Hercules Mulligan: Patriot Spy

Summary

The script delves into the life of Hercules Mulligan, a lesser-known but crucial figure in the American Revolution. Born in Northern Ireland, Mulligan moved to New York City, where he became a tailor and a spy, significantly influencing Alexander Hamilton's thoughts on independence. Despite his British clientele and family ties, Mulligan was a staunch patriot, contributing to the Sons of Liberty and the First Continental Congress. His espionage work, often alongside his slave Cato, provided vital intelligence that helped save George Washington from capture and influenced the course of the war. The script highlights Mulligan's bravery, his role in the Culper Ring, and his post-war life, emphasizing his importance in the tapestry of the American Revolution.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Hercules Mulligan was a real historical figure who played a significant role in the American Revolution, despite being lesser-known.
• 👔 He was a tailor by trade, running a successful haberdashery shop in New York City that catered to British officers.
• 🌟 Mulligan was an early supporter of the Patriot cause and had a major influence on Alexander Hamilton's thinking about independence.
• 🔍 He acted as a spy, providing crucial intelligence that saved George Washington from capture by the British on two occasions.
• 📚 Born in Northern Ireland in 1740, Hercules and his family moved to the United States in 1746, where he later attended King's College.
• 🤝 Mulligan was known for his charisma and ability to connect with wealthy clients, which helped him gather information as a spy.
• 🏛 He was involved in early revolutionary events like the Battle of Golden Hill and was deeply involved with the Sons of Liberty.
• 📜 Mulligan was part of the New York Committee of Correspondence, which functioned as a quasi government enforcing the boycott of British trade.
• 🕵️‍♂️ As a spy, Mulligan was affiliated with the Culper Ring and worked closely with his friend Roger Townsend, known as Samuel Culper Jr.
• 🗝️ He used his connections and perceptiveness to gather intelligence, such as troop movements and plans for military engagements.
• 🏆 Despite the risks and suspicions, Mulligan's espionage efforts were instrumental in the success of the American Revolution.

Q & A

Who was Hercules Mulligan and what is his significance in American history?

Hercules Mulligan was an early supporter of the Patriot cause during the American Revolution. He was a tailor and a spy whose work is credited with saving George Washington from capture by the British twice. He was also a major influence on Alexander Hamilton's thinking.

What is known about Hercules Mulligan's early life and background?

Hercules Mulligan was born in Northern Ireland in 1740 to Hugh and Sarah Mulligan. The family emigrated to the United States in 1746, settling in New York City. He attended King's College and later opened a successful haberdashery shop.

How did Hercules Mulligan's relationship with Alexander Hamilton begin?

Hercules Mulligan was introduced to Alexander Hamilton by his brother Hugh in 1772. Mulligan helped Hamilton get into a Grammar School and later offered him a room in New York City. Hamilton's ideas about independence were shaped by discussions at Mulligan's house.

What was the significance of the Stamp Act and how did Hercules Mulligan respond to it?

The Stamp Act was a British law requiring printed materials to be produced on stamped paper from London. It provoked widespread condemnation and anti-crown sentiment. Mulligan joined the Sons of Liberty in New York City to fight against the act.

Can you describe the Battle of Golden Hill and Hercules Mulligan's involvement in it?

The Battle of Golden Hill occurred in 1770 due to tensions between British soldiers and locals over the Quartering Act. Mulligan helped rouse the city, and the Sons of Liberty clashed with the soldiers, leading to several injuries and two days of fighting.

What was the New York Committee of Correspondence and Mulligan's role in it?

The New York Committee of Correspondence was formed in 1774 to respond to the closure of Boston's port after the Boston Tea Party. It functioned as a quasi-government to enforce the boycott of British trade and helped organize the First Continental Congress.

How did Hercules Mulligan contribute to the American Revolution as a spy?

Mulligan became part of the Culper Ring, a spy network for George Washington. He provided vital information on British plans, troop movements, and saved Washington from capture by alerting him to British knowledge of a planned meeting.

What challenges did Hercules Mulligan face as a spy?

Being a spy was extremely dangerous. Mulligan was arrested on suspicion of spying after Benedict Arnold defected to the British. He was also suspected by the Provost, who kept a close eye on his shop and intercepted his accomplice, Cato.

How did Hercules Mulligan's life change after the American Revolution?

After the war, Mulligan prospered as a tailor and had eight children. He retired comfortably in 1820 and died five years later. He was also one of the founding members of the New York Manumission Society, advocating for the abolition of slavery.

