Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1907-07-06

statements: mo complete memorial
has been transmitted of the emigra-
tons that took place from Europe
to America, but from the few illustra-
tive facts that are actually preserved
they seem TO have been amazingly
copious. In the years 1771-72, the
number of emigrant to America from
Ireland alone amounts to 1880. Al
most all of them emigrated at their
own charge; great majority 81
them were persons employed in the
linen manufacture, or farmers pos
sessed of some property which they
converted into money and carried
with them. Within the first fort
night of August, 1873, there arrived
at Philadelphia $500 immigrants from
Ireland. and from the same document
which recorded this circumstance II
appears that vessels were arriving
every month freighted with immi-
grants from Holland, Germany, ana
especially from Ireland and the
Highlands of Scotland. As most Of
the immigrants, and particularly
those from Ireland and Scotland,
were personally disconnected with
thJir treatment in Europe, their
accession to the colonial population,
it might reasonably be supposed,
had no tendency to diminish or coun-
teract the hostile sentiments toward
Britain which were daily gathering
force in America" These Irish imml-
grants did not settle down In the
cities, but pushed out into the wilder
ness to make homes for themselves
and the Pennsylvania authorities
complained that they fomented
trouble with the Indian tribes by
their disposition to intrude on the
Indian hunting ground in their search
for lands. From Pennsylvania they
pushed down into the Valley of Nlr-
ginia and many settled in the Car
olinas.
The struggle for American indie
pendence had no more strenuous sup
porters than the Irish-born and irish
descended colonists of that time. Be
fore a committee of the British House
of Commons on the conduct of the
American war. of which Edmund
Burke was a member, Major Gen.
Robertson, who had served in Amer
lea for twenty-four years, when asked
bv Burke How are the Provincial
corps composed; are they mostly
Americans or emigrants from the
various nations of Europe? General
Robertson's answer was: "Some corps
mostly natives; the greatest NUMBER
such as can be got. General Lee
(Charles) informed me that half the
rebel continental (regular) army
were from Ireland The Irish names
in the register of Revolutionary
soldiers published by the State Of
New Jersey in 1872 shows remark
able number of Irish names.
Not only in the rank and file OF
Washington's army, but among the
most distinguished officers were men
of Irish birth, of Irish descent. GEN
erals Anthony Wayne, Henry Knox
and Edward Hank, Washington's Ad-
iutant General, were sons OF irish
parents. Generals Walter Stuart,
William Thompson and William IT.
vine were born in Ireland, as was
John Barry, the first Commodore OF
the American navy. General Richard
Montgomery, who was killed at Que
bee. was born at Conroy Castle, near
Raphoe, in County Donegal. On the
news of his death Sir Henry Newn-
harm appeared in the Irish Parlia-
ment in full mourning, and when Cen
eral Montgomery's wife visited Ire.
land she was visited by the Duke OF
Lelnster and the Earl of Charlemont.
General John Sullivan and his two
brothers, Daniel and Ebenezer, were
among the most distinguished Reyo-
lutionary soldiers, and Daniel Web
ster used to take pleasure in initial
ing the rich brogue of General Johh
Stark, the hero of Bennington, who
was the son of one of the Oldest irish
colonists of New Hampshire.
Some time before the Revolutionary
war there had been formed by the
Irish settlers "The Society of the
Friendly Sons of st. Patrick" where
Catholics, Presbyterians, Quakers ana
Episcopalians were united as a band
of brothers. In the year 1766 the
Gloucester Fox-hunting Club was in
stituted and continued its meetings
till 1918. Many Of its members were
also members of the Sons of st. Pat
rick. and from the two associations
was formed the first troop of Penn
svl,ania cavalry" of which General
Washington said: Though composed
of gentlemen of fortune, they have
shown a noble example and subordlna-
ton, and in several actions have
shown a spirit and bravery which VIII
ever do honor to them, and will ever
be gratefully remembered by me-"
Until the flames of war broke out
the objects OF the Society of the
Friendly Sons of st. Patrick were
purely social and convivial. They met