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 42
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THIS blessed doctrine has by some been doubted, by others disputed, and by others flatly and positively denied; and now, amid the noonday splendor of Gospel light, there are or- dained ministers of Christ pleading for sin, and explaining away the promises and injunctions of the Bible that teach entire holiness.
But there is one part of holy writ that sets it forth so plainly that no candid and unprejudiced mind can resist it; we refer to 2 Thess. v, 23-25. Here the great Apostle of the Gentiles teaches it first negatively, " Abstain from all appearance of evil." Now if the appearance of evil can be avoided, how much actual evil is necessarily unavoidable? Next he teaches it positively, " And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; " and, lest they should not understand what he meant by whole or entire sanc- tification, he proceeds to details and says, "I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body "-does not this embrace the man ? if the spirit, soul, and body be sanctified, what part of the man will be left out ? Not satisfied with this, he next shows its extent-" be preserved blameless till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now observe, this is not for a day, nor a week nor a year, but till Christ comes. How much sin is compatible with a state of blamelessness before God ? We know it has been urged that this is only a prayer, not a doctrinal teaching ; and, while the apostle prayed for it, he did not expect God would answer his prayer and enable the people to attain to this high state of grace; but the next verse shows the folly of this view, for, as if the apostle feared his correspondents would be startled at the magnitude of the blessing which he proposed to their acceptance, he says, "Faithful is he who calleth you, who also will do it ;" in other words, faithful is he who calleth you to this higher state of salvation, who also will bring you into it. Yes ! "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un-
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ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION.
righteousness." His name was called Jesus because he should save his people (not in their sins, but) from their sins. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, not to injure, damage and cripple, but to destroy the works of the devil, root and branch. Sin shall not have the dominion over us, and we are privileged to reckon ourselves dead, indeed, unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore let us cleanse our- selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Christ is a Saviour not in part, but to the uttermost. This great blessing of entire sanctification or perfect love is to be attained and retained by simple faith in Christ, and is consistent with errors in judgment which may lead to errors in practice, and yet "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." That St. Paul taught the doctrine is plain, and that he enjoyed its blessedness and professed to do so is equally plain, for he says, " Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ," and, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," and, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me ; " and again, " Ye are our witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and un- blamably we have behaved ourselves among you that believe." It is not absolute perfection ; God alone is absolutely perfect. It is not angelic perfection, for they fall into no mistakes. It is not Adamic perfection ; Adam in his paradisiacal state was free from infirmity ; but it is evangelical perfection, and may be attained by all who will renounce sin and consecrate themselves wholly to the service of God. It is offered without money and without price, on the single condition of faith in Christ. But no right hand or right eye must be spared ; no Isaac must be kept back ; like Abraham we must be strong in faith giving glory to God. We shall then learn by happy experience what a glorious lib- erty is consistent with entire captivity to the will of Christ; we shall then prove that the service of God is perfect freedom.
When God's will and God's pleasure become our will and pleasure, our days on earth will be like days in heaven.
TRACT SOCIETY, 805 Broadway, New York. [No. 175.]
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COME TO JESUS, THE JUDGE!
" WE must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ." The Mar of sorrows will come again as the God of glory, and " before him shall be gathered all nations." " Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him." How encouraging to believers ! He is the very person they would have chosen for themselves; and when they see him on the throne they will rejoice, for their best Friend, who has promised to save them, will be their Judge, and therefore they will feel secure. But how dreadful for those who have re- jected him ! How terrible his look of reproach to those who pierce him by their sinful neglect ! How dreadful to hear the voice, which now says "Come unto me," say, " Depart, ye cursed !" Suppose a prisoner is soon to be tried at the assizes, for a crime for which he will lose his life. He is visited by a man of humble appearance, but great kindness, whose heart seems to flow over with pity for the prisoner. He has been laboring very hard for the culprit's escape at the trial. He tells him what he has done, and proves that he may be safely trusted. He assures him that he is quite able to secure his acquittal or his pardon, if only the prisoner is willing he should do so. He says, " I pray you, let me come forward at the trial, and speak on your behalf; let me plead your cause. I have saved many a prisoner whose case was as bad as yours; I can save you. I ask no payment. Love alone prompts me. Consent to let me help you." But the prisoner is reading, talking, or sleeping, and takes no notice of this friend. He comes again and again ; but the prisoner dis- likes his visits, and by his actions asks him not to come and dis- turb him. It is now the assize. The prisoner is brought into court. He looks at the judge in his robes of state, and sees he is the despised friend who came to him in his cell. But now his countenance is solemn, and his voice severe. He who was re- fused as a friend now appears only as a judge. Sinner! he who, as Judge, will occupy the thirone at the last day, comes to thee in thy prison, and offers to be thy Saviour. He is willing to plead thy cause, and promises thee a free and full deliver- ance at the trial. Refuse him not, for soon you must stand at his bar. Trust in him as your Advocate, if you would not trem- ble before him as your Judge. Accept his invitation, if you would not hear him pronounce your doom. Welcome him now to your heart, that he may welcome you then to his kingdom.
