On March 16, 1775, Rivington’s New York Gazette announced that “To-morrow being the anniversary of St. Patrick, Tutelar Saint of Ireland, will be observed with the usual respect and attention, by his generous sons and their descendants.”
The British evacuated New York Nov. 25, 1783. Thenceforth, the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations there took place under the inspiring presence of a different order of things.
The evacuation of New York by the enemy was attended by many interesting features. Preceding it, a conference took place at Dobb’s Ferry between Washington, Governor Clinton and Sir Guy Carleton. At this conference, it was arranged that the British were to get out of New York on the date above mentioned. On the morning of Nov. 25, General Knox, who was of Irish parentage, marched his men in from Harlem as far as “Bowery Lane.” There he halted, at what is now the junction of Third Avenue and the Bowery. The Americans remained here until about 1 p. m., as the enemy had claimed the right of possession until noon. Before 3 p. m., Knox had taken control of the city and of Fort George, amid the acclamations of a great concourse. Washington located at Fraunces’ Tavern, where during the afternoon a public dinner to the officers of the army was given by Governor Clinton. In the evening the city was illuminated by rockets, bonfires and other evidences of rejoicing. The British flag at Fort George had been nailed to the staff and the latter was then made as slippery as possible. The emblem of tyranny was soon removed, however, and the American flag hoisted in its place.
On St. Patrick’s Day, 1784, the year following the British evacuation of New York, a celebration took place in that city under the auspices of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a society organized that year and which is still in existence. The exercises comprised a banquet at Cape’s Tavern. Speaking of this event, the New York Packet and Advertiser, of the next day, says:
Yesterday, being the anniversary of St. Patrick, his patriotic sons met at Cape’s Tavern, where they gave an elegant entertainment to His Excellency the Governor, Lieut.-Governor, Chancellor, and a number of other respectable gentlemen of this State. The day and evening were spent in festivity and mirth, and a number of suitable toasts were drank upon this joyful occasion. The greatest unanimity and conviviality pervaded this numerous and jovial company, and perhaps this great Saint was never honored with a concourse of more generous and truly patriotic sons than this assembly afforded.
In 1785, the same organization observed St. Patrick’s Day by dining at “The Coffee House,” conducted by Mr. Bradford, in Water Street, near Wall Street. The society dined there again in 1786, the New York Daily Advertiser stating that “Yesterday the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick held their anniversary meeting at the Coffee-House, where an elegant dinner was provided by Mr. Bradford.—The company were numerous and respectable; and the day spent with that decorum and hilarity, so truly characteristic of this friendly society.”
Speaking of this observance, the Independent Journal, March 18, and the New York Packet, March 20, 1786, inform their readers that “The anniversary of St. Patrick, patron of the Irish nation, was on Friday celebrated with great festivity by our worthy friends of that kingdom: A very elegant entertainment was provided at Mr. Bradford’s Coffee-House, at which were present His Excellency the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Chancellor, Chief Justice, Judge Hobart, the Mayor, Recorder, and many other persons of distinction.—The day and evening passed with that convivial spirit which ever distinguished the true Milesian.”
In 1788, the Friendly Sons, it is stated, dined at the Merchants’ Coffee House, at the southeast corner of Wall and Water streets. The New York Journal & Patriotic Register, March 18, that year notes two celebrations, the first of which is believed to refer to the Friendly Sons. The Register’s mention thus reads:
St. Patrick.
Yesterday, being the anniversary of the Tutelar Saint of Ireland, a number of gentlemen of that nation, assembled at the Merchants’ Coffee House, in this city, where they partook of an elegant entertainment, drank a number of toasts, and “liberally good cheer did bestow.”