Obituaries (January 17)

Jennie Jones

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, July 31, 1868

In New Lisbon, July 19, of diphtheria, little Jennie [Jones], only child of James and Abagail Jones, aged 5 years.  Beautiful in person, confiding and affectionate in disposition, she seemed too good and pure for earth. She lingered here long enough to become the light of the household, and gather to herself the affections of many friends and kindred. The childless parents sadly mourn their loss, "But not as those without hope."  "For of such is the kingdom of heaven."   A.G.

 

Annis Shute

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, January 30, 1863

Mrs. Annis Shute, wife of A. Shute, Esq. of Milford [Otsego Co., NY], departed this life Dec. 7th, 1862, after a short but severe illness, aged 73 years.  For 40 years a member of the Church of Christ, she steadfastly maintained her Christian integrity before the church and the world. The blow falls as heavily as unexpectedly upon a confiding companion and endeared children, but they have her whole life to cheer them in their bereavement, as it points to her unswerving confidence and faith in Christ. She loved and studied her Bible. The spiritual hymns of Zion were a source of comfort and religious instruction to her and afford an additional view of her interior life, telling the heart work that under God was maturing within.  Being an old resident of the town, and one of the pioneer members of the church, a deep feeling manifested itself in her decease, and a multitude attended her remains to their burial. Surely, the memory of the righteous as a savor of good.

 

Dr. Aborn Thornton Bigelow

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, July 31, 1868

In compliance with a resolution of the last meeting of this Society, I proposed to present a very brief sketch of the life and character of the late Aborn Thornton Bigelow.  To those advanced in life the departure of one with whom they have been long associated is peculiarly mournful.  It is Surrendering one more of the ties that bind us to the things of earth, already rendered few by the relentless march of Time. Although it may be painful, it also may be profitable to us who still remain.  By admonishing us that we too must soon depart, and live only in the memories of a few surviving friends.

 

Toward the close of the last century, Dr. Uriah Bigelow removed from Massachusetts and located in the town of Worcester, in the valley of Schenevus while that section of the country was comparatively a wilderness.  He was a practitioner of the Old School, a man of sound judgment, inflexible integrity and great perseverance.  He cleared up a farm, and raised a large family, who have done honor to his memory. The oldest of three sons, the late Uriah G. Bigelow, entered the Profession and succeeded his father in practice, when age and infirmity compelled him to relinquish it.  the second son was a farmer, and lived and died on the old homestead. The third son, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1802.  He labored on the farm during his minority, with no advantages of education beyond what the dominion schools of that day afforded. After he attained his majority he entered the office of his brother as a student of medicine, attended a course of lectures at Pittsfield, and, if I am rightly informed, was licensed by the State Censors in 1827.  The same year he commenced practice in the town of Colesville, in Broome county.  In 1828 he married a Miss Pennfield, of Harpersfield.  In 1839 on the death of his brother, Dr. U.G. Bigelow, he returned to his native place and resumed practice as the successor of his father and brother.  Not long after this he buried his wife, who left two daughters.  in 1850 he married a Miss Huntington, of Middlefield Centre. The fruit of this marriage was two daughters and one son, who still survive.

 

Some ten years since, he gave up practice, removed to Middlefield Centre, and engaged in mercantile business; but not being pleased with the change, after two or three years trial, he returned to Worcester and resumed the practice of his profession, which he continued until about a year before his death, when, his hearing having become considerably impaired, infirmities incident to his time of life, induced him to relinquish practice altogether.  In 1863 he spent several months in the army in the employ of the Christian commission.   After retiring from the active duties of the Profession he purchased some mill property formerly owned by his father.  While making some repairs and improvements on this property, he took a severe cold which resulted in Pneumonia, which for the first week promised a favorable termination, when symptoms of Meningitis supervened, and proved fatal February 8th, 1867.

 

Few men have more fully realized the confidence and respect of the community in which they resided than the subject of this sketch.  In all the rivalries of business--through the excitement of political contests--he commanded the respect of those with whom he found himself obliged to differ.  He was emphatically a man of peace, a wise and prudent councilor; never compromising the right for the cause of expediency; with a mind solid rather than brilliant; capable, but never seeking office; a pillar in the church of which he was long an official member; kind and sympathizing toward the afflicted; generous and liberal as far as his means would allow in every good work.  He has passed away and left a void in his household, in the church and in society which is felt by all and not easily filled.

 

Death Notices

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, July 31, 1868

 

In Otsego [Otsego Co., NY], on the 23d instant, Daphne [Jarvis], relict of Wm. C. Jarvis, deceased, in the 75th year of her age.

 

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY January 30, 1863

 

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co., NY], on the 26th instant, Elyhu Phinney, aged 77 years, 6 months and 26 days.  Funeral at 4 P.M. Thursday, from his late residence.

 

In Byron, Genesee County, N.Y., Jan. 18, Caroline [Farrington], wife of Philetus Farrington, and daughter of Levi Grey, of Springfield, Otsego county, aged 43 yrs.  She has gone home to rest.

 

In Canajoharie [Montgomery Co., NY], of scarlet fever, Jan. 10, Kittie May [Gilchrist], daughter of Andrew Gilchrist, aged 4 years 6 months and 10 days.

 

At Westville [Franklin Co., NY], Jan. 20, Mrs. Mercy M. [Newton], wife of E.A. Newton, in the 52d year of her age.  For twenty years she has suffered from inflammatory rheumatism, until for eight years last, she has not been able to walk or help herself, but she suffered with Christian resignation.  The family, the church, and the community feel her loss very keenly.

 

In Otsego [Otsego Co., NY], Jan. 25th, of diphtheria, Mary Jane [Freeman], only daughter of Oliver and Mary Jane Freeman, aged 7 years and 3 months.

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. 

 

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.