See Matt. xxv, 31-46 ; 2 Cor. v, 10; 1 Thess. iv, 16-18 ; Rev. i, 7.
TRACT SOCIETY, 805 Broadway, New York.
No. 27.
COME TO JESUS : WHERE IS HE ?
Ir was the language of Job, " O that I knew where I might. find him ' .that I might come even to his seat !" Is this thy lan- guage, poor sinner ? Art thou anxious to know where to find Jesus ? He is no longer on earth in human form, but has as- cended to heaven. There you may find him, seated on a throne of mercy, waiting to give eternal life to all who come to him. You may think it far to go, but the prayers of sinners reach heaven the very moment they are uttered, and are listened to by Jesus with kind attention. Yet, if this seems hard to under- stand, know, assuredly, that Jesus is not only in heaven but on earth too. He is God, and therefore is everywhere. He said to his disciples, "I am with you alway." He is constantly present among us. In the sick-chamber there is Jesus, ready to comfort the afflicted disciple who lies on that bed of pain. In the secret spot, to which the sinner has retired to confess his sins, there is Jesus, waiting to say, " Be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiven thee ;- go in peace." In the church or the room, where many or few have assembled to praise and pray, there is Jesus, waiting to supply their wants." " Where two or three are gathered to gether in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Reader ! he is near to thee. Now, while thine eye reads this page, he stands close at thy side. He whispers in thine ear. He invites thee to seek him. If anxious to find him, thou hast no long journey to take, no long time to wait before thy request can reach his ear. He is nearer than the friend sitting beside thee, for he is at thy heart's door, knocking for entrance. Wherever thou goest he follows thee, his hands laden with blessings, which he offers to thee freely. He compasses thy path and thy lying down; but it is always to do thee good. In the morning he stands at thy bed-side, offering to clothe thee with his white robe of righteousness ; and when thou art seated at the table, he asks thee to eat that bread of life which will save thy soul from death. He is so near that he will notice thy first faint effort to come to him, and will stretch out his hand to help thee. He is so near that he will see thy first tear of penitence, and catch thy first sigh for pardon. He is so near that " before you call, he will answer; and while you are yet speaking, he will hear." Sinner ! wherever you are, there is Jesus. So that in all countries, under all circumstances, by day and by night, at home and abroad, you may come to Jesus. To believe in him and trust him is to come to him.
See Ps. cxxxix ; Isa. lxv, 24; Matt. xviii, 20 ; xxviii, 20 ; John xiv, 13-23.
TRACT SOCIETY, S05 Broadway, New York.
No. 28.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. ARABELLA CARTER, PARIS HILL.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
The Stephen B. Rawson stand was built by Benjamin S. Doe, who sold to the present proprietor.
The Morton stand was built by Silas P. Maxim, in 1871. It was purchased by Henry F. Morton, who has improved the premises and is now the proprietor.
