To all members and friends of the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society, Best Wishes for 2022.

This charming New Year's card from 1920 expresses our New Year's greeting for all of you.  We look forward to 2022 with hope and enthusiasm.  Stay safe and well.  Come see us at History House in the Spring!

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

 In the spirit of the season, we’d like to present this Christmas letter written on September 21, 1897, by the editor of the Sun (now known as The New York Sun) that has become part of a popular Christmas folklore in the US.  Though unsigned, the editorial was written by Francis Pharcellus Church, one of the newspaper’s editors in answer to a question from Virginia O’Hanlon.  Hope you enjoy it as much as the original readers did!

We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

“Dear Editor,

I am eight years old.  Some of my little friends say 

there is no Santa Claus.  Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun 

it’s so.’  Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

15 W. 95th St.”

Virginia, your little friends are wrong.  They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.  They do not believe except [what] they see.  They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.  All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s are little.  In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.  Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.  It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.  There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.  We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.  The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus!  You might as well not believe in fairies!  You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa coming down, what would that prove?  Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.  The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.  Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn?  Of course not, but that’s no proof they are not there.  Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.  Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond.  Is it all real?  Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus!  Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever.  A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

More About Virginia O'Hanlon:

She was born Laura Virginia O'Hanlon on July 20, 1889 in New York City. Virginia was married for a time in 1910 to Edward Douglas by whom she had a daughter, Laura Temple.

She graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1910, received a Master's degree in education from Columbia University in 1912 and earned a doctorate from Fordham University. Virginia went on to work as a teacher and principal in the New York City school system for forty-seven years, retiring in 1959. She was dedicated to the idea that all children, regardless of social background, should have the same educational opportunities and worked her whole life toward that goal.

Throughout her life as an educator and activist for children's rights, Virginia O'Hanlon continued to receive mail from people around the world, curious about her famous letter. In her replies she always included a copy of Francis Pharcellus Church's editorial. Virginia is quoted as saying, "All I did was ask the question, is there really a Santa Claus? I did not do anything special. Of course, Mr. Church's editorial was so beautiful (that) everyone remembered his words. It was Mr. Church who wrote the famous letter." We know that Virginia did something wonderful too.

Virginia died on May 13, 1971 at the age of 81 at a nursing home in upstate New York. Her legacy lives on.

Happy Holidays to one and all from the

Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society!

 WHAT’S IN A FAMILY NAME?

When the various holidays come around this time of year, families tend to gather or reach out to get in touch with each other.  Have you ever wondered about the origins of your family’s name?  This article published by the St. Louis Genealogical Society provides some insight on the subject of surnames and how many were derived from occupations.

OCCUPATIONAL SURNAMES

Most genealogists know that early people had only given names. When communities were small, there likely was just one John and he lived near the church on a hill or one Mary, and she was little. However, by the time of the Middle Ages, villages had become more populated, and calling someone just John or Mary now became problematic. As a result, names became more specific so one person could be separated from another. Now, John’s name may have transitioned into John Churchill and Mary might have become Mary Little, to distinguish them from the John near the mouth of two rivers (John Rivers) or the Mary who had long white hair (Mary Whitehead). This didn’t just happen to English names, of course. You will see the same thing occurring in most other languages.

Geographical surnames were expanded by surnames derived from a father or mother’s name. Now, John, son of John, might be John Johnson, and Mary, daughter of Agnes, might, in the Middle Ages in England, become Mary Anotdoghter.

Piper, Miller, Weaver, Shoemaker, and Gardener are just a few examples. And these names appear with their equivalents across Europe. Since blacksmiths were so important everywhere, the fact that we have smiths in so many languages shows just how dominant that occupation was throughout the world.

Most of us have occupational names in our family trees, no matter where our family originated. Your first German Lederer was probably a leather worker, same as an English Tanner or a Jewish Garber/Gerber. Your early French Ferrier and your Italian Ferraro were both likely blacksmiths; their names translate to Smith, just as the German Schmidt does. 

