The Rev. Jotham Sewall had his daguerreotype made in 1847. Noted for his size and strength, Jotham Sewall "ate principally, bread, fruits and milk; and drank sage tea and water," according to an 1851 report in the American Vegetarian and Health Journal. Dr. William Alcott mentioned Sewall in his book Vegetable Diet, indicating Sewall became a vegetarian in 1810.

Ordained by the Protestant Congregational Church in 1800, Sewall worked for the Massachusetts and Maine Missionary Societies and lived to ninety years and nine months old.