Son of Judge Harry Toulmin (1766-1823) and his second wife, Martha Johnson Toulmin, Harry Toulmin made a career in the U.S. Army, but apparently did not participate in the Civil War; I have not been able to ascertain any details about his service. He is not to be confused with Harry Theophilus Toulmin, who played a prominent part in the 22nd Alabama Infantry.
He married Frances "Fannie" Biddle Priestley in 1859, and settled down in the Northumberland home given to them by her father. They had three chidren: nurse Frances "Fannie" Priestley Toulmin, Priestley Toulmin, a mining engineer, and Dr. Harry Toulmin.
We don't know how they met, but the Priestleys and the Toulmins had long been in touch because of their shared dedication to Unitarianism.
"Major" Toulmin was apparently quite a charismatic, compelling figure. His very long obituary in the Sunbury, Pa. Gazette praises his person and his personality at length.
This is an excerpt:
THE LATE MAJ. HENRY TOULMIN, OF NORTHUMBERLAND
It is seldom that an event occurs which throws a deeper gloom over a community, or is the cause of more heartfelt sorrow, than the decease of the estimable person whose memory claims this simple [!] tribute. The circumstances with which it was attended were in some particulars, melancholy and painful in the extreme.
Conspicuous as he was, in the vigor and proportions of his physical presence, and the appearance of general health and exuberant spirits, Major Toulmin seemed to possess that vitality which is an insurance of life. . . . It is probable that he was predisposed to that fatal malady, apoplexy . . . It was impossible for him to spare his energies when there was any work that demanded them. During the recent excessively hot weather, he passed his time continually out of doors, in his garden, and the grounds of his beautiful residence, upon which he had labored (to improve them) with excessive diligence, and great pleasure and pride. For some days he had complained at intervals of painful sensations in his head, and at church, from which he was seldom absent, on the Sunday that preceded his death, was observed to give indications of these feelings. On Wednesday the 29th, a day of intense heat, he went to work very early in the morning. About in the middle of the forenoon of that day he made his way to the house with considerable difficulty and expressed to Mrs. Toulmin in a manner that at once excited her alarm, that he felt a peculiar prostration and dizziness. Soon he passed into a condition of unconsciousness attended with violent convulsions. Their three little children, the only other inmates of the house with Mrs. Toulmin at the time, were sent to the village to convey the intelligence and summon medical assistance. The experience of that half hour of solitary and anxious waiting, to the terrified and afflicted wife, can be but in a faint degree imagined.
Relatives and friends, as soon as they were made acquainted with the sad event, were in attendance, eager to render all aid in their power. All expedients that are prescribed in such cases were resorted to under the direction of Dr. Priestley, who was unremitting in his efforts to save life that had been stricken down with so little premonition, but in vain.
Removed from the floor, upon which he had fallen in the first paroxysms of the attack, to an upper chamber, overlooking the cultivated grounds which bore such evidence of his persistent toil and delicate taste--and the beautiful fields beyond--he lingered as in a deep and troubled sleep, through that day and night, and the succeeding day, never for a moment conscious to appearance, or opening his eyes, or uttering a word, until about one o'clock of the night that followed, when he breathed his last.
Major Toulmin was married some twelve years past to Miss Fanny Priestley, daughter of the late Joseph R. Priestley of Northumberland; and has made this place from that time his residence. . . .
[There follows encomia to his social graces, his high moral character, and his love of literature, especially Dickens and Shakespeare, as well as to his devotion to the Unitarian church.]
The afflicted wife, and the three interesting children, who mourn not alone a parent, but one who was to them almost a playmate and a companion, have the sincere sympathy of the whole community. . . .
[There follows here a moderating long poem, apparently composed by the obituary-writer, praising Major Toulmin and expressing elaborate grief. The obituary is signed with the initials "D.H.C." and the poem with the initials "J.C."]
He married Frances "Fannie" Biddle Priestley in 1859, and settled down in the Northumberland home given to them by her father. They had three chidren: nurse Frances "Fannie" Priestley Toulmin, Priestley Toulmin, a mining engineer, and Dr. Harry Toulmin.
We don't know how they met, but the Priestleys and the Toulmins had long been in touch because of their shared dedication to Unitarianism.
"Major" Toulmin was apparently quite a charismatic, compelling figure. His very long obituary in the Sunbury, Pa. Gazette praises his person and his personality at length.
This is an excerpt:
THE LATE MAJ. HENRY TOULMIN, OF NORTHUMBERLAND
It is seldom that an event occurs which throws a deeper gloom over a community, or is the cause of more heartfelt sorrow, than the decease of the estimable person whose memory claims this simple [!] tribute. The circumstances with which it was attended were in some particulars, melancholy and painful in the extreme.