What is the significance of Hercules Mulligan's legacy in the broader context of the American Revolution?

Hercules Mulligan's contributions as a spy and a patriot were central to gathering intelligence in New York City and getting it out of the city. His actions, along with those of many others, form part of the broader tapestry of revolution and resistance of the time.

Outlines

00:00

🇺🇸 Early Revolutionary Activist: Hercules Mulligan

Hercules Mulligan, a key but lesser-known figure of the American Revolution, gained prominence through the musical 'Hamilton'. Born in Northern Ireland in 1740, he moved to New York City with his family in 1746. As a supporter of the Patriot cause, Mulligan played a significant role in the Revolution, influencing Alexander Hamilton and aiding George Washington. He was a tailor by trade and a spy who saved Washington from capture twice. Despite his British clientele and family ties, Mulligan remained a Patriot. He joined the Sons of Liberty, participated in the Battle of Golden Hill, and was involved in the New York Committee of Correspondence. His shop was a hub for revolutionary discussions that shaped Hamilton's ideas on independence.

05:00

🔍 Mulligan's Spy Work and the Culper Ring

As the American Revolution progressed, Hercules Mulligan became a spy, risking his life to gather intelligence for the American cause. He joined the Culper Ring, a spy network led by Benjamin Tallmadge, and worked closely with his friend Roger Townsend, known as Samuel Culper Jr. Mulligan used his connections with British officers to glean important information, such as General Howe's plan to move south and a plot to capture Washington. His slave, Cato, was also instrumental in passing on information. Mulligan's espionage activities were dangerous, and he was arrested on suspicion of spying after Benedict Arnold's defection. Despite the risks, his contributions to the American cause were invaluable.

10:01

🏆 Post-Revolution Recognition and Legacy

Following the American Revolution, Hercules Mulligan did not immediately receive recognition for his contributions. He feared reprisals but was publicly acknowledged by George Washington, who ate breakfast with him and thanked him for his service. Mulligan continued his work as a tailor, had a large family, and retired comfortably. He was a founding member of the New York Manumission Society, advocating for the abolition of slavery. Although much of his writings did not survive, and details of his actions during the war are elusive, Mulligan's legacy as a spy and a patriot is now celebrated. His story serves as a testament to the many individuals who chose the perilous path of resistance and revolution, shaping the history of the United States.

Keywords

💡Hercules Mulligan

Hercules Mulligan was an early supporter of the Patriot cause during the American Revolution and a significant influence on Alexander Hamilton. He was a tailor and spy whose work is credited with saving George Washington from capture by the British twice. The script highlights his lesser-known but important role in the American Revolution, emphasizing his contributions as a spy and his influence on key figures of the time.

💡American Revolution

The American Revolution refers to the period of political upheaval and armed conflict between 1765 and 1783, during which the thirteen American colonies fought for independence from Great Britain and established the United States of America. The video script discusses the involvement of Hercules Mulligan in this pivotal event, including his support for the Patriot cause and his espionage activities.

💡Patriot cause

The Patriot cause refers to the movement in support of the American colonies' struggle for independence from British rule. Hercules Mulligan is described in the script as an early supporter of this cause, indicating his allegiance to the colonists' fight for freedom and his active participation in revolutionary activities.

💡Sons of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty was a secret society formed in the American colonies to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight against the acts imposed by the British government, such as the Stamp Act. In the script, Mulligan is mentioned as having joined this society and helped organize a newspaper that was banned by the British, illustrating his active role in resisting British rule.

💡Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the American Revolution, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and a close associate of Hercules Mulligan. The script describes how Mulligan helped Hamilton get a commission in the army and how Hamilton's ideas about independence were shaped by discussions at Mulligan's house, showing the influence Mulligan had on Hamilton's political development.

💡Spy

In the context of the script, a spy is an individual who secretly collects and reports information on the activities, movements, and plans of an enemy or competitor. Hercules Mulligan is highlighted as a spy who worked closely with the Culper Ring, providing vital intelligence to the American forces. His espionage activities are emphasized as crucial to the success of the American Revolution.

💡Culper Ring

The Culper Ring was an American spy ring during the American Revolution, which provided General George Washington with crucial intelligence on British plans and movements. Hercules Mulligan became affiliated with this ring, acting primarily as a lone agent and working closely with his friend Roger Townsend, who was part of the Culper Ring.

