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

mt^in=WioltoU
" ' In the discharge of these several offices, Integrity and firmness were the leading
features of his character. He was an eminent exemplification of the ' Vir tenax pro-
positi ' of the bard of Venusia. Although he possessed a strong mind, capable of
deep and thorough investigation, his abilities were not of that brilliant cast which
have often ruined men in popular governments. He always seems to have aimed
more to do his duty than to shine ; to be useful than to dazzle. By his death the true
interests of science have lost a strenuous defender ; Virtue, religion and good men, a
sincere friend. Like good Hezekiah, he reverenced and loved public worship and
divine ordinances ; was a tried, but not an ostentatious, friend of the gospel ministry.
He sensibly felt every attempt to depart from puritan practice and morals. He set
his face like a flint against all the specious sophistry of new political theories, and
the madness of infidel fanaticism. . . .'
"
We add only a single paragraph from one of his letters, to illustrate
that fondness for domestic life and rural quiet of which his public engage-
ments must have been a constant sacrifice. Writing to his wife from
Philadelphia, in 1776, he says:
" ' It is now a long time which I have been here, and I do most sincerely wish to
return to the Pleasures of a domestick rural Life—such a Life as Poets and Wise
men have always with so much Propriety praised. Here I see but little except human
Faces which I know not, and numerous Piles of Buildings which have long since
satiated the Sight, and the street rumble is far from being musical. But, as I was not
sent here to please myself, I shall cheerfully yield to my Duty, convinced of this
Truth, that the Noise and Bustle of this World are the best Lessons to teach a man
how few are its Enjoyments.' "
By his marriage, in 1755, to Lorraine (or Laura) daughter of Capt.
53 Daniel Collins of Guilford, Conn., he had Oliver,'^ the second Wolcott
54 Governor of Connecticut of that name ;
Laura,''
who married William
55 Moseley of Hartford, Conn.; Afariann,'' who married Hon. Chauncey
56 Goodrich of Hartford ; and Frederick^
Mariann (55) Wolcott, born in 1765, was one of the most beautiful
women of her time. When she was in her thirteenth year, her father
i8g