The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: CT
Qualifying Service: Colonel
Birth: 11 Mar 1737 Lebanon / New London / CT Death: 24 Jul 1778 Lebanon / New London / CT
Spouse: Amelia Dyer Children: Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Author: James Edward Mitchell
Joseph Trumbull was born on 11 Mar 1737 at his parent’s home in Lebanon, New London County, Connecticut (CT). His father, Jonathan *Trumble (1710-1785) was elected CT Governor between 1775 &1784. He changed the surname spelling to Trumbull during 1765. Jonathan Trumbull’s wife was [Faith Robinson Trumbull (1718-1780) Find A Grave Memorial# 10875616] a daughter of [Rev. John Robinson (1672-1745) Find A Grave Memorial# 46178580] a Harvard graduate, Class of 1695 and an ordained Congregational Church Minister of Duxbury, Massachusetts (MA) and Lebanon, CT. Joseph was appointed Colonel by the Connecticut General Assembly as (1st) commissary gen’l. in charge of supplying food and rations for his state’s troops that had marched to Cambridge after Apr 1775 and, joined the siege of Boston prior to the formation of the (14 Jun 1775) Continental Army by the 2nd Continental Congress. Gen. Washington was impressed by Trumbull’s efforts at Cambridge, and recommended him for the same job description in the newly formed Continental Army with the rank of Colonel.
Joseph was one of 6 children born at Lebanon, New London County where his father was commissioned a Lieutenant of (New London County), Troop of Horse (25 men) 1735-1739; LieutColonel for the (12th) Connecticut Rgt., 1739-1753; Colonel for the (12th) Rgt., 1753-1768; Clerk, of House of Representatives, 1738; Speaker, House of Representatives 1739, 1752 and 1754; Justice of the Peace, Windham County, 1738-39, 1751-54; Judge, Windham County, 1746-54, 1757-66; Deputy Gov., Colony of CT, 1766-69; Chief Justice, CT Superior Court, 1766-69; and, Gov. Colony of CT, Oct. 1769 – Oct. 1776; and Gov. State of CT, Oct. 1776-Oct. 1784. Joseph’s father, Jonathan, Sr., a son of Joseph *Trumble, died at home in Lebanon, CT, at age 75.
Joseph’s siblings were Faith Trumbull Huntington (1743-1775); Mary Trumbull Williams (1745-1831); and Jonathan, Jr. (1740-1809) who served later as Gov.; David (1751-1822) first appt. Commissary under Joseph, then Commissary Gen’l. from the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and subsequently appointed as Purchasing Commissary under Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth, who from the beginning of the War was Quartermaster Gen’l.; and John Trumbull (1756-1843) ‘The Painter and Artist’ for Alexander Hamilton, oil on canvas, 1806; The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill, 17 Jun 1775, oil on canvas, after 1815-bef. 1831; General Washington Resigning His Commission, oil on canvas, 1824; Geo. Washington Before the Battle of Trenton, oil on canvas, c1792-94; John Adams- portrait, oil on canvas, 1793; Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, oil on canvas, 1820; Surrender of Hessian Troops at Trenton, 1776, oil on canvas, 1786-1828, et al.
Joseph married Amelia Dyer on 12 Mar 1778, Windham County, CT. Joseph Trumbull’s hands were ‘fit to be tied’ supplying both his state troops and the Continental Army with food and rations between 1775 and 1777. Congress considered allegations of wrong doing involving a dispute with Gen’l. Philip Schuyler over Trumbull’s commissary role (1776-7) within the Northern Department. Congress, after Aug. 1777, removed some of Trumbull’s responsibilities as Commissary Gen’l. of Stores and Provisions until his resignation in Apr 1778 due to illness.
Joseph died 3 months later on 23-24 Jul 1778 at home in Lebanon, New London County, CT. [Windham County formed from Hartford and New London counties in 1726. New London County and Hartford counties lost parts of the towns of Lebanon, Norwich, Plainfield, Canterbury, et al., to the newly formed County of Windham.] Joseph was buried at Trumbull Cemetery (Old Cemetery) along Exeter Road or Hwy 207 at Lebanon next to the Susquetonscut Brook mapped at Latitude: 41.64369 and Longitude: -72.20342
Colonel Joseph Trumbull’s Estate (will) was probated and sealed at Court held in the District of Norwich at New London County in the presence of Executors –Jonathan, Junr., and David Trumbull both of Lebanon in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut dated 15 Oct 1778. Widow’s Dower: Mrs. Amelia Dyer, wife of Colonel Joseph Trumbull, late of said Norwich District, is described to have accepted 1/3 part of the real estate with a subdivided house i.e., south bedroom with privileges in the kitchen, toilet and wash, together with a part of an adjoining lot, barn and garden.1
1 Connecticut, Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999 for Joseph Trumbull, Hartford > Probate Packets, Trumbull, Joseph, 1748-1880; Widows Dower in Col. Joseph Trumbull’s Est’ Exhibited (at Court in Norwich, New London Co., CT) 8 Nov 1788 recorded in Book 8, pgs 188 &189.
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