Thomas Oliver AM Harvard (1733 - 1815)

Born 5 Jan 1733 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Vassall) Oliver — married 11 Jun 1760 (to about 1779) in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Husband of Harriett Freeman — married 3 Jun 1781 in St Paul's, Bristol, England

Descendants

Died 29 Nov 1815 at age 82 in Bristol, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Thomas Oliver was born on 5 January 1733 (1734 NS) in Antigua as the second son to Robert Oliver (1700-1762) and Anne (Brown) Oliver (abt.1700-aft.1738) ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Marriage

Thomas married in Trinity Church, Boston on 11 June 1760, Elizabeth (Vassall) Oliver (bef.1739-1779), a daughter of Colonel John (Vassal) Vassall (1713-1747) of Cambridge, making a double connection by marriage between these two families. ^{[4][5] [6] [7] [8]}

After his wife, Elizabeth died in 1779, Thomas became remarried to Harriet Freeman in St John's, Antigua on 3 June 1781. Harriet was the only child and heiress of Hon. Byam Freeman of Antigua. Harriet died on 16 July 1808 in St Paul’s, Bristol.

Children

Thomas and Elizabeth's children were:

1. Anne Oliver (abt.1763-abt.1811) was baptised on 4 March 1764 at Christ Church, Boston;
2. Elizabeth Eliza (Oliver) Rogers (1766-1826) on 17 August 1766; ^[9]
3. Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853)
4. Penelope (Oliver) Cave (-1815) on October 2, 1768 ^[10]
5. Frances Oliver (abt.1773-abt.1848) (named in his will)
6. Mary Oliver (1777-1837) ^[11]

All of the children travelled to England with Thomas when he was exiled, at the time when the British gentry were forced out of Boston. ^[12]

Thomas and Harriet had two children:

1. Harriett Watkins Oliver (1786-1826) baptised 19 April 1785 in St Augustine-the-less, Bristol. ^[13][14]
2. Emily Freeman Oliver (1790-1836) ^[15]

Life Story

Thomas was an infant when his parents moved from Antigua to Massachusetts.

Thomas was educated at Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts graduating in 1753; he was ranked 5th out of 17 who attained their AB (Bachelor of Arts) degrees that year. In 1750, as a freshman he was fined ten shillings for playing cards in breach of college rules. He also came 9th in the class of 21 freshmen that year. He learnt Hebrew grammar among other subjects. He completed his AM (Master of Arts) in 1756 with a thesis, An Polygamia Lege naturali sit prohibita. Negat respondens Thomas Oliver. (roughly: responding to Polygamy is prohibited by law of natural and the law). ^[16] (NB Harvard's BA and MA degrees are styled, AB and AM)

Thomas was 26 when his portrait was painted by Joseph Blackburn. (This painting is held in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts) ^[17]

Thomas Oliver remained for several years after his father's death in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He had inherited a large plantation estate from his grandfather, James Brown (abt.1675-before 1697), and also from his great-uncle, Robert Oliver. He thus only received money and not land from his father. His father-in-law was John (Vassal) Vassall (1713-1747) of Cambridge, who had married the influential daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Spencer (Bennett) Phips (1685-1757). ^[18]

In 1766, he had moved from Dorchester to Cambridge, Massachusetts and built the fine mansion, called Elmwood for £1700; later to be occupied by Governor Gerry and then James Russell Lowell. (It is now a US national historic monument open to visitors) ^{[19] [20]}

On 5 April 1759, he was one of eight petitioners to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, requesting their support, moral and financial, for building Christ Church, by Cambridge Common. (This Episcopalian church is now the oldest church in the city). The request was also signed by Henry and John Vassall, with whom Thomas was soon to be allied by marriage. On 25 April, they raised a local subscription, Thomas giving £50. He was involved with his church community; on 30 April 1765 he was chosen as a vestryman. In 1766, he became a churchwarden until 1768. As senior warden, he usually penned the church minutes. In an entry for October 1767 is his signature, “attesting” a document raising the charge for pew-rent. This signature recurs in many other minutes. For his own pew he had paid, a rent of £13 6s 8d in 1762; and he had another pew, in Trinity Church, Boston. In 1769 and 1770, he was again warden, together with John Vassall; and in most years, whenever he was not a warden, he was a vestryman. On 19 April 1772, he was made treasurer of money collected on Sacrament days. This was rescinded that October, Col. Oliver having declined that service on account of his intended voyage to Antigua.^[21]

He was in the militia and would appear to hold the rank of Colonel.

