Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

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mt^in=Wioltott
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 causes 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. . .
"
.'
These last extracts are from an obituary published in the " Connecticut
Courant" soon after his death. He died May 17, 1767, in his eighty-ninth
year.
The eldest child of Gov. Roger Wolcott, born in 1704, bore his
father's name of Roger, ^ and rivalled him in eminence.
" He was a Representative of the town [of South Windsor] in the
General Assembly, a Major of the Connecticut troops, a Member of the
Council, a Judge of the Superior Court, and one of the Revisers of the
laws of the State. His premature removal by death defeated and disap-
pointed the general desire and purpose of the freemen to elevate him to
the highest office in their gift." He died, suddenly, in 1759. His pastor,
in a funeral-sermon on the death of his father, several years after his death,
spoke of the son in these words :
"'This gentleman was universally esteemed for his distinguished accomplish-
ments, natural and acquired. He was an able statesman, a most reliable friend and
an exemplary Christian. By his death not only his bereaved family and near relatives
were put into tears, but the town and government also gave expression of deep resentment
and bitter grief.' "
Our space will not allow us to give here the branching lines of his
descendants. Their names will be found in our Pedigree.
The two youngest sons of Gov. Roger Wolcott were Gen. Erastus ®
and Oliver,^ the last a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. The
former of these two brothers, born in 1722, though without ambition for
public office, " was repeatedly a Representative of the town in the General
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