Thomas Tillotson

Thomas Tillotson, New York Congressman and Secretary of State.

Thomas Tillotson (1750 Maryland – May 5, 1832 Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, New York) was an American physician and politician.

Life

He received a thorough education, studied medicine, and practiced. During the American Revolutionary War, he was commissioned First lieutenant in the Maryland Militia in 1776. 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 New York and engaged in the practice of medicine.

He married Margaret Livingston (1749–1823, sister of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston), and they had four children, among them Robert L. Tillotson.

He was a Federalist member from Dutchess County of the New York State Assembly from 1788 to 1790. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1791 to 1799. In 1791, he was also a member of the Council of Appointment.

He was elected to the 7th United States Congress, 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.

He was buried in the vault in the rear of the Reformed Dutch Church at Rhinebeck, New York.

Sources

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

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Theodorus Bailey	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 5th congressional district 1801	Succeeded by Theodorus Bailey
Political offices
Preceded by Daniel Hale	Secretary of State of New York 1801–1806	Succeeded by Elisha Jenkins
Preceded by Elisha Jenkins	Secretary of State of New York 1807–1808	Succeeded by Elisha Jenkins