Oliver Wolcott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oliver Wolcott
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| 19th Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office January 5, 1796 – December 1, 1797 |
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| Lieutenant | Jonathan Trumbull Jr. |
| Preceded by | Samuel Huntington |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Trumbull Jr. |
| 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office 1786–1796 |
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| Governor | Samuel Huntington |
| Preceded by | Samuel Huntington |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Trumbull Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Oliver Wolcott
November 20, 1726 Windsor, Connecticut |
| Died | December 1, 1797 (aged 71) Litchfield, Connecticut |
| Resting place | East Cemetery, Litchfield, Connecticut |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Laura Collins Wolcott |
| Children | 5, including Oliver Wolcott Jr. |
| Parents | Roger Wolcott Sarah Drake Wolcott |
| Profession | Militia Officer, Politician |
| Signature |  |
Oliver Wolcott Sr. (/ˈwʊlkət/ WUUL-kət; November 20, 1726 – December 1, 1797) was an important American leader. He is known as one of the Founding Fathers. He signed both the United States Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. These were key documents that helped create the United States. Wolcott also served as the nineteenth governor of Connecticut. During the Revolutionary War, he was a major general in the Connecticut militia, working with George Washington.
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Early Life and Education
Oliver Wolcott Sr. was born in Windsor, Connecticut. He was the youngest of ten children. His father, Roger Wolcott, was a colonial governor. Oliver went to Yale College and graduated in 1747. He was the top student in his class.
After college, he joined the military. The Governor of New York, George Clinton, made him a captain. Wolcott led a group of soldiers in the French and Indian Wars. He helped protect the Canadian border from the French until 1748.
Later, he moved to Litchfield and became a merchant. From 1751 to 1771, he was the sheriff of Litchfield County. In 1755, he married Laura Collins. They had five children together. One of their sons, Oliver Jr., also became a famous leader.
A Leader in the American Revolution
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Oliver Wolcott Sr. had two important jobs during the American Revolution. He was a delegate for Connecticut in the Continental Congress. He was also a military officer in the Connecticut militia. He strongly believed that the American colonies should be independent from Great Britain.
In February 1776, he said that the differences with Great Britain were very big. He thought they might lead to a complete separation. His early support for independence helped him get important roles. He served as both a military leader and a member of Congress.
Military Service
Wolcott was very active in the military during the Revolution. In August 1776, he led his militia regiment to New York. There, they joined George Washington's army. Connecticut's Governor, Jonathan Trumbull, made Wolcott a brigadier general. This meant he was in charge of all Connecticut militia groups in New York.
He led 300 to 400 volunteers to help General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. They fought against General John Burgoyne at the Battles of Saratoga. This was a very important victory for the Americans.
In May 1779, Wolcott was promoted again to major general. He was then in command of all Connecticut militia. That summer, he helped protect the coastline from British attacks. He strongly disliked the British, calling them "a foe who have not only insulted every principle which governs civilized nations but by their barbarities offered the grossest indignities to human nature."
Work in the Continental Congress
At the start of the Revolution, Congress asked Wolcott to work with Native American nations. His job was to convince the northern tribes to stay neutral. He had experience with this from his earlier military service. He helped negotiate a peace treaty with the Six Nations at Fort Schuyler.
He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775. He became very sick in 1776. Because of his illness, he signed the United States Declaration of Independence a bit later than the others.
After the war, Wolcott continued his political career. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1786. He was a member of the Federalist Party. He served as Lieutenant Governor for ten years until he passed away at age 71.
Death and Lasting Impact
Oliver Wolcott Sr. died on December 1, 1797, in Litchfield, Connecticut. He is buried there at East Cemetery. Historians remember him for his hard work during the Revolutionary War. They say it's unlikely anyone else in Connecticut had so many public duties at that time.
His son, Oliver Wolcott Jr., also became a famous leader. He served as the Secretary of the Treasury for Presidents George Washington and John Adams. He also became governor of Connecticut, just like his father.
Many places are named after Oliver Wolcott Sr. The town of Wolcott, Connecticut, is named in his honor. In Torrington, Connecticut, there is a school called The Oliver Wolcott Technical High School. His home in Litchfield is a National Historic Landmark. A fort in Rhode Island, Fort Wolcott, was also named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Oliver Wolcott para niños
