USA > Maine > Oxford County > Paris > History of Paris, Maine, from its settlement to 1880, with a history of the grants of 1736 & 1771, together with personal sketches, a copious genealogical register and an appendix > Part 24
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tions of our forefathers were related by my father of which we took no note, we still retain some of the most impressive, such as raising corn and carrying it on the back 25 miles to mill, following a spotted line.
My mother related how she took her babe in her arms and, seating her- self on a shy, three-year-old colt, rode alone, by a bridle road twenty-five miles to present her first-born to her parents, then living in New Glouces- ter, District of Maine under Massachusetts; how she returned, with the addition of a side of sole leather fastened to the pillion of her saddle. But times have changed ; even the old pumpkin pine church has passed into history. Many of us remember the wood colored pews, the pulpit elevated far above the common level, made accessible by a flight of steps much like a fruit-ladder, over which hung an inclining board, called the sounding board, carved from the trunk of a mammoth pine.
The little wheel has been marked obsolete; the spinning wheel branded superanuated, and laid away ; the loom removed to make way for the piano, and the old house, even, would be overhauled were it not secured by a mortgage. In those days bean porridge could be handled with a spoon, now it must be transported on a fork.
My father was the youngest of a large family ; my mother the youngest of thirteen, and I stand here to-day the sixteenth representative of my parents. This is no honor nor disgrace to me, as I had nothing to say about when I should be born. Had my eldest sister, who sleeps in yonder church- yard, lived to this present season, she would have been 82 years old. My first cousins, like Moses Hammond and Henry R. Parsons, two well known citizens of Paris, have nearly all passed away. I am a young sprout of an old generation, and can enumerate more kinsmen than most of the boys of my age, when I recall the Hammonds, Parsonses, Stenchfields, Eveleths, Milletts, Witts, Chesleys, Jacksons, and 29 or 30 other like races to which I belong. They are legions, scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Were I to turn tramp, and tramp, tramp, tramp from Eastport, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, begging my bread from door to door, and the urchins should insult me in the street, I should not dare to raise my hand, lest I should strike down a cousin.
The following hymn was sung. It was composed for the occasion by Mrs. Rose McKenney Rawson :
A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Come Friends from all old Paris' hills, And all the vales below, Come let us sing the mem ries of A hundred years ago.
CHORUS : Oh! these years, these hundred years Of blessings, joys, and tears. How tender are the memories Of all these hundred years.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
To Thee, our fathers' God and ours, From whom all blessings flow, We raise our thanks for mercies of These hundred years ago.
CHORUS.
Our dear old fathers and their brides, Who for us made the way, We bless them in remembrance of A hundred years to-day.
CHORUS.
We thank them for their legacies, These homes and trees so dear, Whose loving arms have sheltered us Through many a long, long year.
CHORUS.
And when another century, With them shall lay us low, May children's children sing of us And a hundred years ago.
CHORUS.
Ex Gov. Perham delivered the following farewell address, and then closed the regular exercises by inviting Dr. H. C. Estes to deliver a benediction. Mr. Perham said :
"Ladies and Gentlemen :
In closing the exercises of this happy occasion, it is fitting that I should express a few words of congratulation and thanks.
This has been, in many respects, a remarkable celebration-remarkable in the beauty of the scenery that surrounds us, and the charming day with which we have been blessed-remarkable in the grand achievements of the town and its citizens, as they have been briefly recounted by the speakers -remarkable in the ability and careful research that have characterized the exercises upon this stand-remarkable in the numbers that have come from far and near to enjoy this pleasant reunion, and in the quiet and good order that have marked the conduct of this immense gathering.
The poet of the day did your president the honor to refer to him as the "uncompromising enemy of rum." It is evident that the compliment applies to a large portion of those present. Certainly there have been few, if any, here who have not shown their regard for sobriety and good order. No indications of drunkenness or rowdyism have appeared. This, when contrasted with the appearance of gatherings of equal numbers, thirty or forty years ago, furnishes occasion for mutual congratulation.
