Chapter V: Part 5

A Rhode Island soldier, 1756–’59, was named William Sheehan. He is mentioned in the former year as a lieutenant and quartermaster for the expedition against Crown Point. In 1758, he appears as first lieutenant in the major’s company of his regiment, and is also referred to the same year as captain and quartermaster.

A Virginia trooper who rendered service against the French and Indians was Thomas Doyle. The Assembly of Virginia passed an act in 1756 for the payment of men engaged in said service. Doyle was voted 1,860 pounds of tobacco, and other troopers were to be paid like amounts. (Boogher’s _Gleanings of Virginia History_.)

Daniel Magennis is a name frequently met in King Philip’s War, 1675–’76. Daniel became a corporal and was at one time company clerk. He served at various times under Captain Henchman, Captain Wheeler and other commanders. His name also appears in the records as Maginnis. (See Bodge’s _History of King Philip’s War_.)

Col. Charles Stewart was born in County Donegal, Ireland, 1729. He came to America, 1750; was deputy surveyor-general of Pennsylvania; patriot of the Revolution; colonel of a New Jersey regiment of Minute Men; colonel of a New Jersey regiment of the Line; served on Washington’s staff; member of the Continental Congress.

“In the _Mayflower_ ... were one hundred and one men, women, boys and girls as passengers, besides captain and crew. These were of English, Dutch, French and Irish ancestry, and thus typical of our national stock.” (Rev. William Elliot Griffis in _Brave Little Holland and What She Taught Us_. New York, 1894. Page 208.)

Bernard O’Neill was a captain in the Irish-French regiment of Dillon in the American Revolution. He was probably the “Captain Commandant O’Neill” who participated in the expedition against Savannah, where he was wounded in the breast, and may have been identical with “Le Baron Bernard O’Neill,” who became a Chevalier of St. Louis.

Thomas DeCourcy was a native of Newport, R. I. His father came from Ireland and settled in Newport about 1720. The father’s brother, also named Thomas, was Baron Kinsale. Upon the latter’s death, Thomas, the native of Newport, succeeded to the title and estates. Mention of these facts may be found in Peterson’s _History of Rhode Island_.

Eleanor Ledlie was of Irish parentage. She became the wife of Capt. Samuel Bowman, an officer of the Revolution, who as commander of the guard walked arm in arm with Major Andre, the British spy, to the place of the latter’s execution. (Hon. Edward A. Moseley of Washington, D. C., in an address to the American-Irish Historical Society.)

Matthias Alexis de Roche Fermoy, of Irish extraction, was an officer in the French forces that came to America during our Revolution and assisted in establishing the independence of the United States. He became a brigadier and is mentioned in the work entitled _Generals of the Continental Line in the Revolutionary War_ (Philadelphia, 1903).

Brian Murphy was a soldier in King Philip’s War, 1675–’76. He is mentioned in Bodge’s history of that war and is credited with garrison duty at Mendon, Mass. Thomas Tally, Patrick Morren, Timothy Larkin, Joseph Griffin, Jeremiah Toy, Philip Butler, John Hand and Thomas Welch are also mentioned by Bodge as participating in that struggle.

During the Revolution, Capt. William Burke of the armed schooner _Warren_ was captured by the British frigate _Liverpool_ and carried into Halifax, from whence he was sent to New York and confined on board a prison ship. He was later exchanged for Capt. Richard Jones, “a British officer of equal rank.” Captain Burke is mentioned as of Marblehead, Mass.

Susannah Lightfoot, a native of Ireland, was born in 1720. She was a Quaker, and with Ruth Courtney came from Ireland to America on a visit to Friends here. On her return to the Old Land, she landed at Cork. In 1760, she paid a second visit to these shores, and four years later removed with her husband from Ireland and permanently settled here.

Among those serving under Esek Hopkins, during the Revolution, was Patrick Kaine. He is mentioned as a marine and served aboard the _Cabot_. In an engagement with the British ship _Glasgow_, April 6, 1776, he was killed. Anthony Dwyer, Richard Sweeney, John Connor, Thomas Dowd and Andrew Magee also served aboard the _Cabot_ under Hopkins.

Jeremiah Driskel, William Henussey and John Leary all served in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard (Washington’s) during the Revolution. Driskel had previously served in a Maryland regiment; Henussey, in a Pennsylvania command, and Leary, in a regiment commanded by John Stark. (See Godfrey’s work on _The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard_.)

In 1776, John O’Kelley was a member of a military company in the town of Warren, R. I. The company was commanded by Capt. Ezra Ormsbee. Also in the company were Daniel Kelley and Joseph Kelley. The General Assembly of Rhode Island, in 1782, gave “Mrs. Elizabeth O’Kelley, widow of John O’Kelley,” of Warren, permission to sell certain real estate.

Thomas Jones, “from Strabane, Ireland,” came to Rhode Island prior to 1699; later he removed to Long Island, N. Y. He married Freelove Townsend, whose father gave them land at Massapequa, where they settled. They are mentioned in Bunker’s _Long Island Genealogies_. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had a son David, born in 1699. Thomas, the immigrant, died in 1713.

Andrew Meade, a Kerry Irishman, and a Catholic, emigrated to New York, married Mary Latham, a Quakeress of Flushing, went to Nansemond County, Va., and died there in 1745. His son was Col. Richard Kidder Meade, an aide-de-camp of General Washington. (Quoted by Martin I. J. Griffin of Philadelphia, Pa., in _American Catholic Historical Researches_.)

Thomas, John and Walter Dongan, kinsmen of Governor Dongan of New York, are believed to have been residing in New York in 1715. In 1723 a private act was passed by the Assembly of the province “to enable Thomas Dongan and Walter Dongan, two surviving kinsmen of Thomas, late Earl of Limerick,” to sell part of their estate. A similar act was passed in 1726.

Hotten’s _Original Lists_ (London, 1874) contain the names of many Irish who were conveyed to Virginia, Barbadoes and other parts. The work comprises the period from 1600 to 1700 and mentions “Persons of quality, emigrants, religious exiles, political rebels, serving men sold for a term of years, apprentices, children stolen, maidens pressed” and other wayfarers of the time.

