Rev. William Sinclair’s 1812 Address to Baltimore College with a Funeral Masonic Sermon

William Sinclair (d. 1830) was an Irish Presbyterian minister and a founding member of the Society of United Irishmen (est. 1791). For his participation in the rebellion of 1798, he was exiled to the United States, but found that even there his politics were problematic. Instead he founded the Baltimore Academy, which later merged with Baltimore College (which was founded by fellow United Irishman Dr. John Campbell White). He served as its vice president and also a professor of rhetoric and logic.

His dedication to General Bradley (see photograph and transcription) mentions the exile from Ireland. Was this the same (Colonel) Edward Bradley who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and was a personal friend of Andrew Jackson?

The dedication reads:

“To the Honorable General Bradley–

Sir, accept of this little new year’s offering, as a pledge and memorial of your firmness & patriotism presented by the author, an Irish exile and adopted citizen; Expressive of the high opinion he entertains of your distinguished virtues as a sage and hero of the American Revolution.”

[The latter portion “of the United States” was tacked on at a later date. It is unknown if it was by the author, Bradley, or the book’s subsequent owners.]

How many of these memories are hiding in your library just waiting to be rediscovered?