Person:Oliver Root (6)
Col. Oliver Root
b.24 Nov 1741 Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States
d.2 May 1826 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Parents and Siblings
(edit)
m. 12 Jul 1739
  1. Ruth Root1740 -
  2. Col. Oliver Root1741 - 1826
Spouse and Children
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m. 10 Jul 1766
  1. Henry Root1783 - 1863
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Facts and Events
Name Col. Oliver Root
Gender Male
Birth[1] 24 Nov 1741 Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States
Baptism[8] 6 Dec 1741 Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States
Other[9] Abt 1749 was apprenticed as a shoemaker
Military? Abt 1758 taking advantage of a law that allowed apprentices to enlist, went with a company to the French War
Military[10] Abt 1758 was in the famous Corps of Rangers under Major Robert Rogers
Other[11] 1760 he brought his savings from bounty and pay and gave it to his former master in recompensence for his his having left his apprenticeship to go to war
Other? 1760 after his apprenticeship was done, his master brought him to the small farm Oliver's father had left him, to be taken possession of when he became an adult
Religion[12] 30 Nov 1760 Oliver, and two other men, following their return from the war, asked Rev. Ballentine to preach a message of thanks
Military? From 1760 to 1761 appears on the rolls as Private Secondary date: 1 JUL 1761 Military
Marriage 10 Jul 1766 Massachusetts, United Statesto Hannah Ashley
Property[13] Bef 1770 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesHis home lot was on the road running west from the center of town
Residence[14] Bef 1770 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Other[15] 12 Feb 1770 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United Stateswas visited by Westfield's minister, Rev. Ballentine
Military? 27 Feb 1770 was referred to as Ensign
Military? Abt 1776 was Captain in Col. Jonathan Smith's regiment
Military[16] 3 May 1776 was commissioned as an officer
Military[17] 11 Jul 1776 was Captain of a body of soldiers marched from Pittsfield to New York
Military[18] 4 May 1777 marched from Pittsfield to Kinderhook in pursuit of "inimical persons"
Military[19] 8 Jul 1777 was a Private Capt. William Francis's co., Maj. Caleb Hyde's detachment of militia
Military? Oct 1777 was present at the Surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga
Military? 27 Jan 1779 was commisioned as Captain of the, 2d Matross Co., 2d Berkshire Co. regiment of Massachusetts militia
Military[20] 21 Mar 1780 was chosen 2d Major of Col. Rosseter's (3d Berkshire Co.) regiment of Massachusetts militia
Military[21] 3 Jul 1780 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United Stateswas Major in Col. John Brown's regiment
Military[22] 19 Oct 1780 took command after Col. Brown was killed in the Battle of Stone Arabia
Military[23] 29 Oct 1781 was Major in command of a detachment ordered on the alarm at Saratoga
Military[24] 9 Nov 1781 served as Major in the Berkshire County, Massachusetts regiment, under Col. Caleb Hyde
Census[25] 1786 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Other[26] 20 Apr 1787 Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United Statesmight be the Oliver Root who was one of those convicted of exciting sedition in an uprising
Religion? Bef 1788 was almost certainly a Congregationalist
Religion[27] Abt 1790 was a member of the Methodist Church
Property[28] 1800 His house on West St. in Pittsfield had an angled roof
Other[29] Oct 1808 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesOliver and his fellow democrats bought land and built The Pittsfield Hotel
Other[30] 5 Nov 1808 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesHe was among those who certified that the remarks of a candidate were, despite reports, true Newspaper
Census[25] 1810 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Other[31] 31 Jan 1810 was appointed to committee to address the Legislature about forming an Agricultural Society
Other[32] 20 Nov 1810 Oliver and the committee appointed in January convinced legislation to form the Agricultural Society
Other[33] 17 Aug 1811 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesHe was named to a Grand Committee for the Cattle Show by The Berkshire Agricultural Society
Other[34] 15 Nov 1813 was on the committee weighing the merits of moving the county seat to Pittsfield Public Office
Military[35] 22 Sep 1814 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesHe was part of committee named to create resolutions regarding the invasion by British troops
Other[36] 14 Nov 1821 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesHe was one of those involved with the ownership of the Pittsfield Hotel and its eventual sale
Death[2] 2 May 1826 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Obituary[37] 4 May 1826 Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesHis obituary appeared in the Pittsfield Sun Newspaper
Burial? Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United StatesPittsfield Cemetery
Other[38] 19 May 1826 Death notice in Vermont Chronicle, (Bellows Falls, VT)
Other[39] 4 Jul 1826 Root, Oliver, Pittsfield, will, July 4, 1826 probate # 4540
Other? He fought the enemies of his country in two wars, and his only enemies were the enemies of his country (Gravestone)
Other[5] refused to apply for a military pension since he said it should be for those who really needed it
Other[6] had six 6' tall sons, people said that he had " thirty-six feet of boys!"
Other[7] was not these other Oliver Roots
Physical Description[3] "a man of fine physique, six feet and one inch in heights, of a robust constitution"
Physical Description[4] a proponant of temperance
Religion? Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United Statesappears in no records of the First Church
References
  1. ↑ Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States. Births, marriages, and deaths, 1669-1838, 1844-1854 (Westfield, Massachusetts). (Microfilm of records at town hall: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1958)
    p. 236.

    OLiver Root the Son of Samuel Root and Sarah his wife was born Novem'br 29/1741.