Charles Carroll, grandfather of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, came to this country about 1689 and settled in Maryland. In 1691 he was made judge and register of the land office, and agent and receiver for Lord Baltimore’s rents. His son, also named Charles Carroll, was born in 1702 and died in 1782. Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a son of this second Charles Carroll.

Michael Ryan, a soldier of the Revolution, was acting-adjutant of the Fourth Pennsylvania regiment, commanded by Col. Anthony Wayne, from Feb. 17, 1776; was appointed adjutant March 15 that year; became a captain in the Fifth Pennsylvania, and was inspector of General Wayne’s division; was promoted brigade-major, Nov. 18, 1777; also served as major of the Tenth Pennsylvania.

The Massachusetts records mention Patrick McMullen as serving during the Revolution aboard the _Providence_, under John Paul Jones. He is referred to as entitled to a prize share in the ship _Alexander_, captured in 1777, and is also mentioned as a marine aboard the _Alfred_, commanded by Jones. In this latter capacity he was entitled to prize shares in the ship _Mellish_ and the brig _Active_,

Andrew Brown, born in Ireland, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, came to this country and eventually settled in Massachusetts. He was a patriot of the Revolution, fought at Lexington and Bunker Hill; served as major under Gates and Greene. After the war, he established the _Federal Gazette_ at Philadelphia, Pa., the publication being later known as the _Philadelphia Gazette_.

An Irish schoolmaster in Brunswick, Me., was Thomas Crowell. He settled there shortly after the close of the Revolution, and taught school there for over twenty years. Many of his pupils became leading business men, and some of them famous shipmasters. Sumner L. Holbrook read a paper, a few years ago, before the Pejepscot Historical Society, of Brunswick, devoted to Master Crowell.

John Donnaldson, “son of Hugh Donnaldson of Dungannon, Ireland,” was a shipping merchant in Philadelphia, Pa.; a patriot of the Revolution; member of the First City Troop; took part in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown; subscribed £2,000, in 1780, in aid of the army; became register-general of Pennsylvania; and comptroller-general of the state.

David McCarty, Albany, N. Y., was a member of the Committee of Safety there during the Revolution. He was a valiant soldier and at the time of his death was a general of state troops. In May, 1771, he married Charlotta, granddaughter of Pieter Coeymans, the founder of a wealthy Dutch family. By this marriage McCarty came into the possession of much land in the Coeymans Patent.

Well-nigh forgotten now is Christopher Stuart, an Irishman and soldier of the Revolution. He was born in the Old Land, 1748, and settled in Montgomery County, Pa. He served successively as captain, major and lieutenant-colonel of Pennsylvania troops, including the Line; took part in the battle of Long Island, the storming of Stony Point, and in other actions of the war; died, 1799.

Patrick Googins, “a young Irish weaver,” came to this country about 1722 and settled at Old Orchard, Me. He married Hester Rogers. Her father gave Patrick as her marriage portion 200 acres there. In years long after, the place became known as “the old Googins farm.” The farm remained in the Googins family for four generations. (See an article in the _Old Orchard Mirror_, 1902.)

One of the founders of the Charitable Irish Society of Boston, Mass., 1737, was Joseph St. Lawrence. In the records of the Boston selectmen, that year, appears the following: “Mr. Joseph St. Lawrence from Ireland, Merchant, having imported upwards of Fifty Pounds Sterling, Prays he may be Allow’d to Carry on his Business in this Town.” It is presumed the desired permission was granted.

Charles Thomson, who for nearly fifteen years was secretary of the Continental Congress, being sometimes referred to as its “Perpetual secretary,” was born in Ireland, 1729. He participated in various treaty proceedings with the Indians, and was styled by the latter “The man of truth.” He married Hannah Harrison whose nephew, William Henry Harrison, became president of the United States.

Robert Temple arrived at Boston, Mass., from Ireland, in 1717, with a party of Irish Protestants. He settled on Noddle’s Island, now East Boston, and had a house there that “contained elegant rooms suitable for the reception of persons of the first condition.” He commanded a company in operations against the Indians. He became a member of the Boston Charitable Irish Society in 1740.

George Taylor, a native of Ireland, died in Providence, R. I., in 1778. He taught school there for over 40 years, was for a number of years president of the Town Council and held other positions of trust and honor. He was a man of public spirit and witnessed events of the earlier part of the Revolution. The Providence _Gazette_ states that “He was an honor to the country that gave him birth.”

Col. Israel Angell of the Second Rhode Island regiment in the Continental Line, has this entry in his diary under date of March 17, 1781: “Good weather. A great parade this day with the Irish, it being St. Patrick’s. I spent the day on the Point [West Point], and tarried with the officers.” This diary has been reproduced in printed form by Edward Field, secretary of the Providence, R. I., Record Commission.

Alexander Black, an Irishman, was a resident of Providence, R. I., as early as 1762. He was a merchant and was associated in business with James Black, and later with Alexander Stewart. Alexander Black died in Providence, 1767. In a notice of his death, which appears in the Providence _Gazette_, he is declared to have been “A fast friend to the liberties of America, and studied to promote the public weal.”

James Kavanagh, a native of County Wexford, Ireland, came to Boston, Mass., in 1780, during the Revolution, but settled at Damariscotta Mills, Me., and engaged in the lumber business. His son, Edward, became president of the State Senate of Maine, a member of Congress, United States charge d’affaires in Portugal, a commissioner to settle the northeastern boundary of Maine, and acting governor of Maine.

Edmund Fanning, an Irishman, was a victim of the Cromwellian confiscation, and fled at the time of the surrender of Limerick, 1651, and settled in Groton, Conn. His uncle, Dominick Fanning of Limerick, was one of the 21 persons exempted from pardon by Ireton and was beheaded at that time. D. H. Fanning and Walter F. Brooks, Worcester, Mass., are descendants of Edmund Fanning, the Groton settler.

