White, Edward "Ned", comments and selected references
Much of what is known about Edward White is in Francis O'Neill's sketch of him in Irish Minstrels and Musicians. Little of it is verifiable, but other sources add a bit of information.
Census and naturalization records suggest different birth years, from about 1807 to 1810. Robert van Djik reports a baptismal certificate for Edward White from St. Breandan's Cathedral, Loughrea, County Galway, born Oct. 29, 1810. This may be the pipemaker.
According to US Naturalization records White emigrated to Boston in 1848. He petitioned to become a US Citizen five years later, as soon as he could legally do so. At that time he gave his occupation as Musical Instrument Maker. This is the occupation he gave in every known census and city directory listing, 1850-76.
The suggestions that White made pipes in Ireland are two references to a pipemaker "White" of Athenry, County Galway, and the discovery of a set with "White" markings, very old, under the floorboards of an attic in Limerick, Ireland.
During his years in the US White was a resident of Roxbury, Massachusetts, first a suburb of Boston, then annexed by the city in 1868. From 1853 to 1860 he advertised in the Boston Pilot newspaper as "manufacturer of the union IRISH and SCOTCH BAG PIPES" and repairer of "all kinds of Musical Instruments...."
O'Neill says that White "conducted a dance hall" at Roxbury in the 1860s and was then in the "zenith of his fame." He dressed with care and in fashion and was known as "The Dandy Piper."
John Coughlan (1837-1908), of New York City, later a professional piper, was sent to live with and take piping lessons from White in the 1850s, when Coughlan was in his teens. Pipemaker Michael Egan was also in NYC at this time, and is known to have made two sets for Coughlan.
I have found only two possible references to public performances by White. The first is at a picnic in Beverly, MA, Sep. 1857. The second is an account of a no-show at a dance in Essex, MA, Feb. 1860. It is likely but not certain that both references are to Edward White.
Liquor was seized by local authorities from Edward White at his home address in Aug. 1876. Perhaps he was running a bar from his home.
White was married three times. In 1860 he married Bridget Gaughin and they had one child, Catherine. He may have had other children by previous marriages. Edward White died of marasmus (malnutrition - a wasting of the body) April 24, 1877. Place of burial is not known.
Next to nothing would be known about the kind of pipes White made had he not stamped some of his work. As it stands examples are not numerous. One, perhaps two or more full sets are known. Jim Shiels has a "C" chanter, "a heavy ebony job," which is well thought of. A blackwood "B" Kenna set with one regulator stamped White also exists. Another blackwood set has regulators with the original keys thrown away, the pin blocks sawed off, and Taylor-ish style keys added; this insult was probably done over 100 years ago.
Nick Whitmer August 2020 additions October 2020
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"Edward White, Roxbury, Ms, Dallas Place (from Ruggles st.) near Water st, Manufacturer of the CHROMATIC UNION, IRISH and SCOTCH PIPES, on the most reasonable terms.
"N.B. All Instruments repaired at the shortest notice.
"☞Mr. W. will be pleased to perform for parties requiring his services. A13"
Boston [MA] Pilot Aug. 20, 1853 p. 6 column 5
Boston College Libraries
https://newspapers.bc.edu/?a=d&d=bpilott18530820-01.2.39.3&srpos=23&e=-------en-20--21-byDA-txt-txIN-%22Edward+White%22------
Reproduced in "Galway Immigrant Edward White, noted Uilleann Pipe Maker in 19th Century Boston" by Michael Quinlin on the Irish Boston History & Heritage blog.
https://irishboston.blogspot.com/2020/04/galway-immigrant-edward-white-noted.html
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Grand Pic Nic.
"The St. John's Literary Institute East Cambridge, will give a grand Pic Nic at Stanley's Grove, Beverly, on THURSDAY, September 3. ... Music by Gardner's Quadrille Band and Mr. White the celebrated performer on the Irish Bag Pipes. ..."
Boston [MA] Herald Sep. 1, 1857 p. 2 column 7
GenealogyBank.com
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$5 REWARD.
"The above reward will be paid to any one who will give information of one MICHAEL WARD, formerly of Troy, N. Y., (or he said he came from there). He is lame, walks with a stick, is of dark complexion, and aged about 30 years. He stopped for some time in the house of Edward White, Roxbury, Mass., and while there borrowed a set of Union Pipes, valued at $50, and has not returned them. The above reward will be paid to any one who will return the Pipes, or give information that will lead to the arrest of said Ward. Address
"EDWARD WHITE, Roxbury, Mass.
"&24 3tp"
Boston MA Pilot April 24, 1858 p. 8 column 1
Boston College Libraries
https://newspapers.bc.edu/?a=d&d=pilot18580424-01.2.88.1&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22Edward+White%22------
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'Essex, Feb. 22, 1860.
'Mr. Editor:-The following notice was posted up in different parts of this town last week:
'Look out for a Good Time!
'There will be a grand dance at Union Hall, on Monday evening, Feb. 20th, to which all are invited. Music, Scotch and Irish Bagpipes, with accompaniments. Mr O'Hearn, of Boston, will execute the Highland Fling, and other beautiful dances. Come one, come all, without respect to any.
'Tickets 25 cents, to be had at the door.
'Accordingly, on Monday evening, a large number of our male citizens assembled at Union Hall to witness the Highland Fling and beautiful dances. After waiting some time, a tip-top fiddler from Gloucester, (West Parish.) made his appearance upon the platform, and was greeted with tremendous applause. After performing several original pieces, such as "Enterprise and Boxer," "The Girl I left Behind Me," "Yankee Doodle," etc., the dance commenced, and it was a regular, (or rather irregular) break-down. One young gentleman in attempting to execute the Fling, got flung, and another damaged his nose very severely while attempting to cross over.
'At half past eight o'clock, a gentleman in the crowd called the company to order, and read in an audible voice, the following epistle:
'Roxbury Feb 18th 1860
'Me dear sir i have received your invetation to visit your town next Monday night wid me Bap Pipes i shall lave Roxbury in the half past four trane surely for your place
'Yours --------
'That "trane" did not arrive. The curtain was then drawn, and the scene closed.
'N. P.'
Gloucester MA Cape Ann Weekly Advertiser Feb. 24, 1860 p. 2 column 5
GenealogyBank.com
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Hub Splinters. [local briefs]
Those Picked Up Yesterday. ...
"Liquor seizures were made from Edward White, 18 Mechanic street [and four others, different addresses]...."
Boston [MA] Daily Globe Aug. 17, 1876 p. 8 column 2
Newspapers.com
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O'Neill, Francis Irish Minstrels and Musicians Chicago 1913 p. 248 [John Coughlan]
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Shiels, Jim email communication April, 2020
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van Djik, Rob email communication Aug., 2020 [other White sets]
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