By gaining some insight into the kind of person Erastus was, it confirmed some of the things I previously sensed about Daniel. I sat with Erastus' will for a while, scrutinizing it, making connections, and allowing both my common-sense and intuition to free-flow. What happened next is that an interesting individual, and view of the home, started to emerge.
It also showed me that Daniel Otis lived a particularly comfortable life, and probably didn't want for very much—at least not physically. In his photograph, he looks very healthy and well-taken care of. As the following information will show, it seems as if Daniel grew up in a home that valued knowledge and freedom of choice.
On this page, are a few key pieces of information that I found of interest in Erastus Otis' will, and then some.
Sections On This Page: (scroll down to see each particular section)
> Life in Wilbraham
> Farmer and Stonecutter
> Justice of the Peace
> Methodist Faith
> Personal Library
> Married at South Congregational Church
> Fine Things
> Sentimental?
> Other Household Items of Comfort
> The Drink (this section discusses why I believe Erastus' death may have been alcohol-related, and shows a copy of his official death record).
Life in Wilbraham
Erastus Selden Otis was born Friday, March 4, 1814 in Wilbraham (Hampden County) Massachusetts to Stephen Otis, Jr. and Betsey Weidger Daniels. Erastus’s family also had roots in Lyme (New London County), Connecticut. Erastus' great-grandfather, Robert Otis, settled in Lyme from Dublin, Ireland. Erastus' grandfather, Stephen Otis Sr., lived and died in Lyme, CT, and his father, Stephen Otis Jr. was born there and lived there for a time as well.
For some reason, I have always suspected that Erastus did not grow up within a rural farming family in Massachusetts, and the book, "A Genealogical and Historical Memoir of the Otis Family in America,” by William Augustus Otis confirmed my feelings, where it says about Stephen Otis Jr. that: “for several years he was a professor at Wilbraham Academy,” [originally "Wesleyan Academy"] and that he “was also a Methodist Minister at Stockbridge, Mass.”
The 1830 Massachusetts Census Report lists 16 year-old Erastus Otis as “Head of Families.” No doubt, Erastus filled the "Head of Families" status because his father was killed four years previously, in 1826, by a falling tree that he was chopping down.
When Erastus met his future wife, Elizabeth Mary Young, she was living in the relativity isolated farming community of Maromas, Middletown, Connecticut. Back then, folks didn’t just randomly meet at the local “feed-and-seed,” and start dating. Instead, they were introduced, or fixed-up—usually at church, or through a web of family connections. So, I believe that Erastus most-likely met Elizabeth through his relatives that lived in the same general area as she did—family that was related to his father Stephen Otis, Jr. (see Stephen's genealogy, here). After all, census reports and cemetery records prove that Otis family members did indeed live in the same general area as Elizabeth M. Young—living anywhere from 8 miles to 27 miles from her home in Maromas.
According to the Town Marriage Records for Middletown, Connecticut, Erastus S. Otis married Elizabeth M. Young on September 16, 1835. They were married by Reverend Robert McEwen of the South Congregational Church in Middletown, Connecticut, when he was 21 and she was 18.
Farmer and Stonecutter
Erastus was not only a farmer, but also a stonecutter by trade. The Otis Family farm in Maromas, Middletown, Connecticut, consisted of 19 ½ acres. They had a few farm animals for milk and meat (“1 cow, 1 calf, 2 goats, and 11 milk pans”), grains were probably raised (the will of Erastus lists tools and implements that point to this), preserves were canned, cider was made (most definitely hard cider-making, which has deep historic roots in New England). The will lists “7 cider barrels, 12 dry casks, and an apple pairing machine.” This means there was probably some type of apple orchard on the land as well. They also kept bees (“1 hive of bees and 4 hives”) for the honey and beeswax, which comes in handy around the home and farm.
As a stonecutter, Erastus would have processed or shaped crude and rough pieces of stone into desirable shapes, sizes, and patterns for the purpose of building and creating structures. Stonecutters would build stone walls, floors, interiors and exteriors of private homes, buildings, and other structures—such as stone arches, steps, sills, hearths or piers.
Make no mistake, as a stonecutter, Erastus was a highly-skilled craftsman and should not be confused with a quarryman, which was a relatively low-skill occupation that many Irish immigrants worked at. In fact, the draft record of his son, Robert S. Otis, distinguishes between the two trades: as a profession, Robert Otis was listed as a stonecutter, while several immigrant men on the list had the occupation as quarryman.
In the Account Book of William Young (Erastus’ father-in-law), Erastus was paid $7.50 for “casting stone,” after the death of William. I believe this was for the casting of William’s gravestone. Both William and his wife Elizabeth have matching weeping willow style gravestones, therefore, it's possible that Erastus may have designed and cast them both.
I wonder if there are any other gravestones in Maromas Cemetery that artisan stonecutter, Erastus S. Otis, perhaps designed and cast? If a person has such a skill, as Erastus had, why would they not want to utilize it in behalf of those they love and care about, especially as a final tribute in the form of a beautifully designed and cast gravestone. Right?
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| antique auger |
Erastus was probably very artistic and had an eye for beautiful things (which was something I previously sensed about his young son, Daniel). I bet he created many aesthetically-pleasing pieces, both commercially, and for his own home.
Erastus also had a “business wagon,” so this tells me that he put all those tools to good use! Perhaps he was employed at the Whitmore or Scoville Quarries in Maromas, and also worked for himself part of the time.
Just a note about the Maromas granite quarries: beginning in 1820, the quarries provided another means of employment in Maromas. In fact, many of the men from Maromas, who enlisted in the Civil War, worked as "quarrymen." The granite from Maromas was of rough quality and laced with iron, therefore it was mostly used for foundations, bridges, and monuments. All the work in the quarries was done by hand, until the opening of "Quarry D" in 1885.
