When studying your family history you often wonder what your ancestors were like. We often have dates of birth, marriage and death and know where they lived. We may also be lucky and have pictures of them depending on how long ago they lived.

Many years ago I was sent copies of  a few pages from a memory book that had details about my 4th Great-Grandparents, Orsamus and Mercy Braman.

Some of the information I knew already, and I could also fill in some missing information.

Orsamus Braman was born in Ellington, Connecticut on Feb 9th, 1799. I knew that his descent was English, but I am not sure where the Scotch fits in. Perhaps it is in his Braman ancestry which I don’t know much about.

I can fill in his father’s first name, which was Joseph and knew his mother was Abigail (Anna) Jenks. He had 7 brothers and 3 sisters which I also knew about.

However, now the fun begins.

His Education is listed as Collegiate. I have not found out where he went to college, but I would like to find out some day.

His Occupation is listed as Tanner, or maybe it is supposed to be Farmer. I know that he had a farm. He also worked as a mason at one time and was also a postmaster

Politics – Democrat (vs. Whig?)

Religion – Spiritualist  I found this entry intriguing and will have to do more study as to what a Spiritualist was in the mid-1800’s

Date of Marriage – 1819 and 1842 Also something that I knew.

But wait, there is more.

I like the entries that start this second page.

Orsamus was 6 feet 2 inches in height. His height may have come from his mother’s side of the family. Her Great-Greatuncle Joseph Jenckes was 7 foot 2 inches in height.

Despite his height Orsamus only weighed 150 pounds. His Habit is described as Temperate and Thin. At 6’2″ and 150 pounds he was definitely thin.

He had a light complexion, brown hair and blue eyes and was in good health.

Orsamus died on October 5, 1873 in an accident. I am not sure what the accident was. Perhaps one day I will find out.

He died at Rome, Wisconsin which is in Jefferson County. I have been to the farm where he lived.

In his 74 years 9 months and 20 days he lived a full life. I am glad that I know a few details of what he was like.

I had planned on also posting the description of his wife Mercy, but that will have to wait for Ancestor Description II. Once I write the post I will add a link.

Also coming soon is a post about something wonderful that I picked up at the post office this evening.

Do you know what color eyes your 4th Great-Grandfather had?

Steven