Rev Thomas OLNEY, Jr.

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He came from England with his parents when a small child, and quite early in life became a leading spirit in the Rhode Island Colony, and was constantly engaged to the time of his death in public affairs.

He was chosen Assistant during the years 1669, '70, '77 to '79. For thirty years he was a member of the Town Council, and frequently we find his name among the members of the Colonial Assembly. His signature occurs though a long term of years as Town Clerk. he was ordained a minister in 1668, and succeeded the Rev. Gregory Dexter as pastor to the First Baptist Church, serving until about the years 1710 to 1715.

He was an earnest opponent to George Fox, a leading Quaker, who came from England and resided some years in the Colony. He very severely criticised his methods and teachings in a document entitle "Ambition Anatomized," the original of which may be seen at the R.I. Historical Society. His home was near where the works of the American Screw Co. are now located at the North End, at the foot of Stampers Hill. He was an owner of a very large tract of land known as the Wenscot Farm, lying in those parts of Providence, now forming a portion of North Providence and Lincoln, considerable of which still remains in the possession of his descendants.

Thomas married Elizabeth MARSH on 3 Jul 1660. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William OLNEY was born on 25 Jun 1663 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island; died in 1750/51.
2. Elizabeth OLNEY was born on 31 Jan 1666/67 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island; died on 02 Nov 1699 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.
3. Anne OLNEY was born on 13 Jan 1668; died in 1745 in Warwick, Rhode Island.

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Thomas Olney, the ancestor of the Olneys in America, had his birthplace in the city of Hertford, Hertfordshire, England; which city formed a part of the Parish of St. Albans, the seat of one of the most ancient monasteries, and long celebrated in English history as the center of spiritual influence. Of his early life we know nothing. he received a "Permit to emigrate to New England," April 2, 1635, and came to Salem, Mass., by the ship Planter. He was appointed a surveyor in january, 1636, and granted forty acres of land at Jeffrey Creek, now known as Manchester, near Salem. He was made a freeman the same year, and early associated with those who accepted the peculiar views of Roger Williams. With a number of others he was excluded from the colony, March 12, 1638. Previous to this, however, in company with Williams, he visited Narragansett Bay while seeking some place where they might live outside the jurisdiction of Massachusetts Colony, and had decided upon the west side of the Seekonk River. Accordingly, with eleven others, they formed a new settlement at the head of the bay which they named Providence, in grateful remembrance of their deliverance from their enemies. They thus became the "Original Thirteen Proprietors of Providence," having purchased their rights from the Indians. In July, 1639, he and his wife and their companions were excluded from the church at Salem, "because they wholly refused to hear the church, denying it, and were re-baptized."

His prominence in the Colony is shown by the various duties he was called to perform.
In 1638 he was chosen the first Treasurer.
In 1647 he was chosen commissioner to form a Town Government.
In 1648 he was chosen assistant for Providence, and held the office almost continuously until 1663.
In 1655, with Roger Williams and Thomas Harris, he was chosen a judge of the Justices Court.
In 1656, he was chosen to treat with Massachusetts Bay about the Pawtuxet lands.
In 1663 his name appears among the grantees of the Royal Charter of Charles II.
In the same year he was chosen an assistant under the new Charter.

He was one of the founders of the First Baptist Church in Providence, and at one time the acting pastor or minister. He was the leader in a schism in the church upon the question of the "laying on of hands," about 1652-4.

He was evidently a man of stern and decided opinions, who did not hesitate to advance his views among his neighbors. Of him, in his occupation as surveyor, it is said," as he entered upon the surrounding lands with his field book, chain and compass, and mystic words, with the peculiar dignity of official characters of that day, he may well have inspired the Indians with profound awe, and led them to feel that no Indian could henceforth dwell upon that part of their tribal property again."

Thomas married Marie SMALL in 1631. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]