John Atwood Tomlinson was born in Huntington, Connecticut, August 7, 1793. Colonel Curtiss Tomlinson and Lucy Atwood were his parents. Curtiss was the son of Captain Joseph Tomlinson and Elizabeth Curtiss – thus the double ‘s’ due to being a family name. John moved to Mercer County, Kentucky, in the early 1800’s, and married Eliza Morris Thompson July 2, 1818. They had 10 children: Mary Atwood, Charles Curtiss, William M., Anna Eliza, Sarah Claiborne, Lucy Rebecca, Caroline, twins Amanda & James Addison, and John Atwood Tomlinson. In addition to being a physician, John represented Mercer County in the Kentucky House of Representatives, 1828-1831, and in the State Senate, 1837-1841. The following are buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Mercer County, Kentucky.
John Atwood Tomlinson, August 7, 1793 – February 17, 1862 The faithful physician, husband, father, friend.
Eliza M. Tomlinson, October 27, 1800 – March 4, 1864
William M. Tomlinson, son of John Atwood and Eliza, married Mary Talbot. In the 1860 census they are shown at the ages of 32 and 27, with children Bettie A., 8, Mary B. 6, Willie H. 4, and Albert 1. In the 1870 census only Albert is listed. The two girls could have married – just not sure about that.
William M. Tomlinson, April 19, 1827 – June 28, 1909
Mary T. Tomlinson, June 3, 1833 – November 29, 1915
from The Harrodsburg Herald, Mercer County
Friday, July 2, 1909
TOMLINSON KILLED BY TRAIN – Was Dr. Wm. Tomlinson, a Beloved Physician
On Tuesday morning, Captain James A. Tomlinson received a telegram from Chicago announcing the death of his brother, Dr. William M. Tomlinson. Later information stated that the doctor was crossing the railroad tracks at Wilmette, and failed to see an approaching train till it was almost upon him. He started to run but had taken only a few steps when he was struck. He was thrown across the pilot beam, where he lay while the train ran a block. Then he rolled off and the wheels passed over him severely mangling him. The announcement of his death was a severe blow to many warm friends of the deceased in this city. Dr. Tomlinson was a native of this place, and was a graduate of the medical department of old Bacon College. He practiced medicine here for many years, and thirty years ago moved to Chicago, where he continued to practice his profession with much success. While he lived here his practice was extremely large and no man was more greatly beloved or widely known, and much regret was expressed when he left the community. Two years ago he spent several weeks here with his brother, renewing old ties and acquaintances. He was a most lovable gentleman and his reminiscences of early Harrodsburg were greatly enjoyed by those who were intimate with him and had the privilege of hearing him. He leaves a wife, who was Miss Mary Talbot, a daughter of the late Hon. Albert G. Talbot, a member of Congress for several terms, and one son, Mr. William Tomlinson, who is a druggist at Monroe, Mich. Besides his brother, Mr. J. A. Tomlinson, his sister, Mrs. Belknap, who is the widow of General Belknap, Secretary of War under President Grant, survives him. Dr. Tomlinson was 82 years of age and his death leaves only one surviving graduate of the medical department of old Bacon College, the Rev. Stephen Collier, of Sparta, Texas. The remains arrived here at 11 o’clock yesterday and were interred in Spring Hill cemetery, after services by Rev. M. V. P. Yeaman.
These are sons of John Atwood and Eliza Tomlinson.
Charles Curtiss Tomlinson, October 7, 1824 – April 27, 1851
John Atwood Tomlinson, May 22, 1842 – December 15, 1874
James A. Tomlinson is also a son of John Atwood and Eliza.
James A. Tomlinson, 1840-1913
Mary E., his wife, 1849-1916
Categories: Cemeteries, Family Stories, Genealogy Ramblings, Newspaper Articles
While Googling for a Mercer county estate, I ran across your site. I was surprised to see your Tomlinson article – a couple of paragraphs looked to be a cut and paste from my Findagrave memorial. A minor correction – Dr. John Atwood Tomlinson’s father was not a Col., despite what is on his gravestone – a corporal at best. Great pictures though – mine were scanned from pictures I took back in the mid-90s. I’m a direct descendant of Dr. J A T.
I’ve enjoyed your site – I’ll be exploring it further. If you want to do a future Tomlinson article, the two daughters who married Belknap are rather interesting – quite a scandal. I’ve collected a lot of newspaper clippings about them.
Does anyone have a clue to Dr. T’s writings on local history mentioned in a biographical encyclopedia of the 1870s? And where might his birthplace have been –Aaron Burr was arrested there according to the sketch. Wou;d it have been Shawnee Springs?
Do you have the name of the biographical encyclopedia? I don’t know anything about a local history written by any of the Tomlinsons.Are you asking about the birthplace of Dr. Wiiliam Tomlinson? “Shawnee Springs” was built by George C. Thompson ( a relative of Dr. JAT’s wife) and I’ve read that it remained in the Thompson family until 1898. I believe that all of Dr. JAT’s children were born at his home in Harrodsburg. I don’t know if Burr was ever arrested at Wingfield Tavern in Harrodsburg, but it was where he met with Gen. Adair & Col. Meaux – the “Spanish Conspiracy”. I’m a direct descendant of Dr. JAT & if you are also I’d like to correspond with you. eliselh@cox.net