The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-01
OBITUARY.


quislte touch charm his listeners.
OBITUARY..
MRS. MARTHA COLEMAN PHINNEY
WENTWORTH.
The town OF Gorham has been visited
by sad dispensation of an overriding
Providence which has removed by death
ono of it beloved and distinguished female
citizens, whose lineal family connections.
personal life and character are among the
choicest memories of its early and con.
tinuous history. The late Mrs. Martha
Coleman Phinney Wentworth, the only
daughter Of James and Lucy Cross Phin
ney, was born in Gorham, August 81.
1891, and died in the same town October
20, 1898. She was seventy seven years and
two months old on the day of her death.
James Phinney, her father, was the
youngest SOD Of Captain John Phil ney,
the first settler of Gorham. The captain
was man of integrity and heroic oharac-
ter, and of great influence during the
early and perilous history of the town.
This old Patriarch was in active service
for the town and parish OF Gorham until
ne died In 1850, at the age of SO years.
His wife, Martha Goldman Phinney,
whose iIlustrous name has been faithfully
honored and protected by her recently de-
ceased granddaughter, Mrs. Wentworth,
died December 10. 1884 Both grand
mother and granddaughter lived to the
same age-ssventy seven years
Mr.. James Phinney, the father of Mrs
Wentworth, inherited all the heroic and
manly characteristics Of his ancestor, and
illustrated his early education and inf1u-
ences by well spent public and private
life which covered period of ninety
three years. and peacefully closed October
IS, 1884. with universal expressions of
honor and affection from his fellow citj-
zens.
Mrs. Lucy Cross Phinney, the mother
of Mrs. Wentworth, was daughter of
Deacon Thomas Cross of Fort Hill. Cor
ham, and belonged to a numerous and
highly respected family. From this same
source origi tied the we'll known families
of Joseph. n and Leonard, Thomas
and Amos and the wives of Capt
Enoch Ple i and Capt. Jonathan
Stevens. all of which families settled in
Portland, and added much to it's earlier
industrial and commercial history.
The late Mrs. Wentworth. for thirty
eight years has been the nearest liueal de-
scendant of the earliest settler of Cor
ham, to whom she held the honored rela-
tionship of granddaughter. The last of
the family who held similar kindred
relationship of grandson was her cousin,
James Phinney End, who was the son OF
her uncle, the distinguished Col. Ed
mund Phinney Of Revolutionary times,
and who died January II, 1860, aged SO
years.
The death of the late Mrs. Martha Cole.
man Phinney Wentworth thus removes
from our society and intercourse the
nearest relative or link in the line of
hereditary descent of the Phinney family
which connects the present living genera
ton with the first settler of Gorham.
This family chain reaches back over one
hundred and Sky years. and heretofore
has been measured by two continuous
lineal lives, father and daughter of the
same ancestral family. For over a century
and q half, this historic fact has been
recognized and appreciated by the citizens
of this ancient town, and makes the life
and memory Of our deceased friend
illustrious.
The late Mrs. Martha Coleman Phinney
Wentworth il recognized and esteemed as
worthy descendant of two of the oldest
and most distinguished families in Cor
ham. She is remem bered in her early life
by the few of her early friends and &C.
ouaintances who still survive, as young
lady of very Irepossessing appearance and
dignifed presence. kind hearted and ap-
proujatiye of everything that was good,
pure and true, and she has illustrated
those traits of character
from early girlhood through long event.
fu life, ann is also known as loyal, de-
voted and affectionate wife and mother,
and true and loving friend.
In 1910. she married 5he late Captain
lQOIubS " w onUWgAUAt, "a ovO oAhtOA LIZ
the war for the Union. She leaves be-
hind three sons to mourn her loss, and
will be welcomed by three oUher children
On the other shore. She was mem Der OF
the Orthodox Congregational church OF
Gorham of which: her father was also for
seventy five years an active member and
con slant, attendant The funeral exer-
Uses will take place at the new Congrega
tional chapel at Gorham, on Tuesday
afternoon, December list, at two O'Clock
LUTHER CAMERON.
Luther Cameron of South Portland,
of Gloucester. Mass, son OF tho
late Robert Cameron, desd October 30.
He WAS u man beloved by ali who knew
him and herewith great Afortitude his
late illness. Two sisters and two brothers
survive hun. He will he buried IN South