Sherman Family Newsclippings

Schuyler Sherman

October 22, 1880

Schuyler Sherman of Olean, formerly of this palce, is visiting his many friends and schoolmates in this vicinity.  He is a young man of uncommon promise and that joy and success may attend him through all future life is the wish of his many friends.

 

December 17, 1880

Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY]:  Skyler Sherman has rented the Crandall tannery for a term of years. We expect now to have a tannery that is a tannery.

 

January 1924

Schuyler Sherman, aged 70 years, died at his home Thursday morning [31 Jan. 1924] at 8 o'clock, after an illness of several months, following an accident last Summer from which he never fully recovered. Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Julien Vandewarker, who is night operator in the Bell telephone office, also three sons, Manville, Ralph, and William and thirteen grandchildren, a brother Henry also of this village, two sisters, Mrs. Francis Hall of Binghamton, Mrs. Charles Beilby of North Sanford.  His funeral was held from the Baptist church Sunday at one o';clock, Rev. R.B. Whitman officiating. Burial in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY]

 

Perry Sherman

 1827 - 1894

Mr. Perry Sherman died suddenly of heart failure at his home, Monday morning, March 19, 1894.  The funeral was held at the church Wednesday the services were conducted by Rev. J.B. Wilson of Kirkwood, formerly of this place, and burial in the Holmesville cemetery.  The singing of beautiful selections of the South New Berlin Quartet composed of Messrs. Bassett, Parker, Hoag and Janes.  Mrs. L.M. Curtis, organist was very impressive.  Beautiful flowers decorated the church and casket arranged by loving friends.  A very large congregation came to pay their last respects to their esteemed townsman. 

 

Perry Sherman was born February 17, 1827, a son of George and Lucinda Tyler Sherman.  He married Adelaide Wiswill, Oct. 20, 1851, she died May 11, 1854, leaving a son George, his only child.  He married Mary Hotaling Oct. 22, 1866, she died Aug. 11, 1886.  He married Ellie M. Crandall Oct. 31, 1888, who still survives him.  He was one of 39 baptized by Rev. A.M. Totman, 1871, and joined the Free Baptist Church in this place to which he remained a worthy and consistent Christian until death.  He will be greatly missed in the church and community, for he was seldom absent from church on the Sabbath, his wife having been our church organist for many years, he took great pleasure in carrying her to entertainments in connection with church work.  They lived very happily together making her loss more keenly felt.  Seldom do we see so much tenderness shown by grandchildren as has been shown by his three, Perry, Lillian and Howard, they always called him by the endearing name "big pa."  Perry Sherman was a peaceable neighbor, a good farmer, and leaves quite a property for  his only son and widow. Nelson Sherman, his only brother, is in very poor health, and was unable to attend the funeral, also his only surviving sister, Mrs. John Miller of New Berlin, was unable to attend.  Mrs. Sherman will make it her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Latham Crandall. 

 

Lydia Olendorf Sherman

Afton Enterprise, November 3, 1932

The funeral of Mrs. Lydia Olendorf Sherman, widow of Schuyler Sherman was held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, from her old home in East Afton, where her son, William Sherman and family now live, Rev. Lynn Crawford of Glen Castle, a former pastor, officiating.  Mrs. Sherman was 73 years old, having been born in West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on May 27, 1859.  She was a daughter of John and Abiah (Newton) Olendorf. April 27, 1882, she was married to Schuyler Sherman and their married life was spent in Bennettsville and East Afton. To them were born five children, one of them dying in infancy. The four survivors are:  Ralph and William of East Afton; Manville of Hancock and Mrs. B.H. Ward of Union Valley, with whom Mrs. Sherman was living.  Mr. Sherman died nine years ago. She passed away at the home of her son, Ralph Sherman, where she was visiting at 8 o'clock Thursday evening, Oct. 20, after an illness of only a few days.  Her funeral service, which was very largely attended, was under the direction of Colwell brothers of Bainbridge and the bearers were her grandsons, Kenneth, Earl, Lawrence and Morris Sherman. Burial was in Greenlawn cemetery, Bainbridge.  Besides her children, Mrs. Sherman is survived by 21 grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. William Teachout and Miss Hattie Olendorf, of Bainbridge. She was a member of the Baptist church, having united with the church at Bennettsville 50 years ago. She was a faithful mother, devoted to her children and always thoughtful of others and ready to aid in sickness or wherever she might be needed.  Friends form Binghamton, Harpursville and Afton were present at the funeral.

 

Vital Statistic

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, January 29, 1948

Marriages

Nov. 15:  Ralph O. Ireland of Bainbridge to Florence Luella Sherman of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]

 

Burrows - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, January 13, 1955

Mr. and Mrs. William Sherman of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], announce the engagement of their daughter Nancy Irene [Sherman] to Robert Arthur Burrows, son of Mrs. George Burrows and the late Mr. Burrows of Harpursville.  Nancy is a student at the Bainbridge Central School.  Robert is a graduate of the Harpursville Central School.

 

Morse - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, April 1, 1954

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Sherman and children attended the wedding of Miss Frances Sherman to Duane Morse at the Baptist church in Bainbridge on Saturday afternoon.  Little Miss Nancy was the flower girl.

 

Warren - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, March 24, 1955

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Sherman and family attended the wedding of his sister, Miss Mildred Sherman to Walter Warren at the Bainbridge Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon.  Miss Nancy Sherman was the flower girl.

 

Sharpe - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, December 29, 1955

Mrs. Maurice Sherman of Afton, announces the engagement of her daughter Melrose Jean [Sherman] to Airman 2nd Class James W. Sharpe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sharpe of Oxford.

