American Union Lodge No. 1 - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic ...

After eight years of widowhood, being then only thirty, Mrs. Stoughton married on February 3, 1777, her cousin, General Samuel
Wyllys, at that time a Colonel in the Continental Army.
Judging from family correspondence, Mrs. Wyllys was with her husband during the winters when he was in quarters on the Hudson,
sharing with him as far as possible the dangers and privations of a soldier's life.
*Ruth, born February 22, 1705, was a daughter of Hon. Hezekiah Wyllys, and sister of Col. George Wyllys, and married (1)
December 31, 1724, Richard Lord, of Hartford, who, later, removed to Wethersfield. After Richard Lord's death in 1740, she married
(2) Col. Thomas Belden.
Samuel Wyllys was one of the incorporators of the First Company Governor's Foot Guards, organized in 1771, and became its first
captain. He served from the beginning of the war, taking part with his regiment in the siege of Boston. In 1776 his regiment reenlisted
and served under his command in the New York campaign, being actively engaged in the battle of Long Island. After the
battle of White Plains, Wyllys was commissioned Colonel of the new Third Connecticut Regiment, and served with it for four years,
during which period he was almost continually on duty on the Hudson Highlands, or along the Connecticut border. Early in 1778 his
regiment, with other troops, began the permanent fortifications of West Point. In the summer of 1779, his regiment marched with the
Connecticut division towards the Connecticut coast to check Tryon's invasion, Wyllys being then in command of his brigade. In 178o
he was in camp with Washington's army on the Hudson. Finally, in January, 1781, the Colonel retired from service with many other
officers, in consequence of regimental consolidation. From 1789 to 1792 he was Brigadier-General of the First Brigade, State Militia,
and from 1793 to 1796 Major-General of the State Militia.
General Wyllys's brothers were in the service also. Hezekiah Wyllys fought in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. Later he
was appointed Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia, which frequently turned out on alarms. He was in Putnam's force on the
Hudson during Burgoyne's campaign, also at Stonington and New Haven, when those towns were attacked by the British.
The youngest brother, John Palsgrave Wyllys, was only twenty one when he entered the army as adjutant of Col. Erastus
Wolcott's regiment at the time of the siege of Boston. In the New York campaign of 1776 he was appointed Brigade Major of Wads
worth's Brigade, and was taken prisoner on September 5, during the retreat from New York, but was soon exchanged. In January,
1777, he was commissioned captain in Colonel S. B. Webb's regiment.
The following is a copy of a letter written by Major John Palsgrave Wyllys to his sisters, among whom is included Ruth Wyllys.
To my Sisters—Greeting:
After a tedious forced march through the Jersies, I have the pleasure to inform my good Sisters of my safe and sound arrival at
Peekskill—not a single wound—(except eye-shots or so)—but all healed after crossing the River. These Dutch women are perfect
antidotes for all poisonous wounds of that kind, I wonder if Susa finds any antidotes at Killingworth. Dr. Gale's powders never will
answer—the air among the pines would do much better. As for Ruth, I retract what I said of her—she is good for a great many
things !—she feeds the body not only—but the mind also. I thank her for her presents of both kinds, and Mrs. Pomeroy* for hers—
they are very good—they will be still kinder by continuing them in an epistolary way. With regard to Susa she is gadding about so
much there is no knowing where to find her, therefore, I say nothing to her in particular, but I must tax her as well as all the rest of
my sisters with neglect in writing —to punish them for which I shall not inform them of any of my adventures in the Jersies—as how I
saw Miss H. Bull accidentally upon our march into Brunswick the morning it was evacuated by the enemy—the mutual surprise—the
story of her sufferings—her many kind enquiries for her friends—the great relief two or three dishes of Tea afforded me—how our
Brigade first entered the Town driving the enemy before them—march through the Town with colors flying —pursuit towards
Amboy—return—many affecting instances of British Cruelty—their treatment of women— some tender scenes of which I was
witness—our fatigueing march back. These, with many other curious particulars, are entirely lost by your negligence. I hope for the
future you will behave better, otherwise I can't with a good conscience give loose to my inclination for particular descriptions of this
kind—your amendment will give me opportunity.
Mrs. Pomroy will be so good as to send by the first opportunity a couple of Blankets—it is very inconvenient to be without.
*Eunice Belden Pomeroy, sister of Ruth Wyllys, and wife of Quartermaster General Ralph Pomeroy.
Rutha I suppose will soon be for writing to her good man. I expect a letter from her at the same time. It would be of no great service
to write news. I will omit it, and say no more, but conclude with giving my best wishes to all my Sisters and subscribing myself their
Friend & Brother.
J. P. WYLLIS.
Camp at Peeks-kill. July 14, 1777.
Sunday evening.
John Palsgrave Wyllys served in the campaign against Burgoyne, was stationed at Newport, RI, the next year, and in 1779-8o the
regiment wintered in the Morristown huts. In 1780 he was absent from his regiment most of the year, commanding one of the
Connecticut companies in Lafayette's Light Infantry Corps. He distinguished himself by his gallantry in Virginia, especially at the
siege of Yorktown. After the surrender of Cornwallis, he returned to his regiment, then with the army in the Highlands, and remained
with it until it was disbanded in November, 1783. He entered the regular army again in 1785, served in the Indian campaigns in the
Ohio country, and was killed at the head of his command in the battle of the Miami, October 21, 1790.
After General Samuel Wyllys returned to Hartford, he assisted his father in the performance of his duties as Secretary of
Connecticut, and after his father's death in 1796, was elected to the same office. He continued to act as Secretary until 18o9, when
he retired from active life. He died June 9, 1823, and was buried with military honors in the old Center Burying Ground. Mrs. Ruth
Wyllys died September 2, 1807.
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