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THE STORY OF
THE TOYS
BY
I^IARY H. DODGE
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CAMBRIDGE
PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE PRESS
1909
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"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have
told us, the noble works that Thou didst in their days and
in the old time before them."
" Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so
great a cloud of witnesses ... let us run with patience
the race that is set before us."
FOREWORD
This story of my mother's family was set
down by her originally only to recall it to my
mind when I might no longer listen to it as it
fell so often from her own lips. It was writ-
ten in the intei-vals of her ill-health, without
copying or revision, and was not intended for
publication. For this reason, she has dwelt
more at length upon the history of her own
family life than upon that of her sisters, and
has purposely omitted all but a slight reference
to the grandchildren and the events of later
years, her intention being to record only what
was outside my memory, leaving the rest to
some other pen. The story, however, has
proved to be of so much interest to the other
members of the family that she was expecting
to review it with me as soon as possible, in
order to prepare it to be printed for them. Her
sudden illness and death cut short her plans ;
but I have carried them out as closely as I
FOREWORD
could, and the little book is printed very
nearly as she wrote it. Any errors or inac-
curacies are mine and not hers.
It has seemed to me that there could be
no more fitting memorial of my mother
among ourselves, than this story. Its style
is appropriate to the subject and character-
istic of herself — forceful, yet full of tender
sentiment, ready wit and apt quotation of
Scripture; while through it all, quite uncon-
sciously to herself, there shine her cheery
hopefulness, her rare unselfishness, and her
beautiful faith in God. Since my father's
death her health had been very much better,
and she was looking forw^ard to years of com-
fort; but, in December, 1908, she was sud-
denly seized with a serious heart trouble,
and after a distressing illness of about three
months, which she bore with her own brave
patience, on the morning of February 27,
1909, she went to join her beloved.
For those of us who have known her won-
derful personality, no memorial is needed to
increase our love and admiration of her; but
to the younger members of the family, whose
memory of her may be slight, I hope that this
vi
FOREWORD
little book may give a glimpse of the beauty
of her life, as well as of the noble souls whom
she so worthily represented and whose blood
we are proud to share.
"They climbed the steep ascent of Heaven
Tlixough peril, toil and pain;
O God, to us may grace be given
To follow in their train."
S. W. D.
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
I WISH to preface this memorial by a little
sketch of Cornwall, especially those parts
of it most nearly connected with our family
history. I have gathered the materials for
it from a little book on Cornwall, by Mr.
Tregellas.
The long coast-line of Cornwall, the most
southern and western county of England, has
been, like Italy, compared in shape to a
Wellmgton boot, the iron heel of which is the
mass of serpentine rock which forms the south-
em point of the Lizard, and the foot that part
which lies betw^een Mounts Bay and Land's
End. The instep is at St. Ives Bay, and the
body of the boot constitutes the main por-
tion of the county, the highest part toward
the eastern end forming the Bodmin moors.
Along the northern coast, the mural cliffs,
against which the Atlantic rollers forever
break, are in marked contrast to the tamer
and more sylvan scenery of the south and
west shores ; while across the low-lying lands
1
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
between St. Ives and Mounts Bay the sea
often threaten to meet in the sprmg tides.
The climate of Cornwall, owing to its
situation, is so remarkable as to deserve no-
tice. The month of January at Penzance
is as warm as at Florence or Madrid, and
July is as cool as at St. Petersburg. There
is scarcely a country in the world with a cli-
mate so mild and equable.
The people are "ardent and vivacious,
self-reliant and versatile." It is no uncom-
mon thing for a Cornishman to build his own
house, make his own shoes, be both fisher-
man and miner, and, possibly, small shop-
keeper besides; and wherever the Cornish
miner emigrates, he is pretty sure to take
the lead in enterprise and danger.
Wilkie Collins says: "As a body of men
they are industrious, intelligent, sober, and
orderly, neither soured by hard work, nor
depressed by harsher privations" ; and the
old poet Taylor, in 1649, writes: "Cornwall
is the compleate and repleate Home of
Abundance, for high, churlish hills and
affable, courteous people. The country hath
its share of huge stones, mighty rocks, noble
2
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
free gentlemen, bountiful housekeepers, strong
and stout men, handsome and beautiful
women."
Many curious old customs linger in Corn-
wall, among them the ceremony of "cutting
the neck," or last few ears of corn at harvest
time, the lighting of bon&es on the hills
at St. John's Eve, and the "furry" or Flora
dance at Helston, on the eighth of May.
Among the peculiar dishes of the Cornish
cuisine, prominent is the pasty, the almost
universal dinner of the working class. It is
a savory compound of meat and potatoes,
inclosed in a crescent-shaped crust ; but one
must be a Cornishman to appreciate this
dish thoroughly. The variety of pies is truly
marvelous. It has been said that the devil
himself would be put into a pie if he were
caught in Cornwall. Most of them are richly
saturated with clotted cream, a real Cornish
dainty, which is very popular, as are also
Cornish seed-cakes.
From time immemorial Cornwall has had
a leading part in the mineral industries of
England. Mines of tin, copper, lead, and
zinc abound, and have been the chief source
3
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
of revenue to the county. They give abund-
ant employment to the laboring class, and
men, women, and even children are freely
employed in various ways about the mines.
Since 1870 the mining industries have de-
clined; the mines have been less productive,
and the great discoveries of ore in this and
other countries have greatly reduced prices
and scattered the Cornish miners over the
world.
The fisheries of Cornwall have been another
very important industry, especially the mack-
erel and pilchard fishing. The pilchard is
a very delicious fish, similar to a herring, and
is found almost exclusively on the Cornish
coast.
Cornwall abounds in interesting antiquities,
and many of these are claimed to be almost
as old as the granite rocks and cliffs of which
they are composed. They are relics of the
early Britons, — remains of villages, various
sorts of sepulchral and memorial stones,
and also some that were associated with
ancient religious rites. Some of these, such
as the " holed stones," have given rise to many
superstitions among the common folk , who
4
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
have been in the liabit of dijagging invalids
through the orifices in the hope of curing them.
There are also "cliff castles," especially
at Land's End and at other points on the
coast, — retreats of the native tribes from
enemies, — and also earth-work forts on
elevated sites throughout the country. The
early Christian antiquities include churches
and priories and the oratories or small
chapels, frequently associated with a Bap-
tistery or holy well. Some of these are as
early as the fifth century. There is also an
unusual number of crosses. As to their uses
an ancient manuscript says : " For this reason
ben crosses by ye way, that when folk pass-
ynge see ye croysses they shoulde thynke on
Hym that deyed on ye croysse, and wor-
shyppe Hym above althyng." They were also
sometimes erected to guide and guard the way
to the church, and sometimes for the beau-
tiful custom of leaving alms on the crosses for
poor wayfarers. The crosses were formerly
far more numerous than now, but recently
some of them have been rescued from doing
duty as gate-posts and the like, to be re-
erected in the churchyards. There are also
5
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
inscribed stones, such as the Camborne
altar- slab, and others.
Of the towns of Cornwall, almost all have
some interest, ancient or modern. Truro has
recently become the episcopal town of the
county ; a fine cathedral has been built, and
the Bishop has his residence there. Falmouth,
at the mouth of the Fal, is a comparatively
modern town, beautifully situated. Its mag-
nificent and famous harbor has given it
considerable commercial importance in former
times. One of its chief attractions is Penden-
nis Castle. It stands on a bold promontory
two hundred feet high, on the western side
of the harbor. It was one of the works of
defense undertaken by Henry VIII, but the
enclosure is of the time of Elizabeth. It is
an interesting example of the military archi-
tecture of the period. During the Civil War,
Pendennis Castle played a prominent and
interesting part, and was the last but one of the
old castles that held out for the King's cause.
A picturesque spot of much interest on
the coast is the jutting headland of the Lizard.
The serpentine rock of which it is composed
is very beautiful when polished. The best
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
time to visit this spot is at low tide on a
summer day, after a storm. Its soft yellow
sandy beach, its emerald waves, deep rock-
pools and gorgeous serpentine cliffs, of green,
purple, crimson, and black, are then of
astonishing beauty. Passing eastward along
the coast, we come to the little town of Mar-
azion, in front of which rises from the strand
the far-famed St. Michael's Mount — an
isolated, rugged pyramid of granite, about
a mile in circumference and two hundred and
thirty feet high at the chapel platform.
Several Sir John St. Aubyns have succes-
sively inherited it since 1860, the date, on
which they acquired it from a Bassett of
Tehidy. The chapel and the hall are the
portions most worthy of examination. A
few steps below the chapel is a recess called
the dungeon ; near it, a narrow winding stair
leads to the tower. Near the platform are
the remains of a stone cresset called St.
Michael's Chair, which is supposed to bring
good fortune to those that sit in it.
The town of Penzance, "the Holy Head-
land," is the place of approach to the Land's
End — a bold promontory standing out
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
into the sea at tlie southwestern extremity
of England. Its granite cliff-scenery is the
finest in Cornwall. The tempest-scarred
cliffs, the furious onset of the waves in
stormy weather, and the gorgeous sunsets,
so frequent at that point, invest Land's End
with a deep and almost melancholy grand-
eur. It is said that Wesley stood upon this
point when he wrote the hymn,
"Lo! on a narrow neck of land
'T ^dxt two unbounded seas I stand."
But the chief interest of Cornwall for our
present purpose lies in the town of Cam-
borne on the Cam, or "crooked river."
It is one of the great mining centres, and has
numerous rich mines, of which the principal
is Dolcoath, one of the deepest and most
ancient in Cornwall. It is a busy town, built
mostly of stone, with nothing of note in the
way of architecture. The plain parish
church, with its three sharp gables, contains
nothing of special interest. It stands in the
midst of the churchyard, in which are found
many monuments and inscriptions to attract
the attention of those who love to recall the
past. About three miles to the north is
8
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
Teliidy, the seat of the Bassetts, with its fine
park and gallery containing pictures by
Gainsborough, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and
Vandyke. In driving to the high bluffs on
the north shore it is easy to visit Carn Brea,
a rocky headland seven hundred feet above
the sea, with picturesque granite blocks
piled upon its summit. Here, it is said, was
the chief scene of Druid worship ; here was
the sacrificial rock, in the hollows of which
the victim was laid; and here were the
granite basins hollowed out to receive his
blood. The castle, of Norman origin, was
built by Ralph De Pomeroy, and was occu-
pied by a Bassett in the time of Edward IV.
There are also here the remains of ancient
British earthworks, and "hut circles," and
a tall monument to Lord De Dunstanville
of Tehidy, erected in 1836.
A point of great interest to us is that Mr.
Samuel Davey, the inventor of the safety
fuse for blasting and mining, was a native
of Camborne, and had his residence there,
as did also his partner in business, George
Smith, LL.D. Mr. Smith was a man of
high character, and great ability as a scholar
9
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
and writer, and the author of many works
of theology and biblical history. Among
these are "The Hebrew People" and "The
Gentile Nations," which have been accepted
as text-books in some theological courses.
The other member of the firm was Major
John S. Bickford, a man of wealth and
influence, and the title of the firm became
*' Bickford, Smith and Davey." The manu-
factory was located at Tuckingmill, a village
a little distance from Camborne. The busi-
ness, at first small, has grown and become
very successful, and has branches in many
parts of Europe and America. The original
firm, as represented by its successors, still
carries on the business in Tuckingmill.
One of the noteworthy features of the
town life is the Saturday market-day.
On this day are gathered the people from
all the outlying country, with varied pro-
ducts of farm, garden and dairy, as well
as wares of all kinds, which are offered for
sale in the great market-house of the town.
" Camborne Feast" is a harvest festival
answering to our Thanksgiving. It occurs
on November 13.
10
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In the little hamlet of Roskear, an outlying
village of Camborne, my father, Joseph
Toy, was born. The long, low stone cottage,
with small windows and overhanging roof,
still stands. A narrow drive runs in from the
village street, and a low stone wall separates
it from the plain yard in front adorned with
here and there a shrub or climbing vine.
The house is little changed since the large
family of children were sheltered under its
eaves and played about the yard, and the
dear mother spread the simple food on the
white table, and sanded the well-scoured
floor. My father was born in April, 1808.
