Person:Nathaniel Irish (3)

Introducing Nathaniel Irish SR. of Montserrat by Pamela Pattison Lash_______________________

Nathaniel Irish Sr was born of English parentage on the island of Montserrat in the British West Indies. Montserrat was discovered by Columbus in November 1493 and named after the Abbey of Montserrat near Barcelona. It’s considered an Irish colony; the island is known as the Emerald Isle of the caribbean and a green shamrock is its national symbol. English and Irish first settled on Montserrat from St. Christopher in 1632. The island was taken by the French in 1664 and 1667 but was restored to England by the Treaty of Breda. In 1712 the French destroyed most of its records in a raid.

William Irish's Will

WILL OF WILLIAM IRISH OF MONTSERRAT (for full treatment of the will see William Irish person page)

September 17th 1699.

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I William Irish Senr. Of the Island above said being sick and weak in body, but of good and perfect memory thanks be to God for it and calling to mind the uncertain state of this transitory life and that all flesh must yield to death when it shall please God to call do make, constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. I give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it to me hoping through the merits and mediation of my blessed Savior to obtain remission of my sins. And my body to the Earth to be buried in sufficient manner as to my Executors hereafter named shall seem meet and convenient. And for such Worldly Estate which it has please God to bestow on me my Will is that it be disposed of as follows.

• I give and bequeath to my child which my wife is now big with provided it be a boy my Norwind plantation and five hundred pounds current money of this country both to be paid and delivered him when he comes to the age of twenty and one years. But if said child be a girl then I give and bequeath her one hundred twenty and eight thousands pounds of sugar or eight hundred pounds current money to be paid out of the product of my whole estate when she comes to the age of twenty years. I also give to the said child provided it be a girl one negro girl and one cow. And my will and meaning is that all my said children Viz. Mary Ann and Elizabeth Irish as also the child my wife is now big with shall have their maintainence out of my whole estate suitable to their quality and conditions and the circumstances of the said estate until they and every of them shall arrive at the age of twenty years or be married. And if my said daughters Mary Ann and Elizabeth or either of them should dye before their respective legacies become due then my Will and meaning is if one dye the two surviving sisters shall have both of them thirty two thousand pounds of sugar added to their before bequeathed sugars. And if two of the said daughters should dye before the said time then the surviving daughter shall have sixty four thousand pounds of sugar or the value thereof in money added to her former sugar to be paid her out of the product of my whole estate at the time the said sugar shall become due. Viz, at the age of twenty years.

William Irish. Signed and Sealed in the presence of us. *** George Wyke ***.

30th April 1713

Nathaniel Irish as an Apprentice

Gerald Fothergill, Apprentices to and from Overseas (see ante, p. 29) Notes and Queries, 1922, s12-X: 69. Oxford Journal, 12S.X. Jan 28, 1922 p6 nq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/s12-X/198/69-c.pdf

Nathaniel Irish, son of William Irish of Mount Surat, in West Indies, Mercht. dec'd. App. to Isaac Waldoe, Cit. and Grocer. 7 Sept. 1716. Consid. £25. (Inl. 1/5-16.)

Fee Schedule research supplied by David Daniell from Apprentices of Great Britain 1710-1774

Nathaniel Irish lived in London in 1716; he possibly had been sent there to attend school at Hackney or Westminster or to visit relatives. He may have not been interested in attending a university there to further his education or he may not have been given such opportunity due to lack of motivation, the need to learn a trade, or other circumstance at home. This leads the research to checking out Isaac Waldo, the grocer, and any other records of this kind.

Email response stating that the following volumes have been checked:

• Apprenticeship Indexes 1652-1881 and Freeman Indexes 1600-1750 for Irish and Apprenticeship Indexes 1652-1716 and Freeman Indexes 1650-1709 for Waldoe. The following was found:
• 1702 Isaac Waldoe apprenticed to Humphrey Primate
• 1716 Nathaniel Irish apprenticed to Isaac Waldoe
• 1709 Isaac Waldoe late apprentice of Humphrey Primate admitted to Freedom
• 1637 John Waldoe former apprentice of John Everleigh, then of Anne Waldoe, admitted to Freedom. son of John Waldoe, citizen and founder of London
• 1627 John Waldoe son of Larence Waldoe admitted by palmony
• 1621 Laurence Waldoe son of Lawrence Waldoe admitted by Palmoney

Apprenticeship generally took place at age 14 and was usually though not invariably for a period of 7 years, the apprentice being admitted to the Freedom of the Company at age 21. Unfortunately Nathaniel Irish did not complete his term and became free of the company.

Nathaniel Irish as a Murderer

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, Nathaniel Irish, Reference Number t17230424-42, 24 Apr 1723, Information and examination, Corporation of London Record Office, LSP/1723/3.

http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t17230424-42-defend244&div=t17230424-42#highlight

Nathaniel Irish , Gentleman , was indicted for the Murder of Thomas Hill , by giving him one mortal Wound with a Sword, of the Breadth of half an Inch, and the Depth of six Inches, the 17th Day of March last, of which he instantly died . He was also indicted a second Time upon the Coroner's Inquest for the same.