 

Baptisms

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, April 5, 1956

Before the flower banked altar of the Methodist church, the following children received the Sacrament of Baptism during the afternoon of Easter day:  Mildred Faith Sherman, William Morrell Sherman, Richard Alan Sherman, Dixie Darlene Sherman, and Rocky Dale Sherman, all children of Morrell nad Faith (Brown) Sherman.

 

Donahe - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, August 2, 1956

Married at Baptist Church:  Mrs. Susan Sherman and Rodney Donahe were united in marriage by Rev. Alan Douglas on July 28, 1956 at the First Baptist Church in Afton.  Master Chester Sherman and Miss Melrose Sherman were attendant.  Howard and Donald were also present.

 

Kelley - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, August 16, 1956

The marriage of Thomas Kelley and Miss Melrose Sherman took place Saturday afternoon in the Baptist church.  Rev. Alan Douglas performed the ceremony.  Miss Marion Wylie presided at the organ.

 

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, August 30, 1956

Thomas J. Kelly and Miss Melrose Sherman Wed:  Miss Melrose Jean Sherman and Thomas J. Kelly exchanged vows August 11, 1956 in the First Baptist church of Afton.  The Rev. Alan Douglas officiated at the double ring ceremony.  Mrs. Irving more, Jr., sang "I Love You Truly" and "Because" accompanied by Miss Marion Wylie, at the organ. The church was decorated with white and yellow gladioli. The bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Donahe, was given in marriage by her uncle, Lawrence Sherman. The bride wore a white ballerina-length wedding gown with molded bodice, escalloped V neck line and short sleeves with mitts. The bouffant skirt was fashioned in tiers. The gown was of embroidered tulle over taffeta. A crown with pearls held her finger tip veil. She carried a cascade of red sweetheart roses.  Mrs. Peter Zayac, Jr., sister of the bridegroom, was maid of honor. She wore a ballerina length gown of aqua net over taffeta.  She carried a cascade of pink sweetheart roses.  John Schagel, friend of the bridegroom , served as best man.  Chester Sherman, brother of the bride and James Fielding, friend of the groom, were ushers.  The reception followed at the home of the bride.

 

Kane - Sherman

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, January 15, 1959

Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Sherman of Bainbridge announce the engagement of their daughter, Vurla Sherman, to Delmar Kane, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Kane, of Afton.  Miss Sherman is now employed at the Scintilla Cafeteria, Sidney.  Mr. Kane graduated form Afton Central High School in the class of 1954.  He is a veteran of two years service with the U.S. Army. A late January wedding is being planned.

 

Ralph Sherman

Sidney Record & Bainbridge News, July 4, 1962

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Ralph Sherman, 78, of Bainbridge, died Sunday, July 1, 1962 at Sidney Hospital [Delaware Co.., NY].  He is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Herbert Sutton, Mrs. Florence Ireland, Mrs. Mildred Stafford, all of Bainbridge, Mrs. Clarence Gifford of Afton, and Mrs. Deane Morse of Sidney; six sons, Earl, Lawrence, Clifford and Clarence Sherman, all of Bainbridge, Alvin Sherman of Nineveh, and Wesley Sherman of Deposit; 45 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Myrtle Ward of Bainbridge; one brother, William Sherman of Horseheads.  Mr. Sherman's two sons, Kenneth and Maurice, preceded him in death. The funeral of Ralph Sherman was held Tuesday at the Harold Sherman Funeral Home, 58 West Main St., Bainbridge, Rev. Deane LaForce of the West Bainbridge Baptist Church, officiated. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge.

Chenango & Unadilla Valley 50 Years Ago

Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, April 3, 1872

Early Courts

Continued from posting of October 23, 2017

In 1815, Isaac Sherwood and John Noyes, Senior, were appointed Associate Judges, and in 1816, Tilly Lynde, Barnabus Brown and Charles Josslyn.  In 1819, Uri Tracy, of Oxford, was appointed first judge, in 1822, Nathan Taylor and Levi A. Bigelow, Associate judges; and in 1824, John Tracy took his seat as first Judge.  In 1829, Hezekiah Read, first judge, and in 1831, Charles York took their seats as Judges, and in 1833 Smith M. Purdy as first Judge succeeded Judge Tracy.  It is deemed unnecessary to carry further this judicial catalogue, as the more recent incumbents of the Bench are within the recollections of most of the present citizens of the County [in 1872].  Robert Monell of Greene, was admitted to the Chenango Bar as early as 1809.  John Tracy of Oxford, and James W. Gazlay of Norwich, during the same year, William Welton in 1810, S.G Throop and Lyman S. Rexford in 1811, Noah Ely in 1812, Samuel Birdsall and Nathan Chamberlin in 1813, Simeon S. Emmons in 1815; John C. Clark, Lot Clark and Hiram Carter, in 1816, Samuel  Miles Tracy in 1818, John Birdsall, Smith M. Purdy and Abial Cook, in 1819, Charles A. Thorp in 1820, and Addison C. Griswold and John Clapp in 1822.  Mr. Griswold preceded Mr. Clapp as law partner of Lot Clark.  Simeon S. Emmons was at that early period, well known as "Little Orator Emmons," small, delicately formed, but with a great heart and great powers of elocution.  He was very ambitious and aspired to the high places of the political world, became a self-nominated candidate for the legislature in 1819 or thereabouts, and issued a flaming address to the electors, but obtained but few votes--dwindled in business, failed in health, and died in extreme poverty at the then residence of William Palmer, nearly opposite Dr. Mitchell's in 1823 or 4.  His office was just above that of Mr. Clark's near the corner store.

