Declaration of Independence Signer: Oliver Wolcott Sr.

The Wolcott family tree is filled with some of the most remarkable men in the Connecticut area. In the New World, it begins with Henry Wolcott Sr. who gained prominence as Windsor’s founder and ensured his kin capitalized on this success, expanding the family’s already impressive status. Oliver Wolcott Sr., grandson of Henry and the youngest son of Governor Roger Wolcott, serves as a prime example of the impressive character and abilities within the Wolcott Family. 

Born in 1726 in South Windsor (then Windsor), Oliver was the 14th of 15 children between Roger Wolcott and Sarah Drake. At 21, he would graduate from Yale College (roommate of Noah Webster) at the top of his class with a captain’s commission from NY Governor Clinton to create a volunteer militia to aid in King George’s War. He would proceed as captain of the company, defending the Northern Frontier until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. With the company disbanded, Wolcott returned home in 1748 and studied medicine with his brother Dr. Alexander Wolcott, intending to practice in Goshen. However, in a turn of events, after Litfield County’s creation in 1751, Oliver moved 30 miles westward into the area, following in his father’s footsteps with a career in law and politics. 

By 1753, Wolcott’s home on South Street was finished and two years later he married Laura Collins with whom he would have 5 children. Both congregationalist and devout Christians, Wolcott was reported to be “dignified, [a] man of integrity and deep Puritan Faith” while Collins was described as “a woman of almost masculine strength of mind, energetic and thrifty”. With such a capable wife, Wolcott was able to dedicate his life to public matters knowing his domestic affairs were in good hands. In Litchfield specifically, he served numerous positions including county sheriff, member of the colonial legislature, and county court judge.

As revolutionary war tensions grew, Wolcott rejoined the militia as captain in 1771. He was soon promoted to major then again in 1774 to colonel. By 1775, Wolcott was elected to the continental congress, from which he was mostly absent due to his heavy involvement in military affairs. Believing a separation between the colonies and Britain “unavoidable”, Wolcott committed his time and resources to the patriotic cause. His dedication is reflected by his sacrifices: “with regard to my own business, I now have neither time nor opportunity”. As commissioner of Indian affairs for the northern Department, he attended a conference with the Iroquois that temporarily gained their neutrality in the war. 

Wolcott remained present in Congress during the main debates about independence but by June of 1776 was forced to return home due to serious illness. (Missing the main signing ceremony for the Declaration of Independence, Wolcott put down his signature sometime in Autumn). After recovery from his illness in August, he was appointed Brigadier General and took over command of 14 CT Militia Regiments. The force served on Long Island during the Battle of Brooklyn and the summer of the next year reinforced General Putnam on the Hudson River. Perhaps their most notable feat however, was supporting General Horatio Gates in the defeat of General Burgoyne at Saratoga in the fall of 1777. 2 years later, Wolcott was promoted to major general and successfully defended the CT coast in Fairfield and Norwalk against the raids of NY Royal Governor William Tyron. 

After the successful Revolutionary War win in 1783, Wolcott went on to continue his career in politics. He helped negotiate both the Second Treaty of Fort Stanwix and Treaty with the Wyandottes, in which land was ceded from the natives to the United States. His life accomplishments were acknowledged through an honorary degree from Yale and appointment as President of the CT Society of Arts and Sciences. Wolcott then served as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1786 to January of 1796 – when the death of Samuel Huntington led to his assumption of governorship until Wolcott’s own death at 71.