Person:Nathaniel Irish (1)

Introducing Nathaniel Irish JR. of Saucon, Bucks Co, PA_______________________

Early Life of Nathaniel Irish

Nathaniel Irish, Jr., was 11 years old when his father died and a guardian was appointed until he became of age to become manager of the Union Furnace business that his father established. This enterprise made cannon during the early part of the Revolution but was later destroyed by the British. He raised a company of artillery and entered the Continental Army as a captain on 7 Feb 1777 under Colonel Benjamin Flowers and served as a quartermaster. He remained in service until 1 Jan 1783 and received a land grant from the State of PA for 500 acres near New Castle, PA. After the Revolution he settled on a tract of land on Plum Creek, Allegheny Co, PA. In 1790 he lived in Pittsburgh. Nathaniel was elected as a 1st assitant burgess Apr 1794 and was one of the original members of the Society of Cincinnati. He bought property on Federal St in Pittsburgh from John and John Penn, Jr. at the close of the Revolution in 1786. He was part of the deputation from Pittsburgh to discuss the whiskey excise tax, which he opposed. He was one of the 1st councilmen of Pittsburgh in 1792 and an assitant burgess on 19 May 1794. He bought land in the town of Beaver, Beaver Co, PA Lot #115 on 2 July 1793 for $8 which was sold at Washington Co, PA Land Office. The ruling officials of Pittsburgh set up three fire districts in 1797 and Nathaniel was in charge of one. On 24 Feb 1806 he served as one of the building commissioners for the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia Turnpike. He also sold stock for the building of the Allegheny River Bridge. He was one of the first permanent parishioners of the First Protestant Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh. In 1815 he lived on the south side of St. Clair between Liberty and Penn Sts. in Pittsburgh.

Revolutionary War Service

Instructions to Nathaniel Irish concerning weapons for North Carolina troops in the Continental Army Nathanael Greene (1742-1786) July 02, 1782 Volume 16, Page 626

LIEUT. N. PENDLETON TO CAPTAIN NATHANIEL IRISH, DY. COMY. MIL. STORES.

Sir:

Please to deliver to Brigadier General Sumner or his order, one thousand stand of Arms, with bayonets & cartouch boxes complete, for the use of the drafts of the State of North Carolina.

Given at Head Quarters, July 2d, 1782.

By order of the General, N. PENDLETON, Aid de Camp.

Nathaniel Irish Jr lost a significant portion of his fortune during the Revolution. His father was well-connected with the pre-war powers in PA - the William Allen mentioned as executor and guardian in Nathaniel Sr's will was the namesake of Allentown, PA. Nathaniel Jr had to give that all up to fight in Washington's army.

Nathaniel Irish, JR, was Capt. of Artillery in the Revolutionary War. It is said that he invented an armored boat that figured in the War on the Potomac and Congress voted him thanks and granted him a tract of land. The record of his commission and honorable discharge is on file in the War Dept. his name appears in a Colonial History. His daughter Mary Irish married Henry Smith.

Nathaniel was an artificer under Colonel Flowers. He had money and lost most of it in the war when the British burned his business and his home. He was a master carpenter after the war and has a building in Philadelphia that is called the Nathaniel irish House, which is protected by the government. Nathaniel and his second wife, Mary Irwin, are buried in Trinity Churchyard in Pittsburgh.

Nathaniel Irish Jr was b1737 in Saucon, PA and was educated in Philadelphia. He showed an early interest in the iron business started by his father and became manager of Union Furnace. At the beginning of the Revolution he began the manufacture of cannon from wrought iron, but the British sent a secret party and destroyed the furnace. He then raised a company of artillery and was commissioned captain in 1777 in the regiment of Colonel Benjamin Flowers of the PA artillery Artificers. He was one of the original mebers of the Society of Cincinnati, an organization founded by George Washington from the officers of his command. The city of Cincinnati was named from the Society and not vice versa. It got involved in politics but was later forbidden to interest itself further in political affairs.

