Humphrey Tallman

     Humphrey Tallman was born circa 1759 at Massachusetts; While the History of Bristol Co, Massachusetts points to the fact that Humphrey Tallman was living in Bristol Co, Massachusetts in the mid 1760's, several of his sons listed their father's place of birth as MA on the 1880 census.^1,2 He married Patience Allen before 1794. Humphrey Tallman married Sarah Gilfillan, daughter of James Gilfillan, after 1809.³ Humphrey Tallman died after 1842 at Huntingdon Co, Quebec; Since Humphrey was living at the time of the 1842 census in Huntingdon County, it is likely he died there shortly thereafter.⁴
     While Humphrey Tallman's background remains a mystery, a glimmer of hope surfaced in 1991. The "History of Bristol County, Massachusetts" by D.H. Hurd, 1883 said on page 59 "Four British horsemen who first passed us...went into the house and plundered two men whom they found there, the good having already been conveyed back. These men were Humphrey Tallman and Joseph Trafford, who worked for Joseph Russell." This report came from a 14 year old boy named John Gilbert of Dartmouth. This article was concerning an event which took place 5 September 1778.
At this writing (1992), no further info about this particular Humphrey Tallman has been located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. Mr. Pacquin believes that possibly our Humphrey might be a brother to his own Rescom Tallman b. 1759 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, married 1780 at Dartmouth to Mercy (Mary) Gorham and later moved to Washington County, New York, followed by Saratoga Co, Delaware Co and, finally, Wyoming County where he died in 1832. Washington County was also an earlier stopping point for several other families who, ultimately, made their journey onward to Noyan and Clarenceville, in Quebec. We must not rule this out as a possibility on the Tallman family as well. Further investigation is called for to substantiate or eliminate this idea.
Humphrey "Toalman" was granted Lot #23 in the Third Range of lots situated in the Township of Sutton on 31 August 1802 by "His Majesty". On 17 August 1801 he went before Leon Lalanne, notary, and said that as one of the applicants for land in Sutton, he had previously promised to convey any land granted him to Patrick Conroy, Esquire. This document passed before Peter Lukin and Louis Chaboillez, notaries, 12 April 1796 by which Humphrey promised this land in return for Conroy's payment of money to which Tolman was bound as an Associate and and an additional 7 pounds 10 shillings. On 6 July 1804, Mr. Conroy arranged that Humphrey go before a notary and give a deed over to Guy Mills, with his expenses paid by Mr. Mills. This was done 9 July 1804. On 23 July 1807, Patrick Conroy discharged "Humphrey Toalman of Sutton" from all claims he had against him for a bond or obligation he had given him for his Associate's Rights in Sutton.
There was a Jonathan Tallman who served with Captain John Meyer's Company of Loyal Rangers. He also received land in Sutton, about the same time as Humphrey. His land records have not been yet checked (1992). Jonathan Tallman is listed as a resident of Sutton on the Valuation Roll of 1846 and living on Lot 2, Range VIII (possibly a son?), but was also in that town's 1825 census. An old map drawn by Stephen Westover between 1816-1826 shows a Henry Tollman on Lot 23, Range III. There was also a Benton Tallman in Lacolle in 1825 with a household of eight. No further info (info from Dave Dickenson, 1983). A Sarah Tolman, d. 24 July 1876, aged 67 yrs, wife of Giles Sears, is buried at Sutton Junction's Draper Hill Cemetery. No connection is known.
Humphrey's approximate birthdate of 1759, which also fits in with census records, comes from the Annual Roll of Capt John Dewar's Company dated 1818. He is listed as "Omphra Tollman" aged 59, and married.
While no Last Will has been yet located for Humphrey Tolman, two interesting documents were located in the files of Faribault. A Donation, dated 22 November 1830, shows Humphrey "Tollman" of Hemmingford gave the east half of Lot# 90 in the 2nd Concession of Hemmingford, containing 100 acres, along with the buildings, "3 horses, 2 cows, 1 pair steers, 4 calves, 3 hoes...harnesses...one double waggon[sic]...30 tons of hay, 5 geese, 20 bushel of wheat...6 bushels of Indian corn...80 bushels of potatoes" along with kettles, knives and forks, "one pine wood chest, 4 chairs, 9 empty barrels", and one barrel of pork of about 200 pounds to David "Tollman" his son, a farmer of Hemmingford. It seems that all his worldly possessions were given to David in return for "comfortable lodging & food" for himself and Sarah Gilphilin his wife, and also to pay "Mary Tollman, Dextra Tollman and Gibet [later spelled Gilbert] Tollman the sum of 5 shillings each for all right of estate" as well as care for John Tollman "a deaf and dumb boy during his lifetime". Should Humphrey die before his wife, "she shall have the benefit of the milk of one cow as long as she be the widow Tollman". Neither David or Humphrey signed their names, but rather made their marks.
On 5 November 1831 Joseph "Tollman, acting for & on part of David Tollman (who is much afflicted with stuttering)" appeared before the notaries and had the donation cancelled,"revoked & annulled" as if the act had never been entered. Joseph signed as Joseph "Tallman". This accompanied a note dated 1 November 1831 at Hemmingford signed by David Tallman [whose signature appears identical to that of Joseph Tallman's] giving up the "wright".
In 1842, "Umphrey Talman" appeared in Hemmingford as a family of five. They were all members of the British Wesleyan church. He owned 50 acres of land. His son, David "Talman" was nearby with a family of three. There have been no later records found for Humphrey Tallman.⁴