He was the son of Robert and Ann Hosking
Toy. He was the youngest of eight children :
John, Robert, Nicholas, William, James, Jo-
seph, and his sisters Mary Ann (Mrs. Sims),
and Nanny (Mrs. Granville). His parents
were honest, God-fearing people, training
their children to a life of industry and in-
tegrity, and early leading them into the ways
of piety and obedience. Joseph, being a
bright, attractive child, and possessing an
11
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
affectionate nature, was very naturally the
pet and darling of the family. While he was
quite young his father died suddenly, and
as the elder children were mostly married,
the home was broken up, and he, with his
widowed mother, was received into the fam-
ily of his brother John, a man of much
energy and ability, who afterwards became
captain of the West Seaton mine. In a few
years his mother, too, entered into rest,
leaving her beloved Joseph to the care of
his elder brother, and well did that brother
and his estimable wife fulfill their trust.
The home was full of love and sunshine,
and the most tender affection was lavished
upon the young brother. My uncle scarcely
ever came home without the inquiry,
"Where is the dear boy.^"
Mrs. Jane Gilbert, my Uncle John's
youngest daughter, writes thus of the family.
"Their father died when Joseph was a lad,
but he was always a great pet with his bro-
thers. I have heard my father tell how when
he was going courting Joseph had cried to
go with him, and he has taken him many a
time. Their mother died when your father
12
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
was young, and he came to him at our house
and continued to live with us until his mar-
riage. So my sisters looked upon him more
as a brother than an uncle. I can remember
that when the letter came to father announc-
ing your dear mother's death, he wept aloud
and said, 'Poor little Joe!' Their mother's
maiden name was Ann Davey, and she was
born at Nans Nuke Illogan. She was a
grand old Christian, a splendid character
and handsome. I have always heard her
children speak of her with reverence and
love. Our grandfather's mother's name was
Andrews, and she was born in the parish of
Newlyn East."
The circumstances of the family made
it necessary that all should share in its sup-
port, and, as soon as he was thought capable,
my father was put — as were other children
of his age — to do such work at the mine as
was then almost the only employment open
to children. They were set at picking up the
ore for wheeling from the opening, and other
light work suited to their age, the labor and
responsibility being increased as they grew
older. The advantages of education for the
13
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
children of the working classes were few
indeed at that day, and where so many
mouths were to be fed, but little could be
spared for books or schooling. My father
early developed a fondness for reading
which grew into an earnest thirst for know-
ledge, leading him to devote much of the
time spent by other boys in play to the
search for it as for hid treasure.
There was considerable natural musical
talent in the family, and, as my father had
a sweet voice, he was early taken into the
surpliced boy-choir of the parish church, to
which one or two of his brothers belonged,
though his family were devoted members
of the Wesleyan church of Camborne. The
beautiful ritual of the church and its im-
pressive services had a refining influence
upon the sensitive boy, and the musical
training he there received was of much value
to him, and gave him much enjoyment in
after life. He used to speak with enthusi-
asm of this experience, and I have often
heard him tell of the delight with which the
boys would go forth in the frosty air of the
Christmas morning to sing carols under the
14
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
windows of their friends, and how eagerly
they would catch the pennies which were
thrown from the windows in response to
their greeting. The drinking habit of those
days was universal, and total abstinence
was a thing unknown ; and I have heard
him say that the good rector, Parson Rogers,
would often pat the boys affectionately when
they had done particularly well, and say,
" You have done well, boys. Now come with
me and have a little drop of something
warm." His connection with the parish
choir was also the means of attracting the
notice of some people of influence who were
afterwards of much assistance to him.
As he grew older, his interest in education
increased greatly, and produced a distaste
for t?he drudgery of his life at the mine^ The
conviction grew upon him that he was fitted
for something better, and while he patiently
bided his time, he was diligently improving
every opportunity for study. Kind friends
soon noticed the boy's struggles, and began
to encourage him by lending him books,
assisting him in evening studies, and giving
him help in every possible way. Prominent
15
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
among these were Mr. Thomas Davey, Mr.
Thomas Garland, Dr. George Smith, the
author and scholar, Lady Bassett, and Lord
De Dunstanville of Tehidy, whose kindness
and sympathy were very helpful.
At the age of nineteen my father passed
the religious crisis of his life, and his con-
version was thorough and complete. He
united with the Wesleyan church, and threw
himself with all the ardor of his nature into
its Christian work. He was very active in
the social meetings, and showed such de-
cided talent in that line that he was soon
appointed a class-leader. He was also a
teacher in the Sunday School, where he
showed such aptitude for the work as to
incline him to the profession of teaching as
a vocation. He became Superintendent of
the Sunday School, and was soon licensed to
preach, receiving an appointment as local
preacher on a circuit.*
By untiring diligence he had qualified him-
self for the position of teacher and obtained
a situation in one of the Lancastrian schools,
so popular at that day, located in Camborne.
He filled this position for some years with
16
BENJAMIN OSLKR
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
much acceptance, continuing at the same
time his own studies, until he acquired,
almost wholly by his own exertions, a solid
and excellent education. He was a good
English scholar, a fine reader, carefully
exact in spelling and pronunciation, well
read in history, a good mathematician, fairly
proficient in algebra and geometry, with con-
siderable knowledge of Latin, Greek, and
French. He demonstrated clearly what can
be accomplished by any boy with a good
mind, by energy and perseverance, in the
face of the most serious obstacles.
About this time he formed the acquaint-
ance of Miss Jane Osier, a young lady of
refinement and culture, who was at that
time proprietor of a millinery establishment
in Camborne; and he married her in 1833.
My mother was the daughter of Benjamin
and Jane Osier of Falmouth, and was born
August 1, 1802. The family was a very
excellent one. Benjamin Osier was the son
of Edward Osier and Joan Drew, sister of
the famous Cornish metaphysician. He was
a man of very decided character, a " gentle-
man of the old school." His discipline in his
17
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
family was very strict, though kind, the rod
always occupying a conspicuous place over
the mantel for the admonition of any child
inclined to disobedience. A fine miniature
of my Grandfather Osier is in my posses-
sion, and it is our most cherished heirloom.
It is in the form of a locket. The picture
shows a fine oval face, with delicate fea-
tures, powdered hair, and the heavy eye-
brows we have learned to call "the Osier
eyebrows." On the reverse side it has the
hair of my grandfather and grandmother,
smoothly crossed, and upon it the mono-
gram, "B. J. O.," in exquisite letters formed
of tiny pearls. This locket was given to my
mother by her father when the family went
out to the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa,
in the year 1819. It was painted in London
some time previous to that.
In April, 1797, according to the Falmouth
church register, my grandfather married
Jane Sawle, the daughter of Stephen Sawle
of Falmouth, an officer in the British navy
and afterward Captain of a Falmouth packet,
the Hanover. A solid silver tankard is pre-
served in our family, which was presented
18
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
to our great-grandfather by the British
Admiralty. It bears this inscription: "For
twenty years' faithful service " ; and on the
side, the letters, "S. S." It is now the prop-
erty of my sister, Mrs. R. H. Ensign. There
is also somewhere in the Osier family a pic-
ture of our Grandfather Sawle, an old gentle-
man in naval uniform.
My mother was also one of a large family,
which consisted of eight girls and two
brothers.^ They were: Susan, Eliza, Mary
Ann, Amelia, Philippa, Jane, Julia, Sarah,
Stephen, and Benjamin.
While my mother was still young, her
father went out to the Cape of Good Hope,
in charge of a colony of settlers. Dr. William
Osier has kindly loaned me a diary of my
grandfather's, containing lists of provisions
and supplies purchased for the party, as well
as other items. The entries extend from
Januarys, 1815, to January 25, 1821. There
seem to have been in the party fourteen
^ My mother's cousin, Mrs. Kate Divine, in a letter
from South Africa, dated September 8, 1809, speaks of
another son, Joseph, the oldest of the family, who died
before they went out to the Cape. She also gives addi-
tional information about Benjamin Osier and his family
which I have added as an appendix. — S. W. D.
19
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
men, sixteen women, one boy, and three
girls. All payments were to be made in a
proportion of the products of the land. My
grandfather settled in Simons Town, with
most of his family, and was probably a
magistrate of the new colony. Two of the
daughters, Julia and Philippa, being in busi-
ness in England, had remained behind. My
mother was left in the care of her mother's
sister, Mrs. John Harris. They were people of
some culture, and having no children of their
own, were very fond of my mother and gave
careful attention to the cultivation of her
mind and manners. Her uncle took special
delight in training her in reading and elocu-
tion. I have often heard her recite with much
spirit :
"My name is Nerval. On the Grampian hills
My father feeds his flock";
also many selections from the Iliad and
Odyssey, taught her by her uncle. Her
home with these dear friends was most
pleasant, and she cherished the loving
memory of their kindness all her life. It
found expression in the name she gave to
me, her first-born, of Mary Harris. She
20
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
learned her business while she remained
with them, and became the head woman in
a large millinery establishment in Falmouth,
and afterwards set up in business for herself
in Camborne. My mother became a mem-
ber of the Church of England, to which all
her family belonged, at the age of seventeen,
and so continued till near her marriage,
when she united with the Wesleyan church
in Camborne.
My grandfather Osier died at Simons
Town, after some years' residence there.
My grandmother returned to her English
home, but most of the children, being mar-
ried and settled in business at the Cape,
made their homes permanently there, and
their descendants are now living mostly in
Simons Town and in Cape Town. After my
grandmother's return to England, she taught
for a time a school for girls; but later came
to Camborne and made her home with her
daughters who were in business there. Her
home was with my mother till her departure
for America.
While my mother remained in Falmouth,
her Aunt Osier, the last of the old family,
£1
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
lived near her with her two daughters, and
they were a great comfort to her. This Aunt
Osier died in April, 1864. She was Mary-
Paddy Osier, the wife of my grandfather's
eldest brother, Edward. Their eldest son,
Edward, has descendants in Canada, with
whom we have had very pleasant relations,
and a daughter, Mary, was the mother of
Mrs. Truran of Truro. Another son. Rev.
Featherstone Osier, came out to Canada as
a missionary, and became the founder of a
large and influential family there. Our own
relationship to them has been only lately
discovered, and has been the source of much
pleasure to us. Mrs. Featherstone Osier
died at the age of one hundred, in 1907, a
woman very remarkable and greatly be-
loved ; and her large family of sons, including
Dr. William Osier of Oxford, Hon. Justice
Osier of Toronto, Britton Bath Osier, the
eminent lawyer, and Mr. Edmund Osier, the
financier are all distinguished in public life.
Of my mother's sisters, Susan married a
Mr. Fineran of Cape Town, and had an
interesting family of children. She was early
left a widow. Her daughter, Mrs. Kate
2S
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
Divine, has written me several times, and
given me interesting details of the family.
One daughter went to New Zealand to live
after her marriage; one son, Charles, died
early. Mrs. Divine's son, Edmund, went
to sea quite young, in a British ship, and
coming to New York, visited us all, which
was a great pleasure. Mrs. Divine is now
quite an invalid, and with her unmarried
daughter, Maude, lives in Plumstead, a sub-
urb of Cape Town, very near two of her
sons and their families.
Mary Ann married Mr. Sayers of Simons
Town, and her children are still there. She
was a very lovely character, and died about
1855, after a long and severe illness borne
with great fortitude and patience. The in-
scription chosen for her tombstone was the
same as that on my mother's : Rev. xiv : 13.
Her daughter, Mrs. Eliza Storrier, has writ-
ten me under date March 13, 1882, from the
address: Mrs. J. E. Storrier, Patent Slip,
Simons Town.
Eliza Osier married Mr. Jordan, and lived
at Wynberg, Cape of Good Hope. Her hus-
band was in good business, and they had a
23
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
family of seven daughters and one son. She
was also left a widow.
Philippa married Mr. William Cogill, a
merchant of Simons Town, who had several
children. She had three of her own —
two sons and a daughter, Julia, who married
a Captain Bray and went to England to live.
She was left a widow with two children, in
rather unpleasant circumstances. I corre-
sponded for some time with my Aunt Phil-
ippa, and her son Arthur, who was at sea,
came into the port of Boston at one time and
we went to see him while in port. Aunt
Philippa died February 14, 1879. She had
a stroke of apoplexy and lingered for twenty-
four hours, but never regained conscious-
ness. She was a woman of lovely character,
and an earnest Christian.