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875 Bills and Resolutions, House of Representatives, 25th Congress, 2nd Session, (Rep. No. 718.) Read twice, and committed to the Committee of the Whole House to which is committed bill No. 141, for the relief of the representatives of John Jordan, deceased. Mr. Underwood, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, reported the following bill: A Bill For the relief of the legal representatives of Nathaniel Irish, deceased.

Committee: Committee of the Whole House~Committee on Revolutionary Claims March 23, 1838 (Rep. No. 718.) Read twice, and committed to the Committee of the Whole House to which is committed bill No. 141, for the relief of the representatives of John Jordan, deceased. Mr. Underwood, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, reported the following bill: A Bill For the relief of the legal representatives of Nathaniel Irish, deceased.

Military History of Nathaniel Irish, Jr.

* Date   Rank   Unit   Military Action   Position   Status
 *1776   Lieutenant   Philadelphia Militia           Captain Moulder's Artillery

* Jan 1777 - Nov 1783   Captain   Regiment of Artillery Artificers   Carlisle Munitions Lab, Garrison Duty      

* 2 Jan 1777   Lieutenant   Philadelphia Militia   Trenton, NJ (II)      

* 3 Jan 1777   Lieutenant   Philadelphia Militia   Princeton      

* 7 Feb 1777   Captain   Regiment of Artillery Artificers           

 *1780-1785   Captain   Southern Army   New London, VA, Supply Depot   Commissary of Military Stores   

 *May 1785   Captain   Southern Army        Commissary of Military Stores   Retired

Military History of Nathaniel Irish JR...PA Society of Cincinnati Website

Land Purchases

Index for Donation District 1 page 13 6 Nathaniel Irish…….Capt 500A 28 Aug 1787 D 43-300

http://images.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/maps/warrantee.pl

• Sycamore Island
• Nathaniel Irish
• 6 acres 7 perches
• Warrant 24 Oct 1809
• Patent 29 Dec 1810 to Nathaniel Irish
• H - 4- 444
• Courses and Distances B at bunch of Sycamores down the River S.19 1/2 W 40 perches
• S 31 1/2 W 14 perches
• S 38 1/2 W 13 perches
• S 47 W 20 perches
• N 5 E 6.3 perches
• N 18 1/2 E 12.3 perches
• N 10 E 16 perches
• N 6 E 20 perches
• N 52 E 12 perches
• N 38 E 6 perches
• N 68 E 20 perches
• to place of Beginning

The original deed for Sycamore Island shows that Nathaniel Irish purchased the property in 1810 for only $1.60. Interestingly, the fees paid to the Treasury Office of Pennsylvania, $14.50, were many times the purchase price. Also, note that the orignal deed is for an island “containing 6 acres & 7 perches]”. (A perch is a measure of land equal to a square rod or 30.25 square yards.)

Now, nearly 200 years later, Sycamore Island has increased to 14 acres due to its location on the inside of a river bend where silt and sediment are deposited. And, as the new owner of Sycamore Island, Allegheny Land Trust will protect this unique property from development forever.

• Gormleys Island
• Nathaniel Irish
• 30 3/4 acres
• Warrant 16 Mar 1793
• Survey 20 Oct 1794
• Patent 17 Aug 1796 to Nathaniel Irish
• LA 5 - 413
• Courses and Distances
• N 44 E 64 perches
• N 49 E 96 perches
• N 30 W 35 perches
• N 58 W 16 perches
• S 40 W 144 perches
• S 55 W 64 perches
• S 4 perches
• N 78 E 36 perches
• N 62 E 27 perches

The list of Philadelphia County "Old rights" (p. 3-53) is continued from Pennsylvania archives, 3d ser., v. 2, published, 1894, under title: Minutes of the Board of property and other references to lands in Pennsylvania Old Rights, Proprietary Rights, Virginia Entries, and Soldiers Entitled to….William Henry Egle, 1896

p200 57. William Allen’s Warrant for 50 acres for Nathaniel Irish 5th Dec 1748

p203 129. Ret. 50 acres for Heirs of Nathaniel Irish, Feb 1748

p469 1795 James O’Hara in behalf of his friend Daniel Sweaney applies for an island in Allegheny River called Sweaney’s Island on which he hath lived many years, made valuable improvements and raised a large family. Application was made for Sweaney’s Island in behalf of Sweaney in the year 1792 by the assistance of Mr. Nathaniel Irish, but the application was not filed as a Patent could not be granted at that time

p476 1809 – Jan 12 – Nathaniel Irish warrant issued 24 Oct 1809 patented 27th Dec 1810 applies for an island in the river Allegheny called Sycamore Island situate in Indiana Twp, Allegheny County about 10 miles above Pittsburgh between Sandy Creek Island and Cunningham’s District on the north west side of said island

