President Biden shared a story about his great-grandfather during a speech to union workers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He claimed that his great-grandfather, Edward Francis Blewitt, was rumored to have been part of a group of coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, who would kill anti-Catholic mine foremen and leave their bodies on the doorstep of their homes. The president joked that he was disappointed to find out that his great-grandfather was not actually a member of the group, despite the allegations that were made against him in 1906 when he ran for the state Senate in Pennsylvania.
Biden explained that the mistreatment of Irish Catholics working in Pennsylvania coal mines by English foremen led to the formation of the Molly Maguires, a group of Irishmen who violently retaliated against their oppressors. The president emphasized that this was not a joke and that the abuse suffered by the Catholic population in the mines was a serious issue. He described how the Molly Maguires would take action if they discovered a foreman was taking advantage of an individual, often resorting to killing them and leaving their bodies for their families to find.
Although the president’s anecdote about his great-grandfather being accused of being a member of the Molly Maguires was meant as a light-hearted joke, it caused some surprise among those present at the event. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler appeared taken aback by the comment, while Vice President Kamala Harris laughed along with Biden. The president clarified that his comment was intended as a joke and continued with his speech to the union workers.
The claim made by President Biden about his great-grandfather being accused of being part of the Molly Maguires is supported by a 2020 story in Irish American Magazine. The publication also notes that Biden had previously shared a similar story about Blewitt during the 2008 campaign trail with former President Barack Obama, although with a different punchline. In that instance, the president joked that he and others were hoping his great-grandfather was actually a member of the group, despite his efforts to prove otherwise.
Overall, President Biden’s anecdote about his great-grandfather being linked to the Molly Maguires adds a personal touch to his speech and sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Irish-American history. The story highlights the challenges faced by Irish Catholics working in Pennsylvania coal mines during that time period and showcases the ways in which they fought against the mistreatment they experienced. Despite the humorous tone of the president’s comments, they serve as a reminder of the struggles and resistance of immigrant communities in the face of adversity.
