Quintilla GARTH-OTWELL (1801-1852)



Monument at Georgetown Cemetery with names Wm. & Quintilla Otwell and Martha DORSEY
Photo courtesy of laribel of www.findagrave.com
2 Smaller stones near monument are daughter Martha's husband and child

Edna OTWELL-SIM > Edwin OTWELL > Maurice OTWELL > John Franklin OTWELL > Quintilla GARTH-OTWELL

Quintilla Garth was born in Scott County, Kentucky on January 13, 1801.  Her parents were John Garth and Sarah Griffith.  After John's first wife, Ann Rodes, died he married Sarah Griffith.  "Quint" means 5 and Quintilla was John's 5th daughter.  In the Garth household there were at least 15 children, from John's two wives, who were raised in the home.  John Garth's will listed the home as a mansion house.

On the 1810 and 1820 Scott, Kentucky Censuses, Quintilla would have been recorded with a check mark under the age category listed under her father, John Garth, head of household.  Around 1821 she married William Otwell in Scott County.  They had at least six children who were listed as John Franklin, Thomas, Martha, Emily, Mary Ann and Sarah Jane.

On the 1830 Census the family was in Fayette County, Kentucky with five children listed.  They were living on a 100-acre farm.  We next found Quintilla listed in the will of her father, John Garth, dated July 4, 1833.  She was listed as an heir to $1000 and 1/12 share of railroad stock.

Upon the death of her father-in-law, Francis Otwell, Quintilla's family moved back to Scott County in 1839.  Her family lived on a 150-acre farm known as the Frank Otwell Farm.  On the 1840 Census there were six children listed and on the 1850 Census, Quiintilla was recorded as 50-years old living with her husband and four daughters.

Quintilla Garth-Otwell died 10 days short of 51-years old on January 3, 1852.  She was buried in the Georgetown Cemetery, Scott County, Kentucky.

Visit her on-line memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=98557306

William OTWELL (1798-1858)

William OTWELL's "Mark"

Edna OTWELL-SIM > Edwin OTWELL > Maurice OTWELL > John Franklin OTWELL > William OTWELL

William Otwell was born in Scott County, Kentucky on April 11, 1798.  His father was Francis (Frank) Otwell and his mother was unknown.  The old census reports only recorded the head of the family and did not list the names of the spouse and children.  We do know there were many children.  One brother was named Parker and a sister was named Mary Ann.

William married Quintilla Garth around 1821 in Scott County.  They had at least six children which included John Franklin, Thomas, Martha, Emily, Mary Ann and Sarah Jane.

On the 1810 and 1820 Censuses William was still in Scott County living with his parents.  He moved to Fayette County, Kentucky after the 1820 Census with his wife and lived on 100 acres of land.  Their first child, John Franklin, was born there in 1821.  William appeared on the 1830 census in Fayette with his wife, children, and 17 slaves.

In 1839 after his father's death, his family moved back to Scott County to the Frank Otwell Farm which was 150 acres located on the north-west side of the Leesburgh and Lexington Road (now known as Paris Pike).  He was listed as a purchaser of items from his father's estate records.  He was a farmer and he remained in Scott County the rest of his life.

In 1849, William was involved in a civil lawsuit OTWELL vs COOK in which precedence was set in the use of IOUs to offset other IOUs.

On the 1850 Census he was listed with his wife and four daughters.  The 1850 Slave Schedule recorded he was the owner of 21 slaves.

In June 1857 William made out his will and signed with an "X" leaving his estate to his children.  On January 12, 1858 William changed his executor from his son, John Franklin, to two non-family members.  In May 1858 his will was presented to the Scott County Court for disbursement.

William Otwell died May 18, 1858 at the age of 60.  He was buried in the Georgetown Cemetery in Scott County, Kentucky.

