Memories of Runion and Mahala (Hoffman) Parsons - 1878/9

Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary

Runion Parsons - Mahala Hoffman

Bainbridge Republican, January 2, 1879

 

Fifty years ago last Saturday Mr. Runion Parsons, now living in the village of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], was married by Judge Bigelow, late of Bainbridge, to Mahala Hoffman.  The bride's father at that time lived at East Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] near the forks of the river.  We called upon the aged couple on the day of their fiftieth anniversary, found them in usual good health, and learned a few facts concerning their life. At the present time there is but one person living who attended their wedding--her brother Chauncey's widow, now living in Illinois.  Her brothers, Chauncey and Joel, were well known military characters in the war of 1812, and after their return from the army, Chauncey established a fencing school and made considerable money by the "art."  Mr. Parsons well remembers when the town of Guilford was set off from Oxford, and how they drew a line and those who wanted it at such a place would step on one side and those opposed on the other.  He gave a full description of the pulling and jerking of the opposite parties, and how several coats were literally torn to pieces in the fracas. They did not give a grand reception of their marriage anniversary as is customary now-a-days, but enjoyed themselves at home and attending Quarterly Meeting which was then being held in the M.E. Chruch in that village.  May the good old souls live another half a century and have peace and plenty.

 

Memories of Mahala Hoffman Parsons

Bainbridge Republican, January 9, 1879

 

Mr. Editor--As you were pleased to note the anniversary of our fiftieth year of married life, I will give you a few incidents of my early recollections. At the time of the war of 1812 my father was living in Warrensburg, Warren county, N.Y.  Near the close of the war, early one morning an aged man called upon my father, and in much apparent agitation informed him that there were Indian spies upon what was then called Bishop's mountain, an eminence from the top of which an extensive view of the surrounding country could be distinctly taken for many miles.  He had discovered a fire on the opposite side of the mountain, and venturing near saw about a dozen Indians preparing their breakfast.  Being much alarmed he came over the river to see what measures could be taken to protect, if possible, the inhabitants from these unwelcome invaders.  My father took his telescope, and by its aid we could bring them so near as to see that they were indeed savages. At that time my father owned mills and drew lumber to Ft. Edward, consequently kept several horses. They were soon saddled and mounted by boys with instructions to ride in different directions and drop written lines at every house, requiring every man to repair to our place as soon as dark to protect the bridges that span the river, and also, if possible, to protect the people along the river and at the village at Lake George.  It was a busy time at our house that day.  The old fashioned bread-tray that would hold a bushel of flour was brought to hand, and the large brick oven heated and re-heated until a sufficient quantity of bread, pies, cake, meat and beans, were prepared to feed a hungry multitude. Each had their separate duties to perform; my little brother and myself were furnished from our store with bullet moles, ladles and bars of lead, and we sat upon the hearth before the arch and made bullets until we have a supply large enough, we children thought, to furnish an army.  At dusk the men began to gather and we soon had quite a respectable sized army.  In the morning of the next day they proceeded to the mountain, shot at them, but they fled through a large swamp at the base.  Our men preferred to shun the swamp as it was a dense wilderness for miles, and returned home without even capturing an Indian.

 

Soon after this, Judge Bishop and my father organized a Silver Gray company, as they were in the service, and I think for awhile the old men trained almost every day.

 

Those familiar with the condition of our country at that time will remember that crockery was very scarce, and as those old men became wearied with marching and exercise, got thirsty, and it was amusing to us children to hear them smack their lips as they sipped the delicious beverage over those broad brimmed vessels which were usually kept on the upper shelves at the store. 

 

Mahala Hoffman, now Parsons.