Obituaries (March 15)

Sally (Dimmick) Thompson

Utica Saturday Globe, June 1900

 

Sally (Dimmick) Thompson

1805-1900

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Sally Thompson, or as she was familiarly known to many Norwich people, "Aunt Sally" Thompson, passed peacefully into rest at her home on Court street on Tuesday afternoon,.  Mrs. Thompson was nearly 95 years of age, having been born in Tolland, Conn., July 17, 1805.  When she was 9 years old her father, Matthew Dimmick, brought his family to Plymouth, in this county, where he engaged in farming, and his eldest daughter, Sally, attended school and at the age of 18 became a teacher.  She engaged in teaching for 25 years, from the summer of '23 to the winter of '47, first in the town of Plymouth and afterwards in Norwich, where for a time she conducted a select school in the basement of the old wood Methodist Church. There are quite a number of people still residents here who remember those days. She afterwards taught in the Norwich Academy.  Among her records she leaves a complete enrollment of names of the pupils who came under her charge during the different terms she taught. There are 1.424 names on these lists, among which appear many that are familiar today in many spheres of usefulness.  With her earnings from teaching she bought the property on Court street where for over half a century she had made her home.  November 30, 1848 she was united in marriage to Dr. James Thompson, a prominent physician, who died in 1872.  Their union was childless, but Mrs. Thompson became a loving and fond mother to a family of seven children of Dr. Thompson from a former marriage.  She was the eldest of 12 children, one of whom died in infancy. Three brothers, Asael Dimmick, aged 91, of Norwich; Matthew Dimmick, of Pitcher, Harvey Dimmick, of Plymouth, survive her, and also one sister, Mrs. Minerva Corey, who lives in Iowa.  Of six sisters five were school teachers.  Mrs. Thompson's life was remarkable for its earnest Christian effort. She was one of the first members of the W.C.T.U. and among the foremost in the work. Converted at the age of 21 she became a member of the Methodist church in Norwich at its organization in January, 1827, and was the last survivor of the original membership. She was very active in the work of the church until about seven years ago, when she suffered a fall which confined her to the house much of the time since. But her interest in Christian work was unabated and her home became the meeting palce of many religious gatherings.  A meeting for the promotion of holiness  was held there weekly until about a fortnight ago.  It was just at the hour of its meeting that she closed her eyes upon the scenes of this world Tuesday afternoon.  So beautiful was her character that her memory will be cherished by all with whom she came in contact during her long life. The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the Broad street M.E. Chruch, the pastor, Rev. Wilson Treible, officiating. Burial in Mount Hope [Norwich, NY]

 

Martha A. Benedict

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1900

Mrs. Martha A. Benedict passed away Tuesday at the home of Lewis Shaw on Fair street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], where she made her home.  She was 80 years of age and was the widow of Titus Benedict, a former well known farmer of the town of North Norwich. She was a devout Methodist and had a large circle of friends. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, of Le Raysville, Pa.  Her funeral will be held this (Friday) morning at the home of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. George Benedict, on Cortland street, Rev. Samuel Moore officiating.  Interment will take place at North Norwich.

 

Nancy U. (Jones) Doolittle

Chenango Union, February 11, 1886

DOOLITTLE:  At Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, Feb. 3d, Mrs. William Doolittle.

 

One of our most respected citizens, Mrs. William Doolittle, was suddenly stricken with paralysis on Wednesday afternoon, and died within a few hours, without recovering consciousness.  The large attendance at her funeral, which occurred on Saturday at Union church, showed the estimation in which she was held. Rev. J. Bradshawe, her pastor, preached a sermon of great excellence on the occasion. The family have the deep sympathy6 of all in their bereavement.

 

Rockwell's Mills:  Mrs. William Doolittle died very suddenly, Wednesday evening, February 3d, of paralysis. She was stricken at the tea table, and died the same evening. A Christian wife and mother has gone. The family have the sympathy of the entire community in their great sorrow.

 

Isaac Thornton

Chenango Union, February 11, 1886

On Thursday last Coroner Avery was summoned by telephone to McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], to hold an inquest in the case of Isaac Thornton, who was found dead in bed at his residence about one and one-half miles west of the village.  It appeared that one Henry Brigham, a shiftless character, had for some months past made his home with the Thornton family, and that there was not the most friendly feeling existing between the two men, although they occupied the same bed on Wednesday night.  Upon arising on Thursday morning, Brigham discovered that Thornton was dead; and as he had frequently been heard to remark that the Thornton family would be all broke before spring," an inquest was considered necessary.  Upon the arrival of the Coroner, a jury was empaneled at the house of the deceased and witnesses sworn.  An autopsy was made by Dr. Blair, and nothing found to confirm the suspicions of foul play. The jury found that Thornton came to his death by ossification of the valve of the heart.  Deceased was a working man, about forty-five years of age and leaves a wife and four children.