 

William W. Price entered into co-partnership with James Clapp, Esq. at an early period; and after their admission to the bar of the Supreme Court, according to a statement of M.M. Noah of the New York "National Advocate," reproduced by Mr. Clark in his History, "both young adventurers went into the interior of the State to seek their fortunes, stopping at various villages, which seemed to exhibit an opening.  Early one summer evening they entered the village of Oxford.  The beauty of its position, the neatness of the palce, and the substantial air of comfort which presented itself in every direction, determined them to make that town their residence. Bargaining, therefore, with a milliner for a small but neat building in the heart of the village, they unloaded their books, chairs, desks, etc., arranged everything in their new office, and nailed up their sign on the window, as the shades of night set in.  The next morning at daybreak, seated at the door of their new habitation, they saw approached a citizen, whose appearance denoted that he was a distinguished person in the village.  He was, indeed, the largest land owner in Oxford.  He stopped, read the sign on the window, looked at the young lawyers, and said:  "Whence came you, gentlemen!  You were not here when I took my afternoon walk yesterday."  Being informed by the emigrants of their views and objects, he observed, "I like this enterprise; and you shall have my law business."  The gentleman referred to, says Mr. Clark, was Judge Benjamin Hovey, one of the earliest and wealthiest settlers of Oxford. The firm became eminently prosperous; but the senior partner, Mr. Price, soon afterwards removed to the city of New York, where he assumed a high position at the bar, and was subsequently appointed United States District Attorney.  Having in 1836 become implicated with the notorious Sam Swartout in governmental peculations, he left New York for Europe, and a few years afterwards, in a fit of despondency, put an end to his existence.

 

To be continued

Obituaries (October 25)

Minerva Cox Tallett

DeRuyter Gleaner, April 24, 1930

Early Monday morning, April 7th, 1930, Minerva Cox Tallett passed to the great eternity at Cortland, N.Y. [Cortland Co.,].  Her health had been failing for nearly two years.  She celebrated her 79th birthday January 19th, 1930.  Her life with the exception of the last seven years was passed in Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] on the farm and in the village. A faithful and loyal member of the South Otselic Baptist Church from 1885 and for many years she has been ready and anxiously waiting for the change that would take her home where so many of her loved ones are.  Her husband, Merton M. Tallett, passed away February 9, 1893 and previous to parting with  him she had to give up all her children, three, L.J. aged 16 months, Belle May, 4 weeks, Mamie A. 2 months.  This was during the years 1875 to 1884 and through it all she never lost faith in God; without the all sustaining grace of her Saviour, she could not have endured. 

 

Mrs. Tallett was the daughter of William S. and Minerva Myers Cox.  Her mother passed away the day she was born, but she knew no difference in the family of brothers and sisters that came of the second marriage of her father for she had the same motherly care from her own mother's cousin.  Upon her 18th birthday, January 19th 1859, she was united in marriage to Merton M. Tallett by the Rev. John Storrs, a Baptist minister.  They were baptized soon after and united with the Otselic Baptist church at Upper Beaver Meadow.  In 1885 they transferred their membership to the South Otselic Baptist church.  To mourn her departure, one sister, Mrs. Dorn L. Baldwin of South Cortland; two brothers, Fred E. Cox and Frank E. Cox of South Otselic; also nephews and nieces and a host of more distant relatives and friends. To know her was to love her.  Many are the keepsakes of her handiwork.  To do and to give, living and doing for others in her declining years.  The funeral was held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at her South Cortland home, Rev. Gerald Watkins, pastor of the First Baptist church, Cortland, officiating, and at 2 p.m. in her own church at South Otselic with burial in Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, Chenango Co., NY] beside her husband and three children, Rev. J. C. Whitney officiating and Charles H. Woodley undertaker in charge.

 

Calvin G. Brown

DeRuyter Gleaner, January 29, 1931

Calvin G. Brown, aged 70 years, died Wednesday, January 21st, at his home in Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY], following a long illness.  Mr. Brown was the son of William R. and Elizabeth French Brown and was born at Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY] on March 25, 1860, being the youngest of six children, now all deceased.  His boyhood and early manhood were spent on the farm where he was born.  On January 22, 1878, he married Nellie Bennett of Lincklaen.  In the fall of 1905 he sold his farm and with his family moved to Cincinnatus., where he has since resided.  He is survived by his wife; two sons, Ross B. Brown of Pharsalia and Alfred B. Brown of Cincinnatus, chairman of the Cortland county board of supervisors and one daughter, Mrs. Jay H. Nourse of Cincinnatus.  Mr. Brown who was taken ill four years ago, has been tenderly cared for by Mrs. Brown during all this time of suffering.  In politics he was a Democrat and for several years he was town superintendent of highways.  The funeral, which was private was held at the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. H.C. Sears officiating. Burial was made in Cincinnatus.

 

Leroy Palmer

Syracuse Journal, August 14, 1933

....Leroy Palmer, 19, of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], believed to be a student at St. Lawrence university, died in Crouse-Irving Hospital at 12:30 o'clock this afternoon of injuries suffered an hour and a half earlier when he was thrown from his motorcycle on the High Bridge road. 

The injured: 

     Miss Katherine Novak of Oriskany Falls,  minor cuts.

     Miss Helen Hayduk of Oriskany Falls, minor hurts.

