Oliver Wolcott, Sr.

Born: Windsor; November 20, 1726
Died: Windsor; December 1, 1797

Entry by Albert E. Van Dusen

Soldier and statesman, Wolcott enjoyed a good education in Windsor and was graduated from Yale College in 1747. Afterwards, he studied medicine under his brother Alexander (1711/12-1795). With the organization of Litchfield County in 1752, he moved to Litchfield where he served for twenty years as its first sheriff. After four widely scattered terms as a deputy, he was elected an assistant in 1771, serving until becoming lieutenant governor in 1787. Appointed a probate judge in 1772 and a county court judge in 1774, he continued in office until 1796 and 1785, respectively.

Because of lengthy service in the Connecticut militia prior to the Revolution, in 1776 he was given command of the troops sent to reinforce Washington and promoted to brigadier general. In 1779 he was made a major general and assigned the task of coastal defense.

With the exception of 1779, he served with distinction in Congress from 1776 to 1783, serving on committees dealing with military problems, on the Treasury Board, and as a commissioner to treat with the Six Nations of Indians. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In July 1776, on his return from Congress, he transported from New York City to Litchfield a lead equestrian statue of George III which was melted down into bullets so the redcoats "would have melted majesty fired at them." He was a member of the Council of Safety from 1780 to 1783.

As a member of the Connecticut convention to ratify the Federal Constitution, he was a strong proponent of approval. He was chosen president of the Connecticut Society of Arts and Sciences and was a member of the Electoral College for three terms. After Governor Samuel Huntington's death in 1796, he succeeded to the governorship during a period of "great and unusual prosperity" until his own death. An unwavering Federalist of dignified appearance and urbane manner, he exemplified the conservative but efficient leadership of the Standing Order.

For Further Reading

Dutcher, George M. "Oliver Wolcott," in Charles E. Perry, Founders and Leaders of Connecticut, 1633-1783. Boston, 1934. See especially pp. 235-240.

Norton, Frederick C. The Governors of Connecticut. Hartford, 1905. See especially pp. 117-123.

* Entry under revision.