THE WOLCOTT FAMILY SOCIETY
Revised May 2010
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THE WOLCOTT FAMILY SOCIETY Revised May 2010 |
The Society of
Descendants of Henry Wolcott was organized in 1906. According to its first constitution:
"This organization shall be known as The Society of Descendants of Henry
Wolcott. The purpose of this Society shall be the collection and preservation
of records, papers, and other data of historic interest and value to the family;
the compiling and bringing to date the genealogical records of the family; the
preservation of family monuments and antiquities; and to bring the various members
of the family into closer acquaintance by assembling in social enjoyment."
The name of the organization was changed in 2004 to The Wolcott Family
Society. Membership is open to all descendants of Wolcott/Walcott immigrants
who came to America before 1700. There are currently over 600 active members.
Regular Membership
is $30.00 for registration and first year's dues. Subsequent dues are
$15.00 per year, and are used for printing and mailing the quarterly newsletter.
Life Memberships are available with a one time fee and no dues. The Life
Membership is based on age at time of enrollment: age 0-30 is $250.00; age 31-45
is $200.00; age 46-60 is $150.00; age 61-90 is $100. Members do
not pay dues after they pass 90.
A membership application is linked to this web page. Click HERE to access it.
The form can be filled in on your computer and then printed. The completed
application should be returned with the appropriate fee to the Registrar, John
B. Wolcott, at 342 N. W. 29th St., Corvallis OR 97330. Assistance in tracing
your Wolcott ancestry is also available from the Registrar at the above address or by e-mail to johnwolcott @ mail.com.
The Society has
held a national reunion every year since 1906, except in 1942-5 when World War
II made travel difficult. The 2010 Wolcott Family Society reunion will
be held at the Publik House Inn and adjacent Country Motor Lodge at Sturbridge, Massachusetts, 13 through 15 August. Preliminary plans include registration and Bar-B-Q dinner Friday afternoon and evening. Saturday will be a presentation of the latest results of the Wolcott/Walcott DNA project, a business meeting, choice of a tour of Wolcott family sites at nearby Brookfield or visit to Old Sturbridge Village - a recreated village of the 1830s, and a social hour and banquet in the evening. Those wishing to stay Sunday can attend church and/or visit Old Sturbridge Village. Hosts for the event are Charles W. Wolcott and John B. Wolcott. Further information about the reunion will be found at the bottom of this page
The Society collects and preserves historical and genealogical data on the Wolcott, Walcott, and
Wilcott families. It publishes a quarterly newsletter of family news and
history, which is sent to all members whose dues are current.
The first genealogy of the family was prepared by Rev. Charles Robbins, pastor of Windsor CT, and finished in 1809. He sent it to Judge Frederick Wolcott of Litchfield. Some years later, the three sons of Frederick Wolcott, Joshua Huntington (1804-1891), Frederick Henry (1808-1883),
and Charles Moseley Wolcott (1816-1889), encouraged their cousin, George Gibbs (1815-1873), to prepare a family genealogy for publication. According to Rev. Samuel Wolcott (1813-1886), who completed the work, George Gibbs "had made
considerable progress, when in the midst of his investigations, he decided on
removal to Oregon." Samuel "had been his constant correspondent,
having been in a favorable situation to learn the early history of the family
which, indeed, I (Samuel) had already traced in part; and the gentlemen at whose
instance he had commenced the work desired me to take his papers and complete
it." A letter written in 1849 by
Samuel , described
his efforts to collect data for a planned publication. At that time he
said that he had gathered names and dates for some two thousand descendants
of Henry Wolcott. The book when published, was called "The Wolcott Memorial".
It gave only descendants of Henry Wolcott in the male lines. The
index of this book lists less than one thousand names, so probably the additional
names he said he had collected were in female lines, or families that he could
not connect to Henry Wolcott. We know that one copy was given by the Wolcott
family to Dr. Henry Pickering Walcott (1838-1932), who was not a descendant
of Henry, so it appears certain that other family lines, although not included
in this book, were collected as well.