Julia Osier, who, with Aunt Philippa,
went out to the Cape after we left England,
was married there and had one child, but
died early. I have not the name of her hus-
band.
Amelia married Gilbert Williams of Fal-
mouth, who followed the sea. She some-
times went with him, leaving her two chil-
24
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
dren, Gilbert and Amelia, with her mother.
The son, Gilbert, lived in Falmouth. He
was an engineer, and had a large family. We
visited them while in England. One daugh-
ter was named Mary Harris Dodge, for me,
and one Julia Osier, for my sister Julia.
My cousin Gilbert had a good mind and was
well educated, but was never very success-
ful in life. He died several years ago. His
children are doing well, and are still located
in Falmouth. His sister Amelia had always
lived with them, being of feeble intellect and
a great care. My Aunt Williams had a hard
struggle in life. She was early left a widow,
and her health was delicate, but she sup-
ported her family by teaching, and educated
her children. Her health failed, however,
and at last her reason gave way. She was for
some time in the Bodmin Asylum, but later
her reason returned, and she lived some
years with her son, and died in Falmouth
a few years ago.
Sarah, the youngest daughter, was nine
years of age when the family returned from
the Cape. She was adopted by her Aunt
Harris and her husband, and through them
25
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
received an excellent education — a thing
very difficult to acquire in those days. She
remained with them till their death, then
went to Camborne to her sisters, and after-
wards secured a situation in Truro, where
she became engaged to a man much older
than herself. She lost her interest in him
as the time drew near for her marriage, and
determined not to marry him. Hearing of a
family who were going to Gibraltar and
wished a governess, she at once secured the
position, and after a hasty farewell to her
mother, having gained her very unwilling
consent, she left England in two days. This
was in 1838. In 1840 she married Mr. Wat-
son, of Edinburgh, Scotland, who belonged
to the Royal Artillery. At the end of two
years they returned to England, and were
stationed at Woolwich, but in 1845 they
removed to Edinburgh. In 1852 the discov-
ery of gold in Australia created a rush to
that colony. My Aunt Sarah with her family
removed there, her husband joining in the
search for gold with varying success, while
she labored energetically to rear and edu-
cate her children.
26
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
She was a widow for some years before her
death. Her children, of whom six lived to
grow up, were a great comfort and an honor
to her. They are all respectably settled in
Australia. Her eldest daughter, Julia Osier,
married a Mr. Thomas Sayle, and they now
live at Queenscliff, Australia. My sister
Julia met them in her journey to the East,
in 1900, as well as another daughtcT-, Mrs.
Evans, and two sons, William and Arthur,
the latter of whom has since died. My Aunt
Watson died after a short illness a few years
ago, — I have not the exact date. In a letter
received from my Aunt Sarah, dated June 10,
1872, she thus speaks of my mother: —
"My first recollection of your mother
was when we returned from the Cape. I
was then nine years old. She was much
occupied by business, but often on evenings
she would take a walk in a quiet, beautiful
lane near our home, with your Aunt Phillis
and myself. In these rambles I first learned
to love nature and poetry, for, to our delight,
she would repeat to us choice poems which
I have never forgotten. She sowed the seeds
of a love of literature in my mind, which
27
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
time has never effaced and which has been
a solace to me in prosperity and adversity.
I never think of my dear sister Jane but as
the most perfect and consistent Christian I
ever knew."
She also quotes from a letter written to
her by my mother, August 15, 1844, in which
she says: —
" Mary is smaller than our other children,
but she is a kind-hearted little creature, and
is able to render me many little services. I
think her disposition resembles that of our
dear mother. Joseph is naturally self-willed,
and little Susan volatile. Ann Jane is now
two years old. She is an engaging little
creature, and can sing and talk remark-
ably well. She is named for her two grand-
mothers."
Of the two sons, my Uncle Stephen Osier
remained at the Cape. He was for many
years a teacher in the government schools.
I had for some years an interesting corre-
spondence with him. He had two sons,
Stephen and Benjamin, and a very sweet
daughter, Katherine Jane, who died quite
young. The sons were both men of position
28
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
and influence at the Cape. My uncle and his
wife both died some years ago.
My Uncle Benjamin returned to England
and established his business there. He lived
for some years in Barnstaple, and died of
apoplexy, February 3, 1864. He left two
sons, both of whom were men of character.
One of them. Rev. Benjamin Osier of Ex-
mouth, afterwards became a Baptist clergy-
man. I have recently had a delightful corre-
spondence with him, and my sister Susan
has met him and his family. He has two
sons, John Stephen and Ernest Edward,
both of whom have children.
I should have inserted before a sketch of
the family of my Uncle John Toy, with whom
we have been more intimately connected
than with any other branch of either family.
My uncle married Jane Rule of Camborne,
and they had four daughters and one son.
The eldest, Mary Ann, married Mr. Jo-
sephus Snell. He was a builder and con-
tractor, and had a prosperous business.
They removed to London, and most of their
life was spent there. They had a very plea-
sant home, and Mr. Snell owned several
29
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
houses which he rented. They have both
died within a few years. The second daugh-
ter, Amelia, married James Snell, a brother
of Josephus. They had two daughters.
Asenath, the elder, was adopted by her
Uncle Josephus, as they had no children of
their own. She married Edward Brundell,
and their home was in London. Louisa,
the younger, always lived with her parents.
My cousin Amelia died quite suddenly about
two years ago, Jennefer married Philip
Morshead of Camborne. They had two
children : a son, John, who has always been
a teacher, and a daughter, Annie Davis,
who has been also a very successful teacher.
My cousin Jennefer was a little older than
myself, and was very fond of us as children
before we left England. She was a favorite
of my mother, and I always corresponded
with her occasionally. Both she and her
husband have recently died. Jane, the
youngest, married John Gilbert, since cap-
tain of one of the large mines, and a man of
much intelligence and influence. He has
made several visits to America in the interest
of the mines, also he was sent to India,
30
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
where he was employed for two years by
the mine-owners. They have a pleasant
home in Camborne and three fine children :
two sons, Arthur and Bertie, who are both
in business, and Leonora, a sweet girl who
is soon to be married to a Wesleyan min-
ister/ The only son, John Toy, was not as
successful as the rest. He came to America,
and went from here to Australia, where he
died some years ago.
I wish also to mention the family of my
aunt, Mrs. Mary Ann Sims. She was my
father's only remaining sister when we visited
England in 1882. She was then living with
her daughter, Mrs. Arthur, in Camborne,
and was about eighty years of age. She was
a lovely old lady, petite in figure, exquisitely
neat in dress, her face beaming with kind-
ness from beneath one of the snowy caps
with which her grandson, Johnnie Arthur, de-
lighted to keep her supplied. She was greatly
beloved by her grandchildren, and the pet
* Mrs. Gilbert has now been for several years a widow,
and all her children are married and have children of
their own. Her home is with her daughter Leonora, whose
husband is a successful clergyman. — S. W. D.
31
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
of all the nieces and nephews. She reared
a large family of children, who are widely
scattered. One son has long lived in Nor-
way, and is the father of Joseph Sims of
Simsbury, Connecticut. One is the Rev.
James Sims ^ of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who
was for many years a Methodist minister
in Wisconsin. Reverend and Mrs. James
Sims celebrated the sixtieth anniversary
of their marriage in 1907, when they were
both over eighty. They had ten children,
of whom seven are still living, Mrs. Mary
Bainbridge being best known to us. Two
sons and two daughters are living in Eng-
land.
My Aunt Sims had a cosy cottage at
Carwinning, in the country, a few miles
from Camborne; and it was one of my
mother's chief pleasures to take her little
children to this pleasant country home,
where we were always cordially welcomed
and treated to the best of Cornish cream
and gooseberry pasties. It was a pleasant
relief from her busy and confining life in the
* Reverend Mr. Sims died in August, 1909.
32
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
shop where she personally superintended her
millinery business.
My father lived, for over five years after
his marriage, in Camborne, holding the posi-
tion of principal of the Lancastrian School,
and making himself very useful as local
preacher and class-leader in the Wesleyan
church. Three children were born to them
in these happy days of their early married
life. I was the first-born, and was ushered
into life October 31, 1834, at about 8 o'clock
in the morning. I have often heard my father
speak of the joy he felt when I was placed
in his arms for the first time. The second
was my brother Joseph, born July 23, 1836,
a bright, active boy, who made life busy for
those who had the care of him. Then came
my sister Susan, born June 3, 1838. She was
the household pet when we turned our faces
from the dear old home to seek a new one
in a land of strangers. This great change
which now came into our family life was in
connection with the introduction of the
manufacture of safety fuses into America.
The firm, having an established and lucra-
tive business in England, naturally sought
33
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
to enlarge and extend it, and America was
considered an inviting field for the new
industry.
About this time Mr. Richard Bacon of
Simsbury, Connecticut, was travelling in
England in the interest of copper-mining,
which was then carried on at the old prison
in East Granby, Connecticut, known as
Newgate. He met with the firm of Bickford,
Smith & Davey, and they determined to
make an effort through him to introduce their
business into America. The first attempt
was accordingly made at the old prison, with
some success. It had been transferred to
Simsbury, and was in successful operation
there, when, in the summer of 1839, my
father, who was well and favorably known
to the firm, and had been greatly encouraged
and befriended by Mr.' Smith and Mr.
Davey, and in their employ, received from
them an offer of a position as bookkeeper
in the American establishment, which was
known as Bacon, Bickford & Co., with what
was for those days a good salary. The ac-
counts of the new branch were confused and
unsatisfactory, and the company desired to
34
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
have accurate statements rendered. It was
a fine opening for the future for my father,
as was proved a few years later when he
became a member of the firm of which he
was afterwards the head.
This startling proposition brought a
season of anxious thought and prayerful
consideration into the little home. My
mother was well established in her business ;
her mother and two sisters were with her;
her love for her English home and friends
was deep and true; and she shrank with
all the force of her loving nature from the
separation. The journey was long and try-
ing. No ocean steamers made the voyage
a pleasant pastime of a few days. Long
weeks of tossing on the stormy ocean were
to be followed by the search for a new
home in a land of strangers. But with my
mother the voice of duty was always the
voice of God. The prospects of a wider
field for her husband, and enlarged oppor-
tunities for her children, were not to be
neglected. Her decision was made, and say-
ing, as did Ruth, " Where thou goest, I will
go," she bravely put away the arms of love
35
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
which would have held her back, and set
herself to the task of closing her business
and arranging for her journey. At length the
preparations were over. The last farewells
were said to the dear little home, to the
church they loved and had served so faith-
fully, and to the dear ones from whom it
was so hard to part. The van laden with
luggage for the voyage, with space reserved
for the family, was ready to start; and amid
the tears and prayers of those who loved
them, the dear old home faded forever from
the eyes of my father and mother.
The first stage of the journey was to Fal-
mouth, my mother's early home, where we
remained for a rest of a day or two with my
mother's sister, Mrs. Williams. Pleasant
days they were, of loving sisterly commun-
ion. The children, wild with the excitement
of the new experience, were eagerly spying
out the wonders of the city, in company with
their cousins. My brother Joseph, a bold,
adventurous little fellow of scarcely three,
wandered off one day, to the great anxiety
of his mother. He was found, after a long
search, by my aunt, gazing intently into the
36
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
mysteries of a rope-walk. Seeing his aunt,
he exclaimed, eagerly, " Oh, here comes Aunt
Philippa! Now we'll go through the gate!"
These pleasant days soon passed, and
with renewed good-byes, we left for Ports-
mouth, from which port we were to sail.
A vexatious delay of some days was experi-
enced there, but at last the good ship spread
her sails and stood off down the harbor.
With tearful eyes they stood on deck and
watched the receding shores of their dear
native land fade from their sight. Then,
with new devotion to each other and to the
God who was leading them, they turned with
hope and courage to the new life opening
before them.
For six long weeks the vessel ploughed its
way over the heaving sea. My father was
almost immediately prostrated by sea-sick-
ness, and for most of the passage was con-
fined to the stateroom, unable to render any
assistance in the care of the family. My
mother bravely rose to the emergency, caring
for her sick husband and the restless chil-
dren, and bearing the weariness and dis-
comfort of the voyage without a murmur.
