It has been one year since Westside News first shared the story of John Joseph “Exile” McBride, who arrived in Brockport as a teenager in 1864 after fleeing Ireland. He became a world-famous Irish Freedom Fighter and human rights crusader. Exile’s great nephew, Mike McBride, of Rochester, has been on a journey of discovery in the time since then. He’s been learning all he can about the great uncle he never knew existed until he began researching his ancestry for something to do during the pandemic.
Mike said new information seems to come in waves, with an out-of-the-blue phone call or email setting off a flurry of discoveries. One such call came recently while Mike was out shopping. The caller was a man from Buffalo who had read about Exile McBride on social media and later discovered one of Exile’s 1891 newspaper publications in an old footlocker. The paper was fragile but still in excellent condition considering its age. The caller did not want to part with the original, but had an enlarged copy printed on a durable stock for Mike.
The publication was a special election issue, its pages filled with photos of political candidates who were supportive of Home Rule for Ireland. It also included anecdotes written by Exile and copies of letters he had received, one from the mayor of Albany, praising him for his efforts on behalf of Ireland.
Mike also recently obtained a copy of the Official 1875 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Program from Buffalo. Exile McBride was listed as a participant, and while Exile marched he sold St. Patrick badges for 15 cents. Mike quipped, “What a deal!”
When Exile arrived in Brockport he became involved in early photography. “With his acquired skills of taking photos and developing images, he was able to make a substantial income in this exciting new field. He was soon very successful in selling portraits of prominent people, but especially political campaign badges, as far back as 1868,” Mike said.
Exile sold thousands of badges over the years and became known as the “U. S. A. Badge Man.” A 1911 article in The Buffalo Times stated, “The exile has to his credit the distinction of selling more political badges than any other man in America.”
Mike recently found an original Theodore Roosevelt campaign badge from 1904 that was for sale in an online auction and he placed the winning bid. Exile and Roosevelt had especially close ties and the badge was manufactured by F.F. Pulver Co. in Rochester. “I was told that since Exile McBride dominated the political badge market the same time as when the Pulver Company existed in Rochester, and since he lived in the same location, that the Roosevelt badge which I purchased was one of his. However, I don’t have any type of authenticated certificate proving this.” There is at least a very strong possibility that the badge was once sold by his great uncle. Mike plans to consult with a political badge specialist to see if he can learn more.
The income Exile earned with photography and badges enabled him to publish his pro-Ireland newspapers and travel extensively throughout the country for over 40 years – paying for all his own expenses – as he promoted Irish independence. On his travels, Exile would circulate petitions and gather massive numbers of signatures. On three occasions, Exile sailed to England to meet personally with Prime Minister William Gladstone, delivering petitions signed by tens of thousands of America’s most prominent and powerful citizens pleading with him to remove his tyrannical British rule from Ireland.
While searching online, Mike just found an English history book written in 1898, entitled William Ewart Gladstone – Life and Public Service, that contains a brief section discussing Exile’s visit with the Prime Minister. The book has been reprinted and Mike was able to obtain a copy. Exile received a thank you letter from Gladstone, a copy of which is included in the book.
When it comes to “Uncle Exile,” Mike says, “The fun never stops!” He is currently working on writing a book about both Exile’s life and his own journey of discovery. Mike asks anyone with information about Exile McBride or any of the McBrides who lived in the Brockport area, to please contact him at rocksham1@yahoo.com.
There is a strong possibility that this 1904 Theodore Roosevelt political badge that was made in Rochester is one of the thousands sold by Exile McBride.
