Gilbert Lyon (1751-1819) first served as a private in Colonel Thomas Thomas' (of Harrison) Regiment. Known as the Middle Regiment of Westchester County because it came from the center of the county, these men would be called up when British forces were in the area. Westchester militia units formed during the Revolution basically followed the codes that were established in the late 1600s, requiring service of men from 16 to 60, and prescribing that soldiers provide their own weapons and supplies. In May 1776, a Committee of Safety was chosen for Rye, to serve one year in the interest of the Patriot cause. Gilbert Lyon was among those voted to keep an eye on Tories. Lyon's militia was notably engaged as part of the right wing of the Continental army fighting at Freeman's Farm during the critical Battle of Saratoga*. In the 2nd Regiment of Westchester Militia, Lyon went from private to captain between May 1778 and April 1781, a meteoric rise. Lyon was captured in a December 1780 Loyalist raid led by the notorious James Delancey. He was exchanged through the intermediary services of Phillip Pell, who was a State Commissary for the Exchange of Prisoners.
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