Obituaries (February 13)

Dellaette C. Wilcox

Chenango Telegraph, June 8, 1864

 

WILCOX:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], May 26, 1864, of consumption, Dellaette C., wife of Whitman Wilcox, aged 39 years.  In this bereavement an affectionate and faithful husband has been called to mourn the loss of a devoted companion and wife.  The deceased, at the age of thirteen united with the Baptist Church in her native village, South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], and at this early period of her life, doubtless largely experienced the fulfillment of the divine assurance "I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me."  Possessed of rare endowments of mind and person, and strong in her attachments, she was early called by her Divine Lord to a sphere of duty where these gifts were largely employed in a ministry of blessing to those by whom she was surrounded.  In this calling and in the endurance of trials of no ordinary severity she evinced the power of Divine grace, to furnish wisdom and strength for duty, and to persevere though many infirmities and hindrances in its discharge.  Widely known and loved, there are many beside bereaved husband and relatives who will feel in her decease, that a friend of true Christian worth has been called to her eternal reward.  May the consolations of the Divine word and spirit, be with all who mourn in this bereavement.  May they be enabled to say, in the remembrance of the promises of God's word and of the grace which sustained the departed in her earthly duties and trials.  "Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

Lucinda P. Willcox

Chenango Union, March 14, 1878

 

On Wednesday afternoon of last week, Mrs. Lucinda P. Willcox, widow of the late Whitman Willcox, died of pneumonia, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. S.S. Merritt, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], in the seventy-ninth year of her age.  years ago, the Willcox farm, on the east side of the river, south of this village, was well known, and the doors of its hospitable mansion were always open, and friends and neighbors received a cordial welcome.  Soon after the death of her husband, which occurred in August, 1845, deceased left the farm, which passed into other hands, and she has since made her home with her children, respected and beloved by all. She leaves surviving her seven children: Mrs. S.S. Merritt, of this village; Mrs. E.B. Smith, of Washington; Whitman, Bradford B. and Charles, of Earlville, Gurdon, of Washington, and Eli H. of Nebraska.  her funeral was attended on Friday afternoon.

 



Abigail Williams

 

The community was greatly startled Sunday by the intelligence that Mrs. Abigail Williams had been found that morning, dead in bed.  Mrs. Williams, who was 69 years old, resided with her daughter, Mrs. F.M. Bennett, at her former home near this village.  She retired Saturday evening in her usual health.  The next morning her daughter called her, but receiving no reply she entered the room, to find her mother apparently asleep, but as an investigation proved, dead.  There was no indication of a struggle as she lay with her hands folded across her breast, and her eyes closed as one in sleep.  She must have passed away soon after the midnight hour.

 

"Out of the darkness into the day,

Calmly and peacefully, she passed away"

 

Mrs. Williams was for nearly fifty years a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  When the Baptist church in this village was organized, she became one of its constituent members, and continued that relation until her death.  Loyal to her church and denomination, she nevertheless loved Christians of every name.  her life was most exemplary, both in the home and community.  After the death of her husband, Russell Williams, she resided for several years in this village, but failing health and the infirmities of age induced her to make her last home with her daughter, who lovingly and tenderly cared for her during the remainder of her days.  Two children survive her, Jay Williams and Mrs. F.M. Bennett. To them her memory is unspeakably precious.  Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at her late home, Rev. A.W. Ashley, assisted by Rev. R.H. Stearns, officiating.

 

Julia (Gadsby)Thornton

Mrs. Charles H. Thornton died at her home this place [Holmesville, Chenango Co., NY] Wednesday, Feb. 21, 1900, aged 68 years.  Mrs. Thornton was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gadsby, was born on the Gadsby farm across the river and has been a life-long resident of this place.  Her's was largely a home life devoted to her husband and her home duties; a quiet, unassuming and peaceable neighbor, loved and respected by everyone with whom she associated.  Mrs. Emma Lewis of this place is the only one left of the six sisters.  The funeral services were held at the church Friday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m., the Rev M. Phenney officiating.  Interment in the family lot in the Holmesville cemetery.

