The Story of the Gun and Personal Tragedies of the Colt Dynasty
By Pete Holder · Originally published November-December 2025 · pp. 29–37
of the Episcopal faith who have lived in Hartford. I have spent many hours in Sam’s library researching different projects. During this period, I was able to piece together the following story of the mysteries, scandals and personal tragedies of the Colt dynasty, including Samuel Theodore Colt. My journey led me to murder, suicide, bribery, lawsuits, a bastard child, and fatal accidents—also, five people all named Samuel Colt. This story had now become a recipe for a blockbuster movie or documentary. To understand the story, we must first research the genealogy of the Colt family. Samuel Colt’s parents were Christopher and Sarah Caldwell Colt. They had eight children. Their three daughters were Margaret Collier, born in 1806, Sarah Ann, born in 1808 and Mary Lucretia, born in 1819. Their five sons were John Caldwell born in 1810, Christopher Jr., born in 1812, Samuel, born in 1814, James Benjamin, born in 1816, and Normand Knox, born in 1821. Within 25 years of their marriage, four of Christopher and Sarah’s children were dead. Normand Knox Colt died in 1822 at age one. Margaret Collier Colt died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1825 at age 19. Mary Lucretia Colt died in 1826, age six, and Sarah Ann Colt committed suicide by taking arsenic in 1829, age 21. Also, tragically, Samuel Colt’s mother, Sarah, died from tuberculosis on June 16, 1821. Sam was just six years old. Samuel was to become the most successful sibling of Christopher and Sarah’s family. He was born on July 19, 1814 in a farmhouse at Lord’s Hill near Hartford in Connecticut. Two years after his mother died, his father married Olivia Sargeant. Sam did not get on well with his stepmother and he spent a lot of his time away from home. By the age of 15, he had lost his mother and four of his siblings. Taking everything into consideration it is not surprising that Samuel was pretty much a failure at school and in his early business life. But, saying that, he went from rags to riches, farm-boy to sailor and Dr. Colt of New York to Samuel Colt firearms inventor and manufacturer, in Hartford and London. All of this was within a relatively short period of time. He kick-started the Industrial Revolution in America, amassing the largest and richest firearms manufacturing business in the world. This was through his entrepreneurial skills, his negotiating prowess and plain hard work. Maybe also with a little bit of skulduggery along the way. He wined and dined with Kings, Queens, Czars, Emperors, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Dictators and politicians, around the world. He presented many of these personalities with his highly embellished
revolving pistols and rifles. Some people would say that many of his presentations were used to bribe important dignities, to confirm orders, contracts and to repay favors. This would gain him advantage over his competitors. He created the Colt empire, which is as famous now as it was then, in the middle of the nineteenth century. Throughout his life Sam had a tempestuous relationship with three of his surviving four brothers. James Benjamin Colt went to London sometime in 1853, to take charge of the new Colt factory. He was not a successful manager and had many disagreements with Sam. He later became an official at the Colt Plant and also dabbled in politics. Overall, he was a failure and Sam, upon his death in 1862, cut James out of his will. Christopher Colt Jr. operated a silk mill at Ware in Massachusetts. He married Theodora De Wolf and they had two children. One of them was Samuel Pomeroy Colt, who was born in 1852. Sam’s eldest brother was John Caldwell Colt, born four years prior to Sam. He was a very interesting character and is of major interest in this story. John Caldwell Colt turned out to be the black sheep of the family. He was born on March 11, 1810. He had briefly been a U.S. Marine, but was discharged due to ill health. He had been a riverboat gambler and also a museum curator. He was normally mild mannered, although sometimes erratic in his behavior. In April 1839, he opened an office in New York for his bookkeeping business. He was quite renowned and well respected in the field of accounting.
John Caldwell Colt.
