In 1774, Mulligan became a tailor and opened a storefront in New York. He provided tailor services to some of the richest people in the city. Even some British officers became his customers. Though having British friends, Mulligan began acting against the government and was one of the first colonists to join the Sons of Liberty and the New York Committee of Correspondence. These two organizations wanted rid of British authority in the colonies.

When war broke out in 1775, Hercules Mulligan did his part and joined a volunteer militia. He stole cannons and led the Sons of Liberty when they tore down a statue of King George III. Once Washington left New York, Mulligan was forced to stay in the city and return to tailoring. It was at this time that Hamilton suggested Mulligan become a spy for the Continental Army. Since he was friends with British officers, he was the perfect candidate for spying on them. He accepted.

Throughout the war, Mulligan took on his new role perfectly. He continued tailoring for the British officers, feeding their egos, and asking the right questions. He learned valued insight into the enemy’s movements. He could oftentimes guess the British Army’s next move by knowing when the officers needed their tailored uniforms back. After finding these things out, he would send his slave, Cato, to ride out to Washington’s headquarters with the news.

One night, a British officer came to Mulligan late at night in need of a coat. After asking, the officer told Mulligan about his mission to capture George Washington later that day. Mulligan sent for Cato immediately and upon receiving the news, Washington got to safety. Another time, the British had heard of Washington’s plan to travel to Rhode Island through the Connecticut shoreline. Luckily, Hercules’s brother, Hugh, was in charge of loading the British boats with supplies. Hugh told Hercules about the enemy’s strategy and Cato carried the message to Washington who found a different route.

After the war, George Washington visited Mulligan’s store and asked for new clothes. This was Washington’s way of protecting Mulligan from being labeled as someone who worked closely with the British. Outside his store, Mulligan hung a sign that said: “Clothier to Genl. Washington.”

Mulligan died in 1825 at the age of 80 and is buried next to Alexander Hamilton in Trinity Church in New York City.

Hercules Mulligan. (2018, August 7). Retrieved from https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/hercules-mulligan

Hercules Mulligan (1740-1825) - Find A Grave... (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11792009/hercules-mulligan

O'Dowd, N. (2017, December 15). The unsung Irishman who saved George Washington's life twice. Retrieved from https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irishvoice/irishman-saved-george-washington-life-twice