  2. ↑ May 2, 1826 Col. Oliver Root Died, Aged, 84 recd Mar 1831- Town Records 1627-2001 (FamilySearch.org), Berkshire, Pittsfield, Births Marriages, deaths 1761-1850, image 103 of 196, citing Pittsfield Special Town Records, volumes 1 & 2, p 203 in copy of records, p 131 of original
  3. ↑ He was a man of fine physique, six feet and one inch in heights, of a robust constitution, and was never sick in his life until five days before his death
    archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/GenMassachusetts/2001-11/1006651230
  4. ↑ It is related of Col. Oliver Root, the strictest of temperance men, according to the standard of that era, that it was his invariable custom in his later years to tender his congratulations personally on the birth of each child in the somewhat prolific district of the West Part; and that, upon each call, the happy father invariably hastened to concoct for him a particularly aromatic glass of sling, although it was observed that he never more than barely tasted the tempting beverage. He shrewdly suspected that when he left the concocter took care that the remainder of the glass should not be lost. / It was the custom in Colonel Root's household, every Saturday to brew a sufficient quantity of a mild ale to last as a beverage for one week, that being as long as its strength would preserve it. Cider of course was with them an ordinary drink. But every year the temperance colonel purchased a half-barrel of whiskey, as indispensable to enable his laborers to endure the toils of haying, although he never partook of it himself.” - The History of Pittsfield (Berkshire County), Massachusetts By Joseph Edward Adams Smith, p 61
  5. ↑ With rare disinterestedness he refused to apply for a pension, to which he was justly entitled for the valor and patriotism that he had displayed in his country's defense while an officer of the Continental Army, on the ground that the act of Congress could only have been intended for the benefit of those veterans who had no other means of support, while he was well off. His sense of honor prompted him in his old age to refuse to apply for the pension for which he was entitled for his heroic service to the Continental Army since he felt it was surely intended for the destitute and while he was not rich, he felt he had sufficient money to live on.
  6. ↑ Colonel Oliver Root, directly across the road, was six feet tall and heavier built. Second in command of a regiment near the Mohawk valley, attacked by a superior force of French and Indians in ambush, Colonel Brown already shot down by his side with many of the men, he then led the remainder of the regiment to a block-house not far away, and there defended himself against the enemy. Colonel Root had six boys, each six feet high, and it used to be pleasantly said that he had "thirty-six feet of boys!" No weaklings would have settled down where they did : if they had they could not have staid over night.
  7. ↑ was not the Oliver Root who lived in Lenox (and ran ad on Nov 15 1793 about a cow that strayed in Sheffield) nor the Oliver Root who was the tax collector in Lenox for 1788, 89 who ran collection ads in the Western Star in 1791 -- that Oliver Root died in 1797 or so
  8. ↑ Baptisms Performed in the Church of Christ, Westfield, Massachusetts, 1679-1836 NewEnglandAncestors.org
  9. ↑ The Colonel was a son of Samuel Root, and losing his father when he was quite young, at the age of eight years he was bond out to Mr. King, of Westfield, Mass., to learn the trade of a shoemaker.
  10. ↑ Was in company raised at Westfield to Albany, following the road cut in 1753 along the Westfield River through Poontusuck which had but recently been open for settlement. It was described by Oliver Root as being in horrible condition there having been no less than five hemlock swamps, almost impassable bogs, between the Hoosacks and the Taconics. The mire was so deep that soldiers were obliged to support their horses with their burdens through them putting the bands on which their muskets were slung under the horses' bellies and thus aid them in reaching ground firm enough to sustain them. / "Young Root, after reaching the scene of active operations, had the honor of enrollment in the hazardous service of the famous Corps of Rangers under Major Robert Rogers. Only those who gave promise of endurance under most trying conditions, intelligent skill in woodcraft, and indomintable courage were accorded that honor. John Stark and Isreal Putman were among its officers...Their equipment beside their arms consisted only of a tin cup and a single blanket per man while their commisariat included only a "little parches corn meal." "Singly or in parties they lay down to rest wherever inclination and opportunity found them with no shelter but their blankets. Their strength was sustained and their unpampered appetites satisfied with a little corn stirred in their cups with water dipped from a wayside brook or spring though they did not forbear to forage for choicer viands when circumstances favored nor distain the game with which the forest abounded, when prudence did not forbid the noise necessary for its capture or the smoke which would arise in cooking it." / "In all marches they piloted the way and scouting along the edges of the columns rendering surprise or ambuscade impossible. / Their chief scene of action was the rough region between Ticonderoga and Fort William Henry , the wild shores, heights and fastneses above Lake George. In summer they passed down the lake in whaleboats or canoes, or threaded the pathways of the woods in single file like the savages themselves. In winter they journeyed through the swamps on snowshoes, skated along the frozen surface of the lake, bivouacked at night among snowdrifts. They intercepted French messengers, encountered French scouting parties and carried off prisoners from under the very walls of Ticonderoga. - The Conspiracy of Pontiac, vol 1 p 169.
  11. ↑ Though enlisting had legally freed him from all responsibility as an apprentice, at the end of the war in 1760, he brought all he had been able to save from his bounty money and regular pay and handed it to his former master in recompensance.
