Obituaries (March 29)

Martha (Flower) Avery

Utica Saturday Globe, January 4, 1902

 

Mrs. Martha Avery

Former Beloved Norwich Resident Who Died Recently in Chicago

On Sunday last word was received of the death of Mrs. Martha Avery, at the home of her granddaughter in Chicago.  The remains were brought to Rochester for burial on Tuesday.  Mrs. Avery is well remembered in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] as the widow of Dr. George W. Avery, for many years a prominent physician of this village, who came here with his bride about 40 years ago, succeeding to the practice of Dr. Baker.  Mrs. Avery's maiden name was Flower and she was born in Rochester, where she married her first husband, a Mr. Clark.  A son by this marriage, John Clark, resided with his mother after her marriage to Dr. Avery until his own marriage to Miss Kitty Sherrin, daughter of the late James Sherrin, of this village.  Some time after the death of Dr. Avery about eight years ago.  Mrs. Avery went to Chicago and resided with her son until his death, since which she had made her home with her granddaughter.  Mrs. Avery was a fine singer and during her residence here took a prominent part in the social and religious work of the Congregational Church.

 

Deborah Briggs

Mrs. Deborah Briggs, relict of Alva Briggs, died at the home of her son, Chas. R. Briggs on North Main street, yesterday morning at 2 o'clock, of pneumonia, aged 78 years.  Mrs. Briggs was a resident of this town [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] for about thirty years, with the exception of the past eight months, when she resided in Sidney.  She was removed from the latter place March 23, to this village suffering with a fractured hip.  The funeral will be held Friday at 2 o'clock p.m. at the house, Rev. R.H. Stearus officiating.  Burial in Green Lawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY]. 

 

Ann Eliza Mathewson

Mrs. Ann Eliza Mathewson, wife of John Mathewson, of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], died on Tuesday morning, Sept. 19, 1893, at the residence of C.F. Case, her son by a former marriage, and who resides in Bainbridge.  Mrs. Mathewson was 57 years of age.  Funeral at the residence of her son, in this village at 10 a.m. Thursday.  Services conducted by Rev. T.F. Hall.  Burial in Episcopal cemetery.

 

Sarah J. Van Embergh

Mrs. Sarah J. Van Embergh, wife of the late Thomas Van Embergh, died at her home, no. 187 Park Avenue, at an early hour this morning.  Mrs. Van Embergh had not enjoyed good health for considerable time, but her sudden death was a surprise and shock to a large circle of friends and relatives.  Mrs. Van Embergh was down street yesterday afternoon and called upon a number of friends. She retired in her usual health. At 2:30 she called for assistance, saying that she was very ill.  Two minutes later she expired.  Coroner Cook decided that she died from natural causes.

 

Mary Perit (Coit) Holmes
1839 - 1897

Died at her home, August 5th, Mary P. Coit, wife of Rufus E. Holmes and daughter of Mary Breed and Henry H. Coit, in the 59th year of her age.  She was born July 5th, 1839 at Collamer, Ohio.  Her parents were born in Norwich, Conn., and were among the early emigrants to the "Western Reserve."  Two brothers, Chas. B. and Wm. H. Coit, and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Coit Kirby, survive her.  Mrs. Holmes, for a long time, has been afflicted with an incurable disease, which she has borne with a Christian patience, fortitude and courage that was truly remarkable. She was a person very highly respected by the community in which she resided and was among the foremost in all the activities of the church of which she was an active member, and of the community in which she lived for the benefit and good morals of our citizens. Among those who were thus active and by our people generally, her death will be severely felt.  Funeral Saturday at 2 P.M. at the family residence on High street.  [Buried Winsted Old Burying Ground, Winsted, Litchfield Co., CT]

 

Harriet E. Butler Phelps

Died July 1897

The pale messenger visited the home of William C. Phelps, Wednesday afternoon taking his beloved wife Harriet E., who had suffered for nearly a year from cancer.  Since last fall she had been confined to her home and while everything was done that loving hearts and gentle hands could do to alleviate her sufferings, she peacefully joined the silent majority at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, aged 75 years, 5 months and 3 days.  She was born in Barkhamsted [Litchfield Co., CT], February 11, 1822, and at the age of ten years was left an orphan.  After her parents' death she lived with George Nettleton, who resided in that part of Norfolk known as Loon Meadow.  In 1837 she attended a school in Colebrook taught by Mary Grant. Through Miss Grant's deep spiritual influence she was converted and became a Congregationalist.  On the 29th day of May, 1842, she was married to William Butler, the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. Joseph Eldridge in the Norfolk Congregational church, being the first to take place in that house of worship.  Soon after their union they went to Illinois and located in the town of Galena [Jo Daviess Co., IL], where Mr. Butler died April 28, 1868.  They had two children, Hattie R. and William Munson. The latter died during his infancy and the former is the wife of H.C. Price, who resides in the house in which Mrs. Phelps died.  After her husband's demise she was associated with Mrs. Joel Grant, who was matron of the Home for the Friendless in Chicago.  Mrs. Grant was a sister of Mr. Phelps first wife Parney Cowles.  Mrs. Butler married William C. Phelps of Winsted. The marriage took place in Chicago and was performed by the Rev. Joel Grant on October 23d, 1873.  From the date of her last marriage up to the time of her death Mrs. Phelps had always lived here, and with the exception of a few years in the house in which she died.  Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were blessed with four children, Dwight, William B. and John Phelps and Mrs. J.J Whiting. She leaves a husband, who will be 90 years old September 4th, to whom she has been a most lovable helpmate, two daughters, Mrs. H.C. Price and Mrs. J.J. Whiting, and two sons, D. and W.B. Phelps. all residents of Winsted, to mourn her loss.  Mrs. Phelps was a member of the Second Congregational church, was untiring to do all she could for the comfort of her family and was greatly beloved because of her charitable disposition and friendliness toward those who were not as fortunate in the battle of life as she herself had been.  The funeral will be attended from her late residence in Meadow street at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.  The Rev. E.S. Ferry, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Hicks will officiate. She will be laid at rest in the center cemetery.

 

Mrs. Stephen Hurd
Died July 1897

Mrs. Stephen Hurd, after an illness extended over a period of six weeks, passed quietly away at her home near Crystal lake [Illinois?]  at 10:45 o'clock this morning.  The deceased was in her 62d year and the cause of her death is attributed to congestion of the liver and malaria fever.  Death had been expected for some time.  Mrs. Hurd was a member of the Methodist church and was known as a thorough Christian woman.  Notwithstanding ties of this life were so strong, she manifested a Christian resignation and was ready to go if it was her Heavenly Father's will.  A husband and six children--Mrs. W. M. Johnson, Mrs. F.J. Curtis, Mrs. William survive her.  Their many friends sympathize with them in their bereavement.  The funeral services will be held at the Hurd residence Sunday afternoon at the Hurd residence Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The interment will be in the South cemetery.