Family Files: Casey: Paris Pace Casey (c. 1813-1885), Maysville's early Postmaster

The century-plus P.P. Casey House still stands at 5 South Main Street. It is one of the oldest surviving homes in Maysville. An addition was made to the house in 1882 so Mr. Casey could "store away the drummers (traveling businessmen)." He ran a post office in a front room of the house. The former train depot stood across the street.

P.P. Casey:
Maysville's early postmaster
By TODD DORSEY
Contributing Writer JOYCE HARRIS of Houston TX

One of Maysville’s early citizens was Paris Pace Casey, born 1814 in Georgia, son of John Casey and Elizabeth Pace Casey. On Dec. 18, 1835, P.P. Casey married Mary Hogan in Jackson County.

Brothers Paris Casey, Barnabas Casey and Wiley Jenkins Casey, from Georgia, had adjacent land in Benton/Cherokee County, Alabama procured in the 1840s. Paris is listed on the 1840 Census in Benton County, AL as being a teacher with 24 scholars, primary and common schools. He came back to Georgia and is mentioned in Jackson County Deed Records on Jan. 1, 1848, when he witnessed a deed for Abraham Atkins, Maysville’s first merchant.

In 1860, Casey’s family was living in the Jefferson District of Jackson County. Census records reveal the following: Paris P. Cazey, head of household, age 46, teacher of common school; Mary Cazey, his wife, age 44, keeping house; Nancy, their daughter, age 12, in school; and Wiley, their son, age 9, in school All are listed as born in GA.

In 1880, his family was enumerated in Wilson’s District in Maysville: Parris P. Caisey, age 66, postmaster; Mary Caisey, his wife, age 63, keeping house, Pelona P. Caisey, their granddaughter, age 9; and Pelona L. Caisey, their neice, age 13.

In 1882, The Jackson Herald noted that PP Casey was receiving goods. He was operating a small store in one room of the house. By August, he was making an addition to his dwelling by building some rooms to store away the drummers. In October, he had peach and apple trees in full bloom and had raised two crops of raspberries from the same vine that season. By November, he had the second crop of apples on the same tree.

In early 1883, the Casey family was gripped with sickness. The Jackson Herald penned,"Mr. Frank Standla spent one night with Mr. P.P. Casey. He is looking after his interests. We take him to be a gentleman, and wish him success.

1883-0323 JH: Mr. PP Casey, our worthy (postmaster), would like to enter a contest for being the ugliest man in Georgia. Who will enter for the prize? We'll expect an application from your (Harmony Grove) itemizer.

1883-0504 JH: Mr. PP Casey and wife have been quite sick but are better. Mrs. Lecy Casey is staying with Mr. Casey's family while sick.

1883-0518 JH: Mr. PP Casey and wife are remarkably better. He is able to attend to his business. Mr. Wiley Casey, wife and son were on a visit to the ville Saturday.

1883-0608 JH: Mr. DP (Dreadzil Pace, brother of Paris) Casey, near Gillsville, is in a critical condition, and his recovery is uncertain. We understand the doctors pronounce it heart disease.

1883-0622 JH: Mr. Dred Casey is dangerously ill again. His physicians have given him out.

1883-0629 JH: Mr. Dred Casey is still wrestling with the monster Death. His sufferings are intense.

LATER-Mr. Dred Casey passed away on Tuesday evening at 9 o'clock. His sufferings were intense, yet his happiness is greater, as he had become fully reconciled to his doom. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

1883-1019 JH: Mr. Joe Sherard and wife visited Mr. PP Casey, her uncle, on
Sunday. We wish them a long life of happiness.

1885-0522 JH: Maysville's clever postmaster is firmly convinced that onions and assafoetida will not keep off measles.

1885-0529 JH: Mr. P. P. Casey, the efficient postmaster at Maysville, died on the 24th instant of measles.