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| 1880, Shaler and Hall Brownstone Quarry, Portland, CT. Portland is the town next to Middletown. This is what a Maromas quarry would have looked like. Image: J. Russell Ward |
"Great yokes of oxen hauled the stone to the docks, by means of the old two-wheeled quarry carts, from the axle of which the stone hung suspended." (Sketch of Maromas, by historian, Jessie M. Alsop, 1937).
This is exactly how stonecutter, Erastus Otis, and the quarrymen, would have worked. In 1905, after Erastus was long-gone, quarrying abruptly stopped. This is the same year that concrete became widely used.
Justice of the Peace
The 1847 "The Connecticut Register of Public Officers and Institutions," by Charles W. Bradley, Jr. list Erastus S. Otis as a "Justice of the Peace" for the town of Middletown. That name is not a "John Smith" type of name and is unique enough that there is only one Erastus S. Otis of Middletown. I cannot find Erastus listed as a Justice of the Peace for any other year but 1847, which is the same year his third child, Daniel H. Otis was born.
According the The Free Dictionary, "a Justice of the Peace is a judicial officer of a lower court, elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace, and whose duties may include hearing cases that involve civil controversies, conserving the peace, performing judicial acts, hearing minor criminal complaints, and committing offenders."
Derelicts and citizens of low-standing do not get appointments as a Justice of the Peace, therefore, Erastus Otis must have been an exemplary individual and a respectable citizen to receive this commission!
Screen shot of pages 151 and 152 from the 1847 book, "The Connecticut Register of Public Officers and Institutions." Erastus S. Otis, Justice of the Peace for Middletown, CT; highlighted in yellow.
Methodist Faith
Erastus Otis' father, Stephen Otis, Jr., was a Methodist Minister in Massachusetts, as was his great-uncle, who also went by the name Erastus Otis—he being a Minister of the Methodist New England Conference. In fact, Reverend Erastus Otis (the great-uncle) was one of the pioneers of Methodism in New England! Also Erastus Otis' second wife, Amanda M. Chapman Otis, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Kirkland District of Westbrook (her home town), for over sixty-years.
Erastus Otis' father, Stephen Otis, Jr., was a Methodist Minister in Massachusetts, as was his great-uncle, who also went by the name Erastus Otis—he being a Minister of the Methodist New England Conference. In fact, Reverend Erastus Otis (the great-uncle) was one of the pioneers of Methodism in New England! Also Erastus Otis' second wife, Amanda M. Chapman Otis, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Kirkland District of Westbrook (her home town), for over sixty-years.
Since his father and great-uncle were Methodist, does this mean that Erastus embraced the same faith?
Yes. I believe it most certainly does.
Based on my research, I believe the Erastus Otis family were of the Methodist faith. Erastus' son William Y. Otis was a member of the Methodist Church (per his obituary), and Erastus' grandson, Frank Morgan Otis, Sr. was Methodist (Frank was the son of George Otis, who was Erastus' youngest child). No doubt, Daniel Otis was raised as a Methodist.
Currently, I have not been able to find out exactly which church the “Erastus Otis Family” were members of. I have searched the “Connecticut Church Records Abstracts, 1630-1920” for Middletown and surrounding towns, and there are a number of people with the surname of “Otis” listed, but no individuals from the Erastus Otis Family.
There are a three Methodist congregations in the area that the Erastus Otis Family may have worshipped at. There is a Methodist congregation in Middletown that was founded in 1791 (currently the First United Methodist Church of Middletown). Their website says that it was legendary preacher and circuit rider Jesse Lee that inaugurated a Methodist Circuit in 1791, which included “the town of Middletown, on the Connecticut River half way between Hartford and New Haven. By 1804, our town [Middletown] had become the center of the Circuit and had received its first settled pastor, the Rev. Ebenezer Washburn. In 1816, the Methodists established a separate Charge here, further strengthened in 1831 through its association with Wesleyan University.”
Or the Erastus Otis Family may have attended a Methodist Church in Higganum, which borders Maromas. Higganum is a village in the town of Haddam. There was a Methodist congregation that met at the old red schoolhouse in Higganum from 1834 until it burned down in 1857. After that, the parishioners met in private homes until a new church was built in 1862 on Saybrook Road (church still stands and is the "Higganum United Methodist Church").
Lastly, there is a chance the Otis Family could have attended the Methodist church further down the road in Haddam on Walkley Hill Road. That church was built in 1837, but no longer stands. However, this was the furthest church from their home in Maromas, so it doesn’t make sense they would have traveled to this church when two others were closer.
If I was a betting gal, I'd place my bets that the Erastus Otis family was attached to the "Higganum United Methodist Church," which is the Methodist congregation that eventually built the church on Saybrook Road in 1862. Alven Bailey (Erastus' first wife's, uncle) was a key member of that congregation, as was Erastus' friend and fellow stonecutter, Edwin Scovill.
I have reached out to the Higganum United Methodist Church to see if the Otis’ were members there, but the folks in charge of the church's records were not motivated to look through their archives for me, so they didn't.
As a life-long lover of books and reading, I have an extensive library on various subjects that are important to me. If you knew nothing about me, and wanted to know what “made me tick,” I’d suggest you look at what I read. I have always said, “Show me what you read, and I will tell you who you are.”
As I went over Erastus’ will, I noticed several books that were among the items. I took a closer look at these titles and the authors who wrote them, to gain some insight. It’s interesting that many of the authors of these books were characters in their own right! I really enjoyed researching these books, and even learned some new things too.