The Mrs. Carter stand was on lot No. 14, in the fifth range, and was in the right of Nathaniel Stone. Lemuel Jackson became the owner, and sold the lot to his son, Lemuel, Jr., March 9, 1787. It remained in his possession until Oct. 5, 1805, when he sold it, to- gether with one-half of lot 14, in the fourth range, being west of the homestead farm and adjoining, for $3,600. The portion of the burying-ground, heretofore deeded, was excepted in the sale, as also the point near the guide-board, containing 42 acres, which had been sold to Nathan Woodbury .. The house, at the time of sale, had been standing fifteen years. The following description and remi- niscence is furnished by Mrs. Carter :
"The house on the north side of Paris Hill, owned and occupied by Mrs. Arabella Carter, was built by Lemuel Jackson, Jr. The frame was raised in April, 1789, and the house was so nearly finished by the following fourth of July, that the first celebration of the an- niversary ever held in this vicinity (then the County of York), was at this house on July fourth, A. D. 1789. Dr. Ebenezer Taylor was the orator, and the rostrum from which he spoke was a rum- hogshead placed on end in the door-yard. Dr. Taylor was a physician settled in what is now Buckfield. Mr. Jackson provided punch and dinner ! Old and young, from all the settlements within the circuit of twenty miles, were present. The writer of this paper has entire and authentic certainty in relation to that celebration, has heard the doings of that festival related by eye-witnesses, who said that for earnest, zealous patriotism, it had never been surpassed by any cel- ebration in later years, and likewise has entire proof that the house was built A. D. 1789. After Samuel Rawson built his brick house now the residence of Mrs. Frances F. Kimball, the old house was rented a number of years, thirty-five families having resided in it. There have been twelve births in it, and only one death, and that a young woman who was taken sick the day she arrived and died on the fifth day afterwards ; and only one marriage, and that of a couple who never resided in the town, but came especially to have the cere- mony performed. It has been declared by some of the Jackson
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
family, and also by Mr. Job French, to have been the first frame house built in Paris, but this cannot be proved beyond a doubt. Mr. French worked on the house as an assistant to Mr. Bryant, the carpenter and builder. All the panneling, made ninety years ago, has been preserved and remains the chief ornament of the old house. It has been the birth-place of three generations-mother, son and grandson. Probably there are few houses in Paris with a history so unique."
The Rawson homestead was built by Capt. Samuel Rawson and still remains in the possession of his heirs. The engraving accom- panying this sketch shows it to be one of the most attractive residences in town.
The portion of Paris Hill south of the line of Lincoln street, is on lot 12 in the 5th range, which was included in the right of Edmund Barnard. It came into the possession of Lemuel Jackson, senior, as also lot 11 in the 5th range, which was in the right of William Dana. Previous to the sale of lot 13, in 1802, the Jack- sons held the four lots extending from the farm of Frank Twitchell on the south, to the farm of Capt. Cyrus H. Ripley on the north. A portion of these two lots remained in his possession until his decease. The Jackson house, which was built by Lemuel, stood south of the old county road of 1793, and near the well which is now under the corner of the piazza built by J. K. Hammond. The old house was taken down in 1853, and portions of the timber used in the construction of the new house. The barn stood on the oppo- site side of the road, and was standing at the time of the location of the road in 1793. It became historical, on account of the ordina- tion services of Elder Hooper being held within its walls. One end of the barn is now the stable, on the premises of the late James T. Clark.
The Dr. Brown lot appears to have been the first sale made by Lem- uel Jackson to Lemuel, Jr., in which he deeded, Oct. 28, 1806, "two acres on lot 12, in ye 5th range, beginning on ye easterly side of ye county road where ye town road comes into it on ye corner near to ye schoolhouse," &c., on which he erected the house which he occu- pied until his decease in 1816. It then came into the possession of his son Jacob, June 3, 1818, who occupied it for many years. It then passed into the hands of Dr. Thomas H. Brown. With this house is associated the destruction of the parchment plan of the
HOUSE OF SAMUEL RAWSON
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
town, giving the draft of lots, and number of rights of each grantee. By Lemuel Jackson, senior, it was christened the "Colt's-skin," and familiarly known as such, by the early settlers of the town. Some- errors had crept in, doubtless, in the sale of lots and land-owners, who had trafficked largely in lands of the town, foresaw that litiga- tion might arise as to ownership of lots, and in consultation at this. house, decided to destroy the record. There were no witnesses, however, to its destruction, as the one that laid it behind the back- log in the old fireplace, was alone. This stand was struck by light- ning and destroyed, July 21, 1878. The present buildings were erected the same season. It is still owned and occupied by the heirs of Dr. Brown.
January 7, 1815, Lemuel deeded to Jacob Jackson, blacksmith, a lot on the west side of the county road, next Enoch Burnham's shop, now the site of Mrs. Jairus A. Jackson's buildings. He erected a blacksmith shop thereon, and occupied it until his removal to High street.
