USA > Maine > Oxford County > Buckfield > A history of Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, from the earliest explorations to the close of the year 1900 > Part 20
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Squire Loring was a man of conspicuous personality, of courtly manners and somewhat aristocratic bearing. Ile was deeply interested in educational affairs, for which he always ad- vocated liberal public provisions. To his latest days he preserved a quaintness of dress, retaining the old continental style, with a three-cornered hat, ruffled shirt, knee breeches and low shoes with shining buckles, which rendered him a picturesque figure in the grouping of old-time village life.
His children, all born in Turner, were: Lucius, born Dec. 27. 1797, married Sally Long ; Jennette, born July 25, 1800, married Judge Stephen Emery ; John Alfonso, born Aug. 18. 1802, died in 1803.
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LUCIUS LORING.
Lucius Loring, son of John, was seven years of age when he came with his father to Buckfield. Growing to manhood during the growth of the village from a wilderness to a business center, he became familiar with all the early associations of the town, pleasant pictures of which he gives in his "Reminiscences," else- where appearing in this volume. From the limited educational provsions of the times and the instructions of his well-informed father he acquired a good knowledge of the English branches. At an early age he became familiar with the ways of country trade in his father's store, where he formed an extensive acquaintance with the people. He was in trade several years with his father, later becoming sole proprietor, and having at different times part- nership associations with Zadoc Long, Washington Long and Ralph C. Jewett. While in business with the latter the second Loring store was built to which the large business of the firm was transferred. For many years he was the most prominent merchant in town, his heavy spring and fall stock of goods from Portland and Boston always attracting a throng of visiting pur- chasers from both near and distant towns. The continuity of his mercantile career, covering a period of forty-two years in active, prosperous trade is without a parallel in the history of the town. With a large circle of old-time friends and highly esteemed by the whole community he retired with a competence to the enjoyment of an ideal country life and a green old age. His residence, with its surrounding shade trees and large terraced flower garden was one of the most attractive country seats in the county. The first break in his family circle came in the death of his wife in 1861, after which he continued housekeeping with his daughter and son until the marriage of the former in 1867. He then sold his paternal estate and purchased the house on the opposite side of the street, in which he and his son resided until the death of the latter in 1868. He then resided with his widowed daughter-in-law, who faithfully cared for him in the house of her father until his life ended.
Mr. Loring always kept in touch with the world's events and though never controversial, had strong convictions respecting pub- lic questions, being in religion a liberal, in politics a republican. Though never seeking public preferment, he was appointed staff major in the militia and in 1861 was chosen to represent the Legis-
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lative district, composed of Buckfield, Sumner and Woodstock, against the candidacy of his nephew, John D. Long. The cam- paign preceding the election was brisk and exciting and is now often humorously recalled as the one in which the future Massa- chusetts Governor and Secretary of the Navy was knocked out up in Maine by his mild-mannered old Uncle Lucius. But the younger man won a crumb of consolation from his flattering ma- jority in his own town, the vote standing 228 to 179 in his favor.
During his whole life Mr. Loring was a liberal patron of every good cause. He had a sunny, sympathetic nature, a face of cheer and a kindly greeting for all. Though old in years, his heart was always young. He was as companionable with the young as with those of riper years, and to his latest days was always performing some kindly act, using his income freely for the comfort and pleasure of others. During his last years he could walk only by aid of crutches, but this did not keep him indoors, and his frail figure, as he slowly worked his way along, was for many years a familiar one on the village streets. He died Sept. 29, 1880 at the advanced age of 92 years, honored by all and leaving on the mem- ory of the present generation a lasting impression of his lovable character.
His children were: Jennette, born Sept. 16, 1825, who mar- ried William H. Atwood, June, 1867, died Jan. 6, 1903: Charles Carroll, born Nov. 23, 1832, married Emily, daughter of Ephraim Atwood, October, 1868. He died Oct. 7, 1868.
CHARLES CARROLL LORING.
