| Title: | Monument In Carlysle Church, USA, For William Irwin. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3912 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | 1790-1800/45 |
| Year | 1792 |
| Sender | unknown |
| Sender Gender | unknown |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Penn., USA |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | unknown |
| Relationship | re a monument for an army officer |
| Source | The Belfast News-Letter, 17th To 21st August, 1792. |
| Archive | The Central Library, Belfast. |
| Doc. No. | 9507157 |
| Date | 21/08/1792 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 24:07:1995. |
| Word Count | 320 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia "In the church of Carlysle, in Pennsylvania, the following very superb monument has been finished by order of Congress, which while it conveys the most flattering compliment to the Irish, excites a pleasing idea of the encreasing [increasing?] opulence of a nation of our brethern, [brethren?] which will, in all probability, one day shew [show?] an example of greatness, freedom and happiness to the whole earth. "Near the top of the monument are two majestic female figures, large as life, of beautiful white marble, in reclining postures, with countenances highly expressive of sorrow, supporting between them a crown of laurel, interwoven with shamrocks - representing Hibernia as a mother and America a sister: the side compartments are charged with trophies of war; on the tomb, lies, of white marble, a striking likeness of the General, large as life, represented as dead, with two Indians weeping at his feet. On the side of the tomb, which is of black marble, is the following Epitaph:- In memory of William Irwin, Esq. Late a General of the Armies of America - In their glorious and successful struggle for Freedom. He was a true-born Irishman, and inheriting all the bravery of the old Enniskilliners - his native country - He fought - he bled - and conquered for America; then bending his sword into a plough-share, and cultivating the arts of Peace. He was an affectionate husband, a loving father, and a good neighbour. He died universally lamented, in the 54th year of his age 1790, And America erects this monument of gratitude to one of her Heroes. "The execution of the work was in so mastery a manner, by the artist, who is an American, that Congress ordered him a gratuity of 100 dollars in addition to 500 which was the estimate. The marble, both white and black, which is not inferior to any in Europe, was got in a quarry near Carlysle." |
