Obituaries (December 7)

Daughter of Edgar Pearsall - 1877

 

The funeral of a little daughter of Edgar Pearsall took place on Sunday last.  She died from the effects of typhoid fever. [Bainbridge Republican, November 8, 1877]

 

Son of Mr. Benjamin - 1877

 

On Friday of last week a boy about 13 years of age, a son of Mr. Benjamin, a farmer living about two miles above the village, was accidentally killed while dragging a piece of newly plowed ground on a side hill on the back part of his father's farm.  The drag got caught by striking on a root with such force as to pull the horse over backwards, and falling on the boy, crushed him to death.  When found by a neighbor the horse was unable to get up until detached from the drag and rolled over.  It is supposed the boy had been dead several hours when discovered.  [Bainbridge Republican, November 8, 1877]

 

Elizabeth Birdsall Ely - 1877

 

Mrs. Elizabeth Birdsall Ely, who died at New Berlin [Chenango Co.,  NY] on the 5th inst., was a granddaughter of Col. Birdsall, of Revolutionary fame and sister of Maj. Benjamin Birdsall, who was shot, at Albany, in 1818.  Her husband the late Hon. Noah Ely, was at one time a very prominent citizen of this county, and was a member of the Assembly in 1832--Telegraph [Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 22, 1877]

 

Lewy Squires - 1877

 

On the 23d of November, Lewy Squires, of Milford, Otsego county, a boy about 7 years old, was shot and instantly killed by Foster Seabolt, a boy about 15 years old.  It appears that the boy whose life was terminated so suddenly was looking through the crack of a door at Seabolt, who was on the inside.  The boys had been playing there some time.  Possibly the public will ask how the shooting could be accidental when the young man Seabolt was aware that the little Squires boy was playing with him on the outside. The Coroner's jury brought in a verdict of shot by accident.  There will nothing short of a searching legal investigation , instituted for that purpose, to satisfy the public mind in relation to this matter.  Milford is becoming historic for mysterious and accidental deaths, and it would be gratifying to those who have families of small children to know whether dangerous weapons are to be placed in the hands of those who either from a wicked heart or grouch culpable negligence cause the death of these little ones.  [Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 29, 1877]

 

Lizzie Pellit - 1877

 

Pettit:  In Babylon, L.I., Nov. 16, 1877, Lizzie wife of Clifton Petitt, aged 24 years.

 

On Friday the 16th inst. at her late home in Babylon, L.I., Mrs. Clifton Pettit, eldest daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Bicknell of that place, and granddaughter of Mrs. E. Bishop of Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].  The death of this dear girl has awakened in the hearts of all her friends a deep sorrow and sympathy for the bereaved ones, such as is rarely shown.  Beautiful in character, as in person, she leaves behind her the fragrance of a life of love; and we feel the better for having known her.  The truth of these familiar lines forces itself upon us:

"'Tis better to have loved and lost,

Than never to have loved at all."

As a daughter she was ever loving and thoughtful, proving herself a comfort in the days of her mother's widowhood, smoothing rough places and partaking of the care and anxiety which falls to a mother's lot.  As a dear sister, the remembrance of her sweet offices of love will never be forgotten; and as a wife, she has left a void in the heart of one which time can never heal.  One year ago a happy bride, crowned with love and joyful anticipations, stepping tenderly and eagerly from the light of a mother's home' she had taken, as it were, but one step in the shadowy, uncertain future, when "Israfil"-angel of death-gently pressed the eyelids closed, and placing her babe on its mother's breast, bore them both away in his sheltering arms. We can only remember that our Heavenly Father chastened in love, and not in anger; he is tender and merciful, and wounds not one of us unwittingly.

"He walks with us, that Angel kind,

And gently whispers 'be resigned.'

Bear up, bear on, the end shall tell.

The dear lord ordereth all things well."

[Bainbridge Republican,  Nov. 29, 1877]

 

Death Notices

Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 29, 1877

CHITTENDEN:  In Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY], Nov. 13, 1877, Mrs. Fanny Chittenden, aged 54 years.

 

Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 8, 1877

VANALSTINE:  In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 26th, 1877, Joseph D. Vanalstine, of typhoid fever, aged 46 years.

 

LEACH:  At Holmesville, Chenango County, N.Y. Oct. 30, 1877, Mr. Oliver Leach, in his 68th year.  Mr. Leach was formerly from Bridgewater, Mass.  He came to South New Berlin, Chenango county, N.Y., in 1838.