The photo was taken in 1937. Bramwell High School Class
'51 Alumni Ward Cole was four years old. To Ward this
photograph brings back some wonderful memories. No doubt
many others can relate to a similiar photograph in their
past. Ward's grandfather, S.A. Toy was book keeper for
the historic Booth-Bowen Coal Company.
Mr. Toy was
married to Caroline Bilbie. Caroline was related to John
Freeman for which the community of Freeman was named.
John Freeman married Isabella "Belle" Bilbie of
Treverton, Pennsylvania in 1863. She was the widow of
John Bilbie. "Belle" was born in 1830 at
Gateshead, England. She had three husbands and outlived
them all. She was the mother of at least ten children.
One husband, one son-in-law and two sons were
millionaires; John Freeman, Jenkin Jones, George and
Wesley Freeman.
All these individuals are well known as
Bramwell pioneers; of course with the exception of Ward
Cole, Jr. Samuel A. Toy died at his home on Bluestone Avenue in Bramwell, WV in 1942. ( History material from Martha Jane
Becker's book on Bramwell history. Information on Caroline
Bilbie name from Rowellyn (Cole) Clark. Photograph furnished by Ward
Cole)
Material Update - Nov. 2009: Samuel A. Toy was born to Samuel and May Toy on Feb 17, 1861. He was one of ten children. In 1891 he married Caroline Bilbie, the daughter of Mrs. Isabel Freeman, widow of John Freeman, who was a pioneer coal operator in the Flat Top coal field.
The life of Samuel A. Toy:
1861 - Born Feb. 17, 1861 in Constantine, Cornwall, England (parents are Samuel Toy and Mary Wearne) 1871 - The 1871 England Census lists him as a scholar, living with his famliy on Seworgan St. 1880 - The 1880 U.S. Federal Census lists him as living in Foxburg, PA, working as a laborer 1920 - The 1920 U.S. Federal Census lists him as living on Bluestone Ave., in Bramwell, W.V. His occupation is listed as a bookkeeper for a coal company. 1930 - The 1930 U.S. Federal Census lists him as living on Bluestone Avenue, Bramwell, W.V. - Book keeper for Booth-Bowen Coal Company - Died Feb. 27, 1942.
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TOY FAMILY INDEX |