Here are just a few common surnames that might give you a clue as to what your ancestors did for a living:

Bailey: bailiff

Barker: shepherd or tanner

Baxter: female baker

Clark: clerk

Coleman: someone who gathered charcoal

Collier: coal miner

Cooper: barrel maker

Faulkner: falcon trainer

Hager: woodcutter

Keeler: bargeman

Kellogg: hog breeder/slaughterer

Kemp: warrior, champion (perhaps at wrestling or jousting)

Mercer: merchant, especially of fine cloth

Parker: gamekeeper

Redman: roof thatcher

Salzman: salt merchant

Schumacher, Sandler, Schuster: shoemaker

Scully: town crier

Todd: fox hunter

Travers, Travis: toll-bridge collector

Ward: watchman, guard

Webb/Webster: weaver (male and female versions)

There are many more occupational surnames in just about every language and in everyone’s family tree. Some will be quite familiar to you, like Miller, Tailor, Baker, or Bishop; others will be more challenging to decipher, such as some in the above list. 

So as you spend time with your families this holiday season, think a bit about your family’s surnames.  Do they tell you the occupation of your early ancestors?   Many came from laborers like the wagon makers (Wainwrights), barrel makers (Coopers), goat herders (Goddard), Hunters, Masons, and millions like them who came before us. 

No matter from what country your family originated, those early laborers in our families helped to define how we think of ourselves today.

St. Louis Genealogical Society, Publications@stlgs.org via gmail.mcsv.net. 

A Few More Resources:

“England Surnames Derived from Occupations, Ranks (National Institute), FamilySearch Wiki, https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/England_Surnames_Derived_from_Occupations,_Ranks_(National_Institute)

“German Surnames from Occupations,” Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:German_surnames_from_occupations

“Occupational Surnames,” Namenerds.com, http://www.namenerds.com/uucn/listofweek/jobnames.html

 “Surnames via Occupations,” Behind the Name, https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/source/occupation

The Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society sends best wishes to everyone for a happy Thanksgiving with this vintage Thanksgiving card. 

  Winter is fast approaching and History House has been closed for the winter.  However, this BLOG will continue and we will replay to requests for information although our resources will be more limited when History House is not accessible.

You can contact us through our website,  www.parsonsfieldporterhistorical.org 

or by email:

pphs@parsonsfieldporterhistorical.org

Planning for 2022 meetings, programs and events will begin early next year.  If you have ideas for a program or for exhibits, please let us know.  We welcome your input.

Our next newsletter will be out next April with information on what to expect for PPHA activities in 2022.  Have a happy and healthy holiday season and a wonderful New Year and remember,

Local History Matters!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PARSONSFIELD-PORTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY!

 2021 has been a pretty good year and we have been able to resume most of our usual activities after a very quiet year in 2020.  Although the threat of COVID 19 still exists, most of us are vaccinated and wearing masks has become routine for most people in crowded situations.  But 2021 is also our 75th anniversary.

Seventy-five years ago on August 27, 1946, a group of interested local residents met at Norton Hall in Kezar Falls and, under the direction of Mrs. Ina Stanley Emery, on left, the organization of PPHS was founded.  She was elected as the first President and remained in office until 1979.  With Mrs. Emery as a driving force at the head of an enthusiastic group of members, the organization flourished.  The Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society was incorporated in 1953.  

The Society worked for several years to raise money to buy a house for a museum and meeting place and several buildings were considered.  In 1955 Mrs. Emery succeeded in convincing the Society to purchase the house built in 1888 by her father, Preston J. Stanley – now known as “History House” at 92 Main Street, Porter.  The Society finally had their own meeting place and a home for their growing collection of records and relics of the early days of the towns of Parsonsfield, Porter and South Hiram.  They quickly set about renovating and setting it up in time for the 1957 Sesquicentennial of Porter.  History House in 1957 below.

In 2000 a group of dedicated members formed the “Millennium Committee” and set about the task of bringing the society up to date.  The task of cataloging all the collection items was undertaken, plans for refurbishing the building, doing much needed maintenance and building a new addition was undertaken and most was completed over the next few years.  It was important that we renew interest in the history of our towns through attracting new members, educating our youth through outreach to the local schools, holding meetings and programs that anyone could attend and being more accessible.  Much of this work is ongoing today.  

The Historical Society continues to preserve the history of the area for future generations.  This is accomplished through acquisition of and careful preservation of documents, records, photographs, and artifacts related to the history of our towns.  These are then made available to the public through the mounting of both temporary and permanent exhibits throughout History House, assisting individuals and groups seeking specific information about genealogy and other aspects of local history.  A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes at History House and members are encouraged to participate in supporting our goals. Current photo of History House below.