Charles Carroll Loring from his youth to manhood was asso- ciated with business in his father's store, and was subsequently in trade several years with other village merchants; but his nature was never fully in touch with matters of trade. Failing health caused his early retirement from business, after which he rapidly declined until his death when but thirty-five years of age. An only son, his relations with his father were of the most confiding nature, not only tenderly filial, but having the nature of an unre- served and life-long companionship. He never attended school beyond the limits of the village, but he became liberally edu- cated through private instruction and years of diligent study. He was of thoughtful cast of mind, a poetic lover of nature and
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a devoted reader and student of literature. In the literary asso- ciations of the village he was an active member, excelling as a conversationalist and public debater. He was a frequent con- tributor to the periodicals of the day and a graceful writer in both prose and verse.
The history of the Buckfield Loring family is notably re- flective of the pathos of human life. Beginning here in a wilder- ness, it was prominently associated with the best interests of the town from the dawn of the century until its going out, and then the last representative of the family name, Mrs. Jennette ( Lor- ing) Atwood, passed away and the tale of its generations was fully told.
APPLETON F. MASON.
Appleton F. Mason, the son of Naphtali and Arvilla S. (Waterman) Mason, was born in Buckfield, Aug. 3. 1841. His grandfather, Mr. Philip C. Mason, an early settler in Paris, who followed the occupation of a blacksmith, passed the last years of his life in Buckfield and died here Feb. 7, 1856, aged about 65. He had two wives-Betsy Coburn, who died in 1826 and second, Lucy Coburn ; six children born of each union.
The father of Appleton F. Mason was a prominent man and kept a livery stable at South Paris for many years and served for a time as a deputy sheriff. He died in Buckfield at an ad- vanced age. Mr. Appleton F. Mason acquired his education in the public schools of the town and fitted himself for a teacher, which occupation he followed for several years. He opened a store at North Buckfield in 1864 which he has successfully man- aged and has been frequently in town affairs. Since 1875 he has been the village postmaster. In 1868 he married Miss Em- ma Adelaide, daughter of Elias and Eliza Turner Monk. She was born Sept. 14. 1847. ( He died in 1915.)
NAHUM MOORE.
Nahum Moore, son of John and Esther ( Ryerson) Moore, was born in Sumner. Me., April 2, 1824. His grandfather, Thomas, came to America as a British soldier in Gen. Burgoyne's army. After the surrender at Saratoga, he was taken into the
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service of the patriots and after the war settled permanently in the country.
In 1845 the subject of this sketch went to Abington, Mass., and worked in a shoe shop. Two years after he entered a store as clerk and in October of that year married Miss Phebe C. Ste- phens of Sumner. In 1850 he opened a dry goods store in Dover, N. H. The next year he went into the wholesale dry goods and groceries business with Samuel Ellis, a native of Sum- ner. Two years after he sold out and went into trade at East Abington. In 1855 was elected to the Massachusetts Legisla- ture. In 1857 he moved to Buckfield and purchased the Nathan Morrill farm on the Turner road. He sold to Silas Mitchell in 1865 and removed to the village and went into trade with Isaac Morrill. His wife died in 1865 and he married second, Miss Ruth Snell, daughter of Mellen Snell of Turner. In 1870 he was elected to the Maine Legislature. Having received the ap- pointment as conductor on the passenger train of the Portland & Rumford Falls Railroad, he moved to Canton in 1881, and later to Rumford Falls. Mr. Moore served for 22 years as conductor and in 1902 he was appointed as special agent of the company, a position he held at the time of his death about 1912.
Of engaging manners and pleasing address. he was well fitted for the positions he occupied and the business he followed and was thoroughly liked and respected by all who ever knew him.
