The Mysterious Jotham Morrill

Well, he's a mystery to me at least.  I don't know that an overworked farmer in post Revolution New Hampshire could have anything other than a straightforward life.  I'm grateful to have found several records for this 4th great grandfather of mine, but there are many unanswered questions.

Here's what I know about Jotham:

• Married Catherine Brown (of unknown parentage) in Moultonboro, New Hampshire, Feb. 23, 1799, meaning he was likely born before 1783.
• Fathered a daughter, Statira Morrill-Graves in March of 1800.
• Fathered a son, Jonathan Smythe Morrill in 1804.
• Owned livestock in neighboring Tuftonboro, NH 1804 and 1806, according to the Town Clerk there.
• August 1800 Census - Moultonboro, lived next door to a William Morrill (who had migrated there from Berwick around 1783).  Household included:  
• one male aged 16-25 (who?)
• one male 26-44 (Jotham), this means he was born between September 1755 and September 1773.
• two females under 10 years old (one was Statira, but who was the other girl?)
• one female 26-44 (Catherine), this means she was born between September 1755 and September 1773
• one female 45 and over (who?)
• August 1810 Census - Tuftonboro, listed here as Jonathan Morrill.  Household included: 
• one male under 10 (my ancestor, Jonathan)
• one male 26-44 (Jotham), calculating this with the above, he was born between September 1766 and September 1773.
• one female under 10 (Statira)
• one female 26-44 (Catherine), calculating this with the above, she was born between September 1766 and September 1773.
• 1820 Census - Tuftonboro, destroyed.
• June 1830 Census - Tuftonboro.  Household included:
• one male age 50-59 (Jotham), calculating this with the above, he was born between July 1771 and September 1773.
• one female age 50-59 (Catherine), calculating this with the above, she was born between July 1771 and September 1773
• 1840 Census - Jotham doesn't appear.  He doesn't appear on either of his children's censuses either.
• June 1850 Census - Jotham and Catherine are living with the Joseph Kimball household, no apparent relation, given that Joseph's wife's maiden name was Hannah Ellsworth.  
• Jotham is listed as a pauper farmer, at 78 years old.  This would mean he was born between July 1771 and July 1772.
• Catherine is listed as 80 years old.  This would mean she was born between July 1769 and July 1770, which is in conflict with the prior census records.

In the April 1813 entries of U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914, a Jotham Morrill appears, to be rather close in age, and enlisted in NH's 4th U.S. Infantry.  This Jotham is listed as having black eyes, black hair, and dark complexion, and enlisted at 45 years of age on 4/24/1813, fighting in the War of 1812.

According to the Remarks section of this entry, he was present for roll call in Feb 16 & 28, 1815. He was sick in quarters on April 30, 1815. Presented sick in Regimental Hospital. William S. Foster's, Co. 5 " U.S. Infantry. Sacred Heart? June 30 1815. Book F Discharged June 14 or 15 1815 at Buffalo, on surgeon's certificate of disability, old age. Book 600 Appears to have served in Lieutenant Hoits, detachment 1st New Hampshire Volunteers prior to enlistment in the regular Army. 4" made 5".  So it appears he fought in the 1st Regiment and the 5th Regiment as well.

Given that the name "Jotham Morrill" was so unique, I am quite certain that this is his record, and that '4 made 5' means that he was given credit for his full five years of service, even though he was discharged for being sick.

As for his age, if he truly was 45 at the date of this record, it means that he was born between April 25, 1767 and April 24, 1768, which runs as a conflict against the 1830 and 1850 Census, as shown above.  Did Jotham say he was 45 on the enlistment papers when he was truly 40?  If so, he may have done so in order to meet a requirement age in order to get a more seasoned role in the War.

As for this Jotham's birthplace, I believe that the Town of Berwick Maine may have a clue that he was descended from the John Morrell of Kittery line, as was William Morrill of Moultonboro (who was of close enough age to be a sibling, and the two men were living next door to each other on the 1800 Census!).  William happens to be buried at the Bean Cemetery in Moultonboro, alongside his daughter Charlotte, who married Jacob Graves (1803-1871).  Jotham's daughter Statira is also buried at Bean Cemetery, alongside her husband Ephraim Graves (1791-1845).  I can't help but believe there is a connection to these to Graves families somehow, but cannot find proof yet.  Also, this William Morrill is well documented and was a Revolutionary War soldier, and enlisted in 1784, age 16.  I think Jotham was a year or two younger than William.

My current theory (2026) is that William and Jotham were brothers from Berwick.

I've written a study of the Tuftonboro Morrills, which can be read here.