THE LATE MR. SAMUEL NEVIL TOOMER.-

Our readers will hear with regret, but without surprise, of the decease of Mr. S. N. Toomer, which occurred at his residence, Shaw Crescent, yesterday morning. Mr. Toomer has of late years retired from his old -established business of ironmonger, in which he has been suceeded by his son, so that his face is less familiar to residents of the present day, than to those whose memories’ can carry them back over a couple of generations. 

 Mr. Toomer may be regarded as one of the oldest, if not the oldest tradesman in Newbury. Son of Mr.. Joseph Toomer, who was Mayor of Newbury 1814, he for a long period was intimately identified with the trade and the transactions of the town. 

 Possessed of a retentive memory and not a little genial humour, Mr. Toomer's recollections of past days were always interesting and usually amusing. In his possession were curious and valuable lists of dignitaries municipal and otherwise, of the past, and other documents; and numerous were the anecdotes which he could tell of bye-gone events in our ancient borough. Of shrewd judgment and keen observation, and a kindly nature withal, his opinion always carried weight with his fellow townsmen, by whom he was deservedly held in high esteem. 

Mr. Toomer was at the time of his death the oldest member of the Congregational Church. He has passed away in the 92nd year of his age. 

SAMUEL NEVILL TOOMER

Joseph and Jane’s son Samuel Nevil Toomer (1796-1888) established the Toomer ironmongery shop at 4 Northbrook Street in 1827. He was made responsible for the standard weights and measures of Newbury Borough.  He was generally known as “Nevil” but adopted the additional name “Samuel” in memory of a deceased elder brother.