Morgan Connor, a Pennsylvania soldier of the Revolution, was successively lieutenant, captain, major, and lieutenant-colonel commandant. He served in Col. Samuel Miles’ Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment; was wounded in the right wrist at Princeton; was called from camp by Congress in March, 1776, and sent South as brigade major for General Armstrong; was afterwards lieutenant-colonel of Hartley’s regiment.

John Brown, a native of Ireland, came to this country about 1760. He settled in Virginia, in the Warm Spring Valley, and had a tract of 400 acres. About 1778 he married Mary Donnelly. He commanded a company in the Revolution, and after the war was a justice for Bath County, Va., sheriff and treasurer of the county, major of the Second Battalion of militia, and a member of the General Assembly of Virginia.

Daniel Dulany, a native of Queens County, Ireland, was born in 1686. He was a cousin of Rev. Patrick Dulany, dean of Down. Daniel came to this country when quite young and settled in Maryland. He was admitted to the bar in 1710, became attorney-general of the province, judge of admiralty, commissary-general, agent and receiver-general, and councillor. He was in the public service of Maryland for nearly 40 years.

Edward Fox was born in Dublin, Ireland, 1752; came to this country, studied law and eventually settled in Philadelphia, Pa. He held various positions of prominence there; became secretary of the Bank of the United States, secretary of the American Fire Insurance Co., recorder of deeds for the county of Philadelphia, and treasurer of the University of Pennsylvania. One of his sons married a daughter of Gen. Stephen Moylan.

Cortlandt Schuyler of Albany, N. Y., was captain in “a marching regiment” of the British Army. He married a handsome Irishwoman in Ireland, while stationed there, and brought her to Albany about 1763. Upon his death, she returned to Ireland with her children, “where it is said their desendants bearing the name Schuyler still live.” (Mrs. Grant’s _Memoirs of an American Lady_, quoted by Hon. Franklin M. Danaher of Albany.)

In 1769–’70, Rev. Hezekiah Smith made a tour of South Carolina and Georgia in aid of Rhode Island College, now Brown University. He says in his diary of the tour: “Thursday, March 1, 1770, went to Malachi Murfee’s.” The list of those who subscribed in aid of the college, on this Southern trip, includes Edward Dempsey, Charles Reilly, Patrick Hinds, James Welsh, Hugh Dillon, John Boyd, Matthew Roach and Capt. John Canty.

An officer who came with our French allies during the Revolution was Isidore de Lynch. He was at one period an aide-de-camp to the Chevalier de Chastellux. Referring to the return of the French to Boston after the surrender of the British at Yorktown, Count Segur speaks of “Isidore de Lynch, an intrepid Irishman, afterwards a General.” Lynch became commander of the Irish-French regiment of Walsh, and was decorated with the Cross of St. Louis.

The Dutch records of Albany, N. Y., mention Jan Fyne, “van Waterfort in Irlandt.” His name likewise appears as Johannes Fine, which in English would probably be John Finn. He is believed to have been a soldier who was sent to Albany in 1690. He settled there and is later mentioned as a cooper. In 1696 he wedded Jopje Classe Van Slyck. His second wife, whom he married in 1699, was Alida, daughter of Jacob Janse Gardiner of Kinderhook.

Watson H. Harwood, M. D., of Chasm Falls, N. Y., in a paper contributed to the _Register_ of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society, January, 1898, treats of the Clogstons of New Hampshire. He states that “The Clogston family is of Irish origin,” and that it came to New Hampshire sometime after 1718. Paul Clogston, a descendant of the immigrants, died of wounds received at Bunker Hill, 1775. The name is sometimes written Clogstone.

Blair McClenachan, an Irishman by birth, settled in Philadelphia, Pa., at an early age, and became the “largest importer in the city except Robert Morris”; was a patriot of the Revolution; subscribed, in 1780, £10,000 in aid of the army; was one of the original members of the First City Troop; a member of Congress, 1797–’99; was made commissioner of loans by President Jefferson. One of McClenachan’s daughters married Gen. Walter Stewart.

One of the early settlers of Peterborough, N. H., was William McNee. He was born in Ireland, 1711, and before coming to this country married Mary E. Brownley. In an address delivered at Peterborough, some years ago, Hon. James F. Brennan of that town said that McNee’s “descendants have now reached the eighth generation, but unfortunately the name is entirely lost. The first and second generations retained the name, but the third changed it to Nay.”

Michael Morgan O’Brien, a native of Ireland, became a West India merchant in Philadelphia, Pa., and was located there as early as 1780. He was a member of the First City Troop of Philadelphia, of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Hibernia Fire Company, and the Hibernian Society. He died in France, 1804. He bequeathed his books to the “Rt. Reverend Father in God, John Carroll, R. C., Bishop of Baltimore, as a testimony of the great respect and esteem I bear him.”

A prominent man in his day was John Patton. He was born in Sligo, Ireland, 1745, settled in Philadelphia, Pa., and became a merchant there. A patriot of the Revolution, he was successively major and colonel of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania regiment, and rendered gallant service during the war. In 1780 he subscribed £1,000 in aid of the army. After the war he was an iron manufacturer, and at the time of his death, 1804, was major-general of Pennsylvania state troops.

Christopher Colles, a native of Ireland, was born in 1737. He came to this country and lectured on pneumatics, inland navigation, water supply for cities and similar topics. In 1775, he became an instructor in gunnery and was so employed in the American Continental Army until 1777. He memorialized the New York Legislature, in 1784, in favor of a canal from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario. He constructed and operated a telegraph, in 1812, at Fort Clinton.

One of the victims of the Boston massacre, March 5, 1770, was Patrick Carr. On that date, British soldiers in Boston, Mass., fired on a gathering of the people, three of the latter being instantly killed and five dangerously wounded. Crispus Attucks, the leader of the gathering, was among the killed and Carr was mortally wounded. A granite monument stands on Boston Common to commemorate the victims of the British. High up on the shaft, among the others, appears the name of Patrick Carr.

