The 120th anniversary of the Twin Shaft disaster is this June. We would like to invite the descendants of those lost in the disaster to a commemorative ceremony but we need your help in tracking them down. If you recognize the family names, know a direct descendant or someone who may be a descendant, please refer them to us here or through email – greaterpittstonhistory@gmail.com or our office contact, Extension #27 at (570) 654-9565.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP – Posted by Greater Pittston Historical Society on Friday, March 4, 2016
My uncle Tom O’Brien died there. Additionally, my great grandpa, his brother in law, ran a boarding house at the St. James Hotel at 453 North Main St. Four of the miners who died lived there, in addition to Uncle Tom.
Please email any details of an anniversary commemoration. If I can come, I will.
Thank you for your information! Details for the anniversary are being work on now. We added you to the email list and will send you information as soon as plans are finalized.
My great GRANDfather Michael Thomas Lynott was the foreman at the Twin Shaft when it collapsed and the miners were entombed. As he was getting ready to descend into the mine, he told his oldest son Jimmy and some other young miners not to enter the mine. It was not safe. He was the father of a 6 day old daughter, Marion. She was to be baptized that day. My maternal GRANDmother Bridget Lynott Connell was 16 years old at the time.
Pa Lynott was married to Mary Ann Gavin who emigrated from Liverpool when she was ten years old.
My maternal great GRANDfather, Michael Thomas Lynott, was the foreman of the Twin Shaft, who was entombed with his men. He cautioned his son Jimmy, and some other young men not to go into the mine because it was dangerous. He was the father of a 6 day old daughter, Marion, who was to be baptized that day. He was married to Mary Ann Gavin, who emigrated from Liverpool as a young child. He was the father of my maternal GRANDmother Bridget Lynott Connell who was 16 years old at the time. I am fortunate to have a picture of him. He was the GRANDfather of Michael T. Connell, who was noted for his football skills..
James McDonald was one of the miners killed in the Twin Shaft disaster. My grandmother’s maiden name was Katherine McDonald. Her brother was James A. McDonald. They lived in Moosic in the late 1890s with relatives(Morans) and no one in my family ever seemed to know what happened to the father(James McDonald).
I suspect he may be the one who died at Twin Shaft. Whether he was my great-grandfather or not, God rest his soul and those of the others who lost their lives that day. True, courageous heroes all.
These men lost everything they ever had and everything they were ever going to have just to make a living and feed their wives and children. Many even lost their earthly legacy, with children changing their names to the names of their stepfathers. Many were put on the bottom of lists of the dead because they were not English speaking. Their names forever misspelled, their marital status and children ignored in the press and referred to only as “Poles and Hunlanders”. To add to the insult, their resting places have been desecrated, starting with resumed mining of the site in 1909 where they found six coal cars underground loaded by these men until present day where the site is still privately owned and the shaft entrance has been back filled. This site should be procured by Pittston through imminent domain and declared a graveyard with a proper memorial and visitation area. How can the memory of these men and boys be disrespected for 120 years? Thank you GPHS for bringing the most tragic and world famous event in the history of Pittston to the forefront once again and giving proper respect to these brave, brave men and boys!