The Tryon Family In America

Author: Wesley Tryon

ELIJAH TRYON 5.33a, son of Jeremiah Tryon 4.9f and ---(---) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., May 15, 1761. Tradition has it that his mother died when he was quite young, his father left Connecticut, and he was "taken in" and "brought up" in the home of his great aunt, Hannah (Tryon) Williams 3.2a. He left this home when he was 16 years old, wandered to Massachusetts, where he enlisted at the town of Granville in the Colonial Army in the Massachusetts line, and served more than one year, for which he later received a pension. After the war he moved to Fair Haven (later changed to West Haven), Vt., in 1783, where he met and married Trubey Priest, daughter of Philip Priest and Trubey (Merritt) Priest. Her father is said to have moved to Fair Haven from Killingworth, Conn., early in 1780 or 1786. She was born at Winchester, Conn., Feb. 4, 1764. Elijah and Trubey were married on Feb. 21, 1786. The 1790 census of Fair Haven, Vt., lists 1 boy and 1 girl, while the 1800 census of Rutland County, Vt., lists 3 boys and 3 girls. Elijah was a farmer and became known as "Deacon Elijah", and lived with his wife 67 years. He died of old age at West Haven on Sept. 8, 1863, aged 102 years. She died two years later, Oct. 21, 1865, aged 101 years." They were both buried in Forbes Cemetery at West Haven. D.A. R. Pension Records, vol. 4, says: "Elijah Tryon applied for pension 1832, age 70. Born Hartford Co., Conn., May 15, 1762. Residence at date of application, West Haven, Rutland Co., Vt. Residence at date of enlistment, Greenville, Mass. Enlisted under Capt. Nathan Rowley, Col. John Jacobs regiment in service in Rhode Island. Was in Battle of 1778. He subsequently served under Capt. Dows, 1780, 6 months. Discharged at West Point. Name of his father often written Tryall. Pension allowed for over one year's actual service as private in Massachusetts line." D.A.R. Pension Records, vol. 43 says: 'Elijah Tryon (Mass. service), date of application Nov. 27, 1832. Claim allowed. Age at application, born Glastonbury, Hartford Co., Conn., May 15, 1762. Residence at application, West Haven, Rutland Co., Vt. Residence at enlistment, Granville, Hampshire Co., Mass. Soldier enlisted July 15, 1778, and served 6 months as private in Capt. Nathan Rawley's Company, Col. John Jacob's Regiment in Mass. He enlisted again July 15, 1780, and served 6 months and 5 days under Capt. Dow and Col. Bigelow. Engaged in Battle of Rhode Island. Name is sometimes spelled Tryall and Trial." D.A.R. Pension Records, vol. 60, says: "Tryon, Elijah. Soldier enlisted July 15, 1778, and served 8 months as a private under Capt. Nathan Rawley, Col. John Jacob's Massachusetts line. Enlisted July 15, 1780, served 6 mos & 5 days under Col. Bigelow. Name sometimes written Tryal. Enlisted at Granville, Mass. Declaration Nov. 27, 1832. Resided in West Haven, Rutland Co., Vermont. Born in Glastonbury, Hartford Co., Conn., May 15, 1762. Abstract from original pension application." Recorded children of Elijah and Trubey were:
Daloy, twin 6.87a,
Dola or Dela F., twin 6.87b,
DeLafayette 6.87c,
William Elijah 6.87d,
Betsey or Elizabeth 6.87e,
Lavinia 6.87f,
Elijah or Samuel 6.87g,
Cynthia 6.87h,
Samuel Williams 6.87i,
Jason 6.87j,
Maria or Mariah 6.87k,
Matilda or Mathilda 6.871.

This is a copy of Elijah's original application for pension:
Page 30...

