Oliver Ellsworth

Oliver Ellsworth, Supreme Court Historical Society

Date of Birth: April 29, 1745

Place of Birth: Windsor, Connecticut, British America

Date of Death: November 26, 1807

Place of Death: Windsor, Connecticut, U.S.

Ethnicity: English

Oliver Ellsworth was an American lawyer and politician. He was a revolutionary against British rule, and a drafter of the United States Constitution. He was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut, from March 4, 1789 to March 8, 1796, and the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, from March 8, 1796 to December 15, 1800.

He was a Federalist Party candidate for President of the United States in 1796.

Chief Justice Ellsworth was the son of Jemima/Jerusha (Leavitt) and David Ellsworth. He was married to Abigail Wolcott, with whom he had nine children.

Chief Justice Ellsworth’s paternal grandfather was Jonathan Ellsworth (the son of Josiah/Joseph Ellsworth and Elizabeth Holcombe). Jonathan was born in Connecticut. Josiah was born in Eelstown, Cambridgeshire, England, the son of John Jeremiah Ellsworth and Lucia Lydia Bower. Elizabeth was born in Massachusetts Bay Colony, the daughter of English parents, Thomas Holcombe, from Devon, and Elizabeth Eno, from Warwickshire.

Chief Justice Ellsworth’s paternal grandmother was Sarah Grant (the daughter of Tahan Grant and Hannah/Anna Palmer). Sarah was born in Connecticut. Tahan was born in Massachusetts Bay Colony, the son of English parents, Matthew Grant, from Dorest, and Priscilla. Hannah was born in Connecticut Colony, the daughter of Nicholas Palmer and Jane Purchase.

Chief Justice Ellsworth’s maternal grandfather was named Joshua Leavitt.

Chief Justice Ellsworth’s maternal grandmother was named Hannah Devotion.

Sources: Genealogy of Chief Justice Ellsworth – https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Chief Justice Ellsworth (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com