Samuel Neilson
Encyclopedia
Samuel Neilson was one of the founder members of the Society of United Irishmen and the founder of its newspaper the Northern Star.
, Ireland
, the son of Presbyterian minister Alexander, and Agnes Neilson. He was educated locally. Samuel was the second son in a family of eight sons and five daughters. At 16 years of age, Samuel was apprenticed to his elder brother, John, in the business of woollen drapery in Belfast
. At the age of 24 he established his own business.
. In 1791, inspired by the French Revolution
, he suggested to Henry Joy McCracken
the idea of a political society of Irishmen of every religious persuasion. He
tone was not a founder member) established the United Irishmen in Belfast. The following year he launched the newspaper of the United Irishmen, the Northern Star, which effectively threw away his fortune. As it's editor he was a high profile target for the authorities and was prosecuted for libel several times, being twice imprisoned between 1796-98.
The United Irishmen were however, severely penetrated by informers who kept Dublin Castle
abreast of their plans and discussions. In March 1798, information of a meeting of the United Irish executive at the house of Oliver Bond
led to the arrest of most of the leadership, leaving Neilson and Lord Edward Fitzgerald
as the only figures of national importance still at liberty. They decided to press ahead as soon as possible and settled on 23 May as the date for the rebellion to begin.
in Dublin. Wary of confiding his plans too early for fear of betrayal, Neilson went on a reconnaissance of the prison but was spotted by chance by one of his former jailers and after a fierce struggle, he was overpowered and dragged into the prison.
and held in Kilmainham Jail with other "state prisoners" for the duration of the doomed rebellion
outside. After the execution of Oliver Bond
, and the brothers John and Henry Sheares, Neilson and the remaining prisoners agreed to provide the authorities with details of the organisation of the United Irishmen, plans for the rebellion etc. in return for exile
. Following the suppression of the rebellion, he was transferred to Fort George in Scotland
and in 1802, he was deported to the Netherlands
. From there he made his way to America, arriving in December 1802, but died suddenly of a stroke
in New York
, on 29 August 1803.
Background
Neilson was born in Ballyroney, County DownCounty Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the son of Presbyterian minister Alexander, and Agnes Neilson. He was educated locally. Samuel was the second son in a family of eight sons and five daughters. At 16 years of age, Samuel was apprenticed to his elder brother, John, in the business of woollen drapery in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. At the age of 24 he established his own business.
United Irishman
Despite his commercial success, Neilson was naturally drawn to politics and had early on been a member of the reformist Volunteer movementIrish Volunteers (18th century)
The Irish Volunteers were a militia in late 18th century Ireland. The Volunteers were founded in Belfast in 1778 to defend Ireland from the threat of foreign invasion when regular British soldiers were withdrawn from Ireland to fight across the globe during the American War of Independence...
. In 1791, inspired by the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, he suggested to Henry Joy McCracken
Henry Joy McCracken
Henry Joy McCracken was an Irish industrialist and a founding member of the Society of the United Irishmen.-History:...
the idea of a political society of Irishmen of every religious persuasion. He
tone was not a founder member) established the United Irishmen in Belfast. The following year he launched the newspaper of the United Irishmen, the Northern Star, which effectively threw away his fortune. As it's editor he was a high profile target for the authorities and was prosecuted for libel several times, being twice imprisoned between 1796-98.
Plans for rebellion
Along with several other "state prisoners" (persons imprisoned indefinitely without charge) Neilson was released in February 1798 following several petitions by influential friends, on grounds of bad health. Upon release he immediately involved himself in the United Irishmen aligning with the radicals among the leadership who were pressing for immediate rebellion and opposed to the moderates who wished to wait for French assistance before acting.The United Irishmen were however, severely penetrated by informers who kept Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
abreast of their plans and discussions. In March 1798, information of a meeting of the United Irish executive at the house of Oliver Bond
Oliver Bond
Oliver Bond was an Irish revolutionary, one of the leaders of the Society of United Irishmen in the end of 18th century, which has the objective of ending British rule over Ireland and founding an independent Irish republic.He was born in the parish of St...
led to the arrest of most of the leadership, leaving Neilson and Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Lord Edward FitzGerald
Lord Edward FitzGerald was an Irish aristocrat and revolutionary. He was the fifth son of the 1st Duke of Leinster and the Duchess of Leinster , he was born at Carton House, near Dublin, and died of wounds received in resisting arrest on charge of treason.-Early years:FitzGerald spent most of his...
as the only figures of national importance still at liberty. They decided to press ahead as soon as possible and settled on 23 May as the date for the rebellion to begin.
Arrests
As the date loomed closer, the authorities went into overdrive to sweep up the rump leadership and on 18 May Lord Edward was betrayed in his hiding place and critically wounded while resisting capture. Neilson, now with responsibility for finalising plans for the looming rebellion, decided that Fitzgerald was too valuable to do without, and decided to try and rescue him from Newgate PrisonNewgate Prison, Dublin
Newgate Prison was a place of detention in Dublin until its closure in 1863. It was initially located at Cornmarket, near Christ Church Cathedral, on the south side of the Liffey, and was originally one of the city gates.-From city gate to prison:...
in Dublin. Wary of confiding his plans too early for fear of betrayal, Neilson went on a reconnaissance of the prison but was spotted by chance by one of his former jailers and after a fierce struggle, he was overpowered and dragged into the prison.
Imprisonment and exile
Neilson was indicted for high treasonHigh treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
and held in Kilmainham Jail with other "state prisoners" for the duration of the doomed rebellion
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
outside. After the execution of Oliver Bond
Oliver Bond
Oliver Bond was an Irish revolutionary, one of the leaders of the Society of United Irishmen in the end of 18th century, which has the objective of ending British rule over Ireland and founding an independent Irish republic.He was born in the parish of St...
, and the brothers John and Henry Sheares, Neilson and the remaining prisoners agreed to provide the authorities with details of the organisation of the United Irishmen, plans for the rebellion etc. in return for exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
. Following the suppression of the rebellion, he was transferred to Fort George in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and in 1802, he was deported to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. From there he made his way to America, arriving in December 1802, but died suddenly of a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, on 29 August 1803.