Samuel Wyllys (January 4, 1739 – June 9, 1823) was an American military officer in the American Revolution, Connecticut politician, and a member of the Wyllys–Haynes family.
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Early life
Wyllys was born on January 4, 1739, and baptized on January 7, 1739. He graduated from Yale College in 1758. In 1764, Wyllys sailed to England and remained there for six years.
Military career
In October 1771, Wyllys led the successful petition to the Connecticut General Assembly to create the Governor's Guard. Wyllys was then elected as the unit's first captain.
In 1775, he was appointed lieutenant colonel in Colonel Joseph Spencer's 2nd Connecticut Regiment. on July 1, he was promoted to Colonel, and commanded the regiment until January 1, 1776, when the 2nd Connecticut was reorganized as the 22nd Continental Regiment. Wyllys remained in command of the regiment, serving in the Siege of Boston until the British evacuation on March 17, and then marched with George Washington to New York. He saw action in the Battle of Long Island and served in the New York vicinity until the end of the year.