Biography

Benjamin Tallmadge was born in Brookhaven, New York on February 25, 1784. His parents were Susannah and Reverend Benjamin Tallmadge. His father gave him a great education and later sent him to Yale in 1769. While at Yale, young Tallmadge met Nathan Hale, a man who later became a spy in the American Revolution.

In 1773, Tallmadge completed his studies and became a teacher in Wethersfield, Connecticut. As the American Revolution began, Tallmadge thought seriously of joining the war. Captain Chester of Wethersfield approached Tallmadge in 1776 for a Lieutenant position in one of the six-month Connecticut regiments.

In December 1776, Tallmadge was appointed as Captain in Colonel Elisha Sheldon's 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons. A year later, he was ranked Major of the regiment. In 1778, Tallmadge was appointed Director of Military Intelligence by George Washington.

As Director of Military Intelligence, Tallmadge organized the Culper Spy Ring that included Abraham Woodhull, Caleb Brewster, Anna Strong, and Austin Roe. As a spy, Tallmadge operated under the pseudonym John Bolton and created methods to encode messages. By providing a key to translate messages and using invisible ink from George Washington, letters and messages stayed hidden from unsuspecting eyes.

Following the war, Tallmadge moved to Litchfield with his wife, Mary Floyd, and their seven children. He became involved in many business and political ventures. He served as President of the Phoenix Bank. He was also involved with the Ohio Company, purchasing and selling land in the west. Their household included several enslaved and indentured servants.

During President Washington's first term, Tallmadge was given the title of Postmaster for Litchfield. In 1800, he was elected to Congress as a Federalist and remained until 1817.

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