Conspicuous as he was, in the vigor and proportions of his physical presence, and the appearance of general health and exuberant spirits, Major Toulmin seemed to possess that vitality which is an insurance of life. . . . It is probable that he was predisposed to that fatal malady, apoplexy . . . It was impossible for him to spare his energies when there was any work that demanded them. During the recent excessively hot weather, he passed his time continually out of doors, in his garden, and the grounds of his beautiful residence, upon which he had labored (to improve them) with excessive diligence, and great pleasure and pride. For some days he had complained at intervals of painful sensations in his head, and at church, from which he was seldom absent, on the Sunday that preceded his death, was observed to give indications of these feelings. On Wednesday the 29th, a day of intense heat, he went to work very early in the morning. About in the middle of the forenoon of that day he made his way to the house with considerable difficulty and expressed to Mrs. Toulmin in a manner that at once excited her alarm, that he felt a peculiar prostration and dizziness. Soon he passed into a condition of unconsciousness attended with violent convulsions. Their three little children, the only other inmates of the house with Mrs. Toulmin at the time, were sent to the village to convey the intelligence and summon medical assistance. The experience of that half hour of solitary and anxious waiting, to the terrified and afflicted wife, can be but in a faint degree imagined.
Relatives and friends, as soon as they were made acquainted with the sad event, were in attendance, eager to render all aid in their power. All expedients that are prescribed in such cases were resorted to under the direction of Dr. Priestley, who was unremitting in his efforts to save life that had been stricken down with so little premonition, but in vain.
Removed from the floor, upon which he had fallen in the first paroxysms of the attack, to an upper chamber, overlooking the cultivated grounds which bore such evidence of his persistent toil and delicate taste--and the beautiful fields beyond--he lingered as in a deep and troubled sleep, through that day and night, and the succeeding day, never for a moment conscious to appearance, or opening his eyes, or uttering a word, until about one o'clock of the night that followed, when he breathed his last.
Major Toulmin was married some twelve years past to Miss Fanny Priestley, daughter of the late Joseph R. Priestley of Northumberland; and has made this place from that time his residence. . . .
[There follows encomia to his social graces, his high moral character, and his love of literature, especially Dickens and Shakespeare, as well as to his devotion to the Unitarian church.]
The afflicted wife, and the three interesting children, who mourn not alone a parent, but one who was to them almost a playmate and a companion, have the sincere sympathy of the whole community. . . .
[There follows here a moderating long poem, apparently composed by the obituary-writer, praising Major Toulmin and expressing elaborate grief. The obituary is signed with the initials "D.H.C." and the poem with the initials "J.C."]
Son of Judge Harry Toulmin (1766-1823) and his second wife, Martha Johnson Toulmin, Harry Toulmin made a career in the U.S. Army, but apparently did not participate in the Civil War; I have not been able to ascertain any details about his service. He is not to be confused with Harry Theophilus Toulmin, who played a prominent part in the 22nd Alabama Infantry.
He married Frances "Fannie" Biddle Priestley in 1859, and settled down in the Northumberland home given to them by her father. They had three chidren: nurse Frances "Fannie" Priestley Toulmin, Priestley Toulmin, a mining engineer, and Dr. Harry Toulmin.
We don't know how they met, but the Priestleys and the Toulmins had long been in touch because of their shared dedication to Unitarianism.
"Major" Toulmin was apparently quite a charismatic, compelling figure. His very long obituary in the Sunbury, Pa. Gazette praises his person and his personality at length.
This is an excerpt:
THE LATE MAJ. HENRY TOULMIN, OF NORTHUMBERLAND
It is seldom that an event occurs which throws a deeper gloom over a community, or is the cause of more heartfelt sorrow, than the decease of the estimable person whose memory claims this simple [!] tribute. The circumstances with which it was attended were in some particulars, melancholy and painful in the extreme.
Conspicuous as he was, in the vigor and proportions of his physical presence, and the appearance of general health and exuberant spirits, Major Toulmin seemed to possess that vitality which is an insurance of life. . . . It is probable that he was predisposed to that fatal malady, apoplexy . . . It was impossible for him to spare his energies when there was any work that demanded them. During the recent excessively hot weather, he passed his time continually out of doors, in his garden, and the grounds of his beautiful residence, upon which he had labored (to improve them) with excessive diligence, and great pleasure and pride. For some days he had complained at intervals of painful sensations in his head, and at church, from which he was seldom absent, on the Sunday that preceded his death, was observed to give indications of these feelings. On Wednesday the 29th, a day of intense heat, he went to work very early in the morning. About in the middle of the forenoon of that day he made his way to the house with considerable difficulty and expressed to Mrs. Toulmin in a manner that at once excited her alarm, that he felt a peculiar prostration and dizziness. Soon he passed into a condition of unconsciousness attended with violent convulsions. Their three little children, the only other inmates of the house with Mrs. Toulmin at the time, were sent to the village to convey the intelligence and summon medical assistance. The experience of that half hour of solitary and anxious waiting, to the terrified and afflicted wife, can be but in a faint degree imagined.
