George Tryon

George was the eldest son of Moses Tryon and 2d wife Eunice Treat.  Born in Wethersfield, Connecticut on 6 April 1783, he seems to have decided to follow in dad’s footsteps… At age 16 he joined the crew of the US sloop of war Connecticut as a midshipman under his father’s command.  George left the Navy with the downsizing of the Peace Establishment Act of March 1801, but signed with a merchant brig Ontario, Captain (and deacon) Timothy Stillman of Wethersfield, bound to  Fort Royal, Martinique in 1802.  Evidence suggests that George had signed as the ship’s mate.  While at Fort Royal, the mate of the Ontario and three seamen died while at Fort Royal and two more seamen along the passage to NY, all between the 20th and 29th of September, 1802; likely yellow fever.  Capt. Stillman touched at Nevis and then tried to bring the Ontario back to Wethersfield, yet put in at NY due to a contrary headwind.  He finally brought the vessel into Middletown, CT on 29 Nov 1802, and from there the news would have spread of the deaths.  According to a family record, George died on Sunday, 19 Sept. – whether while actually in Fort Royal or at sea is not certain.  As a result of the Treaty of Amiens the British control of the island ceased and it reverted to French control, possibly in March, more likely in April… But not by conflict.  So the cause of George’s death remain, for now, in speculation.  Burial location likely at sea and his death date and location are somewhat muddy by newspaper articles, church records, and the family Bible, all of which indicate variation in the story.

Thank you Cheryl W for the clues!!