Book of Ryans - The American Experience
The American Revolution
The Irish came to America in small numbers during the 18th century, and it was not until after the famine years that the Irish significantly impacted the social and political structure of the United States. The early migrants from Ireland came to America either as indentured servants or convict laborers, however, they sometimes arrived as freemen with passage paid by relatives. Even after the American Continental War the Irish represented a small minority, and this is supported by the Census of 1790 which showed that of the 3 Million people living in the colonies, 44,000 were born in Ireland with perhaps another 150,000 that could be of Irish ancestry. One of the explanations why few Irishmen came to America was because the colonies were English controlled, and inasmuch as England extended the Penal Laws to the colonies it produced a disincentive to immigrate to the Americas. Yet the Irish made their way into the Americas, and they played an important part in the settlement of its vast frontiers. One of the more notable Ryans living in colonial America during the latter half of the 18th century was Dennis Ryan, also an immigrant Irishman. Ryan was a well-known actor in the colonies whom first performed professionally in a Baltimore theater in 1782. He subsequently managed this group of actors, and later traveled throughout the colonies to well received audiences.
There have been Ryans on the American continent longer than almost any other Irish American family. Immigration journals recorded several Ryans entering the American colonies even before the 18th century began. These included Elizabeth Ryan who arrived in Maryland in 1679; Mary and Pat Ryan arriving in 1678 at Maryland; Edmond Ryan, age 36, deporting in New York in 1679; and John Ryan arriving in Maryland in 1680. One of the earliest Ryans living in New England was Timothy Ryan who was described as "a mariner or seaman."[1] He set up residence at Marblehead, county Essex, Massachusetts, and records showed that he married Jean Shelton on June 17, 1688, and by 1700 had four daughters by the name of Elizabeth, Sarah, Deborah and Mary. Clarence A. Torrey's research also recorded this marriage union, but he suggested that the marriage ceremony occurred in December rather than June:
Timothy and Jane Skelton, 17 Dec. 1688, Marblehead[2]
Several other families were found with the surname Ryan in Salem and Newbury in the next decade; and by 1783 Ann Ryan became the first bearer of the surname to permanently settle in Boston. Were other Ryans present in the colonies before 1678? The answer is most likely 'yes', but records were not well maintained. As a result, there first arrival in the Americas is basically conjecture.
Probably the first Ryan in America was William Reane, and documents show that he arrived as an indentured servant in 1660. The surname 'Reane' was one of the names which William Petty was known to have changed to Ryan in his attempt to standardize surnames in Ireland. After Cromwell brought Ireland to subjection, he ejected thousands of Irish revolutionaries, including countless Ryans, to the colonies, and this expulsion was recorded by Sir William Petty who estimated that between 1649 and 1659, 60,000 natives of Ireland were relocated to the western continent.[3] In addition, according to Mr. Dobbs publication on `Irish Trade' (Dublin 1729), 3000 Irish men and women emigrated from Ireland to America annually between 1659 and 1672 making up an additional 42,000 to leave Ireland.
