Obituaries (December 4)

Orra H. Waite

1859-1842 (Norwich, NY)

Private funeral services for Orra H. Waite, Norwich fire department engineer, were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late residence, 11 Park street. Rev. R.L. Matthews, pastor of the Calvary Baptist church, officiated.  Pallbearers, all members of the Norwich fire department, were George Handy, Louis Brookins, Ernest Thomas and Arthur Jones.  Interment was made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Chenango Co., NY].

Fred Patrick

Died January 3, 1943

Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY]:  Fred Patrick, 65, New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], who was admitted to the Bassett Hospital Nov. 9, a surgical patient, died Jan. 3.  He was born June 6, 1877 in the Town of Pittsfield [Otsego Co., NY], son of Richard and Amanda Denton Patrick.  His wife, Carrie Card, survives.

Alice Mary (Hunter) Richmond

Died December 1942, Norwich, NY

The death of Mrs. Alice Mary Hunter Richmond occurred Thursday night in Norwich after a long illness.  The deceased was the widow of William L. Richmond and was born in Colchester, Delaware county, in 1861.  Practically all her life had been sent in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] and vicinity.  Her death will be mourned by many friends. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Ethel Sage, and a son, Sherman J. Richmond, both of Norwich, also two grandchildren, Mrs. John Cunningham of Miami Beach, Florida, and Earle Sage of Norwich. Services are to be held at the Seymour Funeral Home in Oxford at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon with burial in Oxford.

Leslie D. Peck

Died April 19, 1930, Norwich, NY

Leslie D. Peck, 15 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Peck of 10 Tillman avenue, died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital Saturday night at 7:30, following an illness of about three months.  the lad had been a patient at the hospital since April 10.  Besides the parents there survive a sister Evelyn and the aged grandmother, Mrs. Lina Hunt.  Private funeral services will be held from the home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with burial at Lamb's cemetery, South Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY].

Abby J. (Pellet) Peck

Died December 1, 1942, North Norwich, NY

Following a brief illness, Mrs. Abby J. Peck, widow of Winfield S. Peck, died at the homestead farm in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] Tuesday night at 9:30.  The daughter of the late Asa and Olive (Manvel) Pellet, she was born near Heady's Corners in the town of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], June 27, 1858.  On November 9, 1887, at her home, she was united in marriage with Winfield S. Peck. Rev. Warren G. Partridge, pastor of the Baptist church in Plymouth at that time, officiated.  Mr. Peck, an outstanding resident of the county, died May 30, 1924.  Mrs. Peck passed all of her life in Plymouth and North Norwich.  The Peck homestead in North Norwich where she passed away has been in the family since 1792.  Mrs. Peck enjoyed community life and participated in it.  She was devoted to her home and family and was always a kind and helpful neighbor.  She was a member for many years and actively interested in the Grange when her late husband was active in agriculture.  Surviving are one son, Asa P. Peck who now resides on the homestead farm; two grandchildren, Miss Marjorie A. Peck and Miss Mildred E. Peck, also a niece, Mrs. Olive Berry Benedict.  Funeral services will be held from her late home in North Norwich, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. R.L. Matthews, pastor of the Calvary Baptist church officiating. Burial will be made in the family plot in the North Norwich cemetery.

Cordelia Peaslee

Died April 2, 1944, Oneonta, NY

Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY]:  Funeral services for Mrs. Cordelia Peaslee, 90, of 407 Main Street were held Tuesday at the Bookhout funeral home, the Rev. Norman B. Graves of Oxford, a family friend, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Theodore Kohinke, pastor of the Laurens Methodist Church. Bearers were W.C. Aldrich, Frank Peck, Myron Taylor, Fred Webster, Arthur Mull and Stanley Grady, Burial was at Milford [Otsego Co., NY].  Mrs. Peaslee, who died Sunday, was born Dec. 31, 1853 at Phoenix Mills [Otsego Co., NY].  She was the daughter of Ziba and Clarinda Robinson.  On July 4, 1873 she married Farius H. Peaslee in Auburn. For the last 35 years she had made her home with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ceylon W. Peaslee, of Laurens, moving to this city six months ago with them.  Surviving are the son mentioned, Ceylon W. Peaslee, who lives at 407 Main Street; three granddaughters, Mrs. Hazel Abbott of Greenwich, Mrs. Marriam LeCoe of Clark Summit, Pa., Miss Eleanor Peaslee at home; two grandsons, D. Herman Peaslee of 37 Valleyview Street this city, and Dorance G. Peaslee of Albany. There are seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  

Obituaries (December 3)

Harvey Hubbard

Chenango American, September 18, 1862

Died at his residence in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday last, Harvey Hubbard, Editor of the Chenango Union, aged 41 years.