Depositions Against Nathaniel Irish

• Thomas Bailey depos'd, That on Sunday the 17th of March, between nine and ten a Clock at Night, as he was going through St. Paul's Church Yard he overtook Mr. Irish, and two other Gentlemen with him, and that as they went along Mr. Irish was very rude, shoving and thumping People, and a Gentlewoman going along with her (as he suppos'd) Husband, he struck her cross the Buttocks with his Cane, and he heard several people complain of his Rudeness. That he followed them, and over against Mr. Innys's the Bookseller, he saw Mr. Irish threaten to strike the deceased. That the deceased went from him, and Mr. Irish followed him. That he returned, and he saw the deceased go out into the Highway, and there Mr. Irish struck the deceased, and that several Blows pass'd between them. That Mr. Irish pursued the deceased. That the deceased said, when Mr. Irish followed him, before any Blow was given, What is the Matter with the Gentleman? Bear witness, I do not meddle with the Gentleman. I do not know what he means that he does not go along. That he heard the Word, The Man was killed. That then he endeavoured to seize Mr. Irish, and he said he had lost 5 l. and threaten'd him, if he offer'd to meddle with him, he would swear a Robbery against him. That he took up a naked Sword, and the People apprehended Mr. Irish.

• Charles Hubbert depos'd, that as he was coming up Ludgate Hill between nine and ten a Clock, he saw several People standing in the Path-Way, that he asked, What was the Matter? That after a little while they parted, and the Prisoner went on about four or five Steps, and turned upon the deceased, took hold of him, said he should go with him to the other side of the Way. That being in the Highway, a Coach coming between him and them, he did not see the first Blow, but saw several Blows pass afterward, and heard the Word, The Man is dead.

• Thomas Hawkins depos'd, That as he was going through Paul's Church Yard, he saw some Gentlemen at Blows, and saw one drive the other from the Toy Shop to the other side of the Way. That the deceased retreated, and the People said it was fool, and bid him make up to the Prisoner. That the Prisoner, after a Coach had pass'd between them, made up to the deceased, and that several Blows passed between them, and the deceased drove the Prisoner near the King's Arms Tavern, and that Mr. Irish dropped, he thought, upon his Knees. That when he got up he drove the deceased, and the People cry'd out, foul play. That the deceased fell, he (this Evidence) opened his Breast, and perceived the Wound, and cry'd out to secure Mr. Irish. Mr. Irish asking this Evidence, if he did not see him knock'd down twice? He reply'd, no, he saw him down but once, but whether knock'd down, or fallen down, he could not tell.

• Edward Davis depos'd, That he saw the Prisoner follow the deceased from Mr. Inny's to the King's Arms Door, and that several Blows were struck. That he saw the Prisoner down, he thinks on one or both Knees. That when he got up he drew his Sword, took hold of the deceased's Cane, gave a push, and the deceased dropped.

• Thomas Jeff depos'd much to the same Effect.

• William Dally depos'd, That seeing a Crowd of People he came up to them, and heard the deceased say, The Man has a mind to quarrel. That when he was got ten or fifteen Yards off, the Prisoner run by him (this Evidence) and run after the deceased, and struck him. That the People said it was not fair, and that then the deceased having turned again several Strokes passed with their Canes. That he saw the Prisoner's Sword glitter; heard him say he was a Man that wore a Sword, but did not see the Wound given.

• William Forster deposed, that about Innys's Door he saw the Prisoner strike the deceased several Blows. That the People cried to the deceased, At him again. That he did so; and several Blows pass'd between them. That he saw the Prisoner lay hold of the deceased's Cane. That the People cry'd out, It was foul Play, and that immediately the deceased dropp'd. That upon this he went to seize the Prisoner, upon which he asked him, if he came to pick his Pocket? saying, he had lost 5 l. and he would charge him with it.

• - Bishop depos'd, That as he was passing by, he saw the Prisoner and Deceased, striking with their Canes, that the first Blow he saw given, was by Mr. Irish, that the Deceased went over the Canal, and the Prisoner follow'd him, that several more Blows were struck, and the Deceased was going to strike, and he heard the Prisoner say, stand off, I wear a Sword, and I know how to use it. That he laid hold of the Deceased's Cane, and the Deceased drop'd.

• Mr. Badger a Surgeon depos'd, That as he was going by Accidentally, and hearing a Man was wounded, he went to the Coffee-House, where he was carried, but found the Man dead, and upon searching the Wound, found it had penetrated a Ventricle of the Heart, went obliquely upwards into the bottom of his Heart, and he did believe it was the Cause of his Death.

Nathaniel Irish Defense

• Mr. Irish in his Defence, pleaded, That he having been with a Couple of Friends, at Greenwich, and going along St. Paul's Church Yard, towards Fleetstreet: passing by the Deceased, the Deceased said, he had jostled him, and holding up his Cane, ask'd him if he would have it down his Throat; to which he reply'd, He should not take it well of him; that having passed a little from him, the Deceased came to him, and demanded Satisfaction, saying, he had assaulted him, and now it was his turn to assault, that he was knocked down at the Corner of the Booksellers, and was driven back to the King's Arms, and that the Mob cry'd out, knock out his Brains, and he cry'd out Murther, and being knock'd down again, he cry'd out, take Care, I wear a Sword, and know how to use it.

• Zachariah Burrio depos'd, That he and Mr. Allen, being with the Prisoner, were going along Paul's Church Yard, near Mr. Wilday's, and the Deceased said the Prisoner had jostled him, and was very abusive, holding up his Cane, as if he would strike Mr. Irish, that he thereupon took hold of Mr. Irish by the Arm, to prevent Mischief. That Mr. Irish was coming away, and the Deceased came up to him, and said he had been assaulted, and it was now his Time to assault; that thereupon Mr. Irish ask'd him what he meant, that he reply'd, he would have Satisfaction, and struck Mr. Irish over the Head, and he was driven over to Innys's: That a Coach coming by, they were parted, and by the Crowd were driven towards the Kings Arms Tavern; that there Mr. Irish was knock'd down, and does believe he was struck by more Canes than one, for the Mob were very averse to Mr. Irish, that when he got up he was upon the Retreat, and the Deceased follow'd him, and he retir'd towards Doctors-Commons, and was knock'd down again, that he got up and retreated, and bid the Fellow stand off, that then he (this Evidence) went toward Mr. Truby's, so get some People to part them, so that when the Wound was given, he was not there.