Thomas has been represented as a mild, peaceable person, and gentlemanly in deportment, "a dapper little man, pleasant of speech and courtly of manner".

Thomas lived in wealth and style. During a visit to Antigua in 1763 he is stated to have "spent £900 on slaves, silver and pictures.” ^[22]

Being a man of fortune, Thomas didn't get involved in the politics of the colony until one day he rather unexpectantly was offered and accepted the office of Royal Lieutenant-Governor, holding that role from 1774 with a salary of £400, a salary paid until his death although he left office in 1776.

He was hounded from his home in 1774 whilst being the ‘Acting Governor’ by a large mob incensed that he had been appointed to the Council by the King’s writ of Mandamus, rather than by election, as per the colony's charter. ^[23] Thomas was a royalist and had to remove himself with his family to Boston and then via Halifax in Nova Scotia with the King’s soldiers to England. He remained in Office until he left for Nova Scotia.

On 2 Oct 1783, Thomas Oliver submitted a memorial, setting his claim for damages from losing his property and furnishings when he was ousted from Cambridge. This was for £5167 / 17s; he received £2320. ^[24]

In 1787, Thomas and Harriet resided at Harriet’s family plantation, called Freeman’s or Friar’s Hill, Antigua and Thomas had his own pew in St John’s Church, Antigua. The Friars Hill plantation had 206 slaves when it was inherited by his daughters, Penelope (Oliver) Cave (-1815), Mary Oliver (1777-1837) and Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853).

Thomas purchased more land in Antigua in 1790: the Morgan's 74 acres plantation for £3000 and the Watkins 93 acres plantation for £2500. In 1791, he leased Mrs Penelope Vassall’s moiety (portion or share) of the Royalls’ plantation for a rent of £350 for 9 years and bought the stock of slaves and growing crops for £5167; he also purchased Isaac Royalls’ plantation. He sold his father’s 104 acres Nonsuch plantation in 1796 for £4400. In 1806, he bought Mrs Vassall’s moiety of Isaac Royalls’ plantation for £6000. Conveyance records are given in Vere Oliver’s, Caribbean of several transactions including these. ^[25]

He eventually resettled in St Paul’s, Bristol, England where he died on 29 November 1815. His Boston properties were confiscated, but he retained his Nonsuch plantation in Antigua. ^[26]

Closely allied with the Vassalls and Olivers by marriage were the Royalls, all three families owned plantations in Antigua and Jamaica, albeit they residing comfortably in New England and enjoyed their acquired wealth. All three families owned many slaves. ^[27]

Thomas' general biography is published in the Dictionary of National Biography. ^{[28] [29] [30] [31]} For example, there are lengthy published accounts of the Cambridge, Boston uprising that ended his governorship.

Thomas Oliver held the office of Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, the last pre-independence Governor. ^[32][33]

A death notice in the Globe tells us Lately, at his house Park Street, Bristol, aged 83, Thomas Oliver, Esq. was Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Massachusetts, in North America, ... him to sacrifice considerable estates, and repair to this country. Here he has honourably filled the character of a private gentleman, dispensing his bounties with a liberal hand. ^[34][35] An example he was a benefactor of the London Hospital in 1814. ^[36]

Death

Thomas died 29 November 1815 In Bristol, England. ^[37][38]

His will reveals that he was living in Park Street, Bristol’s main shopping road and in his will, he recognised all of his children and grandchildren. 4 daughters received £2,500 each, being equal to the sum he had given to the other 4 on their marriages.