     William Barber, 19, 315 Williams st., Facial cuts

Palmer suffered his hurts when he was thrown from his motorcycle on the High Bridge road, just over the village line of Manlius at 11 o'clock this morning.  According to Trooper Carmen Sicilla of the North Syracuse sub-station, Palmer was riding west when he rode over the brow of a small hill and applied his brakes to slow down for a line of traffic in front of him.  As he did so the front tire ripped part way off the wheel and this threw him over the handlebars to the concrete highway.  He was unconscious when picked up by witnesses and carried to the lawn of the home of Attorney Floyd Hoag.  Hospital reports said the young man suffered a fractured skull, broken nose and a fracture of the cheek bone.  From papers found in his clothing it is believed he was a student at St. Lawrence university.  Relatives of his in South Otselic were notified and made arrangements to come to Syracuse.

 

Elijah Cunningham

DeRuyter Gleaner, May 7, 1935

The funeral services of Elijah Cunningham were held at the M.E.  church, Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. DeWitt Stanley officiating, with Undertaker Kenneth Davis in charge.  Interment was made in Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Cunningham was a member of the M.E. church and I.O.O.F.  He is survived by two sons, one who lives in the west and Ralph, with whom he lived and one daughter, Mrs. Jones of Warsaw, N.Y.

Obituaries (October 24)

Josephine Coon Marlatte

Binghamton Press, April 7, 1914

Mrs. Josephine Coon Marlatte died Tuesday at the home of E. Corson.  The funeral service was conducted in her own home by Rev. E.D. Cavenaugh, the body being taken to Bainbridge [Chenangoj Co., NY] for burial. [St. Peter's Episcopal Cemetery]

 

Union-Endicott News, April 1914

Vestal [Broome Co., NY]:  Josephine Coon who has lived here several years on the farm purchased of Mr. Henry and known to her neighbors as Mrs. Marlatte died with paralysis Tuesday at the home of E. Corson.  Josephine Coon had no relatives to care for her in sickness or follow her to her burial.  Undertaker Chas. Russell sent the remains to Bainbridge, her former home for burial and services were held by Rev. E.D. Cavenaugh at the home of the deceased Thursday.

 

Charles Whitney

Norwich Sun, April 19, 1919

Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Charles Whitney, proprietor of the Valley House in this village, died Tuesday, April 16, of pneumonia.  The funeral was held Friday, Rev. Ira Bronson officiating.

 

Susan Grover

Norwich Sun, April 19, 1919

Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Susan Grover, daughter of Earl Grover, died in the home of her parents, April 16 of pneumonia after a few days' illness.  The funeral was held Sunday April 13, with burial in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY]. Rev. J.J. Francis officiated.

 

Philetus Shaw

Norwish Sun, April 19, 1919

Philetus Shaw died in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Scott, April 12, aged 80 years.  Mr. Shaw was a veteran of the Civil War and highly respected by all. The funeral was held Monday afternoon in the home of his daughter.  The services were in charge of Rev. L. E. Ford of Johnson City.  Burial was in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY]

Cora Teller

Norwich Sun, January 8, 1925

Otselic [Chenango co., NY]:  Miss Cora Teller, aged 56 years, died at her home Thursday morning January 1.  She had been in poor health for some time and was tenderly cared for by her sisters.  She leaves three sisters, Miss Lina Teller and Mrs. Alvin Maine, Mrs. Dan Carncross of Smyrna and one brother, Willis D. Teller of New Jersey. The funeral was held at the home Saturday at 1 p.m., the Rev. A.H. Youell officiating.  Undertaker Newcomb had charge of her funeral.  Burial was made in the South Otselic cemetery.

Daniel Webster

Norwich Sun, April 22, 1920

South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY]:  Daniel Webster, aged 80 years, died at is home in this village after being confined to the house for several months with failing health.  Mr. Webster had been living alone, his wife Kate having passed away about a year ago.  Mr. Webster was a veteran of the civil war and one of the rapidly thinning ranks.  In these times, the passing of one who offered his services to his country in days gone by is more than incidental.  It marks the union of the old patriotism and the new, the same Americanism. The honor which we so joyously shower upon our young heroes of today only causes us to appreciate more sincerely than ever the sacrifice of our boys in blue in '63.  These men have a message for us today in the reconstruction work so sternly facing us.  They gave themselves, hearts and all at risk of life that right might live.  This spirit is the Nations' heritage as the veteran departs.

Mr. Webster was born in the town of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] and enlisted August 11th, 1862 in Co I of the 114th N.Y. volunteers and served all through the war and was with the company when it was mustered out.  He served mostly as cook.  He was present at the famous battle of Cedar Creek when the Union army was forced to retreat and saw General Sheridan as he came to his army after his great ride from Winchester.  History tells us how the gallant leader, "Phil", riding up and down the lines cheered and inspired his men until disaster was turned into a complete victory.  Mr. Webster was commander of J.E. Parce Post G.A.R. and a member of South Otselic lodges, F. and A.M. and I.O.O.F. and also of the M.E. church at which he was a regular attendant up to the time of his illness.

He is survived by his two nephews, D.E. Webster of Ohio, and Samuel Webster of Tully also one niece, Mrs. Charles Tefft of Utica. D.E. Webster came here to care for him in his last days and was assisted by Edward Lamb and Daniel Geer. The funeral was held at the home, the Rev. Paul Swarthout officiating on account of the absence of Rev. J.W. Briggs, pastor of the deceased.  Burial was made at Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, NY] in charge of Charles H. Woodley. Three attending the funeral were D.E. Webster, of Youngstown, Ohio; Samuel Webster, Tully, N.Y.; Mrs. Charles Tefft, son and daughter of Utica and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Barber of Georgetown..