John first met Caroline M. Henshaw sometime in 1840, whilst lecturing in Philadelphia. She was a beautiful 23 year old, honey-blonde girl, with striking black eyes. She was not very well educated. It is said that John taught her how to read and write. In March 1841 Sammie Colt Jr. was conceived out of wedlock. On May 11, 1841 Caroline moved to New York City, to live with John as man and wife. They lived at 42, Monroe Street, New York. On December 17, 1841, Caroline M. Henshaw gave birth to Sammie Jr., in Philadelphia. There were already strong rumors, in many circles, that the baby, affectionately called Sammie, was not the son of John Caldwell Colt, but “fathered” by his younger brother, Samuel. It was rumored that Caroline M. Henshaw, was Sam’s mistress, or even that they had married in Europe. In 1835 Sam sailed to London, to register his Paterson revolving pistol and rifle patents. It enabled him to protect and enlarge his future firearms empire. It was rumored that Sam and Caroline, met in Scotland, where they married. They were then alleged to have honeymooned in Paris, returning to America in late December 1835. This part of the story has never been substantiated. Sam is thought to have then dumped Caroline on his brother John, after she became pregnant earlier in 1841. Caroline was a beautiful woman, but in Sam’s view, did not have the breeding to fit in to Hartford society.
Caroline M. Henshaw.
John struggled to earn a living. He was writing a textbook on bookkeeping, from his rented office in New York. It was here in New York that Sam’s brother, John Colt, murdered a hot-tempered printer named Samuel Adams, on September 17, 1841. It was after an argument over a bill that Adams had given to him. John Colt killed Adams with a hatchet and put his body in a packing case. He then hired a drayman, to cart it to the schooner Kalamazoo. It was to be taken as cargo, to be sent by sea, south to New Orleans. The ship was delayed and the stench from the decomposing body, was made worse by the hot weather. The corpse was soon found. On the September 23, poor John Colt was arrested for murder. This was a great shock for the Colt family. Sam was not a wealthy man at this time. That was partly due to the demise of the ‘Patent Arms Manufacturing Company’ of Paterson, New Jersey and his failure to perfect an underwater mine for use in harbor defenses. He managed to scrape up the money for John’s defense and the trial turned out to be the newspaper sensation of the year. At John’s murder trial, Caroline M. Henshaw became an important witness for the defense. She told the court that she had met John in Philadelphia in August 1840. She then went to live with him, at No. 42, Monroe Street, New York, in January 1841. John’s defense was pretty flimsy. By the end of the trial on the September 27, 1842, he was found guilty. He was sentenced to be hanged in the courtyard of the Tombs prison in New York, on November 18, 1842. The Sheriff’s Office sent invitations to prominent people to view the execution.
John C. Colt murder trial.
During his imprisonment at Tombs prison, Samuel Colt did his best to make John as comfortable as possible. He persuaded the easily corruptible Warden, Malachi Fallon, to allow his brother to decorate his cell in “Murderers’ Row.” The cell was decorated with wallpaper, bookshelves, paintings and rugs. John wore an elegant dressing gown and smoked cigars from Havana. He ate the best food such as quail, trout, vegetables, coffee and cognac, which came from a nearby hotel. He even had a caged canary to keep him company. After losing his appeal and prior to the day of execution, John had been granted permission to delay his hanging until 4 p.m. This gave him time to “make an honest woman” of Caroline M. Henshaw by marrying her. The marriage would legitimize Sammie Jr. It was also a very convenient way and an ideal opportunity for Sam to give the baby the name of Colt and therefore quell the rumors of its paternity. The wedding was officiated by the Reverend Dr. Henry Athon, rector of St. Marks Church in-the-Bowery. The prominent witnesses included, Samuel Colt, David Graham and Justice Merritt. There was also a friend named John Howard Payne, author of “Home Sweet Home.” Robert Emmett, who had represented him, along with Dudley Seldon, who was Sam’s and John’s first cousin were also present.
and the couple were married at midday on the November 18, 1842. Afterwards Caroline spent some time alone with John, to consummate the marriage. Shortly after 2 p.m. John said his goodbyes to several of his friends and they left his cell. When the weeping Caroline left with Sam, her head was bent and her face covered by a handkerchief. Was this John Caldwell Colt escaping from custody? There was said to have been a carriage waiting outside the prison. Just before the due hour for execution, there were as many as ten thousand spectators waiting to witness the event. The sheriff and the minister, who had
Marriage record for John C. Colt and Caroline Henshaw.
