Col. Tench Tilghman
Col. Tench Tilghman (1744 – 1786): Talbot County Patriot
Of the thirty-two officers who assisted George Washington as aides-de-camp during the course of the War for American Independence, Tench Tilghman proved to be the Commander-in-Chief’s most loyal aide, serving with him from August 1776 to November 1783, far longer than any other.
Early Life & Talbot County Roots
Born on Christmas Day, 1744, at his family’s plantation “Fausley,” just outside Easton, Tench Tilghman was the eldest of ten children of James and Anne (Francis) Tilghman. His upbringing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore instilled both an understanding of rural life and an education grounded in civic responsibility.
Tilghman attended school in Philadelphia and graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1761. Afterward, he entered the mercantile business, but as tensions between the colonies and Great Britain grew, his loyalties turned decisively toward independence.
Revolutionary Service
Washington, Lafayette, and Tilghman at Yorktown
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827)
1784
Oil on canvas
Source: https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagsere/se1/se14/000027/html/hesitant_revolut/msa/speccol/sc1500/sc1545/e_catalog_2002/1120research.html
By 1776, Tilghman had volunteered for service in the Continental Army. His intelligence, poise, and linguistic ability quickly earned him the trust of General George Washington, who appointed him aide-de-camp — one of only a few volunteers to serve without pay.
For nearly seven years, Tilghman remained by Washington’s side, drafting correspondence, coordinating logistics, and managing communications between American and French forces. He endured the same hardships as other soldiers, including the bitter winter at Valley Forge.
Washington’s confidence in him was absolute. In many letters, the General referred to Tilghman as “a zealous servant and faithful friend.”
The Yorktown Dispatch Ride
In October 1781, after the British surrender at Yorktown, Washington selected Tilghman to carry the official dispatch announcing victory to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
Despite suffering from fever, Tilghman rode nearly 200 miles in less than five days, delivering the news to Congress around 2 a.m. on October 24. Washington’s letter introducing him read:
“Col. Tilghman, one of my Aids de Camp, will have the honor to deliver these dispatches. His merits, which are too well known to need my observations, have secured him the esteem of the Army and the approbation of Congress.”
The two swords belonging to Tench Tilghman were left to the state by Mrs. Judith Goldsborough Oates who died on December 26, 1997. Source: The Maryland State House - Tench Tilghman Swords
In recognition of his service, Congress awarded him a horse, saddle, bridle, and an elegant sword — the same sword now displayed at the Maryland State House, beside Charles Willson Peale’s famous portrait of Washington, Lafayette, and Tilghman.
After the War & Untimely Death
Following the Revolution, Tilghman returned to private life, engaging in trade in Baltimore and Philadelphia. The hardships of war, however, had left his health diminished. On April 18, 1786, at just 41 years old, he died of consumption.
Washington later wrote to his father:
“No man could be more esteemed. His loss will be sincerely regretted by all who knew his worth.”
Tilghman is buried in Oxford Cemetery, where a monument still stands to honor his service and devotion.
Cornwallis is taken!: Lieut. Co. Tighlman of Washington's staff, announcing the surrender of Cornwallis, from the steps of the State House, (Independence Hall) at midnight, October 23rd 1781. Source: https://www.loc.gov/resource/pga.06582/
Legacy in Talbot County
Born and raised in Talbot County, Tilghman’s life connects the region directly to the story of American independence.
The Col. Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) bears his name and works to preserve his legacy through community education, ceremonies, and student programs.
In 2024, the Talbot County Council proclaimed October 19 – 24 as “Colonel Tench Tilghman Week”, commemorating the dates of his historic Yorktown dispatch ride.
Each year, local SAR members place flags at his grave in Oxford and read aloud Washington’s original dispatch letter — a moving tradition that reminds residents that freedom was carried home by one of their own.
Why He Matters Today
Tench Tilghman’s story exemplifies duty, humility, and perseverance — qualities that defined both the man and the Revolution he helped secure.
From his beginnings on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to his service beside the nation’s first Commander-in-Chief, Tilghman embodied the courage and conviction that shaped America’s earliest ideals.
Today, his legacy continues to inspire Talbot County’s reflection on its role in the nation’s founding and its ongoing story of community and resilience.
Explore More
Visit the Maryland State House to view Tilghman’s sword and portrait.
Pay your respects at Oxford Cemetery, where his memorial marks the life of a true patriot.
Learn more about the Col. Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, which continues to honor his service through education and outreach.