37
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
My brother Joseph, being of an inquiring
mind and full of restless energy, was con-
stantly wandering about the ship, exploring
every new place, talking with the sailors,
trying to climb the ropes, and requiring un-
ceasing vigilance to keep him from harm.
Little Susan, then just past her first birth-
day, learned to walk on board the ship,
and one of her first exploits in climbing about
was to upset a teapot of hot tea into her
bosom, making a bad scald of which she
carries the scars to this day, thus adding
much to the care and anxiety of her mother.
At last the weary weeks wore away, and
their eyes were gladdened by the sight of
land. On the eighteenth of August, 1839,
they made safe anchor in the harbor of New
York. From there an easy sail by the Sound
brought them to Hartford. Once more the
luggage was mounted on a heavy wagon,
with space reserved for the family, and they
were off on the ten-mile drive over the moun-
tains to Simsbury, their place of destination.
As the afternoon was wearing away, they
came to the top of the high hill rising ab-
ruptly at the eastern end of the street of
38
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
East Weatogue, where their journey was
cut short by the breaking down of the wagon.
The prospect which opened before them was
beautiful indeed. The little village which
was to be their home nestled at the foot of
the mountain range, while fertile meadows
stretched away in the distance, through
which the Farmington river with its wooded
banks wound its peaceful way, the horizon
bounded by the range of mountains west
of the town. It was a lovely picture, but
the way-worn travellers could not realize
its beauty, as they alighted from the broken
wagon, and took their weary way down the
hill to the village, leaving the driver to repair
the wagon and follow later. My mother,
wallging on, came to a hospitable-looking
home and ventured to ask a drink for the
tired children. A pleasant- faced matron
greeted them kindly, invited them in to rest,
and offering my mother a cup of tea, pro-
ceeded to regale the hungry children with
bread and molasses. This was their first
welcome to their new home. My mother
rejoiced to find that her new friend was from
the dear home land, also that her husband
39
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
was in the employ of the same firm. They
became lifelong friends, and in sickness and
in health it was their delight to show a sis-
terly kindness to each other. This good
woman was "Auntie Whitehead," a warm
friend of our family, who has since joined
my mother in the heavenly home.
At last, as the evening shadows were fall-
ing, the heavy wagon came slowly down the
mountain, and we were lodged in our first
home in America. It was an old-fashioned
New England house, with long sloping roof
and lean-to running down behind. It is
still standing and in fair repair, just oppo-
site the Cornish house, which stood by the
old schoolhouse in East Weatogue. One
half the house was occupied by the family
of Mr. Joseph Eales, who was a member
of the firm. We remained there for a time,
and afterwards removed to the house stand-
ing where Mr. Aman Latimer's house now
stands. But, desiring a more permanent
home, my father bought the farm owned by
Mr. Roswell Phelps, lying just at the foot
of the mountain. It is now owned by Mr.
Henry Ensign. My mother rejoiced to feel
40
&
O
O
H
<
o
X
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
that at last her wanderings were over and
she was settled in a home of her own.
How plainly I can see it now ! The plain
house with its gambrel roof and double
front-doors kept secure by a stout oak bar
resting in sockets of iron ; the narrow front
hall, the family sitting-room on one side,
with the east door opening on the grassy
yard; and the wide stone steps, our only
piazza. The parlor was on the west of the
hall, with its ingrain carpet and plain furni-
ture, which then seemed quite fine to my
childish eyes. The best bed standing in the
corner with the heavy English counterpane
was one of the conspicuous features of the
room. Behind was the long kitchen with its
great fireplace, my mother's bedroom at one
end, and a smaller one for the children at the
other. Plain and simple, indeed, and even
bare as compared with the homes of these
days, as was this home of our childhood,
it was " sweet home " to us, for it was bright
with the love that made our lives all sun-
shine, and peace and contentment were our
constant guests.
Two large buttonwood trees stood at the
41
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
front gate, up to which led some stone steps.
By the street was an open shed under which
wagons could drive, and beyond was the
garden with the great apple tree at the top
of it, flanked by peach trees, whose fruit
was "sweet to our taste." Behind the house
was the well with its long sweep and its
"oaken bucket," which was our only re-
frigerator. It sometimes befell that a luckless
pail of cream or butter fell to the bottom.
Then one of the children was despatched
in haste over the fields to borrow neighbor
Bissel's iron creepers, and great was the
excitement as we watched the grappling
which surely brought up the pail, if not
always the contents. There, too, was the
old pear tree, in the back garden, whose
fruit was so delicious as we ran out in the
early morning to gather what had fallen
during the night; and the orchard with its
long grass, often trampled in our hasty
search for the "golden sweets" which
strewed the ground. The hill rising at the
back of it was crowned with the fine spread-
ing chestnut trees, which were such a joy
to us in the autumn when the frost had
43
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
opened the burs and strewed the brown nuts
on the ground. Behind the house was the
barn, with the cow which we early learned
to milk, and the white horse which carried
the family to church on Sunday, and my
father on his semi- weekly journeys to the
post office in Hopmeadow. For daily mails
were unknown in the peaceful valley then.
The yellow stage rumbled through the
streets on its semi- weekly trip from Hartford
and was hailed with joy as a messenger
from the great world beyond.
Across the brook and farther down the
street was the little brown schoolhouse,
with its stiff hard benches, and open Frank-
lin stove. Behind was an old apple tree, and
a barnyard flanked it on the north side. There
was a row of maples under which we played,
and built stone houses in the soft sand, mak-
ing wonderful china closets of bricks and
shingles and filling them with bits of bright
crockery laboriously gathered from the chil-
dren's homes and carried to school in our
aprons.
Early rising was the rule in our house, for
the early breakfast was always preceded by
43
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
family prayers, from which none might be
excused ; and after it my father went to his
office and the children to school. We were
happy children then ; our simple sports and
homely pleasures had a zest which, it seems
to me, children in these days of multiplied
means of diversion know little of. The free
life of the fields and woods ; the fun of driving
the cows to and from the mountain pastures,
and, in spring, carrying home pails of maple
sap, and boiling it into sugar; scouring the
mountain-sides and pastures for berries and
nuts, picking up apples and potatoes in the
fall, by which we gained a little money
which was all our own ; and, in winter, the
joys of coasting down the steep hill and far
across the fields below by moonlight. The
wonderful snow-forts our brothers built
and stormed, and the rides over the snow
behind the frisky steers on the ox-sled they
made; in-doors the home-made dolls and
pleasant games, and in the evenings the
delightful stories and songs with which our
mother entertained us — all these were en-
joyed with a relish so keen as to leave no-
thing more to be desired.
44
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
As was most natural, my parents immedi-
ately connected themselves with the church
of their choice in their new home. The little
band composing the Methodist Episcopal
church, which answered to the Wesleyan they
had left at home, had at that time no church
edifice and were holding Sabbath services
in the schoolhouses, mostly at West Wea-
togue, about a mile from our house. I well
remember pleasant Sabbath morning walks
down the village street, through the "River
Lane," bordered by a tall row of Normandy
poplars, over the bridge and by the sheep-
fold of Squire Owen Pettibone at the corner,
where we were allowed, much to our delight,
to stop to look at the young lambs with their
soft white coats and bright eyes. I remem-
ber, too, the weekly evening prayer-meetings
held at our own schoolhouse at "early
candle-light," when lamps and chairs were
brought in by the neighbors, and the simple
service, generally conducted by my father,
was often as " the house of God and the gate
of heaven" to the earnest worshippers. It
sometimes happened in the spring-time,
when the swollen river flooded the meadows
45
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
and made the roads along its banks impass-
able, that the brook which crossed our
street was raised to a small river, and the
street could be crossed only by boats. When
this occurred on a Sabbath the young men
would bring a boat, and to our great delight
we were rowed over, and the neighbors
gathered at the schoolhouse for a Sabbath
service at which my father preached.
His talents as a preacher and religious
leader were soon perceived and appreciated
by the people, and his services were in much
demand. It is said that he preached in the
schoolhouse at West Weatogue on the even-
ing after his arrival in Simsbury. In those
early days he preached frequently, supply-
ing every alternate Sabbath for many of the
weaker churches in the vicinity which could
not afford a regular pastor. He preached ,
in this way at North Canton, Granby, Bloom-
field, Washington Hill, Newfield, Burling-
ton, and many other places. He would often
start off on Saturday afternoon for a drive
of ten or fifteen miles, leaving his little family
to get to church on Sunday as best they
could. In cold weather he would wrap him-
46
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
self in his long cloak brought over from
England, and with the faithful white horse,
go forth to wrestle with the wintry winds
and snows, often not returning till Monday.
In 1840 the Methodist Episcopal church
edifice was built, on land donated by Squire
Ensign, a Congregationalist. My father,
J. O. Phelps, Esquire, and Mr. Edward
C. Vining were appointed building-commit-
tee. Through their earnest efforts, it was
finally located at Hopmeadow, in spite of
strong opposition from some of the most
influential members, who resided at " Cases'
Farms," now West Simsbury, and who
favored its erection there. It was said of my
father by his pastor. Rev. I. Simmons, "He
was one of the most efficient workers and
liberal givers in the erection of the Simsbury
church." A contribution was secured by his
efforts from the English firm to aid in build-
ing the church. It was a plain white structure
with long windows and green blinds. The
steeple much resembled that of the present
Congregational church, but was smaller.
They have been not inaptly compared to
two boxes piled on one another. The plea-
47
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
sant-toned bell still hangs in the church
tower, and it was music in the ears of the
little company of Methodists, when its clear
notes rang out over the meadows and hill-
sides, calling them to worship in a church
of their own.
The interior was very simple : the plain
pews with high doors; the swinging gallery
at the rear with the stiff green curtains on
brass rings across the front, which were
drawn with all due ceremony when the pre-
liminary sounding of the tuning fork an-
nounced the beginning of preparations for
singing ; the plain white pulpit with its pur-
ple velvet cushion and hangings and straight
seat cushioned with green baize, its door
closed and carefully buttoned after the min-
ister had ascended the narrow stairs; the
high altar railing inclosing the communion
table at which it was so tiresome for children
to kneel ; — all these form a vivid picture
in my memory. Some years later an im-
provement(?) was introduced which was
thought to be a marvel of art, in the shape
of a fresco behind the pulpit. It represented
two heavy curtains, supported by pillars on
48
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
each side, looped back by a large cord with
immense dark tassels. This was the wonder
of our childish eyes for many years. Two
large box stoves stood near the entrance
doors, at which I used to stand tremblingly
to warm myself after our cold ride in winter,
while the stalwart young sexton, whose
rough manners concealed a kind heart,
raked at the glowing coals with his long
poker and thrust in the big sticks which soon
sent a glow through our chilled hands and
feet. The plain little church has been trans-
formed into a neat modern one with a corner
tower, ^ and the worshippers with whom my
memory fills those pews all lie quietly sleep-
ing on the hillside in the neighboring ceme-
tery. Only their children remain to remind
us of them and the good work they did in
those early days, but their memory is green,
^ The beautiful stone church which now replaces the
first wooden building was dedicated June 10, 1909, shortly
after my mother's death. It was the gift of Mr. R. H.
Ensign and is entirely furnished with organ and fittings
by the generosity of members of his family. The large
Tiffany window over the chancel is a memorial to my
grandfather presented by his daughters. — S. W. D.
49
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
and the fruit of their labors is enjoyed by
their children to-day.
In 1844 my father served as pastor of the
Simsbury church, giving his services that the
church might free itself from debt, which
it did. He conducted during all those years
a Bible class of ladies in the Sunday School,
by whom he was greatly appreciated and
beloved. The Sabbaths of those early days
were far from being "days of rest" to my
father and mother. They were obliged to
rise early to get the family ready for church,
leaving home at about half-past nine for the
two-mile ride to Hopmeadow. Then the two
services with Sunday School between, and
the drive home occupied the time till four
p. M. Then my mother had to prepare the
warm supper, and when all was over it was
nearly time for the evening prayers, which
were never omitted. Not until the restless
children were in bed and soothed to sleep
by the sweet hymns she used to sing to us,
was there a moment of quiet rest for the dear
mother. My father at that time always drove
to Hopmeadow for the evening service, and
later one or two of the older children were
50
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
allowed to go with him. In pleasant weather,
when my father was absent on his preach-
ing tours, my mother would take such of
the children as were old enough, and walk
to church on Sabbath mornings, leaving
the little ones with her friend Mrs. White-
head.
