# Thomas Tillotson

Dr. Thomas Tillotson (c. 1751/1752 – May 5, 1832) was an American physician and politician.

## Early life

Tillotson was born in the Province of Maryland around 1751 or 1752. He was the great great nephew of the Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson.
He received a thorough education, studied medicine, and practiced.

## Career

In 1776, he was commissioned as a First lieutenant in the Maryland Militia, and served during the American Revolutionary War. 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 Rhinebeck, New York and engaged in the practice of medicine.

### Political career

A Federalist, he represented Dutchess County in the New York State Assembly in 1788. In 1790, State Senator Anthony Hoffman died, and Tillotson was elected to fill the vacancy. He was a member of the State Senate from 1791 to 1799, and served as a member of the Council of Appointment in 1791. He was the runner-up in the 1795 United States Senate election in New York, losing to incumbent Rufus King by a vote in the state legislature of 35–30.
He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 7th United States Congress in 1800, 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.

### Linwood

Tillotson's estate in Rhinebeck was known as "Linwood". It was originally part of the Artsen-Kip Patent. Tillotson purchased from Isaac Van Etten the southerly lot forming part of the lands which had been granted in 1688 by Governor Dongan to Gerrit Aertsen and others. It was bounded on the south and west by the Hudson River and on the east by the stream known as Landsmans Kill, which also formed the westerly boundary of the Beekman patent. On this property Dr. Tillotson in the years 1788-1790 laid out a country place and called it "Linwood." His house commanded a magnificent view of the river.
He then acquired 150 acres of the Beekman land lying between Landsmans Kill and Fallsburgh Creek. This plateau, between the two streams, with extensive views of the Catskill mountains and Hudson river, became known as Linwood Hill. At the mouth of Landsmans Kill he built a dock and mill, where grain was ground. Dr. Tillotson also obtained at this time another part of the Beekman lands, twenty-nine acres of woodland lying east of Fallsburgh Creek, where two beautiful waterfalls bring it to the river level. This portion of the property became known as "Glenburn".
In 1830, Tillotson gave "Glenburn" to his granddaughter, Julia Lynch, who later married Rev. Stephen Olin, President of Wesleyan University. After Tillotson's death, "Lindon Hill" was sold to Federal Vanderburgh.

## Personal life

In 1779, he married Margaret Livingston (1749–1823), a daughter of Judge Robert Livingston and Margaret (née Beekman) Livingston. Among her siblings were U.S. Secretary of State Edward Livingston and Chancellor Robert R. Livingston. Their children included:
* Janette Maria Tillotson (1786–1866), who married Judge James Lynch.
* Robert Livingston Tillotson (1788–1878), who married Emily Gouverneur, a daughter of Nicholas Gouverneur and Hester (née Kortright) Gouverneur. Among her siblings were Samuel L. Gouverneur (son-in-law of President James Monroe) and Maria Charlotte Gouverneur (wife of Thomas McCall Cadwalader).
* Caroline Amelia Tillotson (b. 1789), who died young.
* John C. Tillotson (1791–1867), who married Maria Livingston, a daughter of Robert L. Livingston (son of Speaker Walter Livingston) and Margaret Maria Livingston (youngest daughter of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston).
* Howard Tillotson (1792–1813), a member of the U.S. Navy; he died, unmarried, at sea.
He died in Rhinebeck on May 5, 1832, was buried in the Livingston family vault in the cemetery at the Dutch Reformed Church in Rhinebeck.