Matthew, John and Thomas Kilpatrick (also written Gillpatrick) came from Ireland in the early part of the 18th century and settled in Warren and Ware, Mass. In time the name was condensed to Patrick. John Patrick, of the family, was commissioned a lieutenant in the Patriot forces, Feb. 5, 1776.
Among the sufferers in the French and Indian war, sometimes called Gov. Shirley’s war (1744–’49), was Michael Dogan, an Irishman. “He listed at Philadelphia, a soldier for Louisbourg, and was taken in his passage by a French” warship. He sickened, recovered, but had a fatal relapse. (Drake.)
James Devereaux was born at Wexford, Ireland, in 1766. He came to Salem, Mass., in 1780, with his uncle, John Murphy. In 1792 Devereaux married Sally Crowninshield of Salem. Later, he commanded the ship Franklin, said to have been the first merchant vessel from the United States to visit Japan.
Capt. James Neall of New Hampshire had a group of scouts, in 1775, and was engaged in guarding the frontiers of said province. The scouts included Sergt. Philip Johnson, Francis Orr, James Rowe, William Mack and John McMahon. (Military History of New Hampshire, Adjutant-General’s Report, 1866.)
Here are two inscriptions from the Granary Burial Ground, Boston, Mass.: (1) “Here lyes ye body of Sarah Mahoney, Dau’r of Mr. Cain Mahoney, of Marblehead, aged 26 years, Died Nov. 29, 1734.” (2) “Here lies the Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Kelly, wife of Mr. Patrick Kelly, aged 28 years, Died Sept. 25, 1758.”
Andrew Brown was a native of Ireland, born about 1744. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, came to this country and fought in the patriot ranks at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1777 he was made Muster-Master-General in the Patriot army. He died at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1793. (Drake’s American Biography.)
Hugh Williamson was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons in 1782 and 1785; he was also elected to the Continental Congress. He was a native of Pennsylvania. His father, an Irishman, had been a clothier in Dublin, and came to this country in 1730. (Wheeler’s Historical Sketches of North Carolina.)
George Conn emigrated from Ireland about 1720 and eventually settled in Harvard, Mass. His son, John, was born at Harvard, 1740, and located in Ashburnham, Mass., probably about 1761. John was lieutenant in a company of Minute Men and was with his command at Cambridge, Mass., 1775. He died in 1803.
Patrick Burn, of Wenham, Mass., participated in the Cape Breton expedition (Louisburg), 1744–’49. Later, he and others petitioned for an allowance on account of services and sufferings. The committee of war was ordered to pay the selectmen of Wenham £7 “for the use of said Burn.” (Drake’s French and Indian War.)
From the Town Records of Boston, Mass., Nov. 8, 1737: “Capt. James Finney Messrs. John Karr and William Hall Executed a Bond of the Penalty of Six Hundred Pounds to Indemnify the Town on Accot. of One Hundred and Sixty two Passengers Imported by the said Finney in the Snow Charming Molly from Ireland * * *”