George Shiffler
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George Shiffler | |
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| Born | January 24, 1825 |
| Died | May 6, 1844 Kensington District, Pennsylvania |
| Cause of death | Gunshot to the chest |
| Occupation | Tanner |
| Political party | American Republican Party |
George Shiffler (January 24, 1825 - May 6, 1844) was an American nativist who was the first nativist killed during the May Philadelphia nativist riots after being shot in the chest when fire broke out between Protestant nativists and the local Irish Catholics.
Early life
George Shiffler was born on January 24th, 1825, likely in Kensington, Pennsylvania, to a tobacconist father and a mother whose family built ships and wharves; tracked by historian Kenneth Milano.[1] Sometime in his early life, he was apprenticed to a tanner, and as Shiffler approached adulthood, he observed that the future for apprentice craftsmen was growing increasingly uncertain.
Start of nativism
In December of 1842, Shiffler’s father committed suicide, which was caused by “mental derangement”, leaving Shiffler’s mother widowed with multiple children to take care of. In 1843, Shiffler joined a gang called “the Hyenas”, who were close to the Independent Hose, one of the most dangerous fire companies in the County of Philadelphia, and possibly participated in the December 1843 brawl against the Northern Liberty Hose, or the January 1844 clash against both the Northern Liberty and the Kensington Engine.[1]
Shiffler's demise
On May 3rd, 1844, the American Republican Party held a meeting in a predominantly Irish part of the Kensington District as a protest against the immigration of the Irish, and a group of Irishmen attacked the platform where the speakers were standing, causing the nativists to retreat. 3 days later, the nativists returned in larger numbers, and during the rally, it began to rain, so they moved the meeting to a nearby market, where the Hibernophobic comments continued. Soon, fighting broke out between the local Irish Catholics and the nativist Protestants, where it spilled outside of the market, and nativists were shot at by people from nearby buildings. During the gunfire, Shiffler was shot in the chest with a slug from a musket, supposedly fired from the Hibernia Hose Company fire station[2] whilst holding the American flag. He stumbled against a fence, and died shortly after.
Legacy
Shiffler’s death resulted in him being venerated as a martyr for the nativist cause, with songs, poems, and prints being created in his honor. He was buried on May 9th, and a large funeral was held for him, with over 300 mourners.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Schrag, Zachary M. (Sep 1, 2021). "Martyrs to the Nation". Retrieved Feb 9, 2026 – via slate.com.
- ↑ "Death of George Shifler". National Museum of American History. Retrieved Feb 9, 2026.
External links
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