Conway Mill Trust

In 1631, the colonists of New England were starving and a ship ‘The Lion’ was sent to Ireland for provisions.  After many months, the ship arrived back at Nantucket and a day of thanks was declared.  And in 1676 the Indian War with King Philip left the people starving and Ireland again came to their aid.  This was known as ‘The Irish Donation’.  The ship ‘Katherine’ from Dublin delivered life-saving supplies.  There is no mention of any other country, including the mother country of the Pilgrims, of offering any relief.  The ‘Kathrine’ probably arrived in Boston in November 1676 .  One hundred seventy years later, the people of Massachusetts organized a fund for those starving in Ireland during the “Great Hunger’.