Farmer Cotton
From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.
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Tolmon Cotton
Biographical information
Physical description
Born in TA 2941 (1341 SR), Tolman, also known as Tom, Cotton was the father of Rosie, Tolman (Tom), Wilcome (Jolly), Bowman (Nick), & Carl (Nibs). He was married to Lily Brown. He died in FO 20 (1440 SR).
Tom Cotton was considered the "chief person round here [Bywater], and the sturdiest," and when the four hobbits of the Fellowship of the Ring returned to the Shire, Frodo sent Sam to his house to recruit him & his sons for the upcoming fight. He was Frodo's main source of information on how things stood in the Shire before the Battle of Bywater.
When Sharkey's ruffians arrived at Bywater to put down the hobbit rebellion, the first person to talk to them was Farmer Cotton. He told them they weren't wanted. After the first group of men was subdued, he hosted Frodo, Sam, Gaffer" during the troubles before the four hobbits' return.
Tom Cotton fought in the Battle of Bywater and the "very considerable rise in the fame and fortune of the Cottons dates from this time;" he, along with two dozen other hobbits, also escorted Frodo, Sam, Merry, & Pippin to Bag End to look for Lotho Sackville-Baggins after the battle.
