The earliest information concerning John Hoyt, the immigrant ancestor of the Hoyts of Troy, New York, is that he was one of the original settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts. His age at that time cannot be accurately determined, but from the fact that he had two children born prior to 1639 it would indicate that he was born about 1610-15. He was chosen selectman in March, 1681-82, and moderator of town meetings in April, 1687 (the year of his death), hence he could not have been either aged or infirm at that time. Whether he came directly to Salisbury from England is uncertain. He may have lived in other towns before settling there. His name does not appear among the passengers on any of the early immigrant ships and is not found on any of the lists of freemen contained in the Massachusetts records. He may have been a minor when he came to Massachusetts. He was of English birth and parentage. He received in 1640 grants of land such as the town of Salisbury allowed married men. He was fined in 1644 "For felling trees," but the fine was abated. He was on the list of "Townesmen and Commoners" in 1650. His name appears on the original articles of agreement between Salisbury and Salisbury New Town in 1654, and he was one of the seventeen original "comenors" of the new town whose names were recorded March 19, 1654-55. In the division of land he received several lots in the "Great Swamp" "on the river" at "Lions Mouth," etc. One of these contained two hundred acres and was styled his "great division." John Hoyt is of frequent mention in the old Amesbury records as prudentialman, selectman, constable, moderator, juryman, etc. His vote was often recorded, so he was a church member, none others being allowed that privilege. He had a seat assigned him in the meeting house July 9, 1667. In old deeds John Hoyt is styled planter or husbandman. He was sergeant of the Salisbury military company, and was called "Sargent Hoyt." He had two wives named Frances. His first marriage was about 1635, although there is no record found. She died February 23, 1642-43, and he married his second wife in 1643 or 1644. She survived him and was living in 1697. The town records of Amesbury state that "Sargeant Jno. Hoyt, Sen., died on ye 28th day & was buried on ye 29 day of Feb. An. Dom. 1687-88." Children of John (1) and Frances, his first wife: Frances; John (2) see forward; Thomas; Gregorie; Elizabeth. Children by second wife: Sarah; Mary; Joseph (1); Joseph (2); Marah; Naomi; Dorothie. The latter appears, by the records, to have indulged in a little frolic that did not please the stern Puritans. "Dorothie Hoyt being called in court to answer her p'sentment for putting on mans apparell made default, being before warrant went out removed from ye county. But her father, who was ordered to bring her, appeared in court and owned ye fact committed by his daughter, he with others manifesting ye great appearance of ye said Dorothie's repentance … The said Dorothie is adjudged by said court to be apprehended as soone as shee comes into ye county & be layd hold on & bee severely whipt unless her father forthwith on her beehalfe pay a fine of forty shillings in corne or money to ye Treasurer of ye county Cocts." There is no record of the fine; perhaps wise Dorothie remained outside the court's jurisdiction.
(II) John (2), eldest son of John (1) and Frances Hoyt (first wife), was born about 1638, and was killed by the Indians in Andover, Massachusetts, August 13, 1696. He recovered his first grant of land ("on the river") in Amesbury, October, 1658, and was admitted a townsman December 10, 1660. On the records of Salisbury court, "14-2 1668," is found the following: "Jno. Hoyt, Jun.; license is renued to keep ye ordinary at ye new towne & to pvide entertainment for horse man & foot man; but hath liberty to sell out wine & strong waters he hath layd in respect to ye ordinary and Challis is to take notes of wt he hath layd in & make returne thereof to ye clerke wth in 14 dayes, 13, 2m 1669." He took "ye oath of allegiance & fidelity" before Major Pike in "Eamesbury," December 20, 1677. He had a seat assigned him in the meeting house July 9, 1667. His name frequently appears on the Amesbury records as lot layer, constable, etc. John Hoyt married, June 23, 1659, Mary, daughter of William and Rachel Barnes. Mary Hoyt was living in 1704 when she acknowledged a deed. "Quick as Granny Hoyt's powder horn" was an expression often used by her descendants, and it seems probable she was the "Granny Hoyt" referred to. One morning her fire did not kindle well and she undertook to hasten it by pouring powder upon it from a horn. The fire burned, but the effect on the old lady is not chronicled. Children of John and Mary (Barnes) Hoyt: William; Elizabeth: John (2); Mary; Joseph (see forward); Sarah; Rachel; Dorothie; Grace; Robert.
(III) Joseph, fifth child of John (2) and Mary (Barnes) Hoyt, was born July 14, 1666, died 1718 or 1720. He was chosen tithingman 1710; selectman, 1711-12, and a member of grand jury, 1712-13. His estate was divided in 1735. He married Dorothy Worthen, October 5, 1702. She was appointed administrator of her husband's estate, May 2, 1720. Children: John (see forward); Mehitable; Joseph; Ezekiel; Judith; Nathan; Moses; Dorothy.