State of Vermont, Rutland County, SS:

On this 27th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court of District of Fairhaven in the County of Rutland now sitting, Eliljah Tryon, a resident of Westhaven in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That on the 15th day of July in the year 1778 at Granville in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts he was drafted for six months and joined a company commanded by Capt. Rowley, in Col. Jacobs' Regiment, which was attached to Genl. Connell's Brigade. That he marched from Granville to Rhode Island and joined the American army commanded by Genl. Sullivan, where he remained until the 28th day of August, when the British Fleet hove in sight and the French fleet sailed out of the harbor to give them battle. That a violent gale of wind commenced blowing and the two fleets were separated. That Genl. Sullivan then commenced retreating with the American Army. That the applicant was in the rear guard of the American Army and was engaged in a battle fought between the American rear & British front guards. That in the night of the 29th they left the Island by crossing Howland's Ferry. That the company to which he belonged marched to Fogland Point where he remained until some time in the month of December and then marched to Freetown near Slade's Ferry and did duty as a guard until the 15th day of January 1779, when he was discharged, having served six months. That afterwards in July 1780 he enlisted into the Continental Army at Granville afsd. and passed muster at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts for six months on the 15th day of July. That he joined the army at Robson's farms about four miles below West Point. That he was attached to Capt. Dows company, Col. Bigelows Regiment & Genl. Gloviss Brigade. That Capt. Dow was absent the most of the time & that during his absence the company was Commanded by Lieut. Marble. That they remained at Robinsons f arms about two weeks & then marched to Peekskill, where he remained a few days & then marched to Haverstraw in New Jersey & from there to Tappan & from there to Tissancote Plains, thence to Plinsappa and then to Tappan and returned to West Point about the middle of December, where he remained on duty until the 15th of January 1781 when he was discharged, having served under this enlistment six months. That he received a written discharge but has lost the same. That he was born in Glastonbury in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut on the 15th day of May 1762. That he has resided in Westhaven in the neighborhood where he now resides since the year 1783. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annnuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year afsd. Elijah Tryon

We, Reuben Sawyer a Clergyman residing in the town of Westhaven and Noah Priest residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Tryon who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to (be) seventy years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Reuben

Sawyer, Noah Priest

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and af ter putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to
them that Reuben Sawyer who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Westhaven and that Noah Priest who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Westhaven and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Silah H. Merrill, Clerk of the Court of Probate, for the district of Fairhaven aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elijah Tryon for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27th day of November A D 1832. S. H. Merrill.

This is a copy of Elijah Tryon's amended application for pension:

State of Vermont Rutland County ss

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County Elijah Tryon a resident of the town of West Haven in said County, aged eighty-seven years and after being duly sworn makes the following declaration as an amendment to the declaration he made before the Hon. Almond Warner in the A. D. 1833 (as declarant believes) in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he first entered the Army as a boy from the town of Granville in the Commonweath of Massachusetts and in a company commanded by Capt. Rowley, Lieutenant Leonard and Ensign Blood, and Orderly Seregeant Peckham and a Sergeant Stebbins, and declarant says in his mess were soldiers Alderton Pratt, John Gleason, Nathan Walden, and --- Allen, his first name does not recollect. Said Alderton Pratt and John Gleason afterwards deserted. Declarant states that his first service was in Rhode Island and that he was in the battle of Rhode Island on the 28th or 29th August 1778. Declarant states that his friend and school-mate Elijah Williams who was in Col. Jackson's Regt. was wounded in said battle. Declarant says that he served in said company six months (in Capt. Rowleys company Col. Jacobs Regt. ) Declarant further states that he afterwards entered the Army of the Revolution in Capt. Dows company, Col. Bigelows Regt. in the A. D. 1780, and was mustered at Springfield Massachusetts and joined the Army at West Point. The company was commanded for the most part of the time by Lieutenant Henry Marble who also signed the discharge which was given to the declarant when his time expired for which he was enlisted (viz) six months. Said discharge declarant saith he gave to Oliver Phelps, Esq. who was a representative from the town of Granville in the Legislature of Massachusetts who said he wanted it for the purpose of making up the accounts for that town. Declarant recollects the names of Seba Granger, William Gould, Ezekial Hale, and Thomas Pelton who were in the company to which he belonged and that some of them were present when Major Andre was executed, but declarant was not present, as he was confined by sickness. Declarant saith that he marched with the army to Pittsfield and then New Jersey, and finally to West Point where he was discharged, having served a period of six months and five days as he believes.

