“The next community to be formed was Paris. It was located in Spice Valley
Township and was laid out May 28, 1835, by Henry Connelly. The name of the
town was later changed to Bryantsville.
“Early merchants were Tucker Williams, Henry Weathers, Frederick R. Nugent,
James Taylor and William Weathers, all of whom were business prior to 1850.
Levi Overman opened a cabinet shop and Alexander Coleman known as
‘Kettlehead,’ was the first blacksmith in the area.
“Back and Rout were dealers in general merchandise beginning in 1853 and
others who have had the business have been: Davis and McGinnis, J.W. Lyons,
Standeford, John D. Thomasson, and Henry Moneyhan and son.
“The first grist mill was built by George Z. Wood in 1866. It was well
patronized and was purchased by J. Wolfe, who was also the owner of a
sawmill that was built by the Stroud brothers.
“The first physician to locate in Bryantsville was Samuel A Raridan, the man
for who Raridan Hill near Mitchell is named. Others who followed were Dr.
William Huston, Dr. James Wilson, A.L. Goodwin, A.W. Bare, and Laban Palmer.
“Postmasters since 1853 and before 1884 were William Weathers, John
McGinnis, Henry Davis, Dr. A.W. Bare, Benjamin Connelly and John Lyon.”
Bryantsville continued to have schools for many years after its heyday in
the middle and late 1800s. All that remains today of this community is the
Church of Christ.