  12. ↑ "30. Preached. Thanks, requested by Capt. Shepard, Oliver Root, and Ozem Sackett, returned from ye War. - Westfield and Its Historic Influences, 1669-1919: The Life of an Early Town, with a Survey of Events in New England and Bordering Regions to which it was Related in Colonial and Revolutionary Times, Volume 1 (Google eBook), John Hoyt Lockwood, published by the author, 1922, p 394 quoting Rev. Ballentine's Diary
  13. ↑ I shall confine my references to five men, all farmers, located two and a half miles west of the center, in what was then called the West School District. Running from this north was the road leading to the North West District; on one of these corners was the school-house and on the other my father's house. The farms were in a cluster, divided only by the road. Several of them extended back to Onota Lake, thus encroaching upon the favorite hunting-grounds of the Indians. The names of the farmers were Captain William Francis, from Weathersfield; Captain Daniel Sackett, from Westfield; Captain John Churchill, from old Plymouth; Colonel Oliver Root, from Westfield; and Deacon James Hubbard, from Westfield. /Two previous efforts had been made to settle these farms ; one from the east, which was frustrated by the Indians, the other by the Dutch, from the state of New York, who after a time, left, saying they dare not risk their families among the Indians. / Most of the inhabitants who have been mentioned, settled on the house lots, some on the squares. On the road running west from the centre were Zebediah and Ephraim Stiles, Ezia Strong, Charles Miller, David Roberts, David Ashley, Amos and Oliver Root, and others by the name of Wright, Rol;bins, Belden, Hubbard, Francis and Wadhams ; east were Rev. Mr. Allen, John Strong, Dr. Colton, the Crofoots, and Jacob Ensign ; and further on to the northeast Josiah and Charles Goodrich, Israel Stoddard, Israel Dickinson, and Col. William Williams ; south were Col. Easton, Sylvanus Pierscy, Ezekiel Root, Daniel Miller, (where Mr. William Hollister now lives) James Lord and Elisha Jones. Rufus Allen kept a public house on the corner now occupied by William B. Cooley, and further north towards Lanesboro', were Joseph Allen, and the families by the name of Baker and Keeler. On the road eastward of Daniel Weller's, or near it, were the Fairfields, David Bush, Eli Root, Esq., Hezekiah Jones, William Brattle, and Solomon Deming. Col. Williams early moved on to this road from the spot where Levi Goodiich now lives, and where Lieut. Graves settled after him. Charles Goodrich, Esq. left the farm on which he first lived, and settled near him. - Proceedings in commemoration of the organization in Pittsfield, February 7, 1764 of the First Church of Christ : February 7, 1889.. Pittsfield, Mass.: Press of the Sun Print. Co., 1992. (Ancestry.com)
  14. ↑ In 1762, 3, and 4, the following persons are understood to have settled here, namely : Phinehas Belden, Solomon Crosby, Israel Dickinson, Elisha Jones, Jno. Morse, David Roberts, Aaron Stiles, Israel Stoddard, John and Caleb Wadhams, Aaron and Phinehas Baker, William Brattle, Col. James Easton, Benjamin and Josiah Goodrich, Moses Miller, Joseph Phelps, Amos Root, John Williams, Rev. Thomas Allen, Jas. D. Colt, Ezra and King Strong. Dr. Colton, Rufus Allen, John Strong-, and a number of others, prohahly became inhabitants during these years. Not long after, Joseph Allen, David Bagg, Lieut. Moses Graves, Woodbridge Little, Esq., Col. Oliver Root, Ebenezcr White, and many others, settled in town. - site cited History of the Town of Pittsfield
  15. ↑ 27 Set out for Pittsfield with Deacon Root, Thomas Root, & Desire Root . . . Was at Ensign Roots, Pittsfield - Westfield and Its Historic Influences, 1669-1919: The Life of an Early Town, with a Survey of Events in New England and Bordering Regions to which it was Related in Colonial and Revolutionary Times, Volume 1 (Google eBook), John Hoyt Lockwood, published by the author, 1922, p 422, citing Rev. Ballentine's Diary
  16. ↑ Root, Oliver.Lieutenant, Capt. William Francis's 9th (2d Pittsfield) co., Col. Benjamin Simonds's (2d Berkshire Co.) regt. of Mass. militia. Was on list of officers chosen by the several companies in said regiment. It was ordered in Council May 4, 1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned May 3, 1776, commissions reported dated June 1, 1776.
  17. ↑ list of men who marched from Pittsfield to New York July 11, 1776, under command of said Root, and were dismissed Dec. 5, 1776
  18. ↑ List of men who marched from Pittsfield to Kinderhook after inimical persons May 4, 1777, under command of Capt. John Strong, and were dismissed May 11, 1777; service, 1 week
  19. ↑ discharged July 26, 1777; service, 19 days, in Northern department; during this time: also on list of men who marched from Pittsfield to Fort Edward July 8, 1777, under command of Capt. William Francis, dismissed Aug. 26, 1777 was Private, Lieut. James Hubbard's co., Lieut. Col. David Rositer's detachment of militia; from Aug. 17, 1777 to Aug. 22, 1777; service, 4 days; company marched on an alarm; was on list of men who marched from Pittsfield to Bennington Aug. 19, 1777 under command of Lieut. James Hubbard, dismissed Aug. 24, 1777; service, 5 days.
