Silas Wolcott, Revolutionary War 1776-January 1778

Silas Wolcot enlisted 7 December 1776 and served to 1 January 1778 as a private in Capt. James Wilson's Company, Col. Cambers' First Pennsylvania Rifle Regt., organized at Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He served as a rifleman in Capt. Caspar Weitzel's Rifle Company, Col. Samuel Mile's Regiment, 13th Pennsylvania Line. The regiment moved to Philadelphia on 2 July 1776, and after the Declaration of Independence was signed, marched to Trenton and then to Perth Amboy. On 12 August they fought to defend Long Island, but were forced to retreat. Silas took part in the Battle of Harlem Heights, the defense of Fort Washington, and the retreat across the State of New Jersey. e 11 Sept. 1777.  He was in the Battle of New Brunswick on 27 November, and the Battle of Trenton on Christmas Day 1776, followed by the Battle of Princeton. Silas was in Capt. John Robb's Company, Col. Walter Steward's Regiment, at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown in the fall of 1777. They moved to Valley Forge, where, family tradition holds, Silas was a bodyguard for General George Washington. Silas was mustered out at Valley Forge on 1 January 1778.

Moses Walcott, Jr., Revolutionary War

Data submitted by Charles Waid on July 4, 2015

MOSES was a farmer. He served as a Pvt. in Capt. Jabez Ellis' Co., Attleboro militia, which marched on the alarm on April 19, 1775, served 9 days: and as a Sgt. in Capt. Caleb Robinson's Co., Col. Timothy Walker's Regiment, May 1, 1775, served, 3 months and 8 days.

William Walcott, Revolutionary War

Data submitted by Charles Waid on July 4, 2015

Private in Capt. William Whitcomb's Company, Col. James Prescott's Regiment, Massachusetts militia which marched on the alarm on 19 April 1775. Served 5 days.

He and his brother, Frederick, served in Capt. Taylor's Co., Col. Read's Regt., Massachusetts Volunteers, from 2 October 1777 until 8 November 1777, and served 1 month and 7 days with the Northern Army under Gen. Gates.

Jabez Walcott, Revolutionary War

Data submitted by Charles Waid on July 4, 2015

He was a Private in Capt. Benjamin Munroe's 6th Company, 4th Middlesex County, Massachusetts Regiment in 1776.  He enlisted as a Private in Lt. Amos Fairbank's Company, Col. Job Cushing's Massachusetts Regiment, 6 September 1777, in which he fought at the Battle of Saratoga, and was discharged 8 September 1777. He then joined the Continental Army at Northward. He died in the military service.

Frederick Walcott, Revolutionary War

Data submitted by Charles Waid on July 4, 2015

FREDERICK was a Private in Capt. William Morse's Co., Col. Jonathan Read's Regt., Massachusetts militia, and was at the Battle of Lexington in 1775. He also served from 2 Oct. 1777 to 8 Nov. 1777 in Capt. William Mann's Co., which marched from Marlboro to assist Gen. Gates. He was living at Stow, Massachusetts in 1790, 1810, and 1820. In 1790 his family consisted of 2 males over 16, 1 male under 16, and 5 females. In 1800 he and wife had one son, age 16-25 (Josiah), living with him.

Christopher Walcott, Revolutionary War

Data submitted by Charles Waid on June 28, 2015:

Ens. Christopher Walcott Page 1

Born 1756 Attleboro, Bristol Co., Massachusetts

Christened 18 Mar 1757 Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts

Died 8 Jul 1777 Bennington, Bennington Co., Vermont

CHRISTOPHER enlisted in Capt. Amasa Soper's Co., Col. Thomas Marshall's Massachusetts Regiment, serving from 1 November 1776 to 1 December 1776. He was commissioned Ensign in his uncle, Col. Thomas Marshall's, Regiment.

He was killed Fort Ann during the Battle of Bennington, Vermont. A military pension was granted in 1798 to Benjamin and Thomas Walcott, and Lucy Strafford, coheirs of Christopher Walcott.

Christopher Wallcut, Boston. Sergeant, Capt. Soper's co., Col. Thomas Marshall's Regt.; service from Aug. 1, 1776, to Nov. 1, 1776, 3 mos.; also Sergeant, Capt. Amasa Soper's Co., Col. Thomas Marshall's Regt.; service from Nov. 1, 1776, to Dec. 1, 1776, 1 mo. Roll sworn to at Boston; Ensign, Col. Thomas Marshall's (10th) Regt.; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1777, to July 8, 1777; reported killed; also, Ensign, Capt. Winslow's co., Col. Marshall's Regt.; list of officers in the Continental Army; ordered in Council Jan. 30, 1777, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned Jan. 30, 1777; residence, Boston; also, Ensign, Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's co., Col. Marshall?s Regt.; Subsistence allowed said Wallcut from date of engagement, Dec. 3, 1776, to April 4, 1777; credited with 122 days allowance, including allowance for 11 days travel on march to Bennington; also, Ensign, Capt.

Jacob Wales's (1st) Co., Col. Marshall's Regt.; return of men who were in camp on or before Aug. 15, 1777, etc., approved April 8, 1779; reported killed July 8, 1777.