Relatives and friends, as soon as they were made acquainted with the sad event, were in attendance, eager to render all aid in their power. All expedients that are prescribed in such cases were resorted to under the direction of Dr. Priestley, who was unremitting in his efforts to save life that had been stricken down with so little premonition, but in vain.
Removed from the floor, upon which he had fallen in the first paroxysms of the attack, to an upper chamber, overlooking the cultivated grounds which bore such evidence of his persistent toil and delicate taste--and the beautiful fields beyond--he lingered as in a deep and troubled sleep, through that day and night, and the succeeding day, never for a moment conscious to appearance, or opening his eyes, or uttering a word, until about one o'clock of the night that followed, when he breathed his last.
Major Toulmin was married some twelve years past to Miss Fanny Priestley, daughter of the late Joseph R. Priestley of Northumberland; and has made this place from that time his residence. . . .
[There follows encomia to his social graces, his high moral character, and his love of literature, especially Dickens and Shakespeare, as well as to his devotion to the Unitarian church.]
The afflicted wife, and the three interesting children, who mourn not alone a parent, but one who was to them almost a playmate and a companion, have the sincere sympathy of the whole community. . . .
[There follows here a moderating long poem, apparently composed by the obituary-writer, praising Major Toulmin and expressing elaborate grief. The obituary is signed with the initials "D.H.C." and the poem with the initials "J.C."]
He married Frances "Fannie" Biddle Priestley in 1859, and settled down in the Northumberland home given to them by her father. They had three chidren: nurse Frances "Fannie" Priestley Toulmin, Priestley Toulmin, a mining engineer, and Dr. Harry Toulmin.
We don't know how they met, but the Priestleys and the Toulmins had long been in touch because of their shared dedication to Unitarianism.
"Major" Toulmin was apparently quite a charismatic, compelling figure. His very long obituary in the Sunbury, Pa. Gazette praises his person and his personality at length.
This is an excerpt:
THE LATE MAJ. HENRY TOULMIN, OF NORTHUMBERLAND
It is seldom that an event occurs which throws a deeper gloom over a community, or is the cause of more heartfelt sorrow, than the decease of the estimable person whose memory claims this simple [!] tribute. The circumstances with which it was attended were in some particulars, melancholy and painful in the extreme.
Conspicuous as he was, in the vigor and proportions of his physical presence, and the appearance of general health and exuberant spirits, Major Toulmin seemed to possess that vitality which is an insurance of life. . . . It is probable that he was predisposed to that fatal malady, apoplexy . . . It was impossible for him to spare his energies when there was any work that demanded them. During the recent excessively hot weather, he passed his time continually out of doors, in his garden, and the grounds of his beautiful residence, upon which he had labored (to improve them) with excessive diligence, and great pleasure and pride. For some days he had complained at intervals of painful sensations in his head, and at church, from which he was seldom absent, on the Sunday that preceded his death, was observed to give indications of these feelings. On Wednesday the 29th, a day of intense heat, he went to work very early in the morning. About in the middle of the forenoon of that day he made his way to the house with considerable difficulty and expressed to Mrs. Toulmin in a manner that at once excited her alarm, that he felt a peculiar prostration and dizziness. Soon he passed into a condition of unconsciousness attended with violent convulsions. Their three little children, the only other inmates of the house with Mrs. Toulmin at the time, were sent to the village to convey the intelligence and summon medical assistance. The experience of that half hour of solitary and anxious waiting, to the terrified and afflicted wife, can be but in a faint degree imagined.
Relatives and friends, as soon as they were made acquainted with the sad event, were in attendance, eager to render all aid in their power. All expedients that are prescribed in such cases were resorted to under the direction of Dr. Priestley, who was unremitting in his efforts to save life that had been stricken down with so little premonition, but in vain.
Removed from the floor, upon which he had fallen in the first paroxysms of the attack, to an upper chamber, overlooking the cultivated grounds which bore such evidence of his persistent toil and delicate taste--and the beautiful fields beyond--he lingered as in a deep and troubled sleep, through that day and night, and the succeeding day, never for a moment conscious to appearance, or opening his eyes, or uttering a word, until about one o'clock of the night that followed, when he breathed his last.
Major Toulmin was married some twelve years past to Miss Fanny Priestley, daughter of the late Joseph R. Priestley of Northumberland; and has made this place from that time his residence. . . .
[There follows encomia to his social graces, his high moral character, and his love of literature, especially Dickens and Shakespeare, as well as to his devotion to the Unitarian church.]
The afflicted wife, and the three interesting children, who mourn not alone a parent, but one who was to them almost a playmate and a companion, have the sincere sympathy of the whole community. . . .
[There follows here a moderating long poem, apparently composed by the obituary-writer, praising Major Toulmin and expressing elaborate grief. The obituary is signed with the initials "D.H.C." and the poem with the initials "J.C."]
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