This announcement, though not unexpected, falls with a painful weight upon a community among whom Mr. Hubbard has been such a prominent and useful member.  An illness of a year's duration had in a measure prepared his friends to meet this blow, but never the less when the solemn fact is announced that he is no more for earth, that his usefulness must hereafter depend upon the record he leaves behind, a sense of gloom pervades the breasts of all who knew him.  Inheriting a well balanced intellect, Mr. Hubbard early gave evidence of genius and capacity.  His familiar works, both of prose and poetry, attracted much attention in former day, and but for his inclination for secluded habits and his modest aversion to seek the bubble fame, he would have ranked among the first literary characters of his day.  By profession a lawyer, he was for some years a leading member of the bar of this county, but latterly he has turned his attention to the editorial profession, and has taken a prominent part in the politics of the county and State. Thoroughly educated, and possessing highly cultivated literary tastes, he has been an ornament to all spheres of life in which he has been engaged, and his death leaves a vacuum hard to be filled.  In private life he was courteous, liberal, and gentlemanly, and had hosts of warm personal friends who will grieve sadly at the departure of one to whom they were wont to look for kindly counsel and sage advice.  He leaves an interesting family, to whom no words of consolation would be appropriate, as words cannot alleviate the crushing weight of grief which bears them down.

Lottie Curtis

Date unknown, Somerville, NJ

Word was received last week of the death of Mrs. Lottie Curtis, at Somerville, N.J.  She was formerly of this place and at White Store [Chenango Co., NY].  She was a member of the Holmesville church, being organist for a good many years; always faithful to her church and always ready to lend a helping hand in time of need. The funeral was held at Somerville and the body shipped to Norwich for burial at South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] beside her late husband, Stephen Curtis.

Calvin Lysander Parker

Died July 27, 1943, New Berlin, NY

Calvin Lysander Parker, 75 passed away at the Chase Memorial Hospital., New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Tuesday July 27, 1943, death being caused by a cerebral hemorrhage that he suffered three days before.  The deceased was born in the town of New Berlin, July 3, 1868, the son of John D. Parker and Harriet (Mayhew) Parker.  His childhood was spent in the town of his birth.  He married for his first wife Mary Butts, in 1881, who died in 1913.  He married for his second wife Sarah Walsh in 1915, who survives him.  The following children also survive:  Mrs. Iva Washburne, South New Berlin, Mrs. Lila Barber, New Berlin, Mrs. Ruby Bronson, Illinois, Mrs. Grace Ficco, Norwich, Mrs. Clara Flagg, Binghamton, Edwin Parker, Johnson City, John Parker, New Berlin; also seven grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Floyd Follett, Norwich.  He was a member of the former M.E. Church of South New Berlin and followed the occupation of farming and carpentry. The funeral was held Friday, July 30th, at 1:30 p.m., at the Dakin Funeral Home, New Berlin, Rev. Davis E. Gage, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. Burial was in Riverside cemetery, South New Berlin.

Harriet (Johnson) Parker

Died February 4, 1939, New Berlin, NY

The passing of Harriet Johnson Parker, wife of Truman B. Parker occurred early Saturday morning, February 4th, about 2:30 o'clock at the family home on West street.  For some years the deceased had been in declining health at times feeling quite well, at others confined to her bed more or less.  From late fall she had been feeling much better and able upon a few occasions to leave her home for a short time.  However, about two weeks ago she became gravely ill and her frail strength was not sufficient to rally and she passed quietly to her Home Beyond.  Harriet Johnson Parker was born October 28, 1870 on the farm now owned by George Barber just east of this village, the elder daughter of Clark and Adelia Winsor Johnson  When about four years of age her parents moved to Iowa where they lived for several years, later returning to South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].  In this palce the deceased grew to young womanhood, attended the village school and taught in rural schools.  She was a graduate of Oneonta Normal School and for a few years was a teacher at Mt. Upton under the principalship of Charles Gibson.  On September 26, 1894, she was united in marriage to Truman B. Parker a rising young business man, and continued her residence here.  She was a faithful and valued member of the Baptist church from her youth throughout the more active period of her life, serving long term as a Sunday school teacher, president of the Missionary society, and in the choir where for years she gave her beautiful alto voice in worship.  In her later years she became much interested in the principles and teachings of Christian Science. She was a member of the Christian Science Society at Norwich, N.Y. where she attended the Sunday and midweek services whenever possible. She was also a member of the Mother Church, the First Chruch of Christ Scientists, in Boston, Mass.  She was a member of the D.A.R. of the Tianderah Chapter, and an honorary member of the Fortnightly Study Club, being a charter member of the Club.  Mrs. Parker was a woman greatly beloved.  Her friends were legion.  She was gentle and unassuming in manners, hospitable, a kind and helpful neighbor.  Nor was she lacking in her faithfulness and devotion as a wife and mother.  She will be sadly missed from her home and by many friends.  The deceased is survived by her husband, an adopted daughter, Mrs. Charles Davis of this village, and by three grandchildren. Also by a few cousins and more distant relatives. The funeral occurred on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the late home and was attended by a large number of friends and relatives. The Christian Science service was conducted by Mr. Harry C. Withington, First Reader of the Christian Science Society of Norwich. Burial was made in the family plot in Riverside cemetery.

