born in stratford, tomlinson completed preparatory studies and graduated from yale college in 1802. he went to virginia for a year to be a private tutor and to study law. when he returned to fairfield he continued his studies and was admitted to the bar in 1807. that same year he married sarah bradley. he received a master of arts, in 1808 from yale. their only child, jabez huntington tomlinson, was born in 1818 but died at the young age of 19 in 1838. mrs. tomlinson died in 1842. in 1846, gideon married mrs. lydia ann wells wright, widow of william wright of bridgeport, connecticut.