Christopher was a nephew of Col. Thomas and Captain Christopher Marshall, who were members of the

Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnatti. His Bounty Land Warrant was granted to his heirs Benjamin, Thomas Walcott and Lucy Strafford on 26 November 1798. Descendants of Christopher's family are eligible for membership in the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati under the Rule of 1854.

Capt. Benjamin Walcott, Revolutionary War

Data submitted by Charles Waid on June 28, 2015:

Family Group Record for Capt. Benjamin Walcott Page 1

Born 14 Aug 1754 Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts

Christened 10 Jul 1757 Attleboro, Bristol Co., Massachusetts

Died 28 Jun 1829 Nantucket, Nantucket Co., Massachusetts

Buried Old North Burial Ground, Nantucket, Nantucket Co., Massachusetts

General Notes: Husband - Capt. Benjamin Walcott

BENJAMIN was a baker at Boston. He was a Sgt. in Capt. Truscott's Co., Massachusetts militia, and then enlisted in the regiment of his uncle, Col. Thomas Marshall. On 6 November 1776 he was commissioned Capt. of the 7th Militia Co.

In 1776 he was elected Lt. of the Boston Continental Line and given 10L to be used to recruit a company to be part of Col. Marshall's Regt. which was part of the Northern Army. He was captured by the British at Fort Ann 8 July 1777, during the retreat from Fort Ticonderoga, and was taken to Quebec. He was exchanged for British prisoners at Albany, New York, on 24 October 1777. His company was at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. He received a warrant for 300 acres of land for his services and was in 1818 awarded a pension of $20 a month which was later dropped as he was not in need. In 1789 he moved from Boston to Nantuckett, where he continued working as a baker.

His name was sometimes spelled Walcutt and Wallcut.

He enlisted again Jan. 20, 1777 in Capt. Benj. Wolcott's Company, Col. Thomas Marshall's Regiment, and served until Dec. 31, 1779, and again served from Jan. 1, 1780, until the 30th of the same month.

Alfred Gibbs Born 1823 Mexican American War

My name is Deborah Anthony Dodge, and I am a descendant of the Oliver Wolcott family on my mother's side. Oliver Wolcott, Jr.'s daughter, Laura Wolcott Gibbs is my 3rd great grandmother.
I can't believe I just found your web site after all the years i have been working on my family's ancestry!
**************

There is a Wolcott descendent I would like you to add to your web site His name is Alfred Gibbs. Laura Wolcott married Colonel George Gibbs, III, in 1810. Their sixth and last child, Francis S. Gibbs is my 2nd great-grandfather.
Their fourth child, Alfred Gibbs, graduated from West Point in 1846, served on the frontier, in the Mexican American War, Civil War and continued his service to the country on the frontier again— this time as the first major of the famous US 7th Cavalry. Below is a very brief recap of his career that I compiled for my condensed genealogy of my family:
***************************
ALFRED GIBBS, George's third son, was born at Sunswick April 22, 1823. He attended Dartmouth before entering West Point. Among his graduating class of 1846 were George McLellan, Stonewall Jackson, George Pickett and Ambrose Burnside. He received two brevets for gallantry and Mexican-American War. His pre-Civil War career was in cavalry service in Texas, New Mexico and California. He was badly wounded by Apaches during frontier service in 1857—a wound that would plague him his whole life. It was while he was in Texas that he met and married Peggy Foushee Blair of Richmond, VA, the sister of a fellow officer. The start of the Civil War found Alfred in Texas where he was captured by Texas Confederate troops. After being exchanged, he commanded the only Union army volunteer infantry regiment that was converted entirely to a cavalry regiment: The 130th New York Infantry became the 1st NY Dragoons in August of 1863 and served in Virginia for the remainder of the Civil War.
meritorious service and was twice wounded in the
**********************
In October of 1864 he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. He then commanded a cavalry brigade under General Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah and Appomattox campaigns and was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. He received three brevet general awards for meritorious service in three key battles, Trevilian Station, Opequon (3rd Winchester) and Five Forks.
*************************
After the war, Alfred was appointed the first major of the newly formed 7th US Cavalry and was acting commander until George Custer came to relieve him in November, 1866. “His poor health—attributed to the wound received in 1857—kept Gibbs for the most part in garrison, but he nonetheless made is mark on his unit…Libbie Custer said of Alfred:
************************
General Gibbs was a famous disciplinarian, and he had also the quaintest manner of fetching every one to the etiquettical standard he knew to be necessary. He was witty, and greatly given to joking, and yet perfectly unswerving in the performance of the most insignificant duty." "General Etiquette" his associates labeled him. The regimental band, destined to become a bright ornament of the 7th, was largely the creation of Major Gibbs..." [1]
*************************
Alfred spent his last 3 years on hard duty, patrolling the Western plains for raiding Native Americans to protect the westward expansion of the railroad and pioneers. His previous injuries and harsh frontier duty took its toll, he died of "congestion of the brain" on December 26, 1868. He was survived by his wife and two sons: Alfred Wolcott Gibbs who had a long career as an engineer; and John Blair Gibbs, a surgeon, who was killed in the first days of the Spanish American war.
**************
[1] Adapted from Life in Custer’s Cavalry: Diaries and Letters of Albert and Jennie Barnitz, 1867-69, edited by Robert M. Utley (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1987)
*******************
I think he would be a great addition to your web-site.
***************

Cullums Biographical Register Recap

Biographical Register of the Officers & Graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY

by Bvt. Maj.-Gen. George W. Cullum, 1891., pgs 293-295

Note: the text is changed only to modernize state abbreviations and to more of an outline form for easier reading. Promotions are preceded with an * and are in caps.

