Paris Cape Historical Society to meet

SOUTH PARIS — Members and friends of the Paris Cape Historical Society will meet at 77 High Street, South Paris on Thursday, September 20 at 7 p.m. After a brief business meeting, Jeffrey R. Parsons of Ann Arbor, MI and South Paris will speak on working girls from South Paris, 1845 – 1964.

Jane Robinson Stevens (1829–1917) was the granddaughter of Dr. Cyprian Stevens (one of the earliest doctors in Oxford County), and the daughter of Simon S. Stevens and Nancy French – all of South Paris.

She was orphaned at age 13 and lived during her adolescence and youth (ca. 1842 – 1860) at the home of her cousins, John and Apphia Robinson Parsons, on their farm in South Paris.

While there she received letters from her widowed stepmother and numerous sisters who lived scattered around New England.

In this talk Jeffrey Parsons will highlight what he and his wife Mary have learned from these letters about how these impecunious girls and young women from South Paris, forced to support themselves, made their ways in life as dressmakers, housekeepers, school teachers, shop assistants, and textile mill workers during the early years of the industrial revolution in New England.

After what promises to be an entertaining and informative talk, refreshments will be served. The public is welcome to join in and discover the many resources the Paris Cape Historical Society offers.