Obituaries (December 30)

Melissant Punderson

Oxford Gazette, December 7, 1813

At Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th of September last, Miss Melissant Punderson, daughter of Deacon Punderson, Aet, 16.  Miss Punderson was keeping school in an adjoining town, when hearing of the illness of a beloved sister, her ever ready feelings took the alarm, and with the many kindnesses of which she was capable, she hoped to be an instrument in restoring her sister in health to her aged parents.  How mysterious are the ways of Providence!  Her sister was indeed raised.  But the amiable Melissant was attacked with the disease, and after a sickness of sixteen days, her pure spirit ascended to the God which gave it, and her body was consigned to the house appointed for all the living.

Lois Walker

Chenango American, November 20, 1862

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th ult., Mrs. Lois Walker, at the advanced age of 70 years, the beloved wife of D. Shapley Walker, Esq.

For fifty years this attached couple have pursued the journey of life together in mutual love and affection, but now the aged husband deprived of the bodily presence of his partner, at the ripe old age of eighty-one, is left to follow to the spirit land her whom he so highly valued while here.  To him it may be said:

"The lamp of her love is thy guide through the gloom."

It is a most remarkable fact that this is the first death of an adult in this large family, consisting of husband and wife and eight grown up children, and with the exception of one infant, a demise some thirty-five years ago, is the only bereavement the family has ever sustained.  The deceased had attained that age that is seldom reached by persons of the present day.  She was a woman of unusually clear views, quick perception and discriminating judgment, and was truly a helpmate of her husband, and yet ever willing to yield to his superior wisdom. These traits of character united with a most affectionate disposition, qualified her for the care of her children to whose interests she was most devotedly attached and whose welfare she sought in all her labors.  Truly her children will rise up to call her blessed, ever cherishing the remembrance of her attentions.  Her benevolence prompted her to sympathize with the poor and needy so that no one ever applied to her in vain.  She welcomed all to her hospitalities, always however choosing the company of the good.  Thus favored with a long life she has made that life a blessing to many.  When on her dying bed, she was well aware of her dangerous situation and remarked to a friend present, that she was fully resigned to the will of God. She desired that the will of the Lord be done with her. But she is no longer a pilgrim on the earth.  Her blessed spirit has gone to reap the rewards of her good deeds, and husband and children and grandchildren are left to mourn her visible separation from them.

"But tell our gentle mother,

That on her grave we pour

The sorrows of our spirits forth

As on her breast of yore.

Happy thou art--that soon--how soon,

Our good and bright will see!

O mother! mother! may I dwell

Ere longswith them and thee."

S.J.

Lynn Walter Figary

Died October 22, 1930, Norwich, NY

Funeral services for Lynn Walter Figary, aged 14 years, who died at the family home, Norwich R.D., will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late home.  The deceased had been ill but a short time.  He was born in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] and besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Figary is survived by one sister and one brother. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY], and Rev. N.R. McPherson will officiate. The boy died Wednesday morning at 4:30 after a brief illness.

Minnie A. (Herrick) Figary

Died November 12, 1941, Butternuts, nY

The funeral of Mrs. Minnie A. Figary who died recently was held from the White Store church on Saturday with burial at the White Store cemetery [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], with service conducted by Rev. Louis V.S. Hutton.  Minnie Herrick Figary was born at Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] on Nov. 17, 1874 and was married to Morgan A. Figary on November 17, 1903.  She lived most of her life around Norwich and vicinity and was a member of the Episcopal chruch at Oxford. She is survived by a son, John Figary of Latham's Corners, three daughters,  Mrs. Philip Gerhards of White Store, Mrs. Ray Harris Cope of White Store and Mrs. James Blanklley and two brothers, Alvin Herrick of Brooklyn and James Winslow Herrick of Norwich and eight grandchildren.

Edward Ferris

Died April 15, 1941, Norwich, NY

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  E. Edward Ferris, 26, of Lake Areil, Pa., received a fracture of the right leg above the knee, lacerations of the right eye, possible fractured ribs, and shock about 8:30 o'clock last night when the car which he was driving collided with an Ontario and Western switch engine no. 317 at the Polkville crossing just east of the Norwich city limits.  Undersheriff Frank Machio and Deputy Harry Watts called to the scene ordered the injured man to the Chenango Memorial Hospital where he was attended by Dr. Thomas F. Manley.  The switch engine was backing across the highway in a southern direction with some freight cars attached.  Conductor J.J. Flanigan was in charge with F. Fineron, engineer.

Norwich:  Seriously injured Saturday night when his sedan was telescoped as it crashed into an O.&W. switch engine on the Polkville crossing just east of this city, Edward Ferris, 26, of Lake Ariel, Pa., died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital here yesterday afternoon. The 26-year-old truck driver was employed by the Dairymen's League at Mt. Upton and was en route to this city to visit friends when the accident occurred.  Following an autopsy at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the hospital by Drs. T.F. Manly and John R. Hollis, a verdict of death resulting from a thrombosis was issued by Dr. Matt G. Boname of Oxford, Chenango County coroner.  Young Ferris suffered a fractured right leg, head lacerations, fractured ribs and internal injuries in the accident.  His mother, Mrs. Samuel Ferris of Lake Ariel, called here by the accident, was at the bedside of her son when he died. His father, brought here by friends, attrived at the hospital a few minutes after the death of his son.  The body of young Ferris was taken to the Pennsylvania town last night for funeral arrangements.  He was a native of Maplewood, Pa. where h was born June, 8, 1914.

Death Notices

Chenango American, November 6, 1862

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult., Wm. Henry Wescott, formerly of Oxford, aged 40 years.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., Widow Mercy Lyon, aged 88 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., of typhoid fever, Miss Harriet Lavina Gibbs, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 24 years.

In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult. Mrs. Cornelia E. Doing, aged 17 years and 5 months.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 30th ult., Mr. James Rhodes, aged 74 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th ult., Annie Marie C. [McCall], daughter of James A. and Ann Maria McCall, aged 18 years.