tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21160373.post2886650533988775998..comments2024-03-27T08:50:08.389+00:00Comments on The castles, towers and fortified buildings of Cumbria: Tolson Hall, Near KendalThe Cumbrian Castle listing.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15796185153449809672noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21160373.post-88635643996597433812020-09-05T21:42:51.312+01:002020-09-05T21:42:51.312+01:00Greetings from Northern California from a Tolson! ...Greetings from Northern California from a Tolson! My Grandfather, Norman Tolson, was born in Egremont, Cumberland, in 1883. When he was 17 years old he came to the US so he could pursue his dream of being an artist. One might almost say that he fled his home, since before his own day, his family had been reduced to long, long dark days in the coal mines. Norman was also known as being fey, since he had a gift for foretelling the future. This gift made him uncomfortable, but it also saved his life at age 12. At that age he was already working in the mine; one day his inner vision caught sight of one of the heavy metal coal cars that had broken away and was hurtling in his direction. He made it with half a second to spare to one of the depressions dug into the wall of the mine for just this reason. He worked hard in the US, was admitted to study at the Art Institute in Chicago, met my Grandmother Magdalena, an art student there, and did well. He became a fine portrait painter and was the the Head Interior Decorator for The Stevens Hotel, (now the Hilton) and still the biggest hotel in that city. My grandparents lost everything in the Great Depression and raised me as a little girl during WWII. This was a gift to me I continue to feel deep gratitude for every day. My name is Shannon Tolson, and I would love to hear back from someone who knows anything about the Tolsons of Cumberland<br />(now Cumbria) and about Tolson Hall. Sincerely, Shannon Tolson michaletthen@gmail.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585945802415704088noreply@blogger.com