Books in the Personal Library of Erastus S. Otis:
>History of Revolutionary in Europe
>Riches of Bunyan (by John Bunyan, 1850)
>History of the Great Reformation
>Lorenzo Dow’s Complete Works
>Jewels for the Household (Selections of Thought and Anecdote, For Family Reading. By Tryon Edwards. Published by Hartford, CT: Case, Lockwood & Co.)
>Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
>Webster’s Dictionary
>History of the World (Two Volumes) (by Samuel Maunder, 1859)
>Three books Evans, Works by Ingraham (These are books by Rev. Joseph Holt Ingraham. The publisher is Evans)
>Comic Lectures
>Erastus also had one lot of books, and one lot of old books
Let's go over Erastus' list of books, shall we?
>History of Revolutionary in Europe
>Riches of Bunyan (by John Bunyan, 1850)
>History of the Great Reformation
>Lorenzo Dow’s Complete Works
>Jewels for the Household (Selections of Thought and Anecdote, For Family Reading. By Tryon Edwards. Published by Hartford, CT: Case, Lockwood & Co.)
>Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
>Webster’s Dictionary
>History of the World (Two Volumes) (by Samuel Maunder, 1859)
>Three books Evans, Works by Ingraham (These are books by Rev. Joseph Holt Ingraham. The publisher is Evans)
>Comic Lectures
>Erastus also had one lot of books, and one lot of old books
Let's go over Erastus' list of books, shall we?
History of Revolutionary in Europe
Back in the day, Europe always seemed to be in a state of revolution, so I’m not sure if this book refers to the Revolutions of 1848, which was the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history or yet another revolution. The Revolution of 1848 was a series of republican revolts against European monarchies. All the revolts ended in failure and repression, and were followed by widespread disillusionment among liberals.
Riches of Bunyan
This book is a collection of John Bunyan’s various works. Bunyan (17th century) was an English Puritan preacher who wrote the Christian allegory “The Pilgrim’s Progress," which at one time was second only to the Bible in popularity. He also wrote nearly sixty other titles. He was part of a non-conformist group in Bedford and became a preacher. After the restoration of the monarch, when the freedom of non-conformists was curtailed, he was arrested and spent the next 12-years in jail because he refused to give up preaching.
History of the Great Reformation
The Reformation was a 16th century European religious and political challenge to the Roman Catholic Church, and papal authority in particular.
Lorenzo Dow’s Complete Works
Lorenzo Dow (died 1834) was an eccentric traveling Connecticut-born evangelist. At one time, his autobiography was the second best-selling book in the United States, exceeded only by the Bible.
Everywhere he went, he attracted great crowds. Because he was not welcome in the churches, he preached anywhere and everywhere—in town halls, farmers' barns, and even in open fields. He would preach anyplace where he could assemble a crowd. Among the conservative church goers of the time, Dow’s public speaking mannerisms were like nothing they have ever seen before—he shouted, cried, and begged; he even flattered and insulted, but most of all he challenged people and their beliefs. He also told stories and made jokes.
From Wikipedia page on Dow:
“Throughout most of his life, what little money he ever collected was either given away to the poor or used to purchase Bibles. In his later years, he did accumulate a bit of money from the sales of his autobiography and religious writings. His singularities of manner and of dress excited prejudices against him, and counteracted the effect of his eloquence. Nevertheless, he is said to have preached to more persons than any man of his time.”
Jewels for the Household
This is a fascinating little book. I have an 1852 copy that is in marvelous condition and has been fun to read. This is what the preface says about the book:
"There has long been a want, in the wide range of modern literature, of a proper volume for FAMILY READING: a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms; a book that shall be always at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for every-day use and reference, and that shall always be suggesting to the members of the household, the richest lessons of thought and sentiment, of truth and duty.
This want, the editor of the present volume has endeavored to supply. He has carefully selected out and brought together, from the wide field of English literature, the most valuable and striking thoughts of the ablest and best writers, in prose and poetry, on almost every subject of interest and importance, such as morals, religion, education, the family, etc., etc., etc.”
Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
This was probably a set of several books, as most encyclopedias were. I am not sure of the specifics of this set, but it’s obvious Erastus valued learning and knowledge and wanted to be well-informed on his subject of interest.
Webster’s Dictionary
Who doesn’t want to be a good speller? Nobody wants to misspell porcupine as porkeypine! Hence, a dictionary always comes in handy.
History of the World (Two Volumes)
This is the most expensive book in Erastus Otis' collection. It comprises a general history, both ancient and modern, of all the principal nations of the globe, their rise, progress, and present condition.
Three books Evans, Works by Ingraham
These are books by Rev. Joseph Holt Ingraham. The publisher is Evans.
Joseph Holt Ingraham was born in Maine in 1809. By 1835, he was a professor at Jefferson College in Mississippi when he began writing his “bloodcurdling tales.” Many of his novels appeared only in the weekly story papers. His son, Prentiss, also edited and revised a number of them for Beadle (which was a publisher of inexpensive, short, paperback novels—called “Dime Novels.”). Ingraham used a number of colorful pen-names for himself: “Adina,” “A Yankee,” “Kate Conyngham,” “F. Clinton Barrington,” and “Greenliffe Warren.”
By 1849 Ingraham began to study theology. In 1851 he became a deacon at a church in Natchez. Of him was said, “We are glad to perceive that Mr. J. H. Ingraham, author of "The Southwest, by a Yankee," "Burton; or, The Sieges," and a large number of the vilest yellow-covered novels ever printed in this country, has been admitted to the deaconate in the Episcopal church at Natchez.”
The next year, he was ordained as an Episcopal priest at another church in Natchez. By 1858, he got the itch to write again and produced what his son Prentiss called "Dime Novels of the Bible.” These “Bible novels” are probably the books Erastus Otis had in his collection and not Ingraham’s “vile yellow-colored novels.” That description gave me a chuckle.