OTWELL Monument at Georgetown Cemetery
Photo courtesy of laribel from www.findagrave.com

Close up of text on monument
Photo courtesy of Ben T. CALVERT of www.findagrave.com

Visit his on-line memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=98557164

Read more about the OTWELL Estates.

The Frank Otwell Farm

In the will of William Otwell, the Frank Otwell Farm consisting of 150 acres was to be divided equally to William's daughters, Martha Dorsey, Mary Otwell and Sarah Jane Otwell.

"The land given to my daughters is undivided and deeded to them and lies in Scott County, State of Kentucky.  If this land should fall short of 150 acres as described, I wish that it should be made up out of my estate to Martha, Mary and Sarah Jane."

Martha Otwell Dorsey quickly bought out her sisters' properties.  Mary and Sarah Jane moved to Georgetown, KY and both were deceased within a few years.

In 1878, Martha's husband, Benjamin Dorsey, willed the property to their "daughter Fannie Cromwell Dorsey and children".  In 1916, Fannie wanted to sell the property and divide the proceeds between herself and her older children.  The problem was she had several very young children. The family went to the Kentucky Court of Appeals and in Brock vs Brock, the court decided that all of the children were entitled to the proceeds even if they were born after Benjamin's death.  The property was sold outside the family.

Location of former OTWELL farm
From Google Earth, 2016

From the on-line HISTORY site:
Kentucky was granted statehood in 1792, becoming the first U.S. state west of the Appalachian Mountains. Frontiersman Daniel Boone was one of Kentucky's most prominent explorers and many immigrants followed the trail he blazed through the Cumberland Gap, known as the Wilderness Road. Although it sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War, the population was deeply divided, and many Kentucky residents fought for the North. Known primarily as an agricultural area into the 20th century, Kentucky is also a major U.S. coal producer and site of the military bases Fort Knox and Fort Campbell. It is also known as the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby horse race and bluegrass music, pioneered by Kentucky native Bill Monroe.

Flag of Kentucky

Mary H. TAYLOR-OTWELL (1824-1890)

Edna OTWELL-SIM > Edwin OTWELL > Maurice OTWELL > Mary H. TAYLOR-OTWELL

Mary H. Taylor was born around 1824 in Fayette County, Kentucky.  Her parents were Stark Taylor and Elizabeth McClane.  She came from a large family of 16 children and lived on a hemp-growing plantation in Fayette County that also included slaves.

On December 19, 1844 she married John Franklin Otwell.  Mary had only one child, Maurice Otwell, who was born in 1845.  Mary was found on the 1850 US Census living with her husband and son.  Her father, Stark Taylor, listed Mary in his will on January 20, 1858.  From 1824-1859 Mary was in Fayette County, Kentucky.

In 1859 Mary moved with her family to West Nissouri, Ontario, Canada.  She was listed on the 1881 Canadian Census.  We found many recordings for her husband, John, who was a market gardener and owned a cannery.  However, we found very little on Mary who remained in the background of her husband's business.  Although she had only one child, her home was filled with her grandchildren.  Her son, Maurice, and his family lived with her before and after his being committed to St. Mary's Insane Asylum in 1889.

After her husband's canning business was sold, the family moved to London, Ontario in 1889.  We do not have any information on Mary's death except the date of July 21, 1890 in London, Ontario.

The Sad Case of John F. OTWELL

Edna OTWELL > Edwin OTWELL > Maurice OTWELL > John Franklin OTWELL

Here are all of the articles found on John Franklin's 1893 crime.  He was 72 years old.