This is the text of his will: My dwelling house and premises in Park Street, Bristol, with all my household furniture etc to my daughters Frances Oliver, Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853) (widow of Henry Hope Tobin Esquire), Harriet Watkins Oliver and Emily Freeman Oliver for their residence so long as they shall respectively remain unmarried. In case they marry in the lifetime of Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853) then the same to her absolute use and benefit. To my daughter Harriett Watkins all money advanced and paid by me in discharge of any judgements and other debts due from Byam Freeman late of Antigua secured or from his estate in Antigua and all securities taken by me for the same debts and moneys with the interest thereof. All rest and residue of my real and personal estate to my sons-in-law Joseph Rogers JP (1763-1819), John Cave (1765-1842) and Charles Anthony Partridge (abt.1770-abt.1856) Esquires upon trust to see as much as is of a saleable nature and to pay the following legacies. To my grandson Thomas Oliver Anderdon Esquire, £750. To my grand-daughter Lucy Claxton (wife of Butler Claxton of Bristol Esquire), £750. £500 each to my grandsons James Hughes Anderdon, John Lavicount Anderdon [sic] and Freeman Anderdon Esquires, children of my late daughter Ann Anderdon (Anne Oliver (abt.1763-abt.1811)) deceased by her husband John Procter Anderdon FRS DL (abt.1760-abt.1847) Esquire. These legacies to my grandchildren at age 21 or marriage. To each of my daughters Mary Partridge (wife of Charles Anthony Partridge (abt.1770-abt.1856)), Frances Oliver, Harriet Watkins Oliver and Emily Freeman Oliver, £2500, being the sum which I gave to each of my other daughters on their respective marriages. The sum to my daughter, Mary Partridge to be on condition that my bond made to Samuel Peach and John Gordon Esquires on her marriage for serving the money therein mentioned to be delivered up cancelled to my executors within six months after my decease. To pay Mrs Abigail Taylor of Bristol, widow, £100; to my housekeeper Mrs Mary Kennedy, £50; to my servant Nurse Dunscombe £20. The residue of the net proceeds of my residuary estate to be divided equally between my daughters Elizabeth Rogers, Penelope Cave, Mary Oliver (1777-1837), Frances Oliver and Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853), my other daughters being otherwise provided for, share and share alike.

Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853), Joseph Rogers JP (abt.1760-1819), John Cave (1765-1842) and Charles Anthony Partridge (abt.1770-abt.1856) to be executors. Signed 08/09/1812. Proved at London 04/01/1816 by the oath of Lucy Oliver (abt.1767-1853). ^{[39] [40]}

A monument exists to Thomas in St. Paul’s Church, Bristol showing his arms, confirming that of those on the Antigua bronze of his grandfather: Chief sable three lions rampant argent. Crest: a lion’s head erased ermines, collared and ringed argent. ^[41]

His tomb is in the St Paul’s churchyard, Bristol, a marble tablet in the west porch carried the inscription: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS OLIVER ESQ. THE LAST GOVERNER OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, NORTH AMERICA ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF THAT COUNTRY. HE RELINQUISHED CONSIDERABLE ESTATES FROM ATTACHMENT TO HIS SOVEREIGN AND DIED IN THIS CITY THE 29TH OF NOVEMBER 1815 AGED 83 YEARS. ALSO HARRIET HIS WIFE WHO DIED THE 16TH OF JULY 1808 AGED 50 YEARS

There is also, on a slab covering a vault in the churchyard next to his relative, Col. Vassall’s grave this inscription: MOST TRULY LAMENTED DIED HARRIETT THE WIFE OF . . . OLIVER ESQR. ON THE 16TH JULY 1808. AGED 50 YEARS. THOMAS OLIVER DIED THE 29TH . . . AGED 83 YEARS SINCERELY REGRE . . .. . . LSO HARRIETT WATKINS THEIR DAUGHTER WIFE OF CAPTN. H. HAYNES . . . DIED 8TH DECEMR 1826 ^[42][43]

Research Notes

• Thomas and Elizabeth are DNA linked via an AncestryDNA test match to four of their 4th great grandchildren, they being descendants of two of their daughters, Ann and Eliza. See profile of Orton-1225 for further detail .