Remarkably, this was the first and only wedding to take place in the Tombs prison. The minister was given $500 by Sam for Caroline’s future welfare
Execution invitation from the sheriff’s office.
Tomb’s prison fire.
married the couple earlier, entered the cell to find “John” dead with a dirk knife buried deep into his heart. At the same time, a fire started in the cupola of the prison and the whole area was evacuated. Prisoners were released from their cells to escape being burnt to death, or dying from smoke inhalation. They mingled with the thousands of people who had come to watch the hanging. This would have been an opportune time, for Caroline Henshaw Colt to have left the cell. The fire was not extinguished until after sunset. The body was buried within 24 hours. Had John Caldwell Colt cheated the gallows by committing suicide or had he escaped dressed in Caroline’s clothing? Had a body from a nearby morgue been substituted for John’s corpse? Had John C. Colt escaped in the closed carriage that had been seen next to a side door? Had Caroline left the prison during all the confusion caused by the fire? The newspapers speculated that members of the Colt family had smuggled the knife into John’s cell. It was also suggested that Sam had bribed three different warders by offering them $1,000 to let John escape,
Coroners report, State of New York.
dressed in Caroline’s clothes. These allegations were never substantiated. The warden admitted that he had been offered $500 to transfer John to another cell, with a master key. The sheriff admitted several attempts at bribing him to let the prisoner escape. He had accepted $1,000 from Sam, which he later returned. A Coroner’s Jury was hastily formed and a verdict of suicide was reached. It seems that none of the jurors knew John by sight and, therefore, could not be certain the corpse was his. The index of Coroners Reports for New York City, 1823–1842 states that “Colt, John C. – suicide by cutting throat with a knife, b. Conn., age 32.” That is another contradiction to the known facts. Many years later, Samuel M. Everett an old friend of John Caldwell Colt, was reputed to have seen John. It was whilst he was riding and looking for accommodation in the Santa Clara Valley, in Calif. He approached a large and impressive ranch at dusk and saw, a well-dressed man who he recognized as John C. Colt. The man replied that his name was Don Carlos Juan Brewster. Also, in the 1870 census for Putah Township, in the county of Yolo, close to
1870 Census for Putah Township, in the county of Yolo.
Sacramento, Calif., it shows the name John C. Colt, male, white, 60 years of age (born in 1810, the same year as John C. Colt). It shows his profession as a carpenter and place of birth being in New York. Mel Russell, from Yolo County Archives, graciously checked the Yolo County Archives for me, but could not find any other details of John Caldwell Colt, living in that part of the country. Maybe, he was just on his way through town at the time of the census. Yolo, was mainly an agricultural community in 1870 with a few saloons and a railway stop. Is the sighting and the census entry, proof of John C. Colt being alive after his so-called “suicide?” In the Baptism Record of St. Mark’s Church, New York, on January 23, 1843, baby Samuel “Sammie” Colt was christened as Samuel Caldwell Colt. Samuel Colt was present and his brother James was there as a sponsor. This was less than ten weeks after the marriage to Caroline and the “suicide” of John C. Colt. The officiating rector was Reverend Henry Anthon. He was the same minister who had married John and Caroline, on that fateful day in the city prison. It appears that Caroline Henshaw Colt, the baby’s mother, was not present at the Christening. According to Jim Rasenberger, in his excellent book, Revolver – Sam Colt and the Six-shooter That Changed America, the following is a precis of Samuel Caldwell Colt’s early life: To escape the publicity following the trial and “suicide,” Samuel arranged, through friends and contacts, to take Caroline and her young baby Sammie, out of the glare of the media coverage. They went to live in the town of Warren, Mass. In Warren, Caroline educated her son and also studied to become a schoolteacher. After Warren, he lived on a farm in Kent, Connecticut, attending school and boarding with a family named Fuller. On the farm in Kent, Sammie found his true destiny with his love for animals, that would live with him for the rest of his life. In mid-March 1853, following a period of time in London, Sam sent young Sammie (Samuel Caldwell Colt), age 11, to Brussels in Belgium. There, he was in the care of Julia Colt, who, according to Herbert G. Houze, traveled under the assumed name of Miss Julia Leicester. Julia, born in 1835, was the daughter of Roswell and Catherine Colt and Samuel’s cousin. Samuel Colt feared she might be kidnapped for ransom if she used her real name. The name of Julia Leicester has given rise over the years to innumerable stories that she was Samuel Colt’s mistress or the widow of his brother, John Caldwell Colt, or both. My research has revealed no evidence to support either of these claims, whilst there are a number of documentary inconsistencies that appear to refute them.
