Boston Honors Three Immigrants from Ireland, Poland and France as Heroes in the American Revolution

Three Catholic immigrants whose military and naval valor helped win the Revolutionary War between 1775 and 1783 have been honored with public memorials by the City of Boston. The three memorials pay homage to Ireland's John Barry, Poland's Tadeusz Kościuszko and France's Marquis de Lafayette, and are located close to each other in two iconic downtown parks, the Boston Common and adjoining Boston Public Garden. All three were unveiled in the 20th century.

  

John Barry, Ireland

Born on March 25, 1745 in Tacumshane, County Wexford, Ireland, Barry emigrated to Philadelphia at age 15 and became a successful maritime merchant. When the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, Barry immediately contacted George Washington and volunteered to serve on the colonial side. In March, 1776, Barry was commissioned to command the ship USS Brig Lexington and a month later, in April, 1776, the Lexington captured the British ship Edward, marking the first American naval victory in the American Revolution. Barry fought valiantly throughout the war, fighting the British Navy on the high seas.

In December 1781, following the Battle of Yorktown, Commodore Barry transported Marguis de Lafayette back to France aboard the frigate Alliance. There, Lafayette joined American emissaries Benjamin Franklin, John Laurens, John Adams, and John Jay to secure continued French support for the new American nation, according to The Uncommonwealth.

The Barry plaque was unveiled on October 16, 1949 along the Lafayette Mall on Tremont Street in the Boston Common by Boston Mayor James Michael Curley. Boston-born sculptor John F. Parimino created the plaque.

Tadeusz Kościuszko

A Polish-born engineer who studied military strategy in France, Tadeusz Kościuszko arrived in the American colonies in summer, 1777, shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed. He met Ben Franklin, who "was quickly convinced of his revolutionary spirit and engineering capabilities....serving as the engineer for the decisive battle of Saratoga, the defense of West Point, and later for the entire southern army," according to Dr. Carrie Gress, writing in the National Catholic Register.

General George Washington promoted Tadeusz Kościuszko to brigadier general of the American army on October 13, 1783. He received a special thank you from the United States, the grant of land and a significant amount of money. Kościuszko returned to Poland after the Revolutionary War ended and led his country in the Polish-Russian War of 1792 and later became a respected statesman.

Sculptor Theodora Alice Ruggles Kitson created the nine-foot bronze statue to Kościuszko, which was unveiled on October 18, 1927 in the Public Garden. The city's Polish community raised $25,000 to have the memorial made.  

Marquis de Lafayette

Born in September 6, 1757, Lafayette was a French nobleman who volunteered to serve in the Continental Army in 1777, and soon became a close confidante of General George Washington at age 19. Lafayette played a significant role in key battles, including the battles of Rhode Island, Brandywine, PA and Yorktown, VA, and he was also instrumental in securing French support for the American cause.
The Lafayette plaque was created by Boston artist John F. Parimino, and unveiled on August 24, 1924 on Boston Common along Tremont Street in an area dedicated as Lafayette Mall.

The plaque unveiling marked the centenary of Lafayette’s famous last visit to Boston to lay the cornerstone of Bunker Hill Monument in 1825. According to the City of Boston, Lafayette visited Boston Common during that trip, and his reception "was an occasion of special splendor, with a military review followed by a dinner for 1,200 people under a marquee erected for the event."

Read more about Boston's role in the American Revolution.