Stephen Moylan

Stephen Moylan (1737 – April 11, 1811) was an Irish American patriot leader during the American Revolutionary War. He had several positions in the Continental Army including Muster-Master General, Secretary and Aide to General George Washington, 2nd Quartermaster General, Commander of The Fourth Continental Light Dragoons and Commander of the Cavalry of the Continental Army.

For the Irish hurler, see Stephen Moylan (hurler).

In January 1776, he wrote a letter using the term "United States of America", the earliest known use of that phrase.[1]

Early life

Stephen Moylan was born to a Catholic family in Cork, Ireland in 1737.[2][3] His father, John Moylan, a well-to-do merchant of Shandon. Stephen's older brother Francis became Bishop of Cork.[4] His family sent him to be educated in Paris. Moylan then worked in Lisbon for three years in the family shipping firm. He settled in Philadelphia in 1768 to organize his own firm. He was one of the organizers of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, an Irish-American fraternal organization, and served as its first president.[5]

Revolution

Moylan joined the American Continental Army in 1775 and upon the recommendation of John Dickinson, was appointed Muster-Master General on August 11, 1775. His brother John, acted during the war as United States Clothier General.[6] Stephen Moylan's experience in the shipping industry afforded the United States a well qualified ship outfitter, who would help fit out the first ships of the Continental Navy. On March 5, 1776, he became secretary to General George Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was appointed Quartermaster General in the American Continental Army on June 5, 1776, succeeding Thomas Mifflin.[5] He resigned from this office on September 28, 1776. However, he continued to serve as a volunteer of General Washington's staff through December 1776.

He then raised a troop of light dragoons, the 4th Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Moylan's Horse, on January 3, 1777, at Philadelphia. The regiment would be noted for taking the field in captured British Red Coats. However, they would see action in green coats at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, and the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777, and end the year by protecting the Cantonment at Valley Forge.[6] Col. Moylan succeeded General Pulaski as Commander of the Cavalry in March 1778. Moylan's Horse would see action at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778.

In the campaign of 1779 Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons would be stationed at Pound Ridge, New York, and see action when the British raided Norwalk, Connecticut, on July 11, 1779. Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons took part in the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey, on June 23, 1780, and General Anthony Wayne's expedition at Bull's Ferry, New Jersey, on July 20, 1780. Col. Moylan commanded his Dragoons at the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781, after which he was to take the cavalry to the Southern Campaign. However, his failing health caused him to leave the field and return to Philadelphia, where he constantly appealed to the Continental Congress to man, equip and maintain the Continental Dragoon Regiments.

He was rewarded for his service by being breveted to brigadier general on November 3, 1783.[6]

Later life and family

Moylan was married to Miss Mary Ricketts Van Horne on September 12, 1778, and had two daughters, Elizabeth Catherine, and Maria. His two sons died as children. Stephen Moylan died in Philadelphia, April 11, 1811, and is buried there in St. Mary's Churchyard.

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See also

References
  1. "Who Coined the Phrase 'United States of America'? You May Never Guess". New York Historical Society.
  2. Kuntz, Daniel J. (1999). "Moylan, Stephen (1737–1811)". In Glazier, Michael (ed.). The Encyclopedia of the Irish in America. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press. p. 632. ISBN 978-0268027551.
  3. Blessing, Patrick J. (1980). "Irish". In Thernstrom, Stephan (ed.). Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. p. 527. ISBN 978-0674375123.
  4. D'Alton, Edward. "Francis Moylan." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 17 March 2020 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. "Colonel Stephen Moylan", US Army Quartermaster Corps
  6. Keiley, Jarvis. "Stephen Moylan." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 19 March 2020 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Stephen Moylan". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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