About This Quiz
Hercules Mulligan played a major role in the battle for American independence, even if his name isn't as well known as the founding fathers'. Take our quiz to see how much you know about the life and legend of this secret spy!Mulligan was born in Ireland in 1740 and emigrated to what is now the United States at age 6.
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An 18-year-old Alexander Hamilton moved in with Mulligan and was heavily influenced by Mulligan's ideals.
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Mulligan opened his clothing shop in 1774 and was a tailor to the British military leaders stationed in New York.
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A pro-British Hamilton changed his tune after living with Mulligan and went on to join the Sons of Liberty and write an important essay promoting independence.
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Mulligan's slave, Cato, played an important role in Mulligan's spying activities, often carrying messages to help the colonists in their fight against the British.
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Mulligan took part in the pre-Revolution Battle of Golden Hill in 1770.
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Mulligan's brother, Hugh, not only introduced Mulligan to Alexander Hamilton, but also played a critical role in spying activities.
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Mulligan attended King's College, which later became Columbia University.
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On July 6, 1776, Mulligan joined a group of rebel colonists to steal a statute of King George III. They later melted it down to make bullets.
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It was Alexander Hamilton, aide to Washington, who suggested to George that Mulligan the tailor would be a great source of information about the British.
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After scoring some key intelligence from a soldier buying a coat, Mulligan was able to save George Washington from British capture in 1779.
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Mulligan saved Washington's life again in 1781, when the future president was planning to travel to Newport, Rhode Island.
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Mulligan did such a good job cozying up to the Brits for info that other colonists thought he might be on the British side of the war.
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Mulligan had eight children: three sons and five daughters.
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Mulligan worked as a tailor up until age 80 and died five years later.
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Mulligan is buried at Trinity Church in New York City, right next to his friend Alexander Hamilton.
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To reassure locals that Mulligan was on the side of the colonists, Washington hired Mulligan as his personal tailor.
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Mulligan was a founding member of the New York Manumission Society, which fought against slavery.
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Mulligan married up — tying the knot with the Elizabeth Sanders, the niece of a British admiral.
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Mulligan joined the Sons of Liberty in 1765 and took part in many battles and skirmishes in the war towards independence.
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Mulligan actually faced several interrogations and spent some time in jail for his suspected espionage activities.
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Mulligan was a part of the famous Culper Ring, a ring of spies led by Benjamin Tallmadge of Long Island, New York.
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Mulligan feared he would be tarred and feathered because so many colonists believed that he was friendly with the British.
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Mulligan had several employees but preferred to greet and measure his clients personally — he often used a shot of whiskey to loosen lips.
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Mulligan and Hamilton stole British cannons from the Battery as the warship Asia fired at them.
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After Cato was caught passing on a message, Mulligan stopped using Cato in his spying activities.
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"Hamilton" premiered in February 2015 and was a major hit, transforming Hercules Mulligan and other characters into household names.
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Producer Lin-Manuel Miranda was inspired to write his smash musical after reading Ron Chernow's comprehensive biography of Alexander Hamilton.
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Nigerian-born Onadowan originated the role of Hercules Mulligan on Broadway.
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Onadowan plays the bold, rapping Mulligan and the much more meek James Madison.
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