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32 SARAH H. KIRBY, born 1814 in N.C.; married 1833 to Thomas Kirby, one of the first merchants of Muncie. To them were born three sons and two daughters: Thomas H. Kirby, Martha Hamilton, John M. Kirby, Elizabeth Heinsohn of Muncie and George Kirby of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Thomas and Sarah Kirby were members of the Universalist Church, loved, respected and honored by all who ever had the pleasure of their acquaintance. When the new Presbyterian church was erected in Muncie, a Kirby memorial window was placed in honor of the memory of Thomas Kirby who had donated the lot on which the church was built. They were friends to the poor and sunshine to the sad in heart. It was a very common sight to see Mr. Kirby driving thru the streets of Muncie with his carriage full of old men whom he was giving an outing and showing them the improvements of the city. Often his carriage was full of bareheaded children who were having the happiest time of their lives. Wherever he went he was always scattering sunshine. A few weeks prior to his death he visited us at the old Heath farm, and in talking over business he said in all his business career he never sued anybody nor was he ever sued. He had made it a rule never to sign an agreement until after he had been alone and slept over the matter and then his mind was clear and he knew better how to act. He had just returned from a trip to the east and was very enthusiastic over the farm village idea. He was an enthusiastic supporter of every enterprise that promised good to his community.
He died 1879 at the age of 75. His wife Sarah died 1899 at the age of 85. She was a broad minded noble woman whose every act was founded on reason and not a particle of superstition was ever found in her actions. We are all proud that she was a member of the Tomlinson family.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Delaware County, Indiana by A. W. Bowen & Co.
THOMAS KIRBY -- Probably none of the early settlers of Muncie were
more closely identified with the town and its growth than Mr. Kirby.
He was one of its earliest as well as one of its most prominent citizens --
having settled here when Muncie was but a small clearing in the wilderness,
and was still called by its aboriginal name, "Outainink," by the Indians who
lingered about the former town of the Delaware tribe. He was a member of the
first mercantile firm in Muncie, and a leader in all public enterprises. If a
subscription was to be raised for a turnpike, railroad, or other object of a
public nature, he was always the first to be solicited for his patronage,
and never withheld his bounty. He was one of the first trustees elected in
Delaware county, but was not a politician, and never aspired to the public
positions to which his ability entitled him. He was born in the town of
Stockbridge, Mass., December 25, 1804, and, at the age of ten years, became
an apprentice in a woolen factory. While thus employed, he gained an early
education, by attending school in the winter; but this was supplemented by
practical experience in later years. In the fall of 1827 he removed to
Richmond, Indiana, and accepted employment at his trade with Levinas King.
One year later he began to trade in furs, deerskins and ginseng, buying
about six thousand pounds of the latter article every year. In 1830, he
removed to Muncie and was engaged in the mercantile business for five years.
In the meantime he had acquired a large tract of land (a portion of which is
ow within the city limits), and retired from business life, and devoted his
time to agricultural pursuits. He owned about one thousand acres adjoining
Muncie, and made six additions to the town at various times, and donated the
grounds on which were erected the Universalist and Presbyterian churches.
He was a kind hearted landlord, and was repeatedly known to sell lots, and,
when subsequent developments convinced the purchaser that they could not meet
their obligations, instead of foreclosing the mortgages, he would refund the
money already paid him, purchase the partially completed buildings at their
actual cost, and sell the lots to some one else. He erected the first brick
store in Muncie, and also a fine hotel which bears his name. On the 15th of
July, 1833, he married Miss Sarah Tomlinson, a native of North Carolina,
and daughter of Judge Tomlinson, one of the early associate and
probate judges of Delaware county. They had three sons -- Thomas Hickman,
John M. and George, now prominent business men of Muncie, and
three daughter -- Martha A., wife of A. H. Hamilton;
Elizabeth, wife of J. A. Heinsohn, proprietor of the Kirby house
, and Sarah, who died quite young.
About 1829 Mr. Kirby traveled through the sparsely settled regions of
eastern Indiana, on foot and on horse back, pedaling goods for Stone & Co.,
of Dayton, Ohio, and brought his first stock of merchandise to Muncie by ox
teams from that point. He was uniformly kind and honorable in his dealing
with the world, and his memory is treasured in the hearts of all who knew
him. He died August 19, 1879. The funeral sermon was preached by
Rev. Marion Crosley, of Fort Wayne, at the Universalist church, of
which society Mr. Kirby was a member. His remains were interred in
Beech Grove cemetery, and the casket containing his remains was borne to the
grave by Minus Turner, Warren Stewart, Martin Galliher, John Brady,
Thomas S. Neely, Daniel Pittenger, Robert Meeks, Joseph Stradling, Joseph S.
Buckles, J. Henry Wysor, Walter March, Marcus C. Smith, Arthur F. Patterson
and Lloyd Wilcoxson.
Reminiscences Our Grandmothers of Muncie
For a Benefit Called "The Grandmother's Rally"
Given in Interest of First Baptist Church of Muncie 27 Oct 1892
Sarah H. Tomlinson Kirby was born in Greensborough, Gillford county, North Carolina, February 8th, 1814; moved to Indiana in 1829 and has resided here ever since. Was married to Thomas Kirby, July 15, 1832. Have five children, all residing here; fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Delaware County, Indiana Index to Marriage Record 1827 - 1920 Inclusive
Name: Sally Tomlinson Spouse: Thomas Kirby Marriage Date: 15 Jul 1832
Book: C-1 OSPage: 47 County: Delaware
The Kirbys of New England
Thomas6 Kirby (Zebulon5, Thomas4, John3, Joseph2, John1), born Dec. 25, 1804,
in Stockbridge, Mass. When eighteen years of age he removed to
Richmond, Ind., and was afterward at Dayton, O. In 1830 he settled at
Muncietown, now Muncie, Ind., and entered into business there. He married,
July 15, 1832, Sarah Hickman Tomlinson, born Feb. 8, 1814, in
Guildford County, N. Car., daughter of Judge John Tomlinson and Dolly
Hill Bevill of Richmond, Ind. He died Aug. 14, 1879, in Muncie, Ind.
Daughter, Sarah Jane Kirby, b. June 24, 1843; d. July 4, 1875