The American Irish identified with success that resulted from the free enterprise process, and they were eager to build fortunes after living through Ireland's dark days of despair. The Gaelic immigrant, in addition to first generation Irish Americans, offered few skills to prospective employers, so it was not uncommon to find them volunteering for military service during the American Revolution. The following Ryans, including Rine and Ryon, served the revolution in various capacities according to records maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution:[4]
Edward Ryan , born 3-6-1756, died 1795, Pvt NY
James Ryan, born 2-13-1730, died 3-19-1832, Pvt PA
Jeremiah Ryan, born 1753, died 9-18-1837, PVT Bbd, CT
John Ryan, born 3-18-1748, died 1-5-1832, Sgt, CT
John Ryan, born 1757, died 1880, PS, MD
John Ryan, born 1745, died 1822, PS MD
John Ryan, born 1758, died 6-38-1836, Pvt PA
John Issac Ryan, born 11-14-1758,died 4-15-1830,SGT-PA
Lacon Ryan, born 6-6-1748, died 11-4-1705, Lt PS SC
Michael Ryan, born 1744, died 18-38-1818, Pvt MD
Michael Ryan, born 1750, died 1821, Pvt MD
Phillip Ryan, born 1755, died 1822, Sol PS VA
Robert Ryan, born 1763, died 6-5-1837, Pvt NY
Samual Ryan, born 12-26-1758, died 12-17-1816, Pvt MA
Thomas Ryan, born 1747, died 1788, Sol PS VA
William Ryan, born 1758, died 6-18-1801, 1Lt VA
(Note: SOL is short for soldier, PS is patriotic service
which could include belonging to an association, defender of
a fort, delegate to the continental congress, nurse, ranger,
prisoner of war, etc., and Bbd is an abbreviation for
bombardier.>
The DAR rosters do not represent a complete list of all the men and women who served in the colonial armies. Unlike the English armies which had career soldiers, the Continental armies were made up of volunteers who served only months at a time. Because many soldiers served briefly in the Revolutionary army, record keeping was oftentimes marginally maintained. Revolutionary War records were regularly maintained by local governments or citizens groups, and a perusal of this information shows that volunteerism among Irish recruits was larger than anticipated. From the "Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army", Francis Heitman collected information on a number of revolutionary war officers that were not listed among the DAR registers:[5]
James Ryan (SC) Captain, South Carolina Militia, 1779-1780
Micheal Ryan (PA) Second Lt, 4th Pennsylvania
Battalion, 1776; Regimental 1776; Brigade Major to St. Clair's
Brigade, 1777; Major to General
Wayne 1777; Major 10th Pennsyl.,
downgraded due to irregularities in
promotion, and resigned in 1779.
He became Inspector general of
Pennsylvania in 1788.
William Ryan (MA) Second Lt of Nixon's Massachusetts
Regiment, May 1775; cashiered 24,
August - 1775.
The Continental War, or American Revolutionary War as it was called in the Colonies, matched English Loyalists and Colonial Tories against the American patriotic forces led by General George Washington. The Loyalists were composed mostly of English officers, wealthy merchants, Anglican ministers, well-to-do farmers and small merchants. Supporters of George III's attempt to maintain authority in Colonial America also included Irishmen, and surprisingly Irish enlistment in the royal army was estimated at numbers ranging up to 30%. Due to limited employment opportunities inside Ireland, England's armies offered an attractive alternative to dreary peasant life, and for nearly a century before the colonial uprising they constituted a sizeable portion of its rank and file. Troop morale was not always particularly high as official records noted a number of desertions during the colony's early years. One such desertion mentioned in the 1759 military registers was a drummer of Irish descent[6] :
Deserted Aug 8 from Royal American Regiment
at Oswego (8/27) . Ryan, John , born in
Pennsylvania, drummer, age c . 20.
England maintained a loyal following among the colonial gentry and the early conflicts between the Loyalists and revolutionaries frequently yielded disastrous results for anti-British militias. The Loyalists were sustained by a well-armed and disciplined English army which was filled with thousands of Irish recruits. Loyal Irish volunteers defended Boston from Washington's forces, and Loyalists troops which belonged to Lord Rawdon's Volunteers of Ireland fought fiercely in several major continental campaigns. The Irishmen's fealty to mother England was never questioned, and even though they were very loyal to Britain they were also quite proud of their Irish heritage. Tradition showed that they were responsible for one of America's most cherished traditions. As Morison noted, "The first New York St. Patrick's Day parade on record was staged by 500 members of this corps in 1779."[7] This display of Irish pride in 1779 became well entrenched into American culture which in recent years has evolved to elaborate parades sponsored by Irish organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians. While St. Patrick's Day has become a symbol which reinforces Irish American ties to their ancestor's native homeland, this day, which has become an American celebration, is barely noticed in Ireland itself.
