Obituaries (September 7)

Horace Fredenburgh

Chenango American, September 11, 1856

Drowned, in the canal, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Horace [Fredenburgh], aged 8 years, 10 months and 21 days.

When the sun rises in splendor who may tell if the day shall be light, who knoweth the lurking places of the clouds which in a brief hour may obscure the sky?  If the plant bud, who can tell if it shall blossom?  Who can read in the eyes of a child, if he shall thread the dubious pathway of life up to manhood, or if in a few short years a little daisy sown surf shall be all that is left "of the little boy that died!"

To watch for death by the bedside of a sick child, to hold its little hand in yours, to listen to its words, to perform tenderly for it the last sad offices, when expectation of death has partially blinded the pang, is agonizing to a parent's heart, but how much more deplorable the event when unlooked for, unforeseen, when the beloved child, in full health, is suddenly called away, as in the case of our friends who have been called to mourn the loss of their child.

The deceased, though a child, possessed many of the qualities which are common to some of more mature years. General and obliging to his companions, kind and affectionate to his parents, he was a favorite with all.  Little did he think as he repaired to his boat, on the morning which he was drowned, that a ride in it would occasion his death, and so soon!  But such is life, in the midst of which we are in death.

How peaceful, how sweet, and how soothing the thought,

To the stricken and mourning, whose minds are full fraught,

With memories of loved ones, who here could not stay,

That in bright worlds above they're with Jesus always.

Sarah Gurnsey

Chenango American, September 18 & 25, 1856

In the village of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th inst., at the residence of her son-in-law, C.A. Stevens, Mrs. Sarah Gurnsey, relict of Samuel Gurnsey of Oxford, deceased, aged 81 years.

She was sustained through a long an exceedingly painful illness, by Christian fortitude  The deceased may be considered one of the pioneers of the Chenango valley, having been a resident for nearly sixty years.  She was born in Saybrook, Conn., July 13, 1775 and removed to Oxford as early as 1797.

In the decease of this estimable lady, noticed in the obituary department of last week, something more would seem to be due than the slight reference therein given.  She had attained to advanced age and was one of the earliest pioneer settler of this valley.  As the writer of this sketch stood by the grave in which her mortal remains were to be deposited, a friend stood near him, whose memory of the deceased ran back through a period of over fifty years.  He spoke warmly of her noble qualities of character, which shone out even to the last of her mortal existence.  Through a very long portion of the closing years of her life, she had been a sufferer through pains and infirmities of body, but her intellect retained its clearness unbroken to the last.  She bore with meekness the chastening hand of God, but longed to depart to her home in Heaven.  Deep was the interest she felt and manifested in her spiritual welfare.  In her case age had not blunted those religious feelings and affections which look to Christ and the hopes that center in his cross.  Many and marked were the changes in social life, as well as in the aspect of the natural world in the progress of cultivation, which she had witnessed. She had seen most of those whom in this early home she had known as neighbors and friends pass away before her.  And the time had come to her, long before her departure, that she had realized the Force of the language of the Psalmist, "though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, yet is their strength then but labor and sorrow."  Her spirit passed gently away beneath the roof of a kind and devoted daughter where every attention had been bestowed upon her that filial love could suggest.  The hoary head is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness.  

Death Notices

Chenango American, September 11, 1856

In Willet [Cortland Co., NY], on the 14th inst., Mr. Silas Courtney, aged 50 years.

In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY] on the 27th ult., Mrs. Louis Hinman, aged 75 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] on the 27th ult., Mrs. Sarah Fuller, aged 73 years.

In Willet [Cortland Co., NY] on the 8th inst., John M. Smith, aged 5 years.

In Willet [Cortland Co., NY], on the 7th inst., Mrs. Abigail Pember, aged 64 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst., (very suddenly in childbirth) Ruth K. [Baker], in the 43d year of her age.

Chenango American, September 18, 1856

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] on the 12th inst., James Purdy, aged 65 years.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY] on the 13th inst., Mrs. Phebe Kendall, aged 64 years.