********************* 

Alfred Gibbs Military History:

1313. (Born NY)  ALFRED GIBBS ...(Ap'd NY).     Class Rank 42

Military History. - Cadet in the Military Academy, July 1, 1842, to July 1, 1846,

when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

            *Bvt. Second Lieut., Mounted Rifles, July 1, 1846.

I. Served in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, MO, 1846 ; in the

II. War with Mexico, 1846-48, being engaged in the

            1. Siege of Vera Cruz, Mar. 9-29,1847, -

            2. Battle of Cerro Gordo, Apr. 17-18, 1847, where he was wounded,

            *Bvt. First Lieut., Apr. 18, 1847, For Gallant & meritorious Service in the Battle of             Cerro Gordo, Mexico

            3. Battle of Contreras, Aug. 19-20, 1847

            4. Battle of Churubusco, and in Kearny's charge on the San Antonio Garita, Aug. 20, 1847

            5. Battle of Chapultepec, Sep. 13, 1847 and

            6. Assault and Capture of the City of Mexico, Sep. 13-14, 1847

            *Bvt. Captain, Sep. 13, 1847, For Gallant Conduct at

            Garita De Belen, City of Mexico

            *Second Lieut., Mounted Rifles, Dec. 31, 1847

           

III. Aide-de-Camp to Major-General P. F. Smith, Mar. 27, 1848, to July 1, 1856

            1848 in Mexico

            1848-49 en route to California

            1849-52 Pacific Division

            1852-56 Department of Texas

            *First Lieut., Mounted Rifles, May 31, 1853

IV. Frontier Duty

            1856-57 Ft. Fillmore, NM

            1857 Scouting being engaged against Apache Indians in a Skirmish at

            Cooke's Spring, NM, Mar. 8, 1857, where he was severely wounded

            1857-58 Ft. Union, NM Mar 24 to Sep 15 1848 Adjutant Mounted Rifles

            1858-60 Recruiting Service & conducting recruits to NM

            1860 Navajo Expedition, NM

            1860-61Albuquerque, NM Depot Commissary

            * Bvt. Captain, Staff - Asst. Adjutant-General, May 11, 1861 :

            Declined

            *Captain, Mounted Rifles, May 13, 1861: and 3D Cavalry, Aug. 3, 1861

            1861, July 8 on March to Ft. Fillmore, NM being captured by Texas Insurgents at San           Augustin Springs, NM and paroled until exchanged, Aug. 27, 1862

V.  Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1862-66

            1. Dec 1861- Aug 1862 in command of Ft. Wayne, MI

            *Colonel, 130^th NY Volunterrs, Sep 6, 1862

            2. 1862-63

                        Sep 15, 1862 - June 1863 Suffolk, VA

                        a. Deserted House, Jan 29, 1863

                        b. Defense of Suffolk, May 11-20, 1863

                        Major Keye’s Pennisular Expedition towards Richmond, June 13-July 12 1863

            3. 1863

                        *Colonel 1^ST NY Dragoons, July 1863

                        a. July 19-Aug 1, 1868 HQ of Provost Marshal of the Army of the Potomac

                        b. Aug 1- Nov 26 Organizing the Regiment of 130th NY Volunteers as Cavalry:                    1^st NY Dragoons at Manassas Plains, and guarding the Orange & Alexandria RR. Skirmishes Oct           17 and Nov 9

                        c. Nov 26-Apr 1 1864 in command of Cavalry Reserve Brigade

                        d. Dec 1863 engaged in guarding supply train during Mine Run operations

                       

            4. 1864

                        Nov 26, 1863 -Apr 1 1864 in command of Cavalry Reserve Brigade

                        a. Attack at Barnet’s Ford Feb 11, 1864

                        b. Richmond Campaign, commanding Cavalry Reserve Brigade, 1^st Cav. Division                             Army of Potomac, May 7-Aug 5, 1864 engaged in:

                                    1-Combat of Todd’s Tavern May 7, 1864

                                    2-Capture of Spottsylvania Courthouse May 8, 1864

                                    3-“Sheridan’s First Raid” to Haxall’s Landing May 9-24 participating in

                                        Beaver Dam May 9-10                    Hawe’s Shop May 28

                                        Yellow Tavern May 11                    Old Church May 30

                                        Meadow Bridge May 12                  Mechanicsville May 12

                                        Hanover Town May 27                    Cold Harbor May 31-June 1

                                    4-“Sheridan’s Second Raid” to Trevillian Station and Light-house Point                                                         June 7-28, 1864 participating in:

                                                Trevillian Station June 12                    Tunstall’s Station June 21

                                                Mallory’s Ford June 12                                    Darby Town June 28

                                    *Bvt. Major, June 11, 1864, For Gallant And Meritorious                                                         Services at The Battle of Trevillian Station, VA

