January 17, 1814, Brookfield, New York.
March 22, 1892, Mill Grove, New York.
West Ridgeway Cemetery, Medina, New York.

Cottrell was known as a writer, poet and minister. A member of the Seventh-day Adventists, he served for a time on the editorial committee of The Review and Herald in Battle Creek, Michigan. As of 1857, he was living in Mill Grove, New York.