The Irish standard., 1905-09-02

TO Americans of Irish lineage the
bnttle of Rhode Island, August 30, 177S,
will always be an event of the Revolu-
tionary War deserving of special com.
memoration, says the Boston Republic
The American forces in that engage
ment were commanded by Major Gen
eral John Sullivan, of Irish parentage,
on whose staff that day served two of
his brothers, James and Eben Sullivan
Many of the other officers and Il large
number of men were also of Irish
birth or extraction, a fact abundantly
attested by the company, regimental
and brigade rolls of the period. Lafay-
cite termed the battle "the best fought
action of the war"
Congress passed a vote of thanks to
General Sullivan and complimented
him on having repulsed the enemy and
maintained the field. He was also
specially thanked by the states of
Rhode Island and New Hampshire,
while the praise extended by Wash
ington himself was also prompt and
sincere.
General John Sullivan was of Irish
parentage and was born at Berwick,
Me-, in 1740. His ancestors were of
the historic Clan O'Sullivan of the
Irish kingdom of Munster. The O'Su.-
livans in antiquity and prominence
rank with the oldest and most dis
tinguished families in Europe. Irish
history for nearly a thousand years
records their greatness. They have al
SO been distinguished in France and
Spain, while in the United States,
John. father of the general, has been
the founder of one of the most distin,
guished families.
This, then, was the sturdy and gal
liant stock from which sprang General
John Sullivan, the hero of the battle
Of Rhode Island. The chastisement he
administered on this occasion to the
old-time enemy of his house and race,
was worthy of the indomitable spirit
of his heroic sires.
General Suliivan's grandfather, Ma.
or Philip O'Sullivan of Kerry, was an
officer in the garrison that defended
Limerick. General Sullivan's father
was probably educated on the cont.
nent of Europe, as education of Irish
Catholics was, at that period, banned
by English law in Ireland. The father
Of the general was an excellent mathe.
matician and splendid Greek and
Latin scholar.
He welded Margery Brown, native
Of Cork. A little girl at the time, she
was among his fellow-passengers on
the voyage from Ireland in 1928. They
were married at Berwick, Me-, several
years afterward. The husband be-
came schoolmaster and taught in
Berwick and vicinity until he was
nearly 30 years OF age. Like "Old
Master" Kelly of Tower Hill, r. l.,
he impaired tuition to large numbers
of American youth. His wife was a
woman of sterling worth, and, 1iKe
that other Irisnwoman, Sarah Alexan-
der Perry, Of Rhode Island (mother of
Commodore Perry, the hero of Lake
Erie), early incu,cated patriotism in
her sons. There were five of these:
Benjamin, John Uhe generaD, James
Daniel and Eben Sullivan.
Benjamin was, lost at sea some
years before the Revolution. Daniel
was manufacturer and ship owner
He raised and commanded company
of minute men. The British consid-
cred him one of the most dangerous
patriots in Maine He was at length
captured and confined in the Jersey
prison ship. Later, he was exchanged,
but died on the way home as the re.
suit of the brutal treatment he had
received. James became governor of
Massachusetts, and served two terms
in that position. Eben participated in
military operations during the Revo-
luton. John received his early educa-
tion from his father, the schoolmaster;
studied law and practised In Durham,