The Genealogy of one Vermonter, Darrell A. Martin

Elias was born in Bolton, Tolland County, Connecticut, on 28 February 1744/45.¹ He was the son of Timothy Olcott Junior and Eunice White. He was baptized on 4 March 1744/45. Elias settled in 1763, at age 19, on a farm on the Connecticut River in Rockingham, VT on "the 'Upper Meadows,' 2 miles north of Williams river; soon erected the large dwelling still standing upon the farm yet [in 1907] owned by his descendants, one of the best types of the better dwellings of the residents of over a century ago. The meadows around it were chosen by the first settlers to be the site of the 'city' of the future, as shown by a copy of the survey of the town upon another page, made in 1753. Here he spent the remainder of his life, as have a number of generations since."² He married Sybil Dutton in Rockingham, Windham County, Vermont, circa 1768.^3,4 He was "of" Rockingham, Windham County, Vermont, on 17 October 1769.⁵ He was "of" Rockingham on 27 June 1771.⁵ He and his wife "Sibbel" were among the 19 first members of the first church in Rockingham.^6,7 He was "of" Rockingham on 8 July 1773.⁵ When the Rockingham church was organized and the first minister was ordained 27 October 1773, he opened the meeting with a prayer.⁸ He was a deacon in the First Church from 1774 until his death nearly 21 years later.⁹ Deacon, Captain Elias Olcott resided in Rockingham on 12 June 1774.¹⁰ He was "of" Rockingham on 28 July 1775.⁵ He was one of the most prominent men of Rockingham in his day, holding both public and church offices. He took the oath accepting the Vermont Constitution and pledging fidelity to the United States of America on 23 June 1777.¹¹ He resided in Rockingham on 23 June 1777.¹² He was "of" Rockingham on 10 January 1778.⁵ He appears on the freemen's roll, the written record of which was begun in 1781.¹³ He resided in Rockingham in 1781.¹⁴ He was "of" Rockingham on 22 September 1781.⁵ He resided with Sybil Dutton in Rockingham on 4 November 1781.¹⁵ He was "of" Rockingham on 13 February 1784.⁵ He was "of" Rockingham on 24 June 1786.⁵ He probably served in the Rockingham militia as a Captain.⁹ On many occasions he served as an official representative of the church at various functions. He was town treasurer 1769, 1781, and 1783-1794; selectman 1771; and representative to the legislature 1782. He was often called upon to referee disputes. One example, of several recorded: 21 April 1776, "Ch[urc]h Tarried after Publick Worship, read Jonathan Burrs Complaint against Nathaniel Davis & Chose Peter Evans & Elias Olcott to meet with them & endeavour to reconcile the Difficulties between them." 27 April 1776, "Chh Tarried after Publick Worship When Peter Evans Junr & Elias Olcott upon Brother Davis Saying that wherein he had broke the good Rules of the Chh he was sorry for it, [Evans and Olcott] Said it was to the same purport to what they had Advis'd to & Brother Burr was satisfied with, and he being Satisfied withdrew his Complaint & both Parties agreed not to mention again the old Story wherein they differd & which was the foundation of the Dispute." I believe that Pastor Whiting, reflecting on the diminished status of the Rockingham Church 5 March 1798, was referring to Deacon Elias among others when he said, "It pleased Providence to remove from the Chh some years past & soon after each other three Deacons who as it were began with us, & were great supporters & helpers to further Religion among us."¹⁶ Elias died on 29 October 1794 in Rockingham at age 49.^17,18 He was buried in the Old Rockingham Cemetery in Rockingham. His gravestone was carved by Jonas Stewart, whose clientele tended to more formalist (Congregationalist or Episcopal) Christians. The epitaph reads: "In Memory of -- Elias Olcott, esq -- Who departed this Life -- in hopes of a better -- Oct. 29 -- 1794 -- In the 51st year of his age. Here in this place the human face Will in Oblivion lie -- Till christ on high shall Rend the sky And bid the dead arise --".^6,19