Proposal by the Larchmont Historical Fire Company

Rededication of Hoyt Avenue in Memory of Corporal Nicholas H. Hoyt

New York 5th Infantry – Died February 18, 1863

Whereas, Nicholas H. Hoyt appears in the 1860 census of Mamaroneck. 

Whereas, Nicholas H. Hoyt appears with his wife Susan and four relatives or children Adalaide, 14, James, 12,  Melissa, 7,  and Susan, 4. He is 26 years old and his occupation is “fisherman.”

Whereas, the census entries for Adalaide and James indicate that they are attending school and probably attended the Weaver Street School.

Enlistment Record of Nicholas Hoyt – Born in Mamaroneck

Whereas, Nicholas H. Hoyt enlisted in the 5th New York Infantry on May 8, 1861, and his service record indicates at the bottom that he was “born in Mamaroneck NY.”

Whereas, during Hoyt’s time as a private, the 5th infantry was engaged in the following battles:

  • June 10, 1861: Big Bethel
  • April 5 – May 4, 1862: Siege of Yorktown
  • May 27, 1862: Hanover Court House
  • June 5, 1862: New Bridge
  • June 25 – July 2, 1862: Seven Days 
  • August 28–30, 1862: Second Bull Run (2nd Manassas)
  • September 17, 1862: Antietam or Sharpsburg
  • September 19–20, 1862: Shepherdstown

Whereas, Nicholas H. Hoyt enlisted as a private and was appointed a corporal in September 26, 1862, following the Battle of Shepherdstown.

Whereas, during Hoyt’s years as a corporal, the 5th infantry was engaged in the following battles:

  • December 13, 1862: Fredericksburg
  • Jan 21-22, 1863: Burnside’s Mud March

Whereas, Burnside’s Mud March risked the lives of a large number of 5th Infantry troops in harsh winter conditions and led to President Abraham Lincoln removing Major General Ambrose Burnside of his command of the Army of the Potomac.

Whereas, Nicholas H. Hoyt died on February 18, 1863 at the Regimental Hospital in Chancellorsville.

Whereas, Nicholas H. Hoyt is buried in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery in Fredericksburg VA, and his grave marker recognizes that is home was in New York.

Whereas, Susan E. Hoyt appears in the 1870 U.S. Census living in Mamaroneck.

Whereas, Susan E. Hoyt applied for benefits on July 18, 1871 as the widow of Nicholas H. Hoyt.

Whereas, today Hoyt Avenue intersects Mamaroneck Avenue near the railroad station, as depicted in the street map from 1872 above.

Whereas, the above map from 1867 does not show Hoyt Avenue, supporting the conclusion that Hoyt Avenue was created in the decade following the Civil War, and that the avenue was named in honor of Nicholas H. Hoyt, but that this memorialization honoring Corporal Hoyt has been forgotten.

Whereas, Hoyt Avenue was created by the Town of Mamaroneck but is today also a part of the Village of Mamaroneck.

Whereas, the Historical Fire Company carries on the Fire Zouave tradition of the 5th, 11th and 73rd New York Infantries, recruited primarily from volunteer fire companies in New York City and southern Westchester, and the Historical Fire Company parades in the Fire Zouave uniforms of those infantries, honoring their sacrifice and service.

Therefore, the Historical Fire Company requests that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Mamaroneck rededicate the avenue known as Hoyt Avenue in honor of Corporal Nicholas H. Hoyt and his family, and that the Council of the Town of Mamaroneck officially concur in the rededication.