Samtha Dorotha (Jones) Nichols
1821 - 1900
Samantha Dorotha Jones, wife of Benjamin F. Nichols, died at her old home in Sharon [PA], April 11, 1900, in the eightieth year of her age. She was born in Windom, Vermont, March 23, 1821, and moved with her parents to Bingham, Potter county [PA] when but seven years old. But the greater part of her life has been spent in Sharon township, having lived more than fifty years on the old homestead where she died. On the 27th of June, 1842, she was united in marriage to Benjamin F. Nichols, with whom she lived most happily for nearly 58 years. In 1892 they celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding amidst the rejoicings and congratulations of many relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were blessed with five children, four of whom are now living: Roscoe, in Minnesota; Alonzo, in Sharon; Arad, in Wisconsin; and Frank, in Sharon. There are also ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Mrs. Nichols was the last of her father's family, in which there were ten children, most of whom lived to be aged. Mr. Nichols is also the last of his father's family. In the intermarriage of the two families, Nichols and Jones, there was something quite unusual. Two brothers married two sisters and two sisters married two brothers, making a union of four couples in the two families, none of whom are now living but Mr. Nichols. Mrs. Nichols was the happy possessor of many excellent and endearing qualities and was greatly beloved by her family and friends, and by reason of her age and the esteem in which she was held, came to be known far and near as Aunt Samantha. Before she passed away she gave a message and a gift of remembrance to each of her loved ones, remembering especially those who were absent. Her last sickness was of a peculiarly painful character, but she endured it all without a murmur and with great patience and resignation. To sorrowing friends she spoke of her bright prospects of a better world, and left assurance that "the sunset of earth is the sunrise of heaven." Her funeral was held at the old home and was largely attended by relatives and friends. The sermon was preached by Rev. H.F. Osborne from the text; "Oh that I have wings like a dove; for then would I fly away and be at rest." Psalms 155:6
Benjamin Franklin Nichols
1819 - 1908
Benjamin Franklin Nichols, was born in the town of Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N.Y., on July 15, 1819, and died on March 7, 1908, in his 89th year. He came from Bainbridge to Sharon Township sixty-nine years ago and this has been his home ever since. In 1842 he became acquainted with and married Samantha Jones, five sons were born of this union, two of these together with their mother were waiting for him upon the other shore; while three F.S. and W.A. of Shinglehouse, and A.F. of Hayward, Wis., remain to mourn his departure from this world. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols journeyed together as man and wife for 58 years. In 1892 they celebrated their golden wedding. Eight years later the angel of death called her from time to Eternity. Since then Mr. Nichols has patiently waited for the message which would summon him to join her upon the shores of that land beyond the clouds. Mr. Nichols leaves not only three children, but ten grand children and twelve great grandchildren, together with other relatives and a large circle of friends and neighbors to mourn his departure from this life. For nearly seventy years he has been identified with the life of Sharon township. His business and social relations have been such as to give him a warm place in the hears of those who knew him. During the early part of his life, Mr. Nichols was engaged in lumbering. In those days the principal lumber markets were in Pittsburg and Cincinnati, and the only means of delivery was by rafting and running down the river, but as the timber grew scarce he turned his attention more to farming. Mr. Nichols descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His grandfathers both on the paternal and maternal side were with General Putman in the Revolutionary War. he was a great reader keeping himself well posted on the affairs of his own country and the world. He was a friend to both the old and the young.
Maleck A. Nichols
1822 - 1910
Maleck A. Nichols, one of the pioneer settlers of the Horse Run Valley north of Singlehouse [PA], passed to his reward on the evening of October 4, 1910, after a very brief illness of acute indigestion, of which he had had a number of attacks. He had nearly reached the age of 89 years and has always been in fairly good health, and just the day before he died he was out in the yard and to the barn. Maleck A. Nichols was born at Bainbridge, NY. [Chenango Co.], January 2, 1822. His father and three brothers originally came from Vermont and settled in and about Bainbridge and raised quite large families. Maleck received his education in the common schools, finishing at the Academy and afterwards teaching several years. In the year 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Perry, a sister of L.P. Perry. In 1846 the young couple came to Potter County [PA] and settled and cleared up the farm on which he died. At that time that section was a wilderness. He and his brother, George Nichols, conducted a saw mill for a number of years, but the greater part of his life was spent in farming. His wife died in April 1895 and in November of the same year he married Mrs. Eliza Rundle, a widow who died in September 1909. He has since resided with his daughter, Mrs. Charles Allen, who with her husband have given him every care possible. The deceased was a fine old man, a good neighbor, husband and father, always pleasant and agreeable, with a good word for all. He was a staunch old republican, and always out to vote. For about twenty-five years he was a member of the M.E. church. He was the last of his family. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Jasper Slade of little Genesee, and Mrs. Charles Allen of Horse Run, and two sons, Francis P. Nichols of Shinglehouse and Maurice L. Nichols of Corning, N.Y. The funeral was held at the house Thursday afternoon, Elder G.P. Kenyon officiating. Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Nichols and Mrs. C.R. Nichols sang some of his favorite hymns. The body was laid at rest in Maple Grove cemetery in Singlehouse. The pall bearers were all relatives of the deceased; Francis, Maurice, Alonzo and Frank A. Nichols, Jasper Slade and Charles Allen.
John Robb
Norwich Sun, December 22, 1915
John Robb died at his home at 26 Mitchell street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Tuesday evening, Dec. 21, 1915, aged 75 years. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. A.R. Burke officiating, burial in Mt. hope cemetery [Norwich, NY]. Mr. Robb was the son of John and Mary Robinson Robb and was born at Hammond, St. Lawrence county [NY], September 4, 1840. He learned carpentry and for a number of years plied that trade at North Afton, where he also had a farm. From 1861 through 1854 he served his country in the civil war with the exception of a short time when he was convalescing from a wound in his leg. When mustered out he was first lieutenant in the 20th New York Cavalry. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of Chenango county and held that responsible office for one term after which he and his family moved back to Afton for a short time, returning to Norwich 24 years ago, where they have since resided. Mr. Robb was an expert carpenter and was widely known. For the past four years he had retired from active labor and his health had been failing since early fall. Mr. Robb was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at North Afton, of the Masonic fraternity and the G.A.R. besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, the Misses Hattie, Georgia and Lillie Robb; four sons, Ira, Arthur and James Robb of this city and John Robb of Middletown; six brothers, Walter of Elcock, Ind., Richard of McGrath, Can., Charles and David in Part City, Utah, George in Gouveneur and Loren in Oregon and two sisters Mrs. Anna Estes of Oakland, Ore., and Mrs. Jennie Backus of Nevada.