GEORGE WYLLYS, fifth child and eldest surviving son of the Hon. Hezekiah Wyllys, of Hartford, and grandson of the Hon. Samuel Wyllys (Harv. 1653), was born in Hartford, October 6, 1710. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Hobart (Harv. 1650), of Haddam. His father was chosen Secretary of the Colony of Connecticut in May, 1712; but in May, 1730, in consequenceof his indisposition his son George, then recently graduated, was appointed Secretary pro tempore, and was so continued until May, 1734, when the father's resignation “because of insuperable infirmities" was accepted, and the son regularly inducted as his successor. He continued to serve acceptably until his death, “after a distressing illness of six days," in Hartford, April 24, 1796, in his 86th year.
He was also (like his father) for many years town clerk of Hartford, serving from December, 1732, until his death. He rose to the rank of Captain in the Militia as early as 1738, and in the French War (1757) held a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel. His connection with the government led to his employment in many other positions of trust. It is a significant fact that, though his tenure of office was not interrupted at the Revolution, he was in active sympathy with the loyalist element.
He married Mary, only daughter of his first cousin, the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge (Y.C. 1706), of Simsbury. She died November 11, 1774, in her 59th year. Their children were four sons and two daughters. Three of these sons were graduated at this College (in 1758, 1765, and 1773), and one daughter married the Hon. Jedediah Strong (Y.C. 1761).
AUTHORITIES.
Chapin, Glastenbury Centennial, 162.
Conn. Colony Records, vii, 294, 513; viii, 580; etc.
Mitchell, Woodbridge Record, 47-9.
A. Morse, Genealogical Register, ii, 181-2.
N.E. Hist, and Geneal. Register, xiii, 244, 343; xxxvii, 35.
Savage, Geneal. Dict, iv, 574.
