Freedom Hollow Town Record: Peter, Samantha, David, Sharla, Tommy, Anna, and Beth Ottomas: Dairy Farmers
Peter is the steadfast head of the Ottomas household; a man whose hands are calloused from farm work. He tends to his cows with care, ensuring each animal is healthy, and manages the production of milk and butter that sustains both his family and the wider community, bartering milk and butter at the Trading Post on Saturday and selling off some of the cows to Butcher Yves when the herd grows too large. Peter carries the memory of his mother, Dora. Her absence is felt deeply, though Peter continues to honor her legacy by keeping the farm running with the same dedication she instilled in him.
Peter’s devoted wife, Samantha inherited the tireless role of matriarch of the household after Dora’s passing. Samantha is the glue that holds the household together, getting all the children out the door and heading for the schoolhouse while maintaining the standards that Dora once upheld. Her skirts are often stained with milk or butter, all while never complaining about the constant demands of a household that includes five children, a bustling farm, and the preparations for weekly market trade. She does it all with a mindset that earns her the respect of neighbors and visitors alike, though she does often find herself caught in a daydream of the days when she intended to be a school Marm.
The eldest child, David, is an earnest young man with a romantic heart. He has spent countless hours in the pens with his father, learning the art of cow tending and the rhythms of farm life, but his thoughts often wander to matters of the heart. Head-over-heels for Angela Pleasant, David’s heart was crushed when she chose to become engaged for status, yet he clings to the memory of a stolen, tender moment behind the Barn Dance when they were teenagers and holds out hope that one day he might yet convince her to marry for love.
Sharla, the family’s eldest daughter, dreams of finding a reliable and handsome husband and never having to wake up to the scent of cow pats again. Sharla works alongside her mother, caring for the younger children, helping with the chores, anything that doesn’t involve the animals. Sharla longs for a life of stability and companionship, and she waits patiently for the day her Prince Charming finds her at a Barn Dance.
Tommy, the youngest son, is energetic, inquisitive, and eager to help. He spends his days assisting with the cows, tending small plots of the farm, and learning the skills necessary to one day manage portions of the household’s livestock. While he is still learning discipline and responsibility, Tommy shows signs of becoming a capable and dependable member of the family, and if you can’t find him, he’s probably wandered off to throw axes behind the barn or climb the crabapple tree.
Anna and Beth, the youngest Ottomas children, were raised almost exclusively by Dora until her passing. They assist with household chores and small farm duties where they can, learning from both their parents and older siblings. Their energy and inquisitiveness may be considered a bit rambunctious for a pair of young girls, and they are often seen playing near the barn or splashing each other with water from the laundry tub – er, helping with the laundry.