By his first wife, he had four children: Geo. Henry, born Dec. 26, 1848, is in Illinois ; John E .. born Dover, N. H., Sept. 15, 1850, married Sarah E. Atwood, daughter of Charles B. Atwood. They have had five children, Charles Nahum, born May 6, 1872, died Jan. 16, 1889; Emily May, born Feb. 17, 1875, married Adelbert Parsons; Sarah Phebe, born Dec. 6, 1877; Bessie Louise, born May 16, 1882, married Fred Holland and, Othel Harold, born April 7, 1884. The third child and son of Nahum Moore, Eugene Herbert, born Dec. 20, 1852, died Oct. 24, 1854 and Charles Sumner, born Jan. 4, 1865, died Sept. 24, 1872. By his second wife he had two children : Wallace Ryerson, born Oct. 21, 1873, married August, 1897, Miss Lucy E. Park, daughter of Henry W. Park, Esq., of Mexico, Me., and Esther Louise, born March 10, 1879, married June, 1900, A. J. Bernis. They reside at Plymouth, Mass.
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CAPT. JOSIAH PARRIS.
Josiah Parris, who settled in Buckfield about the time the town was incorporated, was born in Pembroke, Mass., Aug. 30, 1760. He enlisted as a volunteer in the War for American In- dependence in September, 1776, when scarcely 16 years of age. From statement in his declaration for pension in 1832 it is cer- tain that he served thereafter a portion of every year during the war. He was in six campaigns and several battles and during some periods of his service was under Washington and La- Fayette. In after life he often spoke of the Father of our Country with affection and reverence and of his bearing and characteristics. During an engagement with the British near Newport, R. 1., an order of Gen. LaFayette's on account of his imperfect use of English was not understood and some confusion for a time resulted. Capt. Parris long remembered the inci- dent and related it with much amusement.
After the Declaration of Independence on every 4th of July he discharged the gun he carried during the conflict, a custom which has been followed by his son and grandsons to the present time. It is one of the very few firearms used by American sol- diers in that war, now in existence. This gun has on the whole a very interesting history. It was brought from England in 1683 by Thomas Parris, the American ancestor of the family and handed down from father to son and thus came into the posses- sion of this Patriot of the Revolution.
Captain Parris came first to Hebron where he remained awhile with his brother, Samuel, who was appointed one of the judges of the court of common pleas when Oxford County was organized. He had married, July 23, 1788, Miss Experience Lowden of Bridgewater, Mass., born April 25, 1768. On coming to Buckfield in 1793 they settled on Loring's Hill in the village where they passed the remaining years of their lives.
Mr. Parris engaged in trade for several years and at first brought his goods from Portland on horseback in saddle bags. Appointed ensign in the militia about the time of coming to Buckfield, he was promoted to lieutenant and to captain. He commanded the Buckfield company at the first regimental muster in this part of the District of Maine, held at Norway in 1802. His wife died Jan. 4, 1832. Capt. Josiah Parris lived to be the last surviving soldier of the War of the Revolution in Buckfield
Virgil D. Parris
Capt. Josiah Parris at 90
Edward L. Parris
Edward L. Parris Jr.
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and "the last survivor of the battle of Rhode Island." He died March 24, 1856 and was buried in the family lot in the cemetery above the village.
The following inscription is on his gravestone :
"Sacred to the Memory of CAPT. JOSIAH PARRIS A Patriot of the Revolution, Born at Pembroke, Mass .. Aug. 30, 1760. At the age of 16 with his father and two brothers, he joined the Army and served six campaigns in the War for American Independence. He afterwards became one of the pioneer settlers of Hebron and an early resident of Buckfield where he died March 24, 1856 aged 95 years."
HON. EDWARD L. PARRIS
Edward Lowden Parris, oldest child of Hon. Virgil D. and Columbia (Rawson ) Parris, was born on Loring's Hill in Buck- field Village, Sept. 3, 1837, attended the school near his home in early boyhood, lived in Portland for six years prior to 1852 and after that on Paris Hill. Fitted for college at Norway Liberal Institute and at Hebron Academy and graduated at Union Col- lege, N. Y., in class of 1857 with the degree of A. B. and after- wards the degree of A. M. was given him by the same institution. He was in the office of his father as United States storekeeper at Kittery, Maine. Navy Yard for several months and for about three years in the office of Fletcher Webster, son of the Great De- fender of the Constitution, Daniel Webster, who had received the appointment of United States Surveyor of the Port of Boston.
