Chittenden Lyon1,2,3

ID# 1967, (1787 - 1842)
FatherMatthew Lyon4 (14 Jul 1749 - 1 Aug 1822)
MotherBeulah Chittenden4 (15 May 1764 - 6 Feb 1824)

Key Events:

Birth: 22 Feb 1787, Fair Haven, Vermont5,6
Marriage: 6 Apr 1817, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Nancy Vaughn ( - 4 Feb 1928)7,8
Marriage: 10 Sep 1829, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Francis B. Jones (about 1806 - )9,10
Death: 23 Nov 1842, Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky6,11
Burial: Eddyville Cemetery, Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky12,13

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     
Chittenden Lyon
from Matthew Lyon: The Hampden of Congress14
Chittenden Lyon was born on 22 Feb 1787 in Fair Haven, Vermont.5,6
     Chittenden moved to Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, in 1801 as part of the expedition led by his father that brought a number of families from Vermont.15 For details, please see The Trek from Vermont to the Kentucky Wilderness.
     Chittenden married first Nancy Vaughn, daughter of John Vaughn and Mary Patton, on 6 Apr 1817 in Caldwell Co., Kentucky.7,8
     Chittenden appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, with a household consisting of one white male between 16 and 18, three between 18 and 26, two between 26 and 45 (one him), and two over 45; and one white female between 10 and 16, one between 16 and 26, and one over 45; and three male and three female slaves.3

Political Service --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Chittenden served in the state Senate from 1822 to 1824. He was elected to the Twentieth Congress and reelected as a Jacksonian to the three succeeding Congresses, 4 Mar 1827 to 3 Mar 1835, and was not a candidate for re-election in 1835.16,17,18
     He sponsored, as Congressman, the application of Dr. Joshua Cobb to the United States Military Academy at West Point in United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.19,20,21
     Lyon County was named in his honor when it was separated from Caldwell County in 1854.15
     Chittenden married second Francis B. Jones on 10 Sep 1829 in Caldwell Co., Kentucky.9,10
     Chittenden appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, with a household consisting of four white males under age 5, one between 5 and 10, one between 20 and 30, and one between 40 and 50 (Chittenden); two white females between 5 and 10, and one between 20 and 30; and 5 male and 5 female slaves.22
     He sold lot no. 72, at Franklin and 3rd Streets in Eddyville to John Hallick on 8 Nov 1830, for $50. According to the deed, Caleb Clark Cobb had build a "white house" on it which was currently occupied by John Cobb. John bought a second adjacent lot, no. 73, from Chittenden on 24 Oct 1831, for $20.23

A Complex Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Chittenden left a will dated 16 Nov 1833, naming his brother Matthew and son-in-law Rubin R. O'Hara as executors. It was a complex will, leaving his wife, Francis B. Jones, during her life, the brick house in which they lived and the six town lots on which it stood, the part of his plantation adjoining the town of Eddyville and other property, rights to cut timber on other of his lands for fencing and firewood. She also was to receive half of the household and kitchen furniture, her choice of two horses, a yoke of oxen, four cows and calves, side saddles, one half of his ploughs and farming utensils, half his hogs, and growing crops. In addition, she was to receive slaves Selpha, her child Hannah and increase, Sarah Ann, a boy Isaac and a girl Fanny. She was free to dispose of the slaves and personal property as she chose, but the land, and buildings were to revert to his heirs at her death. He named his eight children, Margaret, Mary, Mathew, Giles, Chittenden, Thompson, Helen and Larin, giving each a personal item, horse and silver for the older daughters, sword, watch, or cane and $100 toward education for the sons. Each of them, and any future children, were to receive an equal share of his remaining estate upon reaching age 21, or in the case of the daughters, when they marry if earlier.
     He asked his partner, Caleb Clark Cobb, to settle the business of "the late firm" of Lyon & Cobb "as soon as convenient." He asked Robert Livingston Cobb to settle the "late concern" of Lyon, Cobb & Co. according to agreements, and that the partnership R. L. Cobb & Co., in which he was a partner, continue as his partner and executor think proper and in the interest of all concerned. Finally, he notes that he has title to an undivided half interest in eight surveys of land west of the Tennessee River, which are to be divided, with one sixth going to each his brother Mathew, his sister Minerva, and the heirs of his sister Aurelia, since he holds it in trust for them.24
     He and his nephew Frederick Henry Skinner formed the firm of Lyon & Skinner about 1836, the senior member being Lyon.25
     He amended his previous will with a codicil dated 28 Jun 1839, in which he changed his executors to his wife, Francis B. Jones, and his nephew and partner, Frederick Henry Skinner (his brother Mathew, one of the orignal executors, having died the previous January). He also revised the distribution to his children to account for property worth $1000 now having been given to his two oldest daughters.24 In undated instructions, he directed his executors to transfer a lot of land that he had already received payment for, and to convey to the trustees of the Eddyville Meeting house title to the lot on which it stood, for "so long as said church shall continue free for all denominations of Christians to worship in."24
     Chittenden appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky, with a household consisting of one white male between the ages of 5 and 10, three between 10 and 15, one between 15 and 20, one between 20 and 30, and one between 50 and 60 (Chittenden); two females between 5 and 10, and one between 30 and 40 (Nancy); and four male and 9 female slaves. Ten persons are shown as employed in agriculture, and two in commerce.26
     His will was proved on 21 Nov 1842 in Caldwell Co., Kentucky.24
     Chittenden died on 23 Nov 1842 in Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, at age 55.6,11 He was buried in Eddyville Cemetery, Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.12,13

