Obituaries (June 17)

Ralph "Moses" Woods

January 1938

Moses Wood, aged 38, died of a fractured skull at the Chenango Memorial Hospital, Tuesday night, Jan. 11.  While in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] he made his home with Morris Curtis.  Mr. Wood for years made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hinman in Guilford.  He leaves two sisters, one residing in Guilford and one in Poughkeepsie, and a father in Pennsylvania.  Services were held Sunday afternoon from Colwell's Funeral Chapel in Bainbridge, Rev. J.W. Bump of Guilford, officiating.

 

Death Case Probe Opens at Norwich

Norwich:  Chenango County officials started an investigation today into the cause of injuries received by Ralph "Moses" Woods, [40], son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moses [Woods] of Choconut, Pa., who died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital today.  District Attorney Lester D. Mosher said he had been informed of the man's death when he came to Norwich today on other business.  \Hhe said Woods, a truckman, died without making any official statement of the facts surrounding his injuries. He had been in semi-=conscious condition since he presented himself at the hospital Wednesday  night.  It was learned today that Woods gave different versions of the affair to friends.  In one version he stated that he was hurt in an automobile accident and in another he stated that he was hit on the head with a bottle in a fight. Sheriff Neil D. Lewis is checking all reports.  On Monday night, it has been learned by officers, Woods called at the office of a Norwich physician and asked for treatment. The doctor directed Woods to go to the hospital.  Woods did not show up.  Wednesday night Woods appeared at the hospital and after being admitted, requested that Dr. Leslie T. Kinney be called. Dr. Kinney says he discovered the man had lacerations of the head and a fractured skull.  Dr. Kinney was not acquainted with the story of how the injuries were received.  Following an autopsy this afternoon at the Chenango Memorial Hospital by Dr. Kinney and Dr. Norman Lester, Dr. Matt Boname of Oxford, coroner, announced that he was reserving decision pending an investigation.  He stated that the autopsy disclosed death was caused by a fracture of the skull followed by meningitis, apparently caused by a blow on the head.  The body was taken tonight to the Colwell Funeral Chapel in Bainbridge where services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

 

Woods Death Still Puzzle to Officers

Norwich:  The investigation as to how Ralph "Moses" Woods, who died of a skull fracture at the Chenango County Hospital last Friday, received his injury centered in the City of Norwich yesterday afternoon, when Police Chief Lelan Brookins learned that Woods jumped out of a second story window, a distance of about 11 feet at the home of Mrs. Grace Brown, on Gladding Lane, on Monday night.  Chief Brookins said today that according to Mrs. Brown's statement Woods came to her home shortly before 10 o'clock Monday night, and asked if he might go to bed. She told him to go upstairs and lie down on a cot at the head of the stairs. She was alone in the house at the time she said.  Suddenly Mrs. Brown said she heard a smash from above and calling out to Woods, he hollered from outdoors just under the window.  Mrs. Brown said he umped through the lower portion of the window.  Chief Brookins said the window sash glass and all, had been carried away, and in the snow under the window there were bloodstains.  Undersheriff Frank J. Machio who has queried several persons during the investigations stated that the report that Woods had been hit in the head with a beer bottle at a roadhouse just outside the city had been investigated thoroughly and appeared to have no foundation. Chief Brookins said this afternoon that it had not been possible as yet to establish whether Woods fractured his skull when he jumped through the window at Mrs. Brown's home or when he fell on Saturday night, as the investigators have learned that after being refused a drink at the roadhouse he left but returned later bleeding from cuts on his face and eye. At this time there was a cut over the right eye and it is understood the skull fracture was over the right. The officers state that from the questioning they have done so far they have discarded the theory that there was any motive for robbery, as they have checked Woods' money within a few dollars. Chief Brookins stated that he has learned that Woods has jumped out of the window on the first floor at Mrs. Brown's on one other occasion and that he had jumped through windows at other places on two previous instances.