Some of these Bible novel titles included: “The Prince of the House of David" (1855), "The Pillar of Fire" (1859), and "The Throne of David" (1860). The first book was esteemed as much as the Bible was by those who regarded novel reading a sin! Well, it looks like Erastus Otis was not one of those folks, because look at what else was in his library below!
Comic Lectures
Even though "Comic Lectures" is a very generic description of a book, it still tells me a lot! Certainly they were meant to entertain and elicit some laughter. Perhaps these comic lectures in Erastus' personal library were the “Dr. Valentine's Comic Lectures, Or, Morsels of Mirth for the Melancholy: A Certain Cure for 'the Blues,' and All Other Serious Complaints,” which was written by William Valentine. Several of Valentine’s comic lectures were published throughout the 1850’s. For the fun of it, you can see some of the comic lectures here and here.
Back in the day, Europe always seemed to be in a state of revolution, so I’m not sure if this book refers to the Revolutions of 1848, which was the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history or yet another revolution. The Revolution of 1848 was a series of republican revolts against European monarchies. All the revolts ended in failure and repression, and were followed by widespread disillusionment among liberals.
Riches of Bunyan
This book is a collection of John Bunyan’s various works. Bunyan (17th century) was an English Puritan preacher who wrote the Christian allegory “The Pilgrim’s Progress," which at one time was second only to the Bible in popularity. He also wrote nearly sixty other titles. He was part of a non-conformist group in Bedford and became a preacher. After the restoration of the monarch, when the freedom of non-conformists was curtailed, he was arrested and spent the next 12-years in jail because he refused to give up preaching.
History of the Great Reformation
The Reformation was a 16th century European religious and political challenge to the Roman Catholic Church, and papal authority in particular.
Lorenzo Dow’s Complete Works
Lorenzo Dow (died 1834) was an eccentric traveling Connecticut-born evangelist. At one time, his autobiography was the second best-selling book in the United States, exceeded only by the Bible.
Everywhere he went, he attracted great crowds. Because he was not welcome in the churches, he preached anywhere and everywhere—in town halls, farmers' barns, and even in open fields. He would preach anyplace where he could assemble a crowd. Among the conservative church goers of the time, Dow’s public speaking mannerisms were like nothing they have ever seen before—he shouted, cried, and begged; he even flattered and insulted, but most of all he challenged people and their beliefs. He also told stories and made jokes.
From Wikipedia page on Dow:
“Throughout most of his life, what little money he ever collected was either given away to the poor or used to purchase Bibles. In his later years, he did accumulate a bit of money from the sales of his autobiography and religious writings. His singularities of manner and of dress excited prejudices against him, and counteracted the effect of his eloquence. Nevertheless, he is said to have preached to more persons than any man of his time.”
Jewels for the Household
This is a fascinating little book. I have an 1852 copy that is in marvelous condition and has been fun to read. This is what the preface says about the book:
"There has long been a want, in the wide range of modern literature, of a proper volume for FAMILY READING: a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms; a book that shall be always at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for every-day use and reference, and that shall always be suggesting to the members of the household, the richest lessons of thought and sentiment, of truth and duty.
This want, the editor of the present volume has endeavored to supply. He has carefully selected out and brought together, from the wide field of English literature, the most valuable and striking thoughts of the ablest and best writers, in prose and poetry, on almost every subject of interest and importance, such as morals, religion, education, the family, etc., etc., etc.”
Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
This was probably a set of several books, as most encyclopedias were. I am not sure of the specifics of this set, but it’s obvious Erastus valued learning and knowledge and wanted to be well-informed on his subject of interest.
Webster’s Dictionary
Who doesn’t want to be a good speller? Nobody wants to misspell porcupine as porkeypine! Hence, a dictionary always comes in handy.
History of the World (Two Volumes)
This is the most expensive book in Erastus Otis' collection. It comprises a general history, both ancient and modern, of all the principal nations of the globe, their rise, progress, and present condition.
Three books Evans, Works by Ingraham
These are books by Rev. Joseph Holt Ingraham. The publisher is Evans.
Joseph Holt Ingraham was born in Maine in 1809. By 1835, he was a professor at Jefferson College in Mississippi when he began writing his “bloodcurdling tales.” Many of his novels appeared only in the weekly story papers. His son, Prentiss, also edited and revised a number of them for Beadle (which was a publisher of inexpensive, short, paperback novels—called “Dime Novels.”). Ingraham used a number of colorful pen-names for himself: “Adina,” “A Yankee,” “Kate Conyngham,” “F. Clinton Barrington,” and “Greenliffe Warren.”
By 1849 Ingraham began to study theology. In 1851 he became a deacon at a church in Natchez. Of him was said, “We are glad to perceive that Mr. J. H. Ingraham, author of "The Southwest, by a Yankee," "Burton; or, The Sieges," and a large number of the vilest yellow-covered novels ever printed in this country, has been admitted to the deaconate in the Episcopal church at Natchez.”
The next year, he was ordained as an Episcopal priest at another church in Natchez. By 1858, he got the itch to write again and produced what his son Prentiss called "Dime Novels of the Bible.” These “Bible novels” are probably the books Erastus Otis had in his collection and not Ingraham’s “vile yellow-colored novels.” That description gave me a chuckle.
Some of these Bible novel titles included: “The Prince of the House of David" (1855), "The Pillar of Fire" (1859), and "The Throne of David" (1860). The first book was esteemed as much as the Bible was by those who regarded novel reading a sin! Well, it looks like Erastus Otis was not one of those folks, because look at what else was in his library below!
