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: Civil Service
Birth: 26 Mar 1740 Lebanon / / CT Death: 07 Aug 1809 Lebanon / / CT
Qualifying Service Description:
Governor
Spouse: Eunice Backus Children: Harriet; Faith; Harriet;
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
Jonathan was born during 1740 at his parents’ (1735) historic home, known as the Governor Jonathan Trumbull (Sr) House in Lebanon, Connecticut (CT). Jonathan was named after his father, Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. His mother was Faith Robinson, a daughter of Rev. John Robinson, whose family roots were colonial Puritan early settlers.
Jonathan, Jr. was educated at home and church school at Lebanon’s Town Common. He entered Harvard at age approx. age 17 and graduated with a Master’s degree during 1762 at age 22. He married Eunice Backus of Norwich, on 26 Mar 1767 at Lebanon, New London County, CT.
At the height of desire among American colonist in Connecticut for Independence, Jonathan, Jr. was appointed as Secretary to the Commander-in-chief Gen’l. George Washington in a general orders delivered on 8 Jun 1781: Jonathan Trumbull, Esqr., Junior, is appointed Secretary to the Commander in Chief and to be respected accordingly. Following the War for American Independence, he became a founding (1783) member of the Connecticut ‘Society of the Cincinnati’; characterized as the oldest hereditary society in North America with direct lineage ties to officers of the Continental army.
He married Eunice Backus (1749-1826) and together celebrated birth of a son, Jonathan, born 24 Dec 1767, who died several weeks after his birth; and, four daughters: Faith Trumbull Wadsworth (1769); Mary Trumbull (1777); Harriet Trumbull Stillman (1783) and Maria Trumbull (1785).
Civilian life drew Jonathan, Jr. toward publick’ and civil service. He became a US Congressman, Senator and the 3rd Governor of his state (1797-1809) prior to his death at age 69, on 7 Aug 1809. Jonathan, Jr. was buried at Old Cemetery on Exeter Road at Lebanon, New London County, CT near his brother, David Trumbull.
Jonathan, Jr’s upright family headstone appears photographed as Find A Grave Memorial # 4801 with Bronze Lug (?) set on a pole off to the side of his upright private headstone at Latitude: 41.64369, Longitude: -72.20342
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