  20. ↑ The official record of a ballot by the House of Representatives, dated March 21, 1780 named Oliver Root, Captain, 2d Major, of Col. Rosseter's (3d Berkshire Co.) regt. of Mass. militia. The appointment was concurred in by Council March 21, 1780
  21. ↑ Major, Col. John Brown's regt.; appointed July 3, 1780; discharged Nov. 1, 1780; service, 3 months and 24 days (regiment raised for 3 months) Roll dated Pittsfield
  22. ↑ The battle seems to have been the basis for the events in The Last of the Mohicans -- Two accounts follow: Early on the morning of the 19th of October-his thirty-fifth birthday- Col. Brown left Fort Paris, with about three hundred men, to form a junction, in obedience to his orders, with Gen. Van Rensselaer. The detachment had marched perhaps two miles, when a house was discovered, at a distance of perhaps a quarter of a mile upon the right, before which was a family group, surrounding a man just mounting his horse. That person rode directly to Major Root, who was in advance, and inquired if he commanded the party; Col. Brown, who was in the rear, was pointed out; and, riding up to him, the stranger stated that he was directed by Gen. Van Rensselaer, to inform him, that by proceeding down a road which turned to the left, instead of that he was then pursuing, he would reach the general's army. / The proposed route seemed to be a convenient detour around the region where the presence of the enemy began to be indicated by the smoke of burning buildings; and, the well-arranged family scene doubtless helping to ward off suspicion, unfortunate credence was given to the stranger, without demanding further guaranties, and without detaining him as a surety for his good faith. The route was changed in accordance with his directions, and soon led into a long and narrow clearing, extending to the river - near a ruined work called Fort Keyzer - and surrounded by heavy woods. The detachment had well advanced into this treacherous cul-de-sac, - the colonel and major both being at the head of the column,-when a sergeant near them exclaimed, "See that damned Indian!" and immediately discharged his musket. At, once the woods resounded with savage yells; and a thousand muskets, gleaming from behind sheltering trees, poured in a rapid and murderous cross-fire upon the entrapped and bewildered troops. Col. Brown, who was conspicuous by his fine person and his official sash, was shot through the heart at the first fire, and fell upon his face without a word or a struggle. / Any attempt to restore order among the panic-stricken troops would have been worse than futile; and officers, as well as men, fled precipitately towards the fort. There was no lack of vigor in the pursuit; but the irresistible, impulse to tomahawk and scalp the wounded delayed the Ravages, and enabled a large portion of the fugitives to escape. Major Root saw one man crawl into the woods and conceal himself, while his over-eager pursuers passed on without heeding him; but he thought almost every man of the seriously injured was killed and scalped. Forty were reported slain. The fort was filled with women and children, who, upon the approach of the savages, had fled to it from the neighboring country; and their shrieks and meanings added to the confusion, as the flying soldiers crowded in disorder into the gates. Fortunately, Major Root had been trained in a school which rendered him familiar with such scenes, as well as with the character of the enemy with whom he had to deal. The fort, he knew, was not at all competent to sustain an assault from the forces which now thronged into the edges of the clearing around it, and were evidently eager for an attack. But he was well aware of the terror with which "big guns" inspired the savages, and was convinced, by the temerity with which they exposed themselves, that they believed him unsupplied with artillery. The wretched little fortress, however, was, by chance, supplied with one poor dwarf of a four-pounder; although its ammunition was limited to a solitary ball and three charges of powder. With this the major determined to make a demonstration; and,wheeling his gun to the gateway, he sent the lonely missile bowling among, or at least towards, the astonished groups. A charge of horse-chains next went singing through the air. But in the mean while, by order of the major, a huge old cast-iron dinner-pot had been broken up; and, when its fragments came shrieking and screaming among the besiegers, it completed their dismay, and they withdrew rapidly within the shelter of the woods. Even the Tory officer who commanded them does not seem to have noticed the scarcity of ammunition which the strangeness of the missiles would have indicated to one of more shrewdness or experience; for he gave over his purposed attack, remarking, that "he had a mind to take that fort by storm; but it would cost too many lives." / The militia rallied to the support of Gen. Van Rensselaer in such numbers, that, there being no longer need of the services of the Berkshire regiment, it returned home at the expiration of its term of three months, on the 21st of October. His grandest moment was at well authenticated, since it was imparted by Major Root to two of his friends from whose lips Mr. Smith himself heard it. He thus recounts it: "Fortunately Major Root had been trained in a school which rendered him familiar with such scenes, as well as with the character of the enemy with whom he had to deal. The fort he knew was not at all competent to sustain an assault from the forces which now thronged into the edges of the clearing around it, and were evidently eager for an attack. But he was well aware of the terror with which 'big guns' inspired the savages, and was convinced by the temerity with which they exposed themselves that they believed him wholly unsupplied with artillery. The wretched little fortress, however, was by chance supplied with one poor dwarf of a four pounder, although its ammunition was limited to a solitary ball and three charges of powder. With this the Major determined to make a demonstration; and wheeling his gun to the gateway, he sent the lonely missile bowling among, or at least towards, the astonished group. A charge of horse-chains next went singing through the air. But in the meanwhile, by order of the Major, a huge old cast-iron dinner pot had been broken up; and when its fragments came shrieking and screaming among the besiegers it completed their dismay and they withdrew rapidly within the shelter of the woods. / Even the Tory officer who commanded them does not seem to have noticed the scarcity of ammunition which the strangeness of the missiles would have indicated to one of more shrewdness or experience; for he gave over his purposed attack, remarking that "he had a mind to take that fort by storm, but it would cost too many lives." - History of Pittsfield, Vol. I, pp. 314-315
  23. ↑ Major, in command of a detachment of militia ordered out of Brig. Gen. Rosseter's brigade on the alarm at Saratoga of Oct. 29, 1781 service, 6 days, on an alarm at the Northward; regiment raised by order of Brig. Gen. David Rosseter to reinforce army under Gen. Stark at Saratoga
  24. ↑ Oliver Root (1741-1826) in 1781 served as major in the Berkshire County, Mass. regiment, under Col. Caleb Hyde, to reinforce General Stark at Saratoga. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 103 p 114 also Major, in command of a detachment from Col. Caleb Hyde's (Berkshire Co.) regt.; entered service Nov. 9, 1781; discharged Nov. 15, 1781
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 The number of inhabitants in the Town of Pittsfield, taken in the year 1786. Families, Houses, married persons, male & female under five years of Age & between 5 & 10 years of age & so on. [list] . . . Maj. Root - Houses - 1 / Married Persons - 2 / Families - 1 / Emigrants - 0 / Immigrants - 0 / Males under 5 years of age - 1 / Females under 5 years of age - 1 / Males 5-10 years - 2 / Females 5-10 years - 2 / Males 10-15 - 1 / Females 10-15 - 1 / Males 15-20 - 3 / Females 20-25 - 1 / Males 25-30 - 1 / Females 25-30 - 1 / Males 30-35 - 1 / Females 30-35 - 1 / Males 35-40 - 1 / Females 35-40 - 1 / Males 40-45 - 1 / Females 40-45 - 1 / Males 50-55 -1 / Females 50-55 - 1 - Town Records 1627-2001 (FamilySearch.org), Berkshire, Pittsfield, Births Marriages, deaths 1761-1850, image 23 of 196.
