Polish National Anthem Nobel Peace Prize
2008 Calendar
10/5 Pulaski Day Parade
TBA Children's Holiday Party (tentative)
12/17 Adult Holiday Party
   
2008 Meetings

 1/16
 2/20
 3/19
 4/16
5/21
6/18
9/17
10/15
11/19
12/17

News Flash


See Home Page for additional information on upcoming events or important info!.


See pictures from recent Pulaski Events Here (Shea, Graduation, Riverhead Festival)!

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Congratulations to all our Scholarship Winners

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Any active members that want to become sergeants start studying now. DCAS has announced the next SGT's exam for Saturday January 24, 2009

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I just wanted to let the folks know not to forget to visit the 43 rd Polish-American Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The festival is held on August 30, 31, and September 1, 6, and 7 from 12 noon to 8 PM. Admission is $9.00 per person which includes all entertainment, unlimited entrance to all rides (all day), the Polish Village, and much more. To find out more information and view the schedule for each day, go to www.czestochowausa.com and click on the Polish festival. See you there.

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