An Active Businessman --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Chittenden was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Eddyville, and had large agricultural interests as well.15
     By 1826 he had formed a partnership with Caleb Clark Cobb, doing business as Lyon & Cobb. They described themselves as "partners in trade" in deeds, apparently engaged in other pursuits in addition to land. In 1826 they purchased a lot and a half in Eddyville. In two transactions in 1828 they acquired land on Lick Creek in settlement of chancery suits they had won against the former owners. Details of the suits have not been found, but they would appear to be for collection of unpaid debts. In 1829 they sold 360 ac. on Lick Creek that would appear to be the property acquired in the suits. In 1838 they sold the lot in Eddyville. In 1841 Caleb sold his interest in the half lot to his cousin Frederick Henry Skinner, who with Lyon, had erected a large brick building on it.27
     By 1829, Chittenden and Caleb Clark Cobb had expanded their partnership to include Caleb's younger brother, Robert, now calling the partnership Lyon, Cobb & Co. The new partnership acquired property on the river, below Water St. and southeast of Main St., and built a 40 by 60-foot building on it by Jan 1834. By 1836 that building was expanded to a two-story brick structure 40 by 80 feet, which served as their store and ware house, apparently the base of their mercantile and trading business. That partnership ceased operations at the end of Jun 1836, when Robert took on new partners for the mercantile business, and Caleb and Lyon seem to have taken up other interests. Lyon sold his one-third interest in the property to Robert in Aug 1836, but Caleb kept his share until he began to dispose of most of his real estate in 1841. He sold his one-third interest to Robert in Jun 1841.28,29
     His wife died on 4 Feb 1928.30

Children:
     Children with Nancy Vaughn:

  • James Nelson Lyon31
  • Mary Ann Lyon32,33 (17 Feb 1818 - 27 Nov 1873)
  • Margaret Aurelia Lyon8,32,33 (abt 1820 - say 1856)
  • Mathew Skinner Lyon32,24 (abt 1823 - )
  • Giles James Lyon32,24
  • Chittenden Patton Lyon32,24 (abt 1828 - )

Children:
     Children with Francis B. Jones:

  • Helen Minerva Lyon24 (abt 1830 - )
  • Larin Elvira Lyon24
  • Thompson Archer Lyon24 (abt 1833 - )

