Obituaries (December 11)

Getty Vanderzee - 1835

 

Died at Greenbush, N.Y., Mrs. Getty Vanderzee, aged 84 years, widow of Teunis Vanderzee, Esq. of Troy.  The deceased was last of four sisters who with a number of other ladies, assisted by an ensign gallantly defended the middle fort at Schoharie, during the Revolutionary War. This place was surprised by a large number of British Indians, at the time when the troops and male inhabitants were sent to the lower fort, 4 miles distant, which was expected to be attacked by the enemy.  The females and children repaired to the fort for protection.  It was then under care of a Major and Ensign Becker, this last only 16 years old. The major insisted on surrendering, but the young ensign objected.  The women joined the ensign, and declared a determination to resist the enemy.  They confined the major in the cellar, and went to work and managed the guns with great bravery and skill.  The enemy was kept at a distance, and prevented from taking the fort, until a reinforcement arrived, from the other fort when the enemy were routed, and the fort saved. The major was broke for his cowardly conduct, and the young ensign promoted to his place.  The above incident will give some idea of the spirit that animated our mothers during the critical period of the American revolution.  It was by such perseverance and bravery that our liberties were obtained.--Troy Budget.  [Chenango Telegraph, July 22, 1935]

 

Margaret W. Foster - 1878

 

At Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], Saturday morning, March 16th, 1878, Margaret W., widow of the late John W. Foster, aged 76 years.  Between fifty and sixty years Mrs. Foster has been a member of this community, honored and respected by all.  She was a woman of strong mind, and calculated to exert a decided influence in all her associations.  Fifty years ago, last February, she made a public profession of her faith in Christ, and ever maintained an active, consistent, Christian character.  But for many years past, she has been called to glorify God in the furnace of affliction, and here her Christian character shone forth and "hope proved an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast."  Again and again it seemed that death was at the door--that no human frame could possibly sustain such intense sufferings.  In these seasons of distress, which were continued for days, and sometimes for weeks, her favority expressions were, "my Father doeth all things well," "let patience have her perfect work."  She had great anxiety for the salvation of her children and grandchildren yet out of Christ, and was known to lie for hours, on her couch of pain, in prayer for them.  She often expressed the desire to depart, yet willing to wait and suffer as long as God saw best. At last the messenger came, not when friends were looking for him, nor armed with such terrible sufferings; but in comparative ease, the cords of life were loosened, and the glad spirit passed away, her last words being, "Let me go,-let me go."  [Bainbridge Republican, March 28, 1878]

 

B.W. Deyo - 1888

B.W. Deyo, of Gardiner, Orange county [NY] who has been traveling through this section soliciting subscriptions for the Orange County Farmer, was fatally injured at Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], on Monday morning.  He had been in the creamery, which stands near the railroad track, a few minutes before the Delhi train arrived.  The next that is known is that his body was discovered alongside the track near the creamery after the engine of the train had passed.  It is thought that a small shed near the track obscured his view and that he walked directly against the engine.  He was taken to the hotel Kingston where a medical examination disclosed that his shoulder was dislocated and his head cut and bruised.  He also suffered a serious concussion of the brain and possibly other internal injuries+---.  He died Wednesday--Walton Reporter.  [Bainbridge Republican, December 14, 1888]

 

J.E. Bristol - 1901

 

On Saturday morning April 13th [1901], after an illness of nine days with pneumonia occurred the death of J.E. Bristol, proprietor of the Bristol Pharmacy.  Deceased was born in Coventry, N.Y. June 25th, 1842.  He married Miss Frances Augusta Roe in 1866.  Early in the sixties he established himself in business at the present stand where he continued up to the time of his death with the exception of about seven years which he spent in the ministry.  In 1875 he was ordained as deacon, and in 1877 as Elder in the Free Methodist church.  He followed in the path of duty as a clergyman until his health failed.  This coupled with the illness of his father, obliged him to give up his work in the ministry and in 1881 he returned to Harpursville [Broome Co., NY] and resumed his former occupation as druggist.  The funeral services were conducted at his late residence at 2 o'clock p.m., Monday. Rev Wm. Gould, of Simon, Pa., a former presiding Elder, and an intimate family friend, conducted the services assisted by Rev. Logan, of Lake Como, Pa., and Rev. Myers, pastor of the Windsor church of which the deceased was a prominent member.  Appropriate singing was rendered by Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Crain of Mt. Upton.  The interment took place in the Harpursville cemetery.  A wife and eight children are left to mourn the departure of a loved one.  The children are Elmond C., proprietor of the "Belfast Blaze," and Nathan E. Both of Belfast, N.Y.; J. Wesley, formerly of the Wilber National Bank, Oneonta; Orchard G. an employee of the Wilber Bank, Oneonta, N.Y., John R. with R.B. Truesdell, of Binghamton, N.Y.; Stuart R., Clarissa A. and Nellie L. who are at the homestead.  In the death of Mr. Bristol Harpursville loses one of her most respected and honored citizens, a man whose sterling worth, integrity and Christian character were unquestioned by all.  His influence upon the community was ever upon the side of right, and his position upon all questions of morality and sobriety was always tenadie.  He will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends.  May we all profit by his example and be ready when death's chariot shall stop at our door.

 

Orchard Gould Bristol - 1902

 

It is with sorrow we record in this issue the loss of one of Harpursville's best and brightest young men.  A loss which threw the whole community into mourning; mourning which has extended into every town where Orchard Bristol had acquaintances.  He was a young man of such sterling worth, noble principle and sunny disposition that all who became acquainted with him were proud to own him as their friend.  This village will ever cherish the memory that a young man of such exalted character and brilliant intellect was reared within its borders.  Orchard Gould Bristol was born in Harpursville Feb. 4, 1874.  His early experiences in school life were in our village.  At the age of sixteen he entered the A.M. Chesbrough Seminary at North Chili, N.Y., where he graduated in June 1894.  Then after teaching several terms of school he entered the Oneonta State Normal and having mastering the Classical course, graduated in June 1899.  He then became a valued employee in the Wilber National Bank where he remained nearly two years until he resigned to accept a more lucrative position in the New York Custom House.  During his long stay in Oneonta he made many dear and true friends and won the esteem of all who knew him.  While in New York he took up the study of Pharmacy and passed the examination for a Pharmacist, proving his industry and ambition in pursuing such a course of study during his leisure hours.  He resigned his enviable position in the Custom House and returned to Harpursville to cheer and comfort his widowed mother and to assume charge of Bristol's Pharmacy, so long conducted by his father, he being the only brother qualified to conduct the drug department.  To quote from a letter to one of his friends:  "About the 5th of August I arrived home and here expect to stay for at least two years unless fate changes the course of the present stream of existence.  Time alone can reveal the ways of a kind Providence."  After a short illness, being confined to his bed only four days with typhoid fever, he quietly passed away at 11:30 Tuesday evening, Sept. 9, 1902.  The funeral took place Friday afternoon at two o'clock, services conducted by Rev. A.W. Myer, of Windsor, assisted by Revs. O.D. Moore and W.H. Horton of this village. Rev. Myer preached from the text, "Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an  hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh," Matt. 24:44, and urged all present to be so reconciled to God through Jesus Christ that they should be ready when called to depart from this life.  The body was laid to rest in the village cemetery, the grave being covered with the beautiful floral tributes sent by his many friends.  A mother, five brothers and two sisters survive him.  Better than any eulogy which can be rendered or epitaph written in the pleasant memory he leaves in the hearts of his friends.