The following documents are from the Estate of George C. Otis, 1865, and include Guardianship Bonds, Appointment of Guardian, Return Sale of Minor's Land, Application to Sell Minor's Land, and Account of Guardian.
These were a real challenge to transcribe. I actually gave up trying to transcribe the entire Guardian Account of Sylvester C. Dunham, dated September 28, 1872 (second to last document) because it was like trying to decipher the chicken-scratch writing of a drunken sailor. I just posted the original-sized image of this particular document without transcribing it all.
The original documents, of George C. Otis' Guardianship papers, are housed at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford.
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| March 13, 1865. George Otis, Guardian Bond |
MARCH 13, 1865.
GEORGE OTIS, GUARDIAN BOND
State of Connecticut
Know all men by these presents, that, we Sylvester C. Dunham and Edwin Scoville, holden and stand firmly bound and obligated unto William T. Elmer, Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for Middletown District, in the penal sum of one thousand Dollars, to be paid to the said Judge, or his certain Attorney, or Successor in said office, to which payment well and truly to be made and done the said Dunham and Scoville do bind themselves, their Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, and each and every of them, for, and in the whole sum aforesaid, firmly by these presents. Signed with our hands and sealed with our seals, this 13th day of March, Anno Domini 1865.
The condition of this obligation is such, that if the above bounden Sylvester C. Dunham now chosen and appointed Guardian to George Otis, aged about 10 years, shall well, truly and faithfully execute and discharge the afore... [? torn document] the said Minor, in all parts thereof, according to the rules and directions of the Law in such case made and provided, and render a true account of his Guardianship to the said Judge, or to his successor in said office (if thereunto required), or to the Ward, when arrived at full age, then the above obligation to be void, and of none effect; otherwise to remain in full force, power and virtue.
Sylvester C. Dunham
Edwin Scoville
My Note: On March 13, 1865, Sylvester C. Dunham is appointed the legal guardian of 9 ½ year-old George Otis. The paper work from the Estate of George C. Otis says that George was under the age of choosing a guardian, so one was appointed for him. Sylvester Dunham (abt. 1812 – April 15, 1888) and his wife Elizabeth Skinner Dunham (abt. 1821 – June 15, 1874) were an elderly couple who lived in Maromas, just north of the Otis family farmlands.
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| April 18, 1866 and June 7, 1866. George Otis, Application to Sell Minor's Land. |
APRIL 18, 1866 and JUNE 7, 1866. GEORGE OTIS, APPLICATION TO SELL MINOR'S LAND.
To the Probate Court for the District of Middletown
The application of Sylvester C. Dunham respectfully showeth:
that he is Guardian to George Otis a minor belonging to said District, and that said Minor is the owner of the following real estate, viz: one undivided third part of a piece of land situated in said District, containing twelve acres and bounded northerly by the Highway, easterly by land of Robert S. Otis and Highway, southerly by land of said Otis and land of John S. Scovil, and westerly by land of said Scovil and Highway. Also a certain other piece of land situated as aforesaid, containing four acres and bounded northerly by land of William Y. Otis, easterly by land of Robert I. Young, southerly by land used and occupied during life by Amanda Otis and westerly by the highway.
Also the undivided interest of said George Otis in a tract of land situated as aforesaid, containing eight acres more or less in which said Amanda Otis has a life interest as dower, bounded northerly by land of said Georg Otis, easterly by land of said Robert I. Young, southerly by land of the heirs of Buckley Whitmore and westerly by the Highway.
Also, an undivided third part of an undivided third part of a quarter acre of land together with the dwelling house thereon standing bounded northerly, easterly and southerly by land of the Estate of Elizabeth Otis decd. (deceased) westerly by Highway, situated in said Middletown.
AND HE FURTHER SAYS, That the estate is at present unproductive; that the avails thereof are wanted for support, maintenance and education of said Minor and that it will be for the advantage of said Minor to sell the same, and invest the avails thereof according to law; wherefore he says that there is just and reasonable cause for selling the same. He therefore prays the Court to order said real estate to be sold, and to empower him or some other meet person to sell the same, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided.
Dated at Middletown April 18th 1866.
Sylvester C. Dunham, Guardian
District of Middletown Probate Court, ss. April 18th 1866
Ordered—That the foregoing application be heard and determined at the Probate Office in Middletown on the 4th day of June, 1866 at 10 o’clock forenoon; and that notice thereof be published in some public weekly newspaper near place where such real estate lies, three weeks successively, at least six weeks before said time assigned.
