Display Patriot - P-263881

Joseph OTIS

SAR Patriot #: P-263881

The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.

State of Service: MA Qualifying Service: Brigadier General / Patriotic Service / Civil Service

DAR #: A084838

Birth: 06 Mar 1725 West Barnstable / Barnstable / MA
Death: 21 Sep 1810 West Barnstable / Barnstable / MA

Qualifying Service Description:

Brigadier General for Barnstable County
Falmouth Selectman and Town Representative, 1775
Town Treasurer, 1780-1782
Town Meeting Moderator, 1781 and 1783

Additional References:

MA Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Volume 11, pg 713
Barnstable Transcript of Records, 1713-1781, Vol 2, pg 288 (image 147)
Muster/Payrolls of the Rev War (MA and Rhode Island) Volume 28, pg 87, 95 (images 111, 118)

Spouse: (1) Rebecca Sturgis; (2) Maria Walter
Children: Rebecca; James; Elizabeth; Joseph; Nathaniel Walter; John; Thomas; Charles; William; Arthur; Mary A;

Members Who Share This Ancestor
None^*

^*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar.
There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.

Burial:

West Barnstable Cemetery_(C-0372602)

Location:

West Barnstable / Barnstable / MA / USA

Find A Grave Cemetery #:

245129

Grave Plot #:

Grave GPS Coordinates:

41.707959 / -70.372754

Find A Grave Memorial #:

5763057

Marker Type:

horizontal stone with SAR marker

SAR Grave Dedication Date:

bef 01 Mar 2011

Comments:

Photo is displayed courtesy of David Schaffer, MASSAR

Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:

From the cemetery entance on Route 149 (Meetinghouse Way) walk 89 yards northeast along the stone wall adjacent to Route 149. Turn left towards the cemetery and the gravesite of Joseph Otis is three yards from the stone wall

Photo: 1 of 1

Author: David Crandall Schafer

Joseph Otis was born March 6, 1725/26, the second son of James Otis and Mary Allyn. His siblings who survived to adulthood are: James, Mercy, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth and Samuel.¹

With his father’s guidance, Joseph Otis became part of the family business at Barnstable, and by 1755, he was managing the family store, which sold manufactured goods, local meats and produce, and later, whaling supplies.² Additionally, he served as Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of which his father was Chief Justice.

Otis married Rebecca Sturgis, a daughter of John Sturgis and Abigail Allin, November 1, 1753, at Barnstable. They were the parents of three children who survived to adulthood: Rebecca, James and Elizabeth. Rebecca Sturgis Otis died April 7, 1766, and was buried at the cemetery of West Barnstable.

Joseph Otis married Maria Walter, a daughter of Nathaniel Walter and Rebecca Abbott, February 22, 1770, at Roxbury, Massachusetts. They were the parents of nine children who survived to adulthood: Joseph, Nathaniel, John, Thomas, Charles, Mary, William, Arthur and Maria.³

Joseph Otis was commissioned Major of the First Regiment of Militia for the County of Barnstable, February 7, 1765.⁴ He was commissioned, August 30, 1775, as Colonel of the First Barnstable County Regiment of Militia. He was appointed Brigadier General of the militia for Barnstable County, February 8, 1776. Coinciding with his military service, Otis actively served Barnstable as Selectman in 1774, 1775, and 1781. Other positions he held were: Representative to the General Court in 1775, Town Treasurer in 1780-1782, and Town Meeting Moderator in 1781, 1783, and 1784. Otis was also appointed the Naval Officer for the Port of Barnstable, 1776-1778.⁵

Joseph Otis died at West Barnstable, Massachusetts. He was buried at the cemetery of West Barnstable. The inscription on his white marble table-top gravestone is:

Sacred to the memory of Joseph Otis Esquire, second son of the late Hon. James Otis. Born in Barnstable on the 22nd of February O.S.A.D. 1725, who closed his eyes on the transitory scenes of life, as his residence there, Sunday morning, the 21st of September A.D. 1810: aged 85 years and 6 months. A sincere but humble Christian, an affectionate friend, tender father, and an honest upright man this stone as a small tribute of their respect and attachment humbly raised by his bereaved and afflicted family.

References:

1. Barnstable, Transcript of Records, 1713-1781, Pg. 380.

2. Barnstable Patriot, June 22, 1989, Pg. 58.

3. Mayflower Families through Five Generations, Vol. 11: The Edward Doty Family, Pg. 101-102.

4. Massachusetts Archives Collection, 1629-1799, Vol. 99, Pg. 78.

5. Ibid, Vol. 211, Pg. 219; Vol. 216, Pg. 412.

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