“From the Archives” — Francis P. Hagan, Patriot

Francis P. Hagan (1754-1830) is one of several Revolutionary War veterans buried in Saint Mary Cemetery, located at 1000 South Royal Street. His family emigrated from County Tyrone, Ireland, to Saint Mary’s City, Maryland, in 1679 and settled in Bryantown, Charles County, across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon. His father, John Hagan, and his two sons, Charles and Francis, were brick masons at Mount Vernon.

When the Revolutionary War began, Francis and Charles enlisted and served as dragoons (mounted infantry) on the Continental Line. They both were at Valley Forge during the infamous, freezing winter of 1777. Francis served as a corporal in Col. John Fitzgerald’s Company, third regiment; subsequently, he reenlisted in the 4th Continental corps of light dragoons, commanded by George Washington’s second cousin, Major William Washington of Stafford, for three years, and partici- pated in numerous battles from New York and New Jersey to South Carolina. Hagan served throughout the entire war.

After the war, Francis returned to Fairfax County and became a planter. His large
farm was on Dogue Creek, just down the road from Mount Vernon and near George
Washington’s gristmill. His brother Charles received a land grant for his war service and moved west before 1800. Francis, who never married, died in 1830. Although his tombstone has been lost, the Sons of the American Revolution placed his name on a plaque in our cemetery that honors Saint Mary’s Revolutionary veterans.