Born in 1757, in Elizabethtown, Province of New Jersey, British America,[1] Troup graduated from King's College (now Columbia University) in 1774 and read law,[1] with John Jay.

[3] At the start of the American Revolutionary War, Troup joined the Hearts of Oak, a volunteer infantry unit of the New York militia.

[citation needed] He entered as a second lieutenant in 1775, serving alongside other King's College students including Hamilton and Nicholas Fish.

[citation needed] The Hearts of Oak became part of the Continental Army that year, forming the core of the New York Provincial Company of Artillery.

[citation needed] On August 27, 1776, while serving under General Nathaniel Woodhull during the Battle of Long Island, Troup was captured by the British near Brooklyn.

As aide to Gates, he served in the Battles of Saratoga and the final surrender of General John Burgoyne at Schuylerville, New York on the 17th of October.

[citation needed] The town of Charlotte, north of the city of Rochester, New York was named by Troup in honor of his daughter.