William Floyd, an American general, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, born in Suffolk co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1734, died in Western, Oneida co., Aug. 4, 1821. He was the son of an opulent land owner, whose ancestors had emigrated from Wales and settled on Long Island. On the outbreak of the differences between Great Britain and her American colonies, Floyd ardently espoused the cause of the latter, and was appointed to the command of Suffolk county, and a delegate to the first continental congress in Philadelphia. During his absence the British assembled a naval force in Gardiner's bay, with the intention of invading Long Island and levying contributions; but Gen. Floyd returned, assembled the Suffolk militia, and displayed so much energy and daring that the enemy abandoned their enterprise. He was reelected a delegate to the general colonial congress, and continued a member by successive elections for eight years. In 1777 he was chosen a senator of the state of New York, retaining his seat in congress. He was a member of the first congress under the con-stitution, and declined a reelection.

He was one of the presidential electors in 1801, giving his vote to Mr. Jefferson. In the same year he was chosen a member of the convention to revise the constitution of New York, and was afterward twice presidential elector.