Argus Newspaper items are from St. Mary's Museum.  All of the other's were found at Our Ontario Digital Newspapers at http://www.ourontario.ca/demo/News.html



28 October 1893, London Free Press





28 Oct 1893, Windsor Evening Record, page 7







2 November 1893, Argus Newspaper, page 5



8 Nov 1893, Argus Newspaper, page 7

9 Nov 1893, Argus Newspaper, page 5

16 Nov 1893, Argus Newspaper, page 7


More items for John F. OTWELL



Lexington Reporter, 18 Jul 1849
Donation to poor - from Old Fulton Postcards
John GARTH also listed was JF's cousin

Louisville Evening Bulletin, 21 September 1857
JF accused of steal horse and buggy - from Old Fulton

Louisville Evening Bulletin, 22 September 1857
Bail set at $1500 (nearly 40K in today's money) - from Old Fulton

Louisville Evening Bulletin, 12 Oct 1857
Names of people in jail or on bail - from Old Fulton

21 Jan 1869, Argus Newspaper, page 3
From St. Mary's Museum

15 Apr 1869, Argus Newspaper, page 2



1873, Canadian Farmer, page 350
From Google books



8 Oct 1874, Argus Newspaper
Western Fair



8 Oct 1874, Argus Newspaper
Western Fair winners

8 Oct 1874 Argus Newspaper
Western Fair winners



8 Oct 1874, Argus Newspaper
Western Fair winners

1876, American Agriculturalist, volume 35, page 113
From Google books

1876, American Agriculturalist, volume 35, page 115
From Google books.

11 Sep 1883 The London Advertiser
Found on google news

 

 

John Franklin OTWELL (1821-1908)

25 Mar 1885
Argus Newspaper, St. Mary's Museum

Edna OTWELL-SIM > Edwin OTWELL > Maurice OTWELL > John F. OTWELL

BORN - In Fayette County, Kentucky on April 29, 1821, John Franklin Otwell was born to William Otwell and Quintilla Garth.  On the 1830 US Census we found John's father in Fayette County.  No family member names are listed on this census, just check marks for ages of those in the household.  In 1839 after the death of his grandfather, Francis Otwell, John moved with his parents to Francis' farm in Scott, Kentucky.  We found the family on the US 1840 Census in Scott, Kentucky.

MARRIAGE - On December 19, 1844 he married Mary H. Taylor.  They had one child, Maurice Otwell, born in 1845.

TIMELINE
John Otwell was found on the 1850 US Census listed as a farmer in Fayette County.  He was also listed on the 1850 Slave Schedule with a listing of five slaves, 4 males and one female.

In 1858 he was listed in the will of his father, William, as an heir and executor.  He was also listed as the husband of Mary Taylor Otwell in the will of her father, Stark Taylor, in 1858.

In the Port Rowan News an article stated that "John Otwell came to Ontario in 1859 to escape from the mutiny and discontent between the North and South, and free his own conscience from his share of the responsibility for a system for which he had no sympathy."  John was now permanently in Ontario, Canada.

Port Rowan News, unknown date
Courtesy cousin Herb OTWELL/Arlene ROLA

Per the 1901 Canadian Census he was naturalized in 1854.

Original Label
Courtesy cousin Herb OTWELL

John was a farmer and gardener who became well-known in the community.  He grew a tremendous amount of vegetables and small fruits on about 25 acres of his farm.  In 1862 he built the first canning factory in West Nissouri.  We found many articles on the awards he won as a market gardener and also in the North Riding Show.  His business flourished.  During the growing and canning season he employed over 20 people.  He advertised for vegetable plants that would be sent by mail. He was a master of the best methods for preserving his fruits and vegetables.  Some vegetables he grew were squash, pumpkins, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, watermelon, corn, beets, carrots, parsnips and peas.  His tomatoes were rated excellent.

John Otwell had sleighs in the winter with wood-burning stoves on them.  He was the envy of many in his town.  He had an excellent reputation and was the head of a prosperous pickling company.  He led an exemplary life and was well-respected in his community.

On January 19, 1882, J. F. Otwell & Son Pickling Factory burned.  On February 22, 1882 he wrote a letter to the editor of the St. Mary's Argus thanking his insurance companies for their prompt payment.