Declarant further says that his name always spelt Tryon which was also the way it was spelt by his father, but at the period of his childhood and up to the time he left Massachusetts he was more generally called Elijah Tryall or Trial, and declarant says his father, as well as other members of the family were so called, and it was so used without objections. Declarant further states that he has been told that his name was written on the records Tryall but by what means it became so written he does not know, as he was the only person by the name of Tryon or of Tryall in the company to which he belonged, or who at any period resided in the town of Granville as he believes. And he further states that he is the identical person who served for a period of twelve months and five days as narrated above in this supplemental declaration.

Declarant further states a certain receipt which is attached to this declaration and signed by Oliver Phelps and dated Dec. 2, 1782 was given to him by the said Oliver Phelps and has been in his possession since the date of it in 1782. Declarant further states that he was not aware that his name was spelt Tryal by Esq. Phelps not having observed it until his attention was called to it this day, and that he is the same person who delivered the articles mentioned in the recept, said recept, being in the words and figures (to wit): "Recd. from Slr. Seth Austin one sett of sleigh Buckles by the hand of Elijah Tryal to account for.

Dec. 2, 1782. "Oliver Phelps"

Declarant further states that he now resides in the town of Westhaven and State of Vermont where he has resided for more than sixty years. And he now asks that the pension with the arrears provided under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 be paid to him. Elijah Tryon
State of Vermont, Rutland County, ss.

West-haven, August 25, A.D. 1858

Personally appeared before the subscriber Elijah Tryon who signed the foregoing declaration and made oath that the same is true. And I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Elijah Tryon and that he is a person of truth and credibility and generally believed in this community to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war in which opinion I also concur. David Downe, Justice of the Peace

Vermont 32629

Elijah Tryon of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Rowley of the Regt. commanded by Col. Jacobs in the Mass. Revolution for 12 mo. 11 days. Inscribed on the Roll of Poultney at the rate of 41 Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of December '48 and sent to Hon. G. P. Marsh, House of Reps. Arrears to the 4th of ---, Semi-anl. allowance ending ---. (Revolutionary Claim, Act. June 7, 1832) Recorded by W. Sumpkin, Clerk, Book E.n. Vol. 3 Page 103.

PENELOPE GOODRICH 5.40a, first daughter of Penelope (Tryon) Goodrich 4.13a and Ephraim Goodrich, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Feb. 7, 1762.

NOAH GOODRICH 5.40b, son of Penelope (Tryon) Goodrich 4.13a and Ephraim Goodrich, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Sept. 4, 1763. He married Prudence Goodrich, possibly his cousin, daughter of David Goodrich and Sarah (Edwards) Goodrich, on Nov. 23, 1786. She was born Apr. 14, 1754.

JEMIMA GOODRICH 5.40c, second daughter of Penelope (Tryon) Goodrich 4.13a and Ephraim Goodrich, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Nov. 3, 1765. She married Jesse Tryon, of Eastbury, Conn., Sept. 26, 1786. He was born at Glastonbury in 1746, and died at Pawlett, Vt., Apr. 24, 1821, at the age of 75 years. According to the 1790 census of Pawlettown, Vt., they had 4 boys and 1 girl, while the 1800 census of Rutland County, Vt., showed they had 5 boys and 1 girl. He bought the Josiah Smith farm (see 5.40d). He was buried in Blossom Cemetery at Pawlett. There are four small illegible stones in the cemetery.
RUTH GOODRICH 5.40d, third daughter of Penelope (Tryon) Goodrich 4.13a and Ephraim Goodrich, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Dec. 13, 1767. She married Josiah Smith, son of Benoni Smith and Elizabeth (Hall) Smith, but the date is not given. He was born at Glastonbury, Jan. 15, 1766, and died at Pawlett, Vt., Dec. 21, 1823, aged 57 years. She died at Pawlett, Dec. 26, 1846, at the age of 79 years. Their ten children were:
Ephraim Smith 6.91a,
Noah Smith 6 9lbw
Hoel Smith 6.91c,
Josiah Smith 6.91d,
Betsy Smith 6.91e,
Penelope Smith 6.91f,
Julia Smith 6.91g,
Ruth Smith 6.91h,
Mimi Smith 6.91i,
Laura Smith 6.91j.

