IRVINE, William, Congress, PA (1741-1804)

IRVINE, William, a Delegate and a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in County Fermanagh, Ulster, Ireland, on November 3, 1741; pursued classical studies and was graduated from the Dublin University; studied medicine and was admitted to practice; served as surgeon on a British man-of-war; immigrated to the United States and settled in Carlisle, Pa., in 1763; delegate to the State Revolutionary conventions 1764-1766; colonel of the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment in the Revolutionary Army; captured in Canada June 16, 1776, and remained a prisoner of war until exchanged May 6, 1778; appointed brigadier general May 12, 1779, and served until the close of the war; Member of the Continental Congress 1787-1788; commanded the State troops during the Whisky Rebellion in 1794; elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the Third Congress (March 4, 1793-March 3, 1795); moved to Philadelphia, where he was superintendent of military stores 1801-1804; died in Philadelphia, Pa., July 29, 1804.

Bibliography Butterfield, Consul Willshire, ed. Washington-Irvine Correspondence. The Official Letters Which Passed Between Washington and Brig.-Gen. William Irvine and Between Irvine and Others Concerning Military Affairs in the West from 1781 to 1783 . Madison, Wis.: D. Atwood, 1882.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present