Young Sammie’s tutor in Brussels was named Monsieur Marzell. At this time, at the age of twelve, it was said that he was still sucking his thumb. In 1857, he moved to Berlin under the guidance of a strict Prussian, Dr. Schwartman. Actually, by this time, at the age of 15, Samuel Caldwell Colt had grown into a gentle and affectionate boy. Sam was said to have been greatly disappointed in his progress. He said that Sammie was “a poor student, undisciplined and appeared backward.” It was disingenuous for Sam to say this because he was “The pot calling the kettle black.” Throughout Sam’s life, his grasp of the English language was quite atrocious. This can be seen in numerous letters that he wrote and also in correspondence with his family and business associates. To be fair, it is not surprising that Sammie was not the perfect student. He had an unstable upbringing and had been dragged from “pillar to post” during his short lifetime. Samuel Colt met his future wife, Elizabeth Hart Jarvis, in 1851 and married her in June 1856. She was the daughter of the Reverend William Jarvis, an Episcopal Minister, and the eldest of five children. She came from an affluent and socially prominent family. This union was great for Sam, as it enhanced his social stature in Hartford society. Sam and Elizabeth lived at Armsmear, where they started a family. It turned out to be a series of tragedies. On February 24, 1857, their first child, named
Painting of Elizabeth Jarvis Colt as a young lady.
Samuel Jarvis Colt, was born. He died ten months later, on December 24, 1857. On November 24, 1858, Sam’s second child, Caldwell Hart Colt, was born. He was to be the only child of Sam and Elizabeth to live for more than ten months. In February 1860, Sam’s third child, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Jarvis Colt, was born. She died on October 17, 1860, at age seven months. On May 23, 1861, Sam’s fourth child, Henrietta Selden Colt, was born. She died on January 20, 1862, at only seven months. Her death was only ten days after the death of Samuel Colt. Later in 1862, Elizabeth gave birth to an unnamed female child that lived one day. It was rumored that Sam was suffering from syphilis that he caught while traveling through Europe prior to his marriage to Elizabeth. Sam sailed many times to London and beyond during his lifetime. If true, this disease probably contributed to the deaths of his children and also to his own early demise.
Samuel Colt’s health had been failing for many years. He had also been diagnosed with gout and inflammatory rheumatism and spent a lot of time in Canada and in Cuba convalescing from his illnesses. On January 10, 1862, Samuel Colt died at the age of 47. The funeral service took place at Armsmear on the January 14 with 1,500 workers from the Armory filing past his casket—the Armory band was in attendance. He was buried close to his home overlooking the Colt Armory. His body was later moved to the new family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery. At the funeral, the handsome 20 year old Samuel Caldwell Colt, who had returned to America in late 1857, remained in the background obscured by his Colt and Jarvis cousins.
After nine years in Europe, young Sammie arrived at the Colt mansion, Armsmear, as Samuel Caldwell Colt, Samuel Colt’s blue-eyed, long lost “nephew or son.” He was well treated by Sam, who was able to lavish his affection and attention on his “neffue” without arousing any undue attention. There he lived with Elizabeth and Sam, for several weeks. After his short stay in Hartford, Sam sent him to private school in North Andover, Massachusetts. He visited them in Armsmear on many occasions. He was forming a close and warm relationship with Elizabeth Colt. Even today, there are several photos of an elderly Samuel Caldwell Colt hanging in the halls of Armsmear.
