Hercules Mulligan: Patriot Spy
Summary
TLDRThe 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
🇺🇸 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.
🔍 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.
🏆 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hercules Mulligan
💡American Revolution
💡Patriot cause
💡Sons of Liberty
💡Alexander Hamilton
💡Spy
💡Culper Ring
💡Benjamin Tallmadge
💡George Washington
💡Espionage
💡Benedict Arnold
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]
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