                                    5- Shenandoah Campaign

                                                Aug 6-Dec 8 Commanding Regiment engaged in skirmishes at

                                                            Newtown Aug 11                     Smithfield Aug 28

                                                            Cedarville Aug 16                    Crossing Opequan Aug 29

                                                            Kearneysville Aug 25              Battle of Opequan Sep 19

                                                            Shepardstown Aug 25              Battle of Fisher’s Hill Sep 22

                                    *Bvt. Lieut  Col. Sep 19, 1864, For Gallant And Meritorious Services at                                  The Battle of Winchester, VA

                                                            Skrimishes of Mount Jackson Sep 23 and

                                                            New Market Sep 25                 Tom’s Run Oct 9

                                                            Port Republic Sep 26               Woodstock Races Oct 9

                                                            Cross Keys Sep 28                   Strasburg Oct 14

                                                            Battle of Cedar Creek Oct 19

                                                            Skirmish of Middletown Nov 12

                                    *Brig.-General, U.S. Volunteers, Oct 19, 1864

                                                           

                                                Dec 12-30 Cavalry Reserve Brigade

                                                            Commanding Raid on Gordonsville Dec 9-29

                                                Dec 30-Jan 15 1865 Cavalry Division

                        5. 1865

                                    Jan 18- Feb 5 leave of absence

                                    Feb 27-Mar 20 Command of Reserve Cav. Brigade, Sheridan’s 6^th                                                     Raid on Virginia Central & Danville RR & James River Canal, being                                                 March 14-15 Actions of North & South Anna Bridges

                                    Mar 29-Apr 9 Command of Cavalry Brigade in final Attack & Pursuit of the                                                 Rebel Army of Virginia being engaged in:

                                                Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Mar 31

                                                Battle of Five Forks Apr 1

                                                Battle of Sailor’s Creek Apr 6

                                                Action at Appommatox Station Apr 8

                                                and Surrender of General R.E. Lee t Appomattox CH Apr 9 1865

                                   

                                                *Bvt Colonel, Mar 13, 1865 for Gallant and Meritorious                                             Service at Five Forks VA

                                                *Bvt Brig.General, US Army Mar 13, 1865 for Gallant and                                          Meritorious Service in the Field During the Rebellion

                                                *Bvt Maj. General,  US VolunteersMar 13, 1865 for Gallant                                        and Meritorious Service in the Field During the Rebellion

                                                *Bvt Maj. General,  US Army Mar 13, 1865 for Gallant                                     and Meritorious Service in the Field During the Rebellion

                                    Aug 20-Oct 17 in Command of 1^st Brigade Cavalry Forces (Military Division of                                            the Gulf

                                    Oct 17-Dec 15 in Command of 1^st Division

                        6. 1866

                                    Jan 15-April 30, 1865 leave of absence

                                    Feb 1 - Mustered out volunteer service

                                    Apr 30-Sep 30 Recruiting service

                                   

            VI. Frontier Duty 1867-1868

                                    *Major, 7^th Cavalry, July 28, 1866

                                    Oct - Jan 4 1867 Ft. Riley KA

                                    Jan 4-Apr 1 Ft. Harker KA

                                    May-July Ft. Hays KA

                                    Sep 15-Nov 6 Ft. Harker KA

                                    Nov 7, 1867 -Sep 1868 Ft. Leavenworth KA

                                    Sep 68-Nov 68 Fts. Dodge & Harker

                                    Dec 68 Ft Leavenworth

                                    Died, Dec 26, 1868 at Fort Leavenworth, KA aged 44

Wolcott Family Military Histories

     While doing research for my Wolcott genealogy, I decided to compile a written record of military histories, for these two families, and the stories that go along with the men and women who served their country.

     All of the Wolcott family histories came from the Wolcott Family In America (1578 - 1985) book published by Griffen and Alegro.  This book may be purchased from The Wolcott Family Society.

     Henry Wolcott married Elizabeth Saunders about the year 1606.  He came to New England about the year 1628 and in the year 1630 brought over his family, to avoid the persecution of those times against dissenters.

     Henry's removal to America came during the autocratic rule of Charles I.  England was at war, under military law, suffering economic hardships, and split by religious fervor.  Englishmen began to look to America as an asylum for civil and religious liberty. 

     Henry was a member of England's landed gentry.  A Connecticut historian later described Henry as the owner of a fine estate and "a man of superior abilities."  He sold land worth about eight thousand pounds to help finance the expedition to America.  The fifty-two year old Henry took his wife and sons Henry, Christopher and George.  Remaining in England until a home was established in the New World were two daughters and a five-year-old son.  (Anna, Mary, and Simon).

     Those Wolcotts leaving for America sailed on March 20, 1630 from Plymouth, England, aboard the Mary and John skippered by Captain Squeb.  Before leaving England, the expedition of one hundred forty individuals from western England organized as an independent church.  This came to be known as the First Church in Windsor, the oldest church in Connecticut.  Henry Wolcott and his party were to make their way alone sailing for the New England coast.  They left behind the comforts of English settlements to face the challenges of the American wilderness.

     The following blog posts are men and women who served during the King Phillip War (1675-1676) French and Indian Wars (1756-1763), the Revolutionary War (1775-1782) between Great Britain and the American Colonies, the War of 1812 (1812-1815) between the United States and Great Britain, Civil War (1861 - 1865), World War I (1914-1918), World War II (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953).  Others were enlisted during peacetime.

King Phillip War (1675 - 1676)

John Wolcott, Jr. (1636-1690) 
John was a carpenter.  He was a trooper in 1675.  He commanded the Garrison in Brookfield in 1688.

