Patrick McSherry was an officer in the Irish-French regiment of Dillon during the American Revolution. He is mentioned in that recent work, Les Combattants Francais De La Guerre Americaine (Paris, 1903).
James Buchanan, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, came to this country in the brig Providence, 1783. He was then in his twenty-second year. His son, James, became president of the United States.
Two members of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard (Washington’s), in the Revolution, were James and Robert Blair, both natives of Ireland. Godfrey’s history of the guard furnishes a biographical sketch of each.
“In the discharge of his duty he has at all times proved himself an alert, brave and intelligent officer.” The foregoing tribute was paid by Gen. Henry Knox to Lieut. Florence Crowley, a soldier of the Revolution.
Jacques O’Driscoll was one of the “capitaines en second” in the Irish-French regiment of Walsh during the American Revolution. Others of the same rank in the command were Edouard Stack and Charles O’Croly.
Hon. James Sullivan was governor of Massachusetts in 1807 and 1808. He succeeded Hon. Caleb Strong and preceded Hon. Christopher Gore. Governor Sullivan was a brother of Gen. John Sullivan of the Revolution.
Ten ships, bringing nearly one thousand passengers, arrived at Boston, Mass., from Ireland, during the two years, 1736 and 1738. It was at this period, 1737, that the Charitable Irish Society of Boston was organized.
Thomas Quirk, “a brave and fine-looking Irishman,” served under Gen. George Rogers Clark in the latter’s western campaign. He had been a sergeant and is later mentioned as a major. He was alloted 4,312 acres.
Robert Beers, an Irishman, was slain “ye 28 March 1676,” by the Indians. The tragedy occurred at “the ring of the town,” within the limits of what is now East Providence, R. I. Beers was a brickmaker by occupation.
A distinguished officer of the Revolution, Edward Hand, was born in Kings County, Ireland. He came to America in 1767; espoused the Patriot cause, and was successively lieutenant-colonel, colonel, and brigadier-general.