10 Facts About Andrew Oliver

1.

Andrew Oliver was a merchant and public official in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.

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2.

Andrew Oliver's father, Daniel Oliver, was a wealthy and politically active merchant, and his mother, Elizabeth Belcher Oliver, was the sister of Jonathan Belcher, son of another wealthy merchant and governor of the province in the 1730s.

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3.

Andrew Oliver then entered the family business, setting up a merchant business with his brother Peter that concentrated on wine and textiles.

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4.

In 1737 Andrew Oliver entered politics, winning election as Boston's town auditor.

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5.

Andrew Oliver held many other local offices, and became a leader of the Hutchinson-Oliver faction, which dominated politics in colonial Massachusetts.

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6.

Andrew Oliver was elected to the provincial assembly in 1742, and in 1755 was appointed provincial secretary by Acting Governor Spencer Phips.

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7.

In 1765, Andrew Oliver was commissioned to administer the unpopular Stamp Act in Massachusetts.

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8.

Andrew Oliver was privately against the act, but told people he was in favor of it, leading colonists to rise against him.

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9.

Andrew Oliver was commissioned lieutenant governor of the colony when his brother-in-law Thomas Hutchinson became governor in 1771.

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10.

Andrew Oliver's death was greeted with glee by the Sons of Liberty, and his burial was marred by acts of protest and violence.

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