Mr. Parris began his law studies in the office of Rufus Choate, one of the most famous lawyers of his time and remained there till the death of Mr. Choate-Mr. Parris being his last law stu- dent. He graduated at Harvard Law School with the degree of
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Bachelor of Laws ; in 1866 was in the office of Alvah Black, Esq., at Paris Hill for a time and was admitted to the Oxford Bar at Paris the same year and at once moved to New York City and be- gan the practice of his profession where he has remained to the present time. He was Assistant United States District Attorney from 1867 to 1870, was the founder of the Young Men's Demo- cratic Club in the city which was afterwards to play a prominent part in the overthrow of the Tweed Ring and was one of the coun- sel in the prosecution and conviction of Win. MI. Tweed. Attended as a delegate from the New England Society of New York, the Centennial Celebration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1875 and was one of the counsel for Hon. Samuel J. Tilden in the contest following the Presidential election of 1876 and was of the counsel in Florida in the court proceedings there for the Tilden electors and before the United States Electoral Commission which decided the contest by a strict party vote of 8 to 7 on all vital questions raised. From 1884 to 1889 Mr. Parris was As- sistant District Attorney for the city of New York and Commis- sjoner of Taxes and Assessments 1889-1893 by appointment of Mayor Abram S. Hewett. Appointed in 1900 by President Wm. Mckinley a member of Board of Visitors to United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Mr. Parris is a member of many social and college clubs and associations and is highly esteemed and thoroughly liked by all who know him. He married in 1866, Miss Mary Ida DuBois of Fishkill, N. Y., born there June 22, 1850. She is an accomplished lady and as popular as her hus- band. They have had three children: (1), Marion, born May 22, 1879, prepared for college at the Brearley School in the city and entered Bryn Mawr College, Pa .. where she graduated in 1901, warden of Rockefeller Hall in same institution 1902-1905, Fellow in Economics there 1905- 05, awarded Bryn Mawr Euro- pean Fellowship 1906-'07 and spent that year studying at the University of Vienna, Professor of Economics 1907 at Bryn Mawr, received the degrees of A. M. and Ph. D. from same insti- tution in 1908, chairman of board of directors of Bureau of Occu- pation for Trained Women in Philadelphia and a member of many other societies and associations. Miss Parris married June II, 1912, Wm. Roy Smith, Professor of American History in Bryn Mawr College; (2), Edward Lowden, born Aug. 3, 1881, died Mar. 21, 1883: (3), Edward Lowden, born Jan. 20,
Rear Admiral Thos. S. Phelps
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1887, after attaining his education went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he remained for two years when he returned to New York City where he has since been located in business. Young Parris has made a special study of mechanical engineering, is an in- ventor and manufacturer of electrical automobile equipment, gen- eral manager of the Ignition Specialty Co., of New York, mem- ber of the Society of Automobile Engineers, Sons of the Revo- lution and several other societies and clubs.
REAR ADMIRAL THOMAS S. PHELPS.
Thomas Stowell Phelps was born in Buckfield, Nov. 2, 1822. His parents were Stephen and Elizabeth N. (Stowell) Phelps. Stephen Phelps was born in Sutton, Mass., July 8, 1783 and his wife in South Paris, Oct. 5, 1785. They were married at South Paris, once called Stowell's Mills, Jan. 29, 1806. They moved to Buckfield in 1816 where he went into business as a merchant or trader on the south side of the river. He died in Buckfield, Feb. 21, 1829. She died Oct. 7, 1832.
