Tench Tilghman
Encyclopedia
Tench Tilghman was an officer in the Continental Army
during the American Revolutionary war
. He served as an aide de camp to General
George Washington
, achieving the rank
of lieutenant colonel
.
Tilghman rose to become a trusted member of Washington's staff. The historic events of the time sparked his transformation from a privileged family member of Loyalists
to a dedicated Patriot
. Tench paid a high price, facing such tragedies as a split with his family and suffering an early death from disease contracted during the American Revolutionary War
.
) with an A.B. degree in 1761. While his 11 siblings worked for the British, Tench built a business. Citing Tench's fine communication skills, the Continental Congress
recruited him to make peace with the Six Nations
. Following his return from this mission, he enlisted in the Maryland Militia. His good service was rewarded with a promotion to General George Washington’s Army where he was soon promoted to Washington's aide-de-camp. During the Battle of Monmouth
in 1778, Tench again distinguished himself as one of a handful on Washington's staff fluent in French. Tench continued to serve faithfully for three more years. Then, Tench's moment of triumph came when Washington chose him to carry the surrender papers from Yorktown
to Philadelphia.
was the Attorney General
of Pennsylvania
, his brothers Richard and Philemon served in the military. Tench's brother William Tilghman
desired to study law in England creating a professional conflict for Tench.
Tench's letter to his brother William denying his request for a passage to England, June 12, 1781:
, it did not take Tench long to impress Washington. He stayed by Washington during the disastrous Battle of Harlem Heights
on September 16, 1776, escaping with him on the last boat from Manhattan
Island. As the war was ending, Washington sent Tilghman a worried letter about King George III’s actions.
Washington's letter to Tench on January 7, 1783, from Newburgh, New York:
Tench Tilghman’s Yorktown Journal October 17, 1781 at the Siege of Yorktown:
in October 1781 marked the start of the Patriot’s victory and an honor for Tench who Washington picked to carry the surrender papers to Philadelphia. In a letter to Tilghman the following year, Washington’s humor and admiration is apparent.
Washington’s letter to Tench on July 9, 1782 from Newburgh, New York:
George Washington’s letters to brother Richard Tilghman on May 10:
Tench Tilghman is buried in the Oxford, Maryland cemetery.
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...
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 served as an aide de camp to General
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, achieving the rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
.
Tilghman rose to become a trusted member of Washington's staff. The historic events of the time sparked his transformation from a privileged family member of Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
to a dedicated Patriot
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
. Tench paid a high price, facing such tragedies as a split with his family and suffering an early death from disease contracted 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...
.
Early Life
Leui. Col. Tench Tilghman December 25, 1744 was born "Fausley," the plantation owned by his father, James Tilghman, located on Fausley Creek, a branch of the St. Michaels River, in Talbot County, Maryand, U.S.A a few miles from the town of Easton. Tench’s great grandfather was Richard Tilghman, a British Navy surgeon who was born in the County of Kent, England. In 1661, he moved his family to Talbot County, Maryland, settling in an area along the Third Haven River. Within a short time, Richard moved to the "Hermitage," located on the Chester River, then in Kent County, but today in Queen Anne’s County. Richard’s son, James Tilghman, was a distinguished gentleman lawyer, who is recognized as an important Maryland figure in his time.Tilghman's transformation
Tilghman was not destined to become a revolutionary. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
) with an A.B. degree in 1761. While his 11 siblings worked for the British, Tench built a business. Citing Tench's fine communication skills, the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
recruited him to make peace with the Six Nations
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
. Following his return from this mission, he enlisted in the Maryland Militia. His good service was rewarded with a promotion to General George Washington’s Army where he was soon promoted to Washington's aide-de-camp. During the Battle of Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
in 1778, Tench again distinguished himself as one of a handful on Washington's staff fluent in French. Tench continued to serve faithfully for three more years. Then, Tench's moment of triumph came when Washington chose him to carry the surrender papers from Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
to Philadelphia.
Split family loyalties
Tench's transformation into a Patriot didn't occur overnight. Tench became the first in his family to join the Patriot’s cause. Most of the Tilghman family served the King: Tench's father JamesJames Tilghman
James Tilghman was a prominent lawyer and public servant in colonial Maryland and Pennsylvania.The fourth son of Colonel Richard Tilghman and Anna Maria Lloyd, he was born at his family's estate, the Hermitage, on the Chester River in Talbot County on Maryland's Eastern Shore...
was the Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, his brothers Richard and Philemon served in the military. Tench's brother William Tilghman
William Tilghman
William Tilghman was an American lawyer, jurist and statesman from Maryland. He served as the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court from 1805 to 1827....
desired to study law in England creating a professional conflict for Tench.
