The second marriage in the family was that of my sister Susan. She was married July 21, 1863, to Ralph H. Ensign, a son of one of the oldest and best families of the town. Their friendship began in early youth, and was fitly crowned by this most happy marriage. The wedding took place in the Methodist Episcopal church in Simsbury, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. Arza Hill, then pastor of the church. It was in the early days of the Civil War, not long after the death of my brother Joseph. The family were in mourning at the time, and the bride made no change, but was married in a gown of white crêpe. The reception at the home consisted only of the two families, and as it was a time of alarms, the men of the family had been called in different directions, so that only the two fathers were present. The wedding was followed by a bridal trip to Niagara.
Mr. and Mrs. Ensign made their home in Simsbury, occupying the house on the hill now occupied by their daughter, Mrs. Robert Darling. Mr. Ensign was in the fuse business with my father, and soon became a member of the firm. He has been its head ever since my father's death, and it has steadily prospered under his leadership. Their present home, "Trevarno," was built in 1881, and they have lived there since that time. They have travelled a great deal, especially in England and France. Their children: Sarah Isabel, who died at the age of four years, Joseph Ralph, Susan Alice, Julia Whiting, and Edward William, who died at the age of three. They also reared to manhood a child, Ralph Newbert, whom they took into their family shortly after the death of their youngest child, Edward.
Next in order was my sister Julia, who was married on May 29, 1886, to Rev. Charles H. Buck of Neponset, Massachusetts, at that time pastor of the Simsbury Methodist church. He was a graduate of Wesleyan University and a young man of much promise, which has been abundantly fulfilled in his ministerial career. They were married in the Methodist church by my father and Rev. Mr. Simmons, and left at once on their wedding journey. On their return they removed to Westville, Connecticut, where Mr. Buck had just been appointed pastor. Since then, Mr. Buck has filled many of the most important appointments in the New York East Conference, serving large churches in Brooklyn, Stamford, Bristol, New Britain, and others. He has always been greatly beloved and appreciated by his people and urged to return to them, particularly at Bristol, where he had three pastorates. When he retired from the active ministry in 1900, he was presented by his people there with a magnificent loving cup, as well as other tokens of their affection. Mr. Buck had previously been given the degree of D. D., and he was Treasurer of Wesleyan University for a number of years after his retirement, besides holding other prominent positions. The Bucks have always been great travellers, both in this country and abroad, and spent a year travelling in the far East, in 1900-01, before settling in a home of their own. On their return, Dr. Buck was for a time Presiding Elder in the New York East Conference and also pastor of a large church in Brooklyn. In 1903 they built a beautiful Colonial house at Yonkers, New York, on land overlooking the Hudson River, where they now live, having their daughter and her interesting family near them.
They adopted two children: William Henry and Sarah Humphrey.
On the 19th of October, 1866, my sister Annie was married to L. Stoughton Ellsworth of Windsor, Connecticut. He came of the straitest of Puritan stock, including the historic Ellsworths and Edwardses of Windsor, and has most creditably borne up the reputation of those families. The ceremony took place in the Methodist church and was performed by his brother-in-law, Rev. C. H. Buck, who was assisted by Rev. J. W. Dodge. They resided for a short time in Windsor, Connecticut, after which they removed in April, 1867, to Oakland, California, where Mr. Ellsworth had charge of a branch of the fuse business, which had been established there. They remained there only a few years. Two children were born to them there, but both died very young, which hastened their return to Connecticut, in the autumn of 1871. They settled on a fine farm in East Weatogue, but in 1889 they built and occupied their present residence in Hopmeadow, and Mr. Ellsworth also became a member of my father's firm. Their children: Lucy Stoughton, George Toy, Annie Stoughton, Henry Edwards, John Stoughton.
My brother George was married October 6, 1875, to Mary Seymour of Granby. They were married at the bride's home by Rev. C. H. Buck, and took a wedding trip to Canada. They lived afterwards in my father's family, as George was associated in the business. There were no living children.
My sister Jennie was married April 19, 1876, to Mr. Charles E. Curtiss of Simsbury. They lived for a short time with Mr. Curtiss' parents, and then removed to Westfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Curtiss was afterwards taken into my father's business, and they lived in the house adjoining his on the hill. Their children: Joseph Toy and Grace Gilbert.
Having been divorced from Mr. Curtiss, my sister Jennie married Mr. Charles A. Ensign, December 2, 1890. They settled in a very pleasant home in Tariffville, where they have since lived, with the exception of a short residence in Ottawa, Canada.[6] No children.
JOSEPH TOY