B. W. TOTTY’S SUPERIOR TONIC BITTERS, RICHMOND VA. Open pontil. There are no known whole examples. – photo provided by Tom Leveille

“There are no known whole examples”

TOM LEVEILLE

Wow, here is a extremely rare and possibly unique bitters that ‘appeared’ on my Peachridge Glass facebook page. There is no listing in the Ring & Ham Bitters Bottles or Bitters Bottles Supplement. [30 March 2013] Two new pictures of same bottle. The bottle is 9″ tall.

Bill Ham is refining his new listing for the bottle. *Updated 03 April 2013 with listing estimate from Bill Ham for Bitters Bottles Supplement 2.

T 49.5  B W TOTTY’S SUPERIOR TONIC BITTERS

// B W TOTTY’S / TONIC BITTERS // RICHMOND VA // f SUPERIOR //
9 x 3 ½ x 1 1/2 (6) 1/4
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, 3sp, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare

Benjamin Woodson Totty born in Richmond, VA. In 1805 and died there in 1870. He was a merchant and saloonkeeper there. Example resides in Virginia collection.

B. W. TOTTY’S SUPERIOR TONIC BITTERS, RICHMOND VA. Open pontil. There are no known whole examples. – photo provided by Tom Leveille

B. W. TOTTY’S SUPERIOR TONIC BITTERS, RICHMOND VA. Open pontil. There are no known whole examples. – photo provided by Tom Leveille

By using various online search tools I have put together some snippets of information for Mr. Totty who produced the Superior Tonic Bitters around 1850 or so in Richmond, Virginia.

B.W. = Benjamin Woodson Totty

Richmond City, Virginia

Richmond in 1850 – from Of Virginia Its History and Antiquities 1852

Life & Death: Benjamin W. TOTTY – Birth: 1805 in VA, Death: AFT. 1870 in VA, Occupation: BET. 1867 – 1870 saloon keeper, merchant 1830 April 7th Marriage: [Marriage Records City of Richmond City, VA, pg 3] Benjamin W. TOTTY to Jacintha Bricken all of this City. 1832 April 4th DEED: [Henrico County Deed Book 34, p. 222] INDENTURE 4 April 1832 between William WEST of Henrico, and Benjamin Woodson TOTTY of the City of Richmond and Thomas TOTTY of the County of Prince Edward… Whereas the said William WEST is indebted to Thomas TOTTY in the sum of $200… if William WEST fail to pay, Benjamin TOTTY will sell the land and pay Thomas TOTTY. Jacintha Totty, Died in this city, 29 June 1848:  Mrs. Jacintha TOTTY, consort of Mr. Benjamin W. TOTTY, aged 43 years. Children survive (N.S. v. 2, no. 32, 10 August 1848, p. 128.) [Source: Abstract Obituary Notices from the Virginia Conference Sentinel and Richmond Advocate, pub in “Magazine of Virginia Genealogy” by The Virginia Genealogical Society Volume 23 February 1985 Number 1.

Sacred to the memory of Jacintha Consort of Benjamin W. Totty who died June 29, 1848 In the 43rd year of her age Leaving an affectionate husband and aged mother and five children to mourn her loss. She was a devoted and affectionate wife, a dutiful daughter. Her illness which was a severely painful nature she bore with Christian fortitude and resignation. And died relying upon the mercy of God. Through the merits of his blessed Son, Jesus Christ. Then shall the ___ return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.

1850 Joshua Alvis: is charged with “maliciously and feloniously” shooting Thomas, a slave, the property of Frederick Weidemeyer, with intent to maim, disable, and kill him; case sent to the next Henrico Co. Circuit Court; Alvis made bond of $500, with Benjamin W. Totty his surety; Nathan Turner [had a license to keep a private house of entertainment] and Robert Ralston gave bond to appear as witnesses. Henrico Co tax list, 1811, 13-14 1860 Richmond Directory: B. W. TOTTY, Grocer on Cary Street bet. 13th & 14th sts. Suicide of a Physician February 18 1870: published in Richmond, VA

Dr. Charles R. BRICKEN, a well-known citizen, died by his own hand (at the residence of this father-in-law, Mr. B. W. TOTTY) yesterday morning. He has been for some time past in very bad health and suffering with depression of spirits, under the influence of which he shot himself, death almost immediately ensuing.

Dr. BRICKEN formerly enjoyed a good practice as a physician in Richmond, but before the war went into the liquor trade. After the war he became one of the lessees of the Richmond Theatre, with Mr. GRAN (Grau?) as his partner. He wrote several books while in the practice of his profession, and was also the author of “Cabin and Parlor” and several other plays – one or two of which are still acted on the American stage. A few weeks ago he delivered a lecture on the subject of Life Insurance on Oregon Hill. Dr. BRICKEN was an amiable and popular man. Some of our people will remember him as having been at one time surgeon of the [First Regiment Virginia Volunteers, Company H,] Mechanics Guard.

1875 July 31st Obituary: [Petersburg Appeal Newspaper, July 31, 1875, Richmond Dispatch and Charlottesville papers.] DIED TOTTY: At the residence of his uncle, Rev. John W. Synce, in this city, BENJAMIN W. TOTTY, son of B. W. TOTTY, of Richmond, in his 13th year. His dieing words were: “Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” 1880 Census: 330 West Leigh Street, Henrico Co., City of Rich. Vol. 17 ED 94 Sheet 31 Line 12, HH# 376/376

WILLIAMS, Geo. H. 33 BM single, shoemaker SCOTT, J.E. 16 BM single, shoemaker TOTTY, B. W. 75 M widowed, grocer Bella 17 F daughter, single, keeping house Wallace 04 M son Douglas 24 M son, single, clerk in store