Horatio S. Parsons

Died December 13, 1931, Bainbridge, NY

When Horatio S. Parsons, aged 68, who made his home with his niece, Mrs. Charles H. Odell, did not come to breakfast Sunday morning, Mr. Odell called him.  Receiving no response, he went to his room and found his lifeless body in bed, the end evidently having come during a peaceful sleep.  His sudden going was a great shock to the family as he had seemed in good health and had been making plans for various activities during the winter. The day before, he had been up town and in the evening had sat up until 10:30 o'clock reading a book in which he was very much interested. The funeral was held from the Odell home this Wednesday afternoon.--Bainbridge Republican.

Death Notices

Chenango Telegraph, April 13, 1859

McCULLOR:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th ult., an infant child of Walter I. McCullor aged 4 weeks.  On the 27th ult, Walter [McCullor], son of Walter R. McCullor aged about 4 years.  On the 1st inst., Adelia [McCullor], wife of Walter R. McCullor, aged about 30 years.

GORDON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 30th ult., Hannah Gordon, aged 53 years.

CRANDALL:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 30th ult., Zilpha Crandall, aged 63 years.

FERGUSON:  in Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., Rev. B.C. Ferguson, aged 37 years.

GALE:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th ult., Mrs. Margaret Gale, aged 37 years.

FOOTE:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., Charles O. Foote, aged 53 years.

KINNEY:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY],. on the 31st ult., Miss Chloe Kinney, in the 16th year of her age.

BURDICK:  In new York on the 4th instant, Benjamin T. Burdick, son of J.L. and Sarah Burdick, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], aged 32 years.

Death Notices - 1862

Death Notices

Chenango American, March 20, 1862

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst., Betsey [Merriam], wife of Samuel Merriam, aged 65 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Mrs. Esther A. Merrills, aged 47 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th inst., Mrs. Eunice Brown, widow of the late Ichabod Brown, aged 68 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst., Miss Roxalana Leach, aged 51 years.

In King Settlement [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst., Mr. Arthur Donnell, aged 55 years.

Chenango American, March 27, 1862

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst., Mr. Joseph May, aged 88 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Mr. William H. Brown, aged 26 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Miss Frances V. Turner, aged 24 years and 1 month.

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Mr A. Bacon, aged 46 years.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Mr. John Tuttle.

Chenango American, April 3, 1862

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 2d inst., Mr. Alfred Moffatt, aged 77 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult., Mrs. Sarah Hayes, wife of James Hayes, aged 46 years.

In Pilot Mound, Fillmore Co., Minn., Dec. 28th, 1861, Mrs. Hannah French, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 70 years.

Chenango American, May 22, 1862

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th ult. Herman [Halberg], son of Joseph and Mary H. Halberg, aged 2 years and 1 months.  Also, on the 10th inst., Emma [Halberg], daughter of the same, aged about 3 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst., Mrs. Julia A. [Eggleston], wife of Samuel Eggleston, aged 21 years.

In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th ins.t, Mr. Jonathan Matthewson, aged 51 years.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst., Mrs. Susan J. [Van Cott], wife of Harry H. Van Cott, aged 44 years.

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst., Mrs. Lucretia Merritt, aged 60 years, 11 months and 7 days.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th ult., Seth [Andrews], aged 4 years, and on the 28th ult., Wm. Wesley, aged 6 months and 13 days, children of Rev. Wm. W. and Mary S Andrews, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Chenango American, May 29, 1862

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Mrs. Sally M. [Ingersoll], wife of David Ingersoll, aged 54 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Mr. E. Condo Chace, aged 42 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th inst., Mrs. Elizabeth [Sturgeon], wife of John Sturgeon, aged 56 years.

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Henry Davidson, Esq., aged 41 years.

