The quest for men and women dedicated to serving the United States yields many stellar findings. It would be difficult, however, to find a better example than that of Oliver Wolcott. Son of the Royal Governor of Connecticut and the youngest of 14 children, Oliver Wolcott first answered his country's call by raising a volunteer militia during the French and Indian War before he was 25 years of age.
Having placed his education on hold, he returned to Yale, graduated, and proceeded as Captain with his company to the northern frontier.
Following the close of this war, he served on the local level as sheriff of Litchfield County from 1751 to 1771. At this point, his nation called him into military service once again, this time as a Major in the Connecticut Militia.
By the close of the Revolutionary War, he would be Brigadier General Wolcott of the Connecticut forces under the command of the Continental Armies.
During the time he held this position, Wolcott filled various roles, such as a Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the council at Albany, and was elected to Congress in 1775. Though not present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence due to ill health, he signed it several weeks later before returning to the field to lead his men.
Reelected to Congress in 1778, he retired six years later only to be called upon twice more to serve as Indian Commissioner. In his home state, he served as Lieutenant Governor for ten years before serving as Governor until his death in 1797 at age 71.
It can be truthfully said that Wolcott gave his all to the service of his country, and in every effort, he laid aside his personal interests and served his country to the fullest extent possible.
Although few of us may be called to lead a militia or become Brigadier Generals, the example of service and sacrifice on the local, state, and national level is one that can be emulated by every patriot by doing your part to call for a Convention of States and bring Congress back under the control of the people.
