The story of the Toys

In Short

The Story of the Toys is a modest, heartfelt family memoir that traces the lineage of the Osler and Toy families from their origins in Cornwall, England, to their new lives in Simsbury, Connecticut. Written by Mary Harris Toy Dodge shortly before her death in 1909, the book compiles personal anecdotes, letters, and historical sketches. It captures the hardships of early industrial labor, the challenges of crossing the Atlantic, and the profound role of the Wesleyan church in sustaining a family through decades of joy, loss, and social transition.

The Story

The narrative begins with a vivid depiction of Cornwall, grounding the family in a landscape of granite cliffs, mining towns, and historic sites like Pendennis Castle. From these roots, the author pivots to the humble beginnings of her father, a man who, despite losing his parents in childhood and toiling in the mines, possessed an insatiable thirst for knowledge. This background establishes the foundation for the family’s later prosperity, though the early chapters are defined by the necessity of hard work and the scarcity of formal schooling.

The family’s trajectory changes significantly when they decide to bring the manufacture of safety fuses—a nascent industry—to America. In 1839, the family boards a ship, enduring a grueling six-week voyage marked by the father’s severe seasickness and the mother’s quiet, resolute strength in managing their young children. Upon arriving in Simsbury, Connecticut, they are greeted by the hospitality of neighbors, which quickly forms the bedrock of their social circle. The text chronicles their integration into the local community, emphasizing the central role of the church, where the father leads services in schoolhouses or homes when the river floods, effectively transposing their Cornish faith onto the American landscape.

As the children grow, the narrative tracks their education and individual paths. The author, Mary, describes her own time at Wilbraham Academy, a period that highlights the simple, austere conditions of mid-century schooling and the deep homesickness that eventually gave way to academic fulfillment. The story is punctuated by the arrival of letters from England, which the author treats as sacred artifacts of affection, linking the two continents across the “unbounded seas.”

Tragedy and change, however, are inevitable. The book details the death of the author’s mother in 1848, an event that leaves a void in the home but inspires the author to record the kindness of a young girl, Delia Foley, who provided comfort during the family’s greatest trial. Later, the Civil War brings a devastating blow when the author’s brother, Joseph, a young captain, dies of typhoid fever in Louisiana. His loss remains a permanent scar on the family’s history.

The final section of the book is dedicated to the weddings, professional successes, and eventual deaths of the surviving family members. The author recounts her own marriage to a minister and her subsequent travels in Europe, as well as the later years of her father, who remarried and remained active in the family business until his passing in 1887. The work closes with a series of footnotes and appendices, added by the editor to finalize the records, ensuring that the legacy of these lives is not lost to time.

How It Unfolds

The Cornish roots The book opens by situating the ancestors in the coastal beauty of Cornwall, detailing the landmarks and working conditions that shaped their character. It establishes the importance of the family's history, noting the humble and sometimes arduous labor required for their survival.

The migration west The focus shifts to the decision to move to America, detailing the arduous six-week voyage that tested the mother’s fortitude. Upon arrival in Connecticut, the text moves from the wide scale of the ocean to the intimate scale of a broken wagon and a welcoming cup of tea.

Building a new life This section details the family’s adaptation to Simsbury, centering on the rhythms of church life and the education of the next generation. The author reflects on the austerity of academy life and the deep emotional connections maintained through long-distance correspondence.

War and bereavement The narrative takes a somber turn as the Civil War fractures the family, leading to the loss of a beloved brother and the emotional exhaustion of the father. The prose here is marked by a quiet, measured grief that honors the sacrifices of those who did not return.

The final chapters The closing beats track the marriages of the younger generation and the eventual passing of the patriarch. The narrative concludes with the editor’s notes, which bridge the gap between the manuscript’s completion and the family’s later realities.

The People

Mary Harris Toy Dodge acts as the observant, pious recorder of these lives, motivated by a desire to preserve the "beauty of the life" of her parents for future generations. She is defined by her deep religious faith and a persistent, gentle optimism. Her father, a man of humble origins, stands as the central figure of ambition; he transitions from a young, curious lad in the mines to a successful businessman and community leader. Despite his professional success, he remains vulnerable, deeply affected by the loss of his wife and the death of his son during the war.

The author’s mother represents the emotional anchor of the family. Her grace, particularly during the voyage to America and throughout her illness, serves as the standard by which the family measures virtue. Her sister, Sarah, offers a more adventurous contrast, leaving England to become a governess and later pursuing a life in Australia. The brother, Joseph, is portrayed as the quintessential energetic youth—restless, warm-hearted, and ultimately sacrificial in his service to his country. Through these figures, the book demonstrates how personal character is forged in the fires of both hardship and small-town stability.

In Its Own Voice

"The tempest-scarred cliffs, the furious onset of the waves in stormy weather, and the gorgeous sunsets, so frequent at that point, invest Land's End with a deep and almost melancholy grandeur."

This description of the Cornish coast illustrates the author's ability to imbue physical landscapes with historical and emotional weight.

"The circumstances of the family made it necessary that all should share in its support, and, as soon as he was thought capable, my father was put--as were other children of his age--to do such work at the mine as was then almost the only employment open to children."

This passage soberly recalls the harsh reality of her father's childhood, underscoring the distance traveled between his early labor and his later life.

What It's Really About

The book is an inquiry into how a family maintains its identity across generations and continents. It explores the tension between the physical labor of building a new industry and the spiritual work of maintaining a cohesive home. The argument, though presented as a memoir, suggests that the "noble works" of one’s ancestors are not merely historical records but are the living inheritance of the descendants. It asks how one can honor the past while moving forward in a changing world. Through the recurring themes of duty, patience, and unwavering faith, the text posits that a well-lived life is measured not by material success, but by the kindness rendered to others and the strength found in one's convictions.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the quiet, reflective tone of Victorian-era memoirs will find much to admire here. It is a slow, meditative read that feels less like a historical textbook and more like a conversation with a family member who is keenly aware of their own mortality. You will experience the genuine, unvarnished joys of simple village life in the 1840s, as well as the sharp, sudden pain of mid-nineteenth-century mortality.

The book does not shy away from the difficulties of its time—the lack of educational opportunities for the working class, the trauma of war, and the harsh realities of Victorian-era diseases are all present. Some readers might find the frequent scriptural references and the specific, dated religious language to be a barrier, yet these elements provide a crucial window into the worldview of the period. What stays with you long after the final page is the author’s immense sense of gratitude. Despite the "peril, toil and pain" she records, the voice that emerges is not one of bitterness, but of profound, lasting appreciation for the "cloud of witnesses" who came before her. It is a testament to the idea that even the most ordinary lives, when viewed with love, possess a dignity worth preserving.