Letter from Civil War Soldier - March 1862

Letter from Civil War Soldier

On The March

Chenango American, March 27, 1862

Camp Union Mills, Va.
Manassas, Bull Run, March 14, 1862

Dear*****, Here I am in the strong hold of the "invincible" Southern Chivalry.  Our Division, consisting of 12 Regiments of Infantry, 3 Batteries and 2 Regiments of Cavalry, amounting to, all told, of men, about 12,000, reached this place Wednesday night. We left Camp California last Monday morning. It commenced raining just as we left Camp, and rained until night, when it cleared up. The march was a very hard one on account of the heavy roads, part of the way the road was new and through the woods, having been made by our Pioneers. The first day we marched only about 12 miles. We camped that night at "Brimstone Hill" Camp "Monitor."  We took up the line of march early the next morning, and marched 4 miles, where we again encamped until the next morning and then marched to this place "Bull Run." It was expected by all that we should have to fight our way through to this place, but we were mistaken, and disappointed. We did not see a Secesh, and in fact we hardly saw any human beings; no cattle, nor anything else that constitutes civilization.   The farms are stripped of everything in the way of eatables for man or beast.  It is the most poverty struck country you ever saw.  The fences have all been burnt up, and there is no chance to raise any crops this season.  I was speaking to the old lady that keeps the house where our headquarters are, and asking her the price of provisions, etc.  For common brown sugar, 25 cts. per pound; Tea, $2; Coffee, $1.25; Butter, 75 cts. and other provision in this ratio to the end of the chapter.  

This boasted strong hold, Manassas, is only strong by nature.  The rebel  works and fortifications are said to be (by our General) the poorest he ever saw.  They are nothing more than breast works of earh thrown up about breast high and rifle pits.  The rebels must have left here in a great hurry, as they have left behind thousands of dollars worth of property of every description, tents, camp equipage, muskets, pistols, sabres, cooking utensils, etc, all burnt so as to be useless.  They also left a good deal of forage, such as corn meal and bran mixed and some hay. The rebels promised to pay for what they got, but went away and forgot to do so.  Contrabands are coming into camp in considerable numbers.  A great many of the officers have taken them for servants.  All the contrabands have large packs of clothing, which they have picked up.  You can follow the army by the clothing which is scattered along the road.  There are loads of every description, which the soldiers have thrown away on the march, being too tired to carry them.  I am writing this scrawl just as I can find time.  I am called off every few minutes. 

I have some relics obtained from the rebels which I intend to bring back.  The 61st N.Y. Vol. got two beautiful rebel flags and other things at one of the rebel camps.

An accident has just occurred in the 81st Penn. Vol. by the discharge of a musket.  Three men were wounded, one mortally; also one of the Illinois Cavalry men shot himself accidentally and spoilt his arm.

Before we left Camp California (five days ago) our whole Division, with the exception of 2 Regiments, were ordered out toward Fairfax Station.  The enemy were there in some considerable force.  Our Division went within two miles of their encampment, and the pickets exchanged compliments several times in the way of firing at each other.  

One of the Sergeants of the 64th N.Y.S.V. with four men were out on picket and were concealed in the ruins of an old log hut; while there they saw a man riding towards them.  The Sergt. ordered his men to keep concealed and to be ready while he went out to challenge him. As the man came up the Sergt. went out and challenged with the out post countersign signal, the party challenged returned in answer, the reply to the countersign of the day before. As it was not correct the Sergt. ordered him to dismount and lay down his arms. The man in reply was very insolent and told him that he would not lay down his arms for any d...d Yankee, and turned his horse to go; at this the Sergt, ordered his men to fire which they did and killed him and his horse.  His body was taken in to camp and upon him they found a pass form General Beauregard, allowing him to pass anywhere in the Southern Confederacy.  It appears he was a spy and from his actions he must have been pretty familiar with our camps.  His arms consisted of two splendid navy revolvers, a dragoon sabre, a bowie knife.

I could relate to you many little anecdotes which would probably amuse and interest you, but I shall not have time now.  I enclose in this letter which I picked up here; it was directed to a private in some regiment.

I am now for a wonder alone at head quarters, the General and his staff having gone out riding. The news has just been brought in that Gen. Richardson has been appointed to the command of this Division. Gen. Sumner has been appointed to some other command.

An officer has just come in and says that he has discovered about a hundred barrels of flour and wants teams to go and draw it into camp.  I can't tell you all that is taking place, but will write to you as soon as I can. We shall probably march from here tomorrow.

It is quite chilly today but still it looks Spring like. We got the Philadelphia and New York papers, beside many others daily, so we keep posted up on outside matters.  Our Brig-Quartermaster ahs came in from a scout for forage and says he saw four dead bodies laying in the field; they were rebel soldiers.  

Yours truly, F.W.G.