The Portland daily press., 1885-01-17
MISS CATHERINE sroRHR
A SKETCH OF A REMARKABLE
WOMAN.
AN Ancestry of National Interest.

An Ancestry of National Hnterest.
The death of this amiable and estimable
lady occurred on the 7th instant at her resi-
deuce in Gorham. Her life was very inter.
esting in itself, and additionally so as con-
n ctng us with generation long since passed
Rway-a generation which reached back
tae time of the Revolutionary war, and the
establishment OF the Federal Republic. She
was the daughter of Eoenezer Storer, and his
(seoond) wife, Catherine Stephenson Storer,
the latter being a granddaughter of Stephen
Longfellow, the greatgrandfsther of the poet.
Mr. Storer was native of Wells, in this State.
He descended from most honorable ancestry
on both the paternal and maternal side. aud
combined the blood of the Dudleys, the Hills,
the Woodburys, and the Langdons with that
of the Storers'' His brother, Woodbury., was
q prominent merchant in Portland in the ear
ly part of this century, and the father of
Woodbury., the upright, judicions and honora-
BILE lawyer, who died in 1860.
Mr.. Storer (Ebenezer) inherited good share
of courage and military ardor from his pater-
nal grandfather, an active officer in the second
Indian war, and at the very beginning of the
Revolutionary war he was eager to enlist in
the defense of his country. He soon became
80 thoroughly imbued with the patriotic spirit
of the times that he could no longer resist its
impulse. Accordingly, in April, 1776, when
not quite seventeen years OF age, carrying his
extra clothing tied up in handkerchief, and
hie vo1n ohlao si4vo~ cnoon and niotoraou
the parting gifts of his mother. in his pocket,
he walked from Wells to Cambridge,aad there
enlisted as non-eommssioned officer in the
regiment commanded by Col. Edmund Phin-
ney of Gorham. He served in this
regiment and in the 18th and End
Massachusetts regiments successively,
until the close of the war, being at different
times, Ensign, First Lieutenant in the line,
Paymasi or and Clothier. He was with the ar
my under Washington at the battles of Prince
ton and Trenton, in the retreat through the
Jerseys, during the dreadful winter at Valley
Forge, and took part in the battles of Mon
mouth, Saratoga and other engagements and
events Of great historic interest. He was
among the earliest members of the Society OF
the Cincinnati, and one OF the few who receiv-
ed treble pension from the United States.
Soon after the war he came to Portland and
engaged in commercial business here with his
brother, Woodbury., in which he was very sue
cessful. Afterwards he was for several years
senior partner in the firm of Storer and Ste
phenson. His partner was his brother-in-law,
Col. Samuel Stephenson, genial and courte-
ous gentleman, whose wife was daughter of
Judge LoDgfellow, and whose hospitable home
in Gorham, where he and his agreeable family
dwelt many years. will be loIg remembered.
He died here in 1858, at the age Of So.
While living IN Portland, Mr.. Storer built
the brick house on Federal street, afterWard
known as the Elm Tavern, and later as the
EN- House, which was burned in the fire of
1866 He also built and lived in the fine man
sion on Danfor street, now the residence of
the venerable John Mussey, Esq, and with his
own hands set out the stately elms
now adorning the premises. Soon af-
ter the close of the war of 1872,
he removed to New York, where he remained
until 1888. He then came to Gorham, and
lived there the remainder of his life. He is
described in the history of Gorham as 'highly
respected, a gentleman of military tastes and
polished manners lie died in 1876 at the
sgA of eights-seven.
His daughter Catherine was born in the
house on Danforta street above referred to
Feb 27, 1907, tire same day on which Port
land lovsd and honored son, Henry w. Long
fellow, was born in the house of his land
Catherinee) uncle Samuel Stephenson, still
standing on the corner of Fore and Hancock
streets. 1t was IN this year (1807) that n p.
Willis was born in Portland, that Rev. Ed
ward (afterTsrd tbe distinguished Dr) Pay
son commenced preaching AS colleague of
Rev. Mr.. kellogg; the yssr IN which the old
Third Parish churcb-called b. DIR. Deane IN.
Crnss's meeting houss"- and the observatory
on Mupjoy were built, It was ysar, too, Of
great business prostrstion in Portland, the
Bon-Otercourse act OF 1906 and the embargo OF
1907 running many of the woaltniest and most
active merchants of the town, among whom
were Mr. Storer and his brother Stephenson.
Miss Storer was about ten years of age when
her father moved to New York. She received
there superior education, making how
ever, music and painting her specialties.
and excelling in both. About the time her
parents returned to Maine, she accepted sit
nation as teacher of painting and music in the
Troy Female Seminary, an Institution at that
time under the charge of its distinguished
founder. Mrs Willard, and already standing
in the highest rank Of educational institutions
in this country. Her life while thus engaged,
was very happy one, and her experience of
great service to her, The nature OF her duties
as an iDstructor.the cultivated society in which
she moved, the associations surrounding her,
and especially the character, precepts and ex-
ample of the wise and accomplished principal,
made deep impression upon her character,
and contributed in no small degree to its pecu-
liar development and attractiveness She
would have preferred to spend her life there
or in some similar occupation for ii Is believed
that though fond of refined society of both SEX
es, and though she had several very attractive
offers of marriage, she had even then deliber-
ately chosen the lie of single blessedness.
In 1849 however, the death of sister, upon
whose ministrations now widowed and aged
mother depended, brought to q sudden close
this mode of life SO congenial to her.
Giving up her situation in the
Seminary, she returned at once to assume the
duties of domestic life at home. This sudden
and complete change was a great sacrifice on
her part, yet she never appeared to regard it
SO. Guided by her sense of duty and her af-
| fection for those at home, her decision was
prompt and unhesitating.
Bravely and patiently, but at q cost to herself
| which few appreciated, she entered upon her
| new avocations And here she remained un-
| til her earthly work was all done. Her mother.
! sister, brother and two nieces, who composed
the family when she came home to them, each
received from her the most devoted care and
| loving attention, and have all, except one
niece, passed away invoking blessings upon
| her whom they each found faithful unto
| death"
Although after she went to Gorham she de-
| voted herself with scrupulous fidelity to the
| new duties she had assumed, she did not
| wholly abandon the pursuit OF those arts of
| which she was SO fond, and in which she al
| waya found pleasure and solaoe. The numer=
| QUE paintings in her hopse at the present
time testify to her great industry and her rare
| accomplishment in this direction. Many of
her works have been pronounced excellent by
competent judges Some pieces were sold by
her at very satisfactory prices, while others
| which she regarded OF greater merit she would
| not part with at any inadequate price.
One cannot in the limits of such sketch as
| this fallg delineate her character, but brief
notice of some OF it's features seems due to her
memory. At the very foundation of it lay
| strict religious principle She also possessed
| great frmness, as well as a quick conscience;
| and whatever she believed to be right and her