23 Feb 1882, Argus Newspaper, page 6
St. Mary's Museum



Jar circa 1886
Maple Leaf Auctions



15 July 1886
Argus Newspaper
St. Mary's Museum

In 1886 an article stated J. F. Otwell's pickles are fast becoming famous all over the continent.  He began using a wider-neck jar with a screw top so the jars could be reused.



Can after JF sold the name
Photo courtesy St. Mary's Museum

 
In 1889 John's only child, Maurice, was committed to an insane asylum after many years of crazy behavior. The following year Mary Otwell, John's wife, died.  On the 1891 Canadian Census John is listed as 68 (he is 70), Presbyterian, and listed as a carpenter.  He had sold the farm and moved to London, Ontario.  Maurice's wife and their children are living with John.  He had previously sold his canning business.





2 Nov 1893
Argus, p 5
St. Mary's Museum

Hard times and dementia took a toll on John F. Otwell.  In November of 1893 he confessed to stealing a horse, wagon and harness that he used to steal grain from farmers in London, Ontario.  He confessed to the crimes and on November 9, 1893 he was found guilty and sentenced to two years at the Kingston Penitentiary.  He was 72-years old.  He was interviewed by Dr. Buck from the asylum his son was committed to.  Dr. Buck concluded John suffered from senile dementia and should not be responsible for his actions.  This had no effect on his sentence and John spent two years in Kingston.

We next find John on the 1901 Canadian Census.  He was 80-years old and living in St. Mary's, Ontario with his granddaughter, Mary Haley, and her family.  Some time after this he went to Detroit, Michigan where his daughter-in-law and some grandchildren were living.

DEATH - John Franklin Otwell died June 21, 1908 in Detroit.  He was 87-years old.  His cause of death was paralysis acute ascending.  His remains were returned to London, Ontario, Canada for burial.

John F. Otwell was one of the most interesting ancestors we have researched.  He was so well-respected and accomplished in his Canadian community.  His friends and neighbors signed a petition to try and stop his prison sentence.  This was unsuccessful because John had plead guilty to his crimes.  John Franklin Otwell was Mary Jane's favorite ancestor that we have researched.

Just when we thought John's stealing occurred in his old age, we found several articles in the Louisville Evening Bulletin dated around September 21, 1857.  When he was in Kentucky he stole a horse and buggy of Mr. Wilkes.  He was given bail of $1500 and remanded to jail to await trial at the next term of the criminal court.  He was also listed in a separate article as a person in jail.

21 Sep 1857
Louisville Evening Bulletin
Found on Old Fulton Postcards

Visit his on-line memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=115333682
 

5 Jan 1955
Argus
St. Mary's Museum



Jane ASH-OTWELL (1847-1935)

Jane OTWELL, Detroit circa 1935
Photo courtesy Herb OTWELL

Edna OTWELL > Edwin OTWELL > Jane ASH

Jane was born on 13 November 1847 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were William ASH and Anna Maria MARKS. William had died prior to Jane’s birth. When Jane was 1 years old, Anna Maria married John ATWELL and the blended family moved to a farm near St. Mary’s, West Nissouri, Ontario. Jane appears on the 1851 census under the surname ATWELL. She did not appear on the 1861 census.

At age 17, Jane married her neighbor, 19 year old Maurice OTWELL (1845-1915), on 15 July 1865 in Perth, Ontario. After marriage, they lived with Maurice's parents on the OTWELL Farm near St. Mary's and had at least 7 children (John Franklin, William, Edwin (our ancestor), Mary Ellen HALEY, Edith PAGE, Ila May MCLEOD-YOUNIE and Victoria Jane FREISLEBEN).

After Maurice was committed in 1889 (see previous post), Jane and her children remained in the OTWELL household. Several of the older children married and moved away that year. In 1890, Jane’s mother-in-law, Mary TAYLOR-OTWELL, passed away and the OTWELLs sold the farm and moved to London, Ontario by 1891.

