Image
THE FIRST ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TAKE ROOT: THE ARMENIAN AMERICAN PLYMOUTH
by Hrag Vartanian
The true Armenian community began to form in Worcester in 1867 shortly after the settlement of Garo from Bitlis, a servant of missionary George C. Knapp. Oral history suggests that while working at the missionary's home, one of the servants, an Irish laundrywoman, convinced him that working in local factories could make him more than his scant monthly wage of 75 cents. Garo would soon join the ranks of the emerging working class at a remarkable $1.75 a day. Other Armenians flocked to the town with hopes of sharing in the American dream.