I should be false to the promptings of my own heart, and faithless to the citizens of Paris, for whom I speak, if I did not express our heartfelt thanks to those who have especially contributed to the success of this cele-
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
bration. To the General Committee of Arrangements for their arduous and successful labors, and the several sub-committees, for the faithfulness and efficiency with which they have performed their duties-to the ladies and gentlemen for the labor performed and the good taste displayed in the arrangement of these tables, which present a view of rare beauty and attraction, and for the rapid and orderly manner with which they fed the vast multitude-to the speakers and poets, who have given us an intellectual treat seldom equalled on any similar occasion-to the leader and members of the band, for the enjoyment which their excellent music has given us- to the "continentals," representing a generation fast passing away-to the "veterans" of the recent war, reminding us of a class of men who loved their country better than life-to the Grand Trunk Railway Company and the Portland Steam Packet Company, for excellent accommodations and low fare-and, if there are others to whom acknowledgements are due- to them also, I tender the most cordial thanks of a grateful people.
And, when our next centennial shall occur, may there be men and women as true, hearts as willing and hands as ready to execute, orators and poets as felicitous and able, musicians as skillful, and whose performances shall be as fascinating, a record of material prosperity and moral development as grand, a gathering as large and orderly, and the smiles of Heaven as benignant as those that have made this occasion so joyous and happy."
After this, Ripley's band gave us a number of selections, and sev- eral songs were sung by local talent. Capt. H. N. Bolster, as Mar- shal of the Day, with a large police force under deputy sheriff Doug- lass, kept the most perfect order. There was no disturbance of any kind during the day. In the evening there was an old folks' con- cert at South Paris, led by Ripley and his band. The attendance was large, and the affair was successful, as all else had been during the day. Miss Eliza Longley and Mrs. Myra Crocker Snow had charge of a fine display of antique articles. displayed at the Court House. The exhibition was an impromptu affair, but was very suc- cessful in drawing together, as it did, a large number of ancient articles, and in showing what treasures our towns-people held in their possession. The following is nearly a complete list of the arti- cles on exhibition, with the names of the owners :
Principal among the articles were three wedding dresses. One of these, a full, embroidered silk, was worn by Mrs. John Hart of Wakefield, Mass., and the costume, donned by Mrs. Snow in rehear- sal, showed that Mrs. John Hart's wedding was worth attending. The dress belongs to Mrs. H. F. Morton of Paris.
The second was an ashes of-roses silk, as close as the present style, and made perfectly plain. It was the dress of Polly Bisco, (Mrs.
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Alanson Mellen) and was exhibited by Mrs. Charles T. Mellen. The third was a dark silk, of very old style.
Other interesting articles were as follows :
Skirt and apron, woven by hand. Mrs. Alvah Black.
Whiskey mug, used by Maj. Libby, Scarboro, 200 years old. Robert Smith.
Side saddle on which Mrs. Gen. Levi Hubbard made two trips to Worcester.
An elaborate shell comb of the largest pattern. Mrs. Alvah Black.
Birch bark sugar bowl, labeled 200 years old.
Brass candlestick. Mrs. Henry Forbes.
Masonic certificate and apron, Alanson Mellen made a Mason in 1812. C. T. Mellen.
Masonic apron. Gen. Levi Hubbard.
A short gown, 90 years old, attracted great attention as being the only one of the kind the visitors had ever seen. It was about 2} feet long. Mrs. M. B. Cummings.
Book printed in 1764, also part of the hub and a spoke of the first wagon used in Paris, by Parson Hooper ; a trunk said to have, been dragged on a sled from Bridgewater, by Jacob Howe, and in which were packed all his household goods. D. L. Humphrey.
Pocket book carried through the revolutionary war by Jonathan Conn. Oliver L. Pratt.
Chair, made by Eb. Cobb, for Asa Barrows, early settler of Paris. Oscar P. Ellingwood.
Work table and adjustable candle-stick. O. L. Pratt.
Quilt 130 years old, worsted, embroidered with silk. Mrs. Henry Forbes.
Napkin ring made from wood of first apple tree planted in Paris. Fanny I. Marble.
Sampler, containing names of Hamlin family, worked by Ann Hamlin, (Mrs. Brown, ) in 1822.
Flint pouch worn by Capt. Seth Morse in Revolutionary war. Mrs. Webber.