Samuel said that the material began with an old document dated 1691 which gave information about several generations of Henry Wolcott's descendants, with later additions by Governor Roger Wolcott and his son, Erastus. This document later came into Samuel's possession. Samuel says that he examined "other family registers and memorials…together with all the church, town, and probate records which could be supposed to throw any light on the subject." He "personally visited nearly every town and district in Connecticut and Massachusetts which had ever been the residence of any member of the family, and an extensive correspondence was prosecuted for two years with the various branches scattered through the country." This must have taken a great deal of the time and effort, quite a commitment for a person with full time employment as a Congregational minister.
A large portion of the first book was taken up with correspondence of the two Governor Oliver Wolcotts, some in the possession of the Frederick Wolcott family and some which belonged to the Connecticut Historical Society. Some of this was correspondence with members of his family, and some with notable leaders of the time, George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, etc. The book also published for the first time seven letters written to Henry Wolcott, the immigrant, by relatives in England. Samuel mentions a small chest with the letters : "H. W." spelled out in brass nails on it, then in the possession of Henry Goodrich Wolcott (1853-1906). This chest had held early family papers, including a deed to property in England, which George Gibbs had deposited with the Connecticut Historical Society. The deed is photocopied in the book. This Latin manuscript dated 1618, conveyed two farms, a mill, orchards, meadow, and pasture at Tolland and Lydeard St. Lawrence, Somerset, from Robert Mynne to Henry's brother, Christopher. It was undoubtedly these papers that induced the family to investigate their English roots.
Samuel says that Frederick H. Wolcott was the first American Wolcott to visit Tolland, and his two brothers later visited also. They hired Horatio G. Somerby, an American researcher, to search for information about the family in England. Somerby reported in 1849 that he had found William and Thomas Wolcott at Tolland on the 1525 tax rolls, parish records giving Henry's baptism and marriage, and a dozen Wolcott wills. Somerby reported that he had "visited the old mill which belonged to the family at least three hundred years ago. The house connected with the mill is the same which was standing then, and is a curious specimen of ancient architecture, both internally and externally. The mill is also the original one, with a modern addition to one end. The house is now occupied by a laborer, and is rather a dilapidated condition." The house is now known as Watersmeet Farm, which I had the pleasure of visiting several years ago. I then felt regret to find that half of the mill had been torn down, but perhaps it was the later addition that is gone, so it may more closely resemble the original.
The book gives a few engraved portraits, including a portrait of the author. It also has an engraving of a coat of arms, drawn by Somerby, calling them the Wolcott arms. The arms actually belonged to the Walcot family of Shropshire. Samuel says that these arms "which are of great antiquity, are identical with the Walcott arms, and indicate the historical identity of the families." DNA evidence indicates that this conjecture was in error.
Samuel's book was not published until 1881. Samuel writes: "It was thus compiled some thirty years since, with the expectation that it would then be issued from the press. Various causes interposed to prevent this; and now, after the lapse of another generation, - its projectors and compiler being still spared, - it goes to press under its original auspices. It has been carefully revised and some family papers of historic interest have been added…. But the loss of freshness is more than compensated by the greater completeness which has been gained; and though some who would have perused it with special interest have passed away, to the few in each generation for whom it has been specially compiled, its interest will increase and not diminish with the ages." When the book was finally published, Frederick H. Wolcott held the copyright. Three hundred copies of The Wolcott Memorial were privately printed, and most of them were distributed to family members by the Wolcott brothers. These books probably had some influence on the formation of the Wolcott Society some fifteen years later, and laid the foundation for the four revisions of Wolcott genealogy books that have been published since then.
In 1912 a revised genealogy called the "Wolcott Genealogy", was compiled by George Chandler Wolcott, and published by the Wolcott Society. It included female lines, and Wolcotts and Walcott families not descended from Henry. A 1950 revision, also called "Wolcott Genealogy", was compiled for the Wolcott Society by A. Boehmer Rudd. Another revison called "Wolcott Family in America, 1578-1986" was compiled by Wolcott Society Registrar, Robert Charles Griffen, and Mitchell Alegre in 1986. These first four books are no longer available. A new 700 page genealogy was published by the Wolcott Society in 2002. It was compiled by Society Registrar, John B. Wolcott, and Assistant Registrar and Database Manager, Charles V. Waid. Because of the increased volume of data now in the Society’s records, the new book only covers the first seven generations of American Wolcotts, Walcotts and Wilcotts. This latest book, "Wolcott Immigrants and Their Early Descendants", may be purchased by sending a check for $45.00 to The Wolcott Family Society Treasurer, Karen Moore, 9433 Meadowknoll Dr., Dallas TX 75243-6111. Society members can order individualized printouts of descendants of any person in the latest book at 25 cents per page plus postage.
