Major Jonathan Cilley was born on 8 March 1762 at Nottingham, Rockingham, New Hampshire.¹ He was the son of General Joseph Cilley and Sarah Longfellow.¹ He married Dorcas Butler, daughter of Reverand Benjamin Butler and Dorcas Abbott, on 5 June 1786.¹ He died on 21 March 1807 at Colerain Township, Hamilton, Ohio, at age 45.² He was buried at Dunlap Station Cemetery, Colerain Township, Hamilton, Ohio.^2,3
     Major Jonathan Cilley and Dorcas Butler resided in 1804 at Colerain, Hamilton, Ohio.¹
     When his father, Col. Cilley, marched from home, he took this son, then probably less than 15 years of age, with him. When the sudden march from Ticonderoga, took place, Jonathan was taken prisoner. As he was a mere boy, his captor learning who he was, took him to Gen. Burgoyne, who ordered that he should be treated kindly and provided with a pass to join his father. He further ordered that he might select from the captured baggage of the American's (which was immense), any article of clothing he might desire. He therefore took the best looking coat he could find. It proved to have belonged to Major Hull, (afterwards the celebrated Gen. Hull). He was also provided with an old horse and pair of saddle-bags, filled with Burgoyne's proclamations, to convey to his father. On reaching the regiment, he found it on parade with his father in front. The Colonel seized one of the proclamations, and having read it, ordered them all to be torn to pieces, and said: "Thus may the British army be scattered!"¹
     Jonathan Cilley was commissioned as an Ensign in the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment on 4 August 1777. He was promoted to Lieutenant, also in the 3rd NH Reg. on 5 July 1780. He transferred to the 1st NH Reg. on 1 Jan 1781 where he served to the end of the War.⁴
     He m. 5 June 1786, Dorcas, dau. of Rev. Benj. and Dorcas (Abbott) Butler. He filled many town offices, was Justice of the Peace for Rock Co., Inspector and Brigade Major of the 3d. Brigade, Asst. Treasurer of the Order of Cincinnati, from 1794 to 1799, and Vice-President from 1799 to 1802.
     In 1804, he moved with his family to near Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Neff, one of his grandchildren, writes the following interesting incidents of his Western life:     
     "'Twas told me when grand-father first arrived in the City of Cincinnati, he signed himself Jonathan Cilley, Gentleman, but was soon laughed out of it. Father told me Grand-mother's carriage was the first one ever drawn up the Cincinnati landing, that they all went down the Ohio from Wheeling on a flat boat, the only mode of conveyance at that time. He also told me, moving to the West killed his father, and would also his mother had she not been so hardy. I am reminded of an anecdote, how some of their rough neighbors called one evening as the family were seated around their fire, and demanded a table, light, and that room to play cards. Grand-father, as soon as he discovered their errand, pushed one of them to the wall by the throat and they were all glad to beat a retreat. This occured at Colerain, soon after he went there, probably to test his mettle. Why grand-father did not remain in the city I never knew. He purchased property in a valuable portion of the city, and had he retained it all, it would have been a large inheritance. Colerain was a fertile, healthy portion of the Miami valley and from the hills near the homestead, views for miles, agreeable and picturesque, were enjoyed. I suppose his large family, and perhaps a preference for the county took him there. It is said he desired to possess many acres of land. He died alone; was found in a field dead, and from appearance, it was supposed he had a fit of coughing, so violent, as to cause rupture and death. Of his military life, I have only heard he was sent out to take charge of the Newport barracks, opposite Cincinnati, but retained command only a short time; was sent out by President Jefferson.
     As to appearances, I just remember at Colerain, a head, cut in paper and placed on black silk, framed, hanging on the wall, said to be a likeness of grand-father. The only thing that struck me as a child, was the queue. For years there has been at Mother's a crimson silk military scarf, with a sword, pistols and spurs, probably the same as mentioned in Gen. Jos. Cilley's will, where he says, "My best sword and rigging; my pistols and holsters, and my military sash I give to my son Jonathan". Grand-mother's children were devoted to her and much harmony prevailed one with the other, they were clanish, ever reverting to their home and kinsfolks in New Hampshire".¹
     After their marriage they lived at the north side of Nottingham. About 1804, they moved to the state of Ohio. Neither of them ever revisited Nottingham. Their descendants in Ohio are among the most influential and respected citizens of that state.⁵