  26. ↑ MASSACHUSETTS / BOSTON, April 19. / We have obtained, from undoubted authority, a list of persons convicted by the Supreme Judicial Court at their late session in the county of Berkshire, viz. / Aaron Knap, of West-Stockbridge, Enoch Tyler, of Egremont, Joseph Williams, of New-Marlborough, Nathaniel Austin, of Sheffield, Peter Wilcox, jun, of Lee, Samuel Rust of Pittsfield received sentence of death for high treason. / William Whiting, of Great-Barrington, esq. for uttering divers seditious and inflammatory speeches, and for making and publishing a seditious libel, was sentenced to pay a fine of £100; suffer 7 months imprisonment, and to be bound to good behaviour for 5 years. / John Hubbard, convicted of exciting sedition, fine £100, and bound to good behaviour for -- [sic] years / Daniel Sacket and John Demming, convicted as above, fined £60 each, and bound as above. / Peleg Green, Oliver Root, Enoch Haskin, John Strong, convicted as above, and bound over to the next term to receive sentence / Issac Wood, Aaron Noble, Moses Wood, William Sheldon, Anthony Ames, convicted of a riot in obstructing the courts of common pleas and sessions. Sentence suspended as above. / Thomas Gould, for a fraud, of which he was convicted last term, was fine [pounds]50, and recognized, with sureties, for good behaviour for 3 years. / It is said, that about one hundred others were indicted for treason, the greater part of whom are fled ; 75 have been permitted to inlist into the federal army, and about five more the commissioners have pardoned. Some few are ordered to recognize for their appearance at next ter ' and three ordered to remain in custody. It is supposed the last will be permitted to inlist.
    Headline: Massachusetts, Boston,April 19; Article Type: News/Opinion / Paper: American Recorder, published as The American Recorder and the Charlestown Advertiser; Date: 04-20-1787; Volume: II; Issue: 105; Page: [3]; Location: Charlestown, Massachusetts - Copy of original in Genealogy/by Surname/Root
  27. ↑ The Methodist-Episcopal church first gained adherents in Pittsfield in 1788 through the preaching of Rev Messrs Lemuel Smith and Thomas Everett who were then travelling the Stockbridge Circuit and formed a class in the east part. Another was formed in the west part by Mr. Smith who preached his first sermon in 1791 in the house of Col. Oliver Root. - The History of Pittsfield...Joseph Edwards Adams Smith
  28. ↑ Houses at that time in that area were a mix of gambrel, angular and flat roofs. Of the first that succeeded the log cabins of the first settlers, most were gambrel roofed of one story; the meeting house, school house, the parsonage, the "long house" of Col. Wiliams, Col. Oliver Root's house and some others were angular. At that time the flat roof was the trendy style -- had come into fashion at the close of the revolution. The flat roof was surrounded by a railing of ornamental ballustrades ornamented by urns and similar decorations - The History of Pittsfield By Joseph Edward Adams Smith
  29. ↑ Captain Merrick's popularity as a landlord was even so great that the democrats were accustomed to hold their public dinners with him, although he was known to be a moderate federalist. In the year 1808, however, political feeling had grown so warm that it was alleged that Captain Merrick had refused to furnish the usual Fourth of July dinner for the democrats. Great indignation ensued, and the excluded party celebrated the Fourth with more spirit than even they had ever before exhibited; "although the morning was threatening, and the latter part of the day extremely inclement." The latter circumstance decidedly marred the festivities ; for the dinner being prepared by Captain Jared Ingersoll, the elder, who had ceased to keep a public house, was spread in his orchard, (This orchard covered the space west of North street between Railroad street and Depot street) within a rustic bower, which had been handsomely constructed with evergreen boughs and beautifully decorated with flags, mottoes and flowers. It was extremely pretty and very romantic ; but it was unhappily but ill-adapted to the protection of the guests from the torrents of rain which fell while they honored " with fervor and unanimity " seventeen patriotic toasts each followed by the booming of cannon. / Thomas Allen sold to them a piece of land on the south-west corner of his home-lot, wit:h a front of eighty-two feet on East street, and twenty rods deep. The price was sixteen hundred dollars, and the property was conveyed in four hundred and forty-five undivided parts, of which individuals held from one to five each. The following are the names of the purchasers: Simon Larned, Joshua Danforth, Ezekiel Bacon, John B. Root, Jared Ingersoll, Phinehas Allen, Simeon Brown, Oramel Fanning, Septemius Bingham, James Brown, Timothy Childs, John Dickinson, Henr}- H. Childs, Charles Bishop, Robert Merriam, John Chamberlain, Seth Montague, Daniel Sackett, Oren Goodrich, James Root, Joel Stevens, William Stevens, Timothy Hurlbut, Simeon Butler, John Eells, David Pierson, Jr., William Francis, Jr., Oliver Root, Jesse Goodrich, Seth Moore, Elijah Bagg, Horace Allen, Eldad Francis, Joshua Baker, Oswald Williams, Samuel Williams, James Hubbard, Richard Robbins, William D. Robbins, Elijah Robbins, Jonathan Yale Clark, John Churchill, 2d, Silvester Robbins, James Hubbard, Jr., Robert Francis, Ichabod Chapman, Stephen Hurlbut, Josiah Francis, Jr., Thomas Stockin, Amasa Jeffords, Daniel Stearns, Simon Langworthy, William Janes, Ethan Janes, Silvester Langworthy, Avery "Welch, Alpheus Weller, Enoch Weller, Constant Luce, William Griswold, Uriah Lathrop, Linus Parker, Tertullus Hubby, David Bush, Royal Millard, Gideon Gunn, William Brattle, Appleton Tracy, Joseph Shearer, James Moseley, Zebulon Herriek, Ludowick Stanton, Oliver P. Dickinson, Simeon Griswold, Elias Keeler, Hosea Merrill, Sr., Robert Stanton. / The Pittsfield Hotel," built by the above-named democratic gentlemen, was opened by Simeon Griswold.
