Thomas Tillotson was an American physician and politician.

Life

He received a thorough education, studied medicine, and practiced. During the American Revolutionary War

American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...

, he was commissioned First lieutenant

First Lieutenant

First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...

 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

Continental Army

The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...

 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

New York Court of Chancery

The New York Court of Chancery was established during the colonial administration on August 28, 1701, the colonial governor acting as Chancellor. The New York State Constitution of 1777 continued the court but required a lawyer to be appointed Chancellor. It was the court with jurisdiction on cases...

 Robert R. Livingston), and they had four children, among them Robert L. Tillotson

Robert L. Tillotson

Robert Livingston Tillotson was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He was the son of Thomas Tillotson and Margaret Livingston Tillotson.He was Secretary of State of New York from 1816 to 1817....

.

He was a Federalist member from Dutchess County of the New York State Assembly

New York State Assembly

The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...

 from 1788 to 1790. He was a member of the New York State Senate

New York State Senate

The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...

 from 1791 to 1799. In 1791, he was also a member of the Council of Appointment

Council of Appointment

The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:...

.

He was elected to the 7th United States Congress

7th United States Congress

- House of Representatives :-Senate:* President: Aaron Burr * President pro tempore:** Abraham Baldwin , first elected December 7, 1801** Stephen R. Bradley , first elected December 14, 1802-House of Representatives:...

, but resigned on August 10, 1801, before Congress met, to become Secretary of State of New York

Secretary of State of New York

The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...

. 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, N.Y.

Sources