Powder horn used in Revolution. A. Partridge.
Sword worn by Capt. Robert Smith of Virginia forces, at defeat of Braddock. Stephen D. Hutchinson.
Giant Leghorn bonnet eighteen inches long. Mrs. Alonzo Shurtleff.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
An old calash, fit companion for bonnet. Mrs. Alvah Black.
Shawl worn by Mrs. Gen. Hubbard. H. Hubbard.
Brass warming pan. Mrs. Black.
Wedding shoes of Mrs. Cyprian Stevens, 92 years old. Mrs. Rufus Stowell.
Collection of silhouetts. Mrs. Hathaway.
Flip mugs. Mrs. A. Partridge and Mrs. Geo. H. Watkins.
Pocket-book filled with Continental money, owned by Capt. Seth Morse. Mrs. A. G. Morse.
Flax comb, marked "Philip Chase-his comb."
Worsted sash, made by Mrs. Sarah Woodman.
Shoe hammer, 1779. Mrs. A. E. Morse.
Pewter platter brought to No. 4, in 1792. Job Ryerson.
Stomacher, 75 years old. Mrs. Austin Partridge.
Saw, 120 years old. Mrs. Morton.
A picture of Paris, a most extraordinary production. The vil- lage contains only two story houses and three story churches. A wood cutter has his foot turned backward and is cutting astonishing trees. This was painted on the walls of the old Hathaway house. On the removal of the family, they sawed out this panel and put it in a frame. Elbridge Fobes.
Beer glass 100 years old. Mrs. Geo. Crocket.
Cut glass decanter, 100 years old, owned by Gen. Hubbard. Mrs. Eliza Longley.
Punch tumblers, cut glass. Mrs. J. C. Marble.
Cane with which his grandfather walked from Milbury, Mass. Orlando Thayer.
Meat dish. very old ; Mrs. Abigail A. Prentiss.
Blue glass sugar bowl, brought by Mrs. Dr. Kittridge. Mrs. J. C. Marble.
A corset that shows what ancient girls could endure, full of bones and a busk two and one-half inches wide.
Patsey Green, grandmother of the late Judge Joseph Green Cole, embalmed her frame in a worsted picture 2x4 feet, representing a merry-making in strawberry time. This production was commenced when she was ten years old and finished after the birth of her last child. Mrs. G. H. Watkins.
Certificate signed by Paris town officers in 1801, and other papers. Orlando Thayer.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
Tea caddies brought by Alanson Mellen from Watertown, Mass. Gravy tureen, Capt. F. Bemis. Mrs. C. T. Mellen.
Pipe bought by brother of Mrs. Alanson Mellen 150 years ago. Mrs. Elias Chase.
Pewter platter, coffee mill, collectors' books. C. H. T. Marshall.
Sampler 1712, embroidery 150 years old. Copper skimmer, taken from a burning house on Bunker Hill by David Marshall. A. G. Buck.
Collection of property of Dr. Goss, a surgeon in the Revolution, surgeon's belt, coat of arms, pictures, etc. Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Buck.
Chest 140 years old. Palmer Thurlow.
ANNALS CONCLUDED.
1879.
Died at South Paris, January 11, Mrs. Laurinda Twitchell, aged 87. Mrs. Martha Abbott committed suicide in the Daniels neigh- borhood, Wednesday, January 30, by hanging herself; she was sup- posed to be temporarily insane. Odd Fellows Hall at South Paris dedicated Feb. 6. Mrs. Mary (Locke), widow of Moses Swan, died in California, January 29. Wm. S. Crawford died at North Paris, April 9, aged 71. Capt. Benj. F. Crawford, a native of Worcester county, Mass., but for many years a resident of Paris, died at Bryant's Pond, April 4, aged nearly 79. Sylvanus Dun- ham died at North Paris, May 4, aged 81 years. April 17, Milo Hathaway, son of Lazarus Hathaway, and grandson of our early settler Lazarus, died, aged 72. Polly Curtis died in Woodstock, April 27, aged 93 ; she was the daughter of Asa Barrows, one of our early settlers, and was among the first children born in town. Sept. 11, the Centennial celebration took place on Paris Hill, and was attended by a large number of people. Dr. S. B. Morse came to the Hill to practice medicine, in October ; a native of Buckfield and graduate of the Maine Medical School. The year closed with intense excitement here and elsewhere throughout the State, occa- sioned by the action of the Governor and Council in counting the votes for members of the Legislature, familiarly known as the "Count Out." Emmor Rawson died at West Paris, Sept. 27, aged 57, and Ebenezer Harnden Goss Marshall, Dec. 29, aged 67. The selectmen were instructed to reconvey lands forfeited for taxes. A committee of five was appointed to take into consideration the pro-
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
priety of having a centennial celebration of the settlement of the town. Made choice of S. P. Maxim, Geo. F. Hammond, Seth Ben- son. James Deering and Hiram Hubbard.
