Cumberland-Androscoggin County ME Archives Biographies.....Gerrish, Joseph Marriner 1783 - 1853
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Author: Everett S. Stackpole

   JOSEPH MARRINER GERRISH. He was the son of Capt. Nathaniel and Sarah
(Marriner) Gerrish and was born in Royalsborough 24 Mch. 1783 and died in
Portland 30 April 1853. For record of his family see Genealogy of the Gerrish
family in this book.

   It is related of him that when he was a youth and drove ox-teams with masts
to Freeport he sometimes halted at the school house on lower County Road, where
Sarah, daughter of Parson Herrick, was teaching school. He took his place in the
spelling class and "spelled down" all the pupils, he being a famous speller.

   The journals of Portland at the time of his death speak in very high terms of
the character and public services of Mr. Gerrish. Especially the Hon. William
Willis, author of a History of Portland, pays a tribute to his memory. Mr.
Gerrish went to Portland as a poor boy and at first found employment in the
office of Samuel Freeman who was then Clerk of Courts. In 1807 he was made
Deputy Sheriff, in which office he continued many years. He was Treasurer of
Portland 1823-5, and in 1831 was chosen Representative to the Legislature.
Afterward he became proprietor of the Portland Advertiser. After his retirement
from business his services were often sought as referee and in the
administration of estates.

   He was Treasurer of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Portland from its organization
until 1837. The Records of the Lodge show that the salary voted him was given
yearly into the Charity Fund. He was Past Commander of Maine Encampment and a
member of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1818-19 he
was Master of Ancient Land Mark Lodge, having served as Senior Warden in 1817.

   In every relation of life Mr. Gerrish was a kind, faithful and true man,
upright and conscientious in the discharge of duty, and benevolent and amiable
in social intercourse. "The peculiar excellencies of his character were honesty
of purpose, fidelity and generosity to friends, attachment to domestic
enjoyments and relations, consistency and steadiness of action, a courteous
deportment and polished manners, and the prompt and intelligent discharge of all
his engagements, directed by a sincere desire to promote individual and public
good." The Argus said, "He was a useful man, ever ready to serve his
fellow-citizens. How numerous the pages that must be written to tell of all his
half century of good service! He was a humane man. If he had an enemy we do not
know it. He was benevolent. The cause that with beseeching eye or pathetic voice
appealed to his heart never went unsatisfied away." The Eclectic said, "He was a
man every way worthy of our high esteem. In every relation in life his character
shone out in the most estimable light. There were no repelling points to it, but
all was well rounded,- all conspired to draw us toward him, to attract our love
and esteem."


Additional Comments:

Part of Chapter IX.
A FEW OUT OF MANY

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF DURHAM, MAINE
WITH GENEALOGICAL NOTES.

BY EVERETT S. STACKPOLE.

PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF TOWN.

LEWISTON: PRESS OF LEWISTON JOURNAL COMPANY. 
1899.


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