PENELOPE GOODRICH 5.40e, fourth daughter of Penelope (Tryon) Goodrich 4.13a and Ephraim Goodrich, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Oct. 22, 1769.

LUCY TRYON 5.45a, first daughter of Elilzur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Apr. 17, 1777. She married Daniel Caswell on Nov. 1, 1801, by William Lockwood.

JEMIMA TRYON 5.45b, second daughter of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Oct. 10, 1779. She married Jeremiah Goodrich, son of Jeremiah Goodrich, of Chatham, on Nov. 22, 1801, by William Lockwood.

DAVID TRYON 5.45c, first son of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., July 23, 1782. He married Densey Stevens, date unknown. She was born in 1783. They had seven children, but no names were found. He died Apr. 5, 1846, aged 64 years, and she died Apr. 7 or 20, 1847, also aged 64 years.

ELIZUR TRYON 5.45d, second son of Elilzur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Oct. 11, 1784. He married Lucinda (Tryon) Brooks, widow of
Roswell Brooks, no date. She was born in 1803. He died Oct. 9, 1837, aged 52 years. She died Mar. 12, 1841, aged 38 years. They had two daughters: Lucinda 6.96a, Sophronia 6.96b.

NOAH TRYON 5.45e, third son of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and I,ucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., m Apr. 7, 1787. He married Elizabeth Goodrich, of Chatham, Conn., no date. She was born in 1787. He was a citizen of the highest esteem, and served with ability in various town offices in 1842-43. He was a member of the State Legislature, and served in the War of 1812. He died at Glastonbury, Feb. 21, 1870, at the age of 83 years. She died at Glastonbury, Mar. 13, 1878, at the age of 91 years. They were both buried in the Old Church Cemetery at South Glastonbury. Six children are recorded:
Henry R. 6.97a,
Ralph H. 6.97b,
Noah G. 6.97c,
Elizabeth C. 6.97d,
Ann J. 6.97e,
John Edwards 6.97f.

NANCY TRYON 5.45f, third daughter of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Oct. 11, 1780.

CLARY TRYON 5.45g, fourth daughter of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., Sept. 3, 1792.

GROVE ANSON TRYON 5.45h, fourth son of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., July 4, 1795. He married first, Abigail Dudley, date not known. She was born in 1793, and died May 15, 1833, at the age of 40 years. There were two children, but names are not known. Grove married second, Rachel (Stevens) Treat, widow of Dwyer Treat, at Glastonbury, by Thomas J. Davis, no date.

CAROLINA or CAROLINE TRYON 5.45i, fifth daughter of Elizur Tryon 4.13f and Lucy (Kilbourn) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., June 26, 1798. She died at Glastonbury, May 13, 1799, just 11 months old.

WILLIAM TRYON, JR. 5.49a, first son of William Tryon 4.14d and Anna (Hurlbut) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., in 1786. He married Rowena Shaylor, at Rocky Hill, Conn., Sept. 18, 1808. She was born in 1788, and died at Glastonbury, Aug. 6, 1863, aged 77 years. He died at Glastonbury, Nov. 17, 1832, aged 46 years. No record of children.

ISAAC TRYON 5.49b, second son of William Tryon 4.14d and Anna (Hurlbut) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., in 1790. He married Abigail Shaler or Shaylor, at Rocky Hill, Conn., Sept. 9, 1813. She was born in 1791, and died at Glastonbury, Sept. 29, 1878, aged 87 years. He was a cabinet maker. They had three children:
Jane 6.103a,
Watson 6.103b,
Hoadley 6.103c.

