Waters Family Reunion, 1879

Three Generations of the Waters Family

Chenango Union, November 13, 1879

 

Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], October, 1879

 

In the year 1798, Capt. Joseph Waters, who had served his country in the Revolutionary war, removed with his family from Tolland Co., Conn., (Hebron being their native place) to this State [New York] and settled in the town of Franklin, Delaware County.  Of a family of eight children, three sons and two daughters lived and died in that vicinity, and were in turn laid with the parents who had long before preceded them to the quiet rest of the village cemetery.  The third son, Russell, came to Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] in 1808, being then twenty-one years old; and having taught school for a year or two at the "East Corners"--now known as Coventryville--purchased the store owned by Dea. Noah Richards, which then stood upon the site of George Miner's present residence.  October 15th, 1811, he was united in marriage to Roxey, daughter of John Miles, an early settler of the town, and for a few years occupied a house just west of B. Miles' tavern, and which some of us remember as "gone to decay," and torn down a few years since.  In the meantime, Mr. Richards had bought and was living upon a farm a short distance south of the "Corners," had built a commodious dwelling house and made various improvements upon it.  (By the way, the first settlement made upon said farm was by Capt. Juliand, father of Joseph Juliand, 1st, late of Greene, and in a log house a few rods below where the present "old red house" stands, the latter was born.)  Dea. Richards purchased it of Mr. Juliand, Mr. Waters of Deacon Richards in 1819, and spent the rest of his life in the pleasant home by the brookside.

 

In 1816, Epaphras, youngest son of Joseph, and a soldier of the war of 1812, followed his brother Russell to Coventry, married Harriet, daughter of Rev. Charles Thorp, pastor of the church at that time, and for a while lived near his brother; but when Mr. Thorp accepted a call to another parish,  he purchased the homestead of him and remained upon it over forty years, and when his family being broken up by death and marriage, he sold to Mr. Morgan, the present occupant, made his home with his children for a few brief years, and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. L. Yale, of Guilford, and was buried in the old churchyard at Coventryville, April, 1872, aged 78.  Of his family Charles Thorp, his eldest son, died when the bloom of a few summers had marked his years, while the youngest child and only son was in 1858, at the age of fifteen, suddenly killed by a falling tree.  The father's heart was almost broken by this blow, for many fond hopes were centered in the idolized and promising boy.  The gentle mother bore silently her grief, and scarce a year had fled, ere she was laid to rest beside her darling Willie.  Catharine, the second daughter, Married Dr. Seely of Woodhull, N.Y., and died in that place in 1868.  Two daughters are now living.  Anna Waters, following her brothers, came to reside here, and in 1821 married Moses Miles (son of John) and died in May, 1860, leaving one daughter.

 

Of the family of Russell, three daughters and one son are living.  Two sons and a daughter died in infancy.  One fair, gentle girl, Ann Eliza, remembered through the long years for her sweet face and quiet manners, died suddenly, February, 1839, at the age of nineteen.  Charles Russell quite early entered the store of his cousin, Wm. Waters, of Franklin, and as the result of faithful service and upright character, became associated with him in his business, and life seemed very bright before him.  But there came the sudden conflict with and triumph of disease, from which tender ministrations or prayers could not save, and the record is made "died March, 1856 aged 27 years."  At the earnest request of friends with whom he had so long resided, his remains were placed in the new and beautiful cemetery of that place.  Long before, in 1835, at the age of 48, the father had died.   During a successful business life, he also gained the confidence and esteem of his townsman, and was elected to office in both town and State.  But in the prime of manhood he was taken away, leaving his family and affairs to the guardianship and direction of his son-in-law, Charles Pearsall, who has ever since resided upon the old homestead.  How well he has done, how faithfully cared for and attended to the interests of the family, their love and respect for, and confidence in him, attest more than words.

 

The widow of Mr. Waters survived him 38 years, and died at her old home in 1873, aged 84.  In October following, the oldest daughter, wife of Hon. C. Pearsall, died, causing a sad vacancy in the family circle.  In 1876 he married Mrs. R. Durham, and within the year has removed to a cozy cottage across the "brook," leaving the "old red house" occupied by his son Frank C. Pearsall; and to this same home where so much pleasure and sorrow has been shared, the surviving members of these three branches of the Waters family were, Thursday, October 9th invited.  It seems a singular coincidence, though unnoted at the time, that it came within one day of being the anniversary of Russell Waters and Roxey Miles, who were married 68 years ago. 

