Richard Montgomery

Born in Ireland, Richard Montgomery's military career started before he even finished Trinity College in Dublin.  His father purchased an Ensign commission for him in the 17th Regiment of Foot.  That got him to Halifax where he fought in the French and Indian War.  Once Britain had control of Canada, Montgomery was sent briefly to the Caribbean and then back to New York to participate in Pontiac's War.  Returning to England, he became involved in Whig politics.  He also got engaged.  His fiance jilted him. When he wasn't promoted, he became disillusioned with the British army, sold his commission and decided to return to America and become a farmer.  

In 1763 Montgomery first met Janet Livingston when he was entertained with the other officers at her father's house.  They reconnected ten years later when he moved to Rhinebeck and were married.  

Montgomery had a lot of military experience and was well connected through the Livingstons, so he was selected as the Brigadier General when the Continental Army was formed.  They were tasked with invading Canada.  General Schuyler got sick during the fall and went home to recover, so Montgomery assumed command was commissioned as a General to lead the invasion of Canada.  It went well at the beginning, he captured Fort St Johns, and Montreal but was killed on Dec 31 during the battle for Quebec which happened in a blizzard. Four days later he was buried in Canada.

Congress immediately appropriated funds for a memorial and tasked Benjamin Franklin with its execution.  A national memorial service was held in all the colonies.  

Governor Stephen van Rensselaer received permission to move the remains from Quebec to New York.  The procession traveled on the Hudson River via boat.  

Over 5000 people viewed the ceremony at St Paul's Chapel in New York.