Rev. William H. Scudder
New York Herald, May 30, 1911
SCUDDER: At Petaluma, Cal., suddenly, on May 26, Rev. William H. Scudder, dearly beloved husband of Mary Hedley Scudder.
Utica Saturday Globe, June 1911
Rev. William H. Scudder
1858 - 1911
Norwich friends of the family were surprised by the brief announcement in the New York daily papers of the death of Rev. William H. Scudder, which occurred suddenly at his home in Petaluma, Cal., on May 26. No particulars of the death of Mr. Scudder were given. Rev Mr. Scudder was pastor for several years of the First Congregational Church of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], during the 90s, and with his beloved wife, Mary Hedley Scudder, enjoyed the esteem and friendship of many of the remaining members of the church and the community. During his pastorate here the parsonage on West Main street caught fire and two of eight children perished in the flames. Mr. Scudder came from a brilliant and noted family of ministers and missionaries and under his pastorate the Norwich church enjoyed an exceptional period of spiritual growth and uplift. From here Mr. Scudder went to Tacoma, thence to San Francisco and had since that time lived on the Pacific coast. [Glen Buell Collection, Guernsey Memorial library, Norwich, NY]
[Note: Buried St. Andrew's Church Cemetery, Richmondtown, Richmond Co., NY (Stanton Island)]
Children of Rev. W.H. Scudder Burned to Death
Roman Citizen, Rome, NY, July 1895
Norwich, N.Y.: One of the saddest and most frightful disasters that has visited Norwich in many years occurred last evening at 9 o'clock. The family of Rev. William H. Scudder, pastor of the First Congregationalist church of this place, retired at an early hour at their home on West Main street. Maggie Kennedy, the domestic, was soon awakened by the odor of smoke. She hurriedly arose and found the entire wing in flames. The alarm of fire was given, and the fire department responded promptly, but the house was built of wood and burned like tinder. Every effort was made to save the little children who were sleeping in the house at the time. Mr. Scudder's family consists of himself and wife and eight small children, aged from 15 years to 6 months, and Maggie Kennedy, a domestic. Mrs. Scudder is absent at Boston with Doremus Scudder, a little son, but is expected home today. .Five of the children were rescued and Miss Kennedy jumped form the second story window, after the youngest baby was saved, and was severely injured. She now lies in a prostrated condition and the physicians are unable to ascertain the extent of her injuries. Two of the little daughters, Clarise and Mary, aged respectively 7 and 8 years [sic], who were sleeping together in the rear portion of the house, perished in the flames. The bodies were taken to the rooms of Undertaker William Breese, where Coroner B. A. Harris viewed the remains and will hold an inquest tomorrow. The greatest excitement prevailed when it was learned that two children were in the burning building. When the little bodies were removed they were burned beyond recognition. At the time the alarm was given Mr. Scudder was at the Y.M.C.A. rooms and the children were alone with Miss Kennedy. Mr Scudder and those of his family who were old enough to realize their sore affliction are nearly prostrated with grief and they have the deepest sympathy of the entire community. The house and contents are a total loss. The house was owned by the First congregational Church and was used as a parsonage. The property was recently purchased by the church from the estate of the late Hon. E.H. Prindle for $5,000. The insurance on the house was $3,500. The exact origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed that it caught by an explosion of gas in the kitchen stove.
Note: The children were Buried St. Andrew's Church Cemetery, Richmondtown, Richmond Co., NY (Stanton Island). Inscription reads as follows:
Clarice and Mary Hedley
Scudder
Died July 24, 1895
6 years and 4 years 6 months
Lovely in life and in death
they were not divided
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