Obituaries (June 7)

Peter B. Guernsey Jr.

Norwich Journal, April 22, 1829

Died at his residence in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday evening 15th inst.  Peter B. Guernsey Jr. Esq, age 30 years.  Seldom has it became out painful duty to record a more afflicting, dispensation of Divine Providence, than the one which has now fallen to our lot.  In the death of Mr. Guernsey, the community of which he was a member, has lost one of its brightest ornaments, and his numerous friends and acquaintances, an associate whom they will long and deeply lament.  To a mind naturally strong and powerful, was united in him every accomplishment which extensive reading and reflection, a liberal education, and enlarged knowledge of the world, could inspire.  At an early age, the feeble and precarious state of his health induced him to try the benefical effects of a milder climate, and in the fall of 1818 he made a tour of the West Indies, from whence he returned in the ensuring spring.  With the same object in view he subsequently travelled through the southern states; and finding his health but little inproved he resolved in pursuance of the advice of his friend, to embark for Europe.  In the company with Dr. Packer, of Oxford, he visited Liverpool, Paris, London, and other palces of importance in that country, and after an absence of about a year, returned with a mind richly stored with the most valuable information, and as his friends fondly hoped, with renovated health and spriits. But their confidant expectations were not destined to be realized.  The progress of the disease which had fixed upon him its unrelenting grasp, baffled the skill of the most eminent physicians, and after a lingering and protracted illness, he has gone down to the tomb in the full blossom of intellectual strength and vigour.  Mild and conciliating in his manners, and unpretending in his deportment, a long and tedious course of illness served only to display in there colours, his Christian fortitude, resignation and patience.  In the full possession of his faculties to the last, he conversed with those around him with calmness and even with cheerfulness on his situation; and without murmuring or repining, yielded himself an early and untimely victim to the King of Terrors.

 

While we deeply sympathize with his afflicted family and relatives, we know how feeble to them will be every effort at consolation, and we can only commend them to the protection of that being who has promised to be the widow's and the orphan's friend.  He only can heal the wounds of his afflicted, and dry up the bitter tears which a severe and painful bereavement has caused to flow.

 

Mr. G. has left a wife and two infant children to mourn his irreparable loss.  His remains were, on Friday, attended to the grave by a numerous concourse of citizens, notwithstanding the extremely unfavorable state of the weather  and the deep gloom which pervaded all classes gave sufficient evidence of the high estimation in which the deceased was held.  An eloquent and impressive sermon was delivered at the Presbyterian church by the Rev. L.S Rexford, from Prov. XIV 32  "But the righteous hath hope in his death."

 

Death Notices

Norwich Journal, January 14, 1829

We learn from the New York papers that Gen. Jackson's wife died at Nashville on the 22d ult.  [Rachel Jackson, wife of President Andrew Jackson].

 

Norwich Journal, February 4, 1829

In Sherburne, Chenango Co. 27th Jan., Mrs. Margrat Panus(?) aged 93, formerly from New London [CT].

 

Norwich Journal, February 11, 1829

Died in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst. Charles Henry [Smith], only son of Squire Smith, aged 2 years, 1 month, 22 days.

 

Chenango Union, September 2, 1875

WELLER:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 26 Phebe R. Prey Weller, wife of the late Hiram Weller, aged 75 years 7 months 13 days.  She was born Dec. 13, 1800 in Windham Co., Conn. removed to Norwich, N.Y. in 1820 and in 1824 married Hiram Weller (Mar. 1824).  He died in 1851.

 

HALL:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 16, Julia [Hall], wife of Chas. Hall.  Aged 65 years 6 months.

 

CHILDS:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 30, 1875 Martha L. [Childs], widow of the late Edward Childs, aged 46 years.

 

WILCOX:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 30, 1875, Henrietta [Wilcox], wife of Charles Wilcox, aged 43 years.

 

GRIFFIN:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 26, 1875, Michael P. [Griffin], son of Thomas Griffin aged 2 years 6 months.

 

STODDARD:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 22, Willie R. [Stoddard] son of William B. and Sarah Stoddard, aged 1 year 4 months.