New York, NY- Irish Emigrant Society 1 Pound Sterling June 6,1878

Description

Finger Lakes Numismatics - Rare Coins And Currency
New York, NY- Irish Emigrant Society
£1 / .08 June 6, 1878
This is a significant item from an institution which played an important part in the history of nineteenth century New York City. The Irish Emigrant Society was formed in 1841 to "afford advice, information, aid and protection" to emigrants from Ireland. As part of that mission, the society established a Committee on Remittances, which sought to eliminate the more egregious financial abuses perpetrated on recent immigrants, as well as helping finance passage to family members awaiting ticketing in Irish and English ports. This business soon expanded beyond the ability of the society to handle it, and, in 1851, the society helped to organize the Emigrant Savings Bank, which soon became one of New York's leading financial institutions. This note, a 1 Pound Sterling draft, was payable at the Bank of Ireland in Dublin or at any of that bank's offices throughout Ireland or Britain.