Samuel Colt’s Will stated: “I give devise and bequeath to master Samuel Caldwell Colt, son of my late brother John Caldwell Colt an annuity of $2,000 per year until he shall arrive at the age of 21 years for his support maintenance and education, also when he shall have arrived at the age of 21 years, a legacy of five thousand dollars in gross, and five hundred shares of the stock of The Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company—also the triangular lot on the south side of Charter Oak Avenue in the South Meadow in said city of Hartford and included within Huyshope Avenue, Charter Oak Avenue, and a new street parallel with and next north of Sequassen Street & running in front of the building now used as a Tobacco Ware-house, as laid down on the aforesaid map hereunto annexed, with the building called Charter Oak Block standing thereon and also other buildings which may hereafter be erected on said lot—to have & to hold to him the said Samuel Caldwell Colt & his heirs forever.”
Samuel Colt’s estate at that time of his death was estimated to be worth $15,000,000. Samuel Caldwell Colt was a major beneficiary.
This amounted to a massive fortune in those days of 1862, equating to more than $2,000,000 in today’s money. Sam’s wife Elizabeth reputedly challenged the bequest. It is said that Sammie produced proof that Samuel Colt was his father and not his uncle.
Samuel Colt. (July 19, 1814–January 10, 1862)
Later in 1862, Samuel Caldwell Colt, age 20, returned to the Fuller’s farm in Kent. There, he continued his love of farming. In December 1863, Samuel Caldwell Colt married 16 year-old Mary Malvina Goodwin. Elizabeth Colt hosted the wedding at Armsmear. Samuel Caldwell Colt worked at the Colt Armory for several years, before reverting to his main love of farming. He was also a director of Colt’s Patent Manufacturing Company, from 1866 to 1901. As he grew older, Elizabeth treated him as more of a son than her own child Caldwell. Caldwell was always busy chasing women, racing his
give him no pecuniary legacy in and by this will.—I give to Mrs Mary Colt, the wife of Samuel C. Colt, the sum of $10,000.—In case said Mary Colt shall not survive me, but shall leave a child or children surviving me, then I give said sum of $10,000 to her said children so surviving me, to be equally divided among them, if more than one.” It was not a big inheritance for the closest family member to her. Maybe Elizabeth felt that Samuel Caldwell Colt had inherited enough from her husband when he died in 1862.
Samuel Caldwell Colt. (1841–1915)
Sammie and Mary celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1913. Samuel Caldwell Colt died in 1915 after several month’s illness. In all, Samuel Caldwell and Mary had six children. The couple’s first child, who is the subject of this article, was Samuel Theodore Colt. He was born at the James B. Colt family mansion in Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford on September 27, 1864. At this time, the Civil War was reaching its climax. His family, moved to Farmington when he was age four. He lived there all of his life. He attended Hartford High School. He started work at the Colt Armory as a machinist on March 1, 1882, at the age of 18. He was a keen and active sportsman and loved shooting and fishing. He took part in many local shooting competitions. He is known to have owned other firearms including a
schooner Dauntless and enjoying a playboy existence. Caldwell Colt died mysteriously in 1894 at age 35, in Punta Gorda, Florida. He was said to have died from a heart attack or had been shot and killed by a jealous husband who found him in bed with his wife. The official cause of death was stated to be from tonsillitis. It is now accepted that he probably fell off a boat whilst hosting a wild party and drowned. Later in his life Samuel Caldwell Colt owned a stock farm in Farmington and became a gentleman farmer. He was one of the first people to bring blooded Jersey cattle to America. They were exhibited all over the country and were awarded many prizes. He was a representative from Farmington in 1886. He received many shares in the Colt company in 1894, after the death of Caldwell Colt. Elizabeth H. Colt, Sam’s wife died on August 23, 1905. In her last will and testament it stated: “I give to my nephew, Samuel C. Colt, now residing at Farmington, the portraits of his grandfather and grandmother and the portrait of Mrs Dudley Selden, his great aunt, and also the pastel portrait of himself which he gave me (all of these portraits are now in my billiard room), and also the oil portraits of my husband painted with fur-trimmed overcoat.—In case my said nephew should not survive me, then I give said portraits to his wife, Mrs Mary Colt.— Having made a gift to my said nephew recently, I
Image of older Samuel Caldwell Colt.