John Wolcott III (1660)

In August 1676 John Wilcott of Newbury is listed as having been paid 4L 10s for military service in King Phillips War.  John's family was paid this same amount by the town of Marblehead for his being absent on military duty.  His name is found on military rosters of February and August 1676 during the Narragansett Conflict.  His service may have not been entirely voluntary, because in August of 1676 an order was issued to the Constable of Marblehead to impress six men for military service, one being John Woolcott.  In 1676 John WIlcott and Mary his wife gave testimony at Marblehead, giving their ages as 24 and 18 respectively.  Both John and his father took the Oath of Allegiance at Newbury in 1678, giving their ages as 18 and 45 respectively.  Despite the discrepancy in age this appears to be the same John because in 1679 John gave testimony concerning a windmill built at Marblehead by his father, John Woolcott of Newbury.  John and a Henry Codner were judged guilty of taking a chest from another person's house.  There seems to have been money involved, but it is possible that this escapade involved papers in the chest that may have been connected to his father's numerous disputes with his neighbors. (Taken from John Wolcott's story on the Internet)

Joseph Wolcott (1663-1710) 

His wife and his 3 children were killed in an Indian assault of Brookfield in 1693.
Joseph escaped with his son, Joseph.

Governor-Major General Roger Wolcott (1679-1767)

He was the youngest son of the first Simon, was married in 1702 to Sarah Drake, by whom he was the father of Roger, Elizabeth, Alexander (died young) Erastus and Epaphrus (twins, both of whom died young), Erastus, Ursula, Oliver (who later signed the Declaration of Independence), and Mary Ann (or Mariann). 

Roger Wolcott was colonial governor of Connecticut in 1751-1754.

Roger Wolcott was a Representative of South Windsor in the Connecticut general assembly in 1709; rose to the bench of justices in 1710; accompanied expedition against Canada in 1711; elected member of council in 1714; Judge of County Court in 1724; Judge of Superior Court, 1732; Deputy Governor and Chief-Justice of Supreme Court, 1741.  In expedition against Louisbourg in 1745 he was commissioned Major General by Governor Shirley of Massachusetts and was second in command to Pepperell.  He arrived at Cape Breton with the troops 30 April and 17 June the city of Louisbourg capitulated and the provincial forces entered it.  Governor of Connecticut, 1750-54.

In addition to his political activities he published three pieces or works.  The first was poetical, his second publication was ecclesiastical and his third political.  He also wrote an account of the Pequot War in verse.

The Rev. Samuel Wolcott in the Memorial says:  "We have no portrait of him.  In one of the political squibs of the day he is referred to as 'Stately, smoking Roger.'  For the following description of his public appearance, in his official costume, we are indebted, through a friend (Hon. Isaac W. Stuart), to a lady in Wethersfield, Miss Marsh, the daughter of a venerable clergyman long since deceased, who gives it as she received it from her mother, who had often seen him in her childhood:  'He was a visitor at her father's, and the costume of an officer under the regal government was too imposing to pass unnoticed.  Several times a week he rode out on horseback, and never appeared abroad but in full-dress.  He wore a suit of scarlet broadcloth.  The coat was made long, with wide skirts, and trimmed down the whole length in front with gilt buttons, and broad gilt vellum button-holes, two or three inches in length.  The cuffs were large and deep, reaching nearly to the elbows, and were ornamented, like the sides of the coat, as were also the pocket-lids, with gilt vellum buttonholes and buttons.  The waistcoat had skirts, and was richly embroidered.  Ruffles at the bosom and over the hands were of lace.  He had a flowing wig, and a three-cornered hat with a cockade; and rode slowly and stately a large black horse, whose tail swept the ground.'

"A little north of his residence in South Windsor was a public road to the river, where he owned a ferry, connecting with Plymouth Meadow on the other side, the right of which was granted him by the General Court, in 1725.  His house was about a third of a mile north of the present meetinghouse.  He built it in 1704, the year of the attack on Deerfield, and the walls of the front room were covered with a painting descriptive of that scene.  The house was taken down a few years since, and some of the panels, which belonged to that apartment, are preserved in the neighborhood as relics.  He spent the last years of his life with his daughters.  Mrs. Newberry, in Old Windsor, and was buried there with his fathers, although his home had been on the other side of the river.  His estate was inventoried at (pound sign) 1,805, 4s, 2d., and was distributed among his surviving sons and daughters, and the children of his deceased son Roger."

An obituary appeared in the Connecticut Courant of 27 July succeeding entitles "Memoirs of the Life and Character of the Honorable Roger Wolcott, Esq., late Governor of Connecticut" (portions are omitted).

"This great and good man was descended from honorable parents.  He was one of those happy few whose minds seem to be formed with an original strength and force, not to be suppressed by misfortune or want of exterior advantages; and though this did not appear early, yet, like the hidden gem in the mountain, was daily ripening, in due time to be produced to light, polished, and make a shining appearance in many exalted stations in life.

