OLIVER WOLCOTT

1726-1797

Signer of the Declaration of Independence (Connecticut)

Biographical Data
Religious Views
Quotations
References, Links, & Further Reading

Education: Yale

Occupation: lawyer

Political Affiliation: Federalist

Religious Affiliation: Congregationalist

Summary of Religious Views:

Views on Religion & Politics:

Quotations:

"I do not see the necessity of such a test as some gentlemen wish for. The Constitution enjoins an oath upon all the officers of the United States. This is a direct appeal to that God who is the avenger of perjury. Such an appeal to him is a full acknowledgment of his being and providence. An acknowledgment of these great truths is all that the gentleman contends for. For myself, I should be content either with or without that clause in the Constitution which excludes test laws. Knowledge and liberty are so prevalent in this country, that I do not believe that the United States would ever be disposed to establish one religious sect, and lay all others under legal disabilities. But as we know not what may take place hereafter, and any such test would be exceedingly injurious to the rights of free citizens, I cannot think it altogether superfluous to have added a clause, which secures us from the possibility of such oppression." -- in the Connecticut Ratifying Convention, 9 January 1788

References, Links, & Further Reading: Books, Articles, Links

Books

Articles

James E. Bland, "The Oliver Wolcotts of Connecticut: The National Experience, 1775-1800," Ph.D. dissertation, Harvard University, 1970
Charles L. Goodrich, "Oliver Wolcott," in Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, 1856

Links

Works by Oliver Wolcott

Documents (Constitutional Sources Project)

Biographical Sites

WOLCOTT, Oliver, 1726-1797 (Biographical Directory of the US Congress)
Oliver Wolcott (ushistory.org: Signers of the Declaration of Independence)
Oliver Wolcott (Signers of the Declaration of Independence -- National Park Service)
Soldier, Patriot, and Politician: The Life of Oliver Wolcott (ConnecticutHistory.org)
Oliver Wolcott (Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence)