carter

Samuel Rawson Carter

Samuel R. Carter was important in the mining at Mount Mica quarry in Paris, Maine until his death in 1893. He was Augustus Hamlin's brother-in-law, but was interested in Mount Mica before marrying Julia Hamlin.

Samuel R. Carter

Samuel Rawson Carter (b. June 22, 1829 Paris
d. April 24, 1893 Paris)

Lapham (1884) wrote of Carter's biographical data: "He was the son of Hon. Timothy J. Carter, who was a member of Congress from this district, and [who] died in Washington, March 14, 1838, while filling that position; his mother was Arabella, daughter of Capt. Samuel and Polla (Freeland) Rawson, quite early and prominent citizens of Paris. Mr. Carter fitted himself for the legal profession, and was admitted to the Oxford bar. He served one term as Register of Probate for Oxford county, and has also served as town clerk [1871]. His connection with the press was with the Oxford Register, which was started in 1869. ... He was also a ready and interesting writer, and had he chosen to have remained in journalism, might have made it a success. ... Mr. Carter is interested in chemistry, has a laboratory fitted up by himself, and has uncommon attainments in that bewitching science for an amateur. He is also interested in mineralogy, and has studied carefully and successfully the deposits of rare minerals in Paris. He married Feb. 26, 1857, Miss Julia, daughter of Hon. Elijah L. Hamlin of Bangor, formerly of Paris." It was also noted that Carter helped organize a Masonic lodge in South Paris: charter granted May 3, 1859, although the first meeting occurred at Academy Hall on July 19, 1858.

   Verrill (1862) noted Carter's early interest in Mount Mica: "Since find [cassiterite at Mount Mica] I have found other smaller specimens, nearly every time that I have visited the locality; and a very beautiful specimen, imbedded in quartz, has also been found by Mr. S. R. Carter of Paris Hill."

    Lapham (1884) also revealed that Carter was the first Captain of the local militia, receiving that rank on August 20, 1854, a position he kept until the Paris artillery unit was disbanded in June 25, 1860 and he also wrote in the chronicles of Paris: "[Concerning soldiers for the Civil War] At a meeting in August, [1862,] it was voted to pay $100 to each volunteer, and in case a draft should be resorted to, to pay $100 to each drafter man; ... A committee of ten was chosen to warn out the several companies of Militia ... The following were the committee: ... S. R. Carter ...
    1871 Samuel R. Carter was elected town clerk.
    1879 Mr. S. R. Carter's house bore the inscription 'erected in 1808.'
     [Paris postmaster] Samuel R. Carter, October 30, 1853 [-December 19, 1858]. The first number of the Oxford Register was issued in December, 1869. ... Samuel R, Carter, Esq., of Paris, furnished two columns per week of local matter, which was all there was about the paper to give it a local character. ... At this time [1871], Mr. Clarence Watson succeeded Carter as local editor. This went on for six months, when in October Mr. Carter bought the concern and became editor and proprietor, though still using the Maine Democrat outside. Mr. Carter was very industrious in gleaning local news, and the Register under his management became a live, local paper. The Register was sold by Carter to Drake & Whitman of Norway, Nov. 13, 1875, and consolidated with the Norway Advertiser."
   At the Democratic Convention of Oxford County, "Mr. S. R. Carter stated that the new County Committee would, according to the usual custom, begin its services at the first of January; but as two members of the old committee had died, and important matters were to be considered, he moved that this committee begin its term of office from today. Carried. ... S. R. Carter of Paris presented three resolutions." (July 25, 1882, Oxford Democrat).
"The Mt. Mica Company have struck quite a bonanza; a few days ago they blasted into a rich pocket. One tourmaline Mr. Carter appraised at one hundred dollars. They have opened and are now investigating another pocket." (September 28, 1886, Oxford Democrat).

Second Maine