The tailor who saved George Washington by sewing secrets into coats

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hercules Mulligan was a high-society tailor for British officers, but his true craft was espionage. By blending into the elite circles of New York City, he provided General Washington with life-saving intelligence that turned the tide of the American Revolution.

Born in Ireland and raised in New York City, Hercules Mulligan was a graduate of King's College (now Columbia University). He established a successful tailoring and haberdashery business that catered specifically to wealthy officers of the British Crown. This proximity to the enemy provided him with a unique vantage point; he was able to overhear sensitive military plans while fitting uniforms for high-ranking British officials.

Mulligan's role as a spy was so critical that Alexander Hamilton personally recommended him to George Washington in 1776. Because Mulligan lived and worked among the British, he could gather internal information that remained hidden from the Continental Army. One notable instance occurred when a British officer informed Mulligan of plans to capture the 'rebel general' before dawn; Mulligan immediately alerted Washington, allowing him to change his route and escape.

The operation was a collaborative effort involving diverse actors. Mulligan worked alongside Cato, an enslaved Black Patriot who served as a courier. Cato exploited his status as a slave to move through British-held territory undetected, delivering intelligence that would have been impossible for a free man to transport safely. For his service, Cato was granted his freedom in 1778 and eventually moved to Massachusetts.

Mulligan's influence extended beyond the battlefield into the social and moral fabric of early America. Joining the Sons of Liberty initially, he subsequently helped establish the New York Manumission Society in 1785 as one of its 19 founders to fight against slavery. After the war, his business prospered until his retirement in 1820, leaving a legacy as both a master craftsman and a foundational figure in American intelligence.

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