The _Mercury_ (Philadelphia) of Aug. 28, 1735, reported: “On Monday last, Capt. Blair arrived from Carick Fargus in Ireland with 168 Irish passengers and servants and on Monday evening before any of them landed one of them fell into the river and was drowned.” The next paper announced: “the body was found, the next tide carried up seven miles from the mouth of the Schuylkill.” (_American Catholic Historical Researches_, Philadelphia, Pa., Martin I. J. Griffin, editor.)

From the records of the selectmen, Boston, Mass., Aug. 4, 1736: “Dennis Sullivant being present Informs, That he with his Wife are lately come into this Town from South Carolina by land; That he has been in Town about Five Weeks; That he first Lodg’d at the White Horse Two nights, and a Fortnight at Mrs. Snowdens and now lodges in Long lane, That he designs to return to England or Ireland, as soon as he can Conveniently Obtain a Passage for himself and his said Wife.”

Gen. William Thompson of the Revolution was an Irishman by birth. He came to this country prior to the War for Independence; served during the French and Indian War; became captain of a troop of Light Horse; led a regiment, in 1775, to the American camp at Cambridge, Mass., and participated in the siege of Boston; had many sharpshooters in his command; was made brigadier-general in 1776; relieved General Lee in command of the American forces at New York; died in 1791.

A veteran soldier of the Revolution was Patrick Leonard, who was born in Ireland, 1740. He came to this country and enlisted in the Patriot ranks; served in Proctor’s artillery and in the First Regiment, Pennsylvania Line. He saw much service and took part in the battles of Bunker Hill, Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Stony Point; also served, in 1791–’96, under Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne. He was residing, in 1817, at Cincinnati, Ohio.

A native of County Westmeath, Ireland, John Shee, came to America between 1742 and 1745; became prominent in Philadelphia, Pa.; a patriot of the Revolution; commanded the Third Pennsylvania regiment; member of the Pennsylvania State Board of War; subscribed £1,000 in aid of the army; is referred to as “a man of excellent manners and good acquirements”; after the war, became a general of Pennsylvania state troops; collector of the port of Philadelphia; city treasurer of Philadelphia.

A native of Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, John Dunlap, was born in 1747. He settled in Philadelphia, Pa.; became printer to Congress, and to the state of Pennsylvania; published the Philadelphia _Packet_; was cornet, lieutenant, and commander of the First City Troop; commanded the cavalry in the Whiskey Insurrection campaign. During the Revolution he subscribed £4,000 in aid of the Patriot army. He was at one time the owner of 98,000 acres in the South, in addition to real estate elsewhere.

One of the earliest Irishmen in this country of whom we have record was Francis Maguire. Hon. Hugh Hastings, state historian of New York, writes that Maguire arrived at Jamestown, Va., with Capt. Christopher Newport, about 1607, remained in the country nearly a year, and returned to England with Newport. Maguire “wrote an account of his voyage to Virginia and submitted it to the Privy Council of Spain.” In one account he is described as an Irishman and a Roman Catholic.

Teague Crehore was a resident of Milton or Dorchester, Mass., as early as 1640–’50. He is stated to have been stolen from his parents in Ireland when a child. He died in 1695, aged 55 years. This would show that he was born about 1640. He had a son Timothy, born in 1660, who died in 1739 and is buried in Milton, Mass. This Timothy had a son Timothy, grandson of Teague, who was born in 1689 and wedded Mary Driscoll of Dorchester, Mass., in 1712. He died in 1755 and is buried in Milton.

Rev. Samuel Dorrance, an Irish Presbyterian clergyman, arrived in Voluntown, Conn., 1722, and was installed as pastor of the church there. His nationality caused some dissatisfaction, and the disgruntled members of the church drew up a petition for his removal. They were informed, they said, that “He came out of Ireland” and that since his coming “The Irish do flock into town.” (Larned’s _History of Windham County, Conn._, quoted by Rev. James H. O’Donnell in his _History of the Diocese of Hartford_.)

The “poll list for the election of burgesses for the County of Prince William,” Virginia, 1731, contains many Irish names, including Darby Callahan, Edward Barry, John Mead, Thomas Conway, Samuel Conner, Michael Regan, James Curry, Owen Gilmore, John Murphey, William Hogan, Thomas Hicks, Michael Scanlon, John Madden, Dennis McCarty, Thomas Jordan, Richard Higgins, Thomas Welsh, etc. These and other names, constituting the entire list, are set forth in Boogher’s _Gleanings of Virginia History_.

A gallant soldier of the Revolution, who has almost been forgotten, was John Haslett. He was born in Ireland, came to this country and located in Delaware; was for several terms a member of the State Assembly; participated in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. On one occasion, he surprised a British picket, took 36 prisoners, 60 muskets, and two pairs of colors; became colonel of a Delaware regiment and was killed at the battle of Princeton, 1777. His son, Joseph, became governor of Delaware.

Among the many Irish names on the roster of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, during the Revolution, is that of Hugh Hagerty. He served in a Pennsylvania regiment of the Line, and was transferred at Valley Forge, March 19, 1778, to the Guard just mentioned. This organization is sometimes referred to as Washington’s “Life Guard,” and was composed of picked men. Hagerty participated in the battle of Monmouth and other engagements of the war. (Godfrey’s recent work on _The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard_.)

The Dutch records of New York mention Jan Andriessen, “the Irishman.” Jan was at Beverwyck, now Albany, N. Y., as early as 1645. He is also referred to as “De Iersman van Dublingh.” His name in English was probably John Anderson. In 1649 he leased a “bouwerie” or farm. It is also known that he bought a farm and homestead of Peter Bronck at Coxsackie, N. Y. In one document his signature is thus attested: “This is the mark of Jan Andriessen, the Irishman, with his own hand set.” He died in 1664.

William Hogen, also written Hogan, is heard from in Albany, N. Y., as early as 1692. The Dutch records state that he was from “Yrland in de Kings county.” At a mayor’s court held in Albany, May 14, 1700, he was deemed “convenient and fitt to be one of the fyre masters for ye Citty.” June 25, 1700, he was on a petit jury to try an action between two Dutchmen. He also served on a jury in 1703. In 1700 and 1704 he was elected an assessor. (Hon. Franklin M. Danaher in _Early Irish in Old Albany, N. Y._)

James Butler came from Ireland, and is heard from at Lancaster, Mass., 1653. He became the largest landowner in what is now Worcester County, Mass. He also owned land in Dunstable, Woburn and Billerica, Mass. He died in 1681. His son, Deacon John Butler, was the first child of Irish parentage born in Woburn, and settled in Pelham, N. H., and lies buried there. (From a letter written to the American-Irish Historical Society by Henry A. May of Roslindale, Mass., a descendant of James Butler the immigrant.)