Although records showed that the Irish served in these Royal armies, many other Irish men and women allied themselves with the Patriots. Registers showed Continental militias filled with Irish recruits, such as that headed by General John Sullivan whose men actively fought against the English in various battles including Bunker Hill. Under his command it showed Michael Ryan as one of his six majors, and two Lieutenants by the name of Mathew Ryan and William Ryan.[8] In addition, the rank and file included 102 troops with the surname of Ryan[9]. The Ryans of New England provided more men to the revolutionary cause than any other Irish surname with the exception of Kelly (213) and Murphy (116).[10]
Apart from their support to the war effort, they also encountered various hardships, particularly in areas of food shortages and lack of material comfort. In addition, many soldiers were captured and sent to detention camps. According to British War records 8000 men were detained on board the Old Jersey, and among these captives were men of Irish descent including several Ryans[11]:
Renee Ryan Thomas Ryan Peter Ryan
Michael Ryan Frank Ryan Jacob Ryan
John Rion
The American Revolution also produced thousands of casualties on both sides, and hundreds of men with Irish surnames perished in this 10 year war. One of the earliest causalities was a death recorded in the `Return of the First New York Regiment of Foote Commanded by Colonel Goose Van Shaick'. This soldier's death was considered the first time someone in his regiment was killed by Indians:
Thomas Ryan, from Colonel Van Duck's company was
"killed by the savages 38 May 1779".[12]
References to Irish participation in the American Revolution were abundant, and the extent of their commitment implied that they cultivated a strong affinity to their adopted American home. While their membership was in large abundance in Washington's army, many provided moral and financial support to the revolutionary cause. Michael J. O'Brien in his research showed that the Irish residents of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, signed a Revolutionary Pledge in 1776, and among them, a Ryan, was one of its signers:[13]
Robert Furniss Robert Neall James McIntyre
Richard Fitzgerald James Dwyer John Mackmahown
Edward Dempsey Jeremiah Clancy James Driscoll
Jeremiah Clancy John Collins James Ryan
Edmond Butler David MacLure Mathew Hasket
Hugh McBride James Haskett A. McIntyre
The War of 1812
The War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, was officially declared by the United States Congress June 18th. Although historians feel that it started from border incidents between American settlers and the inhabitants of Canada, it actually resulted from a gradual breakdown in the political relationships between the two countries. Great Britain's insensitive policies against their former colony contributed to the political distance; and restrictions of U.S. commercial activities during the Neapolonic wars, seizure of U.S. lands, and confiscation of U.S. shipping vessels contributed to this breakdown in relations as well.
The Napoleonic Wars began in 1803, but the United States maintained its neutrality to avoid involvement in this war. The United States traded with both countries which resulted in U.S. shipping becoming the targets of the French and English navies. Although both countries targeted U.S. shipping vessels, only England imposed a policy of 'search and impressment' in which she shanghaied American seamen into the Royal Navy. The colonial government voiced its grievance with Britain's ambassador, but their complaints were given minimal acknowledgement.
Another contributing factor to the deteriorating relations was the United States' victory over Tecumseh, a Shawnee chieftain. William Henry Harrison won a decisive battle against Tecumseh at Tippenacanoe, and his victory ignited the U.S. to prepare wartime activities against Canada, of which the people of the United States felt certain it would win. Consequently, war was inevitable and the declaration of such was not surprising.
Battle lines were drawn as far South as New Orleans and other points along the Mississippi River. The war drew thousands of men into military service, and among their numbers was a sizeable Irish contingent. Several U.S. commanding officers traced their heritage to Celtic ancestry, including General Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson's father was born in Ireland, and throughout his life sympathized with Ireland's problems. Jackson, or Old Hickory as he was called, gained fame for his heroics during the battle of New Orleans in which he defeated General Pakenham. The final battle in Louisiana led to the control of the city of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. Ironically, a peace treaty between the United States and England was signed at Ghent before the battle began; however, because of poor communications, many men were needlessly slaughtered. In addition to Irish-American commanding officers, the army rosters were filled with men of Irish heritage among its rank and file.
