Crean Brush (c. 1725 – May 1778) was an 18th-century Irish-born Loyalist, "Yorker", and Tory from Cumberland County, New Hampshire Grants (present-day Vermont).
He is remembered as one of the "notorious Yorkers" who resided for some time in eastern Vermont, and for his participation in Loyalist armies during the American Revolution.
[2] Educated for the bar, he held a military office prior to emigrating to the Thirteen Colonies in British America, reaching New York City before 1762.
In this body, he proved himself an able, eloquent, and influential member, but strongly loyal and violent in his measures against Patriots in Vermont and adherents to the New Hampshire Grants.
In 1775, he delivered a set-speech against electing delegates to the Second Continental Congress, which Patriot leaders George Clinton, Philip Schuyler and Woodhull answered.
On January 10, 1776, he wrote a memorial to Sir William Howe asking the command of troops, and, specially to be noted, a body of 300 men to be posted on the Connecticut River and open a line of communication from thence westward towards Lake Champlain.
Under this commission, Brush, at the head of parties of Loyalists, broke open stores and dwelling-houses to plunder them, conveying their loot to the fleet.
In autumn 1777, Mrs. Brush provided him with money and a horse, preparatory to his escape; and on the night of November 5, he passed the turnkey, disguised in his wife's garments, and fled to New York.