The activities of the Society include regular meetings from April through October, usually with interesting programs, open house dates at History House, The Old Porter Meeting House, The Old Parsonsfield Town House and various fundraising events throughout the year. We also encourage recognizing and supporting other historic sites in our towns.

Over the last 20 years many of our working members have passed away and we look to new residents and young people who have an interest in our history to join and help us continue this important work of...

Preserving the Past, Embracing the

Present & Anticipating the Future

Our website is parsonsfieldporterhistorical.org

e-mail is pphs@parsonsfieldporterhistorical.org

Happy Halloween from History House!

 

 The public is invited to the last meeting and program of the year

of the

PARSONSFIELD-PORTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

At History House, 92 Main St., Porter.

on

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

MEETING – 2:00 pm

The quilt raffle drawing will be held.

PROGRAM – 2:30 pm

Author, Anne Gass will present her progam:

"We Demand - The Suffrage Road Trip"

 America’s First Cross-country Automobile Trip for a Cause.

"In September 1915 four women embarked in an open car from San Francisco's Panama Pacific International Exposition on the country's first cross-country road trip for a cause.  They were carrying a petition to Congress and President Wilson demanding an amendment to the United States constitution enfranchising women.  Over primitive, poorly signed roads and through blazing heat, rain, snow and mud, they battled their way across the country, stopping along the way to collect more signatures and to raise awareness that most women in the country were prohibited from voting.  I retraced their route in 2015 and blogged about it at www.suffrageroadtrip.com." This is a lively talk accompanied by historic slides.

Please wear a mask for this presentation.

Last Open House at History House

            Welcome to Our Fall        

Open House

Sunday, September 12, 2021         1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society     

                                    Last formal showing of  the Exhibit 

1820 – MAINE STATEHOOD

A Local View

This exhibit commemorates Maine’s Bicentennial 

and takes a look at Parsonsfield and Porter 

and what life was like here 200 years ago.

                                                                      Maine State Seal

Come tour the house, view all the exhibits and browse our scrapbook collection and albums.

at 

History House 

92 Main Street in 

Kezar Falls Village (Rt. 160)

FMI call 625-7019

************************************************

You are also invited to our next meeting & program

Sept. 18, 2021 at 2 pm.

It will be held at Garner Island

off Elm St. in Kezar Falls Village.

After a brief meeting 

Linda Griffin will give us a tour and history of 

the island and bungalow.

Watch for our ad in Your Weekly Shopping Guide.

Park nearby and walk to the island bridge.

No Parking on the island.

As not everyone is vaccinated, please wear a mask.

Old Porter Meetinghouse Open House

 

Have you ever visited the Old Porter Meeting House?

Here is your chance!

-----

ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AT OLD PORTER MEETING HOUSE

September 5, 2021   1 – 3 pm

--FEATURING--

KATHERINE RHODA,

popular local musician, folk singer & multi-instrumentalist.

Katherine will entertain us with vintage music as we belatedly celebrate Maine’s Bicentennial.  

In addition to wonderful music, this is your opportunity to tour this local gem.  Step back in history to 1824 and imagine attending a Bullockite quarterly service or participating in a Porter Town Meeting here.  This unique building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the very few meeting houses left in the state.

-------------------

Masks will be required inside the building.

Rain or Shine!

Located on Old Meeting House Road, Porter, ME

Directions: from Kezar Falls Village: take Rt. 25 West to Colcord Pond Rd., then right on Old Meeting House Rd. From Porter Village: take First County Rd., bear left at Colcord Pond Rd. then right on Old Meeting House Rd.

FMI call– 625 7019

Sponsored by

Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society

(Sorry, no “facilities” available)

DOUBLE OPEN HOUSE!

 Saturday, August 21, 1-3 pm

at Merrill Hill Road just off Middle Road in Parsonsfield

Come visit what was once the thriving heart of Parsonsfield, Maine.

Both the Old Parsonsfield Town House & the Union Church 

will be open to the public.

Exhibits, information & photos from past times in the village will be on display in the Town House.

Take the Self-guided Cemetery Walk

Learn about some of the illustrious inhabitants who were former residents of Middle Road Village.  (Be prepared of rough terrain.)