    The History of Pittsfield (Berkshire County, Massachusetts) From the Year 1800 to the Year 1876, Compiled and Written Under the General Direction of a Committee by J. E. A. Smith, by Authority of the Town, Springfield, Published by C.W. Bryan & Co., 1876.
  30. ↑ SATURDAY, Nov 5, 1808 1 o'clock P.M. TRUTH SUBSTANTIATED CERTIFICATE We the subscribers, having carefully examined the statement which was made in the Pittsfield Sun, of the 10th day of September last, wherein the following remarks are mentioned as having been made by JOHN W. HULBERT, Esq. in the meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Pittsfield, on the first day of September last, viz. "The the whole civilized world owed a debt of gratitude to Great-Britain for the noble stand which she had made in behalf of the Independence of Nations, and her exertions in defence of Liberty and social order! That the United States were solely indebted to her for their preservation as an independent nation! and that her fleets and armies were the only defence on which we could rely for our protection against foreign subjugation ! That although he acknowledged that we had experienced from her many insults and agressions, yet in the situation in which she was placed, we ought not rigidly to insist upon her making us compensation, or relinquishing the pretensions under which she had committed them!" And he compared them all to "a scratch upon the face, inflicted by a man in a paroxism of sudden distress. And that so far from resenting them, our Government ought, as far as they could, to aid and assist Great-Britain in her present struggles." And we do hereby certify, that we are confident that the aforesaid statement contains a just and correct representation of the remarks, which were made by Mr. Hulbert, at that time. That the same is not only substantially correct, but so far as we can judge, literally so--- That we sat at the time very near Mr. Hulbert, and many of us in the same Pew, and we were paying particular attention to his observations ; and that the impression made on our minds at the time, by the remarks above stated, were such as to have been the subject of particular conversation with our friends, on the evening of the meeting, or immediately after. / OLIVER ROOT, JOEL STEVENS, HOSEA MERRILL, ENOCH WELLER, OSWALD WILLIAMS, CHARLES BISHOP, HENRY H. CHILDS, ZEBULOR HERRICK, Jun., WILLIAM STEVENS, WILLIAM D. ROBBINS, DAVID PEARSON, Jun., SAMUEL L. ALLEN, URIAH LATHROP, SIMEON GRISWOLD, WILLIAM JANES.
    NOTE: The Pittsfield Sun ran an Extra after the paper had already been sent out to refute allegations regarding statments made by John W. Hulburt. -- I have transcribed only that part written and signed by several townsmen, including Oliver Root.
  31. ↑ Pittsfield WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1810 Pittsfield Republican Meeting. At a meeting of a number of the Republican Citizens of Pittsfield, at the House of William Clarke, on Wednesday Evening last, for the purpose of delioberating upon the most proper mode of obtaining a nomination of suitable persons to represent the County of Berkshire in the Senate of this Commonwealth, the ensuring year, it was, after mature deliberation, unanimously Vote, That the Republican Citizens of the several towns in this County, be requested to appoint a Delegation of their friends, to mee on Convention at the Court-House in Lenox, on THURSDAY, the 22d of February next, at 12 o'clock, A.M. for the purpose of nominating suitable persons to be supported as Senators, for the County of Berkshire, at the approaching election. Voted, That a Delagation of fifteen be appointed by this meeting to attend the proposed County Convention. [The following gentlemen compose the 'Delegation :-- Simon Larned, Jared Ingersoll, Phinehas Allen, Joshua Danforth, Horace Allen, Simeon Griswold, John Dickinson, James Brown, Oren Goodrich, Thomas Stocking, Oliver Root, Joseph Shearer, Hosea Merrills, Oramel Tanning, Joshua Whitney.] Voted, That the Chairman be requested to sign thge proceedings of theis meeting, and publish the same in the Pittsfield Sun. / JOSHUA DANFORTH, Chairman - Article Type: Legislative Acts or Legal Proceedings Paper: Sun, published as The Pittsfield Sun; or, Republican Monitor; Date: 01-31-1810; Volume: X; Issue: 489; Page: 3; Location: Pittsfield, Massachusetts NOTE: Oliver Root was one of 15 appointed to a delegation to a proposed county convention where a nominee could be chosen to represent the county in the Senate of the Commonwealth
  32. ↑ CATTLE SHOW NOTICE THE following gentlemen, viz. Samuel H. Wheeler, Lanesborough, Silas Pepoon, Stockbrdge, Daniel Brown, Cheshire, Oliver Belden, Lenox, Levi Crittendon, Richmond, Thomas Allen, Hinsdale, [Note: all of the below are bracketed as coming from Pittsfield,] Elkanah Watson, Joseph Shearer, John B. Root, Ezekial Bacon, Rossel Root, Thos. B. Strong, Nat. Fairfield, jun. Oliver Root, were appointed a Committee for the year 1811 on the first of October last, are respectfully requested to meet at Mr WILLIAMS' Long-Room, in Lenox, on Wednesday, the 2d day of January next at 10 o'clock-- to consult on the propriety of applying to the Legislature for an act incorporating an Agricultural Society, to perpetuate annual Cattle Shows, or Fairs in this County and to promote the general interest of Agriculture. T.B. Strong, Sec'ru. Pittsfield, Nov. 20, 1810 - NOTE: brilliantly didn't save the source paper but it was probably the Sun.