• Mr. Allen depos'd, That he having been with Mr. Irish, and Mr. Burrio, as they were going near the Toy Shop, in St. Paul's Church Yard, the Deceased said he was jostled, and damned Mr. Irish, and that Mr. Burrio defined Mr. Irish not to mind him; that the Deceas'd said he would have Satisfaction, and with his Cane gave Mr. Irish a Blow, and some Blows having been interchanged, a Coach came by, and parted them, but afterwards the Fight was renew'd, and Mr. Irish was knock'd down, that he drew his Swords, and said, Stand off, take Care, I have my Sword Drawn, and being knock'd down, or falling down, the Deceased beat him very much, and that when the Deceased fell, he saw Mr. Irish just getting up as the Prisoner was falling.

• Margaret Stokes depos'd, that she saw the Deceased come up to Mr. Irish, and struck him, and that Mr. Irish was knock'd down twice, and that the Crowd was on the Deceased's side, and that there were more Sticks used against Mr. Irish than the Deceased's: that near the Kings Arms Tavern the Deceased knock'd Mr. Irish down, and he struck him, as she thought, to keep him down, and that when the Deceased fell, Mr. Irish was upon one or both Knees.

• Another Evidence depos'd, that he saw them fight with Sticks, and the short Man followed the Prisoner, and knock'd him down, and he was struck by two Persons, while he was upon the Ground, and as he was getting up his Wig fell off, and the short Man knocked him down again.

• Charles Barns depos'd, That at the Corner of Innys's Shop, they were fighting with Canes, that they went towards Truby's, and the short Man run to the Tall Man, and struck him, and he was knocked down, and as the Prisoner was rising, some Body struck him, and he was down again; and, that he thought he was a Pick-pocket, because the Mob was all against him, and he heard the Prisoner cry out, Thieves and Murder.

• William Jenkins deposed, That he saw the Sword drawn. That several Blows were struck afterwards. That the Prisoner defended himself with his Sword, and was at that Time on his Legs.

• One Surgeon deposed, That being sent for to Mr. Irish, he found he had several Contusions on his Head, Wrist, and Hand. That he opened the Body of the Deceased, and found the Wound in the Skin was four Inches below the Wound that went into the left Ventricle of the Heart, and that it must be given by some Person below the Deceased, for that, if the Point go upwards, the Hilt must be downwards.

• Another Surgeon deposed to the same Purpose.

The Verdict

• After a full Hearing the Jury found the Prisoner guilty of Manslaughter. Burned in the Hand .

• Convicts who successfully pleaded benefit of clergy, and those found guilty of manslaughter instead of murder, were branded on the thumb (with a "T" for theft, "F" for felon, or "M" for murder), so that they would be unable to receive this benefit more than once. The branding took place in the courtroom at the end of the sessions in front of spectators. It is alleged that sometimes criminals convicted of petty theft, or who were able to bribe the executioner, had the branding iron applied when it was cold.

Nathaniel Irish's Domain in Montserrat of 1729

Lists of Inhabitants, Whites and Blacks, of Montserrat in 1729 referred to in Colonel Mathews' Letter of 28 May 1730, transcribed by G. Fothergill from the original in the PRO, (RT Leeward Islands, V21), Caribbeana, p308-309

The Political Anatomy of St. George’s District or Windward District Name and Quality/Trade/Particulars

Nathaniel Irish, Planter

• 4 houses
• 1 windmill
• 1 cattle mill
• 1 man
• 0 females
• 50 black men
• 10 black women
• 20 Negro boys under 14
• 10 Negro girls under 10
• 1 number in family
• 200 lands cultivated acres
• 50 lands uncultivated acres
• 200 sugar acres
• 0 indigo acres
• 2 horses
• 26 mules
• 12 oxen or cows
• 13 sheep
• 12 hogs
• 1 firearm

About 14 years after the apprenticeship in London, Nathaniel Irish was a planter in the St. George’s District of the Island of Montserrat; he was about 30 years old and had no white female living in his household. From the letter he was noted last in the list for that district. Other Planters who were enumerated in this letter are the following in alphabetical order, with Constable (CO), Carpenter (C) and Spinstress (S), specially noted:

• William Bowler
• Sarah Bramer - S
• John Chillcott
• John Collins
• John Conner
• Taige Correw
• John Cortow
• Daniel Daly
• Col. John Daly
• John Dowdy - C
• Garrett Fahey
• James Farrill
• John Farrill
• William Fell
• John Daly Fitz Denis
• James Goold
• Nathaniel Harris
• Nathaniel Harris, Jr.
• John Hart
• Terrence Harth
• Christopher Hixon
• Peter Hussey
• Nathaniel Irish
• John Jeffers - C
• Elizabeth Johnson
• Peter Lee
• Margaret Long
• Patrick Long
• Rachael Lynch
• John Madden
• Thomas Meade
• Darby Mulryane
• Phillip O’Conner
• Jean Potter
• John Potter - CO
• Joseph Sayers
• Florence Sullivane
• Robert West – C
• William Westifir – C
• Debora Willis – S

The statistics of this letter show 52 men (white) and 18 women (white) lived in the district. Nathaniel Irish appears to have owned the third most slaves in that district with James Farrill and Col. John Daly exceeding his number. Our ancestor possessed the second largest amount of cultivated land tying with Thomas Meade and both being exceeded by Col. John Daly, plus Nathaniel owned a large number of livestock. In terms of existing houses, Nathaniel owned four with James Farrill and Col. John Daly owning 5 apiece and Peter Hussey with 4. James Farrill possessed owned 2 windmills and Thomas Meade possessed 2 cattle mills to Nathaniel’s one each of these structures. I find the fact that he had only 1 registered firearm when many others in the district claimed far more to be interesting. One wonders how accurate were these statistics and how were they obtained.