[?] Judge.
District of Middletown June 7th 1866
To the Probate Court within and for said District
The Subscriber hereby returns:—
that pursuant to the foregoing order he published a notice of said application and time assigned for the hearing thereon, in the Constitution, a public weekly newspaper near the place where the said real estate lies, three weeks successively, more than six weeks before the said time assigned.
Attest. Sylvester C. Dunham
Guardian
Sworn and subscribed, this 7th day of June 1866
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| June 7, 1866. George Otis, Return of Sale of Minor's Land. |
JUNE 7, 1866.
GEORGE OTIS, RETURN OF SALE OF MINOR'S LAND.
To the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown
The subscriber, Guardian to George C. Otis, minor of said Middletown in said District, pursuant to an order of said Court, made on the 7th day of June 1866, authorizing and empowering him to sell the real estate of said minor hereinafter described as by said order on record more fully appears; hereby return make, that at Middletown on the 9th day of June 1866 for consideration of one hundred and fifty dollars by him received, he sold and legally conveyed to Leonard R. Tryon of said Middletown the following real estate of said minor, viz:
An undivided 1/3 part of a certain piece of land situated in said Middletown bounded north, west and east on Highway and south on land of the heirs of Elizabeth Otis decd. (deceased) and land of John S. Scovill
Sylvester C. Dunham
Guardian
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| June 7, 1866. George Otis, Guardian's Bond on Sale of Minor's Land. |
JUNE 7, 1866.
GEORGE OTIS, GUARDIAN'S BOND ON SALE OF MINOR'S LAND.
Know all men by these presents, that we Sylvester C. Duhnam of Middletown, Middlesex County, as principal, and Henry Woodward as surety, are holden and firmly bound and obliged unto William T. Elmer Esq. Judge of the court of probate for the District of Middletown in the penal sum of six hundred dollars to the full and just payment of which sum, to be made to such Judge, or to his attorney or successor in said office, we the obligators above named, do jointly and severally bind ourselves and each of us, our heirs, executors, and administrators, each of them, firmly by these presents. Signed with our seals. Dated at Middletown this 7th day of June A.D. 1866.
The condition of the above bond or obligation is such, that whereas, said Sylvester C. Dunham as is Guardian to George C. Otis, minor under the age of twenty-one years, belonging to said District, is this day empowered by said Judge to sell certain real estate of said minor situate in Middletown [?] one undivided third part of a piece of land situated in said district containing twelve acres and bounded northerly by the Highway, Easterly by land of Robert S. Otis and Highway, Southerly by land of said Otis and land of John S. Scoville and Westerly by land of said Scoville and Highway.
The condition of the above bond or obligation is such, that whereas, said Sylvester C. Dunham as is Guardian to George C. Otis, minor under the age of twenty-one years, belonging to said District, is this day empowered by said Judge to sell certain real estate of said minor situate in Middletown [?] one undivided third part of a piece of land situated in said district containing twelve acres and bounded northerly by the Highway, Easterly by land of Robert S. Otis and Highway, Southerly by land of said Otis and land of John S. Scoville and Westerly by land of said Scoville and Highway.
Also a certain other piece of land situated as aforesaid and containing four acres and bounded Northerly by land of William Y. Otis, Easterly by land of Robert I. Young, Southerly by land used & occupied during life by Amanda Otis and Westerly by Highway.
Also the undivided interest of said George Otis in a track of land situated as aforesaid containing eight acres more or less in which said Amanda Otis has a life interest as dower, bounded Northerly by land of said George Otis, Easterly by land of said Robert I. Young, Southerly by land of the heirs of Buckley Whitmore and Westerly by the Highway.
Also an undivided third part, of an undivided third part, of a quarter acre of land together with the dwelling house therein standing bounded Northerly, Easterly, and Southerly by land of the estate of Elizabeth Otis dec. [deceased], and Westerly by Highway, situated in said Middletown. Valued at about three hundred dollars.
