Silas Deane

  Noted events in his life were:

• Gravestone: From Find a Grave, 1789, Deal, Kent, England. Silas Deane Famous memorial
Birth: 24 Dec 1737 Groton, New London County, Connecticut, USA
Death: 23 Sep 1789 (aged 51) At Sea
Burial: St Leonard Churchyard, Deal, Dover District, Kent, England
Memorial #: 16895316
Bio: American Revolutionary War Patriot, Continental Congressman and diplomat. He taught school, then graduated from Yale and became an attorney and businessman. Deane served in the Connecticut Assembly from 1768 to 1775 and in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776. In 1776 he went to France as a diplomat. Working with Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee he negotiated the treaty that brought French aid to the Revolution. He also procured the services of several European military professionals, including Lafayette, von Steuben, Pulaski and De Kalb. Deane was recalled in 1778 and investigated for allegedly profiteering on contracts to supply the Continental Army. He attempted a defense, but the French government hindered him by seizing his papers to conceal assistance France had provided before the treaty. Deane then lived in Europe for several years. Intending to return home and seek vindication, he died under mysterious circumstances on board ship in Deal, Kent, England while en route to Boston. In 1842 Congress awarded his descendants $37,000 (equal to more than $600,000 in 2006) to compensate for personal funds he had spent while carrying out his duties. Congress also vindicated Deane by passing a resolution describing the profiteering charges as "a gross injustice."
Family Members
Spouses
Mehitable Nott Deane 1732-1767
Elizabeth Saltonstall Deane 1743-1777
Children
Jesse Deane 1764-1828
Maintained by: Find a Grave
Originally Created by: Bill McKern (46817687)
Added: 3 Dec 2006
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16895316/silas-deane
Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16895316/silas-deane : accessed 01 June 2022), memorial page for Silas Deane (24 Dec 1737–23 Sep 1789), Find a Grave Memorial ID 16895316, citing St Leonard Churchyard, Deal, Dover District, Kent, England ; Maintained by Find a Grave .

Silas married Elizabeth Saltonstall, daughter of Gurdon Saltonstall and Rebecca Winthrop. (Elizabeth Saltonstall was born on 12 Jan 1743 in New London, New London, Connecticut, christened on 16 Jan 1743 in New London, New London, Connecticut and died on 9 Jun 1777 in Wethersfield, Hartford Connecticut.)