There were countless battles during this war which raged along the great lakes and frontiers of the northeastern United States. Even though the number of Ryans who volunteered to fight against the English is unknown, many did volunteer their services with the Continental army. Using the Roster of Ohio Soldiers who fought during the War of 1812, it showed several Ryans enlisting in the Ohio regiments: Cornelius Ryan, Edward Ryan, John Ryan, Joseph Ryan, Joshua Ryan, Messack Ryan, Reuben Ryan, James Rian, Martin Rian, and William Rion.[14] Because volunteer service in some cases lasted only a month, it was possible that some of these Ryans served in other State regiments as well. This can be examined by comparing this list with a neighboring state's list, such as New York, to see if multiple enlistments took place. The New York Adjutant General's Office as a corresponding document suggests that Ryans may have served in both the New York and Ohio regiments in order to receive enlistment bounties:[15]
Name Location Amount allowed
Richard Ryan Savannah, Wayne Co, NY $ 50.00
Cornelius Ryan Kalamazoo, Michigan $ 59.00
John Rion Shannonville, NY $ 54.00
U.S. Army in the 19th Century
The military community was flooded with men of foreign birth; consequently, lifetime employment in the U.S. Army was held with disdain by most American citizens. It was not the courage of the men they questioned, but their loyalty to America. It was especially questioned after a whole Mexican battalion, the San Patricio, was created from American deserters, particularly Irish deserters. General Winfield Scott wrote a letter to W.G. Robinson, a journalist, in 1850 in which he described the deserters making up the San Patricio during the Mexican War in 1847.
"In Mexico, we estimated the number of persons in the army, foreigners by birth, at about 3500, and of these more than 2800 were Irish. How many had been naturalized I can not say, but am persuaded that seven out of ten had at least declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizen ..."[16]
The Irish soldier's desertion was caused by Federal legislation that required them to attend Protestant services. When the government learned what happened, United States President Polk tried to appease the Catholic Church so that other divisions would not also desert to the Mexican army. Before Polk's intervention in the San Patrico scandal, little attention was paid to meeting the soldiers religious needs:
From 1818 to 1838 there was exactly one chaplain in the Army of the United States, and he was a professor at West Point with his chaplaincy as additional, and no doubt, not very burdensome duty. New legislation in 1838 established twenty chaplaincies, all Protestant, which led to a revolt by Catholic troops during the Mexican War when they were forced to attend Protestant services. Hastily President Polk, after consultation with some Catholic bishops, appointed a couple of Catholic chaplains, the fore-runners of thousands in later history.[17]
In addition to the job being held in low esteem, the soldier's life reinforced the local people's perception of the soldier as regimented, uneducated, dull, and ill-staffed with foreign recruits particularly Irishmen whom appeared indifferent to his condition. The military elite also harbored deep anti-Irish prejudicial feelings. These feelings manifested themselves throughout much of the U.S. military history, and only in recent times has this expression of racism been reduced. General Lewis Cass, who later ran for President in 1848, wrote an efficiency report in 1813 to the War Department which symbolized the racial attitudes held by military officers. The only positive remarks he made were addressed to the non-Irish officers under his command. His journal entries indicated how he viewed the of Irish under his command in the 27th Regiment, Infantry:
1st Lieut Wm.Perrin, 1st Lieut. Dnl . Scott, 1st Lieut.
Jas. Ryan, 1st Lieut. Robt. McElwrath
"Low vulgar men, with the exception of Perrin.
Irish and from the meanest walks of life -
possessing nothing of the character of officers
and gentlemen.[18]
After the Mexican war, western army posts no longer served a military purpose. The soldiers made hay, herded cattle, built barracks and other buildings, and worked other non-military assignments. Because these soldiers faced extreme boredom in their military assignments, alcohol abuse became rampant. Oddly enough, enlisted men were given a daily ration of whiskey; however by 1846 the Army substituted this whiskey portion for a money allowance which many took to the nearest store to buy whiskey anyway. One such recorded act is mentioned in the book entitled "Soldiers and Civilians", and it concerns a soldier of Irish descent, Jack Ryan:
one Irish soldier at a western fort, in search of whiskey, asked an old man in civilian clothes where he might fill his flask - Unaware that he was speaking to General Zachary Taylor. Taylor advised him to try the women's quarters. "Away went Jack, and, sure enough, he soon came back with his flask full; and approaching the general said: `Here, old man, I got some. For your kindness, take a drink with me. `No, no' replied the general . `Put it up quick, or some 0fficers may see you with it ... put you in the guard house." Next day to his horror Jack Ryan, lined up for inspection, saw his friend approach and discovered him to be "Old Tonkey" - the soldier's nickname for Taylor. `Oh my God'.' Said Jack. `I'm killed' I'm killed.'" To his vast relief, the general showed no sign of recognizing him.[19]