Comments at Funeral of John Wylie - 1884

Funeral of John Wylie

Remarks of Rev. O.R. Beardsley

1884

 

By request we publish that portion of the remarks of Rev. O.R. Beardsley of a historic nature, at the funeral service of John Wylie, at New Ohio [Broome Co., NY], as follows:

 

We have met here today, my friends to pay a tribute of respect to one who has long been known in this vicinity.  You would have to go a long way from here to find the name of Uncle John unknown.  In his day children have been born, lived to have families of their own and passed away.  I might say a generation has sprang up and passed to the other world, and he who lies before us has watched the procession as it passed, and now when his steps faltered and his eyes grew dim, he found it was his time to die, and he silently wended his way from our view and joined the loved companion, who passed on about five years ago.

 

Mr. Wylie was born in New Lebanon, New York, March 20, 1798, being 86 years 4 days of age at the time of death.  He was married to Esther Hinkley of Colesville, April 25, 1821, of late years better known as Aunt Esther.  And how well they kept the marriage vow is well known to many who are present.  What a change!  Today as we look upon this aged form, having passed 86 years, we can hardly realize that 67 years ago he came and settled upon this farm, a bright eyed and buoyant boy of 19, with the flush of health upon his cheek, and with a determination to make him a home, began clearing where this house now stands.

 

After clearing and subduing the field he built him a log house, and if we had stood here in 1821 we would have seen Joel Morse coming through the woods from Coventry, by marked trees, driving a yoke of cattle, with a sled containing the bride and groom, together with their household goods.  Where is the young man today that would undertake what he did, and under the same circumstances?  The nearest house was about one and a half miles away, built by James Brainard, on the farm now owned by Charles McCullor, near Joel Brainard's.  The nearest public highway about two miles, known then by the Binghamton and Catskill road, running from Binghamton to Chenango Forks; thence up Page Brook; thence over the old Chenango road to Bainbridge.

 

In 1825 Elisha Kasson bought part of the farm which he now lives on, the other part being owned by his brother Isaac, who settled there a short time before.  Only five of the early settlers remain, viz:  Elisha Kasson and wife, Aaron G. Beman and wife, and Mrs. Horace Holcomb.  The first school taught in this section was in a log house near where the church now stands, and was taught by a Mr. Cole.  Elisha Kasson taught the first school in a building built for a school house near where Reuben Beman now lives  The first saw mill was built by Elijah Church, John W. Watrous and Horace Holcomb, standing on the same site of the mill now owned by Hanford Paddleford.  This gave to the early settlers better material to build their homes, and also aided much in bringing a little money into the country from the sale of lumber.  About this time Esquire Holcomb had settled on the farm now owned by E.S. Holcomb; Elijah Church on the Buel Pratt farm; Amost Hayes south of J.W. Watrous; Deacon Merriman on the Beman farm; McCumber near the Methodist church; "Stuff" Pulver on the Waldorf farm; Monroe on Monroe farm.  Several others had settled in, whose names I do not know.

 

The first death in this settlement was Carlos Holcomb's first wife, in 1821.  The nearest grist mill was at Centreville. Samuel Badger, Col. Stowe, "Mat" Murwin and a few others had settled in Harpersville.  John B. Rodgers had settled at Chenango Forks and soon built a saw and grist mill.  Clond Hamilton had a small home on Walker farm, now owned by Mrs. McGowan.  Elias Miller lived near where Samuel Miller now lives.  Ketcham, at Ketcham's Corners.

 

When officiating at a similar occasion over the remains of any one present, I would say as I say now;  Before us lies one whose memory will linger in the hearts of many, and like all humanity he was the possessor of faults, and also of nobleness of character.  Whoever knew Uncle John, will join with me in saying that everyone who knew him might see what he was, for if he had failings, he never tried to conceal them.  Can't and hypocrisy  to him were unknown.  Labor was his chosen profession and he followed the instruction given to all:  Six days shalt thou labor and rest on the seventh, And for an evidence of this, look out upon these broad fields.  Ask those who are here to pay their last tribute of respect, whose labor provided these homes, cleared these fields and changed the wilderness to this pleasant scenery?  His doors were open to all; no one went weary and hungry from this house when he was around.  Text Job, 14 14.  He was buried by the side of his wife, in the Wylie burying ground, in Coventry.