Debt Owed to Him from US Government

Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, 1804-1807'''

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1806.

"Ordered, That the Committee of Claims be discharged from the consideration of the several petitions referred to them, during the present session, of Samuel Brooke Beall; of James Bonnell; of Ebenezer Blake; of Daniel Bissell; of William Barton; of Reuben Colbourn; of Seth Chapin; of Hannah Crawford; of Ishmael Giddens; of Hannah Douglass; of Lemuel Coffin; of John and James Glenny; of Mary Grisham; of Nathaniel Irish; of Ludwig Kuhn; of Martin Keiphart; of William Love; of Ann Ledyard; of John Leaman; of John Medearis; of Robert Mabry; of Alexander Roxbourgh; of James Robinson and Catharine his wife; of John Riley; of Joseph Stroud; of Cuthbert Syms; of Philip Wilson; of Jacob Whitzal; of Andrew Walker; and of Moses Young; and that the said petitions be severally referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to whom was committed, on the twentieth instant, the bill making farther provision for distinguishing the debts due from the United States."

Life in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA

Nathaniel Irish Jr. was a leading man of Pittsburgh and served in several public functions as did his son, William Benton Irish. He ran for US Congress but was defeated. He was also involved in the building of the first bridge across the Monogahela River but he died before it was built.

Military Journal of Major Ebenezer Denny, an officer in the Revolutionary and Indian Wars, published a memoir in 1859 for the Historical Society of PA. On p27 he says, "It is remarkable how many of the original settlers at Pittsburgh had been officers in the Revolutionary Army". He lists the men, one of whom was Captain Nathaniel Irish. Also mentioned was Captain George McCully,

After the war Capt Irish settled on a tract of land taken up on Plum Creek in Westmoreland (now Allegheny Co), PA. The State of PA gave him a warrant for 500 acres of donation land for his services in the Revolution, located in what is now Lawrence Co, PA. About 1790 he moved to Pittsburgh and was elected assistant burgess upon the incorporation of that borough in 1794.

He had 9 children with Elizabeth Thomas. He married a second time to Mary Irwin and they did not have any children

Nathaniel Irish and Samuel Ewalt were exec of will of Joseph Nicholas, dated 17 June 1796; proved 14 Oct 1796, Allegheny Co, PA Joseph Nicholas mentioned wife Martha, ch Elizabeth Bond, Edward, Joseph, Mary, Thomas, John, Matilda, Nancy, William. Witnesses Jos. Tannehill and John Bradley, Bk 1 p100 (V7 p52)

Nathaniel Irish was mentioned in various entries of the "Pittsburgh Gazette", a newspaper collection for the Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA area: A court case betweeen Nathaniel Irish v Robert Eliot and Elie Williams to be tried in the Sept Term 1797

Nathaniel Irish, Jr. was paid 49 days of service as Clerk to Commisssioners, 1799

Pittsburgh’s Pioneering in Scientific Taxation......Liberty Avenue was sold by the Penn heirs to Captain Nathaniel Irish,. another Revolutionary War officer, for 12 pounds, 10 shillings, or about. $62.50

