Obituaries (January 15)

John Barber

The Pilot, Cazenovia, NY, August 10, 1808

Mr. John Barber, the proprietor of this paper, is no more!--He expired on Sunday night last, after a tedious and painful illness of eighteen months, aged 50 years--and on Tuesday his remains were interred in the cemetery of the Episcopal Church, attended by the Mechanic's Society, of which he was a member, and a numerous concourse of relatives, friends and fellow citizens.

"When the just man died, let the people mourn."

 

Dr. Amasa Harrington

The Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, May 29, 1820

Died at Laurens [Otsego Co., NY], on the 16th April, of a lingering illness, which he bore with Christian resignation, Dr. Amasa Harrington, aged 39 years.  Dr. Harrington was a physician of no ordinary talents, who devoted his time with care and assiduity to alleviate the pains and sufferings of his fellow creatures.  As such, his loss will be long felt and remembered by his friends and acquaintances.  He has left a wife and three children to deplore the loss of a kind husband and an affectionate parent. 

 

William B. Holmes

Madison County Whig, September 24, 1845

Death of Wm. B. Holmes, Esq.--It has at length become our melancholy duty to announces the death of our esteemed fellow citizen, W.B. Holmes, Esq. He died at Utica [Oneida Co., NY], yesterday afternoon, about ten minutes after the arrival of the cars from the east, on which he came; being on his way from New York to the residence of his father-in-law, Col Hearsey, of Cazenovia.  He had for some time been laboring under the consumption, and spent the past winter in Georgia in the hope of restoring his health.  He returned somewhat improved, but a heavy affliction awaited him in the death of his wife, who died about two months after his return.  This severe shock proved too much for him, in his precarious health, and possessing, as he did, a keen unsleeping temperament, actively alive to the sensibilities of our nature, he staggered under it, but he was filled with a strong desire to live for his two children, now orphans, and soon after the death of his wife went down to N.Y. and there placed himself under the care of an eminent physician, as a last hope. This, however, was blighted and being convinced that his disease was beyond the reach of human aid, he was anxiously returning to die among his relatives, when the approach of death arrested his progress at Utica, and he expired a few minutes after he had been conveyed to the house of a friend.  He age was about 31 years.  Herkimer Co. Dem., Sept. 18.

Augustus Porter

Madison County Whig, June 27, 1847

Death of Augustus Porter--By reference to our obituary head, it will be seen that the venerable Augustus Porter expired yesterday.  Judge Porter is nearly the last of that intrepid  band of settlers who entered Western New York while a wilderness, 60 years ago, and who live to see it "blossom like a rose."  With a strong and well stored mind, and indomitable energy and enterprise, he encountered and conquered the trials of pioneer life.  His efficiency and incorruptible integrity, won for him the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, by whom he was called to various posts of trust and honor.  After a faithful discharge of the duties of life, he is gathered to his father like a shock of corn fully ripe. The pillars of the social fabric fall when such men are removed.

Erastus F. Loomis

Madison County Whig, August 15, 1849

In this town [Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY], on the 23 of July, Erastus F. Loomis, son of Mr. John Loomis, aged 24 years.

When in health, Mr. Loomis engaged to himself many friends by the estimable qualities of his character, and when prostrated by disease, he was the object of much sympathy and friendly attention, amidst the extraordinary sufferings he was called to endure.  Rejoicing in the hope that he was prepared by divine grace to enter the heavenly rest, with singular deliberation he made the arrangements he wished to be observed at his funeral.  Selecting the preacher, the text, the hymns to be sung and some of the young men he loved to bear his body to the grave.  His love for his youthful associates was never more fitly or strongly expressed than in his dying message to them, viz.  "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth"

 

Death Notices

The Freeman's Journal, May 29, 1820

 

In Otsego [Otsego Co., NY], on Wednesday last, Mrs. Sophia Williams, wife of Mr. John Williams, in the 24th year of her age. 

 

At Finsbury (N.J.) Frederick Pickle, aged 100 years.  When he was 94, he cut with a cradle 500 sheaves of rye in a day. at 97 he went into the woods and split 100 chestnut rails in less than a day.

 

Madison County Whig, September 24, 1845

 

At DeRuyter [Madison Co., NY], on the 18th inst., of consumption, Miss Susan W. [Dodge], youngest daughter of the Rev. John R. Dodge, aged 19 years.

Madison County Whig, August 15, 1849

In Elmira [Chemung Co., NY], on the 8th instant, Mrs. Selina Gridley, relict of Abel Gridley, formerly of this place [Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY], aged 62 years.