 Shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War, Oliver Filley Sr. purchased land and a house in Wintonbury.He died at the age of 39 in 1796, leaving a part of the family farm to his 12-year-old son Oliver Jr. Filley received only nine acres () at the time of his father's death, but would add to his holdings, and eventually built up the farm to include the original holdings.He started a tinsmith business in 1806, a year after marrying Annis Humphrey from nearby Simsbury.