Andrew Oliver (1731–1799)

Andrew Oliver (1731–1799) was a prominent Massachusetts merchant, lawyer, and political figure, best known for his Loyalist sympathies during the American Revolution. He was the son of Lieutenant Governor Andrew Oliver (1706-1774) and grandson of Secretary of the Province Daniel Oliver.

Oliver graduated from Harvard College in 1749 and initially pursued a career in law and commerce, amassing a considerable fortune. He served in various public offices, including as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas.

His Loyalist views, particularly his opposition to colonial resistance against British policies, made him increasingly unpopular as tensions escalated. Oliver was appointed as Stamp Distributor for Massachusetts in 1765, a position which brought him significant public resentment. The Stamp Act, which required colonists to purchase stamps for various documents and printed materials, was widely opposed, and Oliver became a symbol of British oppression.

Popular outrage culminated in the ransacking of his home and the burning of his effigy in August 1765. Facing intense pressure and threats to his personal safety, Oliver publicly resigned from his position as Stamp Distributor.

Despite his resignation, suspicion and animosity toward Oliver persisted. He was later investigated by a committee of correspondence for his perceived Loyalist activities and suspected correspondence with British officials. While never formally charged with any crime, his reputation was permanently damaged.

With the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Oliver remained in Massachusetts, though he no longer held any significant public office. After the war, his property was confiscated, and he eventually relocated to New Brunswick, Canada, where he died in 1799. His experiences highlight the challenges and consequences faced by Loyalists during the American Revolution.