Joe
.. Ive never found much evidence to suggest Olive Oil was used much in the US for lamp fuel. Since it would have been an import it probably would have been more expensive here than Whale oil. If memory serves correctly it also has a much higher burning temperature, so not sure how well it would have worked in the usual array of lamps available here. Whale oil was the favorite by far when and if it could be obtained. Clean burning and around three times brighter than an average candle. Once whale oil supply waned the kerosene quickly replaced it as the economic alternate and favorite. Of course those in rural and southern states had to find local alternates. Lard fuel lamps didnt burn all that great but it was an abundant and readily available material for most.