Andrew Oliver

Object Details

Exhibition Label: Although Andrew Oliver, a Massachusetts colonial officeholder of nearly thirty years' standing, regarded the Stamp Act as a "public Misfortune," he agreed to accept the office of collector of stamps. After a mob swarmed over his garden, violated his house, and threatened his life, Oliver gave the impression that he would resign his post. When he did not, his effigy was hung from the Liberty Tree, the site of patriotic protest. While standing under the tree in the rain, Oliver was forced to swear that he would take no measures for enforcing an act "which is so grievous to the People."
Provenance: (Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York); purchased 1978 NPG; Provenance compiled by Hirschl & Adler: Andrew Oliver, the sitter; his son Andrew Oliver, Jr.; his son B. Lynde Oliver, Salem; his nephew B. Lynde Oliver; purchased 1844 by a nephew Fitz-Edward Oliver;his sister Sarah Pynchon Oliver; purchased by her nephew Andrew Oliver; William H.P. Oliver, Morristown, N.J.; his three sons Peter, Seabury and Andrew Oliver; Seabury Oliver, great-great-great grandson of sitter.

Credit Line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women's Committee Frame conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women's Committee

c. 1758

National Portrait Gallery

Topic: Miniature; Andrew Oliver: Male; Andrew Oliver: Politics and Government\Statesman\Colonial Statesman; Andrew Oliver: Politics and Government\Lieutenant Governor\Massachusetts; Andrew Oliver: Politics and Government\Loyalist; Portrait