Redmond Conyngham, Shipping Magnate, Council of Safety & Pennsylvania Navy Treasurer, Port of Philadelphia Warden

The Conynghams Arrive in Philadelphia, PA 1740

The Amazing Story of Redmond and David Conyngham.

Redmond Conyngham was born in Letterkenny, Ireland, 1719. Upon arriving in Philadelphia in 1740, he established himself as a shipping merchant. Redmond is distinguished as having good judgment and indomitable business energy, with a thorough knowledge of business methods.

In 1748 he entered into a joint venture with Theophilus Gardner formed the Shipping firm of' "Conyngham & Gardner"; when Gardner retired from the firm, he was succeeded by John Maxwell Nesbitt, who had come to Philadelphia from Belfast, February 1747. The form became "Conyngham & Nesbitt".

At the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle, Conyngham ardently espoused the cause of the Colonies and served as:
A Member of the Committee of Correspondence, May 20, 1774;
Deputy to the Colonial Conference of July 15, 1774;
Treasurer of and paymaster of the State Navy Board, September 14, 1775;
Treasurer of the Council of Safety, July 27, 1776;
Member of the Board of War, March 14, 1777;
Warden of the Port of Philadelphia;
He subscribed £5000 to the Pennsylvania Bank;
Elected Inspector;
Co-Organizer & Director of the Bank of North America, 1781 - 9 January 1792.

The firm of "Conyngham & Nesbitt" also owned several privateers ships, "Charming Peggy," "Speedwell," "Revenge," "Nesbitt," and "Renette."

The "Charming Peggy" was fitted out in 1767 and commanded by Redmond's nephew, Captain Gustavus Conyngham.

On 26 May 1766, Redmond Conyngham and his family embarked from Philadelphia onboard one of the firm's vessels, the "Hayfield"';' Redmond left Philadelphia to care for his family's estates in Ireland and take care of his mother.

Redmond Conyngham never returned to Philadelphia, spending the remainder of his days at his native place of Letterkenny, where he died on 17 January 17 1784.

David Hayfield Conyngham, Redmond's eldest son, sailed for Europe upon completing his apprenticeship with Conyngham & Nesbitt and attaining his majority [i.e. legal adulthood]. He traveled extensively in Great Britain, France, Portugal, and other parts of the Continent of Europe.

Returning to Philadelphia in 1774, David joined Captain Cadwalader's first Company of Philadelphia Militia, called "The Greens" (also known as "The Silk Stocking Company," because it was composed mainly of its members the aristocratic youths of Philadelphia).

On 13 September 1775, David set sail for Europe on behalf of the American Colonial cause, with a view of obtaining arms and munitions to be used by the Colonies in the war against Britain that seemed imminent. He sailed upon the "Charming Polly" with his cousin Captain Gustavus Conyngham as its master. David visited Paris on a diplomatic mission and remained there until 1777.

Through the intercession of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, he secured Capt. Gustavus Conyngham a second commission as Captain, this time in the United States Navy.

Returning to Philadelphia early in 1777, David Conyngham was elected as a Member of The First City Troop and served with it in the various campaigns as the special guard of General George Washington.

David was at Somerset, New Jersey in 1780; and, in January 1781, at the time of the Pennsylvania Line revolt, he accompanied the troop to Trenton. His tour of duty included various parts of New Jersey.

Lord Sterling ordered David, along with a small detachment of the troops, to conduct two spies - Sergeant Mason and James Ogden - to Summer-Seat, and later to Robert Morris's home, where Mason and Ogden were court-martialed and hanged. David remained a member of the City Troop after the close of the war.

During the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794, David served as the Aide-de-Camp to Generals Walter Stewart and Edward Hand.

In October 1796, the exiled Duke of Orleans (the future King Louis Philippe of France 1830 - 48), came to Philadelphia in one of Mr. Conyngham's ships, Captain Ewing commanding. The Duke was traveling incognito, his identity being known to the Captain only; he was also traveling under a Danish passport, on his way to a temporary asylum in South America. The Duke appealed to Captain Ewing to find him temporary lodging other than a hotel. The Duke of Orleans was taken to the home of David Conyngham himself and there entertained until he could find passage to his destination, and a strong bond of sympathy and friendship was established between the two men.