Maurice's father, John Franklin OTWELL, was still patriarch of the family.  By 1903 John had senile dementia.  He was caught stealing and sent to prison.  (You'll have to wait for his upcoming post for the full story.)  Just imagine what Jane and the family went through in such a short period of time - Maurice's insanity, Mary's death, loss of the farm, John Franklin's dementia and imprisonment.

Jane must have wanted a fresh start.  She moved the remaining family to Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. (One of her daughters had previously moved there.) She first appears in the 1903 Detroit directory offering furnished rooms for rent. In the 1910 census, her occupation is keeper at a rooming house. Her daughters Ila May MCLEOD and Edith PAGE were also renting there.

Jane never remarried.  Maurice died in 1915.  In the 1920 census, Jane was a retired widow living in her daughter’s, Mary Ellen HALEY’s, household. By 1921, she appears in the Detroit directory living at another location.

Jane died of pneumonia at home on 18 January, 1935 at age 87 years. Her son John OTWELL was the informant on her death certificate. She was laid to rest at Oakview Cemetery, Oakland County, Michigan.  Her obituary mentions that she was the niece of England's late Lord Salisbury, but no further information has been found on that information.

Obit courtesy cousin David H.- from his scrapbook

Visit her on-line memorial:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=146344726

Maurice OTWELL (1845-1915)

Edna OTWELL > Edwin OTWELL > Maurice OTWELL

Maurice was born about 1845 in Fayette Co., Kentucky and was the only child of John Franklin OTWELL and Mary H. TAYLOR.  He was also known as Morris.  The family worked a 100 acre plantation in Kentucky and another farm in St. Mary’s, Ontario, Canada.  About 1859, the family immigrated to St. Mary’s when Maurice was 14 years old to avoid the impending U. S. Civil War.

At age 19, Maurice married his neighbor, 17 year old Jane ASH (1847-1935), on 15 July 1865 in Perth, Ontario.  After marriage, they lived on the OTWELL Farm and had at least 7 children (JohnFranklin, William Charles, Edwin James (our ancestor), Mary Ellen HALEY, Edith Ann PAGE, Ila May YOUNIE and Victoria Jane FREISLEBEN)

Maurice and his father, John Franklin, were farmers who grew crops for sale at farmer’s markets in surrounding cities.  Eventually, they began canning the produce and started a cannery at the farm.  The business was named “John F. Otwell & Sons”.  Maurice became a travelling salesman selling canned goods throughout the region.

In 1884, Maurice patented his invention of a match safe (a container to protect matches).

3 January 1884, The Argus, page 3
From St. Mary's Museum

In the late 1880s, Maurice began a campaign to repeal the Scott Act (Canada’s temperance movement).  He would give speeches in the town square and wrote letters to regional newspapers in hopes of publication.  He called this campaign the “Maurice Act” and the speech and letters (1885 and 1889) can be found on-line from the Canadian Archives. 

It has been recorded in medical records that sometime in his 30s, Maurice developed epilepsy.  This was likely caused by a blow to the head.  (Another possible cause of epilepsy this late in life is a brain tumor, but it is unlikely since he lived to age 69.)  Seizures cause scarring typically in the region of the brain that when damaged, can cause schizophrenia.  The “Maurice Act” may indicate that he was self-medicating with liquor to control his seizures.  Soon after that letter written in 1889, he tried to burn the house down and tried to kill his father.  Maurice was found insane and was admitted to St. Mary’s Lunatic Asylum 16 April 1889 at the age of 43.

Dr. Richard BUCK was the superintendent of the asylum between 1877 and 1902.  He favored humanitarian treatment of patients and he attempted to improve their mental health by providing beautiful surroundings and many social activities.  The asylum had a working farm and an amusement hall.  Dr. BUCK limited the hospital’s use of mechanical restraints.  The family did the best for Maurice by placing him here.  There were no drugs at that time to treat his condition or reduce the frequency of seizures.  In the early years, the Asylum used liquor to control patients.  Maurice never improved.