1880.
The new year opened as the old year closed, with great excite- ment over the count out. An immense meeting was held in Paris, which was addressed by leading citizens, denouncing the action of the Governor and Council as revolutionary and liable to lead to civil war. The excitement was continued for several weeks. Ambrose K. Shurtleff, a leading business man of Portland, and a native of Paris, died January 3 ; he was born Aug. 12, 1815. March 7, the house. ell and stable of Elmer H. Marble on Paris Hill, were burned to the ground : the ell of Cyrus Perkins' house situated near, was torn down, and by that means the house was saved. Dea. Seneca Landers died March 24, aged 85. He came to this town and mar- ried here, after which he moved to Woodstock where he lived more than forty years and then returned here. Deacon Joel B. Thayer died June 14, aged 81 years. Lyman Bird died June 8 ; he was the son of John Bird, an early settler here, but who soon moved to Nor- way. Sunday, June 27, the Baptist Sunday school at the Hill cele- brated its 43d anniversary. Dr. Thomas H. Brown died very sud- denly, August 4; the community was much shocked thereat, as he was enjoying his usual health the night before. He died about 7 o'clock in the morning. Mrs. Ruth Hammond, formerly of Paris, died in Lincoln, aged 85 years. Dec. 17, William Parlin, one of the selectmen of the town died very suddenly. Voted that the selectmen settle with the Centennial committee and draw their war- rant for balance of expenses incurred. Three thousand dollars were raised for the support of poor and for other town charges, and fifteen hundred dollars on town debt ; also fifteen hundred dollars in money to be expended in the repair of roads and bridges. Four thousand dollars were raised for a highway tax.
17
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
CHAPTER XXXI.
SURNAMES IN PARIS AND THEIR ORIGIN.
Among the settlers of Paris, there have been the usual variety of surnames, though in quite a number of instances several persons have come bearing the same names. Surnames are of compara- tively recent origin, and their introduction arose from the necessity of the case. After the introduction of Christianity into Europe, Pagan names were laid aside, and the adoption of Hebrew names became quite general ; and as families increased, there would be many persons bearing the same names, and such names as Moses, David, Solomon, John, James and Peter, etc., soon became numer- ous. Then it became necessary to have some distinguishing name, and for some time, soubriquets and nicknames were appended to dis- tinguish those bearing the same Christian names. Precisely when surnames or additional names become hereditary in England, it is impossible to state. They began to be so used in France about the year, A. D., 1000, and in England probably at the time of the Nor- man conquest in 1066, or perhaps a little before, under Edward the Confessor. The origin of surnames is a very interesting study, but it cannot be entered upon to any great extent here. They are derived from animals, birds, fishes, minerals, plants, shrubs, flowers and trees ; from armor, costume, from the seasons, and the other subdivisions of time ; from trades, professions, colors, and from names of places ; many have originated from epithets of contempt, ridicule and from nicknames imposed for personal peculiarities, habits and qualities, or from accidents or incidents connected with or which happened to the bearers. Among these may be mentioned Doolittle, Hearsay, Timeslow, Houseless, Steptoe, Bragg, Trollope, Lawless, Silliman, Crookshanks, Longshanks, &c. The origin of some of the surnames of the families which have settled in Paris are given below :
ABBOT, the head or chief of an Abbey.
ANDREWS or Andrew, from a Greek work which signifies manly or courageous.