(IV) John (3), eldest child of Joseph and Dorothy (Worthen) Hoyt, was born July 2, 1703, and died intestate in South Hampton, Massachusetts, as early as 1754. He bought the shares of Mehitabel, Joseph and Dorothy in his father's estate. He and his wife were dismissed from the first church in Amesbury (East parish) to the Southampton church, March 18, 1743-44. His wife survived him. The inventory of his estate was made April 19, 1754. He married, December 15, 1726, Mary Eastman, of Salisbury, Massachusetts. Children, all born in Amesbury, except possibly the youngest:
- Joseph; tradition says that he raised twenty men and went with them against the Indians when they burnt Royalton; he paid the expenses himself, but when his son Ebenezer was in the legislature the money was refunded. An old arm chair, silver shoe buckles, and several ancient relics said to have been brought from England, were preserved in the family of Joseph. He is said to have had twenty-one children; the names of nineteen are on record. He was killed instantly by a loaded wagon crushing him.
- David.
- Benjamin.
- Samuel.
- Eastman, see forward.
(V) Eastman, youngest child of John (3) and Mary (Eastman) Hoyt, was living in Southampton in 1765. There is no record of his birth or death. His name is on the Poplin tax list for 1766-67-69. The records state his first child was born at Southampton, February, 1767, and the second at Hopkinton, January, 1769. He was probably living at Hopkinton in 1791, when he removed with his family to Windsor, Vermont, and died in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. He married Mary Clough, daughter of Sarah, and sister of Theophilus. Children: Hannah, Sarah, John, Martha, Theophilus, Richard, Jonathan, and Joseph (see forward).
(VI) Joseph (2), youngest son of Eastman and Martha (Clough) Hoyt, was born July 2, 1786, and died June 26, 1869. His residence was at Windsor, Vermont. Joseph was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married, August 18, 1808, Betsey Quimby, who died February 12, 1867. Children:
- Orren, born November 4, 1808, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire; he was an oilcloth operator of Ballston, New York; he married (first) Maria Clark; (second) Rachel Crouch; children, ail by first wife:
- Emma Lucena, married David Ide;
- George Milford, a veteran of the Eighteenth New York Regiment, in which he served three years during the civil war;
- Edwin Clark, served one year in the Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery;
- Martha Aurilla.
- Myron, born July 1, 1810; died November 27, 1948; married Eliza Burnham, April 20, 1831; she bore him Marquis F. Dallas, a veteran of the civil war, and Orlando.
- Joseph, see forward.
- Squire, born May 25, 1814; married (first) Mary Rug; (second) Emily Rug; had sons Edward and Charles.
- Martha, born February 18, 1816; married Robert Aldrich, March 8, 1840.
- Cyrus C., born April 14, 1818; he was postmaster at Barnet, Vermont, for many years; married Cordelia Goss, and had Jennie and Preston.
- Jonathan Quimby, born February 18, 1820; married Louisa Dantforth; children: George, Wesley, Louisa, Helen, Fred, Flora, Hattie.
- George, born January 7, 1822.
- Freeman, born August 26, 1824; married Sarah Huse, and had Samuel and Albert H.
- Lovica, born January 9, 1826, married Hiram Chubb, and removed to Nebraska.
- Sherman T., born September 9, 1830; he married Helen Gilfillen, and had Viola, Elmer E., and Belle.
(VII) Joseph (3), third son of Joseph (2) and Betsey (Quimby) Hoyt, was born ———— 13, 1812, in Vershire, Vermont, died in Troy, New York. He was one of the first brush manufacturers of Troy, and firmly established the business that later was owned and operated by his sons, F. M. Hoyt & Brother. Joseph Hoyt married, September 17, 1835, Eliza, daughter of John Lockrow. Children, all born in Lansingburg, New York;
- Frederick Milton (see forward);
- Elada Jane, born February 3, 1839;
- Mary Frances, July 26, 1840;
- Emogene Eliza, July 13, 1842;
- Elva Elmina, born March 26, 1845;
- Alden Summer, August 25, 1855;
- Marshal Elder, born December 31, 1859.
(VIII) Frederick Milton, eldest child of Joseph and Eliza (Lockrow) Hoyt, was born in Lansingburg, New York, March 28, 1837, and died in Troy, New York, January 30, 1909. He was educated in the Troy schools and at the academy. After finishing his education he entered the brush manufactory of his father and learned the minute details of his successful business. He was for many years associated in business with his brother, Marshal E., under the firm name of F. M. Hoyt & Brother. The business was successfully managed and continued until 1907, when failing health forced F. M. Hoyt to retire from active life. He always attended closely to business, yet he did not neglect the duties of a citizen, at one time taking a very active part in the politics of Troy, holding public office. He was a Free Mason of long standing, and a veteran of the Troy Royal Arch Chapter. He was an earnest Christian, and for many years had been a communicant of the Presbyterian church, holding the office of elder, and taking an active part in church government. He married Charlotte Tallman, April 25, 1867, daughter of Jesse and Sarah L. (Dorris) Tallman.