Comic Lectures
Even though "Comic Lectures" is a very generic description of a book, it still tells me a lot! Certainly they were meant to entertain and elicit some laughter. Perhaps these comic lectures in Erastus' personal library were the “Dr. Valentine's Comic Lectures, Or, Morsels of Mirth for the Melancholy: A Certain Cure for 'the Blues,' and All Other Serious Complaints,” which was written by William Valentine. Several of Valentine’s comic lectures were published throughout the 1850’s. For the fun of it, you can see some of the comic lectures here and here.
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| 1852 advertisement for Dr. Valentine's Comic Lectures |
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| Dr. Valentine as "Aunty Doolittle." One of the "twelve portraits of Dr. Valentine in his most celebrated characters." Quote take from the above 1852 advertisement. |
Looking at the amount and selection of books in Erastus Otis' library, tells me that he highly-valued learning and knowledge. There are even several history books in his collection. This doesn't surprise me, as his father, Stephen Otis, Jr., was a professor at Wilbraham Academy for several years. Stephen probably raised all his children, including Erastus, to be keen, inquisitive students of the written word.
Interestingly, the most expensive book in Erastus' library is not one on religion, but one on history: “History of the World” (two volumes), which was valued at $2.00 in 1864 (equivalent to $32.00 in 2020). It seems as if Erastus was not just concerned with his own little corner of the world, nor his own viewpoint, but he was interested in the larger viewpoint of the world. Is this a sign of a relatively open-minded and curious person, a person who is willing to consider new ideas?
In his collection, a pattern of books and authors start to
emerge—ones that challenged the existing state of affairs in religion and
government. Did Erastus have a revolutionary spirit? After all, his grandfather
(Stephen Otis, Sr.) was a revolutionary in the U.S. War of Independence against
England. Also, a number of the authors were eccentric,
non-conformists. Their common thread was a refusal to submit to the accepted
religious authority of the day—an authority who wanted them to stop preaching! An
authority who wanted them to shut-up and fall-in-line! A few of them were even
jailed because of their refusal.
Was Erastus a non-conformist? All this means is a person
whose behavior or views do not conform to prevailing ideas or practices. Or
similarly, in English church history, a "Nonconformist" was a Protestant who did
not "conform" to the governance and usages of the established Church
of England. Was Erastus an independent-minded, free-thinking person? Perhaps a
bit eccentric himself? And I suggest this line of thought in the most
respectable of ways. Erastus was a religious man and perhaps valued the freedom to express
what he personally believed and felt in his heart. I think he may have taught his sons, including young Daniel Otis, to
do the same.
Based on his book selection, Erastus was certainly a “Man of
God” and concerned with the religious and moral education of his household, and
his own soul. He probably read daily, or weekly, from “Jewels for the Household,”
instructing, as well as entertaining his family—including Daniel.
And then here comes this unexpected little book: "Comic Lectures!" This surely conveys an
individual with a sense of humor—one that liked to be entertained, or decompress
with a good laugh. Folks back then were not really that different from us today, as they too had a sense of humor and were not without a love of the comical!
Married at South Congregational Church
Erastus S. Otis and Elizabeth M. Young were married on September 16, 1835, by Reverend Robert McEwan of the South Congregational Church in Middletown, CT. (McEwan was pastor from 1835 to 1838).
In searching through the records for "South Church," I found no evidence that Erastus Otis was ever a member of this congregation, nor his wife Elizabeth. However, I did find that both of Elizabeth M. Young’s parents were members of South Congregational Church! That's why Erastus and his bride were married there!
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| William Young and Elizabeth Young, Sr. (the parents of Elizabeth M. Young Jr. who married Erastus S. Otis). The "profession" of William Young and his wife, Elizabeth, took place on September, 1829. From the South Congregational Church Records. (Click photo to enlarge) |
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| Close-up of above record. "William Youngs; Elizabeth Youngs, Wife of Wm. Youngs; Maromas." |
Since Erastus Otis and Elizabeth M. Young were married in this church, and her parents, William and Elizabeth Young, were members, I will share what my 1884 copy of “History of Middlesex County, Conn.” had to say about the South Congregational Church (aka: “Separatist Church” or the “Strict Congregational Church). I am going to paraphrase a bit, and bold is mine.
In 1747, there was a Separatist minister, by the name of Ebenezer Frothingham. He brought his congregation from Wethersfield, where he had been in-and-out of jail, to Middletown in pursuit of religious tolerance. Rev. Frothingham became formally ordained as pastor of the “Separatist” church in Middletown.
In 1776 Frothingham published a defense of the principles of the Separatists, in which he declared: "The main thing I have in view through the whole of this book is free liberty of conscience, the right of thinking, choosing, and acting for one's self in matters of religion, which respect God and conscience, and to contend earnestly for this important privilege, neither I nor any other person should be ashamed to do, cost what it will."
In 1816 the church opened one of the first Sabbath-schools in the country. Then the book goes on to list all the Reverends of the church, starting with the year 1822, with Rev. Robert McEwen showing up in 1835:
"In 1835, Rev. Robert McEwan accepted a call as pastor, and labored with the church for three years during which period 62 were admitted to membership. His resignation was accepted with many regrets."
So according to their declaration, this was a church that valued “free liberty of conscience, the right to thinking, choosing, and acting for one’s self in matters of religion, which respect God and conscience.” Interestingly, the mindset of this particular church fits in with the type of books Erastus Otis had chosen to make part of his personal and family library (see above).
Could Erastus Otis have been a type of religious free-thinker? Did his son, Daniel Otis, follow a similar mindset? No doubt, Daniel took that free-thinking mindset and applied it to personal areas of his own life. He exerted his right to “think, choose, and act for one’s self” when he ran away to war, for whatever reason, and lied about his age to enlist. Probably wanting to be treated like a man, and not a boy, he made a choice based on his own feelings, thoughts, and conscience. Daniel Otis made up his mind to enlist that day on August 4th, and I don't believe he was going to let anyone, or anything, stop him. Despite the circumstances, that kind of determination is extremely admirable and deserves the utmost respect.
