Obituaries (January 14)

General Erastus Root

Madison County Whig, December 30, 1846

The New York Express of Friday contains the following obituary notice of the late Erastus Root, who died in New York on the 23d inst.

Under the obituary head we notice the death of Erastus Root, at the advanced age of 74 years.  He reached this city [NYC] on his way to Washington, from his home in Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], On Monday last, and was suddenly seized with an inflammation of the kidneys, which terminated his earthly career, at the house of a friend.  Gen. Root has filled a wide space in the political affairs of this State; for nearly half a century he has been a prominent politician.  He was a native of Hebron in Connecticut; was educated at Dartmouth College, and for some years was a school teacher.  He studied law, and settled in Delaware, then a portion of Otsego County.  In 1798, he appeared in the Legislature of this State [NY], as a Representative, and from that period until within a short time, he has been in public life--always a representative of the people!  He was in Congress sixteen years, and in the Legislature of this State, as Senator and Representative, for more than twenty years.  He was Lieut. Governor when Joseph Yates was Governor, and has held many other important statins.  Gen. Root was a strong minded man, a ready and able debater.  There is hardly, a man that can be named who was more popular at home than Gen. Root.  He was elected to every prominent station in the gift of his friends, and almost always by very large majorities.  He was for many years the leader of the Loco Fuco party, in this State.  He was the champion of their principles. When, however, Gen. Jackson became a candidate for the Presidency, Gen. Root left his party, and asserted that they had deserted their principles, and he became as devoted a Whig as he had been a Loco Foco, and was returned to the Senate of this State. At one period of his life he became irregular in his habits; but his strength of mind and purpose was such, that he became perfectly correct, and for a long period had been exemplary.  He was a fierce and ardent politician; but his animosities were political, not personal.  Some of his warmest friends were his political opponents.  He was most kind and perfectly free from any malignant feeling.

 

Caroline M. Mead

Madison County Whig, August 4, 1847

In Nelson [Madison Co., NY], on Friday, July 30th, 1847, Caroline M., only daughter of Oncsimus Mead, M.D., in the 31st year of her age.  Once more has relentless death entered the dwelling of our friends, and taken from their circle one dearly beloved.  Once more have they been called upon with little warning to render up another child in whom their affections were deeply centered--Once more has a sympathizing multitude assembled at the house of mourning, and from thence followed to the grave the remains of one, who but a few weeks since, bid fair to live and long continue to cheer the declining years of her aged parents.  But she is gone, leaving her many friends assured that it is well with her.  She had in early life, and while in health, wisely chosen the good part, which could not, even in death, be taken away.  Her funeral was attended on Sunday afternoon, and an appropriate discourse delivered by Rev. E.C. Pritcheit, from Job 1:21  "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

 

Rev. E.S. Barrows

Madison County Whig, August 4, 1947

In Utica [Oneida Co., NY], on Wednesday, July 28, Rev. E.S. Barrows, for many years Pastor of the Presbyterian church in this village.  We copy the following obituary from the Utica Gazette:

 

The above melancholy announcement will not be entirely unexpected by those of our citizens who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with the deceased.  An illness of several weeks, attended with continued unfavorable indications, gave no room to hope for a favorable issue.  Anticipation has become reality, and death has followed in the track of disease.  There are few men in any community who could boast of a larger circle of real friends, than the departed.  Possessing in an eminent degree those qualities which find their appropriate manifestation in the promotion of the happiness of those around him, his enjoyment was found in advancing the well being of others, and in endeavors to mitigate the ills of life.  As a man he possessed the affectionate regard of many, and commanded the respect of all.  As a herald of the everlasting gospel, his daily life was made up of devotion and love.  Fully alive to the exalted station which the providence of God had called him to fill, he sought to be an approved laborer in the Master's vineyard. As a preacher he addressed the understanding rather than the imagination.  His aim was to induce his bearers to act from principle, rather than impulse, and to make religion the great object of life, instead of the fleeting impression of the hour.  And although ill health frequently compelled him to lay aside the active and public duties of his profession, his daily walk and conversation were living illustrations of the doctrines he proclaimed.  In his piety and judgement his brethren in the ministry were ever wont to confide, conscious that one of such purity of life must be in close and intimate communion with his God. The last hours of Mr. Barrows were peaceful.  There was no fear, no doubt, no conflict. The voice which called him away, broke in accents of kindness on his ear; and he gladly heard the summons which invited him to the skies. As his life had been faithful, so was his death glorious and triumphant.  Like Goldsmith's faithful pastor, be "Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way."

Death Notices

Madison County Whig, August 4, 1847

At the Utica Asylum [Oneida Co., NY] suddenly, of disease of the brain, Mr. William Earl Faulkner, in the 24th year of his age. About four months since the deceased began to show signs of insanity, and for the last two months has been an inmate of the Asylum.  He has left a wife and numerous friends to mourn his sudden and unexpected death.

In this village [Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY], on the 2d instant, Peries Bradford, aged 83 years.

In Madison []Madison Co., NY], on the 25th ult., Jacob Lamb, aged 71 years.

In Pitcher, Chenango county, on the 22d ult., David Dearborn, formerly of this place [Cazenovia, NY], in the 82d year of his age.

 



Madison County Whig, June 27, 1849

June 14th, at the residence of her brother, in Louisville, Ky., of Cholera, after an illness of 23 hours, Jane A. Servick, aged 30 years.

In this town [Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY], at the residence of his son, Lewis Raynor, Mr. James Raynor, at the advanced age of 90.

Madison County Whig, October 16, 1850

In this town [Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY], after a long protracted illness of Consumption which she bore with Christian fortitude in full assurance of a blessed immortality beyond the grave, Miss Emma [Fay], Daughter of Mr. Asa and Sarah Fay, aged 28 years.