Adam Tooley

The family of Adam Tooley was among the first members of the Methodist Church in Natchez, if not the first. Adam Tooley was an Englishman by birth, and lived in New Berne, NC prior to 1760. He came to Natchez as a Methodist prior to 1803, as that year he was mentioned as one of the trustees of Jefferson College. He took an active part in all things pertaining to Adams County. He subscribed and paid $50 to the building of the first Methodist Church in Natchez in 1807.

His son, James Tooley, born in New Berne 6-22-1760, embraced the faith at about the age of 25. He lived in Natchez with his wife until about 1845 at his death.

Another of Adam's sons was Rev. Dr. Henry Tooley, M.D., born 6-27-1773 in New Berne, where he was converted at the age of 15, and he commenced the study of medicine at 18. He appears in WiIliamson County, TN in 1804 as a local preacher. Lorenzo Dow said in his Journal that he heard Tooley preach 10-21-1804 at Liberty Hill Camp-meeting "on the jerk and dancing exercises." Mr. Tooley settled in Natchez in 1811 or 1812, where he acted as trustee of Jefferson College in Washington, six miles south of Natchez. He was well- educated in science and the classics, as well as his two professions. The last interview the author had with Bishop McKendree was the mansion of Dr. Tooley in 1834. Tooley was also a prominent and useful citizen, often filling responsible positions in institutions and government of the city. He died in 1848 at the age of 75.

The ladies of the Tooley family were also excellent church members. The daughter of Adam Tooley, Henrietta Tooley, was the wife of John W. Bryan, who lived in Washington. The author says they gave a rich fruitage to the Church in the way of pious and useful children.