WARREN TRYON 5.49c, third son of William Tryon 4.14d and Anna (Hurlbut) Tryon, was born at Glastonbury, Conn., in 1816. He married Emeline Taylor, in Glastonbury, Oct. 30, 1837, by Rev. Warren G. Jones. He died there on Jan. 20, 1885, aged 69 years.

JOHN GILLITT 5.51a, first son of John Gillitt 4.19b and Mamre (---) Gillitt, no birth date.

WILLIAM GILLITT 5.51b, second son of John Gillitt 4.19b and Mamre (---) Gillitt, no birth date.

SAMUEL GILLITT 5.51c, third son of John Gillitt 4.19b and Mamre (---) Gillitt, no birth date.

ANNE WHITING 5.53a, first daughter of Anne (Gillitt) Whiting 4.19d and Gamaliel Whiting, was born Nov. 1, 1754. She married Moses Hopkins, son of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., who preached at Newport, R.I., for 50 years in the Congregationial Church. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book about Rev. Samuel and his second wife, called "The Minister's Wooing." Moses was born in 1750 and died in 1838. Anne died July 22, 1834, aged 80 years. No children reported.

WILLIAM WHITING 5.53b, first son of Anne (Gillitt) Whiting 4.19d and Gamaliel Whiting, no birth date given.

GAMALIEL WHITING 5.53c, second son of Anne (Gillitt) Whiting 4.19d and Gamaliel Whiting, no date given.

ELIZA TRYON THOMPSON 5.58a, daughter of Pamelia (Tryon) Thompson 4.26a and Robert Thompson, was born in 1803. She married Joseph Lain in 1822, and they had a daughter: Elizabeth Thompson Lain 6.106a.
Eliza died in 1832.

CHARLES TRYON 5.59a, son of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.25b and Catherine (Applegate) Tryon, was born in 1820.

ELIZABETH TRYON 5.59b, daughter of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Catherine (Applegate) Tryon, was born in Pennsylvania about 1823. She married Adam Plank.

AMANDA TRYON 5.59c, daughter of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Catherine (Applegate) Tryon, was born in Pennsylvania, May 12, 1830. She married Adam Hahn in Clark County, Mo., no date. He was born Jan. 26, 1818. They moved to Missouri and lived in Clark County and Lewis County, where they raised their family, and where they both died, he on Feb. 21, 1901, and she on Mar. 28, 1913. Both were buried on the home farm north of Canton. They had twelve children:
Albert N. Hahn 6.108a,
Catherine Hahn 6.108b,
Amanda Hahn 6.108c,
Susan E. Hahn 6.108d,
Nora Hahn 6.108e,
Lizzi or Eliza Hahn 6.108f,
Sophronia Hahn 6.108g,
Anna Hahn 6.108h,
Mary F. Hahn 6.108i,
Virginia or Jennie Hahn 6.108j,
Laura Hahn 6.108k,
Mabel or Dolly Hahn 6.1081.

CATHERINE TRYON 5.59d, daughter of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Catherine (Applegate) Tryon, was born in 1832. She married Sam Ellison.

JACOB A. TRYON 5.59e, son of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Catherine (Applegate) Tryon, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. Apr. 16, 1834. He moved to Missouri with his parents at the age of 4 years. They settled near Winchester, where he married Jane Tall. She was born Feb. 17, 1884. They had nine children, all of whom died of cancer. Name of only one son was found:
William R. 6.110a.

CARROLL TRYON 5.59f, son of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Catherine (Applegate) Tryon, was born in 1839.

MARY TRYON 5.59g, daughter of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Nancy (Gregory) Tryon, was born in Missouri in 1840.

EDWIN TRYON 5.59h, son of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Nancy (Gregory) Tryon, was born in Missouri in 1845.

