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MARTHA CARR TOULME (1831-1878)
My name is Martha Carr Toulme. I am the wife of John V. Toulme, only son of J. B. Toulme.
My father-in-law was a prominent land owner n this county. He gave one half of this cemetery to the city. He also gave the ground and original building of the Methodist Church to me and my friend as trustees. At that time (1857) it was unusual for women to own property in their own name. Mississippi was the first state in the U. S. to allow women to own property that they inherited from their father. This was an old Indian custom and the government agreed to honor Indian laws. I didn?t inherit the Methodist Church; I was a Trustee along with my friend
My husband who did inherit land from his father and I gave the land to the church that is now the Children?s Center.
My husband also inherited the propietorship of the Crescent Hotel located at the junction of the railroad and Front Street (Beach St. Now). It was the largest hotel of its day, accomodating 100 people with land for tennis, croquet, swings, walks and an artesian well. The hotels in Bay St. Louis were health spas as well as accomodations for the attractions of the coast.
My husband also was a postmaster of Bay St. Louis - 1857-1865, and mayor, 1893.
He organized the first regiment of soldiers from Hancock County to enlist in the Civil War - Sheildsboro Dragons -1861-, and the Shieldboro Rifle Corp.
As mayor in 1893 he set aside against the majority of the council, money for the erection of a public school building. His picture hung in the school auditorium for many years as appreciation of this effort.
My husband with his three wives and two of his children are buried
here.