Stephen Moylan
Stephen Moylan | |
---|---|
Brevet) | |
Commands held | Muster Master General of the Continental Army 4th Continental Light Dragoons Quartermaster General of the Continental Army Continental Army Cavalry |
Known for | First known use of phrase "United States of America" |
Wars | American Revolution |
Spouse(s) | Mary Ricketts Van Horne |
Stephen Moylan (1737 – April 11, 1811) was an
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]
American Revolution
Moylan joined the American
He then raised a troop of light dragoons, the
In the campaign of 1779, Moylan and the 4th Dragoons were stationed at
He was rewarded for his service by being breveted to brigadier general on November 3, 1783.[6]
Personal life
Moylan married Mary Ricketts Van Horne on September 12, 1778, and they had two daughters, Elizabeth Catherine and Maria. Their two sons died as children. Moylan died on April 11, 1811, in Philadelphia, and is buried there in St. Mary's Churchyard.
See also
- Van Horne House, Moylan's father-in-law
References
- ^ "Who Coined the Phrase 'United States of America'? You May Never Guess". New York Historical Society.
- ISBN 978-0268027551.
- ISBN 978-0674375123.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Colonel Stephen Moylan", US Army Quartermaster Corps
- ^ a b c 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.
External links
- Biography at Virtualology.com
- Biography and portrait at Quartermaster-Generals
- Biography and Historical References at IV Dragoon
- Stephen Moylan at Find a Grave