History of the Tyler Family

The earliest known ancestor in the Tyler family of Boston. He was born at Budleigh County Devon in England about 1650 and came to Boston, Massachusetts before 1685. He married Miriam daughter of Pilgrim Simpkins. He was the master of a merchant ship and was lost at sea in the year 1703. ¹

My 8x great-grandfather. Born 15 March 1688 in Boston, Massachusetts to Thomas and Miriam Tyler.² He was an important Boston businessman, partner of Thomas Hancock, uncle of John Hancock. This image is a picture taken of a painting by Joseph Badger c. 1757. He died on 1 July 1758 and is buried in King's Chapel Cemetery in Boston.³

Born 21 March 1717/8 to William and Sarah Tyler. She married Samuel Phillips Savage who was later involved in the Boston Tea Party.

My 7x great-grandfather. Born 8 September 1724 to William and Sarah Tyler.⁴ Was engaged in the mercantile business with his brother in law Samuel Phillips Savage. He was also a member of the Sons of Liberty. Died in 1771 and was buried in Kings Chapel Burying Ground in Boston.⁵

My 6x great-grandfather. Son of Royall Tyler and Mary (Steele) Tyler. Was the first manager of the Federal Street Theater in Boston. He married Sarah Whitwell, his stepsister, in 1775.

Born 18 July 1757 to Royall Tyler and Mary (Steele) Tyler. Author of several books. Was briefly engaged to Abby Adams, the daughter of John and Abigail Adams. Died in 1826 and was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont.

My 5x great-grandfather. Son of John Steele Tyler and Sarah Whitwell. He was a successful auctioneer in Boston. His shop was at Central Wharf where the New England Aquarium stands today. Died 5 June 1853 and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

My 4x great-grandfather. Son of John Tyler. He married Sarah Rutter from South Reading, now known as Wakefield, Massachusetts.

My 3x great-grandmother. Daughter of George E. Tyler and Sarah (Rutter) Tyler. She married James G. Burnett from New York City. They were the parents of Henrietta Burnett who married Leonce Charles Testut Sr.