BRADDOCK TRYON 5.59i, son of Jacob Aldrich Tryon 4.26b and Nancy (Gregory) Tryon, was born in Missouri in 1848.

SYLVESTER GILDERSLEEVE 5.71e, fourth son of Temperance (Gibbs) Gildersleeve 5.28a and Philip Gildersleeve, was born Feb. 25, 1795. He married first, Rebecca Dixon, Dec. 19, 1814. She was born in June of 1794, and died Aug. 10, 1824, just 30 years of age. Two children are recorded for this union:
Henry Gildersleeve 7.98a,
Ferdinand Gildersleeve 7.98b.
Sylvester married second, Emily Shepard Cornwell, Nov. 17, 1828. She was born July 21, 1804, and died July 14, 1877. aged 72 years. He died Mar. 15, 1886 aged 91 years. No children to this union.

THOMAS TRYON 5.75a, first son of Abel Tryon 4.29a and Lament (Lindsley) Tryon, was born in Middletown, Conn., Mar. 18, 1759, and was baptized Thomas Trion into the Middletown First Church, Mar. 19, 1759. He was among the first settlers on Sargent patent, southwest of Vernon Center, N.Y., and became known as Thomas, Jr. He married Sarah Curtiss, daughter of Abel Curtiss and Hannah (Foster) Curtiss, of Wallingford, Conn., in Middletown, date not known. She was born at Wallingford, Oct. 10, 1759, and died at Vernon Center, Feb. 10, 1823, at the age of 64 years. They left Middletown in 1790 and moved to Oneida County, N.Y. (at that time Herkimer County). He was a private in the Connecticut line and was allowed a pension on Certificate No. 29770, and died at Oneida Lake, Vernon County, N.Y., on an old Indian reservation, which was opened to the public in 1790. His death date was Jan. 3, 1843, at the age of 86 years. They were both buried in Twitchell Cemetery at Vernon Center. We find six children:
Curtis 6.111a,
Levi 6.111b,
Mary 6.111c,
Sarah 6.111d,
William 6.111e,
James 6.111f.

Thomas' declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:

"State of New York, Oneida County, ss: On this twenty-fifth day of August in the year of our Lord 1834, personally appeared before me, John P. Sherwood Esquire, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Oneida, Thomas Tryon, a resident of the said Town of Vernon in the said County of Oneida, aged seventy-five years in March last, who being first duly sworn, according to law, does on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, as follows:

"That he entered the service of the United States and served as hereinafter stated.

4'I. That he enlisted as a private in the service of the United States at Middletown in the State of Connecticut about the first day of January in the year 1776 for three months and entered the service in a few days in a company commanded by Capt. Jared Shepherd, Lieutenant Edward Ells, Ensign Jabus Brooks, in a Regiment of Connecticut State Troops, commanded by Colonel Wadsworth of Dunham whose first name he does not recollect. The company mustered at Middletown and marched through Glastonbury, Bolton and other places to Boston, and were stationed at Roxbury and assisted in building a fort on Dorchester Heights; says they were cannonaded by the British and that nearly a thousand cannon balls were picked up one morning after a cannonading, the ground being hard by reason of the frost; says the British fleet sailed from Boston the 17th day of March according to his best recollection, and General Washington
commanded the Americans, and he (declarant) was with one of the troops when they went into Boston after the British deserted it. Served until about the middle of April and was discharged.

