Obituaries (September 25)

Melissa Crandall Smith

1841 - 1929

Mrs. Melissa Smith passed away Tuesday, April 2, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L.G. Manson, 820 Sumner avenue, Syracuse, N.Y., where the funeral will be held Thursday at 11 o'clock.  Burial will be made in the family plot at Earlville.  Mrs. Smith was born October 21, 1841, and was the daughter of William and Julia Crandall.  Her girlhood days were spent on West Hill, Norwich, N.Y.  In 1861 she was united in marriage to Sidney Smith.  She spent one year in the south during the Civil War while her husband was serving in the famous 114th regiment of the New York volunteers.  After the war they took up their residence in Sherburne, where six children were born to them.  Those deceased are Mrs. Hattie Aylesworth, Mrs. Blanche Palmer and an infant, Elvin Smith. Those who survive are Elmer Smith, 44 Rexford street, this city [Norwich, NY]; George Smith of Hamilton, N.Y., and Mrs. Esther Munson of Syracuse, N.Y.  She is survived by three granddaughters, Mrs. D.W. Bagg of this city, Mrs. Warren Fitzgerald of Rochester, N.Y., and Mrs. Glenn Faucett of South Edmeston, N.Y., and two great-grandchildren, Alan James Bagg and Nancy Lee Faucett. But two brothers are living of the large family of which she was a member, George Crandall of Crandall street and Harvey Crandall of Plymouth road; also one half-brother, Rev. William Crandall of Binghamton, N.Y.  After the death of her husband in 1898 Melissa Smith moved to her home in Earlville village, where she spent 16 years of her busy life. She was affiliated with the Baptist church there.  In 1911 she became the wife of Orlando Smith.  He died six years later and she made her home with her daughter in Syracuse.  Melissa Smith was an accomplished nurse and dressmaker. She was a great homemaker and had a sterling Christian character. Scores of relatives and friends mourn the loss of a friend so much to be trusted.  Many are better because she lived.  [Buried Earlville Cemetery, Madison, Co., NY]

 

David Chapin

The Oneida Sachem, January 30, 1858

Another Revolutionary Soldier Gone:  Mr. David Chapin, an old Revolutionary soldier, and for many years a resident of Sangerfield, Oneida county [NY], died in Havana, Schuyler county [NY], on the 5th inst, in the 96th year of his age.  Mr. Chapin was born in new Hartford, Ct., in August, 1762.  At the age of sixteen he entered the Revolutionary army, and served in it for five years--until the close of the war in 1782.  He was present at the evacuation of New York, by the British forces, on the 5th of November, 1783; and at the time Washington bid farewell to the army under his command.  His widow survives him, and is 92 years old.

 

Simeon Rogers

The Broome Republican, April 2, 1856

Died at Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], on the 26th inst. Simeon Rogers aged 91 years.  Thus has another link which connects us with our early history been severed by the departure of this worthy veteran.  After serving as a faithful soldier in the War of the Revolution, Mr. Rogers took up his residence at the Forks at the early age of 24, (seventy years ago) where he has ever since continued, an enterprising, exemplary and prominent citizen.  When he first came to the country there was but one house between Binghamton and the Forks, 11 miles north.  He participated heartily in the improvements of the country, assisted in the divisions of towns and in all useful enterprises.  As early as the 25th day of August, 1802, over half a century ago he was appointed Postmaster by the Postmaster General, Gideon Granger, the commission, which is now before us, running in these words:

 

Gideon Granger, Post Master General of the united States of America:  To all who shall see these Presents, Greeting, Know Ye, that confiding in the integrity, ability and punctuality of Simeon Rogers, Esq., of Lisle, in the County of Tioga and State of New York, I do appoint him a Deputy Post Master, and authorize him to execute the Duties of that Office, at Lisle aforesaid, according to the laws of the united States and such Regulations conformable thereto, as he shall receive from me:  To hold the said Office of Deputy Post Master, with all the Powers Privileges and Emoluments to the same belonging, during the Pleasure of the Post Master General of the United States, for the Time being.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused the Seal of my Office to be affixed, at Washington City, the twenty-sixth Day of August, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Two, and of the Independence of the United States the twenty-seventh.  Gideon Granger

 

It will be seen that the place was then Lisle, and the county, Tioga.  He held the office without interruption through successive administrations, until by reason of advanced age and infirmities, he recently resigned.  He has seen his beloved country, for whose liberties and glory he gave his youthful strength and periled his early life, ascend to the prominent rank amidst the nations of the earth; and surrounded by a numerous line of descendants--children and grandchildren--and by the smiles of peace and prosperity, with the ripeness of nearly a century of years, he could exclaim with Simeon of old--"Lord, lettest now thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."  The deceased was the grandfather of Mrs. Dr. Doane of this village.

 

George Church

Chenango Union, June 1, 1876

George Church, son of Fayette, died of quick consumption, on the 21st inst.  He had the measles a short time previous.  He was eighteen years and four months of age.

 

Susan Knowles Purdie

Chenango Union, June 1, 1876

Mrs. Purdie, wife of Dr. John Purdie, of North Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], died Tuesday, the 23d of May, in the 61st year of her age.  Miss Susan Knowles girded her bridal robes about her, and her plighted vows were solemnized and legalized with Dr. Purdie, when she was twenty-three years old.  They moved, we believe, from Plymouth to Otselic, where they have resided since.  Her remains were taken to the Foot neighborhood, in Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], for interment in the Friends' Cemetery. She died of consumption.

 

Capt. Daniel N. Cone

Chenango Union, June 1, 1876

Capt. Daniel N. Cone, of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], died instantly, without premonition, of heart disease on the 24th inst.  Capt. Cone was born in the town of Vernon, Ct, in 1804; was married at the age of twenty-seven; came to this State the same year, and settled in the town of Lincklaen, where he lived as an upright and highly respected citizen.  He moved to South Otselic in 1870, and has resided here since, until his death last Wednesday.  He leaves a family of four sons and four daughters, with his wife, to mourn this great loss, all of whom live in this vicinity, with the exception of Orello, who resides at Canton, St. Lawrence County, is a minister at that place. Capt. Cone, being deeply imbued in, adhered to, and advocated strongly the Democratic principles. Being elected Assessor in February, 1874, he had assumed the duties of that office in the performance of which, so far, he had taken a judicious, reliable and satisfactory course; thus giving evidence of equity and wisdom in his decided and unerring judgment.  He fully believed in a thorough retrenchment and reform, from the wild extravagance and corruption of many of the public agents.  Hawkeye  May 29, 1876