Samuel Wyllys was born in Hartford January 15, 1739. He was educated at Yale College, being graduated in 1759.
In 1771 he organized the First Company Governor's Foot Guard, which he commanded nearly six years. In October, 1774, he was appointed Colonel of the First Regiment of militia, and was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of state troops May 1, 1775, and served through the war. He took part in the siege of Boston, being appointed Colonel while in that camp. Before leaving Hartford he joined with other individuals in planning and providing for the expenses of the expedition which surprised and captured Ticonderoga. January 1, 1776, his regiment re-enlisted to serve one year on the Continental basis, and under Wyllys's command took part in the New York campaign, being actively engaged at the battle of Long Island. He was in charge at the upper Flatbush pass, near what is now the eastern line of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and he was forced to retreat in haste when he found himself outflanked by the British troops, and narrowly escaped capture.
After the battle of White Plains he was commissioned Colonel of the new Third Regiment, Connecticut line, and served with it for four years, during which period he was almost continuously on duty in the Hudson highlands or along the Connecticut border. Pearly in 1778 his regiment, with other troops, began the permanent fortifications of West Point. " Fort Wyllys " was doubtless named for the Colonel.
In the summer of 1779 his regiment marched with the Connecticut division toward our coast to check Tryon's invasion, and Wyllys was then in command of his brigade. In 1780 he was in camp with Washington's army on the Hudson, and in 1781 he retired from the service.
He is described as tall, of good address, striking appearance, and having red hair. He had traveled extensively in Europe, and was an inveterate novel-reader.
(Taken from Miss Talcott's pamphlet, Ruth Wyllys.)
From his obituary, published in the Courant, we take the following tribute to General Wyllys: —
"After the peace his services were found necessary in the several capacities of town clerk, alderman, justice of the peace, and representative of the town of Hartford. He was appointed brigadier and afterward major-general of the militia of the State. He was deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of the state, and a member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences. He succeeded his father and grandfather as Secretary of State, and continued in that office from 1796 to 1809, when a paralytic affection induced him to resign it. He was buried with military honors. The Foot Guard, under Major Olmstead, paid those decent and solemn attentions to the remains of their first commander which their military connection with him made so peculiarly proper. His Masonic brethren testified to his worth by their attendance at his funeral, and in the service at the grave by the Rev. Dr. Flint. A very large collection of the old and the young were deeply impressed with the reflection that all the honors and dignities of life must end theye"
General Wyllys was the last person buried in the old Center burying ground. His grave, like those of all the family, is unmarked. They gave as a reason for this that "if Connecticut could not remember the Wyllyses without monuments, their memory might rot."
