Obituaries (May 17)

Maryette Ingersoll Sherwood

Chenango Union, March 22, 1883

This long winter has had its harvest in deaths among the infirm and aged, who, like the decayed trees of the forest, yield before the surging tempests.  Each of our severe winters leaves in its trail an additional number of fresh mounds that in the early spring sun mark the resting places of those early pioneers.  It is from among this class that we are called upon to record the death of Mrs. John Sherwood, which occurred at her home near our village, on the 19th ult., from acute pneumonia.  Mrs. Sherwood, during years of patient suffering, had beheld a family grow to manhood, while she with the aged partner of her life toiled on to the end.  When her household cares permitted, she passed many hours of recreation among the flowers in her little garden, which she loved so well to cultivate in summer; and her charitable hand was ever ready to respond to every worthy object in the outside world.  As years moved by, and the infirmities of age, together with the effects of lingering disease, began to leave their sad traces, she sought solace in the quiet of home, and in the consolations brought to one through a consistent Christian life.  Only a year ago she said to her family that a year hence would close her earthly career.  In her death, a husband has lost a faithful partner, and her four sons a kind and affectionate mother.

 

William Sherwood

Chenango Telegraph, April 22, 1875

We announced in last week's Telegraph in the obituary column, the death of William Sherwood, which occurred at the residence of his son, Edmund, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst.  Though Mr. Sherwood was unknown to fame and walked in an humble sphere, still his record was a noble one, and deserves more than a passing notice.  He was born in Connecticut, Jan. 11, 1793.  His father was Asa Sherwood, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and for seven long years bravely fought for the nationality which we now enjoy. William removed to Guilford in this county, about the year 1805.  In the War of 1812-14, he joined the Chenango volunteers, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor, and thus did his share towards perpetuating the government his father fought to establish. The war over, he returned to this county, and about the year 1844, took up his residence in this village, where he has since resided.  In his early days Mr. Sherwood was a hardy yeoman, and actively engaged in mechanical and agricultural pursuits.  In other respects he was a wonderful man.  He made the Bible his particular study, and often have we heard him quote in almost endless variety, texts in support of the theological questions he delighted to discuss, showing an entire familiarity with the "good book," as he used to term it, and a memory wonderful in its power to retain quotations, and where they might be found in the Bible.  Mr. Sherwood was, we believe, a sincere Christian, though of late years he has not enjoyed church connection.  His word was always sacred, as much so that it was acknowledged to all who were acquainted with him, and implicit reliance placed upon it.  He was of a genial and pleasing disposition, and always imparted pleasure to his hearers in social converse.  Though not a politician, Mr. S. was a close observer of events, and during the war of the Rebellion his voice was always found in favor of his country.  He gave two sons Eugene and James, to the service in the 114th Regiment, who fought nobly to save the government established by the grandfather, and perpetuated by the father.  His last days have passed in quiet, and for the past two years he has not been able to mingle in society or business.  About twenty-five years since he buried his wife, since which he has patiently awaited the Master's appointed time for the reunion in the better land. At last it has come. A good man has gone to his rest, his reward awaits him; indeed has he not already entered into its possession?  Mr. Sherwood left surviving him one brother and sister, John L. Sherwood, and Mrs. Laman Ingersoll, who both reside in Guilford.  His large family of children also all survive him, and we may be pardoned for mentioning them as follows:  David L., residing at Oxford; Charles, St. Louis; Nehemiah, Greene; Eugene, Union, and Edmund and James living in this village.  His daughters are Sophronia, Susan and Mrs. J.H. Allen, who also all reside here.  All are highly respectable citizens, enjoying the confidence of the communities in which they reside.  May the virtues of. the father descend to the children.

 

Nicholas J. Sliter

Chenango Union, April 2, 1874

Nicholas J. Sliter closed his earthly pilgrimage in hope of a glorious immortality, at Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], March 13th, 1874, aged 88 years, 7 months and 22 days.  Mr. Sliter opened his eyes for the first time to the lights and shadows of this inconstant world, at Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY], July 21, 1785.  His mother was granddaughter of Rev. Mr. Johnson, a Presbyterian divine, who was the first settler in that village.  In 1778, just seven years previous to his birth, the famous Indian Chief, Joseph Brant, made a raid up the valley from Oquago, drove off the inhabitants, and made his headquarters for a time at which he called "Tunadilla."  His mother fled with the inhabitants to Cherry Valley for safety.  At the time of his birth, there was not a single inhabitant within the present limits of the town of Guilford. The whole country was an unbroken wilderness, in which wild beasts and savage Indians roved at large.  What wonderful changes have come over the face of nature, within the circle of his vision, since that day, and what changes have occurred among the different nations of the earth!  Then Washington, Napoleon, and George III, were alive and famous, together with many other celebrities who live now only in history.  In those days, boys were accustomed to toils and hardships, which imparted to them great strength and good health; and this may account in a great measure for the good constitution and long life of the departed octogenarian.  Mr. Sliter and his bereaved companion were united in marriage in 1819, almost fifty-five years ago; but as the closest unions must be broken up, and the strongest ties be severed, so they are separated at last by the cold river of death--but not long, for she will soon follow him to the land of spirits, where we fondly hope they may dwell in a union that shall never be broken up, and where partings never come.  She may truly say in the words of another--

"My latest sun is sinking fast,

My race is nearly run;

My strongest trials now are past,

My triumph is begun."

Mr. Sliter embraced the religion of Christ in his nineteenth year, or nearly seventy years ago, and united with the Presbyterian Church at Sidney Plains.  He was a true and faithful member of that church until about twenty-five years since, when he changed his relation, and became a member of the M.E Church at Rockdale, He remained in this Church until death released him, and now has joined the Church triumphant in Heaven.  He was a faithful Christian at all times and in all places. For a few years past he has not been able to take as active a part in public worship, as formerly, increasing infirmities rendering it necessary for him to tarry at home except in most pleasant weather.  But he found God at home, and served him most faithfully.  Several weeks since, learning that he was quite feeble, I called upon him, and in conversation found he was trusting fully in the grace and mercy of God, and he maintained this trust to the last moment.  When I saw him again, he was so weak as to be unable to converse even with his dearest friends, but when I sang and prayed with him, he lay quiet with the exception of an effort to raise his hands as if in devotion to God.  He no doubt had his reason to the last, and the last words he uttered to his son, William Sliter, were, "I'm happy!"  His feelings, could he have expressed them would doubtless have been--

"I'm happy, I'm happy.  O wondrous account,

My joys are immortal, I stand on the mount;

I gaze on my treasures and long to be there,

With Jesus and angels, my kindred so dear."

Thus the aged "man of God" lived and died, and now dwells in that "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  For the last thirteen years he has resided with his son, William Sliter, where he found a pleasant home and kind treatment.  His wants were all supplied, and during his last illness he received all the attention and care that a faithful son could bestow upon a parent.  God will bless and honor the love and care of children for their aged parents.  May his blessing rest upon the son and his family.  An affectionate husband, a kind father, a good neighbor, and a devoted Christian man, has gone from us.  May those that weep remember that their loss is his eternal gain.  May we all meet him again on the other side of the cold river.   Mt. Upton, March 13, 1874--S.W. Weiss