BCHS Class of 1959 - Part 1

Bainbridge Central Class of 1959

"Echo" 1959

 

Donald Jay Amey

 

June Carol Banks

 

Dawn Marie Benedict

 

Bettye Coriene Bickford

 

Sylvia Lou Bortner

 

Shirley Jean Bowen

Chenango & Unadilla Valley 50 years ago

Chenango and Unadilla Valley Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, April 3, 1872

Early Courts

 

Continued from posting of October 22, 2017

The next trial which excited an over powering interest in the community from its appeal to the higher and nobler tendencies of our natures, was some ten or twelve years later, tried before the same eminent Judge Van Ness.  It was an action of slander, involving a breach of promise of marriage, brought by Damres Morgan, a resident in the family of Judge Isaac Sherwood, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], against Nathaniel Hughston, then or soon afterwards a resident of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  The contract of marriage was clearly proved, and the slanderous imputations upon the character of the plaintiff attempted to be justified by the defendant.  This part of the case having however completely failed, Judge Van Ness indignantly summed up strongly in the plaintiff's favor; and the jury sympathizing with the distinguished judge, in the views taken by him, and perhaps not wholly unaffected by the beauty and desolate condition of the plaintiff, who sat by her counsel during the trial, rendered a verdict of heavy damages against the defendant.  The latter, however, being a gentleman at heart, and having himself been innocently misled as to the character of his intended, spared no time in making the amend honorable, and renewing his suit; which, after an appropriate period of penitence, on the one hand, and "coy and soft and amorous delay," on the other, was crowned with success, and no more pleasant or agreeable household was to be found in our cozy little village. 

 

The first Common Pleas Bench, in 1798, consisted of Isaac Foote, Joel Enos, and Joshua Leland, with Assistant Justices Oliver Morton and Elisha Payne.  In the ensuing year, John Lincklaen of Cazenovia and Benjamin Hovey of Oxford were added to the Bench, and Erastus Root, of Delaware, admitted as counsellor.  In July 1799, Joel Thompson and Gershom Hyde took their seats as Assistant justices.  One year later, Johnathan Foreman was appointed as Associate judge, and Isaac Foote became first or presiding judge.  In 1804, Gen. Obadiah German and Jeremiah Whipple were promoted to the bench, and Casper M. Rouse and Abner Purdy appointed Assistant justices.  in 1805, Thomas Lyon, Jr., was appointed judge, and Samuel Payne, and Nathaniel Medbury, Assistant Justices.  In 1807, Peter Betts of Bainbridge, took his seat, and in the ensuing year Joel Thompson was made first judge. At the first session of the Court in Norwich, in 1800, Anson Cary and Casper M. Rouse took their seats as Associate justices.  In 1810, William McCalpin, Tracy Robinson, Nathaniel Waldron, and Elisha Smith, were appointed Associate judge's.  In 1811 Ebenezer Wakely, and in 1812, John Gray, Jr., and Asa Morton, with John S. Flagler and Joel Hatch as Assistant Justices.  In 1814, Gen. Obadiah German presided as first Judge and Obadiah Sands, Samuel Campbell and John S. Flagler took their seats as Associate judges, and John Twichell and Chester T. Hammond as Assistant justices.

Obituaries (October 23)

Joseph Shampang

Norwich Sun, April 4, 1913

South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]:  Joseph Shampang, a veteran of the Civil war and a member of Jackson Post G.A.R. of this village, was stricken with cerebral apoplexy at his home at White Store Tuesday afternoon and died Wednesday night.  He is survived by his wife and two daughters and four sons.  The burial will be at White Store [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Mary Goodnow

Norwich Sun, April 4, 1913

South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Mary Goodnow died Thursday night, March 27.  Mrs. Goodnow was nearly 97 years of age but had been in good health with faculties well preserved until stricken with pneumonia three days before her death.  Mrs. Goodnow has made her home with her son, Darwin Goodnow, and his wife where every attention was given her. The funeral was held Monday afternoon with burial in Riverview cemetery.

 

Alfred G. Bush

South New Berlin Bee, Apr. 17, 1920

Alfred G. Bush died at his farm home on the east side of the river Wednesday, April 7, 1920, at about the noon hour.  Mr. Bush was 71 years of age.  All his brothers are living in the northern part of the State, where he and his sister, Mrs. Joseph Shampang, deceased, always lived until they came here some 25 years ago.  Mrs. Shampang died at White Store in 1915, in the 73rd year of her age.  Mr. Bush was a prosperous farmer, a hard working man; always up in the morning with chores done and started for the creamery at S.N.B. before lots of people would be out of their beds.  He leaves a second wife, Janie White and a son, George, besides his nephews, Henry, George, Frank, Fred, Archie Shampang, and two nieces, Mrs. George Law and Mrs. Ida young; and the brothers referred to who live in the northern part of the State.  Funeral was held Saturday, April 10, at 1:30, at his late home--this day being his sister's and one nephews' birthday--Rev. R.O. Tulloch, of South new Berlin, officiating.  Burial at White Store [Chenango Co., NY]; Linn Gage, undertaker.

 

Roy Cummings,

Norwich Sun, February 24, 1915

Roy Cummings, aged 21 years, who was taken seriously ill Sunday with typhoid pneumonia, died Thursday at 2:15 p.m.  He was tenderly cared for at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Edwin Humphrey.  He is survived by his mother, and brother Ray, two sisters, Blanche and Mrs. Archie Holmes, who have the sympathy of the community in their bereavement. The funeral was held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Frank Hamilton officiating.  Undertaker Woodley had charge of the burial in Maple Grove cemetery [Otselic, Chenango Co., NY]

