Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1885 — American Originalty. [ARTICLE]

American Originalty.

There is no doubt a large fund of originality in North America, yet very little of it seems to have been expended on the naming of towns in the United States, for “Kynes’ American Business Directory” contains references to 32 Washingtons (last year there were only 28), 20 Bridgeports, 19 Londons, 18 Buffalos, 18 Newarks, 17 Brooklyns, 17 Clevelands, 17 Rochesters, 16 Hartfords, 15 Louisvilles, 13 Bostons, 13 Pittsburghs, 11 St Pauls, 9 Romes, 8 Cincinnatis, 8 Philadelphias, 7 Detroits, 6 Chicagos, 5 Milwaukees, 5 St Louises, 4 Baltimores, 4 Franklins, and 4 New Yorks. This perplexing multiplication of names is partly due to the fact that in the earlier days of the States it sometimes became the duty of a single citizen to provide off-hand designations for several hundreds of places. In 1832, for instance, the Attorney General of New York was directed by the Legislature to find names for 400 new townships. Assisted by “Rollins’ Ancient History” and an old atlas, he managed to execute the greater portion of his task in one night, and next morning he triumphantly fulfilled the remainder by utilizing the Christian and surnames <of his friends and relations.— St. James’ •Gazette.