"II. He further declares that on the second day of May in the year 1776 he again enlisted as a private in the United States service for seven months in a company commanded by Captain Jonathan Johnson, Lieutenant Stevenson, first name not recollected, Ensigh Downer of Haddam, first name not recollected, in a Regiment of Connecticut State Troops, commanded by Colonel Phillip Burr Bradley of Ridgefield, Connecticut, one Hobby was Lieutenant Colonel, enlisted and
mustered at Middletown aforesaid, marched to N. Haven, and wellt from there by water to New York, remained at New York a week, and the regiment was ordered to Bergen Point near Staten Island, and remained there until September, mustered about the fifteenth day of May. The British and our army had a battle on Long Island, while we were at Bergen Point, and Gen. Washington withdrew from Long Island. In September was ordered with the regiment up the River to Fort Lee on the Jersey shore, and remained there until November, on the first day of November were ordered across the river to Fort Washington on York Island. On the sixteenth day of November (Saturday) in the morning Fort was attacked by the British, who approached the Fort on three sides, under a cannonading within almost the reach of small arms, and sent in a flag of truce threatening to storm the Fort and put the garrison to the sword unless they surrendered. The cannon ammuntion of the Fort was said to be nearly exhausted, and the garrison surrendered prisoners of War. General Washington was said to have stood on the opposite shore and shed tears. The garrison was said to be 2700 in number including officers. The Americans were marched to Harlaam, and kept in old barns and other buildings until Monday and then to the sugar house in New York, where a ration of a little black mouldy worm-eaten biscuits, half a pound of bad pork, half a pint of peas, and a gill of rice, to each man once in every three days. There were six hundred and fifty at first confined to the sugar house, so close as scarcely to be able to lie down conveniently and subjected to frequent insults from the Hessians and British and called Damned Rebels, etc.

"In about two weeks the prisoners began to die for want of provisions and continued to die daily until the discharge; says he was discharged on parole with the other prisoners the 10th of January 1777; says they were put on board a ship and sent to Milford in Connecticut, the weather was cold and they were delayed by contrary wind in getting through Hell Gate, and were eleven days getting to Milford. Twenty-five died on the passage to Milford. That one man had small pox on board. After they arrived at Milford, the inhabitants made them water gruel and hasty pudding, but would not receive them into their homes for fear of small pox, and they were put into the town house. Declarant set out for home on foot in a short time, but people avoided him on the way for fear of small pox; says he reached home the last of January, says he suffered all but death, was taken sick after he reached home, and nearly died, believes the British poisoned the water, says two lads by the name of Johnson of Middletown, schoolmates and fellow prisoners with him died when they reached home, and many others also.

"In being discharged, no names were taken by the British, but only the number which occasioned a delay in their exchange, Gen. Washington being unwilling to exchange living men for dead ones. Declarant says he was not exchanged until 1779.

"III. He further says he was drafted in Connecticut Militia as a fifer for three months on September 10th 1781 at Wallingford, N. Haven County Connecticut, where he then resided, in a company commanded by Captain Norton, whose first name he does not recollect, Lieutenant or Ensign not recollected. Col. Arnold of Dunham, first name not recollected, commanded the regiment. Mustered in a few days and marched to Stratford, remained there two or three weeks, and went east again to N. Haven and remained there the rest of the time; says they were stationed in the dwelling houses in the city. Cornwallis was taken when he was at N. Haven, and the City was illuminated. The object of this draft was to oppose the incursions of the British. They crossed the sound and took one vessel while he was at N. Haven, had no battles or skirmishes. They were discharged the latter part of December after the danger was supposed to be over for the winter.

''In answer to interrogation put, he says he was born the 18th March, 1758, has no record or written memorandum of his age.

"Lived at Middletown, when he entered the service the two first times, and at Wallingford the last. Lived at Meriden, N. Haven County, at the close of the war.

"Removed from there to Middletown after the war. In 1791 removed from Middletown to Whitestown, Oneida County, New York. In 1799 removed from there to Westmoreland in same County. In 1800 removed from there to Vernon in same County where he has resided ever since.

''Says he cannot state the names of his officers more particularly than as stated above.

"Never received a written discharge from the service.

"Never had a commission.

"The answer to the 4th interrogation appears in the body of this declaration.

"Says that Samuel Cody of Vernon, Oneida County aforesaid, and Albert D. Peck, a clergyman of the place, both residing near him, are persons of his acquaintance, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

"He hereby relinquishes every claim to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state. He further declares that by reason of age and bodily infirmity he is unable to attend a court of record in Oneida County.

signed Thomas Tryon

"Sworn and subscribed this 25 day of August A.D. 1834 beforeme.