Now if said Guardian shall vest the avails of the estate sold, in other real estate to be conveyed to such Minor, or place the same at interest on good security, by mortgage of at least double the value of the estate sold, or invest the same in the bonds or loans of this State, the bonds or loans of any town, city or borough of the State, and in the bonds, loans or securities of the United States, or lay out the same in the nurture, education, or advancement in marriage of such Minor, as the Court of Probate shall direct or approve; and to render his account to such Court when required, or to the Minor when arrived at full age, according to the statute in such case provided; then this obligation shall be void—otherwise to be an remain absolute and in full force and virtue.
In presence of
Sylvester C. Dunham
H. Woodward
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| June 15, 1867. George Otis, Return of Sale of Minor's Land. |
JUNE 15, 1867.
GEORGE OTIS, RETURN OF SALE OF MINOR'S LAND.
To the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown
The subscriber, Guardian to George C. Otis, a minor of Middletown in said District, pursuant to an order of said Court, made on the 7th day of June, 1866, authorizing and empowering him to sell the real estate of said minor hereinafter described as by said order on record more fully appears; hereby return make, that at Middletown on the 15th day of June, 1867, for the consideration of fifteen dollars, by him received, he sold and legally conveyed to Robert S. Otis, of said Middletown the following real estate of said minor viz: one undivided third part of an undivided third part of one quarter of an acre of land, with the dwelling home thereon, situated in Maromas in said Middletown; bounded northerly, easterly, and southerly by land of the estate of Elizabeth Otis, dec (deceased) and westerly by highway.
Sylvester C. Dunham
Guardian
Middletown
June 15, 1867
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| July 26, 1867. George Otis, Return of Sale of Minor's Land. |
JULY 26, 1867.
GEORGE OTIS, RETURN OF SALE OF MINOR'S LAND
To the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown
The subscriber Guardian to George C. Otis, minor of Middletown in said District, pursuant to an order of said Court, made on the 7th day of June, 1866, authorizing and empowering him to sell the real estate of said minor hereinafter described, as by said order on record more fully appears; hereby return make that at Middletown on the 25th day of July 1867 for the consideration of twenty five dollars by him received, he sold and legally conveyed to Henry C. Dunham of said Middletown the following real estate of said minor, viz:
A certain piece of land situated in Maromas in said Middletown containing eight acres more or less, bounded northerly by other land of said minor, easterly by land of Robert I. Young, southerly by land of the heirs of Buckley Whitmore dec. [deceases] and westerly by highway.
The premises hereby conveyed are subject to the dower of Amanda M. Otis and the interest of said minor therein being one undivided one-third part thereof.
And said Guardian further return makes that on the 3rd day of March 1868 in pursuance of said order, for the consideration of one hundred and fifty-dollars by him received, be sold and legally conveyed to said Henry C. Dunham the following real estate of said minor, viz:
One undivided third part of a piece of land situated in Maromas in said town of Middletown, Containing nine acres more or less, bounded northerly by highway, and Leonard R. Tryon, Easterly by land of Robert S. Otis and highway, southerly by land of said Otis and land of [?] S. Scovill and westerly by land of said Scovill and highway—the same being a portion of the tract of twelve acres as described in said order of sale.
Also another piece of land situated as aforesaid containing four acres bounded northerly by land of William Y. Otis, easterly by land of Robert I. Young, southerly by land set as dower to Amanda Otis (never owned by Sylvester C. Dunham) and westerly by highway.
Sylvester C. Dunham
Guardian
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| September 10, 1872. George Otis, Letter to the Court of Probate from George Otis's Attorney for petition to choose his own Guardian. |
SEPTEMBER 10, 1872.
GEORGE OTIS, LETTER TO THE COURT OF PROBATE FROM GEORGE OTIS' ATTORNEY FOR PETITION TO CHOOSE HIS OWN GUARDIAN.
GEORGE OTIS, LETTER TO THE COURT OF PROBATE FROM GEORGE OTIS' ATTORNEY FOR PETITION TO CHOOSE HIS OWN GUARDIAN.
To the Court of Probate to be [?] at Middletown within and for the district of Middletown, on the 10th day of September A.D. 1872.
The petition of George C. Otis of said Middletown showeth that on or about the 13th day of March 1865, Sylvester C. Dunham of said Middletown was appointed his guardian (he the said Otis then being under the age for choosing a guardian) and took into his possession the goods and estate of said Otis, and that hereto said Otis, has now arrived at the age for choosing a guardian, wherefore your petitioner prays that said guardian may be cited to appear and render his account and that your petitioner may choose a guardian in place of said Dunham.