💡Benjamin Tallmadge

Benjamin Tallmadge was an American officer during the American Revolution who was put in charge of managing Washington's spy network. The script mentions that when Washington was looking for a spy in New York, Hamilton recommended Hercules Mulligan, indicating Tallmadge's role in organizing and utilizing Mulligan's espionage services.

💡George Washington

George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and later the first President of the United States. The script recounts how Hercules Mulligan's espionage work saved Washington from capture by the British on two occasions, emphasizing the critical role Mulligan played in protecting a key leader of the revolution.

💡Espionage

Espionage refers to the practice of spying or of using spies to obtain secret or confidential information. The script details Hercules Mulligan's espionage activities, such as reporting troop movements and providing vital information on British plans, which were instrumental in the success of the American forces during the war.

💡Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold was an American military officer who is best known for his defection from the Continental Army to the British side during the American Revolution. The script mentions Arnold's desertion and Mulligan's subsequent arrest on suspicion of spying after Arnold's arrival in New York City, illustrating the personal risks Mulligan faced in his espionage work.

Highlights

Hercules Mulligan was an early supporter of the Patriot cause and a major influence on Alexander Hamilton.

Mulligan was a tailor and spy whose work saved George Washington from capture by the British twice.

Born in Northern Ireland in 1740, Mulligan's family emigrated to the US and settled in New York City.

He attended King's College and later opened a haberdashery shop selling men's clothes, specifically to British officers.

Mulligan married Elizabeth Sanders, niece of Admiral Charles Sanders of the British Navy.

He was introduced to Alexander Hamilton in 1772 and helped him get into Grammar School.

Mulligan joined the Sons of Liberty and helped organize a newspaper banned by the British.

Involved in the Battle of Golden Hill, a precursor to the Boston Massacre, Mulligan helped rouse the city against British soldiers.

He was part of the New York Committee of Correspondence, which functioned as a quasi government enforcing the boycott of British trade.

Mulligan joined Hamilton's volunteer militia and was involved in securing artillery at the battery.

He was with the crowd that pulled down a statue of George III and melted it into musket balls.

Mulligan helped Hamilton get a commission in the army, leading to his position on Washington's staff.

As a spy, Mulligan was part of the Culper Ring and worked closely with Roger Townsend.

He provided vital information on British plans, including a planned assault on Philadelphia and a plot to capture Washington.

Mulligan reported troop movements by tracking when officers needed to pick up their repaired uniforms.

He helped Solomon, a Polish-born patriot and translator, escape from Provost prison after being sentenced to death.

Mulligan's spy work was dangerous, and he was arrested on suspicion of spying after Benedict Arnold's defection.

Despite initial lack of recognition, Washington publicly thanked Mulligan for his contributions after the war.

Mulligan and Hamilton were founding members of the New York Manumission Society advocating for abolition.

Mulligan prospered as a tailor in post-war America, had eight children, and retired comfortably.

Transcripts

[Music]