Tench's letter to his brother William denying his request for a passage to England, June 12, 1781:
I am placed in as delicate a situation as it is possible for a man to be. I am, from my station, a master of the most valuable secrets of the Cabinet, and the master of the field and it might give cause of umbrage and suspicion at the this critical moment to interest myself in procuring the passage of a brother to England.
Tories burn Tench’s business
At the start of the Revolution, Tench ran a saddle-making business which began to decline when the Non-Importation Resolution made it impossible to import British goods. Tench supported the resolution, which resulted in Tories burning down his business.Service during the Revolution
Tilghman was Washington's trusted confidant throughout the war. From his appointment on August 8, 1776, as Washington's aide-de-campWashington's Aides-de-Camp
Thirty-two men served as General George Washington's aides-de-camp during the War for American Independence, according to "the authoritative list of Washington's aides and secretaries compiled by Worthington Chauncy Ford in 1906...
, it did not take Tench long to impress Washington. He stayed by Washington during the disastrous Battle of Harlem Heights
Battle of Harlem Heights
The Battle of Harlem Heights was fought during the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The action took place in what is now the Morningside Heights and west Harlem neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City on September 16, 1776....
on September 16, 1776, escaping with him on the last boat from Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
Island. As the war was ending, Washington sent Tilghman a worried letter about King George III’s actions.
Washington's letter to Tench on January 7, 1783, from Newburgh, New York:
The obstinacy of the King and his unwillingness to acknowledge the independency of this country, I have ever considered as the greatest obstacles in the way of a peace.
Tench Tilghman’s Yorktown Journal October 17, 1781 at the Siege of Yorktown:
In the morning Lord CornwallisCharles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess CornwallisCharles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG , styled Viscount Brome between 1753 and 1762 and known as The Earl Cornwallis between 1762 and 1792, was a British Army officer and colonial administrator...
put out a letter requesting 24 hours must be granted to the commissioners to settle terms of capitulation of the posts of York and Gloster. The General answered that only two hours would be allowed for him to send out his terms. He accordingly sent them out generally as follows, that the Garrisons should be prisoners of war, the German and British soldiers to be sent to England and Germany. The General answered on the 18th that the terms of sending the troops to England and Germany were inadmissible. Lord Cornwallis closed with all the terms except the same honors granted at Charlestown.
Carried surrender papers
The Siege of YorktownSiege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
in October 1781 marked the start of the Patriot’s victory and an honor for Tench who Washington picked to carry the surrender papers to Philadelphia. In a letter to Tilghman the following year, Washington’s humor and admiration is apparent.
Washington’s letter to Tench on July 9, 1782 from Newburgh, New York:
“Till your letter of the 28th arrived which is the first from you and the only direct account of you since we departed at Philadelphia, we have various conjectures about you. Some thought you were dead—others that you were married—and all that you have forgot us.
Your letter is not a more evident contradiction of the first and last of these suppositions than it is a tacit conformation of the second and as more can wish you greater success in the prosecution of the plan you are upon than I do...you have no friend who wishes more to see you than I do.”
Later life and death
10,000 American soldiers died from disease rather than battle. Tench was among those who contracted disease during the war. Congress rewarded Tench’s merits and Washington recalled him fondly.George Washington’s letters to brother Richard Tilghman on May 10:
As there were few man for whom I had a warmer friendship or greater regard for your brother Colonel Tilghman—when living; so, with much truth I can assure you that there are whose death I could have more sincerely regretted—And I pray you and his numerous friends to permit me to mingle my sorrows with theirs on this unexpected and melancholy occasion.
June 5, 1786 ...none could have felt his death with more regard than I did, because no one entertained a higher opinion of his worth.
Tench Tilghman is buried in the Oxford, Maryland cemetery.
External links
- Oswald Tilghman, History of Talbot County, MD 1681-1861 Williams & Wilkins Baltimore, MD 1915 Now in the Talbot County Library, page 2. http://www.talb.lib.md.us/mdroom/worthies/tench.html..
- About Famous People, Tench Tilghman by John T. Marck http://www.aboutfamouspeople.com/article1019.html
- Col. Tench Tilghman - Delmarva Heritage Series
- Painting of Tilghman with George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and Lafayette, by Charles Willson PealeCharles Willson PealeCharles Willson Peale was an American painter, soldier and naturalist. He is best remembered for his portrait paintings of leading figures of the American Revolution, as well as establishing one of the first museums....
Other
- Courtesy of the Ogle familyOgle familyThe Ogle family was prominent landed gentry in Northumberland from before the time of the Norman Conquest.-Origins:The earliest appearances of the family name was written Hoggel, Oggehill, Ogille and Oghill....
of Maryland and Allied Families. The Ogle Family of Maryland and Allied Families helped me find out what the family crest of the Tilghman family was and gave me some background information.