The next lot to the blacksmith shop, on the west side of the county road, was occupied by Asa Barton, trader, who kept the Oxford county bookstore. The building was the corn barn of Dr. Hamlin, which had been moved to this lot. It was also the first printing office. It was afterward purchased by Calvin Crooker, who built an addition to it, and opened it as a tavern. His stable stood next on the street. This subsequently passed into the possession of John R. Merrill, and the store was used by him for a carriage shop. The porch, built by Crooker, was moved down on the new road, and became the Micah Allen house. After the decease of the owner, the shop was moved out on Lincoln street, as stated in another place.
The Academy or High School building, was erected on land pur- chased of Moses Hammond in 1856.
The Albert M. Hammond stand, now the residence of J. K. Ham- mond, was built by Moses Hammond for his son, A. M., who occu- pied it until he sold out to his brother.
The homestead buildings of Jairus K. Hammond, were built by him in the summer of 1853, near the site of the old Jackson house. It is now occupied by his son, Herbert Hammond.
The Alvah Black residence was built by Moses Hammond on his land, for his son-in-law, John Calvin Prince. It was purchased afterward, by Col. Charles Andrews, and the property conveyed to his wife, who still retains it in her possession. The "Anecdote"
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
stood next this lot, and was occupied at one time by Charles Walton. It was bought by Benjamin Walton, and moved out on what has since become Tremont street, and was used by him for a jeweler's shop. Hannah Allen, a sister of Micah, lived here for some years. After her decease, it was moved farther along, and become part of the stand of George Garland.
"Mechanic's corner" also included the shoe shop of Alvah Shurt- leff, the small store of E. C. Shaw, now part of the house of J. H. Rawson, and the shop of Mr. Wharf, the blacksmith.
The residence of the late James T. Clark, was built by Henry Howe. The stable is a part of the Jackson barn, memorable . as associated with the ordination of Elder Hooper.
The Austin stand is now owned and occupied by Mrs. S. S. Giles. It was built by Alvah Shurtleff while he was a resident in this village.
The residence of Joseph Cummings was built by Edward Chase, who sold to B. W. Bryant, and after his decease, it passed into the hands of Chas. P. Knight, then of Fred E. Shaw, and then of the present occupant.
The present printing office was built by Moses Hammond for a shop, on the site of the one burned at the time the other buildings adjoining were burned. The shop that was burned was of the same size as the present building, and a part of it was used by him for a dwelling while he was building his house. The addition for a Post Office was built by J. K., and A. M. Hammond.
The parsonage lot was purchased of Jairus K. Hammond, by Henry Howe, who removed the "Pray house," and finished it for a dwelling. It passed into the hands of Thomas Crocker, who donated it to the Baptist society for a parsonage.
The Jacob Daniels stand (lot) was purchased by Benjamin S. Doe, who moved to this location, the Crocker store, as before stated, and finished it for a two tenement house. It passed into the hands of R. S. Stevens, by exchange, who sold to Jacob Daniels, the present owner.
October, 1821, Joseph Jackson deeded to Ransom Dunham, blacksmith, eight rods on Lincoln street, and ten rods back, on which he erected a house. His shop was built on the western part of the lot. He sold the premises, Nov. 22, 1823, to Benjamin F. Crawford, "Cordwainer," who occupied it until his removal to the north part of the town. Since it has passed into the possession of
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
Thomas M. Crocker, its present owner, and has been refinished and improved.
The Jarvis C. Marble homestead is a part of the Jackson lot. The buildings have all been erected by Mr. Marble since the purchase.
The schoolhouse is located on land given by Lemuel Jackson. The old schoolhouse was moved from the Dr. Dean corner to this location, and afterward destroyed by fire. The brick house was built on its site.
The Orlando Thayer stand, was built by Jarvis C. Marble, and is . one of the finest private residences in the county.
O. A. Maxim purchased the Francis Bemis orchard, and erected the buildings, now owned and occupied by him.
The Wm. I. Perkins lot, on which the stand is located, was pur- chased of Mrs. Brown. The house was moved from the opposite side of the street.