Colt Family Chronology 1806 1808 1810 1812 1814 1816 1819 1821 1821 1822 1825 1826 1829 1839 1840 1841 1841 1841 1841 1841 1842 1842 1842 1843 1850 1852 1853
Sam’s parents Christopher Colt 1780–1850, and Sarah Caldwell Colt, 1781–1821, had three daughters and five sons. April 1 February 22
Margaret Collier Colt is born. First child. Sarah Ann Colt is born. Second child.
July 19
Samuel Colt is born. Fifth child.
March 11 May 26
October 16 June 30 May 5 June 16 May 3 July 8
March 17 March 26 April June
March
May 11 September 17 September 23 December 17 January 19 September 27 November 18 January 23 April 5
January 10
1855 1857
May 29 February 24
1858 1860
November 24 February
1857
1860 1861 1862 1862 1862 1863 1864 1878 1882 1891
December 24
October 17 May 23 January 10 January 20
July 25 December 16
September 27 October 28 March 1
1894 1902
January 21 September 24
1915 1921
July 16 August 13
1905
1931 1995
August 23
December 18 January 27
John Caldwell Colt is born. Third child. Christopher Jr. is born. Fourth child.
James Benjamin Colt is born. Sixth child. Mary Lucretia Colt. Seventh child.
Normand Knox Colt is born. Eighth child. Sarah Colt (Sam’s mother) at age 40, dies from tuberculosis.
Normand Knox Colt dies. Sam’s sister Margaret Collier Colt dies of consumption (tuberculosis), age 19. Mary Lucretia Colt dies at age six. Sam’s sister Sarah Ann Colt committed suicide by taking arsenic at age 21.
John Caldwell Colt opens office in New York for his book keeping business. John meets Caroline M. Henshaw in Philadelphia. He teaches her to read and write.
Samuel Caldwell Colt is conceived. Who is the father? John Caldwell Colt or Samuel Colt. Caroline moves to New York to live with John as man and wife at 42 Monroe Street. John Caldwell Colt murders Samuel Adams.
John Caldwell Colt is arrested for murder. Samuel C. Colt is born to Caroline Henshaw. Who is the father? John C. Colt or Samuel Colt? The trial of John Caldwell Colt begins. Caroline M. Henshaw is an important witness. John Caldwell found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to hang on November 18.
John C. Colt marries Caroline Henshaw, commits “suicide” or absconds from Tombs Prison. Samuel Colt registers Caroline Colt’s son, as Samuel Caldwell Colt. Where was Caroline? Christopher Colt, Sam’s father dies at age 69.
Samuel Pomeroy Colt is born. He is the son of Samuel Colt’s brother Christopher Jr. Sam sends young Sammie (Samuel Caldwell Colt), age 11, to Brussels, Belgium. Sam’s half-brother Christopher Colt Jr. dies at age 43. Sam’s first child with Elizabeth, named Samuel Jarvis Colt, is born. Samuel Jarvis Colt dies at ten months.
Sam’s second child with Elizabeth, Caldwell Colt is born. The only child to live more than ten months. Sam’s third child with Elizabeth. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Jarvis Colt, is born. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Jarvis Colt dies at eight months. Sam’s fourth child with Elizabeth, Henrietta Selden Colt was born. Samuel Colt dies at age 47. Samuel C. Colt was a major beneficiary in his will. Henrietta Selden Colt dies at seven months. Ten days after Sam died.
Sam’s fifth child with Elizabeth gives birth to a unnamed female child that lived one day. Samuel Caldwell Colt marries Mary Malvina Goodwin at Armsmear. Samuel Theodore Colt is born to Samuel Caldwell and Mary Colt. Sam’s brother, James Benjamin Colt dies.
Samuel Theodore Colt starts work, as a machinist, at the Colt Armory, at age 18. Samuel Theodore Colt moved to the inspection department, later to the position of final inspector. Caldwell Hart Colt, at age 35, dies mysteriously in Punta Gorda, Florida. Colt New Service Target revolver s/n 7511 shipped to S.T. Colt at the Armory. Sam’s wife, Elizabeth Hart Colt dies.
Samuel Caldwell Colt dies at age 73. Samuel Pomeroy Colt dies at age 69.
