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This month, the Village of Mamaroneck will honor a forgotten local Civil War veteran, Corporal Nicholas H. Hoyt, who was born in Mamaroneck and who lived there with his wife, Susan and their three children.
In 1861, Hoyt enlisted in the 5th New York Infantry and was promoted to the rank of corporal after the battle of Shepherdstown, W. Va. In nearby Sharpsburg, MD, Antietam National Battlefield was the site of a brutal Civil War battle.
Hoyt died in 1863 following the battle of Fredericksburg. He is buried in the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg, Va.
There is no official memorial to Corporal Hoyt in Mamaroneck.
Hoyt will be remembered during a ceremony for all fallen veterans that follows the annual Mamaroneck Village Memorial Day Parade on Wednesday, May 30.
The parade starts at 7 p.m. at Mamaroneck Avenue School, proceeds down the avenue into the village, before taking a right onto Prospect to American Legion Post 90.
Research by the Larchmont Historical Fire Company on its links to Civil War infantries suggests that Hoyt Avenue, next to the Mamaroneck Railroad Station, was originally named in his memory right at the end of the Civil War.
“We think the time has come to rededicate Hoyt Avenue to Corporal Hoyt and his family” said Ray Maldonado, president of the historical firefighters who march in local parades with flaming helmets and antique fire apparatus.
Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy welcomed the new information, which is based on recently digitized civil war records.
“Mamaroneck has deep respect for our veterans, and the entire community will embrace the opportunity to honor another local resident who gave his life for his country. We want to involve our veterans organizations and other community groups to learn about Corporal Hoyt and to consider all of the ways we might honor him,” Murphy said.
A Memorial Day announcement will start a process of community discussions and events to honor Corporal Hoyt and to decide how best to memorialize him.
To support their conclusions about Hoyt, the historical firefighters provided Mamaroneck with Census documents, Civil War military records and original Mamaroneck street maps.
A resolution to rededicate Hoyt Avenue is attached below and can be accessed by clicking here.
For more details about the Memorial Day parade or remembrance ceremony, call 914-341-1034 or email ALPost90@aol.com
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