Nathaniel Irish Inherited Money

Will of William Irish, brother of Nathaniel Irish; William’s will was probated 29 Oct 1729 in Montserrat

• To my brother Nathaniel Irish 500 pounds of Gr Br money to be paid him one year after my decease.

Various Treatments of Nathaniel Irish's Life in Pennsylvania

The earliest reference date to Nathaniel Irish being in the American colony of Pennsylvania (meaning he was no longer living in Montserrat) was 1735. His son, Nathaniel Irish, Jr., was born in 1737 in Saucon, Bucks Co, PA. The question of who was the mother of his children goes unanswered at this time. Did he form a relationship with this lady before he left the island of Montserrat and bring her to Pennsylvania or did he meet her after he arrived in Pennsylvania? Another puzzle that is unsolved - was he in a relationship with two different women - one the mother of daughter Ann (mother reportedly Ann Santee) and another unknown as the mother of Nathaniel Irish, Jr.?

The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, V24, p155-156; Surveys at Saucon Creek, The Upper Part of Bucks County, PA, 1737

p155 - The map shows 500 A sold by Nathaniel Irish to G. Cruikshank, 12 Sept 1737 and a tract of land reserved for Anne Santee and Irish’s Mill labeled.

p156 - Nathaniel Irish is said to have acquired at least part of his land as a result of the lottery of Proprietors in the spring of 1735. 100,000 acres were thrown open to the purchasers of the lucky tickets. One account says Irish bought three tickets in the lottery and when it was postponed in Feb 1736 and then abandoned and never drawn, he and other holders were allowed to locate on the land called for by their tickets.

Late in 1737 before these surveys were made, the line to establish and confirm the bounds of the old 1686 purchase of Indian lands had been run. The area along the south bank of the Lehigh both west and east of this so-called “Walking Purchase” was still called the upper part of Bucks County and as yet was undivided into townships. Though the line, touching Nathaniel Irish’s southwest corner and only about a mile and a half from Hertzel’s.

His land draft is found in Northampton County Miscellaneous Documents 1749-1832, Microfilm Reel 703, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.

Irish sold part of his land to George Cruikshank in 1743 (Bucks County Deed Book 7 p551, 13 Oct 1743, Nathaniel Irish to George Cruikshank) and he removed to Bethlehem Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ where he died in 1748.

His will is found in Calendar of Wills (1730-1750) II, New Jersey Archives, 1st Series, 30, p219. George Cruikshank, his executor, was dead by 1748; Cruikshank’s will was entered in Philadelphia Administration Book F p151

History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania : from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, W W H Davis, 1905, p2-17, 24, 85, 140, 250

p2-17 On 12 Apr 1738 Nathaniel Irish purchased 150 acres near the mouth of Saucon Creek and bought other lands at different times and in 1743 he was the owner of 600 acres in a body. The same year he conveyed the whole tract to George Cruikshank from the West Indies who settled on it and built a cabin near the mouth of Saucon Creek. He was a man of learning and taste and his location a delightful one with beautiful scenery, an abundance of game on the hills and fine trout in the streams. Himself and family became almost hermits living so far from civilized society. It was at his house where William Satterthwaite, John Watson, and Pellar used to meet to talk poetry and otherwise enjoy themselves, while Watson was surveying public lands in that section. Irish erected the first mill on the Leigh, about where Shimersville stands, the ruins of which are still to be seen. He was commissioned a JP in 1741 and was a leading man of that region.

p24 Heidelburg Twp to the northwest of Whitehall was settled about the same period but was not oranized until after 1752. Nathaniel Irish owned real estate there in 1749 and on the 24th of April leased 200 acres to Nicholas Snyder.

p85 Due to the Penn’s lottery in 1735 they set to dispose of 100,000 acres in the upper end of Bucks County, but as it was never drawn the holders of tickets were allowed to locate the land they called for. Among them was Nathaniel Irish (Footnote #6) who held 3 tickets and under these located three 500 acre tracts on the Leigh, 2 on the south and 1 on the north bank. He built a mill at the mouth of Saucon Creek before 1740, the first in that region and afterward sold this tract to Mr. Cruikshank, Philadelphia. The other 2 tracts, one on each side of the river, he sold to the Moravians, and on one of them Bethlehem was afterward built. Mr. Irish probably never lived north of the Leigh, his house stood on the site of William Shimer’s dwelling, Shimersville, and was removed in 1816. The ruins of the mill were still to be seen on the premises.

http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu/lvgeology/_722.html

Footnote #6 -Nathaniel Irish was born on the island of Montserrat, West Indies and died at Union Furnace, Hunterdon Co, NJ 1748. He was commissioned a JP for Bucks Co 1741. His son Nathaniel who commanded a company in the corps of artillery of Col Benjamin Flowers was born at Saucon, now Northampton County but then in Bucks, 8 May 1737. He removed to Pittsburg, PA of which he was elected first assistant burgess, died there 11 Sept 1816 and was buried in the First Presbyterian Churchyard. In 1758 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Thomas, born in 173 5 and died Aug 1795 near the mouth of Plumb Creek, Pitt Township, Allegheny Co, PA.

p250 The Old Bethlehem Road, another of the arteries of travel and traffic was for years the great highway from Lehigh to Philadelphia and into which numerous roads led on either side. It was gradually extended northward and settlements reached up the country and in 1738 terminated at Nathaniel Irish’s stone quarry in the Hellertown Road at Iron Hill, Saucon Twp.

