Thomas Tillottson

Thomas Tillotson (1750 – May 5, 1832) was an American physician and politician.

Life

Born in Maryland circa 1750, Tillotson received a thorough education, studied medicine, and practiced. He was the great great nephew of the Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson. In 1776, he was commissioned as a First lieutenant in the Maryland Militia, and served during the American Revolutionary War. [Year Book of the Dutchess County Historical Society page 35] He was appointed by Congress as a physician and surgeon general of the Northern Department of the Continental Army in 1780, and served until the close of the war. Afterward, he settled in Rhinebeck, New York and engaged in the practice of medicine. [Year Book of the Dutchess County Historical Society, page 35]

In 1779, he married Margaret Livingston (1749–1823, sister of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston). Their children included Robert, John, and Janette.["Pension Application for Thomas Tillotson"] Janette was the wife of Judge James Lynch.

A Federalist, he represented Dutchess County in the New York State Assembly in 1788. In 1790, State Senator Anthony Hoffman died, and Tillotson was elected to fill the vacancy. He was a member of the State Senate from 1791 to 1799,Template:Sfn and served as a member of the Council of Appointment in 1791.{{sfn|The Papers of Alexander Hamilton]

He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 7th United States Congress in 1800, but resigned on August 10, 1801, before Congress met, to become Secretary of State of New York. He remained in this office until March 15, 1806, and again from February 16, 1807 to February 1, 1808. [Year Book of the Dutchess County Historical Society]

He died in Rhinebeck on May 5, 1832 was buried in the Livingston family vault in the cemetery at the Dutch Reformed Church in Rhinebeck. ["Patriots of the American Revolution Interred in the Rhinebeck Reformed Church Cemetery"]

Linwood

Tillotson's estate in Rhinebeck was known as "Linwood". It was originally part of the Artsen-Kip Patent. Tillotson purchased from Isaac Van Etten the southerly lot forming part of the lands which had been granted in 1688 by Governor Dongan to Gerrit Aertsen and others. It was bounded on the south and west by the Hudson River and on the east by the stream known as Landsmans Kill, which also formed the westerly boundary of the Beekman patent. On this property Dr. Tillotson in the years 1788-1790 laid out a country place and called it "Linwood." His house commanded a magnificent view of the river.

He then acquired 150 acres of the Beekman land lying between Landsmans Kill and Fallsburgh Creek. This plateau, between the two streams, with extensive views of the Catskill mountains and Hudson river, became known as Linwood Hill. At the mouth of Landsmans Kill he built a dock and mill, where grain was ground. Dr. Tillotson also obtained at this time another part of the Beekman lands, twenty-nine acres of woodland lying east of Fallsburgh Creek, where two beautiful waterfalls bring it to the river level. This portion of the property became known as "Glenburn".Historical and Genealogical Record Dutchess and Putnam Counties New York, Press of the A. V. Haight Co., Poughkeepsie, New York, 1912

In 1830, Tillotson gave "Glenburn" to his granddaughter, Julia Lynch, who later married Rev. Stephen Olin, President of Wesleyan University. After Tillotson's death, "Lindon Hill" was sold to Federal Vanderburgh.

Sources

Books

• Year Book of the Dutchess County Historical Society, volume 13, 1928, Poughkeepsie, NY
• The Papers of Alexander Hamilton volume 9, Columbia University Press, 1965.
• The Papers of Thomas Jefferson volume 35, 2005 Princeton, NJ Princeton University Press.
• John W. Jordan, Colonial Families of Philadelphia volume=II New York, Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.

Internet

• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite web

External links

• The Papers of Robert Morris, 1781-1784: April 16-July 20, 1782, by Robert Morris
• Rhinebeck, by Michael Frazier
• Template:Find a Grave