A resident of Yarmouth, Mass., as early as 1645, was Teague Jones, who is stated to have been an Irishman. He was one of the men sent from the town, in the year just mentioned, against the Narragansett Indians. His period of service at the time was thirteen or fourteen days. In 1667, the selectmen of “the towne of Yarmouth returne the name of Teague Jones for not coming to meeting.” In a “rate” made in 1676 to defray the expenses of King Philip’s War, Teague was assessed £2 4s, as his share. He had a son, Jeremiah.

A prominent resident of Albany, N. Y., during the Revolution, was Hugh Denniston, “a true Irishman.” For many years he conducted the only first-class hotel and tavern there. It was the first stone house erected in the place. Denniston was a sturdy patriot and his hotel was a meeting place for the liberty-loving citizens of Albany. Washington was a guest at the hotel on his visits to Albany in 1782 and 1783, and was there presented the freedom of the city.

Charles MacCarthy was a founder of the town of East Greenwich, R. I., 1677. Like many surnames at that period, his is variously spelled in the records. Thus, it appears as Macarta, Macarte, Macarty, Mecarty, Mackarte, etc. In the year mentioned, he was one of a party of forty-eight settlers to whom a grant of 5,000 acres, to be called East Greenwich, was made by the General Assembly of Rhode Island. Later, the area of the town was enlarged by the addition of 35,000 acres on the western border. Charles’ will is dated Feb. 18, 1682.

The twenty-six original members of the Charitable Irish Society, Boston, Mass., which organization was founded in 1737, were: Robert Duncan, Andrew Knox, Nathaniel Walsh, Joseph St. Lawrence, Daniel McFall, Edward Allen, William Drummond, William Freeland, Daniel Gibbs, John Noble, Adam Boyd, William Stewart, Daniel Neal, James Mayes, Samuel Moor, Philip Mortimer, James Egart, George Glen, Peter Pelham, John Little, Archibald Thomas, Edward Alderchurch, James Clark, John Clark, Thomas Bennett and Patrick Walker.

Jasper Moylan was a native of the city of Cork, Ireland, and half brother of Gen. Stephen Moylan. He was educated in France, studied law, came to this country and attained eminence in his profession in Philadelphia, Pa. In addition to English, he had a splendid knowledge of the French and Spanish languages. He was a member of the First City Troop of Philadelphia. He and his brother John, and their half brother Stephen, were known in that city as “the three polite Irishmen,” owing to their elegant manners. Jasper died in 1812.

Among Virginia officers in the Revolution were Maj. William Croghan, Capt. Ferdinand O’Neal, Capt. Patrick Carnes, Capt. John Fitzgerald, Capt. Andrew Nixon, Capt. William Barrett, Capt. John Jordan, Capt. Lawrence Butler, Capt. James Curry, Lieut. Joseph Conway, Lieut. Luke Cannon, Lieut. Peter Higgins, Lieut. William McGuire, Lieut. Lawrence Manning, Lieut. John Rooney, Lieut. Matthew Rhea, Ensign William Connor and others bearing Irish names. Some of these subsequently attained higher rank than that here given.

Sharp Delany, born in County Monaghan, Ireland, established himself as a druggist in Philadelphia, Pa., about 1764. He was a patriot of the Revolution. In 1777, he was a commissioner “to seize the personal effects of traitors,” and in 1778, was an agent to look after “forfeited estates.” In 1779, he was colonel of the Second Pennsylvania regiment. He subscribed £1,000 in aid of the army in 1780; was collector of the port of Philadelphia; a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and occupied other honorable positions in life.

John Hamilton, “an Irish servant-man,” was a Redemptioner or indentured servant who, in 1752, was held by Henry Caldwell of Chester County, Pa. Hamilton ran away that year and Caldwell advertised to recover him. Hamilton was then about twenty-two years of age. Caldwell offered a reward to “whoever takes up said servant, so that his master may have him again.” Mention of the incident is found in Karl Frederick Geiser’s recent work on _Redemptioners and Indentured Servants in the Colony and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania_.

George Taylor, one of the Irish signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born in the Old Land, in 1716. He came to this country when twenty years of age. Having a good education, he advanced from the occupation of laborer in an iron foundry to the position of clerk; married his employer’s widow, and accumulated a generous fortune. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly for five consecutive years. In 1770, he was made a judge of the Northumberland County Court, Pa., and was elected to Congress in 1776.

One of the first settlers of Waterford, Conn., was Thomas Butler. He and John Butler were there about 1681. Rev. James H. O’Donnell, now of Norwalk, Conn., says that the “name of Waterford was, no doubt, given to their new home in honor of the old, the beautiful city on the banks of the Suir,” in Ireland. He thinks it not unreasonable to infer that the founders of the Connecticut Waterford were Irish Catholics. Thomas Butler died in 1701, aged 59 years. John Butler died in 1733, aged 80 years. Thomas was, therefore, born about 1642, and John about 1653.

William Hibbins came from Ireland to Boston, Mass., on the _Mary and John_, about 1634. He married Mrs. Anne Moore, a widow, whose brother, Richard Bellingham, was governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Hibbins died in 1654. His wife fell a victim to the witch-hunting fanatics of the period and was hanged by order of the Massachusetts authorities, in 1656. No jury could be found to convict her and she suffered death at the hands of the General Court. She bequeathed her property to her two sons, in County Cork, Ireland, John and Joseph Moore. (See Cullen’s _Story of the Irish in Boston_.)

