Road to Liberty: Oliver Wolcott

Oliver Wolcott, one of fifteen children, was born on November 20, 1726 in Windsor, Connecticut. Oliver’s great-grandfather served in the first general assembly of Connecticut, and his father served as Governor. 

Oliver placed top of his class at Yale College before beginning his military career. With a Captain’s commission, Wolcott led a voluntary militia during the French and Indian War, only returning home upon the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. 

While Wolcott attended the Second Continental Congress in 1776, he was absent from the formal signing of the Declaration of Independence in August due to illness. He signed two months later.

Wolcott was in New York City on July 9, 1776 when General George Washington read the Declaration of Independence to his troops, which subsequently led to a demonstration that toppled the statue of King George. Wolcott shipped the pieces of the statute to Connecticut, and back home, he and his family and fellow Patriots melted the pieces and turned them into bullets for the war effort – totaling 42,088 bullets. 

Following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Wolcott continued to exercise leadership over the Connecticut militia. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1786, and Governor in 1796. Governor Wolcott died on December 1, 1797, at age 71. He was married to Laura Collins, and the two had four children.