The Magazine of Horticulture 10(5): 174 (May 1844) The Tennessee or Prairie Rose
Another variety of our wild multiflora rose was found in the Scioto Valley, near Chillicothe, by Mrs. Gov. Worthington; this was semi-double.
According to Wikipedia: Thomas Worthington (July 16, 1773 – June 20, 1827) was a Democratic-Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the sixth Governor of Ohio.
The Western Farmer and Gardener p. 956 (1848) Cincinnati Horticultural Society. June 15.
Mr. Buchanan presented for examination, specimens of a beautiful double Multiflora rose, native of Ohio, which was originally discovered on the banks of the Scioto river, by Mrs. Governor Worthington, of Chillicothe, and by her introduced to the notice of amateurs. Mr. B. in presenting these specimens, requested that it be named the "Worthington Rose:"
Specimens of the thornless single Multiflora, of the thorny do. and of the semi-double do. were laid on the table by Mr. B. for comparison.
The Western Farmer and Gardener, p. 1127 (1848) "It appears that the Double Wild Rose, (called the Worthington Rose,) was found on the bank of Kinnitrimick, by Mrs. Crouse, and was cultivated by her. It was first brought to Chillicothe by Col. Madeira, and was cultivated by him, Col. Swearingen, and Mrs. Worthington. We suggest that it be called after the place of its locality,—the Kinnitrimick Rose. This will obviate all injustice, and place the matter in its proper shape."
I cannot locate a Kinnitrimick river. This appears to be a misprint. There is a Kinnikinnick Creek in Ohio. It is a shallow waterway, part of the Scioto River watershed.
This is close enough in sound to 'Kennickenick', mentioned by Prince (1846) as a synonym for 'Chillicothe Multiflora'.
(We Anglo-Americans are terrible at spelling Native American names.)
Feast, of Baltimore, MD, had no connection with the WILD double R. setigera. He received seeds of the single-flowered form from Ohio.
Dear Karl, (We Western Australians are terrible at getting our head around American roses we've never heard of, and which seem to have come from far off lands at the back of the moon.) I have added your reference, and if there is anything more that I need to do, please let me know.
Patricia, Thank you for your patience. I have been making such a fuss over a rose that may be extinct. Sometimes I can't let go of a little mystery until I get to the root of it. Karl
I know the feeling. While I can't get my head around 'Worthington', I know there are many others that can - and will in the future. You are sharing and that is valuable and what HelpMeFind is all about.
Patricia, At least we now know that 'Worthington' is just another synonym for 'Chillicothe Multiflora'.
The last author I quoted was trying to correct the history of the rose without offending the memory of the Worthington family. It is just unfortunate that the name of the river/creek was spelled Kinnitrimick instead of Kinnikinnick. No doubt the typesetter misread the authors handwriting.
I keep looking for a picture, but so far no luck. Karl