  33. ↑ Massachusetts The Reporter. PITTSFIELD: SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1811 / CATTLE SHOW. AT a meeting of the Member of "the Berkshire Agricultural Society for the promotion of Agriculture and Manufacturers, held in the town of Pittsfield, on Thursday the 1st of August, 1811. Resolved, That in addition to the Trustees, the following gentlemen are appointed a grand County Committee to superintent the Cattle Show, to be held in said Pittsfield, commencing the last Tuesday in September next: -- Pittsfield, Oliver Root: Richmond, Noah Rosseter, Jr.; Washington, Jesse Ladd; Stockbridge, Thaddeus Pomeroy ; Tyringham, Adonijah Bidwell; Dalton, Nathaniel Kellogg; Adams, John Waterman; Hinsdale John Pierce; Peru Amasa Rockwell; Williamstown, Samuel Kellogg; Alford Ebenezer Fitch; Egremont, James Baldwin; Sheffield, Silas Kellogg; Sandisfield, John Picket; Otis, Paul Larcom; Lanesborough, Wolcott Hubbell; Cheshire, Daniel Brown; Florida Nathan Drury; Windsor, Robert Walker; New-AShford, Richard Whitman; Savoy Joseph Williams; Hancock Rodman Hazard; Lenox Levi Belden; Lee Jared Bradley; West=Stockbridge, Farin Wilson; Becket, Benjamin C. Perkins; Great-B arrington, Lucius King; Mount-Washington, Charles Patterson; New=Marlborough, Benjamin Wheeler. By order of the Society. TB STRONG, Recording Sec'y - Saturday, August 17, 1811; Berkshire Reporter 08-17-1811; Volume: XXII; Issue: 1128; p: 3
  34. ↑ The removal of the seat of the county-courts to Lenox, in 1787, soon became a source of conflict between the northern and southern portions of the county. Some believed the it should be moved to Pittsfield. At the April town- meeting of 1813, the following committee was chosen to present the case of the town: Timothy Childs, Thomas Gold, Ezekiel Bacon, John W. Hulbert, John B. Root, Ebenezer Center, Joshua Danforth, William C. Jarvis and Jonathan Allen. The viewing-committee reported to the legislature that under certain conditions, provision should be made at the ensuing session of the legislature for the removal of the courts from Lenox to Pittsfield. Among these provisions were the following : First, that Pittsfield should build on a suitable lot, of not less than one acre, and adjoining The Green so-called, a court-house of solid materials, with two jury-rooms, and all such fire-proof offices as are required by law, besides a jail and jail-house of such dimensions as the legislature might direct ; and further to pay the town of Lenox two thousand six hundred and sixty-six dol- lars. / At a town-meeting held November 15, 1813, the following gentlemen were appointed to take the report into consideration : John C. Williams, John W. Hulbert, Oliver Root, Capt. John Churchill, Hosea Merrill, Butler Goodrich, Ezekiel Bacon, Thomas Gold, Oren Goodrich, Joseph Shearer, Simeon Griswold and Joseph Merrick. - History of Pittsfield
  35. ↑ PITTSFIELD TOWN MEETING PATRIOTISM.....UNANIMITY. -- With proud satisfaction we present to the public the proceedings of the Town-Meeting of Pittsfield, on Monday last, at which JOSHUA DANFORTH, Esq., presided as Moderator. All parties came forward unanimously, and sacrificed at the shrine of our common country all their animosities and dissentions in support of true American principles. We trust that every town in the couty and state will do likewise; we shall thus present an inpenetrable phalanx of Patriots to the enemy, which will command his repsect; obtain for us an horable peace, and with it the admiration of the world. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE Whereas a Town-Meeting has been convened at the request of a number of Inhabitants, for the purpose of taking into consideration "what they, in their corporate capacity, out to do, to aid the constituted authorities of our county in repelling the invasion of our territory, and also to enable them, in future, more effectually to protect the other parts of our country from invasion." And whereas, at the meeting so convened, the following persons have been chosen a Committee to propose and report resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on the subject for which it is so called: viz. OLIVER ROOT, THOMAS GOLD, THEODORE HINSDALE, jun, JAMES D. COLT, ELKANAH WATSON, THOMAS MELVILL, jun. and the said Committee having in consequence met together, have drafted and present to their fellow-citizens, in town-meeting assembled, the following Preamble and Resolutions for their adoption: That as we have arrived at a crisis, which requires the individual and joint exertions of every citizen ; and that the sacred Charter of our Independence, the safety of our country is at stake it has become the duty of every American to risk his life and property to preserve the sacred inheritance, for which our fathers fought and bled. If incentives are necessary to rouse us to a true sense of our danger, and of our duty, let us consider that not only our State is invaded but our enemy has declared it to be his intention to take possession of, and to re-annex to the Crown of Great-Britain, all the territory East of Penobscot River! That he has besides officially declared, "that he will lay waste and destroy such towns and districts on our coast, as may be available," And if this is not sufficient, let us cast our eyes toward the ruins and depredations committed in the South, as well as those more recently committed in the District of Main. / These acts, whilst they demonstrate to us, most unequivocally, the intentions of our enemy, admonish us to shun dissentions, and to keep constantly in view, that "United we Stand, divided we Fall." If the enemy counts on our internal divisions, we trust that the patriotism of American will prove to him, and to the world, that no difference of opinion exists among us, on the great questions of self-preservation, or our existence as a nation. / Let each and every one of us, therefore, in this solemn hour of danger, bring forward and deposit on the altar of our Country, every passion, every feeling, every prejudice that may tend to weaken resistance, or impair exertion.