Molly Pitcher, “a young Irishwoman” having “a handsome, piercing eye,” was the wife of a cannoneer in the Patriot army during the Revolution. At the battle of Monmouth her husband was killed at his post, whereupon Molly, who was engaged bringing water from a spring, dropped her bucket, seized the rammer of the cannon and taking her husband’s place continued to serve the piece of artillery. The next morning she was presented by General Greene to Washington, who praised her heroism and made her a sergeant. She was placed upon the list of half-pay officers for life.

Anthony Gulliver, a native of Ireland, was born in 1619. He died at Milton, Mass., 1706. His children were: Lydia, born 1651; Samuel, born 1653; Jonathan, born 1659; Stephen, born 1663; John, born 1669; Elizabeth, born 1671; Nathaniel, born 1675. There were also two other children, Hannah and Mary. The children were all born in this country, Cullen’s _Story of the Irish in Boston_ states that “Anthony Gulliver was the ancestor of a large number of able and influential men and women, who have been prominent in the history of church and town affairs of Milton for nearly two hundred years.”

From the _Calendar of Colonial State Papers_: “April 1st, 1653. Order of the Council of State. For a license to Sir John Clotworthy to transport to America 500 natural Irishmen.” On Oct. 3, 1655, it was ordered that “1000 Irish girls and the like number of boys of 14 years or under,” be sent to Jamaica, “the allowance to each one not to exceed 20 shillings.” May 22, 1656, an order was adopted “for the transportation of 1200 men from Knockfergus in Ireland and Port Patrick in Scotland to Jamaica.” (Quoted by Rev. James H. O’Donnell in his _History of the Diocese of Hartford_, Conn.)

A Rhode Island soldier, Patrick Tracy, participated with Montgomery in the assault on Quebec. He was of the company of Capt. Simeon Thayer of Providence, R. I., and was killed in the assault just mentioned. Cornelius Hagerty and Corporal James Hayden of the company were wounded. In a work on this invasion of Canada, reference is made to John M. Taylor, “keen as an Irish greyhound,” who was Arnold’s purveyor and commissary in the wilderness. Mention is also made of Lieut. William Cross, “a handsome little Irishman, always neatly dressed,” who commanded, on the Isle of Orleans, a detachment of some twenty men.

Among the land patents granted in New York under the English colonial government, was one to David Mooney, 1765. The tract was located in Washington County and comprised 2,000 acres. It was known as the Mooney patent. The Otsego patent, 100,000 acres, was granted to George Croghan and ninety-nine others, in 1769. Croghan is also mentioned in connection with other patents. Michael Byrne and others were granted the Stony Hill Tract, 18,000 acres, in 1768. It was located in Schoharie County. The Adaquataugie patent, 26,000 acres, in Otsego County, was granted in 1770 to Sir William Johnson, an Irishman, and others.

The rolls of the Third New York Regiment of the Line, during the Revolution, contain a large number of Irish names. They include Brady, Brannon, Burke, Burns, Butler, Condon, Connolly, Dempsey, Doherty, Dunn, Flynn, Garvey, Geraghty, Gillaspy, Hickey, Hogan, Kelly, Lyon, McCarty, McConnelly, McCord, McCormick, McCoy, McDermot, McGinnis, McGown, McGuire, Mackey, McLaughlin, McNeal, McQuin, Madden, Mahan, Moloy, Moore, Morris, Morrison, Mulholand, Murray, O’Connoley, Quigley, Riley, Ryan, Sullivan, Sweeny, Tobin, Wall, Welch and others. (Vide _New York in the Revolution_, by Comptroller James A. Roberts, Albany, 1898.)

Among Irish names found in Connecticut at early periods may be mentioned Brian Rosseter, Windsor, 1639; Thomas Dunn, New Haven, 1647; Lawrence Ward, Branford, 1654; Thomas Welch, Milford, 1654; John Mead, Stamford, 1656; Richard Hughes, New Haven, 1659; Edward Fanning, Mystic, 1662; Thomas Ford, Windsor, 1669; Richard Butler, Stratford, 1669; Hugh Griffin, Stratford, 1669; William Meade, New London, 1669; Thomas Sha (Shea), Sr., Stonington, 1669; Thomas Tracy, Norwich, 1669; Timothy Ford, New Haven, 1669; Jeremiah Blake, New London, 1681; James Kelly, New London, 1682; Owen McCarty, New London, 1693.

Gen. Walter Stewart, a Pennsylvania officer of the Revolution, was born in Ireland, about 1756. He settled in Philadelphia, Pa., espoused the cause of the Patriots, and in 1776 was commissioned captain. He was made an aide-de-camp to General Gates the same year. In 1777, Stewart was commissioned colonel of the Pennsylvania State Regiment of Foot, took part in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and retired in 1786 with the rank of brevet brigadier-general. In 1794, he was major-general of Pennsylvania state troops. General Washington was godfather to his eldest son. (Campbell’s _History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick_, Philadelphia.)

The Marquis de Chastellux in a tour through Connecticut, 1780, stopped at Litchfield. His host there was a Mr. Philips. The latter was, the Marquis tells us, “an Irishman transplanted to America, where he has already made a fortune; he appears to be a man skillful and adroit; he speaks with caution to strangers, and fears to compromise himself; for the rest he is of a gayer mood than the Americans, even a little of a joker, a kind but little known in America.” (From _Voyages de M. Le Marquis de Chastellux dans L’Amerique, Septentrionale les annees 1780, 1781 and 1782_; quoted by Rev. James H. O’Donnell in his _History of the Diocese of Hartford_.)

A prominent merchant in Philadelphia, Pa., at one period, was James Caldwell. He was a native of Ireland. He was a patriot of the Revolution, a member of the First City Troop, Philadelphia, and took part with it in the campaign of 1776–’77. Campbell’s _History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick_, Philadelphia, says that he was “one of the six volunteers of the Troop who accompanied Colonel Reed on December 30, 1776, from Trenton to reconnoitre the advanced posts of the enemy, and who captured twelve British soldiers during that expedition.” In 1780, Caldwell subscribed £2,000 to the bank that was organized to supply the Continental army with provisions.