Maurice died 6 Apr 1915 of epilepsy.  He was 69 years old and had spent nearly 26 years in the asylum.  His body was retrieved by the local funeral home Smith, Clark & Sons.  We do not know in which cemetery he was buried.

Visit his on-line memorial.

 

MEDICAL RECORD TRANSCRIPTION

The following is Maurice’s St. Mary’s medical record 1889-1890 (case #2909).  The footnotes designated as, for example, [1] are my research notes. If you want a copy of the original for purposes other than research, contact the Canadian Archives and request it under the freedom of records act. 

-Folio 20-

History: Abt 43 yrs. Married. 7 children. Bk-keeper. U.S.[1] Has been eccentric. Has been insane for years. Says he is going to revolutionize the world and fancies he is going to the sun and that he is annexed to Christ, etc. Is an Epileptic[2] – has threatened himself and attempted to injure others. Fair English education.

Dr. Sinclair- St. Mary’s Certifies: At times very talkative and again melancholy. Makes public speeches and imagines people are envious to hear him altho he talks nonsense. Opposes the Scott Act[3]. Says Maurice Act is better tho there is no such Act. Has a glass case in the post office here where he puts advice for the benefit of the people. Fancies he has business to attend to where he has none. His wife alleges that he set fire to the house and has attempted to kill his father. Got out of bed to get axe to use on someone.

Dr. James J. Hall- St. Mary’s Certifies: Reasoning faculty is disturbed & confused. Frequently he is violently excited and mischievous. Has had Epileptic Fits for 10-12 yrs[4]. Neglects his family.

Admission: Apr 16th 89. He is today admitted to the Asylum clean and alright.

Fit: Apr 18th. Had a severe Epileptic Fit this afternoon.

North Building[5]: Apr 19th. Had another fit this AM and he was very much excited. Attacked Royce (Attendant) violently and tried to choke him when he asked him to go to Hall. He is today sent to North Building. 

Bromides: Apr 23. Has been having fits but has been quiet and well behaved: is today to consume Bromides[6]. 

May 1. Quiet and well behaved most of the time. 

June 1. Rarely excited and only after fits.

Main Building: June 28. Has been well behaved of late and is today sent to Main Building to make room for a worse patient.

Attempted to Elope: July 17. Was sent out to work with the garden gang this afternoon and eloped about the middle of the afternoon but was recaptured by D. ROSS & brought back before he got off the grounds.

Aug 1/89. Very bad tempered of late. He made an attack on attendant because he did not give him his medicine at the time he wanted it. Tore attendant’s shirt.

Aug 5/89. Transferred from 4B to 4 North Building.

Carried forward to next page.

-From Folio 20-

Insinuating to Kill: Aug 30 1889. Yesterday, he wrote to BUCK a letter[7] in which he said he would take the Doctor’s life if he were not liberated by tomorrow evening at six o’clock. This morning he still maintains that he will kill the Doctor unless liberated. The Colleagues and all the attendants have been cautioned to be very careful of this patient while Dr. BUCK is in the hall. 

Secreting Stones: Sep 2. Was found with half a dozen stones in his pockets on coming in from airing court yesterday.

Excited and Breaking Glass: Sept 3. Was excited last night and thru a number of flower pots through a window. Broke 18 panes of glass and two window sash. Said he did it so that the Dr. would notice him: patient afterwards complained bitterly that the attendant, who took him away from the window, hurt him severely. But upon examination, no bruises were apparent. 

Oct 1. Quiet and well behaved since last note.

Nov 1. Attends amusements sometimes and is quiet and well behaved.

Dec 1. Unchanged.

1 Jan 90. Quiet and well behaved but does not improve mentally: good bodily health except fits occasionally

Feb 1. Remains unchanged.

Mar 1. Remains unchanged: thinks at present to be a great orator and wants to give a lecture in the Amusement Hall on Temperance.

Apr 1. Remains unchanged.