Post Listing October 11-22, 2017

Listing of blog postings for October 11-22, 2017

Marriages

Posted October 14, 2017

Marriage notices - 1835

     Smith Thompson - Jane Eliza Rathbone

     John Monroe - Emeline Palmer

     Alfred Slocum - Amelia B. Randall

     Theodore Tanner - Susan Snow

     Orrin B. Gilbert - Servilia Benedict

     H. Tinker - Caroline Weeks

     Olney Davis - Sarah An Sturdevant

     Benajah Benton - Matilda Lewis

     Hiram Pratt - Marilla Harris

     J. Crane - Abigail Harris

     Willard Welton - Mrs. Blair

     Zebulon Willoughby - Mary Jane Doty

     Isaac U. Wheeler - Nancy Palmer

     Hezekiah Gifford - Mary Jane Smith

     John Bressee - Lucy M. Master

     Mr. House - Miss Moore

     Albert Card - Catharine Storrs

     Alonzo Bacon - Sally Cutting

 

Obituaries

Posted October 11, 2017

Frank Crandall (Unadilla, 1919)

Katherine Palmer Vernon (Middletown, 1919)

S. Dana Russell (Philmont, 1919)

Coralin Louise Sands Westcott (Binghamton, 1919)

October 14, 2017
The Complaining Corpse (Herman, 1919)
Ernest Louis Hartmann (Bainbridge, 1919)
Death Notices - 1835
     George Shattuck (Norwich, 6y)
     Jabish Howel (Norwich, 80y)
     Col. Caleb Seabury (Norwich, 68y)
     Jerusha Burlingame (58y)
     Jonas W. Ogden (McDonough, 28y)
     Bradford Willcox (Norwich, 21y)
     Almira Willcox (Norwich, 18y)
     Olney Eddy (Plymouth, 84y)  Revolutionary Soldier
     Simeon Kershaw (Hamilton, 20y)
     Abner Giles (Norwich, 29y)
     Tamar Hull (Norwich, 77y)

Posted October 16, 2017
Velmah (Loomis) Brown (South Otselic, 1958)
Maude (Kenyon) Crumb (South Otselic, 1944)
Jaynes Mott Crumb (South Otselic, 1956)

Posted October 17, 2017
Rev. Ira M. Allen (San Diego CA, 1849)
Karl Royce (Otselic, 1925)
Calpherne Davenport Ellsworth (Otselic, 1925)
Jesse Church (South Otselic, 1929)

Posted October 18, 2017
Dr. H. Frank Preston (Utica, 1915)
John F. Swailes (South Otselic, 1907)
Mrs. John F. Swailes (South Otselic, 1907)
Ledyard Cook (South Otselic, 1907)
Death Notices - 1875
     Betsey Crandall (New Berlin, 89y)
     Marsha C. Pearl (Earlville, 49y)
     Harriet A. Prentice (Parma, Norwich, 58y)
     Anna Lucia Eldredge (Washington State, 2 months)
     Emogene Rice (Moravia, Coventry, 19y)
     Anna Bacon (Sherburne, 102y)

Posted October 19, 2017
Luther Brown (Pharsalia, 1904)
LeRoy Stanton (Otselic 1909)  Civil War Soldier
John B. Henry (Homer, 1913)  Civil War Soldier
Milton Thompson (South Otselic, 1913)  Civil War Soldier
Millard Perry (Otselic, 1919) WWI Soldier

Posted October 20, 2017
William W. Blossom (Syracuse, Norwich, 1919)  accidental death
Erford Whaley (North Norwich, 1919)
Alice Clemie (Shaw) Royce (Otselic, 1929)
Libbie (Park) Brown (South Otselic, 1928)
Ralph Rnadall Brown (South Otselic, 1928)

Posted October 21, 2017
Elias P. Pellet (Norwich, 1840)
Andrew B. Knapp (Cherry Valley, 1849)
Maud Baldwin (North Pitcher, 1914)
May Baldwin (North Pitcher, 1914)

Posted October 22, 2017
Earl Roger Keith (Bay City MI, 1922)
Harris Coats (Bay City MI, 1922)
Newton Hayes (South Otselic, 1908)
Willard C. Hayes (South Otselic, 1928)
Nellie E./ (Newton) Hayes (South Otselic, 1945)


 

Miscellaneous

Posted October 14, 2017

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys of 50 years Ago - by S.S. Randall, written in 1872 (A walk about the Norwich downtown of the 1820s)

Posted October 16, 2017
Chenango & Unadilla Valleys of 50 years Ago - by S.S. Randall, written in 1872 (A walk about the Norwich downtown of the 1820s)

Posted October 17, 2017
Chenango & Unadilla Valleys of 50 Years Ago - by S.S. Randall, written in 1872 (A walk about the Norwich downtown of the 1820s)

Posted October 18, 2017
Murder of Tilla Miner - 1885 (South Otselic)

Posted October 21, 2017
Mrs. Sothern's Homeroom - 8th grade, 1958-9  BCHS
Chenango & Unadilla Valley of Fifty Years Ago - by S.S. Randall (early courts)

Posted October 22, 2017
Chenango & Unadilla Valley of 50 Years Ago - by S.S. Randall, written in 1872 (early courts)

 

Chenango & Unadilla Valley 50 years ago

Chenango and Unadilla Valley Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, April 3, 1872

 

Early Courts

 

Continued from posting of October 21, 2017

The jail liberties, or "limits," as they were termed, prior to the abolition of imprisonment for debt, were originally very restricted.  In 1809-10, when the County jail was first removed to Norwich, they consisted of only about two and a half acres--terminating in one direction in the center of the garden north of the old house of Seth Garlick.  An old legend is related of Seth's "thirty days in the [-unreadable-]" where he is presented as lugubriously seated during six days of each week, in his own garden, on one side of the stone dividing line, separating him from liberty and the dear delights of home, while his comely helpmate sat cozily knitting on the other.  Afterwards, in 1819, the "limits" were enlarged so as to include the entire village--from one end of which to the other I have often seen Peter Sken Smith, in the days of his impecuniosity, stride like a caged tiger, vainly rebelling against his bars.