Anna Birdsall

Norwich Journal, June 17, 1829

Died, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the evening of the 12th inst. after a severe illness of two weeks, Mrs. Anna Birdsall, wife of Maurice Birdsall, Esq. aged 51 years.  Thus has a husband been irreparably bereaved of an amiable and affectionate wife, numerous family of a tender and indulgent parent, and community of a worthy virtuous member and exemplary Christian.  Mrs. B. had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this village, and was universally esteemed and beloved by all who knew her.  Her loss will be deeply felt and sincerely lamented.--Greene, June 13, 1829

Temperance Cornish

Northern Christian Advocate, December 30, 1846

Mrs. Temperance Cornish, wife of Mr. Whiting Cornish, died in Coventry, Chenango county, N.Y., Aug. 30th, 1846, in the 59th year of her age.  Our beloved sister was called suddenly away from earth, but she was found watching and waiting for the coming of her Lord.  Her disease was dropsy on the heart. As she arose from her bed, about 5 o'clock in the morning, to attend to her ordinary work--she fell upon the floor and instantly expired.  For more than twenty-five years she had stood as a pillar in the church of God. Being clothed with the panoply of God, she was ready for every conflict, obeying the injunction of the apostle, to "Fight the good fight of faith," and "Lay hold on eternal life."  While the church in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] has been subjected to many changes and trials, sometimes enjoying seasons of great prosperity, and at other times suffering great spiritual declension, sister Cornish faithfully prosecuted her heavenly journey; having "respect unto the recompense of reward"; and while Millerism has passed over this part of the land, overthrowing "the faith of some," and leaving in its train a "withering influence, our departed sister mourned over the desolation in Zion, and addressed herself to the great work and service of her master, with a zeal and fidelity worthy of her high profession.  She ardently loved the institutions of the church of her choice. The prayer meeting, the class meeting, the love feast, were places where the faithful soul delighted to dwell, and where she often held sweet communion with her brethren and with God. For many years her house was the welcome and pleasant resting place of the weary, wayworn itinerant, and many of the servants of God will remember, with grateful interest, the great kindness and the hospitable entertainment they have shared at the house of Br. and Sister Cornish.  But she has gone, gone to her everlasting rest in glory, leaving behind her an affectionate husband, weeping and lonely, yet looking upward in prospect of meeting his sainted companion in that land where tears of sorrow will never flow.  She has also left ten children, besides numerous other relatives to mourn over their sad bereavement.  Some of the children are already looking to a better inheritance, while a portion of this mourning, pensive group, are living without any preparation to meet their departed mother in the skies.  O. that the prayers and tears that she has poured forth for them, may prevail in the courts of heaven, until every one of them shall embrace the religion of Jesus Christ.  In her departure, the church has lost one of its brightest ornaments, the family a most worthy and devoted companion and mother, and the whole community mourn the loss of one of their kindest neighbors and friends. And the triumphant hosts above rejoice in the accession of so bright a member to their glorious company. The funeral services were conducted by our worthy brother, Rev. George Evans, who has been for many years an intimate friend of the family, and quite a number of years, at different periods, their spiritual guide and pastor, in his regular work on this circuit.  Her mortal remains were then consigned to the tomb, there to rest until the morning of the resurrection.  May the Lord sanctify this dispensation of his providence, to all the surviving friends, and may they be prepared to meet her at the right hand of God.;    E.P. Beecher, South Bainbridge, Dec. 2, 1846.

Death Notices

Norwich Journal, May 20, 1829

Died at south Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], the 2d inst., after a long and lingering illness, Henry R. Rogers, Postmaster at that palce, aged 25.

Norwich Journal, May 27, 1829

Joseph H. Reynolds was drowned in the Chenango River on the 24th inst. near the Village of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].  Verdict of Coroner's inquest, accidental death.

Norwich Journal, August 5, 1829

Died in Colesville, Broome Co. on the 3rd inst, Jesse Church, aged 29 years, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].