Obituaries (July 16)

David P. Field

Chenango Union, March 12, 1885
FIELD:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 7th, Mr. David P. Field, aged 63 years.

Rockwells Mills [Chenango Co., NY]:  The Union M.E. Church has again met with a great loss in the death of Mr. David Field, one of its most worthy and exemplary members.  When a good man dies the people mourn, and now not only his family but the whole church and community mourn, and extend their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family in their great affliction.

Unadilla Valley:  The said news of David Field's death falls upon all hearts with deepest pain. A noble, true, Christian man, he will be missed in the church and society, a well as in his family.  His funeral is to be attended March 9th, at his late residence.

Chenango Union, March 19, 1885

The large attendance of citizens from Norwich, New Berlin, Greene, Mt. Upton, Union, etc., at Mr. Field's funeral, spoke eloquently of the esteem in which he was held by the entire community.  Those who had seen his blameless Christian walk for more than forty years, learned how he triumphed over "the last enemy."  It was a scene not soon to be forgotten.  In one room lay his wife, who had not seen his face since both were prostrated by measles, her life wavering in the balance, but she must look upon his face once more alone.  On the beautiful casket lay a sickle of white roses and calla lilies, the gift of Mrs. D.M. Holmes, of Norwich, its fragrance like that of the life just ended. The casket was tenderly borne in the arms of his two brothers to the bedside of the sick wife, and with only his two sons to witness, the last farewell was said.  One lay as if sweetly sleeping, the other with shining face from the conscious presence of Christ and His angels, looked her last upon her best earthly friend. The sting of death was gone.  After a sermon of great power from his pastor, Rev. J. Bradshaw, some of his words of holy triumph were recounted.  Alice, an only and beloved daughter, had passed away twenty-seven years before.  This was the anniversary of her death.  He said twice, "Alice will be here at seven."  The hour struck, and father and daughter were together in Paradise.  Just before his death his sister, seeing his arched, bleeding lips, said to him:

"Shall I wet your lips for you?"

"The Lord does that for me," he answered.

"With the water of life?"

He bowed his head in assent.  "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever," he repeated in holy triumph.

"I wish I could sing," he said.

"What would you sing?" was asked.

"Father all Glorious, O'er all Victorious," he said, waving his hands in triumph and saying "Happy, happy--so happy."
When he seemed drifting far out on eternity's ocean, he was recalled with difficulty.

"Are you comfortable? was asked.

"Sweet, sweet, sweet," was the answer.

"Is Jesus Precious?"

The answer was the same:

"Sweet, sweet, sweet,"

Thus he passed through the portals into the presence of Him he adored.
Mrs. E.J. Richmond

Mary (Shippey) Field

Norwich Sun, April 24, 1905

Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Tidings of the death of Mrs. Mary Field, widow of David Field was a shock to her many friends and to Union church, of which she had long been a valued member.  This is the eighth death of aged members since Rev. F.D. Hartsock entered the pastorate four years ago.  Many have been added to the church during those years, and we trust the old centennial church may complete another century.

Mrs. Mary Field, widow of David Field, died at her home about one mile west of White Store, Tuesday, at 3 p.m., aged 83 years.  Funeral will occur Friday at 12 o'clock, Rev. B. P. Ripley of Mt. Upton, officiating.  Burial at White Store [Chenango Co., NY].

Otsego Journal, April 27, 1905

The death of Mrs. Field occurred at her home with her son Stanley P. Field, two miles west of White Store, on Tuesday afternoon last.  She was born in Norwich, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], eighty three years ago and her long and useful life was spent on the spot where she died after a brief illness, surrounded by those whose loving care had smoothed the pathway of her declining years and enjoying the respect of all who knew her.  Mrs. Field was the daughter of Philemon and Sally Shippey and came of Puritan stock. She was married to David P Field by the Rev. J.C. Ransom of Oxford, May 31, 1870, surviving her husband by many years. The deep and untiring devotedness of her home life, marked by faithful and constant self sacrifice, remain as a blessed memory to those of her family who survive her.  Of her Christian life and her relations to her family and the community the world can only accord the judgment due every true woman, whose life has been a blessing and whose memory is a benediction to those who have known her best.  Mrs. Field is survived by one sister, Cynthia Shippey, also a member of the family, and by two step sons, Stanley P. Field, with whom she resided, and Stephen Olin Field of Norwich.  Mrs. Field had been a member of the Methodist church for sixty yeas, and always faithfully identified with its welfare and best interests. Funeral services occurred from the home on Saturday last at one o'clock, Rev. Wilson Treible, of Norwich officiating. The attendance of relatives and friends was large and was a tribute to the personal worth and to the memory of Mrs. Field, who sleeping beneath a profusion of the choicest and most beautiful flowers of the spring time, was laid at rest in Evergreen Cemetery, White Store, by the side of her husband and other members of the family who had already passed to the other side.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, May 26, 1869

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday morning, May 23d, suddenly, of congestion of the lungs, Mr. Eliab G. Ford, aged 56 years.  the funeral will be attended this (Tuesday) afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at his late residence on Birdsall Street, by Canasawacta Lodge of Odd Fellows.

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 6th, Sophia [Field], wife of David Field, aged 43 years.

In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], April 13th, Samuel Merton, [Babcock], only child of Edwin and Hannah Babcock, aged 1 year and 5 months.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], May 18th, Mr. Francis F. Brown, aged 63 years.

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY, May 14th, Mr. Curtis Thompson, aged 66 years.

In Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], May 17th, Caroline [Hall], wife of Geo. W. Hall, aged 41 years.

In North Fenton [Broome Co., NY], May 17th, Mrs. Jemima Taylor, aged 75 years.

In Charleston, S.C., April 26th, Maud [Wagner], daughter of Dr. L.P. and Julia S. Wagner, aged 7 months.

Suddenly at Galesburg, Ill., April 12th, Mr. Harvey L.R. Harrington, aged 23 years.

He's gone from earth, while youth was bright and glowing

And the young star of life was rising fair;

But death has come, the seeds of sorrow sowing,

And clothed the loving brow with sad dispair,

And hopes, so fragrant once, are now dissolved in air.