History of Northampton County, PA, Peter Fitts, 1877, p34

Nathaniel Irish owned the first mill on Saucon Creek.

History of Northampton Co, PA and Grand Valley of Lehigh, William Jacob Heller, 1920, p67

Nathaniel Irish came to Saucon Creek, PA before 1737. The Bethlehem Steel Co is on property he originally owned.

History of Pittsburgh and environs: from prehistoric days to the beginning of the American Revolution, George T. Fleming, American Historical Society, 1922, V2 p47,50, 177, 408, V4 p163-164

p163-164 Under the biographical sketch of Captain Dallas Cadwallader Irish - The founder of the Pennsylvania family was Nathaniel Irish, born of English parents on the Island of Montserrat, one of the Leeward Islands of the West Indies, who early in the 18th century came to the province of Pennsylvania, settling on the Saucon Creek near Philadelphia, where he acquired lands, built grist and sawmills, and prospered. His home was then part of Bucks County and there he was commissioned a justice of the peace in April 1741. Nathaniel married and left a son, Nathaniel and a daughter Ann. He died in 1748 at Union Furnace, Hunterdon County, NJ, leaving a considerable estate to his two children, both minors.

Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania: General and personal memories, Charles Alcott Flagg, NY, 1911, p2_829

(Under biographical sketch of Major George McCully Laughlin) - Laughlin was a descendent of Captain Nathaniel Irish, and his father Nathaniel Irish, Sr.

The ancestors of the Irish family of Pittsburgh settled on the Island of Montserrat, one of the Leeward Islands of the West Indies before Nathaniel Irish emigrated to Pennsylvania. When Nathaniel Irish the elder came to Pennsylvania early in the 18th century, he left behind him on the island of Montserrat, a sister, Elizabeth Lee, who was the mother of three daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Ann. He also mentioned in his will a nephew William Irish and a niece Sarah Irish. Nathaniel settled as a young man in Bucks (now Northampton) County, where he acquired a plantation on the Saucon Creek at its confluence with the Delaware River. He was born on the Island of Montserrat in the West Indies and died at Union Furnace, Hunterdon County, NJ in 1748. He was commissioned as a justice of the peace in Bucks County, PA in 1741, and held that commission until December 1745. In 1743 he hired a slave known as Joseph alias Boston who was brought from Montserrat to Durham Furnace, in what is now Northampton County, PA by his owner after 1732. Irish married and had a son Nathaniel and a daughter Ann. This Ann Irish inherited under her father’s will a plantation called Private Neck on the west branch of the Delaware River, being part of Irish’s original survey at the mouth of the Saucon Creek, which he reserved when he sold his plantation to George Cruikshank.

History of Northamton County, PA and Grand Valley of Lehigh, William Jacob Heller, 1920, p67

Nathaniel was said to have come to Saucon Creek near Philadelphia, PA early in the 18th century. In 1735 the Penns projected a lottery but tickets were never drawn; Nathaniel had 3 tickets of 500 acres tracts, 2 in the south and 1 in the north. He purchased 150 acres near the mouth of that creek and by 1743 he owned 600 acres there. Later in 1743 he conveyed the whole tract to George Cruikshank from the West Indies and Philadelphia. He sold the east side of his plot to Moravians.

The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware, A D Chidsey, Jr, The Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society: Easton, PA, 1937, V2 p24

Nathaniel Irish was a JP and an agent for William Penn, He is said to have built a mill at the mouth of Saucon Creek as early as 1738.

Old Rights Land Ownership

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

November 1743 Survey map of Nathaniel Irish's 1742 Warrant for 225 acres "situate on Aquanshekalo Creek."  Irish's property adjoins Lewis Gordon's to the east.   Nathaniel Irish had another tract of 200 acres warranted in 1738 to the west of this 225 acre tract which Palmerton Station was situated on in 1923*.  The tracts of John Balliet and Bernard Bowman separate Nathaniel Irish's two tracts.   The statement that runs along the bottom of Irish's land is "This part of Draft obliterated and no record of same to be found" so the bottom boundary of Irish's property is not available--except from one of the deeds conveying the patent or property in later years. 

• 1923 book commemorating the Silver Anniversary of the Founding of Palmerton, 1898-1923

Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3 Vol 24, Chapter on Warrantees of Land in County of Bucks 1733-1889, p136: Nathaniel Irish 300A 27 Oct 1737; 200A 21 Nov 1738; 50A 21 Nov 1738; 250A 26 Mar 1742; 250A 26 Mar 1742

http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/BucksPages/Bucks33.pdf is source for land warrantees from Bucks Co, PA

Pennsylvania Archives, Land Records, online

• Warrants Register, Bucks Co, PA
• Number # on warrant 10
• Name of Warrantee Nathaniel Irish
• Description of Warrant Survey
• Quantity 300A
• Date of Warrant 27 Oct 1737
• Date of Return 10 Oct 1743
• Acres Returned 500A
• Name of Patentee Nathaniel Irish
• Where Recorded A #11 p245
• Where Survey Recorded L p53 Delaware River
• Patentee Nathaniel Irish on 10 Oct 1743 A11 p245 500A Nathaniel Irish (warrantee) 27 Oct 1737 Bucks Co, PA

