Obituaries (March 22)

Lavina (Baker) Gibbs

Utica Saturday Globe, November 1900

 

Lavina (Baker) Gibbs

1801 - 1900

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Lavina Gibbs, whose death occurred at North Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on Wednesday, November 7, came of a long-lived race.  Her father and mother each lived to be 94 and a brother died at 96.  Her father, Joseph Baker, was born in Marlborough, Eng., October 21, 1755.  In 1774 he enlisted in the British army, before the revolution and after the uprising of the American colonists was sent to America under Burgoyne, with whom he surrendered at Saratoga in 1777 and at the close of the war cast in his lot with the victorious patriots.  In 1788 he married Lavina Keyes and made a home at Princetown, Mass., where five children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last.  She was born October 10, 1801, during the latter part of John Adams' administration and before the election of Thomas Jefferson, when the United States consisted of the original 13 colonies.  The limits of her life very nearly covered the years of the 19th century.  In 1825 Lavina Baker became engaged to marry John Gibbs.  He drove from Massachusetts to North Guilford in this county, cleared a space in the woods and built a house near Van Buren's Corners.  Returning the way he came to Princetown he claimed his bride and drove back with her to their new home. The marriage occurred September 17, 1826, and the romantic honeymoon trip covered a distance of nearly 300 miles from Princetown, near Boston, by way of Albany to North Guilford.  Here, 74 years ago, her married life began when the friendly Indian roamed at will through the country and here she lived while three generations grew up about her.  She survived her husband and saw six of her seven children laid away after they had reached manhood and womanhood, married and presented her with grandchildren.  Mr. Gibbs died February 11, 1884, after 58 years of happy married life, aged 86.  During her declining days she made her home with her only surviving son. She displayed remarkable activity even until the day of her death. She knew no disease, but wearied at last, her life's long day ended, she sank into sweet and restful sleep.  Her funeral took place on Saturday at 11 o'clock in the morning at Congregational Church at Van Buren's Corners.

 

Morning Sun, Norwich, NY, November 14, 1900

The life of Mrs. Lavina Gibbs whose death was noted in our last issue, was almost exactly coincident with the beginning and ending of the nineteenth century. She was born October 10, 1801, and died November 7, 1900, at the age of 99 years and 28 days. 

 

Hiram A. Reynolds

Otsego Journal, April 9, 1908

Hiram A. Reynolds died at his home across the river from Rockwell's Mills, on Monday, April 6, after an illness of about ten days.  He was the oldest of three brothers, sons of Sullivan Reynolds, and was born in Rockwell's Mills, December 15, 1841.  In 1852 the family moved upon the farm, which has since been the Reynolds homestead and the home of the subject of this sketch.  Surviving he leaves his wife and one brother, E.S. Reynolds, of Norwich, the other brother, H.W. Reynolds, died a few years since in Chicago and was brought here for burial on the family lot at White Store [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Reynolds was highly esteemed as a citizen and had many friends whose sympathies are with the family in this bereavement. The funeral will occur from the house on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. 

Seth Richmond

Chenango Union, June 12, 1879

Seth Richmond, one of the pioneers of the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], died on Saturday last, upon the farm near Rockwell's Mills, where he had resided for seventy-five years past.  he was born in Rhode Island, in 1790, and in 1804, when he was fourteen years of age, his father removed to Guilford, locating upon the farm where he spent his long and useful life. Deceased was a good citizen, having the confidence and respect of the community in which he had so long resided, and his memory will be cherished by a large circle of relatives and friends.  In politics, Mr. Richmond was a staunch Democrat, and for many years his name was upon the subscription books of the Norwich Journal, and later upon those of tis successor, the Union.

Seth Richmond died on Saturday night, June 7th.  He has been in failing health for some time, often saying, "I am ready to go any minute."  His long life of nearly ninety years became almost a burden at the last, though he retained his faculties perfectly.  A good man has fallen.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, August 12, 1875

WELLS:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], July 20th, Mrs. Betsey Wells, widow of the late Reuben Wells, aged 60 years.

BANCROFT:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], August 9th, Rev. Allen Bancroft, aged 61 years and 18 days.

ORMSBY:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], July 24th, James B. [Ormsby], son of Dr. Byron J. and Mary L. Ormsby, aged 1 year, 10 months and 22 days.

BURKE:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], August 1st, Mr. Richard D. Burke, aged 64 years.

MARSHMAN:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], August 3d, Mrs. Gertrude Marshman, aged 79 years.

HOYT:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], July 27th, Eliza Ann [Hoyt], widow of the late Rev. John B. Hoyt, aged 79 years.