McCULLOH FAMILY PAPERS,  MS. 1770

A collection of letters between members, friends, and business associates 
of the McCulloh family: letters between Nathaniel Irish and Samuel 
(1772-1848) and Andrew McCulloh about the development of the McCulloh land tract near Pittsburgh, specifically the building of a barn, saw 
mill, and house, 1800; letters about the hardware business of McCulloh 
and Poor in Baltimore, 1810; letters about the sale of McCulloh land in 
Pennsylvania, 1817-18; letterbook concerning the legal issues involved 
with the estate of Col. John M. McCulloh and the sale of his land, 1849- 
54; letters among members of the McCulloh family, including Samuel and 
Eleanor McCulloh, Eleanor Browne Roupell, George Leith Roupell, J. B. 
Roupell, John Stuart Roupell, Thomas Browne Roupell, Sarah M. Boyd, 
Robert Boyd, Anne Simpson, and William Simpson; a book of monthly 
expenses for food, clothing, and wood kept by Anne McCulloh, 1800-1. 
Pedley, 1001 4 boxes, 1800-54

Allegheny Co, PA Archives, 1789-1820, Vol 1 (Orphans Court), K. McFarland, 1935, Closson Press reprint P53 - #216 Joseph Nicholas, dec, Feb 1800 term with Nathaniel Irish and Samuel Ewalt, exec of Joseph's estate, late of Pittsburgh, dec filed later on p236 #952 and p263 #1062 for 19 Sept 1816…looks like a lot of filing P54 #221 John Handlyn - Feb 1800 On petition of Nathaniel Irish, one of overseers of poor of boro of Pittsburgh to sell mare, property of John Handlyn, for maintenance of Anne, his wife

Turnpike Rd. A book for subscriptions to the Harrisburgh and Pittsburgh artificial road, is this day opened, and ready for subscribers, at the store of Col Thomas Baird, the corner of Market and Fourth Sts, Pittsburgh, /s/Nathaniel Irish, Thomas Baird, James O'Hara, Samuel Ewalt, a. Tannehill, commissioners, 11 June 1803, p3

Public Notice is hereby given, agreeable to an Act of the General assembly of PA, passed the 31st Mar 1807, for making an Artificial Road from the susquehannah opposite Harrisburgh to Pittsburgh, that Books will be opened at the stores of George Robinson, Esq, and of Thomas Baird, in Market St, Pittsburgh, on 8 Jan 1808, to receive subscriptions for Shares of Stock in the Company contemplated to be Incorporated in Allegheny Co for said purpose. /s/Nathaniel Irish, Adamson Tannehill, Thomas Baird, John Woods, James O'Hara, George Robinson. Dec 5, p83

We lay before the public, in this day's Gazette, the law, "Authorising the Governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the Monogahela opposite Pittsburgh." The legislature has also passed a law for erecting a bridge over the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. these laws are similar in almost every section; we therefore think it unnecessary to publish the last. It may, however, be proper to mention the commisssioners appointed to open the books and receive subscriptions for erecting the Allegheny Bridge. They are John Wilkins, James Robinson of Pine, Nathaniel Irish, George Shiras, George Robinson, Isaac Craig, James Irwin, John Johnston, and James Riddle. 22 Mar 1810, p212

In 1816 after 1st charter meeting the founding fathers decided to set watch boxes in 12 different locations throughout the city. No 8 was at Nathaniel Irish's corner of Liberty and St. Clair St, bounded by Union Brewhouse Alley, Liberty Street, Market, Diamond Alley, Pitt Street, Allegheny River.

Will of Nathaniel Irish, JR.

Will of Capt Nathaniel Irish, s/o Nathaniel Irish Sr.

I Nathaniel Irish of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA make my will:

Be buried in a plain and frugal way with debts paid ASAP;

to my son William B. Irish, all my real estate, houses and lands; also all rents, quit rents, etc, the house wherein my son now lives fronting on St. Clair St, shall be for the use of my beloved wife Mary, and $200 per year payable quarterly arising from rents of my other property for her support during her natural life;

to my daughter Ann McCully, the rents and profits of 18 feet of ground on St. Clair St which I leased to Abraham Long for $45 per year, during her natural life;

to my daughter Mary Smith, the rents and profits forever of 21 feet of ground on St. Clair St and 60 feet on Penn St, which I leased to Richard Sanderson for $52.50 per year, and legacy of $200 to be paid to her by my son William within 5Y after my decease;

