Tilly Lynde

Tilly Lynde (October 9, 1782 – March 1, 1857) was an American merchant, judge, and politician in the U.S. state of New York. He was a member of the New York State Senate (1820–1826) and the State Assembly (1818, 1826, & 1828).

His brother, Charles W. Lynde, also served several years in the New York Legislature. Two of Tilly Lynde's sons, Charles and Watts, died in the 1841 Erie steamship disaster. His eldest surviving son, William Pitt Lynde, became a prominent lawyer and politician in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, and served as mayor of Milwaukee; William Lynde's descendants were also some of the most important businessmen and philanthropists in Milwaukee history.

Biography Tilly Lynde was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, in October 1782. He moved to Sherburne, New York, in 1802, working as a clerk for the merchant Garret Y. Lansing. By December 1804, Lynde had earned enough to start his own general store. By all reports, he was extremely successful in business and within a decade was a prominent and well-known member of the community.

He was elected associate judge in 1816 and retired from his merchandise business. The following year, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as one of three representatives of Chenango County. He was defeated running for re-election in 1818, but was subsequently elected to the New York State Senate in 1820. He served in the 44th and 45th legislatures, the last sessions before the adoption of the 1822 New York Constitution. Under the new system, he was elected to a three year term in the New York Senate in 1822, representing the 6th State Senate district. He was then elected to two more terms in the Assembly, serving in the 1826 and 1828 sessions. He ran for United States House of Representatives in 1832, but was defeated.

Personal life and family Tilly Lynde was one of at least four children of John Lynde and his wife Sarah ( Warner). Tilly's younger brother, Charles W. Lynde, also served in the New York State Senate.

Tilly Lynde married Eliza Warner, a school teacher from Sunderland, Massachusetts, on September 10, 1812.

New York Senate (1820, 1822)