"As soon as he left his master, he was determined to have a liberal education, if possible, but on taking an inventory of his estate, he found it not to amount to fifty pounds, so he was obliged to drop that design; but, still unalterably determined not to remain in a state of ignorance, he borrowed such books as he could get, and read with attention; and, having a retentive memory and solid natural judgment, what he read he retained, digested, and made his own.  He got an acquaintance with men of the best abilities of his time, and by an indefatigable industry and application got acquainted with most branches of literature; for he was an exact chronologer, well acquainted with history, ecclesiastical and civil, and geography both ancient and modern, and with the Newtonian Philosophy, and most of the curious discoveries of the moderns.

"He had a taste for the Belles Lettres; and some poetical pieces he has left behind, to show that, had his Genius been well cultivated, he might have made a considerable figure among the Sons of the Muses.

"But the law and arts of government were his favorite study.  Accordingly, he soon made his appearance at the barr, where he distinguished himself so far as to be soon called into public employment.

"He filled the post of Governor, as he had the rest, to good acceptance, till the affair of the Spanish ship, a considerable part of whose rich cargo being embezzled through the indolence, inadequateness, and inattention of the Spanish merchant, the freemen were by some designing person made to believe that the loss was occasioned through Governor Wolcott's fault, and that the people must be taxed for repayment.

"He retired with composed, unruffled grandeur, cheerfully referring it to Divine Providence to find means to evidence that innocence that he had an inward consciousness of; nor were his expectations disappointed, for we suppose every one is now fully convinced that that affair was well conducted, -- and that to a wonder, considering its suddenness, and the little acquaintance this Colony had in affairs of this nature.

"After his retirement from public life, he divided his time between devotion, reading (which was principally church history, and the works of the most celebrated divines, especially Doct. Owen and Doct. Bates), agriculture, -- his beloved employ, --and the enjoyment of his friends.

"And though his constitution was excellent, yet as he knew that, in the course of nature, the time of his departure was at hand, his great and constant business was to stand with his loyns girt and his lamp burning, waiting for the coming of his Lord.  Thus he lived till about the middle of April last, when he complained of a disorder in his legs, which soon turned of a livid color, his strength from that time declining fast, till Sunday, May 17th, on which day, about noon, his constitution (firm as it was), not being able to longer support itself, sunk under the weight of old age, he being then in the eighty-ninth year of his age.

"His funeral was, agreeable to his own directions, attended without much pomp or show; at which time the Hon. Deputy Governor Trumbull, and Hezekiah Huntington, Esq., from the Upper House, and eight of the principal members from the Lower House being specially appointed for that purpose by the General Assembly, then sitting in Hartford, attended, and delivered a message to the mourners, wherein they did honor to the wisdom, patriotic spirit, religion, and virtue that adorned his life, and expressed their full approbation of his public services in the various posts he sustained in this Colony.

"His body was strong and well proportioned, his countenance and deportment particularly adapted to command reverence and esteem; his wit was ready, and uncommonly bright; his method of reasoning (free from sophistry) was clear, nervous, and manly, as became a generous inquirer after truth, and not a noisy wrangler for victory only.  He was a sincere, unfailing friend to every industrious, virtuous, honest man, who acted his part well, whatever was his station in life; but the indolent sluggard, and soft enervated, unexerting debauchee was his aversion.  All persons of true piety were his delight.  He was a true friend to regular and firm government, and was an equal enemy to tyranny on the one hand, and licentiousness on the other.  He thought that the practice of industry, economy, frugality, and temperance was the only way to relieve this Colony, and America in general, from their present distresses and therefore was often recommending them.

"He was a wise legislator and an able statesman.  While he was a judge, he held the balance of justice with a steady unwavering hand; and being far superior to venality, or the influence of personal, family, or party connections, he pronounced the law impartially, on all the cases brought before him.  As a governor he appeared to advantage; this was his proper element, for he seemed originally formed to govern.  He was a kind and provident husband and parent.  His moral character was unblemished, his religion and piety were unaffected; and he died as he had long lived, a member of the Second Church in Windsor.  In short, we take this to be one of the few lives spent in so useful and exemplary a manner, that 'tis worth while to hold it up in view of the world, as being in general worthy of their imitation."

Revolutionary War (1775 - 1782)

Luke Wolcott (1755-1790)
2nd Lt. Capt. John Van Duser's Co., 3rd Dutchess Co., NY Militia Regiment
1st Lt. Coos's Co., same regiment
1st Lt. March 1778 was with Valentine Wheeler's, 5th Dutchess Co., NY Militia.
(Submitted by Charles Waid, June 2015)

John Wolcott (1696-1728)
He was in military service 1723-1725 and was killed by Indians at Connecticut River while returning from a hunting trip with a cargo of furs.

Samuel Wolcott (1679)
Captain Samuel Wolcott, when a youth, lived for a time with his uncle, Josiah Wolcott, Esq., of Salem, MA, who expresses a favorable opinion of Samuel in one of his letters.  The death of Samuel's father while he was yet a lad of sixteen years and the eldest of eight children devolved upon him a special charge, which seems to have interrupted his education.  He commanded a military company, was an importing merchant, and appears to have been wealthy for his time.  The items in his inventory amounts to (English monetary sign (I think it is Pounds) 5,097, 2s., 10 d.  It is reported, "that the 'Worshipful' Samuel Wolcott built and occupied the mansion (on Wolcott Hill) which afterwards became famous as the Washington Headquarters in Wethersfield, CT."  He commanded a military company during Queen Ann's War, HTFD-CNTX, and DTP Dragoons.  His tombstone, in the Wethersfield churchyard, is a handsome brown stone monument supported by five columns and bearing the Wolcott family coat of arms on the tabletop.

