LYMAN, PHINEAS ( 1716-74 ) . Au American soldier, born at Durham, Conn. He graduated at Yale in 1738, was a tutor there until 1741, studied law and began practice at Suffield, then within the boundaries of Massachusetts. He soon acquired considerable legal reputation and political influence, which was increased in 1749 by his success in advocating the detaching of Suffield from Massachusetts and its annexation to Connecticut. From 1749 to 1755 he was a member of the Upper Chamber of the Connecti cut Legislature. In =Mara, 1755, he was ap pointed a major-central and was made eom mander-in-ehief of the Connecticut militia force of 1000 men, which participated in the unsuccess ful expedition against Crown Point (q.v.). lle then constructed Fort Edward (q.v.), named at first, after him, Fort Lyman, but renamed by order of Gen. William Johnson (q.v.), the leader of the expedition. who was jealous of Lynmn's popularity. At the battle of Lake George (Sep tember S. 1755) Lyman, after .Johnson had re
ceived a slight wound, took command of the forces, and repulsed the attack of the French and Indians. Lyman was for a time in 0'57 in command of Fort Edward, and in 1758 com manded the Connecticut forces in the expedition of Genera] Abercrombie which resulted in the disastrous repulse at Ticonderoga. The follow ing year he was with Lord Amherst at the cap ture of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and in 1760 took part in the expeditions to Oswego and Montreal. In 1762 he eon manded the colonial contingent of Lord Albemarle's army in the cap ture of Havana. In the next year he went to England, where he remained until 1772, endeav oring to obtain a grant of land in West Florida. In this he was at last successful, a tract near Natchez (now Mississippi) hieing granted by royal charter. Lyman led a band of settlers to the region in the next year.