 

Charles H. Thornton

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, May 13, 1903

 

 

Charles H. Thornton

 

Died, at his home in Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY], Saturday, May 2, 1903, Charles H. Thornton.  Death was caused by rheumatism, with heart trouble.  He was the oldest son of David and Abbie Ann Clark Thornton, and was born in the town of Norwich, Chenango county, February 7, 1842.  He resided in Norwich until 17 years of age, when he came to New Berlin, and has made it his home ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa.  For many years he had conducted a general store at Holmesville under the firm name of C.H. Thornton & Co. and enjoyed an excellent patronage.  December 30, 1868, Mr. Thornton was united in marriage with Miss Julia E. Gadsby of Butternuts, Otsego county.  She died in February, 1900.  Mr. Thornton took active interest in politics, and was a Democrat.  He was a kind hearted man, and his hand was ever open in the cause of charity.  He gave liberally to the support of the church at Holmesville, of which he was a member.  He is survived by one sister, Mrs. William Sage of Holmesville, and two brothers, Anson, of South New Berlin, and Samuel of Mt. Upton.  his funeral was held from the Holmesville church, on Tuesday at 2 o'clock p.m. Rev. Mr. Pickett of Mt. Upton, officiating.  Interment was made in the Holmesville cemetery.--Gazette.

 

Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY]:  Died, at his home in this village, Saturday, May 2, 1903, Charles H. Thornton.  Charles H. Thornton was the oldest on of David and Abbie Ann Clark Thornton, and was born in this town of Norwich, Chenango county, Feb. 7, 1842.  He resided in Norwich until seventeen years of age, when he came to New Berlin, and has made it his home ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa.  He spent his summers as a youth, in hard labor upon the farm, attending school in the winters, and thus fitted himself for his future business career.  At the age of twenty he commenced work in a tannery, where he remained one year.  He was adventurous, ambitious, and desirous of going beyond the confines of his own state.  he went to Iowa and there burned lime in the employ of his uncle.

 

Abial J. Williams

Unadilla Times, April 17, 1903

 

Abial J. Williams died at his home in Fellows street [Unadilla, Otsego Co., NY] at 3 a.m. on Saturday.  Though he had long been a sufferer from other troubles, the direct cause of death was enlargement of the heart and liver.  In June last he was afflicted with a serious attack of heart difficulty which confined him to his home until autumn, and from which he did not regain his former strength, though able to walk to his place of business and to ride out. About a month ago he was again stricken and thereafter was unable to leave his home, though for the week preceding his death he was apparently improving and on Friday was up and about the house until 2 p.m. when a collapse occurred and consciousness did not return.  Mr. Williams was born in the town of Westford 63 years ago the 7th of last July, and was a son of Russell Williams, who moved to Bainbridge with his family when the deceased was about twelve years of age.  There Mr. Williams learned the harnessmaking trade, which he has since pursued.  During the Civil War he enlisted on Aug. 8th, 1862, as a member of Co. H, 114th Regiment, which went out from Norwich, and was discharged for disability at New Orleans on July 2, 1863, with the rank of Sergeant.  His health was badly and permanently impaired in the service.  About thirty-seven years ago he came to Unadilla and with A.H. Meeker engaged in the harness making business.  This partnership continued many years, Mr. Williams later becoming sole owner, and continued with the assistance of his son until the time of his death.  The funeral services were held from the house on Tuesday at 2 p.m. conducted by the Rev. C.E. Fay of Binghamton, assisted by the Rev. J.H. Colelough.  The funeral was largely attended, which, with the many floral tributes, in a measure, attested the regrard in which he was held by his friends.  Burial was given in Evergreen Hill Cemetery [Unadilla, NY].  The A.O.U.W., of which he was a member, attended in a body.  The deceased is survived by a wife, a daughter and son, three brothers, S.A. of Penn Yan; Jay, of Sidney; W.W. of Unadilla; two sisters, Mrs. Goodrich of Worcester, Mrs. Humphrey of Centre village.