Background
James O'Fallon was born on March 11, 1794, in Ireland, the son of William and Anne (Eagan) Fallon.
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James O'Fallon
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also known as
James Fallon
Education
James O'Fallon studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
Career
In 1774, James O'Fallon came to North Carolina and became interested in public affairs. The committee of safety of Wilmington caused him to be jailed in January 1776, for inflammatory writings. He served in the Revolution, at first with troops, but later as senior surgeon. At the close of the war he removed to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was involved in politics as secretary of an extreme anti-Loyalist organization, first known as the Smoking Society, later converted into the Marine Anti-Britannic Society.
In 1788 he unsuccessfully approached Spanish officials with a project for the promotion of a Spanish colony in northern Florida. Having been appointed general agent of the South Carolina Yazoo Company in 1790, he left Charleston for Kentucky to arrange for colonizing a tract of land near the mouth of the Yazoo River, which had been granted to the company by the state of Georgia.
James O'Fallon associated himself with James Wilkinson and opened a remarkable correspondence with Esteban Rodriguez Miro, Spanish governor at New Orleans, in which he insisted that the intention of the company was to separate from the United States and form an independent government allied to Spain. In Kentucky he began to gather colonists and organize a battalion for military defense. Wilkinson supported him at first but soon discredited him with Miro, and undermined him in Kentucky and Charleston. Miro pretended acquiescence in O'Fallon's plans but secured a promise from the Choctaw and Chickasaw to attack any colonial venture in the Yazoo country.
Meantime, in September 1790, O'Fallon had written to President Washington giving him a more patriotic version of the company's plans and asking for the cooperation of the United States. He took the occasion to divulge the activities of Wilkinson and his associates, and suggested that he (O'Fallon) could be of much use to the United States as a spy. During the winter he joined forces with George Rogers Clark, to whom he gave the command of his battalion. His letters to Miro took on a more threatening cast, and his military plans assumed the aspect of offensive rather than defensive preparations.
A proclamation by Washington in March 1791, warning the West against O'Fallon, proved disastrous to his immediate plans. He dropped into the background and practised medicine in and about Louisville, but continued his intrigues and was instrumental in securing the appointment of George Rogers Clark by the French government as commander of troops in projected attack upon Louisiana. His death apparently occurred during the first three months of 1794.
Achievements
Membership
James O'Fallon was a member of an extreme anti-Loyalist organization, first known as the Smoking Society, later converted into the Marine Anti-Britannic Society.
Personality
At first, James O'Fallon had been known as James Fallon. Later he added the prefix and was henceforth James O'Fallon.
Quotes from others about the person
James Wilkinson rightly characterized O'Fallon as possessed of talent but lacking in the judgment necessary for great enterprises.
Connections
In February 1791, James O'Fallon married Frances Eleanor Clark. In 1793, however, his wife separated from him, taking with her their two children, John and Benjamin.