-- Let us as a united People, come forward in defence of our Common Country. Let us take sufficient measures to learn the duties of the Soldier. Let us be prepared, and in constant readiness to take the field and meet the enemy--- Let us, like the Sages of 1776 -- "Pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor," for the maintenance of our National Independence, and our enemy will soon learn, that the cause of America is the cause of each of its Citizens. To these sentiments, you Committee flatter themselves there cannot be a dissenting voice, and therefore propose, with confidence, the following resolutions: Resolved, That as an extraordinary occasion exists for putting the whole military force of the town into a condition for active and efficient service, the Selectmen are instructed forthwith to provide such arms, munitions of War, and Camp Equipage, as the Law has required of towns, and to have the whole ready for immediate use. Resolved, That the Selectmen be empowered to give liberal aid to the families of such Militia as are, or hereafter may be called into service, who may need assistance, and that the Selectmen be charged with that duty. Resolved, That we will use our utmost endeavors to encrease the number of the Militia, to discourage and prevent all evasions or neglect of duty, that we may ensure to the Country an active an efficient force. Resolved, That it be recommended to all exempts to en[ ] and form themselves into a Company, to equip and prepare themselves for active service. / Resolved, That we will honestly and sincerely exert ourselves to promote union, energy and public spirit among all our fellow-citizens. And we appeal with confidence to our fellow-citizens of the County of Berkshire, and elsewhere, on this trying occasion, and we trust they will rise in their native strength and majesty to defend their County, and to repel all invasions. OLIVER ROOT, THOMAS MELVILL, JUN, THOMS GOLD, JAMES D. COLT, ELKANAH WATSON, THEODORE HINSDALE, JUN The Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted by the town, and the sum of One Thousand Dollars voted to be raised, to be placed at the disposal of the Selectmen, for the purpose of carrying into complete effect the foregoing Resolutions. It was also Voted, That the Moderator be requested to sign, and cause the proceedings of this Meeting to be printed in the Papers of this town. JOSHUA DANFORTH, Moderator. - The Pittsfield Sun; 09-22-1814; Volume: XV; Issue: 731; p 3
  36. ↑ To JOSHUA DANFORTH, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for the County of Berkshire. HUMBLY SHEW, the subscribers, inhabitants of Pittsfield, in said County, that they are proprietors, share-holders and tenants in common of the estate, commonly called the "Pittsfield Hotel," situate in said Pittsfield, bounded south on the County Road, west on the Burying Ground, and the open space, called the Green, and north and east on the real estate which the late Rev. Thomas Allen died seized and possessed of. Your Petitioners, deeming it expedient that measures should be taken for the better management and improvement of said estate; or, that the same should be sold upon the most advantageous terms and conditions, pray you to issue your warrant for the purpose of notifying and calling a meeting of the proprietors of the said Pittsfield Hotel, to be holden at the said Hotel aforesaid, on Monday, the third day of December next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following matters and things, viz. 1st. To choose a Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Committee of superintendance, and other needful officers and Committees. 2d. To order and devise some mode of calling future meetings. 3d. To raise by vote such sums of money as may be necessary to dig a Well on the estate ; repair the Dwelling-House, Stables, and out houses, and pain the same ; and to furnish the whole with needful and convenient furniture and utensils. 4th. Or if measures like the foregoing should be though inexpedient, to take into consideration the question of selling the estate, called the Pittsfield Hotel, and the expediency of authorizing a Committee of the proprietors, or others appointed for such purpose, to sell and dispose of the said estate, in such way and manner as shall be deemed most advantageous to all concerned. All which is respectfully requested, by JOHN B. ROOT, H.H. CHILDS, SAMUEL D. COLT, JOSEPH SHEARER, OLIVER ROOT Pittsfield, November 6, 1821 -- NOTE: Didn't save the name of the paper in which this appeared but it was definitely one of the Pittsfield papers.
  37. ↑ In this town, on Tuesday morning last, Col. Oliver Root, one of our oldest, most valued, and respected citizens, in the 85th year of his age. In announcing the decease of Co. Root, we have to mention a distinguished patriot of the revolution, who warred in favour of those principles by which he has been guided in his long and useful career. He has ever borne the character of the most rigid integrity, and advocated in an ingenuous but unwavering manner, the sentiments of a republican, and lover of his country. He departed, "As one who wraps the drapery of his couch around him, / And lies down to pleasant dreams."--The Pittsfield Sun.; Date: 05-04-1826; Volume: XXVI; Issue: 1337; Page: 3
  38. ↑ Friday, pg. 23; Issue 6; col E
  39. ↑ from massmayflower.org - index to probate records
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