Toby Gilmore facts for kids
Toby Gilmore (born around 1742-1747 – died April 19, 1812) was born in West Africa. His birth name was Shibodee Turrey Wurry, and he was the son of a local chief. When he was about sixteen years old, he was kidnapped by slave traders. Later, he gained his freedom by joining the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
Contents
Early Life and Freedom's Start
Around 1758, Shibodee Turrey Wurry was captured while collecting coconuts. He was put in chains on a slave ship called the Dove. This ship was heading to Virginia but was damaged in a storm. It had to change course and sail to Rhode Island instead. There, Shibodee was sold at an auction to Captain John Gilmore of Raynham, Massachusetts.
Local stories once said that John Gilmore and his wife had no children. They supposedly renamed Shibodee to Toby Gilmore and taught him to read and write. However, this story is not true. The couple had several children, and it's not clear if Toby could read or write.
Fighting for Freedom: The Revolutionary War
During the American Revolution, Toby Gilmore joined military groups that fought in many important battles. He served at the Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, and Battle of White Plains. He was also at West Point, the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga (1777), and spent a winter at Valley Forge.
Toby started his service on December 8, 1776, as a Private. He served for eleven days in Capt. Jonathan Shaw's company. Later, on November 4, 1777, he joined Capt. James Cooper's company. His army records show he served from September 19, 1777, to September 3, 1780, for three years. In 1781, he served for almost three months near the North River (Hudson River). He was officially released from the army in December 1781 and went back home to Raynham. After the main war, he also served during Shays' Rebellion. His military hat, called a mitre, had a Federalist symbol sewn onto it.
Toby Gilmore and George Washington's Story
It is not known for sure if Toby Gilmore served directly under General George Washington. However, local stories in the Greater Taunton area say that Toby became a "bodyguard" or "body servant" for George Washington during the war.
For his service, Toby was supposedly given a cannon. This cannon is now at the Old Colony Historical Society (OCHS) in Taunton, Massachusetts, and it's nicknamed "Old Toby." Every July 4th, Toby would fire the cannon 14 times. Thirteen shots were for the original Thirteen Colonies, and the last shot honored General Washington.
Some people have claimed that Toby is the African American soldier shown in the 1851 painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware. Many believe the figure is Prince Whipple, but records show Whipple was in Baltimore at that time. It is more likely that the painter, Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, wanted to show that black patriots fought alongside white soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The black soldier in the painting likely represents all Black Patriots, not one specific person.
Life After the War
After his military service, Toby married Rosanna Hack. They had eight children together: Toby Jr., Nancy, Delia, Timothy, Esquire, Selina, Rosina, and Seabury. Toby first worked for his former master. Later, he and Rosanna started their own housekeeping business.
Toby was known as a careful businessman. He bought 45 acres and 60 rods of land in Raynham, Massachusetts. This land had been taken from a Loyalist (someone who supported the British during the war) and was sold at an auction. Toby was so well-liked in the area that very few people bid against him.
The first house Toby built, around 1784, is still standing in Raynham today. In 1798, he built a second, larger home. This new house was even bigger than his former master's house. Toby Gilmore died on April 19, 1812, at the age of 70. His grave marker can still be seen at Hall & Dean Cemetery in West Raynham.
Toby Gilmore's Legacy Today
Most of the history about Toby Gilmore can be found at the Old Colony Historical Society (OCHS). Local historians there keep some of his belongings. These items include his military mitre, the "Old Toby" cannon, and a small barrel called a rundlet. All of these are on display. The OCHS also has a military coat donated by the Gilmore family. It's not clear exactly when the coat is from, but it's probably not Toby's. It might belong to one of his descendants and could be from the Civil War era.
For a long time, people thought that all of Toby Gilmore's family line had ended. An article in the Taunton Daily Gazette on October 24, 1921, said that Caroline J. Gilmore, believed to be the last family member, had died. However, in the summer of 2010, staff at OCHS, along with one of Toby's descendants, found the missing family link! A new article about this discovery was printed in the Taunton Daily Gazette on October 20, 2010.
|
