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.