 

One of the most important trials in the Circuit Court held in Chenango, took place in September, 1812, at Norwich.  Gen. David Thomas, then State Treasurer, was indicted by the Grand Jury for the alleged bribery, or attempt at bribery of Casper M. Rouse, a member of the State Senate, residing in Chenango, in order to procure his influence and vote for a bill then pending before the Legislature, for the incorporation of the Bank of America, in the city of New York; and in which Gen. Thomas individually, and as a leading politician, had a deep interest.  The charge, involving as it did, the public and private integrity of a distinguished functionary of the State Government, and intimately connected as it was, with an exciting political campaign, created an intense interest, not only in the vicinity where the alleged offence was committed, but throughout the State at large.  Those were not the times when corruption of this nature was allowed either on a great or small scale, to taint the purity of the Legislature ermine.  It was felt to be absolutely necessary on the part of the great political party to which Thomas belonged, and with which he was known to be closely identified effectually to clear its skirts from all participation in this nefarious transaction.  The most eminent legal counsel in the State were engaged, both for the prosecution and the defense.  Thomas Addis Emmett, the Attorney General--known far and wide as one of the highest luminaries of his profession--conducted the former, and Elisha Williams, of Hudson, the ablest and most successful jury advocate of the State, appeared on behalf of the latter. The forensic combatants were in all respects equally matched, and each worthy of his foeman's steel. The trail took place before the Hon. William W. Van Ness, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, a jurist whose long experience, eminent abilities and pure moral character, were eminently adapted to hold the scales of Justice equally poised.  The principal and most important witness on behalf of the prosecution, was, of course, Senator Rouse himself, who testified that Gen. Thomas, as the agent of the applicants for the Bank, in passing through Norwich on a mission to the southern and western counties visited him at his residence, and asked for and obtained a private interview, in which after alluding to the efforts of a party or clique in the city of New York, to which he knew the witness was strongly opposed[-unreadable-] for a bank in which they were interested, he appraised him of the intention to apply at the ensuing session for the "Bank of America" to be located in the same city, and informed him that if this application should prove successful, he, Rouse, should have ten shares in it.  Rouse in reply to this suggestion, told him that he had not a favorable opinion of banks, and besides had no money to invest in bank stocks; to which Gen. Thomas responded that "if he did not wish to keep the stock, he would pledge his honor that he, Rouse, should realize one thousand dollars clear profit from the shares,"  It did not clearly appear from his testimony whether a definitive answer was or was not given to this proposition, but Thomas, on leaving him requested him to call on his arrival at Albany, on Soloman Southwick, editor of the "Albany Register," and a leading Democratic politician, interested in the success of the application.  Rouse did not call on Southwick as desired, not did he vote for the charter, but about the middle of the session, the agents for the application becoming alarmed, John VanNess Yates, afterwards Secretary of State, called upon him on Sunday, and invited him again to see Gen. Thomas.  He did so, and after having, in answer to the anxious question whether he had divulged the conversation which took place at Norwich, responded in the negative, "Thomas earnestly requested him not to do so, and told him that although he had voted, or should vote, against the Bank, he should have his thousand dollars."  Rouse subsequently voted for Gen. Thomas as Treasurer, and the latter voluntarily published an affidavit contradicting the material allegations thus sworn to by the former. 

 

Mr. Southwick, then in the "full tide of successful experiment," as an organ of Democratic public opinion and a prominent political leader, was also examined as a witness, and in conjunction with the equivocations and contradictions elicited from Judge Rouse on his cross examination, and the narivailed eloquences and ingenuity of the counsel for the defense, succeeded in throwing so heavy a cloud of doubt upon the minds of the jury, as to the real motives and conduct, not of the defendant, but of the witness, Rouse, that they were induced to return a verdict of not guilty.  The evidence, however, would seem to have shown unequivocally that whatever might have been the duplicity or tergiversation of Rouse in the transaction, there could have been no reasonable ground to question the complicity and the guilt of Thomas.  And yet, it is not difficult to conceive that an ordinarily intelligent jury might be induced, by the ingenuity of able counsel, to infer, from the hesitating and confused manner of the principal witness--from the fact that he even took credit with Gen. Thomas for having kept the alleged proposition of bribery a profound secret--and from the fact that he continued to evince his entire confidence in his integrity, by supporting and voting for him as State Treasurer -that the whole of his testimony was unreliable or, if reliable in part, distorted and rendered worthless by material concealments or misrepresentations, or by conflicting and irreconcilable statements.  They may indeed, have been lead to fancy Rouse himself upon trial, instead of Thomas.  At all events I feel confident the result of the trial was a general conviction on the public mind in the neighborhood, that the judge's reputation officially and personally, was much more damaged than that of Gen. Thomas.

Obituaries (October 22)

Earl Roger Keith

Bay City Times, Bay City, MI, May 9, 1922

Earl Roger Kieth, aged 33 years, of Ridge road, died Monday evening, May 8, after a lingering illness.  He is survived by his wife, two sons, Billy and Jack, at home, his father, three sisters and one brother, of Comber, Ontario.

Harris Coats

Bay City Times, Bay City, , May 9, 1922

Harris Coats died last Saturday on the Midland road, at the age of 92 years and 14 days.  Mr. Coats was born in Pharsalia, Chenango county, New York, on April 22, 1830.  He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Eva Jester, two sons, and one grandson, all of Bay City.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the home, with interment in Oak Ridge cemetery.

