The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-11-24

April IA, 1882. the youngest and last
of family of nine children of Henry
Parsons, born In Wiscassett, died in
the line house between the towns OF
Arson and Embden, school teacher,
and Anna Albee of Lexington. He was
a real grandson of the Revolution on
both sides, his grandfathers. Josiah
Parsons being captain aand Jona-
than Albee serving az private in the
war for Independence. We might say
Mr.. Parsons was almost the last of
! his generation, especially in this sec
ton of the country. The fifth gen
Grafton of his ancestry on his paternal
side are John Parsons Of York. Me,
who took the oath of allegiance in
1881, and Henry Sewall, mayor of
Coventry, England, who immigrated
to New England in 1894 and settled
in Newbury. Mass, and grandson of
whom was among the early residents
of York, Me. He was grand-neph-
ew of Rev. lothian Sewall, the eele-
brated Maine missionary and through
the same family of Sewalls is relat-
ed to Henry W. Iongfellow. Among
the Sewalls and Parsons we find n
numbers of ministers and school
teachers.
Mr.. Parsons, the subject of this
sketch, received his early education
from the district school and ParsOn-
field Seminary. He taught school very
successfully for thirty terms. which
in his day meant about thirty years
He was strong disclplinaran and the
successful manner In which he gov
erned unruly boys was often referred
to by succeeding generations. AL
though professedly n farmer he was
man OF superior ability. a convincing
and ready speaker and public spirited,
n warm-hearted friend and ideal hus-
band and father. In public life. he
served as Superintendent OF Schools,
was very prominent in all church
work, member of the Second Free
Baptist Church at East New Portland,
lecturer, in both local and Pomona
Oranges, collector of taxes and mod
orator at the annual town meetings.
He was married August ., 1867, to.
Sarah Butts. daughter OF John and
Abigail Hutchns Butts, OF New Port
land, who died Oct. ~. 1921. Mr.. and
Mrs. Parsons having lived together
for 81 years. The first five years OF
their married life was passed in New
Portland on Huntoon Hill; then from
1863 to 1866 in Lexington and back to
East New Portland. where they al
ways thereafter made their home.
TO Mr.. and Mrs. Parsons were born
six children. j. Cheney Parsons, who
died in 1882. aged 20 years; Flora
Parsons Boynton, of New Portland, a
graduate of M. C. L.; Emily l.. Par.
sons Perry, also a graduate OF Nj. e.,
T.. who died in Las Vega, New Mexi-
co. April 10, 1908, where she was IL
brarian of the Carnegie Library; Rev.
Henry Parsons, of East New Port
land: William s. Parsons, Bates Col7
leee, 'gS, also of East New Portland
Abbie Parsons. an infant, died in 1878.
Besides the sons and daughters
mentioned above there survive q
grandson, Dwight Boynton, of Port
land, a. granddaughter. Mrs. Vivian
McCawn OF Washington, and three
great grandchildren, Robert summons
Boynton, and a son and daughter OF
Mrs. McFawn and many. nieces and
nephews.
August ., 1907. Mr.. and Mrs. Par
sons celebrated their Golden Wedding
in connection with the annual butts
reunion. It was a memorable day ana
an extended program was carried
out. Relatives came from great
distance to extend felicitations. Gifts
of considerable intrinsic value were
received, including considerable sums
OF money.
Their daughter, Mrs. Emily Perry
and con William S. Parsons came
from Las Vegas, New Mexico, for the
occasion; niece. Mrs. Orlando Sim
mons of Idaho, who hadn't heen mere
for twenty years also came; announcer
niece. Miss Ella Butts, returned mis-
sionary of India. was present and
exhibited curios of that far distant'
land; nephew Willard Carviile, OF
Colorado, who had been absent for.
twenty years was present, and read
an original poem.