Lucia Ruggles Holman

Lucia Ruggles Holman ( Ruggles; after first marriage, Holman; after second marriage, Tomlinson; 1793–1886) was an American teacher and letter writer. She was the last survivor of the first missionary company to the Sandwich Islands. Holman was first American woman to sail around the world.

Early life and education Lucia Ruggles was born in Brookfield, Connecticut, on October 12, 1793. Her siblings included Samuel Ruggles, the missionary, as well as Mrs. Thirza Clinton, Mrs. Huldah Keeler, Mrs. Lodemia Northrup, and Mrs. Marcia Williams.

Dr. Holman, born in 1781, was a graduate of the medical school located at Cherry Valley, New York. As the physician of the first missionary company to Hawaii, he became a great favorite with Kamehameha II, who, it is said, would like to have adopted him as his son. Circumstances made it necessary that Dr. Holman and family should return to the U.S. after a brief time, and free passage was given them to the U.S. by way of China and the Cape of Good Hope in 1822. Until his death in 1826, Dr. Holman and family resided at Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Personal life

After she became a widow, Holman returned to her native town, Brookfield, and married Daniel Tomlinson, at one time, Connecticut state senator. Their home was the house later occupied by Mr. C. E. Vroman of Brookfield Iron Works. Here, in 1863, Mr. Tomlinson died at the age of 87 years.

Holman afterward removed to New Milford, Connecticut, to reside with her only daughter, Mrs. Hiram Noble. She retained to extreme old age her active mind and faculties, though blind in her last years. A young great-granddaughter was accustomed to lead Holman around the house.

Lucia Holman Tomlinson died in New Milford, Connecticut, in 1886, being 93 years of age, and was buried on Laurel Hill, Brookfield.

The three children of Thomas and Lucia Holman were: Lucia Kamamalu Holman, born on the Island of Kauai. She was named in honor of the queen. In 1839, she married Hiram D. Noble of New Milford, Connecticut. This family was the custodian of many valuable heirlooms which came to them from Lucia Ruggles Holman, among them, the feather cape presented to Mrs. Holman by the regent queen, Kaahumanu, made from the feathers of the bird Mohonobilis. Thomas Spencer Holman, married Mary J. Trowbridge of New York City. Eli Holman, died at Honolulu when a young man.