The lot of the George Shaw stand has passed through several hands since it was detached from the homestead farm. It was pur- chased of Horatio Austin by Geo. Shaw, who erected the buildings and is the present owner.
The following estates are outside the village limits, but are included within the boundaries of the school district :
The homestead of Henry E. Hammond was one of the four lots in the right of Thaddeus Trowbridge, who conveyed it to Josiah Smith, who sold to Benjamin Hammond of New Gloucester, June 6, 1787, who was the first settled on the lot. This is one of the homesteads that have descended from father to son, and still remain in the family.
Thomas Greenwood was the grantee of the George F. Hammond lot, who sold to Israel Whittemore. Josiah Smith become the pur- chaser in 1785, and was the first settler on the lot. He came here in 1791. It passed into the possession of Thomas Hilborn, who mar- ried a daughter. Peter Newbert became an owner at a late date, and sold to the present occupant, who has erected a new set of buildings, and otherwise improved the premises.
Orren Daniels erected the buildings on the Colburn homestead lot. It has had several owners. It was purchased by P. Mellen Colburn, who owns and occupies it at the present time.
The Abbott homestead was a portion of the John Daniels lot, and was purchased by Joseph Blake, who married a daughter of Daniels.
460
HISTORY OF PARIS.
It came into the possession of Jacob Daniels, who sold it to Gilbert Abbott, who is the present proprietor.
The Mason homestead was originally the farm of John Daniels, Jr. The house which he built was burned since his decease. Wm. Noyes, who married a daughter, become an owner and built the present house. After his decease, it was purchased by Philip Mason, who is the present owner.
The lot forming the John Daniels homestead, was in the grant to Josiah Fuller. Lemuel Jackson became the owner, and sold to John Daniels, Jan. 18, 1783, who doubtless commenced on his lot at once. This long remained in the family, he having lived fifty-three years after the purchase. Afterward Dea. Joel B. Thayer became the owner. While in his possession the barn was struck by lightning and destroyed. He sold to Wallace J. Everett, whose house took fire May, 1880, and the buildings were all destroyed. Everett. erected new buildings and is the present occupant.
The homestead of Capt. C. H. Ripley is the center lot in town, and next north of the Samuel Rawson lot. It was in the draft of Nathaniel Stone who sold to Jacob Gurney, who sold to Lemuel Per- ham one-half of the lot March 26, 1793. He subsequently bought the other half. Samuel Stephens became an owner April 3, 1798. It has had several proprietors, among whom was Thomas Clark. The present house was crected by Capt. C. H. Ripley, who is still the owner of the premises.
The lot of the Hubbard homestead was in the draft of Josiah Bisco, who sold to Isaac Bolster, Feb. 5, 1783, who sold to Levi Hubbard. He was the first settler on the lot.' The brick house was built from brick made on the intervale at the south end of the lot. After his decease it come into the possession of Oliver Hubbard, his grandson, and after his decease it was purchased by Enoch Jordan, who in June, 1851, subdivided the farm and disposed of it. It has had several owners. Later, it came into the possession of Horatio Eastman, and passed into the hands of S. P. Stearns. His son, Austin P., is the occupant at the present time.
The Henry Davis stand was a small lot purchased of Gen. Hub- bard. Davis built the buildings and worked at blacksmithing. After his decease, it was sold and passed through different hands, and was finally bought by Mr. Brown, who has made additional pur- chases, and is now the owner and occupant.
The Edwin Cole homestead was a portion of the Center lot.
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HISTORY OF PARIS.
Nicholas Smith purchased it, and in company with Samuel Stephens built the mill on Smith brook, at the falls below the road. Samuel Rawson had a carding mill near by. . After Smith's mill ran down he exchanged with Levi Hubbard for the farm where Hubbard first began. Rawson moved his mill to his home, and the same is now standing on the premises. Then Caleb Cushman became the owner, and finally Edwin Cole purchased it and remains the owner and oc- cupant.
The Goodenow homestead was lot 12 in the fourth range, and was in the draft of William Coolidge, who sold to Levi Jackson, who settled here. He sold to Thomas F. Chase, and moved to Belfast about 1802. Chase remained in possession until about 1837, when R. K. Goodenow became the owner. He remained here through life, and after his decease it was sold to Horace Cummings, and by him conveyed to his son, Wallace R., who is the present owner.
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