 

No lovelier day could have been desired.  The forests were glorious with the rich tints of Autumn, the sky wore its softest blue, and the sun had the warmth and glow of summertime.  Before noon the guests had arrived, and met with a warm welcome from F.C. Pearsall and  lady.  The rooms were beautifully decorated with evergreens, while the loveliest ferns and flowers graced tables, stands, and brackets.  It seemed wonderful that so many had escaped the early and severe raid of the frost.  Above the portrait of C. Pearsall, which looked upon us from the walls of the dear old parlor, was the "Welcome Home" tastefully wrought with evergreens.

 

With recounting the games of "I spy," and "blindfold," had there "in the days when we were young," with reminiscences of days sad, or glad, the hours sped quickly, and ere we were aware, the summons came to repair to the dining room; and here the mysterious workings of the culinary department were brought out in perfection we cannot enumerate, and we will only say, the tables were beautiful with flowers, tempting with all that could be desired for food, crowned with apples, pears and grapes.

 

In honor of the distinguished artist present, George W. Waters, of Elmira, two paintings were brought from the "chambers" and placed conspicuously upon the walls of the dining room.  One a landscape, the other a portrait.  As it was that of a "maiden fair" it might have been designed as the ideal of his boyhood dreams; if so they have culminated higher than his youthful imagination pictured, as the pleasant face of the lady by his side proved.  This detracts not the least from the talent of the youthful aspirant, for his first attempts were pronounced "very good."  As they rested within their frame work of green we thought--so the laurels of fame are entwining themselves about the later productions and name of our artist. As all things have a beginning, so this dinner began by asking the Divine blessing upon it, and after doing unbounded justice to all the good things and injustice to ourselves, there came also the ending. An appropriate and fervent prayer was offered by Rev. L. Yale; then all repaired to the sitting room and parlor again.  Then came music; B.F. Taylor's exquisite poem, "The Magical Sole," very finely and feelingly sung by Mrs. Lockwood; a song or two by Misses Anna and Fannie Benedict, followed with others by Mrs. L.--all joining in chorus.  At last good wishes and good-byes, and the day was over.  Three generations were present.  All of the first are "over the river."  These were guests unseen, but we felt their presence.  We remembered the dear uncles and aunts--the sweet young faces that grew so strangely beautiful in death--the bright, pleasant faced boy of ten--Charlie, son of George Waters, so recently drowned in Cazenovia Lake--and knew there were heartstrings vibrating ever and anon to a wall of sorrow, but the lips echoed it not, or added one note of sadness to the day's enjoyment.

 

Those present allied to the three families by birth and marriage were--to Russell:
     Our entertainers--Hon. C. Pearsall and wife, Frank C. Pearsall and wife, and daughter Mamie.
     Guests: 
        Mrs. Roxey Waters Benedict, Unadilla
        John P. Thorp, Esq., Mrs. D.E. Waters Thorp, Coventry
        George W. Waters, Mrs. Sarah Waters, Little Whitman Waters, Elmira
        Dr. J.E. Bartoo, Mrs. Florence Thorp Bartoo and little sons Ralph and Dwight, Coventry
        Leroy W. Treadway, Mrs. Emily Treadway, Columbus, O.
        Mrs. Ella Treadway Stoughton and son, Charlie Stoughton, Greene
        Peter H. Parker, Mrs. Addie Pearsall Parker, Anna and Charlie Parker, Coventry

To Epaphras:
     Rev. Luman Yale, Mrs. Hannah Waters Yale, Miss Hattie Yale, Guilford
     Mrs. Mary Waters Lockwood, Miss Kittie Lockwood, Eau Claire, Wis.

To Anna Waters:
     W.H. Benedict, L.A. Miles Benedict, Miss Anna M. Benedict, Miss Fannie Benedict, Coventryville
      
Others not present:
     Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Treadway, Charles W. Treadway, wife and two sons, Athens, Pa.
     Arthur, Lavern, Holmes, and Merwin, sons of Rev. L. Yale, Willie Waters Lockwood, Eau Claire, Wis.
     Misses Mabel and Jennie Waters, Elmira, N.Y.

May blessings rest upon all who contributed to make the gathering so pleasant at the old homestead.