Editing Talk:Benjamin Tolman

Obituary from the Boston Transcript, November 5, 1906
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**BENJAMIN TOLMAN**  
*Veteran Printer, and Oldest Native-Born Resident of Concord*

Mr. Benjamin Tolman died at his home in Concord Saturday night, aged eighty-four. He was the oldest native-born resident of Concord. He was born in Concord, Oct. 5, 1822, in the house on Lexington Road where he had lived during his entire life. He entered the office of the *Concord Freeman* in 1836, a paper published in Concord, and served his apprenticeship. Following this, he worked on several of the Boston papers. Later, he returned to Concord and published the *Concord Freeman* for fifteen years. In 1869, he again changed his business to Boston, this time as senior partner of the Tolman & White Printing Company. He continued there until about fourteen years ago, when he retired from active business.

Mr. Tolman was married on Dec. 30, 1847, to Ann J. Bigelow, and they were the oldest married couple in Concord. Their only child is Agnes, whose marriage to Nathan B. Smith took place on June 2, 1875. They have resided in Ventura, California, since 1882.

Mr. Tolman was made a Mason in 1856. He was the oldest Mason of Corinthian Lodge of Concord, the oldest past master, and for several years had been an honorary member. He presided over the lodge in 1868 and 1869. He was also a charter member of Walden Royal Arch Chapter, which was instituted in 1872.

He was a member of the Concord Light Infantry, a rival military company of the Concord Artillery many years ago. The Concord Light Infantry was the oldest incorporated military company in Massachusetts, excepting the Ancient and Honorables of Boston, its charter dating from 1777. The last parade of this company was in 1869, as it went out of existence shortly after.

On the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the Concord Artillery, April 19, 1904, Mr. Tolman, as one of the only two surviving members of the rival company (the other member, J. Hurd Dakin, who has since died, being unable to attend), was a guest at the banquet in the Town Hall. Mr. Tolman at one time was a member of the board of selectmen for several years, but had not held other town offices.

The funeral will take place at the Unitarian Church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30.

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Boston Globe Oct 6, 1902 article on Benjamin Tolman
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**AGED CONCORD PRINTER**  
*Benjamin Tolman, 80 Years Old, Recalls Early Days of the Craft in New England.*

CONCORD, Mass., Oct. 5—Benjamin Tolman, one of the oldest residents of Concord, observed his 80th birthday yesterday in an informal manner at his home on Lexington Road. During the afternoon and evening, several of his relatives from out of town and neighbors visited him.

He was assisted in receiving the guests by his wife. Mr. Tolman is a veteran printer, having pursued this calling for over half a century.

He was born in the house he now lives in and has always made it his home, although his business has been in Boston the greater part of the time.

Benjamin Tolman entered the office of the *Concord Freeman* at Concord in October 1836 as an apprentice. In his younger days, he was employed on many of the Boston papers.

Mr. Tolman says that he remembers when there were 15 daily newspapers published in Boston and that he worked in the offices of nearly all of them. While he was working there, the first Cunard steamer came into Boston, and the Fitchburg railroad was opened.

After working on the Boston papers, he published the *Concord Freeman*. He returned to Boston again in 1869, after being in business in Concord for 15 years, and was the senior partner of the Tolman & White printing company.

Mr. Tolman was married on Dec. 20, 1847, to Ann J. Bigelow. They are the oldest married couple in Concord and have always made their home here.

Their only child is Agnes, whose marriage with Nathan B. Smith took place on June 2, 1875. They have resided in Ventura, California, for the past 20 years.

Mr. Tolman was made a Mason in 1856. He is the oldest Mason of Corinthian Lodge and is the oldest past master. He presided over the lodge in 1868 and 1869. He was also a charter member of Walden Royal Arch Chapter, which was instituted in 1872. He was a member of the old Concord Light Infantry and was a selectman for several years.