 

Newton Hayes

DeRuyter Gleaner, February 13, 1908

1908:  Miss Minnie Hayes was called to South Otselic Monday morning by the serious illness of her affianced, Newton Hayes.  At last reports Mr. Hayes had been unconscious for some time with no signs of improvement.  [DeRuyter Gleaner, Feb. 13, 1908]

 

DeRuyter Gleaner, February 27, 1908

Newton D. Hayes, only child of Willard C. and Nellie Newton Hayes, was born Sept. 9, 1883, in Otselic, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], living nearly all his mortal life in that town.  He was baptized in May, 1897, by Rev. A.E. Hall and joined the church of his choice.  Always a home and mother loving boy, pleasant, mirthful and ever thoughtful for the welfare of others; he has been an exemplary, industrious, noble young man.  Surely “death loves a shining mark.” And yet:

There is no death! What seems so is transition.

This life of mortal breath

Is but a suburb of the life elysian,

Whose portal we call death.

Having had a severe illness late in the past summer, he had never fully regained his former health when he again became ill in January when all that love and tender care could do was done for him; but the poor pain-racked body could not hold the spirit longer.  His last words were, “it is all right.”  Thursday evening, Feb. 13, he stepped outside the clay that had been his habitation for twenty-four years, five months and eleven days. 

 

Willard C. Hayes

Norwich Sun, March 19, 1925

South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY]:  Willard C. Hayes was born in Manlius [Onondaga Co., NY] January 3, 1854 and died at his home in this village on March 8, 1925.  When he was ten years of age he went to live with Mrs. Abbie Farnham, near Cazenovia and remained with her until he was 20 years of age.  Later he came to Mariposa to work in the creamery for Curtis Kenyon, and remained with him for two years.  In 1882 he was married to Nellie Newton.  Their only child, Newton died in 1908.  This great sorrow undermined the health of both parents, and three years later they sold their farm on the Ridge and moved to this village where they bought the home where he spent his last days.  His funeral was largely attended from the M.E. church where for many years he had acted as usher.  Mr. Hayes had worked continuously for over 25 years for the B.F. Gladding Company. 

 

Chenango County Historian's Collection

Willard C. Hayes was born at Manlius, N.Y., early in 1854.  His parents were Cornelius and Mary Drake Hayes.  When a boy about ten years of age, he was taken into the home of the Farnham’s between Cazenovia and Pompey Hollow, where under the kind care and Christian guardianship of Aunt Abby and the clean and brotherly associations of the son, (the late J.B. Farnham), he absorbed those rare qualities so essential to the making of the real man, the development of which his many friends bear witness.  Following about ten years of this exemplary home life, Billy (as he was known by all) was employed by farmers and others about Cazenovia and vicinity, still retaining his old home.  About 1878 he came to Otselic and after working for farmers for a time was employed at the Mariposa creamery for two seasons.  In 1882 he was united in marriage to Nellie Newton, daughter of the late A.D. and Adelia Newton of this town.  Resulting from this union, a son, Newton, was born to them in 1883, who died in 1908.  About 1890 Mr. Hayes engaged in farming, having purchased the J.P. Newton farm on the Ridge Road, which vocation he followed with much success, spending the winters with the Gladding Fish Line Co., in this village.  About 1910 he sold the farm and purchased a home here, where after months of suffering he passed away March 8th.  After establishing the new home he gave his full time to the Gladding works, where he was a trusted employee up to within three  months of his passing, at which time on account of his failing health he was compelled to retire.  It was instinctive in Billy to make friends of which he enjoyed a full share.  He was widely popular because he possessed those rare qualities which win friendship, always companionable and humorous at all times.  Loyal to his friends with an aggressive loyalty, and all who mourn his passing, remembering him with a keen feeling of personal bereavement.  Neighbor Hayes had never affiliated with any of the secret organizations here, but was a faithful and regular attendant at the M.E. church of which he had for many years been a member. Willing at all times to contribute his full share of the betterment and improvement of the church, which he loved and where he had so long been punctual at nearly every service.  He had no near relatives living, except the wife, who alone survives him. The funeral was largely attended from the church on Wednesday afternoon, March 11th.  His pastor, Rev. Granger in charge, assisted by rev. J.C. Whitney of the Baptist church.  Burial in Valley View, by the side of the son.  Included in floral offerings, which were many, were fine pieces from the M.E. Brotherhood and the employees of the B.F. Gladding & Co., who attended in a body.  Deep sympathy is extended to the widow and her aged mother by the whole community, all realizing however that we are all better for having known W.C. Hayes. 

 

Nellie E. (Newton) Hayes

DeRuyter Gleaner, January 18, 1945

Mrs. Nellie E. Hayes, a life long resident of Otselic township [Chenango Co., NY] passed away at the Woman's Relief Corps Home in Oxford, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], where she had been a guest since may of 1944, on January the 10th, 1945.  She was born on the Newton farm on the Ridge Road, the eldest of three children of Albert and Ordelia Babcock Newton, on September 1st, 1862.  In her young womanhood she married  William Hayes who died in 1925.  One of the greatest griefs of her life was the death of their only child, a son, Newton, who passed away in 1908 at the age of 25 years.  After many years of residence on the home farm on the Ridge Road she and her husband moved to this village and lived next to the Methodist church.  She was an active member of this church and gave many evidences of her love and devotion to her Lord in her years of active participation in the work of the church.  Her funeral was held from the church she loved on Saturday, January 13th.  The Rev. Guy Foye Crawford, her pastor officiating.  Her body was borne by neighbors who acted as bearers, being placed in the Russell F. Smith vault in DeRuyter until the springtime when it will be buried in the family lot in the Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, NY].