the popularity of the musical Hamilton

has brought some attention to some

lesser-known figures of the American

Revolution the uniquely named Hercules

Mulligan certainly conjures an image but

actually relatively little is known

about the actual person behind that

image we know that Hercules Mulligan was

an early supporter of the Patriot cause

that he was a major influence on the

thinking of Alexander Hamilton that he

was a tailor and a spy whose work saved

George Washington from capture by the

British twice but relatively little

remains of his own writings and what we

know of him really comes from the works

of others still the role he played in

the American Revolution was important a

role that deserves to be remembered

Hercules was born in Northern Ireland to

Hugh and Sarah Mulligan in 1740 the

family emigrated to the United States in

1746 where they settled in New York City

Hercules attended King's College in New

York City and later opened a successful

haberdashery shop specializing in

selling men's clothes

Kevon specifically to British officers

in 1773 he married Elizabeth Sanders the

niece of Admiral Charles Sanders of the

British Navy Mulligan seems to have been

charismatic and will liked and he

quickly developed a rapport with wealthy

clients in October of 1772

Hercules was introduced by his brother

Hugh to a young boy from the Caribbean

Alexander Hamilton Hercules helped put

Hamilton in a Grammar School before the

boy planned to apply to Princeton when

Hamilton ended up attending King's

College instead Hercules offered him a

room in New York City in 1765 the

British had passed the Stamp Act which

required the predatory riyals like legal

documents magazines playing cards

newspapers and more had be printed on

paper produced in London that carried an

embossed revenue stamp the Sons of

Liberty formed first in Boston to fight

the act using the motto no taxation

without representation Mulligan joined

the loosely organized Society in New

York City and helped organize a

newspaper that the British quickly

banned the Stamp Act provoked a wave of

condemnation throughout the colonies

from a broad spectrum of society

dramatically Fanning anti crown

sentiment it was repealed less of the

year after it was passed in 1770

Hercules was involved with another early

revolutionary event the Battle of golden

Hill after the Stamp Act was repealed

the Sons of Liberty set up a Liberty

poll tall poll often with a vein on top

whose origin and symbolism actually goes

back to Roman times in a park to

celebrate the British chopped it down so

the sons put up another this continued

until the sons put up one that was

strengthened with iron bands the British

attempted each story at several times

but failed the son said that cutting

this post down can only be done to

affront all the Sons of Liberty the

perpetrators would do well to consider

the consequences people will not tailee

submit to such a mean low lived'

