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In the 1700s, naming children after family members (grandparents, parents) was the dominant tradition, but, by the early 1800s naming children after powerful figures, heroes, or even local leaders became more commonplace. In Old Parish Cemetery, there are three who were named for very famous figures: Benjamin Franklin, William Henry Harrison, and Isaac Newton. Lot 115 Benjamin Franklin Fairbanks (1806-1874) Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was an American polymath: a writer, sc

Royal Ellis (1771-1840) Betsey Morse Ellis (1782-1878) Isaac Newton Ellis (1810-1893) David M. Ellis (1821-1898) Royal Ellis was born on March 15, 1771. His parents were William Ellis and Olive Fairbanks Ellis. On April 29, 1807 Royal Ellis married Betsey Morse, who was born in 1782 in Walpole. She was the daughter of David and Sybil Morse. Royal and Betsey Ellis had three children: Isaac Newton Ellis, born November 26, 1810; Roxa Ellis, born on August 14, 1813; and David

Isaac Newton Ellis (1810-1893) Isaac Newton Ellis was born on November 26, 1810. His father and mother, Royal Ellis and Betsy Morse...