John P. Sherwood, Judge of Oneida County Court

''At the same time appeared before me Samuel Cody and Albert D. Peck, and made the following certificate on oath,

viz:

"State of New York, Oneida County, We, Albert D. Peck, a clergyman residing in Vernon in the County of Oneida and State of New York, and Samuel Cody residing in the same place, and both in the vicinity of Thomas Tryon, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy-five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, and further, that he is a person of fair character and his statements are entitled to credit.

Albert D. Peck Samuel Cody

"Sworn to and subscribed before me August 25, 1834. John P. Sherwood, Judge of Oneida County Court."

(This is a transcript of the Original Declaration which is in the National Archives under file 15A-832023.--by Sally Meylan, Mar. 1, 1962.)

Book 28, p. 416, Oneida County Court House, Utica, New York, County Clerk's Office:

"Deed Between Thomas Tryon of the town of Vernon in the County of Oneida and State of New York of the first part & Jesse Tryon of the same place of the second part. Dated - Jan. 16, 1817, Witnesses Jan. 16, 1817, Consideration - $1000 - Recorded April 4, 1817.

''The receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, Hath granted, bargained, sold remised, aliened and confirmed, and by these presents, doth grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien and confirm to the said party of the second part, and his heirs and assigns forever, All that piece or parcel of land situated in Vernon aforesaid, being part of Lot number 236 in the late Oneida Reservation, bounded and described as follows-Viz:beginning at the south-east corner of said Lot and running hence on the south line of said lot north, eighty-seven degrees west, twenty-five chains and fifty links to the south-west corner of said lot, thence north three degres east on the west line of said lot, thirty chains and ninety links, thence north, seventy-one degrees east, twenty-six chains and fifty links to the east line of said lot, thence south three degrees west, on said east line, thirty-seven chains and seventy-four links to the place of beginning, containing eighty-six acres, and two rods of land. Subject however to a mortgage to the people of the State of New York given by Elias Dewey--which said Jesse is to pay and satisfy at his own expense. Together with all singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any way appurtaining and the revenue and revisions, remainder and remainders, rents and profits therefrom all the estate rights, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of the said party of the first part, either in law, equity of, in and to the above bargained premises, with the said hereditaments and appurtenances. To have and to hold the said above bargained premises with their appurtenances to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behalf of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever.

"And the said party of the first part for himself, heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant, grant, bargain, propose and agree to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns to warrant and forever to defend the above bargained premises and every part and parcel thereof, now being in the quiet and peaceful possession of the said party of the second part against the said party of the first part, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns and against all and every other person or persons claiming or to claim the said premises, or any part thereof.

"In witness whereof the said party of the first part hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. Thomas Tryon (ss) sealed and delivered "In the presence of Rufus Pettibone.

"State of New York: On this 16th day of January 1817 before me, Rufus Pettibone, Master of Chancery, came Thomas Tryon, the prantor within named and described, to me well known, and acknowledged the within Indenture, to be his free act and deed, having examined the same I allow it to be recorded. Rufus Pettibone, Master of Chancery. Recorded the fourth of April eighteen hundred and seventeen at 2 o'clock P. M. Jas. A. Bloodgood."(Copied from the original by Edith B. Swancott of Utica, New York. )

In the record book in the Methodist Church in Vernon Center is an item "dated January 3, 1843, Thomas Tryon buried," and on the same line, someone at a later date wrote: "He lived on the place that is now known as the Burdick Brothers Place." In the County Clerk's office in Utica, New York, in the record of deeds, Book 28, p. 416: "Thomas Tryon deeded land to Jesse Tryon Jan. 16, 1817. This was 86 acres and 2 rods of land, being a part of Lot 236 in the late Oneida Reservation." U. S. Census of 1830 indicates that Thomas Tryon lived in the Town of Vernon, Oneida County, New York State.