Joseph
Toulmin[*13215] 1772 - 1847
Of St. John’s, Hackney, and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. He was born on January 8th, 1772. Firstly he married Catherine van Effen, in 1797, and had four children by her. Secondly, on April 7th 1804, he married Maria Sampson (1784-1853) with whom he produced six more children. Four of the children of this second marriage, aged five and under, were all baptised on April 27th, 1810, which seems to mark the move from Nonconformist to C. of E. in his family. He was quoted as being "An eminent medical man. At one time before his sons were grown up, he frequently tired out three pairs of horses in a day, so extensive were his ‘rounds’. His carriage, I have heard, was one of the first built with a seat behind for the footman, instead of a board for standing". Joseph died on November 15th, 1847, aged seventy-five, whilst living at Mare St., Hackney . The cause of death was given as "Natural Death, sudden from a diseased heart", and his family vault was in Hackney churchyard. He left an estate valued at £6,000. This is a photograph of a miniature painting of him. . This is the first picture we have of any direct ancestor and partly as a result of that, he is the earliest direct relation whom we really feel we "know". He was obviously a kindly man and is said to have provided the financial help for his brother William Wilton Toulmin’s grandson Henry to become a solicitor, giving him £100 per year.