Robert Troup (August 9, 1756–January 14, 1832) was a soldier, lawyer and jurist from New York. He was born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. He attended King's College with Alexander Hamilton (now Columbia University) in 1774 and studied law under John Jay (later to become Chief Justice of the United States).

Military service

At the start of the American Revolutionary War, he joined the Continental Army, serving from 1776 to 1780 and obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Serving under General Nathaniel Woodhull he was captured by the British near Brooklyn during the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776 and confined to the Jersey Prison Ship. He was later transferred to the Provost prison until he was exchanged in 1777. He was an aide to General Horatio Gates and participated in the Surrender of General Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga on October 17, 1777. He is depicted in the painting of the Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga by John Trumbull.

Post-war career

Troup was appointed by Congress as Secretary of the Board of War in 1778 and Secretary of the Board of Treasury from 1779 to 1780. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1786. From 1789 to 1796, he served as Clerk of Court of the District of New York until he was nominated to fill the judicial seat vacated by John Laurance. He served as a Judge in the District of New York from December 10, 1796 to April 4, 1798.

In 1801, Troup was appointed general agent managing the Pultney Estate, which had purchased land rights to large portions of upstate New York. The town of Troupsburg, New York was named after him. The town of Charlotte north of the city of Rochester, New York was named by Troup in honor of his daughter.

Associations

Robert Troup was a personal friend of Alexander Hamilton, who had been his King's College roommate, served with him in the Hearts of Oak militia unit, and supported him in politics. Hamilton and Troup were later founding members of New York Manumission Society promoting the abolition of the slavery in New York, although he himself owned slaves.

Family

Troup married Jennet Goelet and had four children; Charles, Robert, Charlotte, and Louisa. Both of Troup's sons died before him. His daughter Charlotte Brinckerhoff had two daughters; Charlotte and Maria Louisa.

Robert Troup died January 14, 1832 in New York, NY. He was originally buried at St. Andrew's, however, after the death of his daughter Charlotte in 1872, his body was moved to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

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