Sponsored by the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society & the Parsonsfield Union Church Society.

FMI: 625-8189

Note: no restroom facilities available.

Directions:

From Route 160 (North Road) in Parsonsfield turn onto Merrill Hill Road just east of North Parsonsfield. Both buildings are on Merrill Hill Road near the intersection with Middle Road.

INDEGIONUS PEOPLE OF THIS AREA IN 1820 By Dianne Sinclair

 The following is a small part of the exhibit at History House – 

1820 Maine Statehood, a Local View.  

Come see the whole exhibit at our

next open house  Sept. 11th

First Nation peoples living in our area were Abenaki.  The name refers to their location “toward the dawn.”  The Abenaki are one of the five members of the Wabanaki Confederacy (Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet and Mi’kmaq (Micmac).  These other tribes have received Federal recognition and are currently active Downeast and in northern parts of Maine.

The Pequawket, were a local tribe of the Abenaki Confederacy, living on the headwaters of Saco River and about Lovell’s Pond, in Carroll County, New Hampshire, and Oxford County, Maine.  Their principal village, called Pequawket, was near the present Fryeburg, Maine.

 

The Haith – Porter Maine

“In Porter, The Heath (pronounced locally as The Hathe, as in old English) has historical significance as an Abenaki tribal gathering ground.  This information comes from one of the last members of the tribe who lived in this area. Curtis Chick wanted his friends and neighbors to understand the importance of this land to his ancestors, and to care for it accordingly.  During the 1950s and 1960s Curt was well-known to some residents living nearby, and some who were children at that time remember walking with him to The Heath, and his sharing of its importance to the local tribal members.” (Dan Hester, Hiram, ME)

Traditional Abenaki lived by hunting, fishing, trapping, berry picking and growing corn, beans, squash, potatoes and tobacco.  They lived in scattered bands of extended families for most of the year. The typical Abenaki dwelling was the birch-bark-covered wickiup occupied by several families. 

Each man had different hunting territories inherited through his father. Bands came together during the spring and summer at temporary villages on or near fertile river plains.  The Haith may have been one of those places.

(Sources: Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Brittanica online, accessgenealogy.com/maine/pequawket-tribe)

INTERESTING PROGRAM SCHEDULED FOR THE JULY 24TH MEETING

 Don’t miss the next meeting of the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society to be held at Porter Town Hall.

Meeting at 2:00 p.m. – program to follow at about 2:30 p.m.

Former French teacher and local author, Janet Carper will talk about her recent book:

“THE WEIDNERS IN WARTIME:

 Letters of Daily Survival and Heroism Under Nazi Rule”

This is the compelling true story of a close-knit family, told through the numerous letters they wrote to each other under harrowing conditions. Devout Seventh Day Adventists originally from the Netherlands, they were scattered through Europe as the Nazis invaded and cut off normal avenues of correspondence, commerce, and travel.

They wrote hundreds of letters (mostly in French) to each other, filled with details of conditions they faced, worries about family members and friends they had not heard from for a while, searches for much needed food and clothing and seeking trusted friends and acquaintances who might be traveling and could carry letters for them.  Some of their news was in code to avoid the suspicions of Nazi censors.  Through it all they struggled to assess their best options as they faced unprecedented challenges and danger of arrest.

By the end of the war, family members were involved in the resistance movement and found ways to shepherd those in danger of Nazi arrest to safe havens – putting their own lives in jeopardy.  Jean Henry Weidner is now known as the hero of the Dutch Resistance.  After the war he moved to the U.S. and created a foundation to preserve this amazing collection of all he family letters he saved.  What better way to share this incredible story than through the publication of a book?

Although many of us know Janet Carper as the French teacher at Sacopee Valley High School for many years, Janet was selected to translate and prepare the letters for publication.  She was chosen not because of her teaching career, but for her superb knowledge of the French language, French culture and her interest in history.  Janet has done a marvelous job of selecting, translating, and annotating the letters so that the book becomes cohesive whole.  Greatly adding to the story are the additional explanatory materials included.  A must read!

This promises to be a fascinating talk as Janet will describe her role in bringing the book into being. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Don't for get the yard sale this Saturday at History House from 9 - 1 pm!