The son, Thomas S. Phelps, having an inclination for a sea- faring life, obtained an appointment through Hon. Virgil D. Parris, then a member of Congress from the Oxford District in January, 1840, as midshipman in the United States Navy. His service was in all parts of the globe, a part of it on the famous old frigate "Constitution." He was promoted from one grade to another till he was commissioned as commander with rank of lieutenant of the steamer "Vixen" on special service, coast sur- vey, from August, '59 to September. '61 and was attached to the expedition for the relief of Fort Sumter in Charleston, S. C., Harbor. Nov. 14, '61, his vessel had an engagement with the Rebel gunboat "Curlew" in Pamlico Sound, N. C., for which he received the compliments of the Secretary of the Navy. Early in the year, 1862, he was assigned to the command of a division of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron off the Virginia coast, where he was in frequent engagements with the enemy, capturing five and destroying two vessels. At the bombardment of Fort Fisher, N. C., in January, 1865, he commanded the "Juniata." In August, 1865, he was commissioned commander, promoted to captain in the regular service in 1871, to Commodore
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in 1879 and Rear Admiral in 1884. Retired on account of age, Nov. 2, 1884.
He died in New York City, Jan. 10, 1901. His wife is also deceased. Both are buried in the National Cemetery at Arling- ton, near Washington, D. C. His son, Thomas S. Phelps, Jr., also entered the Naval Service and is now (1913) a Rear Ad- miral and stationed at Mare Island, Cal.
DEA. JOB PRINCE.
Dea. Job Prince was a descendant in the fifth generation from Elder John Prince of Hull, Mass., who in 1633, being then a student at Oxford, England, and expecting to succeed his fa- ther, Rev. John Prince as rector of the East Shefford Church Society in Berkshire, was driven to America by the persecutions of Archbishop Laud. Rev. John Prince married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Dr. Tolderburg and had four sons and seven daughters. Elder John Prince born in 1610 at East Shefford, was their oldest child. He lived at different periods after com- ing to America at Watertown, Hingham, Nantasket and Hull, was Ruling Elder at the latter place in 1644 and died there. He was twice married, first to Alice Honour and second, Anne -. His death occurred in 1676. Nine children, all by first wife. Thomas, the youngest child born in 1658 at Scituate, married Ruth, daughter of John Turner, Sr., of Scituate. He died at Barbadoes in 1704. Five children, Job, the youngest, born in 1695, married Abigail Kimball, and had six children; Kimball, the third child born May 9, 1726, married October 13. 1750, Deborah, daughter of Dea. John Fuller and had Christopher, born July 22, 1751 ; Kimball, born July 29, 1753; Sarah, born Jan. 15. 1756; Ruth, born May 7, 1758; Deborah, born July 13, 1760; Noah, born January 18, 1763; Job, born May 22, 1765 ; John, born Feb. 23, 1768, and Hezekiah.
Job Prince married in Turner, June 23, 1791, Hannah Bryant. Their children recorded on the Buckfield records were: Lydia, born June 21, 1792, married Dec. 18. 1817, Daniel Young of Norway, died Jan. 20, 1888; Rebekah, born May 2, 1793, married June 2, 1839, Daniel Pond of Paris, died Aug. 29, 1861 ; Hon. Job, born Mar. 17, 1795, married June 28, 1821, first, Zilpha Spaulding, second, Olive Leavitt, settled in Turner, died April
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20, 1875: Hon. Noah, born April 13, 1797, married March 12, 1826, Sarah Farrar ; Hannah, born Aug. 16, 1799, married first, Ezar Morton, May 2, 1852, second Eliphalet Sturtevant, August, 1835, died Mar. 20, 1837; Rufus, born Sept. 24, 1801, married 1820, Sophia Brewster, settled in Bangor: Olive, born Jan. 21. 1804, married May 15, 1834, Abel Stetson of Sumner, died Mar. 17, 1863; Louisa, born Feb. 15, 1806, married first, Peter G. Bailey of Bangor, Feb. 27, 1826, second, Rev. Geo. Bates of Turner, July, 1832, died Sept. 1, 1888 and Ardelia, born Aug. 24, 1808, married June, 1833, Wm. R. Hersey of Lincoln, died June 21, 1873.