Citations

  1. [S726] Caldwell Co. Marriage Bonds, Book A, Chittendnen Lyon to Francis B. Jones, 10 Sep 1829.
  2. [S686] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, online, record for Lyon, Chittenden, (1787 - 1842).
  3. [S1792] Chittenden Lyon household, 1820 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  4. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 858.
  5. [S49] Freeman, Family File "David and Deborah.GED," 31 Jul 1998, shows date and state.
  6. [S686] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, online, record for Lyon, Chittenden, (1787 - 1842), shows date, town, and state.
  7. [S847] "Marriage Index: KY, NC, TN, VA, WV 1728-1850," Genealogy.com, record for Chittenon Lyon and Nancy Vaughn, viewed 1 Sep 2005, citing FHL # 0546371 & 0548011 - 0548024, shows date, county, and state.
  8. [S49] Freeman, Family File "David and Deborah.GED," 31 Jul 1998, reports Battle, Perrin & Kniffin, Kentucky: A History of the State 2nd ed., (Caldwell Co.: 1885) in article on Sen. Willis B. Machen, shows the Senator first married "Margaret A. Lyon, youngest daughter of Chittenden and Nancy Lyon."
  9. [S726] Caldwell Co. Marriage Bonds, Book A, Chittendnen Lyon to Francis B. Jones, 10 Sep 1829, register date is 10 Sep 1829, but return shows "...this day of Sep 1830," with the day left blank, and the year overwritten so it is unclear. I am assuming the return was filed much later than the ceremony, and the minister confused the date.
  10. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:57-9, Chittenden Lyon Will, 21 Nov 1842, shows her as his wife.
  11. [S49] Freeman, Family File "David and Deborah.GED," 31 Jul 1998, shows year.
  12. [S686] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, online, record for Lyon, Chittenden (1787 - 1842), shows Cemetery.
  13. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, shows cemetery, town, county, as Lyon, and state.
  14. [S4622] McLaughlin, Matthew Lyon: The Hampden of Congress.
  15. [S686] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, online, record for Lyon, Chittenden (1787 - 1842).
  16. [S4558] Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 1823, pg 3, shows Lyon from counties of Caldwell, Livingston, Hickman and Calloway.
  17. [S4557] Biographical Directory of the Kentucky Assembly, Legislative Research Commission Library, pg 109, shows Lyon serving in the Senate in the 21 Oct - 11 Dec 1882 session, after resignation of Dickson Given; pg 114 shows him serving in 3 Nov 1824 - 8 Jan 1825 session; pg 116 shows him in 1 Nov 1824 - 12 Jan 1825 session.
  18. [S686] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, online, record for Lyon, Chittenden (1787 - 1842), shows he served in state House and Congressional service.
  19. [S1012] Cobb, USMA Cadet Application Papers, 9 Jan 1828 letter of application from Joshua Cobb; letter same date from Congressman Chittenden Lyon to James Barbour, Secretary of War, requesting consideration of Cobb's application; letter of recommendation from Lyon same date, describing his character, and noting that he was a grandson of Revolutionary officer Col. Isaac Clark, and 22 Mar 1828 letter of acceptance from Joshua Cobb.
  20. [S1013] Broadwater, Introduction, pg iv, describes application requirements and process.
  21. [S899] List of Cadets, United States Military Academy, pg 30, shows he was admitted in 1 Jul 1828 but did not graduate.
  22. [S1790] Chittenden Lyon household, 1830 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  23. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, F:252-3, Chittenden Lyon to John Hallick, lot 72 in Eddyville, 27 Nov 1830; F:457, Chittenden Lyon to John Hallick, lot 73 in Eddyville, 24 Oct 1831.
  24. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:57-9, Chittenden Lyon Will, 21 Nov 1842.
  25. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 864.
  26. [S1803] Chittenden Lyon household, 1840 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  27. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, E:141-2, Thomas Gordon & wife Elizabeth W. to Chittenden Lyon & Caleb C. Cobb dated 11 Nov 1826 $500 for lot 13 and part of lot 12 in Eddyville; E:351-3, James L Dallam, commissioner in chancery to same dated 21 Mar 1828, land on Lick Creek in settlement of order of Circuit Court in Sep 1827 term; E:355-7, same to same dated 20 Jun 1828, two tracks on Lick Creek in settlement of order in same court Mar 1827 term; F:126, Chittenden Lyon & Caleb C. Cobb to Cader Harrel dated 12 Nov 1829, #360 for 360 ac. on Lick Creek; G:335, Chittenden Lyon & Caleb C. Cobb to James N. Gracey dated 16 Nov 1833, #359 for lot #13 in Eddyville; and K:63, Caleb C. Cobb to Frederich H. Skinner, $100 for ½ interest in part of lot #12 in Eddyville, on which Skinner and Lyon had erected a large brick building.
  28. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, F:60-1, John W. Marshall & Samuel P. L. Marshall to Chittenden Lyon, Caleb C. Cobb & Robert L. Cobb dated 2 Oct 1829, $150 for 45x60 ft. lot below Water St., near Main St.; F:424-5, Minerva Catlett executrix for Hanson Catlett to same dated 24 Jul 1830, $80 for40x60 ft. lot below Water St. at Main St.;F:288, John Bradley of Princeton to same dated 10 Jan 1834, $214.38 for lot at Main and Water Sts. where Lyon, Cobb & Co. had a 40x60 ft. ware house (this appears to be the same lot, with the odd amount suggesting the settlement of a debt although the text does not say it is); H:236-7, Robert L. Cobb to William Gray dated 2 Aug 1836, $1500 for 1/3 share of 85x70 ft. lot at Water and Main Sts. with a two-story brick house, 80 X 40 ft., erected by Lyon, Cobb & Co., property held the last day of Jun 1836 by C. Lyon, C. C. Cobb and R. L. Cobb as joint tenants; H:237-8, Chittenden Lyon to Robert L. Cobb dated 31 Aug 1836, $1500 for 1/3 share in same property; and K:148, Caleb C. Cobb to same dated 10 Jun 1841, $1500 for 1/3 share in same property.
  29. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:57-9, Chittenden Lyon Will, 21 Nov 1842, shows Caleb to settle affairs of Lyon & Cobb, and Robert to settle those of Lyon, Cobb, & Co.
  30. [S826] Lyon letter to Witherell, 5 Apr 1828, shows she died on the 4th of Feburary, "since I left home," so appears to have been in the current year.
  31. [S1003] Hardin, "Captain James Patton, Ancestors and Descendants," pg 230.
  32. [S825] Jerome, "Caldwell County, Kentucky Guardians' Bonds 1823 - 1833," 18 Oct 1830, Chittenden Lyon appointed guardian for his infant children by his first wife, Nancy.
  33. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:57-9, Chittenden Lyon Will, 21 Nov 1842, shows her as "my daughter."