Genealogical
information about the Wolcott, Walcott, Walcutt, Woollacott, and Wilcott families
has been put into a computerized data base by Wolcott Society registrars, John
Wolcott and Charles Waid. If you wish to provide information about descendants
of any of these families to be added to the Wolcott Family Society database,
you may e-mail the information to John Wolcott (johnwolcott @ wolcottfamily.com) or Charles Waid (cbwaid @ comcast.net).
2010 Wolcott Reunion:
106th Wolcott Family Reunion
To be held at Sturbridge, Massachusetts
August 13-15, 2010
Charles W. Wolcott and John B. Wolcott, Reunion Hosts
THIS IS YOUR 2010 REUNION PACKET
Included in this packet is the registration form by which you can select the various options for meals and tours that you wish. Please complete the form and return it as soon as possible to the address shown on the form. The deadline for registration is June 15, 2010. All reservations for meals and activities must be postmarked by that date.
Our Reunion will be held at The Publick House Inn
with lodging at the adjacent Country Motor Lodge
277 Main St.; Route 131, Sturbridge, Massachusetts 01566
Reservations: Make reservations directly with the Publick House/Country Motor Lodge at 1-508 347-3313 or 1-800 782-5425. The rate for 2 persons in a room, King, Queen, or double beds, will be $95.00 per night plus taxes. This rate will also be available for 1 day before and 1 day after the reunion. When you contact the hotel be sure to identify yourself as part of the Wolcott Family Reunion.
Motel amenities: Air conditioning rooms with cable television, swimming pool, etc. The Inn next door where we will be meeting was built in 1771 and has a Colonial ambiance with period furnishings. It also has a bake shop and tavern. Included in the room charge is morning coffee, tea, muffins and sweet rolls in the Ebenezer's Tavern. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.
If you will be arriving by air, you can fly into Hartford CT, Boston MA, or Providence RI. Hartford is recommended by some who know the area.
Because this location is not near a large city, a car is practically a necessity. Driving directions:
From Connecticut I-84 East: Exit 2; follow to right. At second stop sign take a left at E&J Candy. At the set of lights take right onto Route 131. Publick House is 1/2 mile on the right.
From Boston, Providence, or Springfield I-90: Exit 9 to I-84; take exit 3-b off I-84 to Route 20 West; at the lights take a left onto Route 131. Publick House is 1/2 mile on the right
REUNION SCHEDULE
Friday, August 13
12:00-5:00 p.m. Registration in the Publick House Card Room
3:00-5:00 p.m. Officer’s meeting in the Pumpkin Room
6:00-9 p.m. Social Hour with Cash Bar, followed by outdoor Bar BQ
by the Red Barn, or in the Tap Room if it rains.
Saturday, August 14
Breakfast on your own
8:30-9:15 a.m. DNA Project overview and discussion in Craft Hall
9:00-9:30 a.m. Registration for late arrivals in the Card Room
9:30 a.m. Business Meeting in Craft Hall
11:30 a.m. Board bus to Brookfield at Publick House entrance
12 p.m. Lunch at historic Salem Cross Inn
1 p.m. – 3:45 Tour of West Brookfield and North Brookfield historic areas including Quaboag museum, Brookfield Cemetery, Blanchard Mansion, Elm Hill Farm, Woolcott homes, tavern, and mill sites and Woolcott massacre site.
4:00 p.m. Bus returns to Publick House Inn
5:00-6:00 Registration for late arrivals at The Barn patio
6:30-7:30 p.m. Social Hour with Cash Bar at The Barn and Barn Patio
7:30-9:30 p.m. Banquet at Paige Hall
Sunday, August 15
Breakfast on your own
11:00 a.m. Motel check-out time
Church on your own, we will provide information, or attend reading of Rev. George Wakefield's 1740 sermon on Foster Hill at 10a.m.