as to my personal or chattel property I give to my beloved wife 12 of my best chairs, 2 of my best beds, bedding and bed clothes, 1 suit of curtains, 2 tables of her choice, my desk and bookcase, 1/2 of my printed books, all my china and glassware, all my kitchen furniture, 2 of my newest silver tablespoons, 6 teaspoons. All the rest of my silver goods, except buckles, I give to my daughter Mary Smith, and to my 2 granddaughters, Ann Shaw and Elizabeth Watkins, equally as may be. All the rest of my personal property I desire to be sold and the proceeds equally divided into 3 shares, one to my wife, Mary; one to my daughter Ann McCully; and one to my daughter Mary Smith.

I nominate and appoint my wife Mary executrix, and my son William, John Hancock, and William McCandless executors.

I have set my hand and seal on 7 Nov 1814, and of the Independence of the US, the 39th

Nathaniel Irish

Proved before Samuel Jones, Register, 24 Sept 1816, Recorded in Will Book 2 p93 Allegheny Co, PA

Will Book 6 1845-1850 Allegheny Co, PA, P348 - Nathaniel Irish of city of Pittsburgh Wife - Mary Irish Ch - William Irish, Mary Smith, Ann McCally Son William's aunt - Hannah Morrison Grch - Ann Shaw, Elizabeth Watkins, Nathaniel W. Wylie, dec Mentions - 500 acres of donation land in Beaver Co Exec - wife Mary Irish, son William Irish, Abraham Watkins, James Martin Wit - John McDowell, James Sharp, Robert Townsend - Brian notice the James Sharp Dated 21 July 1813; recorded 20 Oct 1837

Nathaniel's will mentions Mary Irish Smith, his daughter. There is a biographical sketch that states Mary Irish is married to Col. Henry Smith. On LDS website there is a family group record that has Mary b 26 Jan 1771 and d 8 Aug 1833, but there is no source listed. Mary and her brother Nathaniel Irish may have been baptised on 19 July 1769 at Gloria Dei, Old Swedes Church.

Nathaniel Irish House

http://www.archiplanet.org/wiki/Irish,_Nathaniel,_House#References (National Register House of Nathaniel Irish, JR. built in Philadelphia, PA)

Obituary and Burial Site of Nathaniel Irish, JR.

Departed this life on the 11th inst. Capt. Nathaniel Irish, in the 79th year of his age. he was one of the patriots who assisted in achieving our independence. He possessed a heart always open to the calls of humanity, and was emphatically the honest poor man's friend. He has long been a resident of this city. 20 Sept 1816, p391

The Estate of Capt. Nathaniel Irish, deceased. All persons having claims against said estate, will please render their accounts duly authenticated, and those who may be indebted, will make payment to the subscribers. /s/William B. Irish & William McCandless, execs. Pgh 4 Oct 1816. 8 Oct 1816, p396

He was a member of the first Vestry at Trinity; a Mason. (see Will Book II p93). He did not want a stone to immortalize his memory, but there is one. "In memory of Captain Nathaniel Irish. Born 8 May 1737 and departed this life 11 Sept 1816. In the 80th year of his age. this is consigned to the earth a worthy Revolutionary officer, plain and unaspiring he did not desire a stone to immortalize his memory, But it is his due as the last tribute to a man of worth who acted well his part upon the earth. As Husband, Father, and as Friend sincere, was always witnessed while he tarried here But summoned hence to meet a bless'd reward Resigned his breath and soul unto the Lord." Metal slab 69 x 34. Captain in Revolution, was town clerk in 1794, member of first vestry at Trinity. a Mason. See Will Book II p93.

TRANSCRIPTION OF BRONZE MEMORIAL ON GATE - TRINITY CHURCH BURYING GROUND - PITTSBURGH'S OLDEST UNRECONSTRUCTED LANDMARK

This whole city block at one time held as many as 4,000 graves. An ancient indian tumulus (burying mound) originally occupied part of the site and subsequently the French of Fort Duquesne (1754) and the British from Fort Pitt(1758), along with early Americans, who were buried here.

