One evening, following a meeting of the Executive Committee at the Tolman Family Genealogical Center in Bountiful, as I was attempting to complete my research on the life of Judson Tolman, I found a most treasured old volume, entitled “Minute Book of the Tolman Family Reunion.” It contents are the minutes of the Tolman Family Reunions, beginning with the first meeting, held “in Father’s House” [Judson Tolman’s home at 1351 East Skyline Drive] on April 8, 1903. The record is written in a beautiful, long-hand by Jaren Tolman, and reads as follows:
Minutes of a meeting Held in Father’s House April 8, 1903.
Singing: Love at Home
Prayer: W. W. (William Wallace) Willey
Singing: on page 198: Now let us rejoice in the day of Salvation
Judson Tolman said he was pleased to see so many present of his children, also of his brother’s. He wished us to form an association so we could better look after our dead progenitors, that he had been visited by his brother Benjamin asking him to have his wife sealed to him, that he had been married by the law of the land only and by investigation he found this to be true.
A vote was taken that all the sons should pay $5.00 and all the daughters $2.00 to gather genealogy and other expenses. It [the vote] was carried. Judson Tolman was elected President, Judson A. Tolman Vice President, and he was to take the place of Judson Tolman at his death. Joseph, Benjamin, Alvin [Joshua Alvin], Lamoni, and Judson I. Tolman, were appointed directors. Jaren Tolman was appointed secretary; Nancy Willey Treasurer.
Father then bore a strong testimony of the truth of the gospel that he knew it was from God, made some quotations from the Pearl of Great Price that we would be judged by our acts. We cannot escape the justice of God, he had tasted the feelings of the dammed, also the feelings of those that were exalted and he implored his dear children to keep the commandments of God. He blessed them by the power that he held and in the name of Jesus Christ.
Edwin Pace bore testimony that the words of Father was true and if we would follow them, they will bring us life eternal. He exhorted us to remain faithful and if we would our posterity would be as numerous as the sands on the sea shore. He left his blessings with us.
Thomas Howard said he knew that Brother Tolman was a man of God and that the step he had taken today would be a great benefit to us his children. He had lived to see the predictions of Brother Tolman come to pass.
W. W. Willey said he wished to speak of the small things of the kingdom that we should not marry outside of the church, but should marry those of our kind. We should be honest with our wives and with each other. He endorsed the counsel of those that had spoken. We should teach by example.
Nathan Barlow said he was always pleased and happy to meet with the saints of God. We can have nothing better than the testimony of the Spirit that God will honor the words of his servants if they will live true to him. Bore a strong testimony to the truth of the gospel.
Joseph H. Tolman said he was glad to be here, was proud of such a Father and knew that the gospel was true. He never felt better in his life. All of our blessings depends upon our faithfulness.
Nancy Willey said she felt it a privilege to be here with Father and her brothers and sisters and wished our dear mother could have been here with us. She desired to help in the temple work. We show by our works that we are willing to help our dead.
Minnie Pickett said it was a great privilege to be here with her Father, brother, children. She wished to say a few words about the principle of plural marriage. She had in her early womanhood fought against this. She now knew that it was true and we should all except it that we should honor our Father and Mother that had so nobly lived in this principle. She bore a strong testimony of this and all other principles of the gospel. She expected to meet her Father and Mother in this life.
B. H. Tolman said that from the testimony of others he had as good a Father as any child. He wished to do what was right and show by our works that we believe in the principles of the gospel. Where can I go outside of the Church of Christ. Oh, where. We should live so we can say to our children, come and not go.
Julia Tolman said she was pleased to be here and was proud of her parents and brothers and sisters and was willing to help all she could.
Lamoni Tolman said he was glad to be here in this family reunion, wished to do right.
Wallace Tolman said he was more than pleased to be here and [believed] that if he done what his father had told him he would be all right. Wished to help in the work.
Cyrus Tolman said he had been well paid for being here. He bore a strong testimony to the truth. He knew that God lived, that Satan had tempted him almost more that he could stand and that he had been tempted to give up more than once, but his brothers had come to his assistance. He now was determined to keep the commandments of God and do better.
Nathan Barlow bore testimony to what brother Cyrus had said. Knew he had done good in his labors and was pleased to bear his testimony.
Edwin Pace spoke in tongues and Father gave the interpretation. “Wiz ye sons and daughters of Zion who have come to this valley of the mountains remember your prayers in the season thereof, pay your tithing, love God with all your heart and soul and he will love you for he has sent his Son to suffer and die for us. Repent of your sins for the test is coming for the time is coming when only those that are faithful can stand.”
Alice Tolman said we should all pray for our dear brother Cyrus. She wished to live so she could associate with the good and noble. [She] would do her part for the dead.
Sarah Tolman said we should pray for each other. Felt proud of her Father and brother and sisters. [She] felt that Cyrus would feel better from that time and [that she] would help do her part.
J. H. Tolman said he was $6700 in debt. He commenced to pay his tithing and God had helped him and today he owed no one. He knew that God lived.
Catherine Tolman said she was proud of all her relations and her dear Father. She bore a strong testimony of the truth, encouraged her brother Cyrus to press onward. She had met her husband a number of times in her dreams. She had [been] promised by the patriarch that she should be able to heal her children which she knew to be true. We should call upon God in time of need. She knew that if she was faithful she would meet her husband.
Esther Sessions said she had been well paid for being here. [She] thought she could sympathize with her sister Katie as she was in the same boat. We should not speak against the Lord’s anointed.
David, Ella, Myra Tolman all said a few words. Martha Thurgood also said a few words.
Father said, My son Cyrus if you will pay your tithing and keep the commandments of God in a few years you shall be able to pay your debts and enjoy your religion.
Judson A. Tolman said he was more than pleased with the talk here, that Cyrus had helped him in his ward and he knew that God would bless him if he would do right.
Jaren Tolman bore testimony to what had been said that we should stand by our works, that (we) have believed what we say and stop using tobacco, tea, coffee and other things that God has forbidden us to use.
Father spoke a few words in defense of plural marriage that any man that would speak against this principle would not stand in the presence of God and have eternal increase. If any man does wrong he will have to pay the penalty, we all should try and meet next November to work in the temple.
Jaren Tolman motioned that at the next reunion that all the children, grand and great grand children be invited on both nights.
Singing: Closed by singing The Doxology (Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow).
Benediction: by Jaren Tolman
These, then, are the origins of the Tolman Family Organization, which has been ongoing since April 8, 1903 and which had its roots in the dedication and patriarchal focus of Judson Tolman.
100-Year Anniversary
On June 27 and 28, 2003, a 100-Year Reunion was held in Bountiful to celebrate the organization of the Tolman Family by Judson Tolman.
The two-day event included temple sessions; a fireside featuring Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, who has Tolman ties; tours of Bountiful historic sights and the family center; get-acquainted video interviews; a picnic; children’s activities and the dedication of a plaque for the newly named Tolman Park. A 100-year History was published to record forever the meetings, business, and activities of the family over the last 100 years.
The family research center was dedicated in 1978, so the 25th anniversary of our unique research center was also commememorated. Special research classes were held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday preceding the reunion activities for those who wished to participate. Over 500 family members attended from among the descendants of Cyrus, Judson, and Benjamin Hewitt Tolman, as they had when the family was organized in 1903.
(Contributed by the Thomas Tolman Family Organization. Excerpt from Judson Tolman: Pioneer, Lumberman, Patriarch by E. Dennis Tolman, Second Edition, 2004, pages 66-69.)