OBITUARY NOTICE 



OF 



ROBERT PATTERSON, LL.D. 



Late President of the American Philosophical Sociely. 



It lias been a custom in this Society, that on the ileath of the President, 

 an oration in honour of the deceased should be duliveied by one of the Mem- 

 bers ; and it was very much the wish of the Society that this tribute of 

 respect should have been paid to their late worthy and respected President 

 Dh. Robert Pattekson. It was omitted, however, in consequence of his 

 positive request, communicated by the friend who attended him during his last 

 illness. Nevertheless it was thought proper that a short memorial of his use- 

 ful and well spent life should be placed on the records of the Society. 



Robert Patterson was born on the 30th of May, 1743, near Hillsborough, in 

 the north of Ireland. His family was respectable, though not aflluent. Ills 

 great-grandfather, John, emigrated from Scotland during the persecution of the 

 Presbyterians by the house of Stewart, and siiflTcred with his fellow Protestants 

 at the memorable siege of Derry. The subject of this Memoir was sent to 

 school at an early age, and soon became distinguished for his love of learning. 

 He was particularly conspicuous for his progress in Matliemalics. To this 

 object, indeed, his genius so strongly impelled him, that in a short time he 

 was able to give lessons to his master. 



The French having made a descent on the coast of Ireland about the year 

 1759, a martial spirit was excited in the youth of that kingdom which became 

 universal. Patterson, then a youth of sixteen, burning with patriotic ardour, 

 was enrolled in a militia company, of which he was made Serjeant. He devoted 

 himself to his military exercises, and soon became so distinguished for his skill 

 and good conduct, as to attract the attention of the officers ol a Itritish regi- 

 ment stationed near Hillsborough, who oflered to procure him a commission, 

 if he would go into the Ring's service. This he declined ; the duties of civil 

 life being more congenial to his nature. He chose rather to remain in a situ- 

 ation where he might pursue his studies, while he enjoyed the society of his 

 family. Having completed his education, he determined to try his fortune in 

 America ; and accordingly embarked for Philadelphia, where he arrived, in 

 October, 1768, without friends, and almost without money, having shared with 

 a fellow passenger the contents of his slender purse. 



On his arrival in Philadelphia, he visited some of the members of the relieiou* 

 society to which he belonged, and was received by them with great kindness 



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