Entered at Middletown this 10th day of September A. D. 1872.
George C. Otis
By his attny. Chas. G.R. [?]
SEPTEMBER 10, 1872.
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AND THAT PRESENT GUARDIAN RENDER HIS ACCOUNT.
Note: this notice was served to George's present legal Guardian, Sylvester C. Dunham by Judge Roberts himself. It's a notice that George desires to choose his own Guardian (now that he is of age), and that Dunhman must render his account as present Guardian.
District of Middletown Probate Court
Middletown, Sept. 10, 1872
In the matter of the application of George C. Otis that he be permitted to choose a guardian and praying that his present guardian under [?] [?] his account with the estate of said George C. Otis.
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| September 10, 1872. Application for appointment of Guardian and that present Guardian render his account. |
SEPTEMBER 10, 1872.
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AND THAT PRESENT GUARDIAN RENDER HIS ACCOUNT.
Note: this notice was served to George's present legal Guardian, Sylvester C. Dunham by Judge Roberts himself. It's a notice that George desires to choose his own Guardian (now that he is of age), and that Dunhman must render his account as present Guardian.
District of Middletown Probate Court
Middletown, Sept. 10, 1872
In the matter of the application of George C. Otis that he be permitted to choose a guardian and praying that his present guardian under [?] [?] his account with the estate of said George C. Otis.
Order that the said application be heard at the Probate Office in Middletown in said District on the 23rd day of September, 1872 at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, and that the present guardian of said petitioner [?] Sylvester C. Dunham may have due notice of the time and place assigned for said hearing. It is further ordered that a copy of this petition and order be left with said Sylvester C. Dunham or at his usual place of abode in said Middletown at least 10 days before said time assigned.
John L.S. Roberts
Judge
To any proper officer to serve and return.
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| September 11, 1872. Sheriff delivers Sylvester C. Dunham the document written on September 10, 1872 by Judge Roberts. |
The above document shows that the "proper officer" did "serve and return." On September 11, 1872, it looks as if a Sheriff delivered Sylvester C. Dunham the September 10, 1872 document written by Judge John L.S. Roberts.
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| September 23, 1872. George Otis, Guardian Bond. |
SEPTEMBER 23, 1872
GEORGE OTIS, GUARDIAN'S BOND
State of Connecticut
Know all men by these presents, that John M. Douglas of Middletown as principal, and Richard W. Newhall as surety, holden and stand firmly bound and obliged unto John L. S. Roberts, Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for Middletown District in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, to be paid to the said Judge, or to his certain attorney, or successor in said office; to which payment well and truly to be made and done the said obligors do bind ourselves and heirs, executors and administrators, and each and every of them for and in the whole sum aforesaid, firmly by these presents. Signed with our hands and sealed with our seals this 23rd day of September, Anno Domini, 1872.
The condition of this obligation is such, that if the above bounden John M. Douglas now chosen and appointed Guardian to George C. Otis of said Middletown, a minor of the age of 18 years, shall well, truly and faithfully execute and discharge the aforesaid office of Guardian to the said Minor, in all parts thereof, according to the rules and directions of the Law, in such case made and provided, and render a true account of his Guardianship to said Judge, or to his successor in said office (if thereunto required), or to the Ward, when arrived at full age, then the above obligation to be void, and of none effect, otherwise to remain in full force, power and virtue.
John M. Douglas
R.N. Newhall
My Note: In September of 1872, George Otis was working as a pump-maker in Middletown; most-likely at the prodigious William & Benjamin Douglas Pump Works. George is almost 18 years-old, and though still considered a minor* under the law at that time, he has, however, arrived at the age where he can now choose his own guardian. On September 23, 1872, George chooses John Mansfield Douglas to be his guardian.
John M. Douglas was the son of the Benjamin Douglas, prominent Middletown businessman and part owner of the prodigious "William & Benjamin Douglas Pump Works." Incidentally, Benjamin Douglas was also a very close friend and mentor of Elijah W. Gibbons—who just happened to be Daniel Otis' captain of Company B. In fact, it was John M. Douglas who was sent to Fredericksburg, VA, to retrieve the body of Captain Gibbons who died on December 19, 1862 from a rebel ball shattering his femur.
Like his father, John Douglas was also a prominent individual in Middletown, being president of the W. & B. Douglas Pump Works, President of Farmers and Mechanics Bank, and Director of The First National Bank of Middletown. Not too shabby of a guardian to have!