One of the chief pleasures of that early
time was the receipt of letters from the dear
mother and sisters left behind, for letters
were indeed like angels' visits then. They
were full of tender memories and loving
messag^es for the dear ones over the sea.
One of my most cherished mementos is a
letter written to my mother by my Grand-
mother Osier in October, 1839, in which
she speaks of her joy in hearing of our safe
arrival and settlement in our new home and
of how much she missed my mother, and
her affectionate longing to see the children
who were so dear to her. She says, —
"Kiss the three darling children for me.
I cannot express my love for them and you,
nor my feelings on account of the great dis-
tance between us. I shed many tears in read-
ing your much valued letter over and over
51
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
again. You are all generally uppermost in
my thoughts, and I find you wanting more
than I can describe. I am very glad you like
the appearance of the country and that you
were so kindly received. I hope the winters
will be more mild than we expected, and that
by the blessing of the Almighty you will
all be happy and comfortable. Oh ! how I
would love to see my beloved little Mary,
and my darling little Joseph, who seems in-
clined to remember me by expecting to find
me in his new home, and I should have been
much pleased to see my dear, sweet, pretty
little Susan take to run off, but suppose
the misfortune of pulling the hot tea over
into her tender bosom put her back some
time. Pretty dear ! I used to love them all as
if they were my own."
She goes on to speak of her health and
prospects, and in closing says, —
"I hope the Lord will give me strength
according to my day, and by His divine
assistance, may I and all of you be led on by
His grace in the way to everlasting life."
Such was the love and blessing which
descended to us from our godly ancestors.
52
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
As nearly as I can learn, my grandmother
Osier died in 1842, about three years after
our coming to America. I well remember
my mother's grief when the sad tidings
came, and the black dress she wore for some
time afterward. Her sisters Julia and
Philippa soon returned to the Cape of Good
Hope, where their brother and sisters were,
and both were married there, but my Aunt
Julia only lived a short time, dying soon after
the birth of her first child. The sad news
came to my mother just before the birth of
my sister Julia, and she was named for this
dear sister. My mother always loved dear
old England with a right loyal affection.
She always spoke of it lovingly as "Home,"
and cherished a longing desire to revisit it at
some future day, but she never allowed any
feeling of homesickness to interfere with
present duty. Her whole heart was given
to her family. It was her highest joy to make
home bright and happy for her husband and
children, though her heart was large enough
to take in the church and the neighborhood
and every one to whom she might do a kind-
ness. From year to year she toiled patiently
53
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
and quietly on, with very little to relieve the
monotony of her life. Vacations were a
thing unheard of in that day, especially for
women, and though my father made frequent
journeys to various parts of the country on
business, it was not thought of as possible
that the mother could leave her post. But
her life, so far from being dreary or unsatisfy-
ing, was bright with the love and confidence
of her husband and the affection of her chil-
dren. These were her "joy and crown,"
the approval of the Saviour she loved and
served was her constant inspiration, and her
well-stored mind, and her fondness for good
reading furnished pleasant occupation for
her leisure hours.
So the years passed quietly and peacefully
with little change in the life of the family.
Two other children came to bless the home,
Ann Jane, named for her two grandmothers,
born February 23, 1842, and Julia Osier,
born June 14, 1845. I must not fail to make
mention of one who played quite an im-
portant part in the history of our family at
this time. This was a young woman named
Lucinda Andrus, who came into the family
54
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
April 1, 1843. She had employment in the
factory and assisted my mother in such ways
as she could for her board. She was a woman
of excellent Christian character and great
kindness of heart, though possessed of strong
peculiarities. She was warmly attached to
my mother and the children, and very self-
sacrificing in her efforts to assist in every
possible way. She was, in this way, a mem-
ber of our family for many years, passing
with us through scenes of joy and sorrow,
always identifying her interests with ours
and giving the most faithful service and un-
changing friendship. She was a woman of
shrewd good sense and often quite witty,
and her quaint remarks and amusing stories
and songs enlivened many an evening for
the children. She was somewhat credulous,
and had great faith in dreams and omens,
which we eagerly drank in, somewhat to the
discomfort of our mother, who was singularly
free from any trace of superstition, and was
the very soul of truth in all her conversa-
tion with her children. Lucinda married
later in life old Mr. Thomas Morton, who,
as she herself allowed after his death, was
55
THE STOEY OF THE TOYS
not always "the best of husbands," though
she did think the minister " might have said
a little more about him at his funeral." Her
married life was burdened with hard work
and poverty, but her last years were made
quite comfortable by the kindness of many
friends who respected her and were glad to
assist her. She died in the autumn of 1896.
She is remembered by the young people of
our family as "Aunt Lucinda."
We come now to the time when the clouds
gathered heavily over the happy family, and
its sweet light went out in darkness. My
mother had not been in her usual good
health during the summer, and had been at
times a little low-spirited. On Monday,
July 19, 1848, my father went on a short
business trip to Boston, and returning found
my mother quite poorly. On Friday she
felt decidedly ill and asked Lucinda to re-
main at home to assist her, which she gladly
did. That evening my father, who was
suffering from severe headache, asked my
mother to offer prayer at the evening wor-
ship, as she often did, and Lucinda, whose
recollection of those scenes was very vivid,
56
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
describes it as one of the most remarkable
prayers she ever heard. The mother's whole
soul seemed drawn out in special pleading for
her children, that God would make them
His own, and would care for them if she
was taken away from them. On Saturday
she was much worse, and on Sunday her
condition was very alarming. The disease
having developed as malignant erysipelas,
one of the most experienced and skilful
physicians from Hartford was called, a good
nurse put in charge, and all that human skill
could do was done to save the life so precious
to us all. But all in vain. It became evident
during Monday night that the end was near,
and toward morning the family were gath-
ered at her bedside for the last farewell.
She called each separately, and commended
them to God with her dying blessing.
Little Julia, only three years old, was in
my father's arms, too young to realize the
sad parting. My mother asked, "Where is
my little Annie.?" My father lifted her
and she laid her hand on Annie's head, but
could not speak. My brother Joseph, always
impulsive and warm-hearted, burst into
57
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
tears, and begged forgiveness for any trouble
he might have caused her. She spoke words
of comfort to him and sank back exhausted.
My father asked her, " Is all well ? " She
answered, "All is well. It is well with my
soul." And so in the morning of July 27,
1848, at 6 A. M., gently and peacefully passed
away one of the purest and sweetest spirits
that ever brightened this dark world. Her
lifework was finished, and she "entered
into the joy of her Lord."
No relatives were near enough to comfort
and help the family in this time of trial, but
neighbors and friends were unwearied in
their kindness and sympathy. One instance
worthy of mention was that of a young girl
named Delia Foley, who was living with the
Phelps family and to whom my mother had
shown kindness as a stranger. She volun-
teered her services in preparing the dear
form for burial, which was the more remark-
able as the disease was of such a nature that
there was great fear of contagion. This
fact became known to me by accidentally
finding Miss Foley, who was now a gray-
haired woman, in the family of Hon. Joshua
58
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
Hale of Newburyport, where she had been an
honored and trusted servant for nearly forty
years. It was a great pleasure to me to meet
her, and to express to her, in such ways as I
could, our gratitude for the great kindness
rendered to the living and to the dead in the
years so long gone by. I gladly record this
as an instance of unselfish kindness all too
rare in a world like this.
It was in the sultry heat of summer that
our great loss occurred, and the oppressive
weather seemed to increase the burden of
our sorrow. I well remember the desolation
which settled down over the home on the
evening of that first sorrowful day. To add
to the gloom, the storm-clouds gathered
darkly. The picture is forever printed in my
memory. The father and his little motherless
flock were alone in the upper chamber.
The rain fell in torrents, the thunder crashed,
and every flash of lightning lit up the sur-
rounding country and showed the tall row
of poplars in the distant lane, standing stiff
and straight against the stormy sky. No
wonder that my father gave way to the grief
he could no longer control, and the children
59
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
mingled their tears and sobs with his in
unutterable sorrow. The funeral service
was held in the Methodist Episcopal church,
which was filled with friends who loved and
honored my mother in life and sincerely
mourned her death. A funeral sermon was
preached by her pastor, Rev. M. N. Olm-
stead, from Acts xxvi, 8, — "Why should it
be thought a thing incredible with you that
God should raise the dead .P" — in which the
sorrowing family were led for comfort to the
glorious certainty of the resurrection; and
afterwards the sad procession took its way
to the cemetery on the hillside. The little
children with their black bonnets and frocks
were a pathetic picture which appealed to
the sympathy of every heart. The last sol-
emn words were said, and we left her there
to the peaceful rest of those who sleep in
Jesus. The inscription on the stone above
her resting-place — " Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord" — was never more
fitly applied.
The months passed on, and life resumed
its usual course, but the painful vacancy was
sadly felt in the family. A housekeeper was
60
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
obtained who did what she could to fill the
dreadful void, and our faithful Lucinda
remained at her post. But there was no real
harmony, and the children began to show the
need of a mother's care and love. In this
dilemma my father's thoughts were turned,
as was natural, towards some one who mio-ht
fill the important place, and in February,
1849, he married Mrs. Sarah G. H. Merritt.
She was the daughter of one of the old
and excellent families of the town, and had
been for years a friend of my father and mo-
ther, and belonged to the same church. She
was married when quite young to Mr. James
Merritt, a young man of much promise, and
went with him to Spring Hill, Alabama,
where they were both engaged in teaching.
In little more than a year he died, leaving
her a widow before the birth of her first
child,which occurred soon after. Her adopted
sister had married Mr. Rush Tuller, a
merchant in good business at Spring Hill,
and with them she found a home and all
needed sympathy and help in this time of
trial. She was a woman of strong character
and most indomitable energy, and rising
61
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
above her sorrow, she bravely set herself
to the task of earning a support for herself
and her child. She remained in her position
as teacher till her son was old enough to be
lieft, and then coming north she left him in
the care of her mother and grandmother, and
returned to take up her work. She was a
woman of very attractive personality and
pleasant manners, vivacious and entertain-
ing in conversation, and though she had
not been without opportunities to change
her situation, she remained a widow about
ten years. Such was the person whom my
father brought to us as our new mother,
and to make us happy again. There were
no relatives to interfere or to make unplea-
sant comparisons, and we received her with
love and confidence, gladly yielding to her
the respect and obedience we had been ac-
customed to give to our own mother, and so
the family life flowed on harmoniously. It
was no light task she had undertaken, to
train a family of five children, and she ad-
dressed herself to it with her accustomed
energy and courage. She identified herself
fully with the family, and made our interests
62
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
her own. She endeavored faithfully to im-
prove our manners, to teach us to have con-
fidence in ourselves, and to develop the best
that was in us, and in every way to promote
the best interests of us all.
She brought with her as members of our
family, her son, a boy of nine years, and her
mother. It might have been a question
whether the new elements would mingle
harmoniously with the old, but in this case
they certainly did. We were delighted with
the idea of a new brother, and he and my
brother Joseph, who was near his age, be-
came and always continued real brothers
in heart. They were devotedly attached to
each other, and were inseparable till my
brother's death. Her mother, Mrs. D. G.
Humphrey, was a lady of refinement and
intelligence. Though delicate in health and
nervously weak, she bore with commendable
patience the noise of children, and the rush-
ing life of such a large family, which was a
great contrast to the quietness of her former
life. We rejoiced in the acquisition of a
grandma, as we had no remembrance of our
own. She was an honored member of our
63
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
family for many years, and as many of her
tastes and sentiments were similar to my
own, we were much together and enjoyed
each other's society.
The schools in our town were very un-
satisfactory, and when I reached the age of
fifteen it was thought that some better ad-
vantages should be given me. Accordingly,
I was sent to Wilbraham Academy, one of
the oldest and best schools under Methodist
auspices in all that region. I was to room
with my friend, Miss Mary Weston, of Sims-
bury, but as she was not quite ready when
the term began; I had to begin my experience
alone. I was taken by my father and mother
in a carriage to Wilbraham, a distance of
about thirty miles. I was full of anticipa-
tion, and all was well as long as they were
with me, but I shall never forget the heart-
sinking which overwhelmed me when they
left me the next day. When I settled down
at evening in my little bare room alone, I
could not keep the tears from falling as I
thought of the pleasant home circle, and
heartily wished myself among them. The
school buildings were in sharp contrast to
64
i4
J
H
P
H
X
o
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o
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THE STORY OF THE TOYS
the beautiful and nicely adapted appoint-
ments of most of the schools and colleges of
to-day. They were plain to severity, and
some of them showed marks of years of hard
usage. The halls and rooms of our dormi-
tory were uncarpeted. Each little room was
furnished with a bed with dark chintz
spread, a small study table, two wooden
chairs, a little box stove for burning wood,
and a triangular board fastened in the cor-
ner, with a white muslin curtain, for a wash-
stand, with a small bookcase above it.
