Tryon, William, 1729-1788
Biography
Governor of New York
On 8 July 1771, Tryon arrived in the Province of New York and became its governor. In 1771 and 1772 he was successful in having the assembly appropriate funds for the quartering of British troops and also on 18 March 1772 the establishment of a militia. Funds were also appropriated for the rebuilding of New York City's defenses.
In 1772, opposition in New York was strong against the Tea Act. In December, the Sons of Liberty "persuaded" the tea agents to resign. Tryon proposed to land the tea and store it at Fort George. The Sons of Liberty were opposed and Alexander McDougall said, "prevent the landing, and kill [the] governor and all the council". When news of the Boston Tea Party arrived on 22 December, Tryon gave up trying to land the tea. He told London the tea could be brought ashore "only under the protection of the point of the bayonet, and muzzle of cannon, and even then I do not see how consumption could be effected". In 1774, the New Yorkers dumped their own consignment of tea into the harbor.
On 29 December 1773 the governor's mansion and all its contents were destroyed by fire. The New York Assembly appropriated five thousand pounds for his losses.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
New York (Colony) charter
From the New York (Colony) Governor a Charter of the town of Woodstock, Vermont, granted June 3, 1772 to Levi and Oliver Willard and others. Included are other documents concerned with the founding of Woodstock.
New York (State) Governor letters
New York (State) Governor Tryon letters patent in New York, for the town of Cavendish (Vt.). Land grant, growing out of changes in the New Hampshire - Vermont (New York) boundary. Signed by William Tryon, as governor of New York.