Elijah Hyde was born at Norwich Farms (now Franklin), Connecticut January 17, 1735, and married Mary Clark on February 24, 1757. Mary was born on March 13, 1737, in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. The couple settled at Lebanon, where Elijah was a wealthy and respectable farmer, and for many years represented the town of Lebanon in the State Legislature.

Children of Elijah and Mary (Clark) Hyde:

Mary Hyde was born on 20 Jun 1760 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. She died on December 26, 1836, in Bainbridge, Chenango, New York, and was buried in Afton Cemetery, Chenango, New York. She married Daniel Hyde on May 6, 1780, in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut, and had several children.

Esther Hyde was born on 20 Jun 1760 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut, and was a twin to Mary Hyde. Esther died before she was two years old. Twins continue to be predominant to this day in the descendants of Elijah and Mary (Clark) Hyde.

Elijah Clark Hyde

Zabdiel Hyde

Gershem C. Hyde

Oliver Hyde

Rhoda Hyde married John Hyde, son of Asa Hyde and Lucy French. Asa was also a Revolutionary Patriot, and is thought to be either a cousin or brother to Elijah.

Esther Hyde (second child of that name)

Melinda Hyde

Lucy Hyde

Cynthia Hyde

Olive Hyde

Taking an active part in the stuggle for American Independence, Hyde was a Cavalry officer in the service of the United States. He served in the Second Regiment of the Connecticut Light Horse, and was appointed Major of the Light Horse in November 1776.

2nd Regiment of Connecticut Light Horse, Major Elijah Hyde

Few of the troops or companies of light horse raised in the Colony of Connecticut wore the same uniform. The illustration shows the uniform of Captain James Green's troop as they appeared at Stillwater, with the squadron commanded by Major Elijah Hyde, then attached to the American Army under General Gates.

This troop wore felt hats with an iron crown piece inside as protection from saber cuts. Their uniforms were brown faced with buff, waistcoats, and breeches of coarse white linen, white wool stockings, short gaiters or spatterdashes of black leather and steel spurs.

Their arms consisted of saber, pistols and long carbine slung on the right side, from a shoulder belt of white buff-leather. The cartridge box was carried in the waistbelt on the right side. When not in use, the carbine was carried muzzle forward in a leather bucket attached to the right side of the saddle.

Major Elijah Hyde was wounded at Stillwater on October 7, 1777. He was with the Northern Army at the surrender of Borgoyne. Hyde died at Lebanon on December 31, 1800. Our Thirteen Organizing Members are his direct descendants.