These, with a small mirror, completed the
furniture, and dreary enough it looked to me
on that sad evening. But with the young,
though "weeping may endure for a night,
joy Cometh in the morning," and as my
room-mate soon came, and I began to be ac-
quainted with the students and interested in
my studies, I was very happy. The two
years I spent there were among the happiest
and most profitable of my life. My sister
Susan joined me there the second year, and
afterward my brother Joseph. He was also
sent later to a school for boys in Norwich,
Connecticut, and Susan afterwards attended
65
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
a private school in Milford, Connecticut.
My sisters Annie and Julia were educated
in the Hartford schools. Annie also studied
music at Music Vale Seminary, Connecticut.
Brother James Merritt studied with a pri-
vate tutor, Mr. T. G. Grassie, of Amherst
College,
It was the wish of my father that Joseph
should have a college education, but though
he had a very bright mind, and was very
literary in his tastes, and himself a good
writer, his choice was strongly for a mechan-
ical training. Accordingly, he was placed
with the firm of Lincoln Bros, of Hartford
to learn the business of a machinist, and
afterwards worked with Woodruff & Beach
of the same city. He became an expert in
the business, and some of the finest work was
entrusted to him.
I should mention here the birth of two
other children who were most welcome addi-
tions to the family circle — George Bickford
Davey, named for the business partners,
who was born March 18, 1852, and Sarah
Jennette, born October 26, 1857.
The year 1857 was one of severe financial
66
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
crisis. Business of all kinds was almost at a
stand-still, and hundreds of workmen were
everywhere discharged. The younger men
of course were the first to go, and both Jo-
seph and James, being unemployed, resolved
to set off for the West and take any chance
that offered. After a short experience as
farmers' help, they both obtained schools in
Illinois. This, however, continued but a
short time, as business revived, and Joseph
came home and took a position as machinist
in the factory. James remained West, and
was with his uncle Humphrey's family in
Quincy most of the time till he settled later
on a farm of his own.
That year was also marked by deep and
extensive religious interest, and both bro-
thers became Christians during that year.
So all of our family were united in their relig-
ious life, as in all other things. In December,
1859, a sad accident cast its dark shadow
over us. My father's factory was destroyed
by fire. It was about 8a.m. My father was
preparing to go to Hartford, and I was stand-
ing by him near a window, when suddenly
a sheet of flame shot from beneath the eaves
67
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
of the factory, lifting the roof, and instantly
the wooden building was enveloped in
flames. The alarm and excitement were
intense. A crowd soon collected, and every
effort was made to check the fire and to
save those in danger. But the explosion had
done its deadly work, and eight of the girls
employed were instantly killed, while others
were rescued with great difficulty and were
badly burned. My brother Joseph, who was
at that time employed in the machine de-
partment, found himself almost without
warning buried beneath a mass of falling
timbers, while flames and smoke poured in
all about him. He managed to extricate
himself, and made a brave dash for his life.
Carrying the window with him, he plunged
into the race-way of the water-wheel, and so
escaped, though terribly burned. The sad
occurrence shrouded the town in gloom.
The funeral of the eight unfortunate girls
was an event long to be remembered. The
company did everything in its power to care
for the sufferers, and to help the afflicted
families, bearing all expenses and erecting
a monument to the dead.
68
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
'' My brother lingered through months of
terrible suffering. For some time his life
was despaired of, but at last, by the blessing
of God on the efforts of the most skilful phy-
sicians, and with good nursing, he slowly
recovered. His nervous system, however,
had received a shock from which he never
fully recovered. As mother was not at all
well at that time, most of the day nursing
fell to me, while kind friends freely offered
their services for the nights. It was a long
and trying experience and was followed for
me with quite a serious illness, but I always
rejoiced in the privilege of ministering to
him in this time of greatest need.
In the autumn of 1860 occurred the excit-
ing political campaign which resulted in the
election of Abraham Lincoln as President
of the United States. I need not describe
here the gathering of the clouds nor the
bursting of the storm of civil war, whose
mutterings had long been heard in the dis-
tance. My brother was elected a member
of the Connecticut Legislature for 1861,
and, though the youngest member, he was
very popular and made a fine record as a
69
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
speaker on the floor of the House. The war
was the absorbing topic of the time. Ener-
getic measures were used to raise troops in
response to the call of the President. A com-
mittee of the legislature, of which my brother
was one, was appointed for this purpose.
He threw himself into the cause of his coun-
try with all the ardor of his nature. As he
labored to induce others to enlist, the convic-
tion grew upon him that he must go himself,
or he could not ask others to do so, and when
the news of the disaster at Bull Run filled
the country with dismay, the question was
settled for him. Duty called and he must go.
The company of young men he had raised
chose him for its Captain, and in November,
1861, leaving his home and promising busi-
ness prospects, he with his company, Co.
H, joined the Twelfth Connecticut regiment,
which was soon encamped at Hartford for
drill. His health was far from strong, and our
family physician declared he should never
have consented to his going, but he passed the
examination and was accepted. He was very
popular with his men, and they were ready
to do and dare anything with him.
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THE STORY OF THE TOYS
The regiment was encamped at Hartford
for the most of the winter, and in the spring
was ordered to join Gen. Butler in his expe-
dition against New Orleans. Before the
departure, my brother was presented with a
beautiful sword and sash by his fellow- towns-
men, as a testimonial of their appreciation of
his bravery. They left Hartford Feb. 26, 1862.
The ship was greatly crowded, and the voy-
age was made with many discomforts, but
on March 8 they reached Ship Island, where
they were encamped for some weeks. They
were not ordered up to New Orleans until
just after the taking of the city, much to the
disappointment of the young Captain, who
was ambitious to see a little of actual warfare.
They were stationed at Carrollton just above
the city. The situation was low and un-
healthy, and my brother, who was greatly
weakened by an attack of dysentery while
at Ship Island, was poorly able to resist the
malaria of the region. He felt his danger,
and wrote home that if he felt it would be
honorable, he should be tempted to resign
and come home. But as the young men he
had influenced to enlist had not the privilege
71
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
of resigning, he could not feel that he ought
to leave them. He was attacked by typhoid
fever soon after the hot weather became in-
tense. He was ill a few days in his tent, but as
he grew worse, he was removed to the regi-
mental hospital, a large house near the camp,
where he had comfortable quarters and
excellent care. Kind comrades stood about
his bed, anticipating with brotherly kindness
his every want. But the most skilful sur-
geons and faithful nurses were powerless to
save him. His system was too much weak-
ened to resist the disease, and after a short
illness he passed quietly away on the after-
noon of Saturday, June 21, exchanging the
scenes of strife for the land of everlasting
peace.
The sad news was flashed over the wires,
carrying the deepest sorrow to the home he
had so lately left. The family gathered and
waited in silent grief for further particulars.
A letter from his friend and First Lieutenant,
George H. Hanks of Hartford, soon told the
sad story. He gave full particulars of his
Captain's last hours, and spoke of a conver-
sation they had just before his sickness, in
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THE STORY OF THE TOYS
which they mutually promised that in case of
the death of either, the survivor should take
charge of his effects and inform his friends,
and said that he had requested that if he
should fall, his body should be sent home to
Simsbury. Lieut. Hanks says, "I promised,
and to the extent of my ability I have carried
out his request, assisted by some of his towns-
men and personal friends who were at his
bedside at the last hour. The body is sent
by steamer McLellan, in a cask of spirits,
carefully fastened in a sitting posture,
dressed in full military uniform, and when
it was adjusted he looked so natural, one
might imagine it was our dear Captain sitting
asleep in his chair, with his hands folded
across his lap. But alas ! it is the long, silent
sleep of death. Dear afflicted friends, it is
the saddest duty of my life, thus to return
to you him who a few months since took
leave of you so buoyant and hopeful, and
many a tear have I shed while performing
it. Possessing but few faults and many vir-
tues, generous to a fault, and honorable to
the extreme, he was universally esteemed
and beloved by the entire regiment."
73
THE STOEY OF THE TOYS
On arriving at New York, the body was
transferred to a metallic casket and sent to
Simsbury. It was met at Plainville by a dele-
gation of the citizens, who with saddened
hearts received him who had recently gone
out from them brave and bright and hopeful.
The sad home-coming was almost over-
whelming to the family. They gathered
sorrowfully to mingle their tears for his early
death. The body was taken to the Methodist
Episcopal church, but the public service was
held in the Congregational church, as the
other was too small to accommodate the
numbers who wished to attend. The large
church was filled with a throng of citizens
of our own and neighboring towns. Com-
rades, friends, companions, the Masonic
fraternity, all came to mingle their tears and
sympathies with the family and relatives, for
the brave young life so early sacrificed, and
to do honor to him whom they all loved and
lamented so sincerely. The funeral discourse
was given by the former pastor and dear
friend of the family. Rev. Ichabod Simmons
of New Haven, from the text, II Timothy
iv : 3 — "A good soldier." It was a beautiful
74
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
and appropriate tribute to the departed, with
words of hope and comfort for those who
mourned him so truly. After the service he
was borne tenderly from the Methodist
church to his last rest in the hillside cemetery
where he had requested to be laid beside his
beloved mother. The solemn burial service
of the Masonic order closed the services,
and so the second great sorrow settled down
upon our home.
My brother was a young man of fine
natural endowment and a most genial dis-
position. He was greatly beloved at home,
and popular everywhere, especially among
the young people, with whom he was always
a leader. Mr. Simmons said of him at his
funeral : " It is a part of my mission to-day
to say that a young man of promise has
fallen. An earnest and close debater, a great
reader of history, with a good memory, and
an imagination sparkling with poetry and
beauty, he would have stood high among
the men of his day. He was a close thinker
and reasoner, but never anchored outside the
clear, deep waters of the Bible. He was
keenly sensitive to the ridiculous, and on
75
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
occasions could be very sarcastic, yet his
tenderness of feeling prevented his wit from
wounding the most sensitive. His nature was
cast in a merry mould, his wit was original,
and in the social circle he was the happy
pivot on which the pleasant moments swung.
The death of our friend is a general loss to
this community. He was a representative
spirit among you. As a citizen you had
already learned to rank him high in your
esteem. His large circle of young friends
are especially called to mourn. A bright
light has gone out among you."
The affliction fell with crushing force
upon my father. His heart was almost
broken, and it was years before he recovered
from the blow.
The events which now came into our
family life were of a more cheerful nature.
The first break in the home circle was occa-
sioned by my marriage to Rev. John W.
Dodge of Newburyport, Massachusetts,
which occurred November 7, 1860. Mr.
Dodge was a graduate of Amherst and
Andover, and had at that time accepted a
call to be pastor of the Congregational
76
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
church of Gardiner, Maine. Our acquaint-
ance began by his coming to Simsbury, in
November, 1855, to teach a select school.
His friend, Mr. T. G. Grassie of Amherst, had
taught it the year before with great accept-
ance and was engaged to return, and as our
family were greatly interested in him, my
mother had promised to take him as a
boarder. He was taken very ill during the
fall term of college, and being unable to
fulfil his engagement, he sent his friend as
substitute. So apparently trivial events
often change the whole current of our lives.
We became engaged during that winter,
which was Mr. Dodge's junior year in col-
lege. I attended his graduation in August,
1857, accompanied by my cousin, Sarah
Jane Tuller, and visited his home in New-
buryport in the summer of 1859. Though
hampered by delicate health and small
means, he completed his theological course
at Andover in 1860, and our marriage took
place as soon as he secured a suitable parish.
The first wedding in the family was a great
event, and no pains were spared to make it
a delightful occasion. It was an evening
77
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
wedding, with about fifty guests. My sister
Susan was bridesmaid, and was attended by
my husband's brother Austin as best man.