Samuel Theodore Colt tragically dies from a road accident, sustained the day before. Harold G. Colt dies. He was the last surviving direct descendant of Samuel Colt.
Colt Model 1883 double barrel 12 gauge hammerless shotgun #169 in 1905. It appears that he was not the greatest shot in the world, but a good average. In February 1920, Samuel Theodore Colt (S.T. Colt) was sued by a Mrs. Dilworth for $20,000 damages. This was for injuries sustained after getting off a New Britain trolley car and then, whilst on a crosswalk, being hit by S.T. Colt who was riding a motorcycle. She suffered numerous injuries. S.T. Colt denied any negligence, but a settlement of $2,000 was agreed by the court, headed by Judge Maitbie. The suit was then withdrawn.
Colt. He told them in an interview that he was the great-grandson, and last surviving direct descendant of Samuel Colt. Harold G. Colt died in 1995. The end of the Colt Dynasty. In 50 years (1814–1864), there were five family members from the Colt dynasty named Samuel Colt: •
Samuel Colt (1814–1862). The most famous and wealthiest inventor in the United States.
•
Samuel Caldwell Colt (1841–1915). Son or nephew by Caroline M. Henshaw Colt.
Samuel Theodore Colt worked at Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company for nearly fifty years. He spent many years working as a machinist through to 1890 and in the inspection and final inspection department from 1891. The Colt factory was planning to celebrate Samuel Theodore Colt’s fiftieth anniversary on March 1, 1932. The anniversary was only ten weeks away when tragedy struck.
•
Samuel Pomeroy Colt (1852–1921). Sam’s brother Christopher’s son.
•
Samuel Jarvis Colt (1857–1857). Samuel Colt’s first son with Elizabeth.
•
Samuel Theodore Colt (1864–1931). Our subject. The son of Samuel Caldwell Colt.
Samuel Theodore Colt was critically injured on the evening of Thursday, December 17, 1931. He was on his way home from the Colt Plant to 17, Vandyke Avenue in Farmington. Samuel was struck from the rear and thrown from his bicycle in a collision with an automobile. He was reported to have a fractured skull, a crushed leg and, possibly, internal injuries. The driver, who was a friend of Samuel’s, was arrested and bailed on a bond of $3,500. He was charged with reckless driving. Samuel had used a bicycle for years on his way to work at the Colt Plant. He would ride two miles from his home to Elmwood, leave it there, and then take a trolley to the city. Samuel Theodore Colt died from his injuries in the early hours of December 18 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. He was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery less than twenty yards from his great uncle or “grandfather,” Samuel Colt. He was 67 years, two months and 21 days old. Samuel Theodore Colt had never married. He was survived by two brothers and three sisters.
Acknowledgments:
In 1987, The Hartford Courant newspaper published a profile of Harold G. Colt, (Samuel Theodore Colt’s nephew) the grandson of Samuel Caldwell
Jim Rasenberger. Revolver – Sam Colt and the Six-shooter that Changed America. Herbert G. Houze. Samuel Colt: Arms, Art and Invention (2006) Kenneth A. Buckbee, Archivist, Torrington, Connecticut. Ellsworth S. Grant. The Colt Armory a History of Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Inc. Kathleen J. Hoyt, Historian, Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Inc. Beverly Jean Haynes, Historian, Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Inc. Dean Nelson, Connecticut State Library. Mel Russell, Yolo County Archives. Richard Austin, Archivist, New York. David Collier, collector of Colt firearms.
Pete Holder is a life member of the Colt Collectors Association. He was born in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom in 1945. He is a former member of the world-famous British 1960s pop group, “The Tornados.” In 1976, he established “Pete Holder Antique American Firearms,” specializing particularly in the research and sale of Colt’s and Winchesters from 1830 to 1939. He has written many published articles, advised museums and auction houses and appeared on related television shows. Many of the antique guns that have passed through his hands are featured in the well known
Colt reference books of today. For almost fifty years, Pete has gained a world-wide reputation, based on his knowledge and expertise in antique firearms.
Photographs from the Original Article
Captions and credits appear in the article text as originally printed.