The beginnings of a political dynasty in the United States emerged from humble roots. Bridget Murphy emigrated from Ireland in the wake of the catastrophic potato famine. Her transatlantic journey to the United States was fraught with peril, from illness to unfriendly seas. Upon arrival in America, Bridget searched for work in a country that didn’t embrace its Irish newcomers. She would eventually find employment as domestic help.
Her soon-to-be-husband, Patrick Kennedy, would experience similar intolerance when seeking work. The pair would marry in September 1849 and begin to raise a family in the area of Boston. The Kennedys grew to three girls and one boy. Despite Patrick’s untimely death in 1858, Bridget possessed a strong resolve and earned a living as a shop owner. Her spirit would be passed down to Patrick, who began as a dockworker and eventually reached the pinnacles of city government.
The First Kennedys takes an emotional and rewarding trip down memory lane into the history of the Kennedy family. Author Neal Thompson (A Curious Man) has written a near flawless history of the forebears of Camelot. Every saga has a beginning, and the tale of the early Kennedys is fascinating.
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