Richard Montgomery (1736-1775), son of Irish aristocracy, had become a professional British soldier who served in North America during the French and Indian War.
After that service, in which Richard had proven himself in combat and as a gifted leader of men, he was promoted to Captain.
After eight years of continuous action, Montgomery returned to Great Britain, but his friendship with several pro-American British members of Parliament, coupled with his long experience in North America, caused him to develop a sympathy for the American colonies.
In 1772, after being passed over for promotion to the rank of major, Montgomery resigned his commission in the British army and made the life-changing decision to emigrate to America.
Arriving in the city of New York, Richard, now a civilian, bought a farm just north of city and courted and married Janet Livingston (1743-1824), the daughter Robert Livingston, from the prominent Hudson Valley family.
When war broke out, Richard Montgomery was appointed to the New York Provincial Council. Soon after, he was offered a general’s commission in the new Continental Army being formed by its newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, George Washington.
Montgomery’s military and leadership experience coupled with his commitment to his adopted country’s cause produced a remarkable record of success.
After Philip Schuyler became too ill to lead the Invasion of Quebec, Montgomery took over. He captured Fort St. Jean and Montreal in November 1775, and then advanced to Quebec City, where he joined another force under the command of Benedict Arnold.
On December 31st he led an attack on the city, but was killed during the battle. One of Montgomery’s staff officers, Aaron Burr, attempted to drag his body to friendly lines, but found pulling the dead weight through the deep snow impossible.
The attack faltered and a large number of his troops were captured, including Daniel Morgan. After the retreat of the Americans, the British found Montgomery’s body and gave him an honorable burial. His remains were moved to the City of New York in 1818.
The Clinton County America250 Committee under the leadership of the Clinton County Historical Association will present “1775: ‘A Grateful Remembrance’ of Richard and Janet Montgomery and the Invasion of Canada,” with Revolutionary War historian Arthur Cohn at 6:30 pm on July 11, 2025 at the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel on the Plattsburgh Old Base Oval in Plattsburgh, NY.
Cohen’s talk will introduce the audience to Richard Montgomery and take a focused look at the campaign of 1775, when an army under the command of Benedict Arnold and an army under the command of Montgomery invaded British Canada and almost won the war.
The presentation will also examine Montgomery’s marriage and how their lives were interrupted by the conflict.
Art Cohn was born in Nyack-on-Hudson and graduated from Boston College Law School before becoming a professional diver, underwater archaeologist and public policy advocate for the preservation of shipwrecks.
Cohen has participated in the development of national and international legislation designed to protect underwater cultural heritage and was the co-founder, and now Director Emeritus, of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum at Basin Harbor, Vermont.
This program was funded with a 2025 Special Programs Grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership. This event is open and free to the public.
Illustration: Detail of colored 1858 engraving of Richard Montgomery planning his assault on Quebec in December 1775, after an engraving by Alonzo Chappel.
Source link