Rev. Mr. Lyons, an Irish clergyman of the Church of England, who was located in Derby, Conn., was subjected to great abuse there because of his nationality. Writing to London, May 8, 1744, he says: “As soon as they had advice of my appointment, and from what country I came, and, indeed, before I arrived among them, they abused me, calling me ‘an Irish Teague and Foreigner,’ with many other reflections of an uncivilized and unchristian kind. It would be too tedious to record all the abuse and insults I have received in Derby.” (_Church Documents of the Protestant Episcopal Church_, quoted by Rev. James H. O’Donnell in his _History of the Diocese of Hartford_.)

Patrick Ward, a lieutenant, was one of the defenders of Fort Griswold, Conn., during the Revolution. The fort was attacked by the British during the raid conducted by Arnold, the traitor, and after a gallant resistance was captured by the enemy. The atrocities committed upon the surrendered and helpless garrison, by the British, constitutes one of the blackest chapters in the history of warfare. The event has ever since been known as the “Massacre of Fort Griswold.” Ward was one of the victims. On a stone over his grave was placed this inscription: “In memory of Mr. Patrick Ward who fell a victim to British cruelty in Fort Griswold, Sept. 6th, 1781, in the 25th year of his age.”

Felt’s _Ecclesiastical History of New England_ mentions William Collins who, about 1640, accompanied a party of refugees from the West Indies to what is now New Haven, Conn. After a time these wayfarers dispersed “and some returned to Ireland.” Collins afterwards taught school at Hartford, Conn., and subsequently wedded a daughter of Anne Hutchinson who with her family had been banished from Boston, Mass., by the intolerant Boston church, because of her religious views. She took up her residence on the island of Rhode Island. Later, the family removed to territory under Dutch jurisdiction, where Mrs. Hutchinson, her son and her son-in-law (Collins) were killed by the Indians.

An interesting tradition is told concerning George Berkeley, “the Kilkenny scholar,” Anglican dean of Derry, and later bishop of Cloyne. The tradition relates to his arrival at Newport, R. I., in 1729, and is thus narrated: “The captain of the ship in which he and his party sailed could not find the island of Bermuda, and having given up the search for it, steered northward until they discovered land unknown to them and supposed to be inhabited by savages. On making a signal, however, two men came on board from Block Island, in the character of pilots, who on inquiry informed them that the harbor of Newport was near.” The tradition may be founded on fact, but opinions vary concerning it.

John Mease, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, became a shipping merchant in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a patriot of the Revolution. He was with the force that crossed the Delaware with Washington on the night of Dec. 25, 1776, and surprised the Hessians at Trenton. On another occasion he was of a detail told-off to keep the fires along the American front burning while the patriots secretly moved in another direction to fall upon the British at Princeton. On one occasion during the war Mease subscribed £4,000 in aid of the Patriot cause. He was affectionately spoken of in his old age as “The last of the cocked hats,” on account of his continuing to wear the three-cornered hat of the Revolution.

Count Arthur Dillon, commander of the Irish-French regiment of Dillon during the American Revolution, perished by the guillotine in Paris, a victim to the Terror. The regiment of Dillon formed part of the Irish brigade in the service of France, and was a most historic corps. It dated its organization back to the previous century. Count Dillon, above mentioned, came with his regiment to America with our French allies and rendered valiant service. He took part in the capture from the British of St. Eustache, Tobago and St. Christopher, participated in the attack on Savannah and in the siege and capture of Yorktown. He became a brigadier and marechal-de-camp, and, in 1792, was in command of a division in the French army.

In 1743 there was born in Dublin, Ireland, a boy who was destined to take a prominent part in the American Revolution. He was Richard Butler. He came to this country, espoused the Patriot cause, and attained distinction as a soldier. His ability was early recognized by Congress and, 1776, he was appointed major. In 1777 he was commissioned colonel of the Fifth Pennsylvania; was an officer of Morgan’s Rifle Corps, and took part in the battles of Bemis’ Heights and Stillwater; was made colonel of the Ninth Pennsylvania; commanded the Americans at the storming of Stony Point; participated in the siege and capture of Yorktown. He attained the rank of major-general and was second in command of St. Clair’s army for operations against the Indians. He was killed in battle by an Indian, 1791.

“Thomas the Irishman” is mentioned in the Dutch records of New York. Thus, Hon. Peter Stuyvesant, Director-General of New Netherland, writing to Capt. Martin Cregier, 1663, says: “Your letter by Thomas the Irishman has just been received.” ... On Aug. 5, 1663, Captain Cregier writes in his journal: “Thomas the Irishman arrived here at the Redoubt from the Manhatans.” On Sept. 1, 1663, Captain Cregier writes: “Thomas the Irishman and Claesje Hoorn arrived with their yachts at the Kill from the Manhatans,” and on the 17th of the same month the captain writes: “Thomas the Irishman arrived today.” The foregoing references may be found in _Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York_, edited by Fernow, Vol. XIII, Albany, 1881.

The first president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, New York City, 1784, was Daniel McCormick, a native of Ireland. He came to this country prior to the Revolution, and amassed a large fortune, was one of the first directors of the Bank of New York, and was associated with William Constable and Alexander Macomb, two Irishmen, in extensive land enterprises. Barrett’s _Old Merchants of New York_ states that “Mr. McCormick was a glorious example of the old New Yorker,” and “stuck to short breeches and white stockings and buckles to the last.” He was a great entertainer, “gave good dinner parties, and had choice old wines upon the table.” He is also mentioned “as one of the most polished gentlemen of the city.” He “was the last occupant of a first-class dwelling on Wall Street, since devoted wholly to business.”

From the records of the selectmen, Boston, Mass., May 4, 1723: “Whereas great numbers of Persons haue [have] very lately bin Transported from Ireland into this Province, many of which by Reason of the Present Indian war and the Accedents befalling them, Are now Resident in this Town whose Circomstances and Condition are not known, Some of which if due care be not taken may become a Town Charge or be otherwise prejuditial to the wellfair & Prosperity of the Place, for Remady whereof Ordered That Every Person now Resident here, that hath within the Space of three years last past bin brought from Ireland, or for the future Shal come from thence hither, Shal come and enter his name and Occupation with the Town Clerk, and if marryed the number and Age of his Children and Servants, within the Space of fiue [five] dayes, on pain of forfeiting and paying the Sum of twenty Shillings for Each offence***.”