Kimball Prince, the father of Job, was in the expedition against Louisburg in 1745. and was also a soldier of the Revo- lution. Kimball Prince and Deborah Fuller, his wife. were descendants of Elder Wm. Brewster.
Job Prince removed from Kingston, Mass., to Bucktown, probably in the spring of 1788 as his deed of 100 acres, for which he paid £15 in gold, is dated June 23, 1788. On this farm he lived and died. In 1802 the 2d Baptist church was organized, Job Prince and his wife, Hannah, being of the 13 who founded it. Mr. Prince was its first deacon and afterwards, the records say, was one of the leading members of the Ist church.
In 1793 Hezekiah Prince of Thomaston, grandfather of Gen. Jona. Prince Cilley, visited all his brothers and sisters from Maine to Virginia in a 1200-inile horseback ride ; and, in his diary says of Bucktown-"There are about 550 inhabitants. The soil seems fertile and the people are industrious and happy in their forest homes. I can but admire, in these new settle- ments, the kind, neighborly feeling that exists. They assist each other in all heavy work, settlers for miles around joining forces in house building, wood clearing, husking and quilting bees. When one farmer kills a cow the neighbors share and so butchering is timed to suit the community. Homespun clothing of flax or wool is principally worn. Farm hands are paid from $8 to $10 per month and female help $.50 per week. Spelling and singing schools, gunning, sleigh rides and coasting are the recreations. Letters are carried by private parties and delivered as opportunity offers."
The Princes are long lived. Mr. Geo. Prince, in a magazine article, speaks of relatives living to the ages of 88, 96, 95, 92, 85, 89, 94, 91 and 96.
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HON. NOAH PRINCE.
Noah Prince, second son of Dea. Job and Hannah Bryant Prince, was born in Buckfield, April 13, 1797, on the original Prince farm on which he lived until 1855 when he removed to the village three miles away. He grew to manhood working on the farm and getting a little schooling in the winter by walking two miles after the "chores" were done. His integrity, sound judgment and forceful character made themselves felt early in life, and for many years he was prominent in town affairs. He held commissions as Justice of the Peace and as Trial Justice from 1839 until his death, and also a commission from President Taylor and two Internal Revenue licenses.
In 1840, '41, '42, '43, Mr. Prince represented the town in the legislature and in 1850, '51, '52 was state senator from Oxford County. In 1851 and '52 he was President of the Senate, during which time the ".Maine Law" was passed which measure he sup- ported.
In 1852 Mr. Prince presided at a convention in Norway, con- posed of bolters from the democratic party, which convention it is claimed, gave birth to the republican party, and in 1853 as chair- man of the democratic state committee, he issued a call to the "Democratic Republicans of the State of Maine" for a "Mass Convention in Portland" of which meeting he was made chairman.
Mr. Prince was one of the projectors and directors of the Buckfield Branch Railroad, now a part of the Portland & Rumford Falls road.
In 1825 he married Miss Sarah Farrar and together they lived happy, prosperous and useful lives until his death, Feb. 14, 1872. Both were members of the Baptist church to which they gave gen- erously. She died Aug. 2, 1881. They had seven children : S. Louise. born Aug. 28, 1826, married Francis C. Buck, Dec. 27, 1849 and died May 13, 1858; N. Kimball Prince, born May 8, 1828, married Mary J. Emery, Oct. 8, 1854; Augusta M., born Nov. 28, 1831, married Nov. 17, 1853, A. Hamilton Thayer, who died July 6, 1868 and she married second, April 5, 1872, Thomas E. Stevens; Ardelia H., born July 10, 1835, a school teacher of sufficient length of service to be pensioned and a writer of both prose and poetry ; Charles H., born May 9, 1837, married Eunice A. Atwood, Jan. 30, 1859 and died April 3, 1912 and Mary R., born April 19, 1841, married Dec. 9, 1868, Dr. Orrin R. Hall.
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