By Tim Fullerton
Born into a wealthy and influential family in 1726, Oliver Wolcott could have
pursued any of the “learned” professions. But something always seemed to
get in the way.
He graduated from Yale at age 22. Directly afterwards, he received a
commission to the rank of captain in the army, and served in the French &
Indian War.
After the war, he returned home to study medicine but ended this upon being
appointed sheriff. This post much have agreed with Oliver, as he held the
post until 1774, when he was appointed an assistant council of the state of
Connecticut. And he was reelected to this job every year until 1786.
In the meantime, he served for some time as chief judge of the court of common
pleas for the county, and judge of the court of probate for the district of
Litchfield. During this period, he was sent by his state to the
continental congress in 1776, just in time to debate the declaration of
independence – and vote in favor of it.
Returning home, he discovered he had been given command of 14 regiments of
state militia. This left him to lead a sort of double life: member
of congress in the winter, and an army commander the rest of the year.
Under General Gates, with a corps of several hundred volunteers, Oliver assisted
in the defeat of British General Burgoyne.
In 1786 he was elected lieutenant governor. And again, reelected every
year for 10 years. He probably would have been reelected, but for being
appointed chief magistrate for the state.
He could not long enjoy this appointment, as he passed away a year later, at
the age of 72,
Oliver Wolcott had no intention of devoting 50 years of his life to his state
and to his country. Things just sort of worked out that way.
Born into a wealthy and influential family in 1726, Oliver Wolcott could have
pursued any of the “learned” professions. But something always seemed to
get in the way.
He graduated from Yale at age 22. Directly afterwards, he received a
commission to the rank of captain in the army, and served in the French &
Indian War.
After the war, he returned home to study medicine but ended this upon being
appointed sheriff. This post much have agreed with Oliver, as he held the
post until 1774, when he was appointed an assistant council of the state of
Connecticut. And he was reelected to this job every year until 1786.
In the meantime, he served for some time as chief judge of the court of common
pleas for the county, and judge of the court of probate for the district of
Litchfield. During this period, he was sent by his state to the
continental congress in 1776, just in time to debate the declaration of
independence – and vote in favor of it.
Returning home, he discovered he had been given command of 14 regiments of
state militia. This left him to lead a sort of double life: member
of congress in the winter, and an army commander the rest of the year.
Under General Gates, with a corps of several hundred volunteers, Oliver assisted
in the defeat of British General Burgoyne.
In 1786 he was elected lieutenant governor. And again, reelected every
year for 10 years. He probably would have been reelected, but for being
appointed chief magistrate for the state.
He could not long enjoy this appointment, as he passed away a year later, at
the age of 72,
Oliver Wolcott had no intention of devoting 50 years of his life to his state
and to his country. Things just sort of worked out that way.