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Thursday, February 2, 1950
Some large families formerly living in Parishville are almost extinct. The Armstrong and Stone families, once very numerous, are quite reduced in numbers. With the death of Mary Stone Crawford, the Frank Stone branch becomes extinct. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stone left no descendants. Charles Stone's branch is represented by Leon and his son Walton, who both live on the old homestead. Others of Charles Stone's branch, however, live elsewhere. Elbert, his grandson, has two young sons, but not here. Leo Armstrong living on the home farm, County Road, is a descendant of that early family, and with his children represent a big, old clan, intermarried with the Stones. The Mitchells, once very numerous and leading citizens, have disappeared entirely from here. With the death of Mr. Fred Tichenor, that family also was gone forever. Many graves in Hillcrest show that they once had a strong place in the village life. The old and important Daggett family is no more here, although I believe Robert lives in Vermont, a son of Arthur, grand-son of Henry. There are no Greens left, nor is there a Raisey or a Barrows. Mrs. Jennie O'Harrow, relict of Wm., still carries the name of once numerous and prominent folk, especially of White Hill, but when she leaves us the name is lost. Robert Adams is the only one left of the many Robsons, his mother having been a Robson. Perhaps Walter in the west is preserving the family, I do not know. They, too, rest in Hillcrest, Robert's parents, not far away, her parents and only brother, Henry, in one lot. On the brow of the hill, Myron Nettie, their two children; to the west, Fred and Viola Robson Johnson, in the edge of the new part, George, Flora and their son Millard. The "Welsh boys," too are there. Ah, the precious dust in the old Hillcrest cemetery. Fay Duffy is the only survivor of a numerous and prominent family in our village. Charles, the beloved doctor, left us three years ago. There are, however, a number bearing the name elsewhere.
The Thomas, Cook and Trerise families all bought their lands from David Parish and have representatives still among us, although some bear other names. The Champneys and Waites have located around the town to quite an extent. Royal Hoyt represents the Hoyts, and Royal and Guy Delong keeps the name alive, although he is the last. Fifty years ago the Haydens were here also, and many Parkers all very prominen—all gone. In the west part a few Bicknells, Smiths and Olmsteads still live. Many members of the Perkins clan were around here, but I do not know a person bearing the name here now, although Mrs. Morris Page was a Perkins before her marriage.
Who remembers Hon. Parker Rose or Deacon Thayer, or Hon. F. D. Brooks? Just a few of the older folk. I must mention, however, one family descended from an early settler, and that is the Fletcher family. Daniel Fletcher was, I believe, the first of the name here. On the County Road lives Wm. Fletcher, and in his house lives four generations of the family: Wm., his son Frederick, his grand-daughter Mrs. Irene Rosenbarker, and the baby son of Mr. and Mrs. Rosenbarker. On Catherine St. lives Mrs. Etta Fletcher Jenne, aged 92, who also has four generations in the village: herself, her daughter, Edith Jenne Smith, her grandson Beecher Smith, and great-grand-son child of Beecher. Near her live her two sons Wm. and Asa, both of whom have grandchildren not far away.
Mrs. Clarence Lamora was the daughter of George Fletcher, and Miss Grace is her daughter, so one pioneer family, at least, remained near the ancient acres of their forebears. I believe Daniel Fletcher built the house now owned and occupied by Carlton Champney.
The Faulkner family is extinct here. There are a number of the Moses families in the village. In 1900, the leading merchants were H. J. Sanford, Milo Adams and son and Royal Newton. Mr. Sanford came from two old and very prominent clans: the Sanfords and Chittendens of Hopkinton. Mr. Newton was a native of either the town of Canton, or the town of Hermon, I am not sure which. He had no descendants, and Mr. Sanford removed to Potsdam. The Adams family lives in Southern New York. The Everetts, Abrams, Flowers and Barvises all left, no one here bearing their names.
At the turn of the century, with the horse and wagon as the principal medium of locomotion, blacksmith and harness shops were necessary. There were several of the former, and at least two harness-makers. Garages and auto mechanics have taken their places, thus equalizing the employment situation. Where once there was a blacksmith shop or harness maker, one might find to-day a gas station or auto supply store. Few horses are seen except those of farmers, and machinery is used even there to a great extent.
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