Robert Oliver was born in 1735, most likely in Athol, MA. It is possible, however, that he was born right before his family arrived in Athol either in the fall of 1735 or the spring of 1736 in or near Hatfield, MA. In any event, Robert grew up in Athol and was married 1759 in Pelham, MA to Lydia Gray.

The parents of Lydia were William Gray and Jean Clark. The Grays were also thought to have arrived in America about 1718 and were from the Scotch-Irish colony that settled in Worcester, MA. Lydia had 4 sisters and 3 brothers; including her sister Sarah, who was married to Abraham Nutt in a double wedding ceremony with Lydia & Robert on September 13, 1759. William Gray died in Pelham, MA in 1759 also leaving a Last Will & Testament.

Children of Robert & Lydia Oliver (all children born in Athol, MA)
Isabel, born 1760, married Ruggles Ward 1780, Athol
Daniel, born 1761, died 1774 (13 yrs)
William, born 1763, died 1766 (3 yrs)
James Durham, born 1765, died 1774 (9 yrs)
William (2), born 1766, died 1774
Robert Jr., born 1768, married Jane _____?
ANDREW, born 1771, married Mary "Polly" Nichols
Clark, born 1773
Daniel (2), born 1775, married Eunice Keeler
(*I descend from Andrew)

Ranseler Oliver, wife Mary (Allen) & daughter Pearl, 1890

As noted above, 4 sons of Robert & Lydia never reached adulthood. Three of them died within a day of each other in January of 1774 and another in June of 1766. Letters to the Town Clerk have been sent asking if there was an epidemic at the time in Athol, but no record can be found on this. Our ancestors had great fortitude and tremendous spiritual faith and the strength to proceed against harsh living conditions, little or no proper medical treatment, and horrific weather conditions due to poor housing. I have often thought of Lydia and how horrible it must have been to lose 4 sons, yet she went on to have 4 more strong, healthy sons that were fortunate enough to reach adulthood.

Following in his brothers' footsteps, Robert also served in the Revolutionary War. His military record is as follows: Oliver, Robert. Athol. Private, Capt. Ichabod Dexter's Co., Col. Doolittle's Regt., which marched on the Alarm of April 19, 1775; service to May 3, 1775, 15 days. Sargeant, Capt. Peter Woodbury's Co., Col. Job Cushing's Regt. engaged July 28, 1771. Discharged July 28, 1771 to reinforce the army under General Stark, Roll Dated Petersham.

By 1787 Robert Oliver, Sr. was granted land in Orwell, VT, awarded by virtue of his above service record.    He, along with Col. Doolittle, each received 100 acres, 60 acres and an additional 20 acres. After the year 1784, the settlement of Orwell advanced rapidly, so that when the town was organized in 1787, there were about 80 families there. All men present at the organizational meeting for Orwell took the Freeman's Oath and Oath of Allegiance, among them Robert, Sr. (History of Addison County, VT). Orwell is bordered by Lake Champlain to the west and is described as gently rolling to hilly geography; the highest point being about 1000 ft above sea level. In the early 1800's raising sheep was the number 1 vocation, which gradually gave way to dairy farming. From 1787 to the mid 1794 Robert, Sr. sold and deeded land back and forth to his sons, Andrew, Clark, Robert, Jr. and Daniel, and also to other people that were not related. Robert Oliver and Ruggles Ward (husband of Isabella) are both listed as head of household in Orwell, VT, 1790. The sons of Robert, Sr. lived in and around Orwell in the small towns of Bridport and St. Albans, Vt. (readers should keep in mind that VT., MA and Clinton County, NY are closely related geographically, which made it easier for the Olivers to move around -- which they succeeded in doing!

Additional information will be posted on the Family of Isabella Oliver Ward and the families of Clark and Daniel Oliver as soon as time permits. Extensive research has been accomplished on the family of Daniel, which is forthcoming. It is believed that Isabella, Daniel and Clark remained in Vermont at least for a while and as late as 1871 Oliver children were born in Addison County, Vt. Andrew went to Clinton County, NY in 1807.

Time Line on Robert Oliver
Born 1735, MA (Athol or Hatfield)
1759, married to Lydia Gray in Pelham, MA
1760 - 1775 nine children born in Athol
1787 - In Orwell, Vt
1795 Dies in Athol, MA
*It is not known when Lydia Gray Oliver died, presumably she is also buried in Athol in an unmarked grave near Robert. Lydia's sister, Sarah (affectionately called "The Widow Nutt" died in Athol August 15, 1808, age 82 years (Claire Smith papers).