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1907 postcard of the South Congregational Church
Middletown, CT
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Here are a few interesting side points about the South Congregational Church:
>The Separatists' Church, which was known as the Strict Congregational Church, and later as South Church, moved to a new building at the corner of Main Street and Pleasant Street in 1830. In 1867, a new church was constructed on the same site, replacing the earlier structure. This same church still stands today, and was renovated in 1985 and 2008.
>Prominent Middletown citizen and businessman, Benjamin Douglas was a member of this church. Douglas also acted as “Clerk Pro-Tem” for the church at one point. His son, John M. Douglas, was also a member of this church. John M. Douglas was the legal Guardian of George C. Otis at one point (George was the youngest son of Erastus S. Otis).
>The South Congregational Church had a “Crimson Roll of Honor,” which was a list of young “soldiers of the cross” who belonged to the church’s Sabbath School. It’s interesting to note that out of the ten men listed on this roll, five were in Company B, which was the Company that Private Daniel H. Otis belonged to.
> John C. Broatch, 1st Lieutenant of Co B.<
Broatch also served as the recruiting officer for Elijah Gibbons' Company.
Broatch also served as the recruiting officer for Elijah Gibbons' Company.
> Albert Crittenden, Co. B . <
Enlisted as a Private then promoted to Corporal.
Enlisted as a Private then promoted to Corporal.
> James Inglis, Co. B. <
Enlisted as a Private then promoted to Corporal.
Enlisted as a Private then promoted to Corporal.
> William Wallace Miller, Co B. <
Private. Killed on picket duty in Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 15, 1864.
He is buried in Mortimer Cemetery, Middletown, Connecticut.
> Dwight Wolcott, Co B. <
Private. Killed in The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
He is probably buried in the trenches with the "unknown" dead, as his body was never recovered.
Private. Killed on picket duty in Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 15, 1864.
He is buried in Mortimer Cemetery, Middletown, Connecticut.
> Dwight Wolcott, Co B. <
Private. Killed in The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
He is probably buried in the trenches with the "unknown" dead, as his body was never recovered.
>In researching the records for the South Congregational Church, I came across a number of interesting situations where certain members got taken to task for the “sins” they supposedly committed. Here are few:
- One member of the flock got an earful for opening his market and selling on Sunday morning. In defense, he claimed that this labor was a necessity and was therefore not in violation of the Sabbath. Ha! Ha! I guess you can only invoke the church’s declaration of “thinking, choosing, and acting for one’s self in matters of religion, which respect God and conscience,” when it’s in-line with how the church views it. Typical.
- A complaint was brought against an individual by the name of Oliver E. Knowles for “Sabbath-breaking” and “profane swearing.” He was ex-communicated. Poor guy, somebody must have caught him cussing and told on him. Being a busybody should be a "sin" too!
- Another individual was also in big trouble for “Sabbath-breaking,” and for “using ardent spirits in violation of the temperance pledge adopted by the church.”
Well, I guess Erastus Otis and his father-in-law, William Young—who was an actual member of the church—never got the “temperance” memo! I bet that those seven barrels of “cider” listed in Erastus' will, weren't cider-vinegar! His will also mentions 4 wine glasses and 1 decanter (see below). In William Young's little receipt book, it shows that he was buying and selling "barils of cyder!" These are not individuals who have adopted the church's "temperance pledge" for themselves. Free-thinking, indeed.
Fine Things
Erastus made a fine and comfortable life for himself and his family, and I would consider them well-off for the day. All of the following items mentioned can be found listed in Erastus Otis' will.
>Notice the money amounts listed in his will (page 8 of the will):
Cash on hand: $25.00
$25.00 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $408.55 in 2019
Cash in savings bank: $676.52
$676.52 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $11,055.76 in 2019
In real estate: $307.00
$307.00 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $5,017.03 in 2019
In personal estate: $1,468.15
$1,468.15 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $23,992.66 in 2019
Total: $2,476.67
$2,476.67 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $40,473.99 in 2019
Certainly Erastus Otis was no poor Maromas farmer!
>In the days when the lady of the house sewed everything by hand with needle and thread, a sewing machine at home was a real luxury for a family. Well, Erastus Otis provided his family with a sewing machine, valued at $45.00—which cost more than his top buggy, horse, cow, and tools!
Assuming he had the sewing machine for at least 4 years, I calculated the purchasing power equivalent on an 1860 date. $45.00 in 1860 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1,391.05 in 2019! That must be some awesome sewing machine!
>Erastus also owned a few personal luxury items, such as a gold watch, chain, and locket worth $125.00.
$125.00 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $2,042.76. Four years previous, it was equivalent in purchasing power to about $3,864.02, because I assume he had the watch-set for a while. His addition to the gold watch was worth $4.00, which is equivalent to $65.37 and four years previous, $123.65
This is not “chump change.”
>Erastus also had a fine wardrobe of clothes: dress coats, a cashmere coat, and a linen coat, shirts and pants—even a cashmere pair, several vests and hats, an array of underclothing, and other items. (See Erastus Otis Will).
>This is a fun and interesting little luxury item for a farmer from New England: a buffalo robe! I honestly didn’t know what this was and had to look it up.
A buffalo robe is a cured buffalo hide, with the hair left on. They were used as blankets and padding in carriages and sleighs, or as saddles. From the 1840’s to the 1870’s buffalo robes were in such great demand that it nearly led to the extinction of the species!
