Obituaries (April 2)

Charlotte A. Bennett

Bainbridge Republican, August 3, 1872

In Memoriam:  Mrs. Charlotte A. Bennett departed this life July 27th, after a very painful illness of some weeks at the age of 51.  From the first Mrs. Bennett felt that this might prove her last sickness and made all her arrangements for her departure, if it should so be ordered, and often said that she would like to live, yet if God willed it she was prepared to go.  Fearing that reason might be dethroned toward the last, she called her family to her bedside and bid them each good bye, saying "that she thought it best to do this while she had her consciousness, as she might not always be able to recognize them;" and it proved true, for in the last days of her life she scarcely knew anyone.  In mental power and ability of mind Mrs. Bennett had few equals.  She possessed a discrimination that would have fitted her for a high and useful position, had she been called to it.  Added to this she had a native grace and dignity, queen-like, which at once fitted her for a leader and made her the charm of every circle in which she moved, and above all graced her own home.  Besides the  natural powers and graces, Mrs. Bennett was a firm believer in God's Word, and in the justice of His divine requirements, and sought in her own life to meet these requirements.  She was baptized some twenty-five years ago by Rev. Henry Robertson, into the membership of the Bennettsville Baptist Church.  During this time she has sustained an unimpeachable Christian character.  In the death of Mrs. Bennett society has lost a polished and refined mind; the Christian church an exemplary member; the Sabbath school a cultivated and earnest teacher, and home its brightest starr.  Her funeral was very largely attended, and Rev. Henry Robertson discoursed ably from the words, "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."  Thus one after another of earth's children passes away, and how blessed the invitation, "Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Rev. Harvey Smith

Bainbridge Republican, October 12, 1872

Death of Rev. Harvey Smith:  This servant of Christ, died at Phelps City, Mo., Sept. 20th, 1872, aged 61 years.  he was born in Coventry, this county [Chenango Co., NY], and was well known throughout this entire region.  More than thirty years ago he commenced preaching in Masonville Delaware county. After supplying that church for a short time, he was called to the Congregational Church in Triangle, Broome county, and from thence he returned to Masonville.  After filling both of these pulpits with acceptance, he was elected Vice Principal of Laurel Bank Seminary in Deposit.  He labored in that capacity for about two years, when he went to Chenango Forks and took charge of the church there.  From there he went to Maine Village in the same county, and remained several years.  From Maine Village he was called to the Presbyterian church in South Armenia, Dutchess county, where he has been settled for the last fourteen years.  On the second of September last, he left his home on a visit to his only son in Nebraska, and a sister in Missouri.  He arrived at the home of his sister, Mrs. J.L. Dort, near Phelps City, Mo., on the 7th.  His visit there was very opportune, as the family were in sore affliction from the recent death of Mr. Dort and one of his sons. But his words of comfort and sympathy to them were destined to be few.  In a few days, he was taken with bloody flux, and after nine days of suffering breathed out his life.  

Thus was suddenly terminated a most useful life.  He had long anticipated this visit to the West.  He had thought much of the need of the West for faithful preachers of the gospel, and advanced as he was in years, he had yet expressed his determination to resign his charge in the East and seek a new field in the West.  His whole soul was in his Master's work, and he longed for nothing so much as to break the bread of life to the destitute ones there.  But God had a higher service for him.  He was permitted to make his long contemplated visit, but only to find a grave in the West instead of a field of labor.  He was not permitted to lift up his voice there in preaching the gospel he loved, but from there his soul went up to the Master, whose word he had so often proclaimed.  Like Moses, he was permitted to look upon the land where his heart had been set, but he was not permitted to enter upon the possession of it.  The death of this beloved brother will cast a shadow over the hearts of multitudes who have known and loved him, for he was dear to the hearts of all his friends.  For him to be known, was to be respected and loved.  He was one of Nature's noblemen, richly endowed with fine qualities of mind and heart.  He was unselfish and self sacrificing to the highest degree.  His life was devoted to the service of his Master in raising up fallen humanity.  No labor was too severe, no sacrifice too great for him to undertake, if thereby he could benefit some fellow creature.  His place will be hard to fill, for his equal in these things is seldom found.

His bereaved family will ever miss his genial presence, his kind words and many tender offices of affection.  His afflicted people will miss the wise counsels, and the solemn warnings and instructions of their late faithful shepherd.  An aged mother will miss the filial caress, and loving voice of her preacher son.  Brothers and sisters, and friends near and distant will miss his cheering visits, and the influence of his happy and devoted spirit.  Yes, we shall see his face no more, and the thought brings sorrow to our hearts.  But with him there is no sorrow.  His labor and his toil are over, his sorrows are all past, and he has entered into the rest and reward of the righteous.   W.H.S.

Death Notices

Bainbridge Republican, July 13, 1872

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], July 5th, Mr. Wm. D. Newell, aged 29 years.

In New York city, July 4th, Mr. Charles W. PerLee, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]  aged 42 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], July 4th, Mr. James Stoppard, aged 61 years.

Bainbridge Republican, July 20, 1872

Spaulding:  At the residence of her son, Ira Spaulding, in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] July 9th, Mrs. Phebe Spaulding, aged 83 years and 6 months.

Barr:  At the residence of his son, in East Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], July 10th, Mr. Arron Barr, aged 88 years.

Crandall:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], July 11th, J. Louis [Crandall], son of Joseph and Carrie Crandall, aged 2 years 5 months and 14 days.

Cleveland:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], July 5th, Miss Lottie Cleveland, aged 25 years.

Bainbridge Republican, July 27, 1872

Fish:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], July 13th, Mrs. Elisabeth Fish, aged 89 years.

Bainbridge Republican, August 3, 1872

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., Helen L. [Wildey], wife of Stephen Wildey, in the 60th year of her age.