Main Building: Dec 1. Has been quiet and well behaved of late and is today sent to Main Building to make room for a worse patient.

Dec 2. Has been very quiet since coming to this building

 Jan 7/91. Unchanged.

 Mar 15. Has been a little excited lately. Has a great scheme of starting a pickling factory here and another in Winnipeg. Will talk by the hour on the subject giving minute reasons for his selection of London & Winnipeg.

Violent: May 7. Struck Att WRIGHT- because he wanted him to run rubber[8].

Aug 5. Has been very quiet and well behaved lately.

1891 Feb 2nd. Is in good bodily health. Improved mentally.

Nov 30. While in a fit today he fell against a radiator and burnt his left hand severely.

Dec 1. Two large blisters on palm of hand show themselves which will likely result in sloughing ulcer. 

-N.B. See page 20 of this case book.-

-Page 201-

1 Jan 1893. His hand is improving under application of bitamic oint[9]. Occasionally has fits. Is unchanged mentally. 

Jan 10. The right side of face is today attacked with Erysipelas[10]. Painted it with Collodion[11].

Jan 14. The erysipelas has involved the whole scalp. He is on Ferri Mur 8th x and Quinine as T every 2 hours[12].

Mar 23. Came up behind an att today with a chair and struck him on the head and arm without provocation. 

Dec 6. Commenced to use today on Sycosis of Face & Head a sol of Soda Hyposulphite 3T/3T frequently mopped on at night to be smeared over with Icthyol oint 388 in 3T of Lanolin.

1894 Jan1. His head is improving slowly under the above tr. Always fanatically inventing. Is quite excited at times. General health fair.

1895 Jan 8. Unchanged

July 11th. He has been very violently and struck and cut a patient badly and sent to North Building today.

1896 Jan 1. In good bodily health; is very delusional, harried, great inventive powers, is getting out patents, etc. Is quarrelsome and lecherous at times.

1897 Jan 1. No particular change mentally or physically; has occasional fits and is wonderful inventive genius, especially with direction of Railway motors, flying machines, etc.

1898 Jan 1. Continues much the same mentally and physically since last noted.

1899 Jan 1. Is very fair bodily health; no change mentally; has epileptic seizures more or less frequently.

1900 Jan 1. No change

1901 Jan 1. No change

1 May 1902. In fair bodily health, is getting more quiet and reserved in manner but still displays his “inventive genius” occasionally. Subject to epileptic fits now and then.

1903. No material change. In Main Building now. N.B.

(That is the end of the medical record.)

 Research Footnotes

[1] To date, no documents have been found to support that he was a book keeper in the US. 

[2] Epileptics had a higher incidence of schizophrenia. At this time, there were no drugs to control the seizures and brain damage occurred that led to schizophrenia. 

[3] The Scott Act was the Canadian temperance act. 

[4] Maurice began having seizures late in life; in his mid 30s. They may have been acquired through a head trauma. 

[5] The hospital segregated the violent patients to the North Building (N.B.) and Maurice spent 2 months in the N.B. after his first attack. Then returned 2 months later (Aug “89) for a 1 year 4 month stay. And again, returned to the N.B. in 1895 through 1903. 

[6] Bromide or potassium bromide is a sedative. Originally, the hospital administered liquor, but by 1887, Dr. BUCK had removed all alcohol in patient treatment. 

[7] There is an asterisk here with a note to “See Fyle”; the letter must have been kept in the file, but it no longer exists according to the Canadian Archives. 

[8] Pulling rubber was an activity designed to keep mentally ill patients calmed and focused. This might have been what they were talking about. 

[9] I could not find a reference to bitamic ointment and think this may have been botanic ointment. 

[10] Erysipelas is a bacterial infection producing large raised red patches on the face and legs. 

[11] Collodion is a flammable solution of pyroxylin (AKA nitrocellulose) in ether & alcohol that was used in treatment of skin infections. 

[12] Likely Muriated Tincture of Iron and Quinine sulfate