Olcott moved to Norwich, Province of New Hampshire, in the early 1770s and served in numerous local offices, including Overseer of the Poor, Justice of the Peace and County Judge.

He served as Sequestration Commissioner for Tory Property in 1777 and was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives in 1778.

He was a colonel in the Vermont militia, and his regiment took part in the Battles of Bennington and Saratoga.

[6][7] Olcott died in Hanover, Grafton County, New Hampshire, on September 12, 1808 (age 75 years, 140 days).

[8] He is interred at Meeting House Hill Cemetery, Norwich, Windsor County, Vermont.