Tobey, Thomas Fry, 1840-1920.

Thomas Fry Tobey (1840-1920), army officer, graduated from Brown University, received a law degree from Harvard University, and achieved the rank of major in the 7th Rhode Island Volunteers. He fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Jackson, resigned his commission due to ill health, enlisted in the regular army in 1865, and took a disability retirement in 1892.

From the description of Thomas Fry Tobey papers, 1808-1929. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702133023

Thomas Fry Tobey was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 30, 1840, the son of Dr. Samuel Boyd Tobey and Sarah Fry Tobey. Thomas's father was a prominent physician, trustee and officer of Brown University, and an approved minister of the Society of Friends. Tobey prepared for college at the University Grammar School, entered Brown in 1855, and graduated in 1859. He received a LL.B. from Harvard in 1861, was admitted to the Rhode Island bar, and briefly practiced law.

He joined a drill club in Providence and, when President Lincoln issued a call for troops in May 1862, Tobey abandoned his Quaker principles and volunteered for a three-month tour of duty with the 10th Rhode Island Volunteers, serving as a sergeant in the lines around Washington, D.C. from May 26 to August 6, 1862. Believing that it was his patriotic duty to continue to serve, Tobey transferred to the 7th Rhode Island Volunteers in August 1862 and was promoted to second lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in September, fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg, was promoted to major in January 1863, and served with his regiment in Kentucky, the Vicksburg campaign, and the Battle of Jackson in 1863. Following the Battle of Jackson, he suffered from sunstroke and an attack of "typho-malarial fever," which caused him to resign his commission in February 1864 due to ill health. (For a detailed account of Tobey's medical history, see Box 2, folder 78.)

Upon regaining his health, Tobey decided to seek a commission in the regular army. He enlisted in the 14th Regiment of Infantry in February 1865, was immediately appointed sergeant, and secured a second lieutenant's commission in May 1865 upon passing an exam. He achieved the rank of first lieutenant that same month, was promoted to captain in 1874, and at the time of his disability retirement in 1892 commanded Company F of the 14th Infantry at Vancouver Barracks, Washington. He was promoted to the rank of major retired in 1904. While in the regular army, Tobey was stationed at a number of frontier posts, including Fort Boise, Fort Vancouver, Camp Lovell, Fort Yuma, Fort Fetterman, and Fort Douglas. He saw action against the Indians near Jordan Creek, Oregon on February 23, 1866; skirmished against the Apaches in 1868; and commanded Company F in General Crooke's expedition against the Sioux in 1876.

Thomas Fry Tobey married Mary Rebecca Wingard in 1881 and the couple had two children. Tobey became a Roman Catholic late in life and died on June 7, 1920 at Sea Isle City, New Jersey.

Samuel Boyd Tobey (1805-1867) m. 1 1828 Sarah Lockwood (1801-1833)

William Benomi Tobey (1829-1830)

William Benomi Tobey (1830-1890) m. Lizzie

Samuel Boyd Tobey (1831-

m. 2 1835 Sarah Fry (1807-1894)

John Fry Tobey (1835-1882) m. Addie

Edward Tobey (1838-1839)

Thomas Fry Tobey (1840-1920) m. 1881 Mary Rebecca Wingard

Walter Tobey (1882?-

Marie Tobey

Sarah Caroline Tobey (1844-

Lydia (Lillie) Anne Tobey (1846-

From the guide to the Thomas Fry Tobey papers, 1808-1929, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)