I wonder if Erastus got the idea for a buffalo robe from his family reading of the book, “Jewels for the Household.” (See picture below). Perhaps the robe was a novel family-purchase and they enjoyed covering themselves with the warm, exotic robe while riding in the sleigh in the winter.
>A music box for $14.00 is listed in the will. $14.00 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $228.79 in 2019. Two goats were only six more dollars than the music box! It must have been a very fancy, and very special, music box to cost that much.
>A music box for $14.00 is listed in the will. $14.00 in 1864 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $228.79 in 2019. Two goats were only six more dollars than the music box! It must have been a very fancy, and very special, music box to cost that much.
Erastus seemed to have liked fine and beautiful things. Though I sense his son, Daniel, had an eye for beautiful things as well, I don’t feel that he was overly-motivated by material things. There was something much deeper that motivated Daniel.
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| Buffalo Robes! A copy of a page from my 1852 book, "Jewels for the Household." Erastus S. Otis kept a copy of this book in his personal library. |
Sentimental?
Erastus Otis' will lists among his goods a “flowered handkerchief.” This handkerchief was not listed among his personal clothing items, the way his “pocket handkerchief” was. I assume that Erastus, as a man, was not personally using a flowered handkerchief. Also, I don't think this was his second wife Amanda’s handkerchief, since this itemized will was not a list of her personal items, and at no time do any of her personal items appear on this list.
I wonder if this flowered handkerchief belonged to Elizabeth Otis, his deceased first-wife (and Daniel Otis’ mother), and perhaps Erastus kept it as a sentimental token. Other pages of the will show that the flowered handkerchief was passed along to his oldest son, Robert Otis. What would Robert want with a flowered handkerchief—unless there was some sentimental value to it? Like it being his mother’s handkerchief.
Also listed in Erastus' will is a "cradle quilt and rug." What would Erastus be doing with a cradle quilt and rug in his possession? The last child he fathered was his son, George, in 1855, which was nine-years before he died. Could this cradle quilt and rug be something that his deceased wife, Elizabeth, made for their youngest son, George? Remember, George was only 6-months old when his mother died. Perhaps Elizabeth made these items for her new-born son, and George continued to use them for a time after her death. If that being the case, I can see why Erastus would hold onto something so important.
One last thing, and this could be a long shot, but anything is possible, right? Among Erastus’ personal clothing items was “1 lot of old clothes.” With such a fine wardrobe itemized in his will, Erastus doesn’t strike me as the type of man to keep a lot of old clothes lying around for himself. Is there a chance that perhaps these were his son, Daniel’s, items that he didn’t have the heart to part with just yet? Maybe they were Daniel’s clothes that were being saved for young George Otis to eventually wear? Back then, clothes were passed-along or repurposed—not just chucked in the garbage. It’s just a thought for consideration.
Other Household Items of Comfort
Erastus Otis certainly made sure that his family was well-taken care of and as comfortable as his means would allow. His will lists the following creature-comforts:
>Carpets were listed for the parlor, kitchen, bedrooms, and the hallway. There was also 16 yards of un-laid carpet too! That’s a good amount of carpet lying around. Most carpets of the 19th century were flat-woven and reversible—not the high pile shags we have today. Most of them were rag-rugs made of cotton, and woven in stripe or plaid designs. There were more expensive styles of Venetian wool carpets. Carpets were not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also dampened noise. More importantly, since there was no central heating, they warmed up cold houses too.
>Five bedsteads and cords are listed, with one being in the “wood house,” and the remaining four in the home (a bedstead is the framework of a bed on which the mattress is placed. The cord or bedcord are ropes drawn from one side of a bedstead to another to support a mattress). This tells me that there were probably four, or five people at the most, who lived (or used to live) in the home. No doubt, one of these beds, as listed in the will, used to belong to Daniel.
The family was not just sleeping on bare-bones straw ticking, but the beds were made cozy and comfy with feather beds, bolsters, pillows, “comfortables,” and lots of quilts (as listed in Erastus' will). These beds seem extremely comfortable for the time period. The family certainly slept cozy!
The Drink
Even though Erastus Otis was a “Man of God,” he was not one who was opposed to “the drink” (and he certainly wasn’t opposed to enjoying some comic relief, as evidenced by his “comic lectures” book. See "Personal Library" subheading, above). Erastus Otis' will shows that he possessed 7 barrels of cider and 12 dry casks. It also mentions one cask of vinegar. I bet those 19 barrels/casks were not laying around for more vinegar, but for hard-cider—which is spirits. Even his father-in-law’s account book shows that the family was “making cider” up in Maromas. Erastus’ will also mentions 4 wine glasses and 1 decanter.
Since Erastus was not opposed to the drink, could he have drowned his grief and depression in “the bottle” after his young son, Daniel, died in battle? If he did, I don’t blame him. Is this why his cause of death was cryptically listed as “Brain/Liver” in Record of Deaths for Middletown, 1864? "Liver," because he drank so damn much, and "Brain," because the grief and alcohol drove him off the “deep-end?”
The person who certified Erastus Otis' cause of death was Elihu W.N. Starr (*See note at the bottom of this page). Elihu Starr was not a physician, but a one-time Adjutant General of Connecticut, and later Judge of Probate, Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Justice of the Peace in Middletown. Mr. Starr’s lack of physician status is NOT the reason “Brain/Liver” is obscurely listed as the cause of death, because Mr. Starr was fully capable of a valid medical diagnosis, as shown in the above records. Notice some of the valid medical diagnosis he gave to other individuals who died. A few are: "old age, croup, pneumonia, rheumatism, and chronic disease of liver." Also, Mr. Starr was certifying individual's deaths back to the early 1860's, and in looking through a number of them, they are all valid medical diagnoses.