Henry Wolcott (1697)
Took Oath of Fidelity Apr 12, 1779; provided food and clothing for the Continental soldiers in Revolutionary War from his own fortune.

Claudius Wolcott 

Revolutionary Service, 6th Militia, 14th Regiment, commanded by Col. Charles Burrill.

Roger Wolcott (1704-1759) 

Windsor Representative in General Assembly; a Major in Connecticut Troops; a member of Council; a Judge of Superior Court; and one of the revisers of the state laws.

Alexander Wolcott (1712-1795)

Alexander graduated Yale College in 1731.  Chairman of Windsor Committee of Safety and head of a commission to examine applicants for Surgeons in the Continental Army; a creditor of estate of Joseph Denslow of Windsor, CT; accompanied his father as surgeon in expedition against Louisburg; later settled in Windsor as a practicing physician; Justice of the Peace and Representative of the town in General Assembly.

Josiah Wolcott (1720-1773)
Soldier of the Revolution.  Josiah built a house on Wolcott Hill, Wethersfield, CT in 1754.  In 1976 the house was still in use.

 

Erastus Wolcott (1722-1793)

Of South Windsor.  Erastus Wolcott settled in South Windsor, was repeatedly a Representative of the town in General Assembly and also speaker of the Lower House and Justice of the Peace, Judge of Probate, Judge and Chief Judge of the County Court, Representative in Congress, and Judge of the Superior Court.  He held rank of Brigadier-General of Connecticut militia in Revolutionary War.  An original member of the Cincinnati.  Buried with his wife in old churchyard of South Windsor.

Samuel Wolcott (1727-1809)
He was an early settler in the town of Shoreham, VT, locating in the northern part of town.  He was to receive a grant of 1,300 acres providing he recruited 20 settlers during a period of 59 years.  However, he was driven off by Indians and Tories during the Revolution.  The terms of the grant were broken and he received only 100 acres.  He also resided Goshen, VT, about 1753; Lanesboro, MA, about 1763; Shoreham, VT, fall of 1773.  After capture of Ft. Ticonderoga, he removed to Berkshire Co., MA, where he lived until 1783.
He owned and sold the property mentioned in Stile's Ancient Wethersfield (vol. 1, p. 480) to Joseph Webb, afterwards known as Webb House.  This property is claimed by Stiles to have been ancestral in the Wolcott family, having been bought by Henry of Windsor from Clement Cheplin for his son Samuel Wolcott.  Samuel Wolcott's sons all claimed to be descendants of Henry Wolcott of Windsor.  Revolutionary War Service.  With Ethan Allen at capture of Ft. Ticonderoga.

Jesse Wolcott, Jr. (1729)
He came with his father and next younger brother (Zebulon) to Goshen, MA, about 1772.  He was Deacon of Presbyterian Church for 50 years.  He was an officer in the Revolutionary war.

Simon Wolcott (1733-1784)

Served in the Revolutionary War in Col. Gay's Regiment, commissioned Jun 20, 1776.

John Wolcott (1734-1807)
Pvt in his father's Co. 1757.  Revolutionary War service Capt. Brookfield Militia 1775-1776.  He was also a Capt.

Justus Wolcott  (1735-1831)

served in the Revolutionary War as a Sgt. in Captain Brodhead's Co., Col. Hathorn's Regiment.

Samuel Wolcott (1736-1824)

He was a Revolutionary Soldier.

Wyatt Wolcott (1739-1821)

Revolutionary War Sgt. in Col. Peter Van Ness's Regt. of Albany Co., Militia (2nd Claverack District, now Columbia Co.)

Joseph Wolcott (1740-1808)
He served in the Revolutionary War as a Private in Captain Elijah Denny's Co., Col. Ashley's Berkshire Regiment.

David Wolcott (1744)

David was a Revolutionary Soldier.  He died at horse neck during the war.

Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807)

Husband of Abigail Wolcott 

Oliver served as a judge and as State's attorney; had Noah Webster as a student in his Hartford Law office; a delegate to the Continental Congress of 1776 and to convention which framed the Constitution of the United States in 1784; one of first two senators from CT, an office he held until appointed Chief Justice by Washington in 1796; family homestead in Windsor, at which Washington and Lafayette were guests, was purchased by local D.A.R. chapter and maintained as a museum.

William Wolcott (1745-1834)

He was in the Revolutionary War.

Solomon Wolcott (1745-1811)

He was a minuteman at Lexington alarm in Capt. John Chester's Co. during the Revolutionary War.

Roger Wolcott (1746-1828)

He was appointed Lt. in 1782 in the 2nd Co. 16th Regiment NH.

Timothy Wolcott (1749-1778)

He was in the Revolutionary War as a Pvt. MA Capt. Green's MA Militia Co.  In 1775 he enlisted in Capt. Fish's Co. MA Line for 3 years, then as Cpl. in Capt. Granger's Co.  He was wounded June 1778 at the Battle of Winrock Creek near Monmouth NJ and died of his wounds in 1778.

Samuel Wolcott (1751-1825)

In 1777 he and family fled from Shoreham, VT, to Berkshire Co., MA, because of Indians.  He returned in 1783.  He was with his father at the capture of Ft. Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War.