AYER, (Scotch) and local.
ARNOLD, (German) "faithful to his honor."
ALLAN or Allen, from the sclavonic Aland, a wolf-dog or hound. ATHERTON, local ; from Atherstone, a town in England.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
ALDEN, from ald old, and den or dun, a hill or town ; Old-town or Hightown.
BENT, local ; a plain or moor, covered with bent-grass.
BLACK, with reference to color.
BOLSTER, local ; a place in St. Agnes, Wales, and signifies an entrenchment ; from bolla, a casting or throwing up, and ter, the earth.
BILLINGS, from the town of Billing in England ; prattling, loqua- cious.
BRIT or Brett, probably contracted from Breton, or Briton.
BROWN, a color.
BERRY, local ; from the Province of Berri in France.
BLAKE, a corruption of the British Ap Lake from Ap son, and Lake, the son of the Lake.
BARTON, local, a town in England, literally a "corn-town."
BENSON, Ben's son ; son of Benjamin.
BROCK, from broc a badger.
BRYANT, dignity, honor ; from Bri, exalted, and ant, a termination signifying the state of that which is annexed to it.
ยท BATES, bate, contention.
BACON, Anglo Saxon, bacon, to bake or beat.
BRIGGS, from the Anglo-Saxon brigg, a bridge.
BEAL, local ; a town in Scotland.
BARTLETT, a diminutive of Bartholomew-little Bart.
BARROW or Barrows, a circular mound ;- the name of a river in Ireland.
BARBER, name of a trade.
BARKER, a tanner.
BUCK, borrowed from armorial bearings.
BECK, from Becc, a brook.
BONNEY, genteel, spruce ; from the French bon or bonne, good, handsome.
BECKLEY, meadow or pasture by the brook.
BENNETT, a corruption of Benedict.
CARY or Carey, local ; probably the same as Carew, from the castle of Carew in Wales ; the castle by the water.
CLIFFORD, local ; the ford or way by the cliff.
CALDWELL, Col-wold, the wood of hazels ; or it may come from Cold-well, a cold spring.
CROSSWELL, a cross near a well.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
CHANDLER, name of a trade ; a maker and seller of various wares, originally candles.
CUMMINGS, corruption of Comeyn, anciently written De Comminges ; from Comminges, the place in France from whence they came.
CARTER, the name of a trade ; or from Cairtear, a tourist. .
CHASE, evidently from the "chase," a favorite sport among Eng- lishmen.
CURTIS, an abbreviation of courteous.
CRAWFORD, local ; a Scotch name and signifying, "the pass or ford of blood," from Cru, blood, and ford, a ford or pass-"Bloody Ford."
COLE, an abbreviation of Nicholas, common among the Dutch.
COCHRAN, (Gaelic), a point or promontory in plain sight.
COOPER, name of an occupation or trade.
COLBURN, the dry well, or the well on the neck of the hill.
CONN, (Gaelic), strength.
CROCKER, a maker of pottery. The word crock, signifies, a barrel- shaped jar.
CHIPMAN, same as Chapman, a trader.
DUN or Dunn, from a Parish in Scotland.
DEAN, a church dignitary, subordinate to the bishop.
DERING Or Deering (Saxon) from darrn to dare ; hence bold, dar- ing.
DUDLEY, local ; a town in Worcestershire, England.
DAVIS, a corruption of Davids ; son of David.
DUNHAM, local ; a small village in England ; from dun, a hill, and ham, a village.
DRAKE, (Gaelic) drak, a drake.
DANIEL or Daniels ; a Hebrew word signifying "the judgment of God." In the latter name the s is an abbreviation of the word son, meaning the son of Daniel.
EMERY, powerful, rich ; Emer or Emor, from Ethelmar, noble.
FULLER, the name of a trade.
FORBES Or Fobes ; the former is the correct spelling, and is the name of a parish in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
FIELDS, obviously cleared lands.
FOSTER, a corruption of Forrester.
FARRAR, a corruption of Farrier, name of a trade.
FRENCH, coming from France.
Goss, Saxon ; a goose ; from Gos, a goose.
