Obituaries (October 3)

Eli Ackley

Norwich Sun, May 15, 1934

Earlville [Madison Co., NY]:  Blaine Baker Post, American legion, has discovered the grave of Eli Ackley, Revolutionary War veteran, in a small cemetery near East Hamilton.  The cemetery has been plowed up with the results that only a few graves now remain.  Mr. Ackley was one of the first settlers in this part of the country, coming here from Connecticut.  He was given a piece of land for services rendered during the Revolutionary War.  He died in 1798.  the post hopes to erect a railing around Mr. Ackley's grave and make it one of the historic spots in Madison county.

 

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Burdick

Sidney Record, October 3, 1896

Last Monday morning a profound sensation was occasioned in Sidney Centre [Delaware Co., NY] by the announcement that Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Burdick, aged respectively 90 and 91 years, were both dead, one having died at seven o'clock and the other at eight o'clock.  To those familiar with the lives of this aged and worthy pair, the hardships they have endured in common, their long unbroken companionship of over sixty years, their death during almost the same hour must strike with a peculiar force.  It is a time honored saying that "truth is greater than fiction."  I was a solemn event that consigned into one common grave an aged couple, whose long lives were models of industry, thrift and contentment. Deep was the sorrow in that community when on Thursday, October 1st, the two were gently, reverently laid side by side awaiting the resurrection morn.  Companions in toil, they are now companions in eternal rest.  They commenced life's journey hand in hand, they ended it side by side. 

 

In many respects Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Burdick were the most remarkable couple that lived in our state.  They were born, brought up and married in Kortright and came to Sidney Centre nearly a half a century ago.  They purchased and cleared up  a large farm.  One worked just as hard as the other.  It is even claimed that on the labor question, Mrs. Jonathan Burdick often proved the "better man."  There was no toil this brave woman would shrink from. whether it was in logging or in haying she was equally at home.  Hard work seemed a balm to their tireless muscles.  Never a complaint came from their lips. They worked for their common welfare.  By their constant industry they acquired and owned four farms, and fourteen years ago they purchased a home in Sidney Centre.  Like two good ships they had breasted many a storm together but the time had come to reel their sails and seek anchorage in a safe port.  And this they did.

 

There attaches to the life of Mr. Jonathan Burdick, another fact which cannot fail to prove of interest to students of history.  Mr Burdick had the exclusive honor to be the son of a veteran of the Revolutionary War.  His father was born in the year 1760 and served in the ranks under Gen. Washington.  He also had an uncle in the War of independence, who served as one of the guards at the execution of Major Andre.  It is safe to assume that Mr. Jonathan Burdick was the last surviving son of a veteran of the war of 1776.  Had he not been in comfortable circumstances, Congress on petition would have readily granted him a special pension.  There are now living in the united States three women whose fathers took part in that war and each of them receives a special pension by act of Congress.  One is Susanna Chadwick of Emporium, Pa., another is Sarah Hulbert, of Chatham Valley, Pa., and the third one is Anna M. Slaughter of Mitchel Station, Pa. 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Burdick are survived by three children, namely Thomas Burdick, Green Burdick and Mrs. F.H. Foot.  Three of their other children died.  The double funeral held on the 1st of October was largely attended, bearing ample evidence of the esteem in which the worthy couple were regarded by the entire community.

 

Abigail Phinney

1808 - 1870

In Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], Dec. 11th, 1870, of enlargement of the heart, Mrs. Abigail Phinney, in the 63d year of her age.  Death has snatched from our family circle a mother.  Though our hearts are sad, and we weep often, yet we mourn not as those who have no hope, for we are assured that our loved one, though torn from the embrace of those she loved on earth, now reclines upon the bosom of her Father.  She was converted to God in the year 1819, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Brown, and united with the M.E. Church. She was converted from the vanity and pleasures of this fallen world, and remained thus to the last.  For some months previous to her death she was in feeble health, yet she was resigned, when the time was approaching for her to depart this life.  She was very quiet and peaceful, and though she had earthly attractions, such as a husband and four children, yet her heavenly attractions were so much greater that she willingly left all in the care of an all wise and unerring Providence, and fell asleep in Jesus.  May Heavenly benedictions rest on the bereaved family through life, and in death may they triumph over all and meet their mother in the kingdom of Heaven.   L.J.

 

Moses Orvis Pingree

St. Albans Daily Messenger, February 17, 1902

A dispatch was received in Northfield [VT] Saturday evening announcing the death of Moses Orvis Pingree at his home in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday word was received that he was critically ill with pneumonia and could not survive. The funeral was held in Des Moines, where the remains were entombed.  Mr. Pingree was the son of Mrs. Mary Pingree, of Northfield, and passed his boyhood days in that place, leaving for the West four or five years since.  He was employed in the Harris-Emery store, received frequent promotions, and gave every promise of a successful life.  While in Northfield he attended the graded and high school and was a social favorite.  His age was about 23 years. Aside from his mother, he is survived by a wife, three brothers, William, of Pensacola, Fla., George of Boston, and Clark, of Des Moines; also two sisters Mrs. F.J. Dutton and Miss Mary Pingree of Northfield.