An interesting tradition is told concerning George Berkeley, “the Kilkenny scholar,” Anglican dean of Derry, and later bishop of Cloyne. The tradition relates to his arrival at Newport, R. I., in 1729, and is thus narrated: “The captain of the ship in which he and his party sailed could not find the island of Bermuda, and having given up the search for it, steered northward until they discovered land unknown to them and supposed to be inhabited by savages. On making a signal, however, two men came on board from Block Island, in the character of pilots, who on inquiry informed them that the harbor of Newport was near.” The tradition may be founded on fact, but opinions vary concerning it.
John Mease, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, became a shipping merchant in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a patriot of the Revolution. He was with the force that crossed the Delaware with Washington on the night of Dec. 25, 1776, and surprised the Hessians at Trenton. On another occasion he was of a detail told-off to keep the fires along the American front burning while the patriots secretly moved in another direction to fall upon the British at Princeton. On one occasion during the war Mease subscribed £4,000 in aid of the Patriot cause. He was affectionately spoken of in his old age as “The last of the cocked hats,” on account of his continuing to wear the three-cornered hat of the Revolution.
Count Arthur Dillon, commander of the Irish-French regiment of Dillon during the American Revolution, perished by the guillotine in Paris, a victim to the Terror. The regiment of Dillon formed part of the Irish brigade in the service of France, and was a most historic corps. It dated its organization back to the previous century. Count Dillon, above mentioned, came with his regiment to America with our French allies and rendered valiant service. He took part in the capture from the British of St. Eustache, Tobago and St. Christopher, participated in the attack on Savannah and in the siege and capture of Yorktown. He became a brigadier and marechal-de-camp, and, in 1792, was in command of a division in the French army.
In 1743 there was born in Dublin, Ireland, a boy who was destined to take a prominent part in the American Revolution. He was Richard Butler. He came to this country, espoused the Patriot cause, and attained distinction as a soldier. His ability was early recognized by Congress and, 1776, he was appointed major. In 1777 he was commissioned colonel of the Fifth Pennsylvania; was an officer of Morgan’s Rifle Corps, and took part in the battles of Bemis’ Heights and Stillwater; was made colonel of the Ninth Pennsylvania; commanded the Americans at the storming of Stony Point; participated in the siege and capture of Yorktown. He attained the rank of major-general and was second in command of St. Clair’s army for operations against the Indians. He was killed in battle by an Indian, 1791.
“Thomas the Irishman” is mentioned in the Dutch records of New York. Thus, Hon. Peter Stuyvesant, Director-General of New Netherland, writing to Capt. Martin Cregier, 1663, says: “Your letter by Thomas the Irishman has just been received.” ... On Aug. 5, 1663, Captain Cregier writes in his journal: “Thomas the Irishman arrived here at the Redoubt from the Manhatans.” On Sept. 1, 1663, Captain Cregier writes: “Thomas the Irishman and Claesje Hoorn arrived with their yachts at the Kill from the Manhatans,” and on the 17th of the same month the captain writes: “Thomas the Irishman arrived today.” The foregoing references may be found in Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York, edited by Fernow, Vol. XIII, Albany, 1881.
The first president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, New York City, 1784, was Daniel McCormick, a native of Ireland. He came to this country prior to the Revolution, and amassed a large fortune, was one of the first directors of the Bank of New York, and was associated with William Constable and Alexander Macomb, two Irishmen, in extensive land enterprises. Barrett’s Old Merchants of New York states that “Mr. McCormick was a glorious example of the old New Yorker,” and “stuck to short breeches and white stockings and buckles to the last.” He was a great entertainer, “gave good dinner parties, and had choice old wines upon the table.” He is also mentioned “as one of the most polished gentlemen of the city.” He “was the last occupant of a first-class dwelling on Wall Street, since devoted wholly to business.”
From the records of the selectmen, Boston, Mass., May 4, 1723: “Whereas great numbers of Persons haue [have] very lately bin Transported from Ireland into this Province, many of which by Reason of the Present Indian war and the Accedents befalling them, Are now Resident in this Town whose Circomstances and Condition are not known, Some of which if due care be not taken may become a Town Charge or be otherwise prejuditial to the wellfair & Prosperity of the Place, for Remady whereof Ordered That Every Person now Resident here, that hath within the Space of three years last past bin brought from Ireland, or for the future Shal come from thence hither, Shal come and enter his name and Occupation with the Town Clerk, and if marryed the number and Age of his Children and Servants, within the Space of fiue [five] dayes, on pain of forfeiting and paying the Sum of twenty Shillings for Each offence***.”
Matthew Lyon, “the Hampden of Congress,” was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, 1750. He came to this country in 1765; located in Connecticut, and later in Vermont; participated with Ethan Allen in the capture of Ticonderoga from the British; became adjutant of Col. Seth Warner’s regiment; served under General Montgomery in the campaign against Canada, 1775; became paymaster, with the rank of captain, in Warner’s regiment; took part in the battles of Bennington and Saratoga; became commissary-general of militia, with the rank of colonel; was a member of the State Legislature and judge of Rutland County, Vt.; member of Congress from Vermont from 1797 to 1801; cast the vote that made Thomas Jefferson president of the United States; removed to Kentucky and represented that state in Congress from 1803 to 1811.
Sarah W. Alexander, who wedded Christopher R. Perry of Rhode Island, became the mother of Oliver H. Perry—best known as Commodore Perry—who defeated the British in the naval battle on Lake Erie. She was a native of Newry, Ireland, and was born in 1768. Mackenzie, in his Life of Commodore Perry, just mentioned, says that her friends in Ireland “Had been involved in the Irish rebellion. She herself, had felt a lively interest in the cause of liberty, and had listened with deep interest to every account she had heard of battles and skirmishes in the neighborhood. She took a pleasure in recounting ... the achievements of her countrymen and always insisted that they were the bravest people in the world. These narratives fired the mind of Oliver and created a desire in him to pursue the profession of arms.” Oliver received much of his early education from “Old Master” Kelly, an Irish school teacher at Tower Hill, R. I.
From the records of the selectmen, Boston, Mass., Aug. 16, 1736: “mr. James Wimble Informs That Capt. Benedict Arnold who just arrived from Cork with Passengers, came to his House yesterday, being Lord’s day in the afternoon, bringing with him the following Persons, Vizt. Mr. Benja. Ellard, Gent, and his Wife and Three Children, and a Maid Servant, Joseph Atkins, John Clark, John Seley, Thomas Morgan, James Ellard, John Ellard, Benjamin Gillam, Elizabeth Ellard and William Neal. Accordingly the Master Capt. Arnold was sent for Who appear’d and gave Information, That he came from Ireland about Twelve Weeks ago, and that he is Bound to Philadelphia with his Passengers, Who in all, are one Hundred and Twenty, Hopes to Sail in a few days, as soon as he can Recruit with Water and Provisions, and Promises That the Passengers which came ashore Yesterdy shall repair aboard again to day, The Ships name is the Prudent Hannah.”