• Number on warrant 10
• Name of Warrantee Nathaniel Irish
• Description of Warrant Survey
• Quantity ***
• Date of Warrant ***
• Date of Return 18 Nov 1786
• Acres Returned 177A
• Name of Patentee Isaac and Edward Freeman
• Where Recorded P8 p26
• Where Survey Recorded C89 p187 Leigh
• Checked Patent and it was recorded as Isaac Freeman et al on 3 Oct 1786 P8 p26 for 177A with Nathaniel Irish as warrantee, called “Private Neck”, 27 Oct 1787 Northampton Co, PA

• Number on warrant 9
• Name of Warrantee Nathaniel Irish
• Description of Warrant Survey
• Quantity 200A
• Date of Warrant 21 Nov 1738
• Date of Return 16 Aug 1764
• Acres Returned 200A
• Name of Patentee Nicholas Kern
• Where Recorded AA 5 p631
• Where Survey Recorded L 49 Lehigh River, Northampton Co, PA

• Number on warrant 24
• Name of Warrantee Nathaniel Irish (island)
• Description of Warrant Survey
• Quantity 50A
• Date of Warrant 21 Nov 1738
• Date of Return 28 Feb 1744
• Acres Returned 12 1/4A
• Name of Patentee Henry Antes
• Where Recorded A11 p500
• Where Survey Recorded C89 p119 Ireland
• Checked Patent and said Henry Antes (island) 25 Mar 1745, A11 p500, warrantee Nathaniel Irish, 21 Nov 1738 Bucks Co, PA

• Number on warrant 29
• Name of Warrantee Nathaniel Irish
• Description of Warrant Survey
• Quantity 250A
• Date of Warrant 16 Mar 1742
• Date of Return See #30 below
• Acres Returned
• Name of Patentee
• Where Recorded
• Where Survey Recorded

• Number on warrant 30
• Name of Warrantee Nathaniel Irish
• Description of Warrant Survey
• Quantity 250A
• Date of Warrant 16 Mar 1742
• Date of Return 7 Jan 1744
• Acres Returned 225A
• Name of Patentee Nathaniel Irish
• Where Recorded A14 p68
• Where Survey Recorded L51 Aquettelb (check map survey for correct spelling)

Also found patentee Nathaniel Irish 8 Jan 1744 A14 p68 225A Nathaniel Irish (warrantee) 16 Mar 1742 Bucks Co, PA

Nathaniel Irish and the Moravians

A History of Bethlehem, PA, 1741-1892, with some account of its founders and their early activity in America, Joseph Mortimer Levering, Bethlehem Times Publishing Co, 1903, P47-58, 72, 76, 139, 154, 161, 163, 164

P47-57 William Allen was Chief Justice of the Commonwealth from 1751-1774 and father-in-law of John Penn, the last Proprietary Governor; his son was the founder of Northampton, now Allentown. In 1776 he fell under the odium of being a Tory, lost his wealth and influence, went to England during the Revolution, and returned as a retired gentleman. He died 6 Sept 1780 at his home Airy Hill.

P52 One of the gathering places of the region at which the matter of Moravians was naturally discussed was the mill of Nathaniel Irish on Saucon Creek; he had located prior to May 1737 on 306 acres of land where the village of Shimersville is situated, near the mouth of the Saucon Creek. There he opened a farm, built a mill, established a land-office as agent for William Allen, and in 1741 was commissioned JP. His place, the terminus in 1740 of the first highway from Philadelphia to Lehigh was a general rendezvous. This mill remained standing until 1812 and his dwelling until 1816. He subsequently removed from the neighborhood and died in 1748 at Union Furnace in NJ.

Irish was one of those who discarded church-connection and had little respect for religion on account of the ceaseless sectarian bickerings and the rabid polemics of theologians in which religious activity mainly consisted in those days, but he acted a Christian part towards the little band of Moravians in that trying hour for which he was held in grateful remembrance. His comment on the occurrence was that he had his doubts about Whitefield’s religion if he drove the Moravians away, for he had learned that they were good people. Being one of the important and influential men of the vicinity, his representations through Whitefield’s agents, persuaded the impetuous clergyman to waive his contention on sublieties of theological speculation in favor of humane sentiment and to forbear turning these people out of house they had built into the wilderness at the beginning of winter. He also offered to sell them, on easy terms, 500 acres of William Allen’s land lying on the north bank of the Lehigh River at the mouth of the Monocacy Creek, a desirable tract which he intended to retain for himself. Peter Boehler had during the summer frequently taken his grain to Irish’s mill to be ground, and they had become well acquainted.

P72 George Neisser left brief notes on his activities and in the end of August 1741 he made a plow for Nathaniel irish.

P163 Negotiations with William Allen in Feb 1743 to purchase the Simpson tract of 274 acres were underway when Allen found out their was a Swiss squatter named Ruetschi on the land. He appealed to Justice Irish to sustain his right of preemption and option on the land; a writ of ejectment from Mr. Irish was served on the squatter; it is said he departed in peace after being given 2 bushels of oats.

P164 There was an eccentric Englishman named Thomas Hardie for whom there was no proper facility for his care. In Feb 1743 the authorities placed him in one of the Indian cabins at Nazareth under special guard but he escaped and wandered down to Justice Irish’s home who sent him back to Bethlehem with a curt request in writing = the paper yet exists- that the Bretheren take better care of him. His fits of madness continued and finally he left Bethlehem and appeared in the Ephrata community known as Brother Theodorus, attired in his brotherhood garb; he visited Bethlehem again in 1754.