Erastus Wolcott (1752-1797)
As a Captain in the Revolution, he commanded a Boston Regiment of the Militia.  In 1777, he made Brig. Gen., led first brigade of CT troops to Peekskill and Danbury.

Solomon Wolcott (1753)

He was in the Revolutionary War as a Cpl MA Line, in Capt. John Woolcott's Rangers, marched from Brookfield to the alarm of 1775; applied for pension 1818 at Cumberland Co. ME.

William Wolcott (1754-1841)

Revolutionary War service in Capt. Parsons Co.

Josiah Wolcott (1755-1838)

He served with his brother Theodore in the Revolution with CT troops.  He was living in Wethersfield, Connecticut at the time of the war.    He was a soldier, Private and Orderly Sergeant or clerk, Connecticut line, under Capt. Oliver Pomeroy and Benjamin Wright, Col. Erastus Wolcott and Matthew Talcott.  He served altogether 7 months.  Moved to Bristol, CT., 1792: Farmington, OH, 1807.  He received pension Apr 21, 1837 while residing in Farmington, OH. 

Silas Wolcott (1755-1834)

He served in the Revolutionary War.  13th PA Line, April 1, 1776 to Jan 1, 1778.  He was one of General Washington's bodyguards.

Elisha Wolcott (1755-1827)

He was a hat maker at the outbreak of the Revolution and in the first flush of manhood.  Like a true patriot, he offered his service to the cause of American Independence.  He became a soldier in Capt. Hammer's Co. and participated in the conflict at NY.  After serving gallantly for some time, General Washington sent him home from the Army to make hats for the Continental soldiers.  These hats were made in a shed in the rear of his dwelling.  This house and shed were built by Samuel Wolcott about 1750.  This house stands today (1976) at 381 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT.                  

John Wolcott (1759-1824)

December 7, 1777, John enlisted in Sunbury, PA as a private in the First Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment commanded by Col. Chambers.  John was in Capt. James Wilson's Co.  John was captured by the British near Montgomery, PA on June 29, 1779 during the Battle of Fort Muncy.  The American forces were attacked by 200 British under the command of Capt. John McDonald and 300 Indians under the command of Hickatoo, a veteran Indian Chief of the Seneca tribe.  Fifty-two American prisoners were taken.  The old men and women were released and returned to Fort Augusta, Sunbury, PA.  The first night the prisoners were kept in an ash house.  After six months in captivity, John was exchanged by the British and rejoined the American army in 1780.  He received his discharge in the fall of that year.  In his war claim for a pension, which he received in Kentucky on October 2, 1818, it is stated he suffered three wounds during the war:  One ball through his right leg, one ball through his left thigh, and one ball which broke his left wrist.  He received his last pension in Pike's Co., OH in 1824.  From 1776 to 1778, John, Paul and Silas paid taxes in Baldeagle and Potter townships.  John was assessed with 4 cows, 2 horses, and 100 acres of land.  Another account states that Paul was assessed 1784-1788.  John also served in the War of 1812.  He received a pension from his war claim #40634 in Bourbon Co., KY in 1820.  John was living in Bourbon Co., KY in 1818 and moved to Bath Co., KY in 1820.   Before 1823 he returned from Kentucky to Findlay, OH to his first wife's children.  There he died.

George Sornberger (1759-1841)

Husband of Catherine Wolcott

Revolutionary service as a Private in Col. Roswell Hopkins's Co., Dutchess Co., NY Militia.

William Wolcott ("Walcut") (1761-1833)
William, Anna, and children came from Fairfax Co., VA, to Chillicothe, OH, in 1815.  Soon after in that same year they located on the east side of the Scioto River in Franklin Co.  There William's wife and daughter died.  William is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus, OH, near the old mortuary.  He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War in S. M. Regiment Maryland Commandiers, 5th Maryland Regiment, Dec 10, 1776 to Oct 22, 1779, Col. William Richardson, commander, from April 27, 1781 to 1783, Major Lerin Winder.  Applied for pension Dec 24, 1819 and was pensioned May 12, 1821, II 34 to William Walcutt (Wolcott), State of Ohio, for wounds received in battle.  He was present at storming of Stony Point, at Guilford C.H. (where he was captured but escaped three days later), at Valley Forge with Washington where he spent the hard winter of 1777-78.  He was at Yorktown for the surrender of Cornwallis.  After peace was established, he located in Loudoun Co., VA, and married Anna.  When they moved to OH, the family settled in Franklin Co. except James, who settled first in Jefferson Co, and then Harrison Co.

Oliver Wolcott, Jr. (1761-1845)

Revolutionary War service from New Braintree MA, age 19 in 1780, Oliver Woolcott, Pvt. Worcester Co. MA militia.  Oliver lived at New Braintree when he enlisted and before moving to Pomfret and Brandon VT in 1792.  He settled at Pittsford VT in 1812, where he applied for a pension in 1832.

John Wolcott, Jr. (1762-1844)

He was a Pvt., MA Line; applied for a pension and received it in 1818 Rensselaer Co. NY.  His wife Lydia also received a war pension.

Theodore Wolcott (1763-1837)

Revolutionary Service.

Richard Law  (1763-1845)

husband of Lucretia Wolcott

Richard served in the Revolutionary War as a Navy Captain.