1
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
GURNEY, from the town of Gournay in Normandy.
GROVER, Groover, name of a trade, or business ; an engraver.
GATES, local ; in Scotland, gate means road or way.
GOODENOW. perhaps from Gudenar, a town in Germany.
HALL, a public room or a building belonging to a collegiate insti- tution.
HAM, a house, home or village.
HOWE or Hoo ; a high place or hill ; it was formerly De La Howe, and the family came to England at the time of the Norman Con- quest.
HOLT, local ; a peaked hill covered with wood.
HERSEY, local ; Herseaux, in Holland ; or it may be from Hearsay.
HOOPER, a cooper.
HOLME or Holmes, local ; meadow lands nearly surrounded by water.
HALE, (Welsh) ; a moor.
HATHAWAY, local ; from Port Hathwy in Wales.
HUTCHINSON, the son of Hutchins or Hitchins.
HAMLIN, from Hamelin, a town on the river Wesser in Germany. Hamelin is also a town in Scotland, so called from Ham, a village and lin, a waterfall. The family name anciently was Hammeline.
HAMMOND, from Ham, a house or village, and mount, the elevated place.
HOBBS, from Hob, the nickname for Robert.
HOLDEN (Danish) ; safe, protected, defended.
HOUGHTON, from hoog or hoch, high, and ton, a hill, castle or town.
HUBBARD, a corruption of Hubert, signifying bright form, fair hope.
HOUSE, a dwelling.
JACKSON, the son of Jack or John.
JEWETT, the little Jew or the son of a Jew.
JORDAN, Hebrew ; the river of Judgment.
JONES, the same as John or Johns ; gracious.
KING, a head or leader.
KINSLEY, authoritative, commanding, ruling, from Ceannsallach. KEITH, local ; a parish in Scotland.
KNIGHT, permitted to bear arms.
KIMBALL, the same as Campbell.
LINDSEY, local ; from the manor of Lindsay in Essex, England. LANDER, (Welsh) ; Glebe lands.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
LAPHAM, stone house or home; lapis, a stone and ham, house or home.
LINCOLN, from Lincoln, England, from Lin, pond or lake, and coln, a neck or ridge of a hill.
LEBROKE ; probably Le Brook is the correct name. Our early settler of this name came from France.
LEBY, or Libby, local ; a town in Denmark.
LEMOND, lion-hearted.
LEARNED, green, sheltered place near the sea. (Gaelic).
LIVMRMORE, (Welsh), from lleufer, a light, and mawe, great ; the great light.
MOODY, named from disposition ; Welsh Meaudwy, an anchorite, recluse, hermit or monk.
MORGAN, from mor, the sea, and gan, born ; born on or near the sea.
MORSE, a contraction of Morris, which means a hero, a warrior or brave man.
MORTON, (Gaelic) from a Parish in Scotland.
MERRILL or Merle, from the French, and means blackbird. Merel. is a town in Savoy.
MITCHELL, a corruption of Michael.
MARSHALL, name of an office-master of the horse.
MCARDLE, (Gaelic), son of the high rock ; hence prowess, valor. MIXER, name of an occupation.
MOONEY, (French) Meunier, a miller.
MONK, a religious devotee ; one who retires, from mon, alone.
MCALLISTER, the son of Allister, the latter being the same as Alexander.
MAXHAM or Maxim ; this may come from Mac, son, and ham, house or home, or from the word maxim.
NOBLE, great, elevated, dignified.
NOYES, a corruption of Noah, of which Noy is an abbreviation.
OWEN, (Celtic) ; the good offspring.
PARSON or Parsons, the son of Parr ; or from the word parson.
PORTER, name of an occupation.
POOL, a pool.
PERRY, from the French pierre, a stone ; a stony place.
PAINE, paon, a peacock. Payne, a rustic.
PIERCE, the same as Percy ; name of a forest in England.
PERKINS, from Peir or Peter, and the diminutive termination ins- little Peter or the son of Peter.
POND, name of a body of water.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
PERHAM, properly Parham, from park, a park, and ham, a house or village ; a house or village at or near a park.
PARIS or Parris, local ; the capital city of France ; a place where the Pars or Peers met.
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