Obituaries (April 11)

Margaret Cunningham

Utica Saturday Globe, November 1, 1902

Mrs. Margaret Cunningham

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Many Norwich friends were shocked at the news of the death of Mrs. Margaret Cunningham, which occurred at her home in Paterson, N.Y. [Putnam Co.], Friday, of last week, after an illness of about four weeks, of typhoid fever.  Her remains were brought to Norwich, her former home, Monday and funeral services were held from St. Paul's Church, at 10 o'clock, Rev. Father Hart officiating, assisted by Rev. Henry F. Curtin.  Burial was made in St. Paul's Cemetery [Norwich, NY].  Deceased was born in Norwich about 28 years ago and resided here until her removal to Paterson, some 12 years ago.  She is survived by one daughter, Mary, of Paterson, her mother, Mrs. Margaret Fleming, of Oxford, formerly of Norwich, two brothers, Joseph, of Oxford, and Walter, fo Norwich, and one married sister who resides in Paterson.

Mrs. Van Ness Carr

Delaware Dairyman & Register, June 29, 1888

Mrs. Van Ness Carr, formerly of Cooperstown, died at Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], June 16, Her death was the result of blood poisoning, communicated in the early part of April, while opening a tin fruit can, on which she cut her hand.  From that time till her decease she was a great sufferer.

Ellicott Evans

Delaware Gazette, July 4 1888

Ellicott Evans, one of the most respected citizens of Deposit [Delaware Co., NY], was killed last week while passing between cars standing on a switch.  A car thrown into the switch sent the cars together just as he stepped between them and he was crushed by the bumpers and died in a few minutes.  His age was about 66.  He was a prominent mason, and had held many public positions in the town, the duties of which he discharged faithfully and well. 

Delaware Dairyman & Register, Franklin NY, July 27, 1888

An unfortunate quarrel has broken out between the Masonic fraternity and the Rev. S.G. Hopkins, of the Presbyterian church of Deposit.  The late Ellicott Evans, who was killed by the cars some time ago, was a prominent Freemason, and his funeral was conducted by that order.  At the request of Mrs. Evans Rev. Mr. Hopkins was invited to pronounce the benediction at the grave; and he consented, but afterward gave notice that he could not "mix a Christian burial service with that of the Masons."  He says, "To my mind the best that can be said of the Masonic ritual is that it is not positively anti-Christian.  It is certainly non-Christian.  A great deal of it is meaningless, and worse."  The Masons, some of whom are among the most prominent citizens, resorted to the public print for their defense, and an acrimonious war of words and a deal of bitter feeling has ensued.

New York Times, August 2, 1888

The Rev. Stephen G. Hopkins, Pastor of the Presbyterian church at Deposit, N.Y., has become involved in an acrimonious controversy with the members of the Masonic brotherhood of his parish.  A member of the fraternity, Ellicott Evans, recently met death by a railroad accident, and the arrangements made for the funeral by the widow and the brethren of the Masonic lodge contemplated the celebration of the rites prescribed by the ritual of the order at the grave, to be followed and closed by a benediction pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Hopkins.  When the Pastor was invited to officiate, as proposed by Lawyer Charles T Alverson, a leading member of the lodge, he wrote a reply declining to take part in the funeral services, and assigning reasons for the refusal which gave offense to the members of the order.  He said among other things:  "To my mind the best that can be said of the Masonic ritual is that it is not positively anti-Christian.  It certainly is non-Christian.  A great deal of it is meaningless and worse.  I cannot consent to mix Christian burial services with those of the Masons.  I would no more consent to mix Christian burial service with that of Masons than I would with the burial performance of the red men."  The publication of the letter has raised a stormy controversy in the parish.  The masons express resentment and indignation, while on the other hand the Pastor is sustained in his action by a large body of members of his church.  Others of his friends who admit that the contents of the letter are indiscreet and in bad taste apologize for the Pastor by the plea that it was a private note to Mr. Alverson, never intended for the public eye, and was written while the Pastor was laboring under undue mental strain caused by sickness in his family.  Significance attaches to the controversy by reason of the circumstance that the Pastor belongs to a family highly eminent in the Presbyterian connection for piety, orthodoxy, and learning.  His father, the Rev. Mr. Hopkins, D.D., was formerly President of Auburn Theological Seminary, while his brother, the Rev. A.G. Hopkins, is a member of the Faculty of Hamilton College.  He is himself one of the more noted Presbyterian clergymen of the Southern tier.

Phoebe Evans

Bainbridge Republican, February 1, 1923

The last one has passed away from two old Pioneer families of Bainbridge and Guilford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.]  Phoebe Evans was born October 2, 1826, died Jan. 19, 1923.  She was the daughter of Newell Evans and Phoebe Yale Evans, the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Yale of Guilford, N.Y., who lived to be 102 years old.  The great granddaughter of Major Henry Evans who came here form Guilford, Vermont in 1785.  July 11, 1786; he was granted lots 73, 76, 80, Lot 73 being the one on which the village of Bainbridge is now built.  The funeral services were held from the old home on Evans St. conducted by Rev. Thomas Collar.  She is buried in St. Peter's Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY] by the side of two Aunts and Uncle for whom she cared, Mrs. Maria Jacobs, Mrs. Sybil Morley and Orin Jacobs; each of whom died when they were 85 years of age.  She is survived by numerous relatives.

Elizabeth Turner Evans

Bainbridge Republican, February 1, 1923

Mrs. Elizabeth Turner Evans, wife of the late Dormer Evans was born April 24, 1937; died Sunday morning Jan. 21, 1923, at her home where she has lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence P. Case on North Main St. [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY]  She was the daughter of Robert Turner of Salem, NY. who was a descendant of John Turner whose name appears upon the list of passengers of the Mayflower.  Her mother was Laura Graves of Masonville, N.Y.; daughter of Abneg Graves and Catherine Couse.  Mrs. Elizabeth Evans was the  granddaughter of Stephen Graves, Lieutenant of 3rd Company, 9th Regiment of Albany Co., N.Y. during the time of the Revolution.  She is survived by her son, W.D. Evans and wife and daughter Lena Case; two grandsons, Leigh N. Evans and Clifford M. Case of West Palm Beach, Florida.  Also cousins, Frank Graves of Santa Ana, Cal., Mrs. M.L. Stebbins, Waverly, Ia. and John Turner of Deposit, N.Y.  Nieces, Miss Susan Evans, Mrs. L.B. Anderson and nephews, Will Tarbell and Jay Evans of Bainbridge, N.Y.  Mrs. L.S. Watkins and Arthur Bennett of West Palm Beach, Fla. and Grand-nephew Robert Fish of Heranton, Pa.  The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from her home.  Burial wa sin St. Peter's cemetery [Bainbridge, NY], the Rev. Thomas Collar officiating.