Obituaries (May 12)

Mary Pennington

Northern Christian Advocate, February 12, 1851

Mrs. Mary Pennington died Jan. 25, in Perry, N.Y., aged 80 years.  Though reared under Christian influences, and favored with the teachings and worship of the "Church of England," in her native town, Newland, Yorkshire, she did not, until her sixtieth year, and about the time of her emigration to this country, become personally interested in a gracious atonement, and a Gospel salvation.  Connecting herself with the M.E. Church, for the last twenty years she has honored her profession, and exhibited those social, maternal, and moral qualities which are admired in the female and Christian character.  Unwavering faith in God, a very marked trait in her mental and moral constitution was the basis of her Christian stability, and the channel of those divine manifestations in which she almost constantly rejoiced. As an indication of her frame of mind, during her protracted illness, which she endured with patience, and as the evidence of her pious solicitude for her children, friends and classmates, she dictated the following message:  "God is my portion, and heaven is my home; live so as to meet me in glory."  With the unclouded witness of perfect love reigning in her heart, she was released form her suffering, to join her sainted companion in the paradise of God.  D.C. Burlingham,  Perry, Feb. 4, 1851.

Adaline E. (Richer) Lamb

Brookfield Courier, April 30, 1890

Died, at her home in Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], April 15, 1890, Adaline E. [Lamb], wife of Harlow R. Lamb. The subject of this notice was born in March, 1832 and married in the month of November, 1852.  Of the five children born to them, two, only, survive her, Mary A., wife of J.G. Holmes, of New Berlin, and Cora E., wife of L.E. Hooker, of Binghamton.  In her days of health and strength she was a woman of much more than ordinary activity and energy of character, and her friendships were widely extended in the community in which she passed her whole life.  During the later years of her life in no ordinary degree had the discipline of suffering been appointed unto her.  The tie that bound the deceased to her bereaved husband was one of unusual strength.  For nearly forty years were they permitted to walk hand in hand, and "in nothing were they divided." She had never made an open profession of religion, but the few who really knew her can bear testimony that she had given deep and earnest thought to the problem of the great future that lies before us all, and that her trust was in "Him, who doeth all things well."  A friend to the needy, a faithful wife, an indulgent mother, she has passed on to that clime where "we shall see as we are seen and know as we also are known." The funeral was largely attended, on Thursday, the 17th, at the family residence where a large concourse of friends and neighbors testified to the respect in which her memory was held. The sympathies of the entire community go out to the bereaved family, in this their hour of supreme trial.  In an especial degree may the husband and father who has nearly fulfilled the allotted years of human life, and whose home is now left desolate, realize that underneath him are the Everlasting arms.

Harlow R. Lamb

1821 - 1900

Harlow R. Lamb died at his home in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Saturday afternoon.  He was in his 80th year and had been sick but a few weeks.  he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. L.E. Hooker of Binghamton, and Mrs. J.G. Holmes of Norwich, also one brother, Reuben E. Lamb of Niagara county.  Mr. Lamb was a brother of Truxton G. Lamb, who died at Sherburne a few years ago, also Edwin E. Lamb late of Waterville, all of whom were sons of Joshua Lamb, at one time judge of this county.  Mr. Lamb was a frequent visitor at Norwich where he had many friends.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Concerning the death of Harlow R. Lamb, a son of the late Judge Lamb of Columbus, which occurred April 28th at New Berlin, as briefly mentioned in The Telegraph at the time, the New Berlin correspondent of the Edmeston local of Last week, pays the deceased a deserved tribute.  Mr. Lamb was well known in Norwich, he having spent much of his time here during the past few years as the guest of his daughter, who is the wife of County Clerk Jay G. Holmes.  His quiet, social manner, and unquestioned integrity of character attracted as friends all who met him, and his departure from this life, although at an advanced age, was deeply regretted.  The writer above mentioned said, in part, as follows:

