AN GAODHAL.
617
SOCIETY OF THE FRIENDLY SONS
OF ST PATRICK.
The famous Fishing Club, which is still in exis¬
tence, was founded in the year 1732, under the ap¬
pellation of "The Colony of Schulkill." After the
revolutionary war this colony, with mock solemn¬
ity, declared its independence under the name of
"The Schuylkill Fishing Company of the State in
Schuylkill." The new State proceeded to elect its
governor, council, and other ministers of sovereign
power; adopted a code of laws providing for mil¬
itary expeditions against the squirrels, rabbits,
partridges and pheasants of the surrounding coun¬
try; and having especial regard to the preserva¬
tion and gradual increase of their navy and ord¬
nance on the Schuylkill (namely, their fishing-boats
and tackle), without neglecting their fortifications
of their barenial castle and seat of government, sit¬
uated on the site now occupied by Mr. Borie's
house on the Schuylkill, but after the construction
of the Fairmount dam, transferred to its pressent
location below Gray's Ferry. Among the members
of this "Colony or State" are found the names of
Tench Francis, at divers times couuselor and treas¬
urer of the State, etc. Jas. Logan, Francis
Johnston (the facetious secretary), John Donald¬
son and John Dickinson author of the Farmers Let¬
ters — all of whom were members of the Society of
the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. No doubt others
of the society, whose names will occur hereafter,
were drafted from that jovial and happy "col¬
ony."
In the year 1766 the Glouster Fox Hunting
Club was instituted, and continued in existence un¬
til the year 1818. Many of its members were also
members of the Society of the Friendly Sons of
St. Patrick; for instance, John Dunlap, afterwards
Captain of the First Troop of Philadelphia Caval¬
ry, John Mease, Blair M'Clenaghan, James Cald¬
well, Samuel Caldwell, John Lardner, Alexander
Nesbitt, John Boyle, Jas. Mease, John Mitchell,
John Dickinson, Tench Francis, Robert Morris,
John White, John Cadwalder, Thurbutt Francis,
Richard Bache, Matthew Mease, James Moylan,
Robert Glen, John Patton, Thomas Robinson,
Sharp Delaney. In the memoirs of this club it is
stated that "not less than twenty-two of the mem¬
bers associated and formed the First Troop of
Philadelphia Cavalry."
The greater part of these twenty-two were Irish¬
men and members of the Society of the Friendly
Sons of St, Patrick. That Society has better claims
than the Fox Hunting Club to the formation of the
First Troop, for, in addition to what has been al¬
ready said, the names of thirty-five members of the
society are found in its muster roll.
This celebrated troop of cavalry which still ex¬
ists and whose exploits during the Revolution are
so well known, was formed Nov. 17 1774, by a num¬
ber of "gentlemen of fortune", as Gen. Washington
calls them in his letter of Jan. 23 1777. Of the
original members of this troop, ten were drafted
from the ranks of the Society of the Friendly Sons
of St. Patrick, namcly; James Mease, John Dun¬
lap, Henry Hill, John Mease, John Boyle, John
Mitchell, George Campbell, Samuel Caldwell, An¬
drew Caldwell, and Blair M'Clenaghan. In 1775
and 1776 seven more of the Sons of St. Patrick
joined the troops, namely; John Donaldson, John
Lardner, Alexander Nesbitt, James Caldwell,
George Fullerton, Francis Nichols, and Patrick
Moore. In March 1777, John M. Nisbitt, James
Crawford, George Henry, — Wilson (query,
if Joseph Wilson of the "Sons of St. Patrick?") and
David H. Conyngham, joined, and at various times
before the end of the war the following members
of the society attached themselves to the troop,
namely; George Hughes, John Murray, Michael
Morgan O'Brien, John Barclay, John Patton, and
Francis Johnston — making altogether twenty-nine
members of the troop drafted during the war from
the "Sons of St. Partick." Others were afterward
added from the same source.
Twenty-six members of the troop served in the
campaigns of 1776 and 1777, were at the battles
of Trenton and Princeton, took a number of pris¬
oners, and distinguished themselves on every oc¬
casion when their services were called for. Gen¬
eral Mercer and Washington both bear testimony
to their efficiency in these campaigns. The latter
in discharging them from duty, on Jan. 23d. 1777,
"returns them his sincere thanks for the many es¬
sential services which they have rendered to their
country and to himself personally during the course
of that severe campaigne.” "Though composed"
says he, "of gentlemen of fortune, they have shown
a noble example of discipline and subordination,
and in several actions have shown a spirit and
bravery which will ever do honor to them and will
ever be gratefully remembered by me."
In the campaign of 1799, or Northampton ex¬
pedition, having recieved notice of a general order
directing the cavalry to hold themselves in readi¬
ness to march in a few days, Captain Dunlap makes
the following charactistic reply;
"WEDNESDAY EVENING, March 20, 1799.
"Sir;
About an hour ago I received through the gen¬
eral orders of the commander-in-chief, dated this
day, with a letter directing me to report when the
First Troop of Philadelphia Cavalry wil be ready
to march. With pleasure I tell you that when the
laws and government of this happy country require
defence, The First Troop of Philadelphia Cavalry
wants but one hour's notice to march.
"I have the honor to be, with esteem,
"Your obedient and humble servant,
"JOHN DUNLAP."
The troop joined the expedition and were absent
