Benjamin Tusten

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Benjamin Tusten (11 December 1743 - July 22, 1779) was a physician and a militia lieutenant colonel during the American Revolutionary War.

Born in Southold, New York, Tusten moved north with his family to Goshen at a young age. He became a student of medicine at 19, working as an apprentice under three local surgeons. In the field of medicine, he is best known for treating and preventing smallpox.

[edit] American Revolutionary War

In 1779, lieutenant colonel Tusten led a group of militia against Joseph Brant at the Battle of Minisink. His forces crippled and surrounded, Tusten was tending to several of his wounded men when he was killed with a tomahawk on August 18, 1779.

[edit] Legacy

He left behind five children, one of whom, James, served as a major in the War of 1812.

The town of Tusten, New York is named for him.