"A good man has gone to his rest, a man who has lived a life that is an honor to his ancestors, and an honor to the loved ones that he leaves.  His name will go down to the generations that follow him, like the sweet fragrance of undying flowers.  But few in this sinful world bear such an unspotted reputation.  For moral integrity and honesty of purpose he has been noted through all the long years of his life.  For kindness of heart and sympathetic tenderness for others he towered above those about him, ready to reach out a helping hand to the unfortunate.  The Local's correspondent remembers him and his excellent wife while he was living at Lambs Corners in Columbus.  We remember how many times neighborly kindness was extended to us in affliction, by Mr. and Mrs. Lamb. All through the long years that have drifted in between that time and this, bright memories of our kind hearted neighbors frequently appear like sweet June roses blooming along life's wayside. Several years ago, Mrs. Lamb was placed to rest in the old Lamb cemetery, and the lonely husband was left behind.  His faithful daughters have earnestly tried to make the father's life glad, and his cheerful face has revealed how well they have succeeded.  tomorrow Mr. Lamb will be placed by the side of the loved wife and the soft spring-time winds will sing their low songs over the graves of the happy dead. The summer sunlight will kiss so tenderly the newly made grave in the old family cemetery.  The true husband and father will sleep sweetly after his long journey in a weary land.  The 'Shadow of the Great Rock', which is the sweet rest of Heaven, will lull the brave spirit into the eternal quiet that shall never be broken by the storms of life.  O how blessed the rest of Heaven must be to him who has wandered so long in the valley of tears."

W.C. Silvernail

South New Berlin Bee, February 14, 1914

Last week an account was given of the accident of Mr. Silvernail, at which time hopes were entertained of his recovering.  The nature of his injury is a mystery, no bruise or mark of any kind being found upon him, which, had he come in violent contact with the ice from a fall would almost necessarily have been the case. The statement that he was found lying on the ground by his sleigh was a mistake, as he drove his team into the yard by the house after the accident, the exact circumstances of which will never be known.

Mr. Silvernail was a respected citizen of every community in which he has resided and his death under such sudden and tragic circumstances is widely regretted.  It is especially severe upon his wife, whose condition is such as to render a bereavement she is scarcely able to bear.  Besides his wife, he is survived by five children,  John A. Silvernail, of Rockdale, Mrs. S.A. Lord, of Mt. Upton, Mrs. W.A. Skinner, Rockdale, Harry, who resides at home and Willett C. Silvernail of Lestershire, N.Y.  Two children are deceased, William R. and Ida M., two brothers, John O. Silvernail of Sidney Centre and Faron Silvernail of West Bainbridge; three sisters living, Mrs. G.W. Blatchley, of Freehold, N.J., Mrs. Frances Trewer, of Freehold, N.J., Mrs. Reynolds, of North Fenton, and two sisters are deceased, Mrs. Albert Webb, of Oxford and Mrs. Wm. Palmer, of Port Crane.  Brief services were held at the house on Monday morning which were attended by many relatives and friends and conducted by Rev. Mr. Singer of the Methodist church, after which the body was taken by train from Sidney to Port Crane, N.Y., for burial by the side of his two children, where a church funeral was held, also conducted by Mr. Signer who accompanied the family.   H.H.S.

Margaret J. (Walker) Lawton

Sidney Enterprise, March 16, 1944

Mrs. Margaret J. Lawton, 87, of Franklin [Delaware Co., NY], died at her home in Bartlett Hollow at 3:00 Sunday morning after a three-day illness of pneumonia.  Funeral services were held at Joyce funeral home in Unadilla Wednesday at 2:00 with Rev. George Youngs, pastor of the Unadilla Methodist church, officiating.  The body was placed in the vault at Ouleout Valley cemetery for burial later.  Mrs. Lawton was born in the town of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], near Franklin Depot, Oct. 6, 1856, a daughter of George and Mary (Cullen) Walker.  April 7, 1876, she was married to George W. Lawton who died April 8, 1909.  Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Norman J. Jackson of Franklin; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was a member of the Unadilla Methodist church and moved to Franklin from Unadilla about 15 years ago.