US Congressman. He was a merchant in Massachusetts, who during the Revolutionary War was Deputy Commissary of the Colonial Army, supplying the troops and was commended by General Washington. After the war, he settled in Massachusetts, was a member of the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, a member in the Massachusetts State Senate in 1785 and a member of the Governor's council in 1786. Relocating the New York in 1787, became a land speculator in western New York State, built townships and was appointed the first judge of Ontario County. He was also founder in the Hartford National Bank and Trust Company and a financial contributor to the Hamilton Oneida Academy built in 1793.
Although he was a founder and large stock holder in the Hartford National Bank and Trust Co., about 1800 his financial troubles became acute because of the effect of changing money values on mortgages held on the tracts of land sold and a depressed land market. Forced to sell his Suffield home, Phelps moved to Canandaigua, N.Y., where he built a grist mill and endowed an academy. He was appointed the first judge of Ontario County and between 1803 and 1805 he served in Congress. Although a man of great ability and broad vision, Oliver Phelps was ahead of his time. He tried to help settlers who could not fulfill their contracts, but he was doomed to poverty and died in 1809 in debtor's prison at age 59.
Although he was a founder and large stock holder in the Hartford National Bank and Trust Co., about 1800 his financial troubles became acute because of the effect of changing money values on mortgages held on the tracts of land sold and a depressed land market. Forced to sell his Suffield home, Phelps moved to Canandaigua, N.Y., where he built a grist mill and endowed an academy. He was appointed the first judge of Ontario County and between 1803 and 1805 he served in Congress. Although a man of great ability and broad vision, Oliver Phelps was ahead of his time. He tried to help settlers who could not fulfill their contracts, but he was doomed to poverty and died in 1809 in debtor's prison at age 59.
US Congressman. He was a merchant in Massachusetts, who during the Revolutionary War was Deputy Commissary of the Colonial Army, supplying the troops and was commended by General Washington. After the war, he settled in Massachusetts, was a member of the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, a member in the Massachusetts State Senate in 1785 and a member of the Governor's council in 1786. Relocating the New York in 1787, became a land speculator in western New York State, built townships and was appointed the first judge of Ontario County. He was also founder in the Hartford National Bank and Trust Company and a financial contributor to the Hamilton Oneida Academy built in 1793.
Although he was a founder and large stock holder in the Hartford National Bank and Trust Co., about 1800 his financial troubles became acute because of the effect of changing money values on mortgages held on the tracts of land sold and a depressed land market. Forced to sell his Suffield home, Phelps moved to Canandaigua, N.Y., where he built a grist mill and endowed an academy. He was appointed the first judge of Ontario County and between 1803 and 1805 he served in Congress. Although a man of great ability and broad vision, Oliver Phelps was ahead of his time. He tried to help settlers who could not fulfill their contracts, but he was doomed to poverty and died in 1809 in debtor's prison at age 59.
Although he was a founder and large stock holder in the Hartford National Bank and Trust Co., about 1800 his financial troubles became acute because of the effect of changing money values on mortgages held on the tracts of land sold and a depressed land market. Forced to sell his Suffield home, Phelps moved to Canandaigua, N.Y., where he built a grist mill and endowed an academy. He was appointed the first judge of Ontario County and between 1803 and 1805 he served in Congress. Although a man of great ability and broad vision, Oliver Phelps was ahead of his time. He tried to help settlers who could not fulfill their contracts, but he was doomed to poverty and died in 1809 in debtor's prison at age 59.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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