Stephen Moylan

Stephen Moylan (1737 – 1811) 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, Quartermaster General, Commander of The Fourth Continental Light Dragoons and Commander of the Cavalry of the Continental Army.

Stephen Moylan was born to a prominent Catholic family in Cork, Ireland. 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 Philadelphiain 1768 to organize his own shiping 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.

Moylan joined the American Continental Army in 1775 and was appointed Muster-Master General on August 11, 1775. Although, his experience in the shiping 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. He was Promoted to colonel and was appointed Quartermaster General in the American Continental Army on June 5, 1776. He resigned from this office on September 28, 1776. However, he continued to serve as a volunteer of General Washington's staff through December of 1776.

Stephen Moylan was appointed to command 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. Col. Moylan succeded General Pulaski as Commander of the Cavalry in March 1778. Col. Moylan's Horse would see action at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, NJ on June 28, 1778. Stephen Moylan was married during the war to Miss Mary Ricketts Van Horne on September 12, 1778. In the campaign of 1779 Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons would be stationed at Pound Ridge, NY 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, NJ on June 23, 1780 and General Anthony Wayne's expedition at Bull's Ferry, NJ on July 20, 1780. Col. Moylan commanded his Dragoons at the Siege of Yorktown in October of 1781, after which, he was to take the cavalary 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. Stephen Moylan died in Philadelphia, April 11, 1811 and is buried in St. Mary's church-yard, South Fourth street, Philadelphia. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and his daughter, Elizabeth and his brothers; John, James and Jasper.

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10609c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]
* [http://virtualology.com/apstephenmoylan/ Biography] at Virtualology.com
* [http://www.qmfound.com/COL_Stephen_Moylan.htm Biography and portrait] at Quartermaster-Generals
* [http://www.geocities.com/iv.dragoon/moylane.html Biography and Historical References] at IV Dragoon