With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, you might find it interesting to know that a certain number of Irish played key roles in the American Revolution. It was not uncommon for people who were not native-born colonists to serve as key figures and combatants in the American Revolutionary War. Certain immigrants from Europe played a critical role in the struggle for independence from Great Britain. Among these newcomers to America were several Irish-born rebels whose contributions helped give the American cause a chance.
Five of the most notable Irishmen to join the fight were Richard Montgomery, Charles Thomson, Hercules Mulligan, Commodore John Barry, and Stephen Moylan. Each of these men was born in Ireland but is now remembered for their commitment to the American War for Independence. Last year, my colleague Catherine Salgado dug deep into some of these men’s stories with a focus on George Washington’s army. Today, we’re taking a step back and looking beyond the army.
Richard Montgomery
Richard Montgomery stands out as one of the earliest Irish heroes of the American Revolution. He was born in 1738 in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. He was well-educated and from a respectable Irish family. He had served as a young man with the British Army during the French and Indian War in America. After his time in British service, he decided to settle in the American colonies. Montgomery gained an appreciation for and a sympathy for colonial grievances against British rule.
When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, he joined the Continental Army and quickly rose to the rank of major general.
Montgomery’s most notable military action came during the American invasion of Canada in 1775. The Continental Congress had hoped that the largely French-speaking population of Canada might support the rebellion against Britain. Montgomery led American forces north from Fort Ticonderoga, capturing Montreal and pushing further toward the city of Quebec. In December 1775, he joined forces with another American army under Benedict Arnold and attempted to capture the heavily fortified city.
During the assault on December 31, Montgomery was killed while leading his troops through a snowstorm toward the city. His death made him one of the first high-ranking officers of the Continental Army to die in the war. As a result, he became one of the American Revolution’s first “martyrs” for the cause.
Charles Thomson
While Montgomery fought on the battlefield, Charles Thomson made his contributions through political leadership and administration. Thomson was born in 1729 in Derry, Ireland. As a child, he came with his family to the American colonies, where they settled in Pennsylvania.
Like Montgomery, Thomson was well-educated and highly respected. And like Montgomery, he was drawn to the cause of colonial rights.
In 1774, Thomson was appointed Secretary of the Continental Congress, where he remained throughout its entire existence until 1789. He was not one for the spotlight, preferring to work behind-the-scenes, focusing on creating and maintaining a functioning new government.
Thomson was in charge of the official records and correspondence of Congress. He carefully documented debates, decisions, and communications between the colonies. Much of the historical record owes its thoroughness and accuracy to him.
His reliability and attention to detail ensured that the revolutionary government operated smoothly during the difficult years of war. In addition to his daily work, he also played a role in the design of the Great Seal of the United States. He was the one who suggested the famous Latin motto “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “Out of many, one.”
Hercules Mulligan
Another Irish immigrant who served the revolutionary cause in an even more behind-the-scenes fashion was Hercules Mulligan. He was born in 1740. Like Thomson, he was from Derry, Ireland. Like Thomson, he emigrated to the American colonies as a young boy with his family. They settled in New York City, where Mulligan became a tailor. Because the British controlled New York for much of the war, he was in a unique position to collect valuable information for the patriots. He counted a number of British officers as customers, and so while measuring them for clothing or discussing social events, Mulligan often overheard important military plans.
He decided to use this access as a spy for the Continental Army. This placed him in the now well-known Culper Spy Ring, Gen. George Washington’s network of spies who shared with American commanders intelligence on British activities in New York. Our managing editor, Chris Queen, wrote in 2014 about an excellent series called Turn, which was about this spy ring.
According to historians, the intelligence Mulligan provided helped prevent the capture or assassination of Washington. Despite living among British soldiers and knowing the risks he was taking, Mulligan played an active role as a spy throughout the war.
Commodore John Barry
He was considered the father of the U.S. Navy, and he’s none other than the iconic, Irish-born Commodore John Barry. Barry was born in 1745 in County Wexford, Ireland, and came to America as a young sailor. When the Revolutionary War started, Barry had already become an experienced merchant ship captain. Not wasting any time, once hostilities started, Barry joined the Continental Navy and quickly rose to the top.
During the conflict, he commanded several ships and participated in numerous naval engagements against the British. One of his most famous commands was the frigate USS Alliance. Under Barry’s leadership, the Alliance successfully fought and captured enemy vessels, weakening the formidable British navy along the American coast.
His victories demonstrated that the young nation could challenge Britain’s powerful navy. After the war ended, President George Washington appointed him as the first commissioned officer in the newly established United States Navy.
Stephen Moylan
Stephen Moylan was born in 1737 in County Cork, Ireland, and later immigrated to Philadelphia, where he became a successful merchant. When the Revolutionary War began, Moylan joined the Continental Army, and he soon became closely associated with Washington. He served as the commander-in-chief’s aide-de-camp, assisting with military correspondence, organization, and communication with other officers.
Moylan later became Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, where he was responsible for the army’s supply chain that ensured soldiers received critical shipments of food, clothing, weapons, and equipment. This was a major issue since the new country faced a series of challenges from financing, shortages, and the need to win the confidence of global allies and trading partners. Moylan worked to improve logistics and ensure that the army remained equipped despite its challenges.
Later in the war, Moylan was assigned to active field service as the commander of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons, a cavalry regiment. The army relied upon its cavalry units to provide reconnaissance, raid enemy positions, and disrupt British supply lines. He developed a reputation for his aggressive and effective leadership in the cavalry.
These five men represent the influence of the Irish in early American history. In the ensuing years and decades, more and more Irish immigrants would flee British rule in their own country for a better life in America. But that life would not have been possible for generations of Irish immigrants had it not been for these five and others like them.