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia. Thomas Oliver [1]
2. ↑ Legacies of British Slave-ownership. Thomas Oliver of Friar's Hill, Antigua Profile & Legacies Summary 5th Jan 1734 - 29th Nov 1815. University College, University of London, History Department [2]
3. ↑ Caribbeana, being miscellaneous papers relating to the history, genealogy, topography and antiquities of the British West Indies. Edited by Vere Langford Oliver. 1919. Vol V. pg 107. University of Florida Digital Collection. [3]
4. ↑ Boston, Massachusetts Marriages, 1700-1809. Thomas Oliver Esq. 15 May 1760. Boston, Massachusetts, US
5. ↑ Massachusetts, US Compiled Births, Marriages and Death Records 1700-1850. For Thomas Oliver. Pg 292.
6. ↑ Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850. Thomas Oliver, Elizabeth Vassall, 17 May 1760. Cambridge. FHL, Film # 0496864.
7. ↑ Massachusetts, Town Vital Collections, 1620-1988
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. A volume of records relating to the early history of Boston. 1750-1850 Residence in Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA
9. ↑ Massachusetts, US Compiled Births, Marriages and Death Records 1700-1850. For Thomas Oliver, pg 526. Oliver
10. ↑ Massachusetts, US Compiled Births, Marriages and Death Records 1700-1850. For Thomas Oliver. Pg 526
11. ↑ Massachusetts, Town Vital Collections, 1620-1988 for Mary Oliver 1777
12. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [4]
13. ↑ England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Harriet, Spouse: Thomas Oliver, Child: Harriet Watkins Oliver
14. ↑ Bristol, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for Harriett Oliver, Bristol, St Augustine the Less Bishop Transcripts 1663-1812
15. ↑ Bristol, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812. Emily Freeman Oliver. Baptism Aug 1790, St Augustine-the-Less, Bristol, Bishop Transcripts Father Thomas Oliver Mother Harnett Oliver
16. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [5]
17. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting pg 37 [6]
18. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [7]
19. ↑ Wikipedia, Elmwood. [8]
20. ↑ [9]
21. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting pg 37 [10]
22. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [11]
23. ↑ Massachusetts Gazette, Thursday, September 8 1776 letter from Thomas Oliver (US newspaper)
24. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [12]
25. ↑ Caribbeana, being miscellaneous papers relating to the history, genealogy, topography and antiquities of the British West Indies. Edited by Vere Langford Oliver. 1919. Vol V. pg 107-111. University of Florida Digital Collection. [13]
26. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [14]
27. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28. February 1931 Meeting, pg 37 [15]
28. ↑ Dictionary of National Biography, (UK) Volumes 1-20, 22 Myllar - Owen (Vol 14) pg 1045, 1046.
29. ↑ Dictionary of National Biography, (UK) Volumes 1-22 for Thomas Oliver Supplement (Vol 22) Pg 974
30. ↑ Wikipedia. Thomas Oliver, Lieutenant Governor [16]
31. ↑ Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889. Thomas Oliver
32. ↑ Thepeerage.com [17] Accessed 7 June 2021
33. ↑ Dictionary of National Biography, (UK) Volumes 1-20, 22 Myllar - Owen (Vol 14) pg 1045, 1046.
34. ↑ Globe Friday 15 December 1815 pg 4 (UK newspaper)
35. ↑ Bristol Mirror Saturday 2 December 1815 pg 3 (UK newspaper)
36. ↑ Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser Tuesday 7 February 1815 pg 1 (UK newspaper)
37. ↑ U.S., Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930. Columbian Centinel, published, 11 May 1816. (US Newspaper)
38. ↑ The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011. Vol 116 pg 111
39. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [18]
40. ↑ UK National Archives, Kew. Will of Thomas Oliver. PROB 11/1576/61.
41. ↑ Legacies of British Slave-ownership. Thomas Oliver of Friar's Hill, Antigua Profile & Legacies Summary 5th Jan 1734 - 29th Nov 1815. University College, University of London, History Department [19]
42. ↑ Colonial Society of Massachusetts Vol 28 February 1931 Meeting. pg 37 [20]
43. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 19 June 2021), memorial page for Thomas Oliver (1733–20 Nov 1815), Find A Grave: Memorial #140800206, citing St Paul's Churchyard, Bristol, Bristol Unitary Authority, Bristol, England ; Maintained by In the Dust of Stars (contributor 47374189)

• http://thepeerage.com/p21008.htm#i210076