Visit to Old Sturbridge Village on your own, allow at least 2 hours; Publick House can provide discounted tickets at $16 each, which can be used twice. $7.00 for children 12 and under.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COSTS AND RESERVATIONS
Name - please print:________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ____________________ Email: _________________________
Friday Evening BarBQ:
Dinner served buffet style, includes salad, slaw, barbecued chicken, hamburgers, gardenburgers, and hot dogs cooked to order, corn bread, chips, watermelon, apple pie, brownies, coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade.
Adults @ $29.00 including tax & tip Total for Friday adult dinners $_______
Children 12 and under @ $19.00 including tax & tip Total for child dinners $_______
Saturday Air Conditioned bus tour of Historic Brookfield, including driver tip:
Includes Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield Common, Quaboag Museum, original Quaboag site, Brookfield Cemetery, Blanchard Mansion, Elm Hill Farm & Historic District, Woolcott home, tavern and mill sites, and Woolcott Massacre marker at North Brookfield.
Anyone not wishing to take tour can spend the afternoon at Old Sturbridge Village, discount tickets available at the Publick Inn at $16.00, which can be use twice.
Saturday Coach Tour, including tip - Adults and Children - $27.00 ea. Tour total $______
Saturday lunch served at historic Salem Cross Inn at West Brookfield:
Soup du jour, choice of entree, vegetable, potatoes, homemade rolls, hot-fudge sundae, tea/coffee, tax & tip. Adult entrée - choice of baked Boston scrod or roast pork loin with apple cider sauce; vegetarian plate available on request. Children - chicken tenders and French fries
Adults :$26.00 each. Select entrée, give number: Scrod _____ Pork ____ Vegetarian _____ Children 12 and under: $16 each. Includes tax & tip Give number ______Total $_______
Saturday night banquet:
Butternut squash bisque, Mesclun salad with roasted beets, cherry tomatoes, Roquefort cheese, red onions and chile pecans with herb vinaigrette, entrée, deep dish apple pie with vanilla ice cream, coffee or tea.
Entrée - choice of: Yankee pot roast with braised root vegetables;
Herb roasted baked stuffed chicken, cornbread-cranberry stuffing, cranberry sauce, pan gravy;
Vegetarian plate: Asiago Risotto with grilled vegetables, Portobello mushrooms and fresh basil;
Child's meal: Hamburger/cheeseburger with fries or Macaroni and cheese with vegetables, with fruit cup, salad, desert and beverage
Select number: Pot roast ______ Chicken_____ Vegetarian ______ Children_______
Adults $38.00, children $ 26.00 including tax & tip Total $_______
All prices include taxes and gratuities.
Total Enclosed for all Activities $_____________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send this form, with a check payable to Wolcott Family Society for the total due to: Charles W. Wolcott, 10 Marilane St.; Houston TX 77007-7046
The deadline for reservations is 15 June 2010.
It may be helpful for you to make a copy of your reservation form before you send them in and bring it with you.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, write, phone or e-mail:
Charles W. Wolcott John B. Wolcott
Co-host and Reunion Treasurer Co-host and Tour Planner
10 Marilane St., Dallas TX 77007 342 N. W. 29th St., Corvallis OR 97330
713 824-9146 541 752-1423
cwwolcott@gmail.com johnwolcott@mail.com
For e-mails, please put Wolcott Reunion on the subject line.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The Society of Descendants of Daniel Wolcott and Maria Morgan welcome you to come and join us and share our heritage while having a great time. Reunion held annually on the third Sunday in July
Place: Genesee County Park and Forest, 11095 Bethany Centy Road, East Bethany, New York 14054
Time: Noon
Cost: Donation to help offset expenses appreciated, but not required.
Bring: Table service, meat, dish to pass, beverage, and family photos, Etc.
Note: We have reserved an open pavilion (look for our Wolcott Banner at the area).
Daniel is 7th generation descendant: Henry, Henry, Samuel, Samuel, Elisha, Elisha, Daniel of our parent organization, The Society of Descendants of Henry Wolcott. http://www.wolcottfamily.com/
The Genesee County Park interpretive center has many hands-on exhibits for children.
Other park amenities include open pavilions, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, and playground equipment. More info: http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/dpt/parks/visitorinfo.html
Should you need more information, please contact (for email, use “Daniel Wolcott Reunion” in subject):
Sally Page, 994 Academy St., Wyoming, NY, 14591 sappy@frontiernet.net
END OF FILE;return to Wolcott starting page.