Our dresses were similar, of figured grey
silk, mine being trimmed with white silk
and lace, and I wore a bunch of white
Japonicas. The ceremony was performed
by our friend and pastor. Rev. I. Simmons,
assisted by Rev. Allen McLean,/the blind
pastor of the Congregational church, to
whom I was much attached.^ A wedding
supper was served, followed by a pleasant
social evening. Mr. Dodge's mother and
brother were the only friends of his who
could be present. The good-byes were said
early the next day and we set our faces toward
our new home. After several pleasant days
in Boston, we went to Newburyport, only
to be met by the sad tidings that Mr. Dodge's
father had died suddenly on the very day
of our marriage, and that they were delaying
the funeral till our arrival. It was a sad
^ My mother was closely associated for some years before
her marriage with "Father McLean," as he was affection-
ately called, reading to him, writing sermons for him, and
delighting to render him in his blindness such little ser-
vices as she could. — S. W. D.
78
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
home-coming and clouded the brightness
of those first days. We remained in New-
buryport several weeks, and Mr. Dodge
prepared his first sermon as pastor, in the
study of his old friend and minister. Dr.
Dimmick, who had recently died.
We were most kindly received by the peo-
ple at Gardiner. Mr. Dodge was ordained
December sixth, 1860. The sermon was
preached by Dr. Chickering of Portland,
and the ordaining prayer was offered by the
venerable David Thurston. We found a
pleasant home for ourselves, and my father
and mother and Mother Dodge came to assist
in our going to housekeeping. Our outfit
would seem simple indeed to the young
people of this day, but love and content
abode with us, and we were happy. Our
first great sorrow and disappointment came
in the loss of a little one to whose coming
we had looked forward with joy. This was
followed by months of weakness and ill-
health for me. My husband's health also
gave way in the spring, making necessary
a long summer vacation. Six months of this
were spent in tenting on Salisbury beach,
79
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
which resulted in great gain to us both.
Our three years' pastorate in Gardiner
was pleasant and successful, but a second
break in health, in the fall of 1863, made a
resignation necessary, and we came to New-
buryport to spend the winter with Mother
Dodge. In December, through the kindness
of his friend. Captain Robert Bayley, my
husband was offered a voyage in one of his
vessels to the West Indies. He sailed for
Porto Rico in the Edward Lameyer, com-
manded by Captain Charles Bayley, and
received much benefit and enjoyment from
the six weeks' trip.
After coming home he supplied for some
time at Northboro, Massachusetts, and in
the autumn he received a call to Gardner,
Massachusetts, which he did not accept.
Later, however, he went to Yarmouth,
Massachusetts, where he supplied for six
months for Rev. J. B. Clark, who was with the
Christian Commission in the Army of Vir-
ginia. We found a pleasant home with Mr.
Clark's mother in the parsonage, and greatly
enjoyed this experience, and as it proved it
prepared the way for our chief life work. On
80
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
the return of Mr. Clark, in July, 1865, we went
to Hampton, New Hampshire, where my hus-
band was immediately called to the vacant
pulpit of the Congregational church. A
pleasant pastorate of three years there was
followed in 1868 by a call to succeed Mr.
Clark, who had resigned as pastor of the
Yarmouth church. During our second year
in Hampton we had adopted a little girl,
whom we called Mary Webster. She was at
this time nearly three years old.
We broke up our Hampton home in the
cold, dark, December days, and I shall never
forget how delightful the change seemed
to the warmth and cheer of the cosy Yar-
mouth parsonage,; where we spent so many
happy years. A pastorate of twenty-three
years followed. The union between pastor
and people was remarkable. Nothing oc-
curred to ruffle the harmony during all those
years. The best of our life work was done
in Yarmouth, and it was amply rewarded
by the love and confidence of our people. A
new church edifice was built the year after
our coming ; and though the strain of feeling
was very great in consequence of a change
81
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
of location, and threatened at one time to
divide the society entirely, the crisis was
safely passed with the loss of only two or
three families, and the attachment of all
to the pastor who had led them safely
through the conflict remained unshaken.
In the summer of 1871 we adopted a boy
of nine months. He was a sweet and pleasant
child, and for several years was a source of
much comfort. But as he grew older seeds
of evil all unsuspected began to spring up,
and resulted later in bitter disappointment.
On the fourteenth of November, 1875,
our dear daughter, Susan Webster, was
born. It was a boon we had not dared to
hope for. Our home was radiant with joy.
The people showered congratulations, and
gifts poured in to attest the general joy at the
advent of the parsonage baby. Our Thanks-
giving Day that year was one to be remem-
bered.
This happy year was followed by one of
severe trial. My husband's health, never
very strong, broke down entirely, and a long
season of complete nervous prostration fol-
lowed. He kept his bed for months, and at
82
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
last rallied very slowly, appearing again in
his pulpit after an interval of nine months.
The love of our people stood the trying test
bravely. They continued the salary and sup-
plied the pulpit, and were unwearied in their
kindness and sympathy.
In the spring of 1882 we had the long-de-
sired privilege of a journey to Europe. Our
people granted us a vacation of six months,
and the means were furnished by my father.
We left our little Susie with my sister Susan,
the other children remaining with friends
in Yarmouth. It was a season of great en-
joyment and profit. We visited England,
Scotland, France, Holland, Belgium, Ger-
many, Switzerland, and Italy. Returning,
we spent some pleasant weeks with friends
in London and Cornwall, and came home
greatly benefited in mind and body.
On the 22d of April, 1884, Mother Dodge
passed to the heavenly rest. Her home had
been with us for many years. She had been
failing perceptibly for some time, and disease
of the heart developed, which caused her
death, after an illness of a few days. Her
funeral was attended in Yarmouth by Rev.
83
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
Bernard Paine of Sandwich, and afterward
she was taken to her old home in Newbury-
port, and a service was held at the North
Church, conducted by Rev. Mr. Mills. She
was then laid to rest in Highland Cemetery,
by the side of her husband. She was a wo-
man of strong character and large heart, and
her life was full of devotion and self-sacrifice
for her family, as well as usefulness in the
church.
In the spring of 1889 we took a very de-
lightful trip to California, visiting the famed
Yosemite valley, and spending some time
very pleasantly with my brother James's
family in Oakland. Soon after our return
I was seized with a very severe nervous illness
which centered in my head, causing terrible
attacks of vertigo. It resulted in shattering
my health completely, and was followed by
ten years of invalidism. The next year my
husband again suffered a serious break-
down, followed by another long season of
nervous prostration. It was the result, in
part, of over-exertion in revival services,
joined with unusual labors in connection
with the quarter-millennial celebration of
84
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
the town of Yarmouth. As his strength
slowly returned, he attempted to take up his
work again, with the aid of an assistant ; but
it soon became evident that he was unequal
to the task, and he was reluctantly obliged
to resign the office of pastor. He was dis-
missed October 20, 1891. We removed
to Newburyport November 7 of the same
year, and made a home for ourselves there
on land previously purchased, adjoining
my husband's old home. We occupied our
new house for the first time June 2, 1892.
It has proved a comfort and joy to us, and
we have both greatly improved in health.
I cannot close this chapter of our history
without making special mention of our dear
friends. Dr. and Mrs. Eldridge of Yarmouth,
who played such an important part in our
life there, whose friendship and sympathy
were so constant and helpful during all the
years, and whose frequent and well-chosen
gifts added so much to the brightness of our
home life, especially of the great kindness
of Dr. Eldridge in providing a night nurse
at his own expense all through my husband's
first long illness. They have both passed to
85
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
their reward, but their memory is a treasure
to us. Our people also manifested their love
and appreciation by numerous and valuable
gifts. A full china dinner and tea service
were given us at our china wedding, and an
elegant set of silver forks and a fine cake-
basket at our silver anniversary. A costly
and beautiful silver loving-cup was their
parting gift to my husband. It was appro-
priately inscribed with the text of his last
sermon, "God is Love," significant of
the character of his whole life work. The
girls of my mission circle also presented a
silver tray and tea service to me. These, and
innumerable tokens of love scattered all
along the way, form a chain of adamant to
bind our hearts to the dear friends of those
happy days, many of whom have gone be-
fore us to the heavenly home.
In April, 1896, Susie having left Wellesley
College, her father took her abroad. They
were accompanied by her friend and class-
mate, Miss Effie A. Work, of Akron, Ohio.
My husband's illness on the way obliged
them to cut short their trip and return home,
and another long illness followed. He has
86
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
now recovered, and my own health having
greatly improved, we now gladly "thank
God and take courage."
After an interval of some years, caused
by returning ill-health, I take up again the
story of our family life. Sadly enough, the
first record must be of the great sorrow
which came to us in the years 1903 and 1904.
On the morning of August 8, 1903, my hus-
band was taken very suddenly ill with an
attack of congestion of the brain, while
standing by his library table. He passed a
day of great suffering and semi-unconscious-
ness, and at night was carried up to his bed,
from which he only arose after months of
utter prostration. He rallied at last very
slowly, after an alarming relapse, and so far
recovered as to be able to come down-stairs
and walk about the house and mingle with
the family at the table and otherwise socially.
He was able to read a little and join in con-
versation, and greatly enjoyed his daily
drives. On the evening of June 14 he was
suddenly seized with a hemorrhage of the
brain as he w^as retiring for the night, and
87
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
became entirely unconscious. Every pos-
sible effort was made to arouse him, but all
was unavailing. He lingered unconscious
until the evening of June 17, when he passed
quietly away, and entered into the " rest that
remaineth for the people of God." My
daughter Susan was absent from home,
having gone to Simsbury, to act as brides-
maid at the wedding of her cousin, Susie
Alice Ensign. She returned as speedily as
possible, only to find that her father was
unable to recognize her. She was with him
at the last, holding his hand in hers as he
passed over the dark river. The funeral ser-
vices were held in the North Church on
Tuesday, June 21. Prayer was offered at the
house by Rev. Doctor Cutler of Ipswich,
a lifelong friend. The procession entering
the church was led by the pastor, Rev. Mr.
Newcomb, reading the selections beginning,
"I am the resurrection and the life." The
music was by the Temple Male Quartet,
who sang the hymns, "Rock of Ages" and
"Abide with Me." Remarks followed by
Rev. Dr. Cutler and Rev. Bartlett Weston,
both intimate friends, also a few appropri-
88
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
ate remarks by the pastor. The burial was
at Oak Hill, the committal service being read
by Dr. Hovey, and our dear one was laid to
rest in a quiet, beautiful spot overlooking
the meadows and hills he had loved so well.
A granite monument in the form of a St.
Martin's cross, bearing the inscriptions,
"Resurgam," and *'I am the resurrection
and the life," marks his resting-place.
Beautiful flowers in profusion were sent by
relatives and friends and by different organ-
izations in the city in which he had been
prominent in token of the love and esteem
in which he was held. The Yarmouth
church, where most of his life work was
done, sent two representatives, and an ele-
gant wreath of ferns and orchids.
The second marriage in the family was
that of my sister Susan. She was married
July 21, 1863, to Ralph H. Ensign, a son
of one of the oldest and best families of the
town. Their friendship began in early youth,
and was fitly crowned by this most happy
marriage. The wedding took place in the
Methodist Episcopal church in Simsbury,
89
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
and the ceremony was performed by Rev.
Arza Hill, then pastor of the church. It was
in the early days of the Civil War, not long
after the death of my brother Joseph. The
family were in mourning at the time, and
the bride made no change, but was married
in a gown of white crepe. The reception at the
home consisted only of the two families, and
as it was a time of alarms, the men of the
family had been called in different directions,
so that only the two fathers were present.
The wedding was followed by a bridal trip
to Niagara.
Mr. and Mrs. Ensign made their home
in Simsbury, occupying the house on the
hill now occupied by their daughter, Mrs.
Robert Darling. Mr. Ensign was in the fuse
business with my father, and soon became
a member of the firm. He has been its head
ever since my father's death, and it has
steadily prospered under his leadership.
Their present home, "Trevarno," was built
in 1881, and they have lived there since that
time. They have travelled a * great deal,
especially in England and France. Their
children : Sarah Isabel, who died at the age
90
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
of four years, Joseph Ralph, Susan Alice,
Julia Whiting, and Edward William, who
died at the age of three. They also reared to
manhood a child, Ralph Newbert, whom
they took into their family shortly after the
death of their youngest child, Edward.
