"This surname was originally Sillivant, and traditionally Dutch. The first of the name in Connecticut was a Daniel Sillivant who m. (1) before 1652, Abigail Cole, dau. of James of Hartford. She soon died, and he m. (2) at New Haven, 17 Oct. 1654, Elizabeth Lamberton, dau. of Capt. George. He d. in Virginia leaving a will proved June 1655, giving property to widow. She, in Oct. 1655, conveyed to John Cole the house and land given to her husband and his former wife Abigail by the latter's father in his will. She m. (2) 9 Mar. 1656/7, William Trowbridge of New Haven. It may be queried whether perhaps this Daniel had been married previously in Virginia, where early in the next century a Silliman family was located."
