Thursday, August 9, 2018

Obituaries (August 10)

Lepha A. Davis
Bainbridge Republican, August 24, 1888
Died, in Bainbridge, August 17, at the residence of her brother, T.E. Searles, Leapha A. Davis, wife of George W. Davis, of Wells Bridge, aged 53 years.  Last March Mrs. Davis sent to Iowa to care for her brother and his three motherless children, but in a short time after reaching there her health began to fail, and she returned, reaching her brother's home July 17, and after one month of suffering, she resigned her family to the care of Him in whom she put her trust, and quietly passed away to meet the loved ones gone before.

Maria M. (Nichols) Fisher
Bainbridge Republican, May 17, 1899
Maria M., wife of Charles J. Fisher, died at her home in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Sunday evening at 8:30 o'clock, aged sixty-two years.  Mrs. Fisher had been in declining health for two years.  A year ago she went to Philadelphia for treatment but her stay was brief as physicians diagnosed her case as being beyond human skill.  She was not hopeless however, and waged a brave fight against disease, becoming convinced only a few months ago that she was gradually descending to the grave.  For the past two weeks she had been confined to the bed suffering much but the final moments were peaceful.

Mrs. Fisher was born and reared in West Bainbridge and upon the farm that had been in the possession of the Nichols family since 1786.  The history of the attainment of this farm forms an interesting tale.  The grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier who had lost a leg in the war.  His home was in Vermont. At the close of the war a dispute arose between the states of New York and Vermont in reference to certain lands finally ceded to the latter.  Some of the inhabitants of Vermont living upon the contested territory espoused the New York cause and refused to obey the Vermont laws, where upon they were punished by the little state by the confiscation of property, imprisonment and fines, bringing absolute want upon some of the people--hence the name, "Vermont Sufferers."  The grandfather of Mrs. Fisher was one of the sufferers.  Upon an appeal made to the Legislature of New York for recompense by the "Vermont Sufferers," many claims were allowed and to some lands were assigned in the town of Bainbridge.  Among the petitioners was the grandfather of the deceased who was granted all of the region of West Bainbridge, it being then a dense forest. The sturdy soldier came on with his little family, the father of Mrs. Fisher being then a lad of thirteen years. The site for a home was located, a log house was put up occupying the position of the commodious house that was burnt a few years ago.  In those times of 1786 and years later, wild beasts were common in the forests and parties building were obliged to take them into consideration.  Mr. Nichols built the doorways of his log house high up so that they were reached only by a ladder, and at night the ladder was drawn in.

Industry, frugality and shrewd sales of land brought an easy competence to the colonists from Vermont and the Nichols families were counted among the wealthy farmers of West Bainbridge.  The parents of Mrs. Fisher were Thomas and Mary E. Nichols who had five children.  The four surviving are:  Henry S. and Frederick T. Nichols of West Bainbridge, Mrs. G.B .Hickox of Afton and Mrs. Wm. E. Rifenbark of Unadilla.  The deceased was married in 1870 to Charles J. Fisher of Unadilla. The husband and a son, Joseph C. Fisher, who is an only child, remain of her immediate family.  A sweet child, little Mary, died many years ago, which was a loss always fresh in the memory of the mother.  Mr. and Mrs. Fisher came to this village to reside in 1885, after the death of her parents in West Bainbridge.  Her love for her family and kindred, was intense, sacrificing and beautiful in its entire devotion. She was generous and kind to her neighbors and took a deep interest in her church.  She was a member of the Episcopal church.  Her domestic virtues and her large womanly heart will long be remembered by those who knew her intimately. The funeral was held at the house yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. A.H. Grant officiating. The interment was in St. Peter's burying ground. The relatives Mr. and Mrs. George B. Hickox of Afton, and Mrs. William E. Rifenbark and daughter of Unadilla, were present at the funeral.


Death Notices


Mrs. John Parsons, of this town [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] was taken with an apoplectic stroke Wednesday night and died at 4 o'clock Thursday morning.  She was apparently in as good health as usual the previous day, and her death was a terrible shock to her many friends.  [Bainbridge republican, Nov. 23, 1879]

Leonard Cole, aged 74 years, a resident of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Nelson Parsons, in this village, on the 22d last.  The funeral was held on Sunday and the remains were taken to Ives Settlement for interment [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 2, 1888]

Pasque LeSuer, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died of pleurisy last Wednesday night, after a short illness.  He was 65 years of age.  [Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 21, 1888]

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