Prominent persons whose remains are still interred and legibly marked include Red Pole, who at one time was principal chief of the Shawnee Indian Nation; Dr. Nathaniel Bedford, the city's first physician and a founder of the University of Pittsburgh; General William Butler and Colonel James Butler, soldiers of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, for whose family Butler County was named; Oliver Ormsby, early Pittsburgher, fow whom Mt. Oliver was named; and Sarah and Jane Ormsby, for whom Sarah and Jane Streets were named in the Southside of Pittsburgh; Relatives of General John Neville; Captain Nathaniel Irish, a Revolutionary Officer, early settler and one of the Founders of Pittsburgh; and many others familiar even today to most Pittsburghers because streets, areas, islands, etc. are named for them.

This Green Area, sacred to the dead, is a memorial to much of the early history of Pittsburgh.

Pension Information

Western District of Pennsylvania – Pension for Ann McCully Before the Honorable Thomas Irwin Esquire Judge of District Court of the United States in and for the Western District of Pennsylvania personally appeared Boyle Irwin of the city of Pittsburgh in the County of Allegheny in said district and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God doth depose and say that the following extract is a true copy of an entry made in the Family Bible of said deponent to wit

Ann Irish born 29 December 1760

Married to George McCully 30 Sept 1783

That said entry was made upwards of 30 years ago by said deponent and was truly copied by said deponent from an entry then being in the Family Bible of the late Captain Nathaniel Irish then residing in Pittsburgh and said Bible then being in his possession and said entry made therein in the hand writing of said Nathaniel Irish with whose hand writing he was well acquainted from having frequently seen him write according to the best of his knowledge and belief that said Nathaniel Irish departed this life in the month of September 1816 and that said deponent within a few days last part made enquiry respecting said Bible from a nephew of the last wife of said Nathaniel Irish who survived him some years and had the possession of said Bible after his decease with which said nephew she resided some time before her death and at whose house she died; with a view of procuring said Bible in order to invest a copy of said entry directly there from but could not procure the same and was informed the same was in possession of a person at the distance of upwards of fifty miles from Pittsburgh – the deponent saith that the reason of his transferring said entry from the Bible of said Nathaniel Irish into his own came from the circumstance of his having on the 21 April 1803 having married Eliza McCully the only child of Major George McCully and Ann McCully his wife which Ann McCully was a daughter of Nathaniel Irish deceased in which said Bible of said deponent and on the same page and immediately following the said entry therein is the entry of the marriage of this deponent with the said Eliza McCully and the date thereof and the date of the birth and names of all his children – 13 in number – that this deponent emigrated to this country in the year 1798 and arrived in Pittsburgh in the year 1799 and of course knows nothing of his own knowledge respecting the following particular but has always understood and believes and it was so understood and believed by all their acquaintances and so always reported and reputed that the said Ann McCully was the daughter of the said Nathaniel Irish and that she was then the widow and had been lawfully intermarried with said Major George McCully and that the said Eliza McCully his wife was their daughter and has never heard to the contrary and after a residence of nearly 40 years and was since his first arrival in Pittsburgh and its vicinity.

/s/ Boyle Irwin

Sworn and subscribed before me on the 28th August 1837 and I certify that I have examined the family entries in the Bible of Boyle Irwin and that I have corresponded (?) with his statements in his deposition. I also certify that the said Boyle Irwin is a credible witness. /s/ Thomas Irwin, Justice of District Court of PA

United States Western District of Pennsylvania I Edward J. Roberts, Clerk of the District Court of the United States of the District aforesaid do hereby certify that the Honorable Thomas Irwin recognize before whom the foregoing deposition of Boyle Irwin was made and recorded.

Signature of Nathaniel Irish

Nathniel Irish's Purchase Receipt for Sycamore Island, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA

Early Settlers of Pittsburgh

1.   .

   Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography v5 p1725-, Frederic Antes Godcharles, 1914, Lewis Historical Publishing Co: NY; v9 p205-

2.   .

   Who’s Who in Pennsylvania, Lewis Randolph Hamersly, 1904, LR Hamersly Co: NY