Matthew Lyon, “the Hampden of Congress,” was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, 1750. He came to this country in 1765; located in Connecticut, and later in Vermont; participated with Ethan Allen in the capture of Ticonderoga from the British; became adjutant of Col. Seth Warner’s regiment; served under General Montgomery in the campaign against Canada, 1775; became paymaster, with the rank of captain, in Warner’s regiment; took part in the battles of Bennington and Saratoga; became commissary-general of militia, with the rank of colonel; was a member of the State Legislature and judge of Rutland County, Vt.; member of Congress from Vermont from 1797 to 1801; cast the vote that made Thomas Jefferson president of the United States; removed to Kentucky and represented that state in Congress from 1803 to 1811.

Sarah W. Alexander, who wedded Christopher R. Perry of Rhode Island, became the mother of Oliver H. Perry—best known as Commodore Perry—who defeated the British in the naval battle on Lake Erie. She was a native of Newry, Ireland, and was born in 1768. Mackenzie, in his _Life of Commodore Perry_, just mentioned, says that her friends in Ireland “Had been involved in the Irish rebellion. She herself, had felt a lively interest in the cause of liberty, and had listened with deep interest to every account she had heard of battles and skirmishes in the neighborhood. She took a pleasure in recounting ... the achievements of her countrymen and always insisted that they were the bravest people in the world. These narratives fired the mind of Oliver and created a desire in him to pursue the profession of arms.” Oliver received much of his early education from “Old Master” Kelly, an Irish school teacher at Tower Hill, R. I.

From the records of the selectmen, Boston, Mass., Aug. 16, 1736: “mr. James Wimble Informs That Capt. Benedict Arnold who just arrived from Cork with Passengers, came to his House yesterday, being Lord’s day in the afternoon, bringing with him the following Persons, Viz^t. Mr. Benj^a. Ellard, Gent, and his Wife and Three Children, and a Maid Servant, Joseph Atkins, John Clark, John Seley, Thomas Morgan, James Ellard, John Ellard, Benjamin Gillam, Elizabeth Ellard and William Neal. Accordingly the Master Capt. Arnold was sent for Who appear’d and gave Information, That he came from Ireland about Twelve Weeks ago, and that he is Bound to Philadelphia with his Passengers, Who in all, are one Hundred and Twenty, Hopes to Sail in a few days, as soon as he can Recruit with Water and Provisions, and Promises That the Passengers which came ashore Yesterdy shall repair aboard again to day, The Ships name is the Prudent Hannah.”

Gen. William Irvine of the Revolution was born near Enniskellen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, 1741. He came to America in 1764, and settled at Carlisle, Pa. He espoused the patriot cause, raised and commanded the Sixth Pennsylvania regiment; commanded a brigade at the battle of Monmouth, and when Lee’s troops were retreating, they so impeded the advance of this gallant Irishman’s brigade that he threatened to charge through them before he could make his way to take an advanced position. Irvine was made a brigadier-general in May, 1779, and was assigned to the command of the Second brigade of the Pennsylvania Line; later he became a member of the State Council of Censors; member of the Continental Congress; senior major-general of Pennsylvania State troops; a presidential elector; in charge of United States military stores at Philadelphia. He was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Philadelphia. (_Vide_ Campbell’s _History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick_.)

William Constable was born in Dublin, Ireland, 1752; a patriot of the Revolution; joined the Continental army as an aide to Lafayette; prominent as a merchant in Philadelphia, Pa.; married Ann White, a schoolmate of the wife of General Washington; removed to New York City in 1784; also very prominent there; associated in business with Robert Morris and Governeur Morris, the firm being known as Constable & Co.; engaged in huge land speculations, purchasing large tracts in New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and Georgia; bought in 1787, with Alexander Macomb, a tract of 640,000 acres in New York, Constable’s share being 192,000 acres; in 1791, he and Alexander Macomb and Daniel McCormick purchased a tract, in New York, of some 4,000,000 acres, or about a tenth part of the whole state. This purchase comprised the “whole of the present counties of Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Franklin, with parts of Oswego and Herkimer.” On one occasion, about 1797, Constable lent $1,000 to the fugitive Duke of Orleans in this country, which loan was afterwards repaid by Louis Philippe. Constable was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Philadelphia, and of the Hibernian Society of that city. He was president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, New York City, in 1789–’90 and in 1795.

MEMOIR OF MATHEW CAREY.

BY HENRY CAREY BAIRD.[14]

Mathew Carey, the Philadelphia publisher, was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, on the 28th of January, 1760. His father, Christopher Carey, at one time in the British navy, was subsequently an extensive contractor for the army, through which means he achieved an independence.

The son early evinced a passion for the acquisition of knowledge, and in addition to some familiarity with Latin, soon became proficient in French, without the assistance of a master. To do this, however, he studied as much as fifteen or sixteen hours a day, hardly allowing himself time for his meals. The peculiar orthography of his Christian name as rendered by himself, “Mathew,” and not “Matthew,” was the result of a philological discussion with one of his brothers, when quite a young man, and his then arriving at a belief that from its derivation this was the correct mode of spelling it.

When about fifteen years of age it became necessary for Mathew to choose a trade. He was decidedly in favor of that of printer and bookseller, which were then generally united. His father had a strong aversion to the trade, and refused to look out a master for him, which he did for himself, and he was accordingly apprenticed to a printer and bookseller of the name of McDonnel. A lameness which took place owing to the carelessness of his nurse when he was about a year old, and which continued throughout life, was a constant drawback to him, and interfered greatly with him in his career.

His first essay as a writer was when he was about seventeen years old, and was on the subject of dueling, which he condemned with great severity—the occasion being the attempt of a bookseller in Dublin to bring about a duel between an apprentice of his own and one of McDonnel’s. As will be seen, however, after he came to the United States, Mr. Carey was himself a principal, and was wounded in a duel.