Sylvester Churchill was an American journalist and Regular Army officer
Background
Churchill was born in Woodstock, Vermont, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Cobb) Churchill. Educated in the schools of his home town, he became a journalist, and published, in 1808, a weekly newspaper, "The Vermont Republican." Churchill married Lucy Hunter (1786–1862), daughter of William and Mary (Newell) Hunter, August 30, 1812, in Windsor, Vermont.
Career
At the outbreak of the War of 1812, he was appointed 1st lieutenant, 3rd United States. Artillery on March 12, 1812, and was promoted to captain on August 15, 1813. He transferred to 1st United States. Artillery on June 1, 1821, promoted to major, 3rd United States. Artillery, on April 6, 1835, and colonel and Inspector General on June 25, 1841. He received the rank of brevet brigadier general, to date from February 23, 1847, in recognition of his services under General John East. Wool, at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican-American War.
At the beginning of the American Civil War, he had been Inspector General of the Regular Army for 20 years.
He was retired September 25, 1861, due to ill health, and succeeded by Randolph B. Marcy. Churchill died in Washington, District of Columbia Churchill County, Nevada, established in 1861, was named after him, as was Fort Churchill, in Silver Springs, Nevada.
The fort was built in 1861 and abandoned in 1869. Churchill was a distant relative of Winston Churchill.
The family resemblance evident in the portrait was noted by Winston Churchill and his contemporaries.