Background
Moylan, Stephen, , Ireland 1737 1811 Male Soldier Revolutionary soldier, was born in Cork, Ireland, son of John Moylan, a merchant of substance.
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Stephen Moylan
Edit ProfileEducation
The family was Catholic and as a result of the severe penal laws Stephen was educated in Paris.
Career
In this position he fitted out several privateers which in the early months of the war considerably damaged British shipping.
He became secretary to Washington in March; in June Congress elected him quartermaster-general of the army to succeed Thomas Mifflin [q. v. ].
Under the circumstances this latter task was impossible and a congressional committee of investigation could only recommend a change of quartermaster-general.
Moylan promptly resigned and wrote a lengthy letter of vindication to Washington.
(Griffin, post, p. 48).
The regiment was prepared for active service the following April and became a part of the American cavalry commanded by Casimir Pulaski [q. v. ].
He was acquitted, but in December Zielinski had the satisfaction of "unhorsing" Moylan in a tilt.
The cavalry, though poor in numbers and equipment, became more efficient and useful.
In the midst of the distresses of war he had become engaged to Mary Ricketts Van Horn of Phil's Hill, N. J.
She was captivated by Moylan's jovial nature and by his very remarkable uniform, consisting of a red waistcoat, buckskin breeches, bright green coat and bearskin hat.
An interesting glimpse of the Moylans and Van Horns is given by the Marquis de Chastellux (post, I, 141-73), who dined with them and who "conceived a great friendship" for Moylan.
[Marquis de Chastellux, Travels in North America (2 vols. , London, 1787); M. J. Griffin, Stephen Moylan (1909); Frank Monaghan, "Stephen Moylan in the American Revolution, " in Studies: an Irish Quart.
Rev. (Dublin), Sept. 1930; Poulson's Am.
Daily Advertiser, Apr. 16, 1811. ]
Religion
When in March 1778 Pulaski resigned his command of the cavalry to form an independent corps of dragoons, Moylan was appointed, in spite of Pulaski's protests, to the command.
Connections
She was the daughter of a retired merchant, whose five daughters all found husbands during the war.
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Born
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Died
1811 (aged 74) -
Nationality
Ireland -
Religion
Catholic independent