Hon. Joseph Trumbull

Joseph Trumbull was born in Lebanon, Connecticut in 1737 to Faith Robinson and Jonathan Trumbull, one of the state’s governors. The eldest child had five younger siblings: Jonathan, Faith, Mary, David, and John. He graduated from Harvard in 1756 and worked as both a merchant and a lawyer. He was made captain of the 12th Connecticut regiment in 1763. Joseph was a member of the Connecticut General Assembly from 1767-1773, appointed to the Committee of Correspondence and Inquiry, and then as the first Commissary General of Stores and Provisions for the Continental Army which included those operating in Canada. That role proved demanding, with constant criticism. He resigned from that in 1777 June. Joseph was appointed to the Board of War in 1777 November. He married Amelia Dyer Trumbull Wyllys (1750-1818) in 1778 March and resigned from the Board of War the following month, citing poor health resulting from the stress of public service. Documents show that his poor health could be traced back to at least the autumn of 1777. He died at his father’s house in Lebanon in 1778 July and was buried at the Old Cemetery there. (Sources: Journal of the American Revolution; The Governor Trumbull House; Hale Collection; The Hartford Courant; Wills & Probate Records)