insult on their liberty the poll stood

until January 16th 1770 friction between

the soldiers and the locals bubbled over

this time because of the quartering act

forcing the city to provide housing to

the soldiers the British managed to

split the pole with explosives on the

night of the 15th and deposited the

chopped mangled pieces at a tavern the

Sons frequented outraged the sense

declared that the soldiers out at night

shall be treated as enemies to the Peace

of the city in response soldiers began

posting a bill calling massan's the real

enemies to society two of the soldiers

were apprehended and brought to the

mayor for punishment soldiers from the

barracks arrived shortly after to

retrieve them but a crowd to gather to

prevent them Hercules had helped to

rouse the city the soldiers withdrew

closely followed by the crowd unless

they might offer violence to any

passerby they followed the soldiers to a

narrow passage called

Golden Hill and while they were there

that another group of soldiers appear

behind them while the second group did

not attack the first took heart turned

on the unarmed colonists the manner gave

the order soldiers Dreier bayonets and

cut your way through several people were

injured in the fighting that lasted two

days following the clash which happened

six weeks prior to the more famous

Boston Massacre the Sons purchased a

plot of land near where the last pole

hit stood and erected another this one

sucked deep and covered with iron bands

at most of its body and its top was a

gilt vein that bore the inscription

liberty and property mulligan was deeply

involved with the Sons of Liberty at

this time even though his specific role

in many of these events is still unclear

what is clear is that despite the

clientele for his shop and his family

connections to his wife he was still

did PATRIOT while Hamilton lived with

Hercules the house was a hotbed of

revolutionary discussion and many of

Hamilton's ideas about independence were

shaped by that discussion Mulligan was a

part of the New York Committee of

Correspondence that formed in 1774 to

respond to the closure of Boston's port

after the Boston Tea Party this

committee helped to put together the

First Continental Congress and afterward

functioned as a quasi government meant

to enforce the boycott of British trade

by the eve of war these committees were

often acting as shadow governments for

their respective colonies only a few

months after the war began Hercules

joined Hamilton who was leading the

volunteer militia formed at King's

College to secure the artillery at the

battery ax fortification which

overlooked on Sand River British

soldiers and the HMS Asia lay in wait

the night the militia came and opened

fires they were attempting to drag the

weapons down the street during the

fighting Hamilton gave Hercules his

musket which are chiles then abandoned

when Hamilton later asked for it back

Hercules told him what happened and

watched Hamilton calmly go back for it

notwithstanding the firing on July 9th

1776 after the first reading of the

Declaration of Independence to

Washington's men Hercules was with the

crowd that went to Bowling Green Park

and pulled down a statue of George the

third which they then melted into 40

2088 musket balls Hercules helped

Hamilton get a commission in the army

which led to his eventual position on

Washington's staff the British fought

Washington in and around New York during

the summer of 1776 eventually forcing

Washington to retreat and capturing New

York City on September 15th

Hercules attempted to leave the city

with Washington's withdrawal with his

family but was intercepted by William

Cunningham the new provost marshal in

charge of the British police Cunningham

and Hercules likely knew each other may

have had previous altercations

Cunningham who would become notorious

for his treatment of prisoners had

Hercules arrested but he was eventually

released and no small part due to his

ability to maintain his good humor and

all his connections to British

higher-ups in two months he was back at

his shop doing business Washington saw

early the need for good intelligence

against his better armed and prepared

foe and put Benjamin Tallmadge in charge

of managing his spy network

when Washington mentioned to his staff

he was looking for a spy in New York

Hamilton knew just the man for the job

in fact Hamilton had already met with

Hercules at least once since the retreat

from New York City Hercules became

affiliated with the famous culper ring

although he acted primarily as a loan

agent with help from his slave and

faithful accomplice tako hercules work

closely with his friend Roger Townsend

who lived nearby who went by the

codename Samuel culper jr. while he was

never referred to by name Hercules was

described as a faithful friend and one

of the first characters of the city just

becoming a spy was an incredibly brave

act spy Nathan Hale had been hanged by

the British without trial just a week

after the British took the city Hercules

was in an ideal position to spy for the

Americans with access to British

officers who often had wine with the

Taylor during their appointments

Hercules was also perceptive and could a

gleaning important information from

benign details he determined in 1777

that General Howe planned to move a

significant force south based on uniform

orders a movement that culminated in

house assault on Philadelphia in the

winner of 1779 he may have saved

Washington's life and by extension the

whole war when a British officer came by

late one night to buy a watch coat when

Hercules asked him why he needed it so

late the officer said before another day

we'll have the rebel general in our

hands

Hercules immediately sent the

information likely via Cato to Alexander

Hamilton Washington had been planning to

meet with some of his officers and the

British apparently had learned where

that meeting was going to occur and

because of Hercules Mulligan Washington

changed his plans

Hercules reported troop movements by

keeping track of when certain officers

needed to pick up their repaired

uniforms the British were concerned when

Cato would arrive at their lines looking

to pass through with parcels labeled H

Mulligan he was allowed to pass back and

forth as needed he made a point to work

with I'm Solomon polish born patriot who

was working as a translator between the

British and the German Hessians to draw

Hashem officers into a shop as well

Solomon also passed Hercules information

he learned on the job through Cato

Hercules also helped Solomon escape from

the Provost prison after he was

sentenced to death in 1778 the culper

ring was successful as

providing important information on

British plans to attack the French army

shortly after arrived in Rhode Island

it's unknown what part Hercules might

have played and gathering that

information but in 1781 he certainly did

provide another piece of vital

information

Hercules his brother Hugh worked with a

shipping company which was asked to load

provisions for 300 cavalry he was able

to learn that the British had discovered

that Washington was going to travel

along the coast from his camp to meet

with French in general Rochambeau

Washington was saved once again the work

was not without its dangers the Provost

was determined to put an end to the

spying and kept a close eye on Hercules

shop when he noticed that Cato was

frequently gone he intercepted Cato on a

return trip and beat him reportedly with

much cruelty Mikado refused to give

anything but Hercules luck seemed to

have run out when Benedict Arnold

deserted the Americans for the British

Arnold came to New York City and

Mulligan was arrested on suspicion of

spying shortly after his arrest greatly

disturbed fellow spy Robert Townsend who

said several of our dear friends have

been imprisoned in particular one with

Ben ever serviceable to this

correspondence during one of his stints

in the Prost prison certainly saw

another prisoner most inhumanely beat by

the provost marshal despite the

suspicions however Hercules was released

again several months later

unfortunately for Hercules when the war

ended in victory for the Americans he

was not immediately recognized as a

patriot and he feared that he might face

reprisals from New Yorkers who thought

he'd been too cozy with the British

soldiers Washington led his army down

Broadway on November 25th 1783

he conspicuously ate breakfast with

Hercules the next morning making sure to

thank him for his work after the war

Washington would patronize Hercules shop

frequently in 1785 he and Hamilton were

two of the founding members of the New

York manumission Society which advocated

for the abolition of slavery especially

in New York but it is unknown what

happened to Hercules

slave Cato though he is now recognized

as a black Patriot Hercules prospered in

the new America as a tailor had eight

children and retired comfortably in 1820

he died five years later it is I suppose

fitting that a man who spent many years

as a spy remains an enigma

very little of the writings of Hercules

Mulligan survived although

he did pen a short biography of his

friend Alexander Hamilton but Hercules

is exact actions in the actions of his

even more enigmatic friend and slave

Cato or sometimes difficult to pin down

during the war but it's clear that they

played a central role in gathering

intelligence in New York City and

getting that intelligence out of the

city and their contributions are perhaps

best seen in the broader tapestry of

revolution and resistance of the time in

an era of extreme danger Hercules

Mulligan chose the more perilous path as

did so many whose lives and

contributions deserve to be remembered I

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[Music]