But honestly, I still can't place the connection between George Otis and John Mansfield Douglas. How would they have known each other? How would some orphaned farm-boy from the sparsely-settled district of Maromas know such a prominent and highly-respected individual—and know them intimately enough to personally choose them as their guardian? And then said guardian, happily agreeing to do it, by signing “guardianship bonds” via the court of law (see the September 23, 1872 document above). This shows that there had to be a high-level of familiarity between George Otis and John Douglas for this guardianship arrangement to have taken place. An individual doesn’t choose a mere acquaintance to be his guardian, and a mere acquaintance doesn’t agree to be an individual’s guardian either!
As a side point, the beautiful home of John M. Douglas still stands at 258 Court Street, which is now owned by Wesleyan University.
*Note: during this time period, a minor was anyone under the age of 21.
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| September 28, 1872. George Otis, Guardian Account of Sylvester C. Dunham. |
GEORGE OTIS, GUARDIAN ACCOUNT OF SYLVESTER C. DUNHAM.
In this document, Sylvester C. Dunham, the legal guardian of George Otis, renders his financial account, which seems to entail any money spent on George through the years.
This was the toughest document for me to transcribe, so I only touch on a few interesting entries below, along with my comments. The above document is posted original-size so the reader can make sense of it for themselves.
January, 1871
Cash for George to go to Westbrook $1.00
Cash for George to go to Westbrook $1.00
Interestingly, in June of 1870, George was also in Westbrook. He was staying with Edmund R. Morgan (age 40) and his wife, Dency Morgan, and working on their farms. Did George go back to Westbrook again the following year, in 1871 to visit the Morgans again? They must have been very good to George, as he named his first-born son Frank Morgan Otis.
February 3, 1871
Paid L. Wolff & Co. for clothing $8.50
Paid L. Wolff & Co. for clothing $8.50
This was a lot of money for clothing for a 16 year-old young man! $8.50 in 1871 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $178 in 2019! Perhaps, all this money was spent on clothes because there was no one to make clothes for George, or maybe he just liked fine things like his father Erastus?
August 31, 1871
Paid William L. Young for clothes & boots $30.50
Paid William L. Young for clothes & boots $30.50
William L. Young is George's Uncle (the brother of his mother, Elizabeth). Did William buy George clothes, and his Guardian was reimbursing him? Or, did George buy clothes and boots directly from his Uncle, and his Guardian had to "pay-up?" Either way, this is a huge sum of money for clothes and boots! $30.50 in 1871 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $639 in 2019. Was George a "clothes horse" who "dressed to the nines?"
August 31, 1871
Furniture and articles deliver George $23.86
Furniture and articles deliver George $23.86
Did George need some personal items delivered to him? I wonder where from and where to? Again, these are large sums of money. $23.86 in 1871 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $500 in 2019. George certainly didn't seem to want for much in a material way.
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| July 22, 1876. George Otis, final account of guardian and receipt of ward. |
JULY 22, 1876.
GEORGE OTIS, FINAL ACCOUNT OF GUARDIAN AND RECEIPT OF WARD.
John M. Douglas Guardian in a/c
with George Otis Dr. (aka: debtor)
1873
Sept. 23 To cash transferred from former Guardian $967.53
To [?] credit on deposits in Middletown Savings Bank $74.28
$1,041.81
Contra
1872
Sept. 23, by cash for George C. Otis $77.12
Nov 1, by cash for George C. Otis $75.00
1873
March 6, by cash for George C. Otis $41.50
Aug 6, by cash for George C. Otis $40.00
Aug 16, by cash for George C. Otis $25.00
Sept 3, by cash for George C. Otis $368.23
1874
Jan 10, by cash for George C. Otis $100.00
Feb 11, by cash for George C. Otis $250.00
April 22, by cash for George C. Otis $57.37
1876
July 22 by cash for George C. Otis $7.59 $1,041.81
Middletown July 22, 1876
John M. Douglas
Guardian
[?] and sworn from [?]
Middletown July 22, 1876
I, being now of full age, acknowledge the receipt of the amount shown by the above account, in full of all claim against said guardian and do hereby discharge said guardian from all further liability or claims on account of said guardianship.
George C. Otis
This is a close-up of the bottom portion of the above document. Notice George Otis' personal signature at the bottom of the page.