Erastus Otis certainly made sure that his family was well-taken care of and as comfortable as his means would allow. His will lists the following creature-comforts:
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| bedstead and cords |
The family was not just sleeping on bare-bones straw ticking, but the beds were made cozy and comfy with feather beds, bolsters, pillows, “comfortables,” and lots of quilts (as listed in Erastus' will). These beds seem extremely comfortable for the time period. The family certainly slept cozy!
The Drink
Even though Erastus Otis was a “Man of God,” he was not one who was opposed to “the drink” (and he certainly wasn’t opposed to enjoying some comic relief, as evidenced by his “comic lectures” book. See "Personal Library" subheading, above). Erastus Otis' will shows that he possessed 7 barrels of cider and 12 dry casks. It also mentions one cask of vinegar. I bet those 19 barrels/casks were not laying around for more vinegar, but for hard-cider—which is spirits. Even his father-in-law’s account book shows that the family was “making cider” up in Maromas. Erastus’ will also mentions 4 wine glasses and 1 decanter.
Since Erastus was not opposed to the drink, could he have drowned his grief and depression in “the bottle” after his young son, Daniel, died in battle? If he did, I don’t blame him. Is this why his cause of death was cryptically listed as “Brain/Liver” in Record of Deaths for Middletown, 1864? "Liver," because he drank so damn much, and "Brain," because the grief and alcohol drove him off the “deep-end?”
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| Part 1: Erastus Otis, Record of Deaths, Middletown, 1864 |
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| Part 2: Erastus Otis, Record of Deaths, Middletown, 1864 |
Transcription; Record of Death (Part 1 & 2 images) for Erastus Otis:
Records of Deaths in the Town of Middletown, 1864
NAME: Otis, Erastus S.
TIME OF DEATH (Month, Day): Aug. 4
AGE (Years, Months, Days): 50 years, 5 months
SEX (Male, Fem’l): Male
CONDITION (Sin., Ma’d., Widr., Wid.): Ma’d—which means “Married”
BIRTHPLACE: blank
RESIDENCE: “ (ditto marks for “Middletown”)
DISEASE OR CAUSE OF DEATH: Brain / Liver
OCCUPATION: Farmer
COLOR: “ (ditto marks for “wh”—which is “white”)
PHYSICIAN OR PERSON CERTIFYING: E.W.N. Starr [Rep?]
Personally, I think Starr’s obscure diagnosis of “Brain/Liver” actually lends more weight to Erastus’ death being alcohol-related. Erastus was not some derelict citizen. To the contrary, he was an upstanding citizen and a one-time Justice of the Peace in Middletown, as well as an artisan stone cutter who worked in the local quarries. He was also the son of a Methodist Minister from an old New England family. Therefore, perhaps Elihu Starr's mysterious choice of words ("Brain/Liver") for Erastus' cause of death was intentional. Instead of coming right out and recording the death as “alcohol intoxication,” Starr could have disguised the cause of death with obscure language so as to preserve Erastus Otis' good-name, reputation, and dignity. It certainly is within the realm of possibility.
According to this article, “alcohol and grief have a tragic, and all too-common, relationship.” Even today, alcohol is a common way to deal with grief; how much more so in a time period where there was insufficient understanding of psychiatric issues, let alone any grief counselling.
Losing a child is tragic enough in itself, but there may have been additional matters that fueled the intense grief Erastus felt—ones he may have tried to drown out with heavy drink. I talk about those matters here on this page: “Daniel H. Otis: His Story.”
My hiking friend, who is a retired psychiatric nurse, also believes the “Brain/Liver” issue Erastus died from was most-likely alcohol-related. She even mentioned that it could have been a condition called “wet brain,” which is a type of brain damage that is linked to excessive alcohol abuse. This alcohol-related brain disorder comes on suddenly and is often considered to be “alcohol-related dementia.”
After Daniel’s death, Erastus probably did a slow, excruciating spiral toward the grave, and I find it highly uncanny that Erastus Otis died on August 4, 1864—the second anniversary of his young son’s running away and enlistment in the Army. What are the chances?!
Personally, I think that fateful day of August 4, 1864, found Erastus glued to a bottle, drowning his pain, sorrows, and regrets in every swig he took. And perhaps he didn’t mean to, but he drank way more than he should have, and passed out, dying of an alcohol overdose (aka: alcohol poisoning), which is caused by drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. In fact, six Americans, on average, die every day of an alcohol overdose!
Another thing: Erastus Otis was also buried on August 4, 1864, which was the same day he died (burial source: Record of the Returns Made by Sextons of Cemeteries. Aka: "Middletown Burial Lists"). This is not too unusual, as I have seen record of other individuals being buried the same day they died, but I do feel it's bit unusual for someone of Erastus' standing. He was an upstanding and influential member of his community, and one would think that the family would want to honor him and also give the community a chance to pay their respects. In the 19th century, it was the custom for funerals to be held in the home of the deceased. The body would usually be laid out in the front parlor, and as news of the person's death spread throughout the community, folks would stop by the home to pay their respects.
Not in Erastus Otis' case. The family seemingly made haste and got his body in the ground the same day he died. Why the rush? Call me crazy, but again, I think this lends weight to the above scenario. Something tragic happened to Erastus Otis, and the family didn't want folks to know.
This may sound strange, but I'm positive Erastus Otis regretted the manner in which his life had ended, but he was in way too much emotional pain.
*Note: Oddly enough, Elihu W.N.Starr was the individual who asked Erastus' son, Daniel Otis, to raise his right hand in an oath, swearing support to the Union on his enlistment day of August 4, 1862. Elihu W.N. Starr was also the one who certified Erastus Otis’ cause of death on August 4, 1864. It seems eerily circular doesn’t it?