Next in order was my sister Julia, who was
married on May 29, 1886, to Rev. Charles
H. Buck of Neponset, Massachusetts, at that
timepastorof the Simsbury Methodist church.
He was a graduate of Wesleyan University
and a young man of much promise, which has
been abundantly fulfilled in his ministerial
career. They were married in the Methodist
church by my father and Rev. Mr. Simmons,
and left at once on their wedding journey.
On their return they removed to Westville,
Connecticut, where Mr. Buck had just been
appointed pastor. Since then, Mr. Buck has
filled many of the most important appoint-
ments in the New York East Conference,
serving large churches in Brooklyn, Stam-
ford, Bristol, New Britain, and others.
He has always been greatly beloved and
appreciated by his people and urged to re-
turn to them, particularly at Bristol, where
91
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
he had three pastorates. When he retired
from the active ministry in 1900, he was
presented by his people there with a magni-
ficent loving cup, as well as other tokens
of their affection. Mr. Buck had previously
been given the degree of D. D., and he was
Treasurer of Wesleyan University for a
number of years after his retirement, be-
sides holding other prominent positions.
The Bucks have always been great travellers,
both in this country and abroad, and spent a
year travelling in the far East, in 1900-01,
before settling in a home of their own. On
their return. Dr. Buck was for a time Pre-
siding Elder in the New YorkEast Conference
and also pastor of a large church in Brooklyn.
In 1903 they built a beautiful Colonial house
at Yonkers, New York, on land overlook-
ing the Hudson River, where they now live,
having their daughter and her interesting
family near them.
They adopted two children : William
Henry and Sarah Humphrey.
On the 19th of October, 1866, my sister
Annie was married to L. Stoughton Ells-
92
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
worth of Windsor, Connecticut. He came of
the straitest of Puritan stock, including the
historic Ellsworths and Edwardses of Wind-
sor, and has most creditably borne up the
reputation of those families. The ceremony
took place in the Methodist church and was
performed by his brother-in-law. Rev. C. H.
Buck, who was assisted by Rev. J. W. Dodge.
They resided for a short time in Windsor,
Connecticut, after which they removed in
April, 1867, to Oakland, California, where
Mr. Ellsworth had charge of a branch of the
fuse business, which had been established
there. They remained there only a few years.
Two children were born to them there, but
both died very young, which hastened their
return to Connecticut, in the autumn of 1871.
They settled on a fine farm in East Wea-
togue, but in 1889 they built and occupied
their present residence in Hopmeadow, and
Mr. Ellsworth also became a member of my
father's firm. Their children : Lucy Stough-
ton, George Toy, Annie Stoughton, Henry
Edwards, John Stoughton.
My brother George was married October
6, 1875, to Mary Seymour of Granby. They
93
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
were married at the bride's home by Rev.
C. H. Buck, and took a wedding trip to
Canada. They lived afterwards in my fa-
ther's family, as George was associated in the
business. There were no living children.
My sister Jennie was married April 19,
1876, to Mr. Charles E. Curtiss of Simsbury.
They lived for a short time with Mr. Curtiss'
parents, and then removed to Westfield,
Massachusetts. Mr. Curtiss was afterwards
taken into my father's business, and they
lived in the house adjoining his on the hill.
Their children: Joseph Toy and Grace
Gilbert.
Having been divorced from Mr. Curtiss,
my sister Jennie married Mr. Charles A.
Ensign, December 2, 1890. They settled in
a very pleasant home in Tariffville, where
they have since lived, with the exception of a
short residence in Ottawa, Canada.^ No
children.
On November 7, 1873, our grandmother,
Mrs. D. G. Humphrey, who had long been
^ In the winter of 1908-09, IMr. and IMrs. Ensign bought
the attractive place in East Weatogue, where they have
since lived.
94
JOSEPH TOY
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
an honored and valued member of our
family, died at the age of 81. She was a very
intelligent, and interesting woman, and was
loved and mourned by us all.
My brother George died March 25, 1881,
after a long and trying illness, which even-
tually weakened him in mind as well as body.
My stepmother, Sarah G. H. Toy, died
September 24, 1881. She had a long illness,
resulting from a shock of apoplexy which
partially paralyzed her and ended in soften-
ing of the brain. I was with her when she
passed away, and closed her eyes for the last
long sleep. She was a brilliant and interest-
ing woman, a devoted wife, and a kind
mother to the children whose care she un-
dertook.
After her death my father married Mary
Seymour Toy, April 11, 1882. One child
was born to them, Josephine Seymour, born
January 19, 1884. They continued to live
in the house on the hill until some years after
my father's death, which occurred when
Josephine was three years old. As she grew
older and the question of a suitable educa-
tion for her arose, Mrs. Toy removed to
95
THE STORT OF THE TOYS
Hartford, and the old house was closed. It
was later divided into two parts; the back
portion was moved away and used as a
small tenement for the employees of the fac-
tory, while the rest was rented as it stood.
Later, in 1904, it also was removed to its
present position just back of the old site,
where Mr. Joseph Ensign's house now
stands. Mrs. Toy and Josephine settled in a
very pleasant home in Hartford, and the
latter attended Miss Barbour's school, and
later went for two years to Miss Porter's
school in Farmington. On June 5, 1907,
she was married to Mr. Frederick Starr
Collins, a son of one of the old and prominent
families of Hartford. The marriage was a
very happy one, especially as Josephine and
her husband still remained with her mother.*
On the second of April, 1887, my father
^ On July 20, 1909, five months after my mother's death,
Josephine Toy Collins died very suddenly at her home in
Hartford, leaving a baby daughter, little Josephine Toy,
only two weeks old. Her early death was a terrible blow
to her young husband and to her mother, to whom she had
always been a close companion. Her short life was sweet
and lovely, and a host of sorrowing friends mourned its
early close. — S. W. D.
96
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
entered into rest. He had been growing
rather more feeble for some time. He was
very ill during most of the winter, and was
confined to his bed a great part of the time.
His trouble was of such a nature that it was
impossible for him to lie down, which was
very distressing, but he bore his sufferings
with great fortitude and patience. He im-
proved as the spring came on, and was able
to walk about the house, and had even been
out of doors once or twice. I had not been
able to go to see him during the winter, but
on the last of March I went to Simsbury.
He was occupied by business on the first day
of April, so that I did not see him, but on the
morning of the second, I went in a driving
snowstorm to see him. He was just coming
out of his room as I came in. I was greatly
struck by his altered and feeble appearance,
but he received me cheerfully, and we talked
pleasantly together for an hour. His phy-
sician. Dr. R. A. White, came in at that time,
and suggested that he be given a little liquid
nourishment. As he attempted to swallow
it, there was a struggle, and he threw back
his head, groaning heavily. I took his head
97
THE STORY OF THE TOTS
in my arms, and in an instant he had passed
away. We laid him quietly down, and even
amid our tears, it was a relief to see him
lying peacefully after his winter's sufferings.
The funeral took place in the Methodist
church. His pastor. Rev. C. W. Lyon, offici-
ated, assisted by Rev. C. P. Croft. The pro-
cession passed up the aisle, preceded by the
pastor reading the beautiful words of the
burial service, "I am the resurrection and
the life." The choir sang "Servant of God,
well done," and "It is well with my soul."
Mr. Lyon preached from the text, "I have
fought a good fight ... I have kept the
faith," and the choir sang, "Thy will be
done."
Two wreaths were laid upon the casket,
one of white callas, and in the center was a
sheaf of wheat. The church was thronged
with friends and neighbors who came to pay
their last tribute of love and respect. Over
one hundred of the employees of the firm
were present. The bearers were S. C. Eno,
D. B. McLean, A. G. Case, Erwin Chase,
J. N. Race, and A. S. Chapman. So he was
carried forth from the church of which he
98
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
had so long been a pillar, and laid to rest
on the hillside, in the midst of his family who
had gone before. So closed a long, honored
and useful life. *'The memory of the just is
blessed."
09
^,p^Oi^lB
THE STORT OF THE TOYS
GRANDCHILDREN
Susan Webster Dodge, bom November 14, 1875.
Mart Webster Dodge (adopted), bom January 24,
1866.
George Tot Dodge (adopted), bom June 7, 1872.
Sarah Isabel Ensign, bom December 19, 1864 ;
died January 25, 1869.
Joseph Ralph Ensign, bom November 24, 1868 ;
married Mary J, Phelps, April 5, 1894.
Child : Maet Phelps, born February 9, 1902.
Susan Alice Ensign, born September 7, 1873;
married Rev. William Inglis Morse, June 15,
1904.
Child : Susan Tot, born July 4, 1905.
Julia Whiting Ensign, bom October 3, 1878;
married Robert Darling, May 14, 1902.
Child : Robert Ensign, born September 19, 1904.
Edward William Ensign, bom July 5, 1881 ; died
June 9, 1884.
LucT Stoughton Ellsworth, bom Febmary 1,
1868; died April 13, 1870.
George Tot Ellsworth, bom April 24, 1869 ; died
October 24, 1869.
Annie Stoughton Ellsworth, bom September 22,
1873; Tnarried Emmet Schultz, April 16, 1895.
100
THE STORY OF THE TOYS
Henry Edwards Ellsworth, bom March 27, 1878;
married Susan Hotchkiss Starr, February 11, 1903.
Children: John Edwards, born September 15, 1904;
Mary Amelia, born July 30, 1907; Jane Osler,
born December 16, 1908.
John Stoughton Ellsworth, bom August 21,
1883 ; married Lida Burpee, July 15, 1905,
Child : John Stoughton, Jr., born June 16, 1907.
William Henry Buck (adopted), bom March 6,
1870; married Sadie Fielding, April 25, 1893.
Child : Julia, born November 3, 1893.
Sarah Humphrey Buck (adopted), bom June 22,
1872 ; married Dr. Albert Gushing Crehore, July
10, 1894.
Children : Dorothy Dartmouth, born May 17, 1895 ;
Virginia Davenport, born February 4, 1900;
Victoria Louise, born February 4, 1900 ; Florence
Ensign, born August 21, 1903, died November 10,
1905; Julia Osler, born December 15, 1906.
Joseph Toy Curtiss, bom December 16, 1878;
married Abigail Goodrich Eno, December 16, 1899.
Children : Joseph Toy, Jr., born May 8, 1901 ; Austin
Eno, born June 15, 1907.
Grace Gilbert Curtiss, bom September 26, 1883 ;
married William Pollard Lamb, May 11, 1904.
Children : William Pollard, Jr., born December 28,
1906; Richard Humphrey, born February 23,
1909.
Josephine Toy Collins, bom July 5, 1909.
101
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
The following letter from Miss Maude Divine, a
granddaughter of my mother's Aunt Susan, gives
a little different account of the events of Benjamin
Osier's life, as her mother knew them. She says:
"Our great-grandfather, Benjamin Osier, was a
merchant in Gibraltar and Cadiz from about 1814.
Not doing well, he decided to try trading to the West
Indies, and bought a small vessel and fitted it with
merchandise. His son, Joseph, who had been a mid-
shipman in the Navy, went with him, but died at
Trinidad of yellow fever. On the way home, grand-
father's vessel was seized by a French privateer, and
he was imprisoned, where he remained some time,
unable to communicate with his family. Finally they
received information of his whereabouts, through the
Free Masons, and an exchange of prisoners being
arranged, he came home, a helpless cripple.
" Just at that time South Africa was being much
talked of, and he thought he would try his fortune
there. He brought out most of his family, my grand
mother being the eldest. He never recovered his
health, and died about a year afterwards. Our great-
grandmother then returned to England with the
younger children. My grandmother, having married
105
APPENDIX
Lieutenant Coleman of the Navy (who came out in
their vessel the Weymouth) , decided to remain, as did
also her young brother, Stephen and a sister, after-
wards Mrs. Sayers.
" My grandmother settled at Simon's Town, and
after her first husband's death had a school, having
been left with two little girls. She afterwards married
my grandfather Fineran who was in the Commissariat
Department of the Army, and mother was their only
daughter. Her two brothers died as young men.
There are several descendants of the other Osier
daughters, grandmother's sisters, about Simon's
Town whom we have never seen, mother not having
kept in touch with them after grandmother's death."
S. W. D.
106
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