Here's a wee bit of St. Patrick's lore

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in America in colonial times before (as early as 1690), during and after the American Revolution. A few of those celebrations were:

In Boston, 1737, "Several Gentlemen, Merchants and others of the Irish Nation residing in Boston" met and founded The Charitable Irish Society;

In Philadelphia, about 1775, and in New York, 1776, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick were organized;

In 1776, after forcing the British to evacuate Boston, George Washington issued the order "Brigadier of the Day, General Sullivan, By His Excellency's Command" and "Parole, Boston, Countersign, St. Patrick";

In 1780, from his Morristown Headquarters, Washington congratulated the Irish Parliament on their attempt "to restore to a brave and generous people their ancient Rights and Freedom, and by their operation to promote the Cause of America …" ; and in 1780, Col. Francis Johnston of the Pennsylvania Line of Washington's Army said "… While the troops are celebrating the bravery of St. Patrick … he hopes they will not forget their worthy friends in the Kingdom of Ireland, who, with the greatest unanimity, have stepped forward in opposition to the tyrant Great Britain, and who, like us, are determined to die or be free."

Robert E. West

Irish American

Unity Conference,

author and historian,

Wauconda