Patriot; born in
Cork, Ireland, April 24, 1763; graduated at Trinity College,
Dublin; first studied medicine, and then law, and was admitted to the Dublin bar in 1791.
He became a leader of the Association of United Irishmen, and was one of a general committee whose ultimate object was to secure the freedom of
Ireland from British rule.
With many of his associates, he was arrested in 1798, and for more than two years was confined in
Fort George, Scotland.
His brother Robert, afterwards engaged in the same cause, was hanged in
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Dublin in 1803.
Thomas was liberated and banished to
France after the treaty of
Amiens, the severest penalties being pronounced against him if he should return to
Great Britain.
His wife was permitted to join him, on condition that she should never again set foot on British soil.
He came to the
United States in 1804, and became very eminent in his profession in the
city of New York.
He was made attorneygeneral of the
State in 1812.
A monument—an obelisk—was erected to his memory in St. Paul's church-yard, New York, on
Broadway.
He died in New York, Nov. 14, 1827.