Obituaries (October 2)

Robert Gallup

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 27. 1858

Robert Gallup was born in the county of New London, Conn., in February, 1761.  At the age of 19 he entered the American Army under a temporary enlistment, and was at the massacre to Fort Griswold, and stood by the side of Col. Ledyard when he fell by his own ill-fated sword. At this time he received several wounds, the scars of which he carried to his grave.  He was first short in the knee; a second bullet grazed the abdomen, making a slight wound.  He next encountered a British soldier who ran a bayonet through his wrist and with another thrust pierced his body through, entering near the diaphragm. Being unarmed, he wrested a spontoon from the hands of a British soldier standing by, and stabbed his adversary to the heart, so that he fell dead at his feet; and--to use an expression of Mr. Gallup's--he "would have stabbed three or four more of the rascals, if he had not been knocked down by the breech of a musket," which terminated the conflict with him. The next morning he was picked up by his father, on the beach, where he had been laid through the kindness of two British officers. After a partial recovery from his wounds, he enlisted again, but it is believed that he was never in a subsequent engagement with the enemy.  The sentiments of regard embraced in the resolutions adopted, render any remarks upon the character of the deceased, unnecessary.  The Committee of arrangements reported that in the morning, the American flag would be displayed at half mast, minute guns would be fired, and the bells tolled until the funeral service was commenced, and after its conclusion, the body would be attended to the bounds of the corporation by a procession of citizens on its way to Plymouth, where it is to be interred.  A. Willard, Chairman.

 

William A. Corey

Waverly Free Press, March 14, 1896

William A. Corey, for many years  an esteemed resident of Waverly [Tioga Co., NY], died at the home of his son-in-law, H.B. Parsons, in Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co], Monday morning, March 9.  Mr. Corey was born in Goshen, N.Y. [Orange Co.], Jan. 20, 1817, and while a small boy went to New York city where he remained until 1849 when he came to Waverly.  At that early day, Waverly consisted of but a few houses.  He was a carpenter and builder and was closely identified with the growth of the town.  He was a man of strictest integrity and was respected by all.  He was for many years a consistent member of the Methodist church.  His wife died about six years ago.  Last summer, Mr. Corey was very ill and his son-in-law Mr. Parsons, with his wife, and daughter, May, came on and tenderly cared for him and on his recovering sufficiently in October last, took him home with them.  He continued to improve and came to be able to walk about, and was very happy and contented.  About two weeks ago he contracted a slight cold which developed into pleura-pneumonia and heart trouble and while his condition was not considered critical, he grew suddenly worse and died.  His death was peaceful and quiet, as his life had ever been. The body was brought to Waverly Wednesday at 3:40 o'clock and taken to Forest Home cemetery where it was interred in the family plot.  The Rev. C.M. Surdam conducted the service at the grave.  Mr. Corey's granddaughter, May, was the only survivor of his immediate family.  She lived with him for several years and he was greatly attached to her, and made her his heir.

 

Elizabeth Jane (Jay) Phinney

1842 - 1923

The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Jay Phinney, wife of Frank Phinney of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] occurred at her home on West Main street Wednesday morning Feb. 7th in her eighty-first year, of acute bronchitis.  Mrs. Phinney, who had not been very strong, was sick only about one week.  She had a host of friends who were deeply affected by the announcement of her death. She was very highly regarded having been a resident of Bainbridge nearly her whole life. She was of a very loving nature, kind and considerate, always seeking the comfort and welfare of others in preference to her own enjoyment.  Mrs. Phinney was a member of the Methodist church this village. She was formerly Miss Elizabeth Jay of Nineveh [Broome Co., NY] and was married Dec. 26th, 1865 to Frank Phinney who has been a lifelong resident of Bainbridge and who is a veteran of the civil war. She leaves one daughter, Mrs. Charles Taber, who gave her mother most tender care during her illness. Two granddaughters, Mrs. May Parsons Cairns, of Scranton, Pa., Miss Elizabeth M. Taber of Bainbridge, a sister Mrs. Fred Smith of Nineveh and a brother Charles Jay of Los Angeles, Cal. survive. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, Feb. 10 in the Methodist church with a large attendance, Rev. M.V. Williams officiated assisted by a former pastor, Rev. O.L. Buck.  Mrs. Phinney's friends contributed many floral pieces. The remains were put in the vault later to be laid away in St. Peter's cemetery [Bainbridge, NY]

 

Death Notices

The Oneida Sachem, May 29, 1858

 

In Stockbridge, May 13th, 1858, Zoe [Foster], wife of John A. Foster, and daughter of Deacon Samuel and Martha Davidson.  An affectionate mother and a kind friend.

 

In Oneida, May 23d, 1858, Celestia R. Ayers, only daughter of Daniel and Abigail h. Ayers, aged 8 years and 4 months.

 

In the parish of Point Coupee, Louisiana, on the 18th of March last, Mr. Harley Curtis, formerly of this county [Oneida, NY], in his 58th year.

 

In Hamilton, at the Wickwire House, May 18th, Lester Blake, aged 38 years.

 

In Farmersburgh, Clayton county, Iowa, May 11th, of Erysipelas and Typhoid Fever, Merrells L. Blair, aged 21 years 19 months and 11 days.  He was a son of Harvey Blair, of the town of Madison, in this county [Oneida, NY].

 

In Lenox, on the 21st ult. Amelia [Harp], daughter of Christian and Perlina Harp, aged 2 years and 4 months.

The pretty blue Violet, the golden colored Dandelion and the velvet looking Daisy, had just appeared a little while ago; so had Amelia.  the tender blossoms of the fruit trees had just ventured forth; so had Amelia.  The Violet, the Dandelion, and the Daisy came to stay only for a short time; so did Amelia.  While the birds were singing and the flowers were blooming, Amelia went home to Heaven--Could she have chosen a better time?