Old Nazareth, a brief sketch of early Moravian life, Susan A. Kachline, 1933, Eadgar H Lichty: Bethlehem, PA, p10, 15, 16

P 10 William Allen, a large Pennsylvania land-holder, owned 5000 acres in the Forks of the Delaware. Peter Boehler and his companions reached the present site of Shimersville. Here they found William Allen’s land agent, Nathaniel Irish, who gave them the much needed directions for reaching the 5000 acre tract. In this vicinity the travelers spent the night, either with Nathaniel Irish on the Saucon or Isaac Isselstein, a pioneer settler on the Lehigh. This was c 30 May 1740.

P15-16 Peter Boehler engaged workmen and contracted for supplies of food and materials from Nathaniel Irish. A friend again came to the rescue of the distressed Moravians; this friend was Nathaniel Irish at his mill on the Saucon. When he heard of Rev George Whitefield’s outburst (he ordered the Moravians, Boehler and his friends, to leave the Nazareth tract immediately; the argument was over doctrinal issues of free grace and election), Irish said, “I have my doubts about Whitefield’s religion if he drove away the Moravians; for I have learned to know them as good people”. Nathaniel Irish was a man of influence and his opinions carried weight which probably induced Whitefield to relent and allow the Moravians to remain on the Nazareth tract. It was these peoples’ desire to own a tract of their own and Nathaniel Irish offered them, on easy terms, a 500 tract in the Lehigh section; this offer was accepted.

Slave Ownership

Nathaniel Irish owned 90 slaves which were counted in the 1729 St. Georges' Parish of Montserrat; these slaves worked on his sugar plantation. At least one slave, a Joseph aka Boston, b Africa 1715, was brought to Charleston, SC in 1727 and in 1732 he was sold to a planter of Montserrat and sent to Durham Creek. By 1743 he was hired to Nathaniel and later became the property of the Moravians. He died 11 Sept 1781 (Slavery was abolished in PA on 1 Mar 1780). According to Nathaniel's will he gave his daughter Ann two slaves, Marbilla and Betty; presumably any other slaves owned by the time of his death became the property of his son, Nathaniel Irish, Jr. The inventory of his estate listed 18 Negroes in one part and just the word Negroes in another.

The Fortunes and Misfortunes of War

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.

Commissions and Sawmills

Nathaniel was said to be a man of learning. In 1741 he was commissioned a JP which in those days carried powers of a present day judge and held this commission until Dec 1745, and built grist and sawmills there. This was reported to be the first mill on Lehigh where Shimersville is (later removed in 1816). He left a considerable estate to this two children, both minors. He owned real estate in Heidelburg Twp, Bucks Co, PA in 1749 and on 24 Apr 1749 leased 200 acres to Nicholas Snyder.

PA Land Warrant Applications for 1748: All Counties

(Bucks) Laubach, Christian on 14 Apr for 50 acres adjoining his other land late of Nathaniel irish and land of Nicholas Franks in Lower Saucon Twp. “To pay all”

(Bucks) Allen, Williams Esq for the heirs of Nathaniel Irish, 50 acres adjoining their other land in Lower Saucon Twp, on 5 Dec.

The Will of Nathaniel Irish, SR.

Nathaniel Irish had a son and dau, Nathaniel and Ann. Under his will his daughter inherited a plantation called "Private Neck", on the west bank of the Delaware River. He also left her a negro woman named Marbilia and her dau Betty. Ann's guardian was William Allen, chief justice of PA. He left 50 pounds current money of PA to Ann Santee, the mother of the two children (?), and the rest of the estate to son, Nathaniel Jr.

His will was written on 29 Feb 1747 and proven 18 Apr 1748 in NJ.

Copy of his will:

Nathaniel Irish

4 Jan 1747

• I dwelling now in twp of Bethlem, Hunterdon, Co, NJ (usual legal and religious stuff) commit my body to be decently buried near my brother George Cruikshank at Saucon

• I give sister Elizabeth Lee of island Montserrat, if she be living at my decease, 200 pounds current money of PA, to be shipped to her;

• To my sister Lee's 3 daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jane 100 pounds to be paid as soon as my affairs permit;

• To my nephew William Irish and my niece Sarah Irish 50 pounds sterling money of Gr Br to be paid to them to buy a mourning ring;

• To my natural begot daughter from the body of Ann Santee, named Ann, a plantation where she now lives, called "Private Neck" on the west bank of the Delaware River. I likewise give her a piece of land that joins the plantation to the westward, which is part of the first survey that was made of the plantation at the mouth of Sauchon Creek, which I reserved when I sold the plantation to George Cruikshank. I also give her 500 pounds of current money of PA to be laid out with all convenien speed upon interest. The profits and rent of the plantation shall be for her maintenance until she shall attain the age of 20Y and then the said sum shall be paid to her;

• To my daughter a negro woman Marbilla and her dau, a negro girl named Betty; and 6 of my silver spoons and what household goods are in the house where she now lives with her mother on the west branch of the Delaware;

• To Ann Santee, mother of my said daughter, 50 pounds current money of PA;

• All the rest of my estate, real and personal unto a natural begotten son of mine, now living with me, called Johnny (as he is not yet christened I would have called him after my own name) and the heirs of his body forever;

His son, whom we know as Nathaniel irish, Jr, was 10 years old in 1747. Was he formally unnamed for that 10 year span and why was he not christened?

• I nominate and appoint my dear friend William Allen, Esq., of Philadelphia, executor and guardian of the bodies and estates of my two natural begotten children until they come of age. I give unto my said executor 20 pounds sterling money of Gr Br to buy a mourning ring.

In witness my last will and testament contained on 1 sheet of paper, put to my hand 29 Feb 1747.

Nat. Irish

(Seal)

Filed Recorder's Office, State House, Trenton, NJ pp440/1

A Second Interpretation of the Will

Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, New Jersey Historical Society, 1918, p259-260

Name: Nathaniel Irish

Date: 04 Jan 1747

"now dwelling in the Township of Bethlem, Hunterdon County;" will of. To be buried near his brother, George Cruikshank, at Sauchon. Sister, Elizabeth Lee, of the Island of Montserrat, and her three daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth and Jane. Nephew, William Irish; niece, Sarah Irish. To testator's natural daughter, born of Ann Santee, named Ann, a plantation on which she lived called Private Neck, on the West Branch of Delaware River; also part of a plantation, part of a survey at mouth of Sauchon Creek, reserved when testator sold plantation to George Cruikshank. To said daughter a negro woman named Marbilla, and her daughter, a negro girl Betty. Natural son, Johnny, living with testator. Executor--William Allen, Esquire, of Philadelphia. Date at end of will, February 29, 1747. Witnesses--George Mitchell, Jno. Chapman, Robert Ballantine. Proved April 18, 1748.

Notice that Ann Irish lived with her mother on plantation near Saucon Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania while Nathaniel Irish, Jr., lived with his father in Hunterdon County, NJ.

Lib. 5, p. 440.

1748, Dec. 23. Inventory (£1247.14.0) includes 1-4th of tract of land held by lease in company with Messrs. Allen & Turner, for the term of fourteen years, and part of a furnace and forge thereon erected. One fourth of furnace, valued at £375; charcoal, fourth part, £55; grist mill, £25; sawmill, £7.10; teams and carriages, £32.10; goods in store £12.10; negroes, £150; smiths' tools, £3; pig iron, £400. Estimate of estate and stock of Messrs. Allin and Turner, furnace, forge, buildings, etc., being in Bethlehem Township; Furnace, £1500; charcoal in stock, £220; grist mill, £100; sawmill, £30; two horse teams and carriages, £130; goods in store, £50; eighteen negroes, £600; smiths' tools, £12; pig iron on the bank, £1600; forge with stock of coals, £600. Made by Samuel Johnson and Jona. Robeson.

Nathaniel Irish's First and Second Burials

Information from the following sources mention the original burial place of Nathaniel Irish, SR:

• History of Allegheny Co, PA, Denys Baron Contrecoeur, 1889, p328-329

(Under Biographical Sketch of William Stanton) Mrs. Stanton’s great-grandfather was Nathaniel Irish, Sr., a native of the Island of Montserrat, West Indies, who died in 1748 at Union Furnace, Hunterdon Co, NJ.

• William Egle’s Notes and Queries of PA, 1700-1800, 1899 V16, p72

He died in 1748 at Union Furnace, Hunterdon Co, NJ and was buried near Highbridge, NJ.

Helen L. Harriss, CG, Burials in Trinity Churchyard, Pittsburgh, PA, 1986, p9, 25, 28, 42

It is interesting to note that the latest internment in the burying ground of Trinity churchyard is also its first-born person. By special permission of the Court, the body of Nathaniel Irish, Senior, b1680, was interred beside his son in 1961. Irish's body was removed from Union Furnace, near Highbridge, NJ, when that burying ground was discontinued. Grave moved to Pittsburgh 1961. Slab flat on ground with rounded top. Adj, Nathaniel Irish, Jr. Nathaniel Sr. was originally buried on property of Union Furnace near Highbridge, NJ. When that burying ground was vacated his body was brought to Pittsburgh. He is the earliest birthdate in the burying ground and also the latest burial. The churchyard has been officially closed for burials and special permission was granted for the interment. Info from Trinity Brochure - also published by the church with Helen L. Harriss as the editor.

OLDEST MARKED GRAVE: Trinity Burial Ground

Here lies Samuel Dawson, a captain in the Eighth Pennsylvania Foot Regiment, who died Sept. 6, 1779. His is the oldest visible marked grave in the county. You can see it at Trinity Burial Ground at downtown's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, which was completed in 1872. The cemetery had been a Native American burial ground, and starting in the 1760s, the remains of French and British soldiers and early Americans were also buried there. So, although Dawson's is the oldest marked grave, the site holds the remains of many earlier Americans.

Also interred here is Nathaniel Irish Sr., who was born about 1680 in Montserrat, British West Indies, and immigrated to the Colonies. He was originally buried in 1747 on property in Union Furnace near Highbridge, N.J. When that burying ground was vacated, his remains were brought to Pittsburgh in 1961. Since Trinity's Burial Ground had been closed to burials since about 1868, special permission was granted, and Irish was interred adjacent to his son, Nathaniel Irish Jr., a member of the first vestry of Trinity Church, who died in 1816......8 July 2008

http://www.wqed.org/mag/features/0708/oldies.php

Pam Lash's Caveat

The date on his gravestone states 1680, but many descendants also have doubts. This would have made him 63 when Nathaniel Jr. was born; this in itself is not impossible but with other data available that implies the 1699 birthdate, a wise researcher may find the date included in the Trinity Burial Ground to be a mistake.

1.   .

   History of Bucks County, PA, from discovery of Delaware to the present, WW Davis, NY, 1905, p17, 24, 85

2.   .

   Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Philadelphia PA: Oct 1898. Vol. 22- Iss. 4