Vital Records (July 10)

Peter Thomas

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 9, 1870

A shocking and fatal accident occurred in the town of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on the afternoon of Friday last.  Mr. Peter Thomas, residing at Sherburne quarter [Chenango Co., NY], with a company of sportsmen, was out hunting on what is called Tilyou Hill, when accidentally stepping upon a spot of ice, concealed by the snow, he fell to the ground, discharging the contents of a double barreled gun through his head, killing him instantly.  He was removed to his residence, and an inquest was held by Coroner Van Keuren, of Sherburne.  Mr. Thomas was a widower and left no family.  His age was not far from 30 years.

Charles P. Kirby

Bainbridge Republican, December 27, 1900

On Wednesday evening, December 19, 1900, Charles P. Kirby, a life-long resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died at his residence in this village, aged 70 years.  His funeral was held at the home Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock.  Rev. A.H. Grant of St. Peter's Church conducted the service.  Interment was in the Episcopal burying ground.  Mr. Kirby had been in feeble health for some time and was confined to the house for the past three months.  He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Morgiana Craig, of Bainbridge, before marriage, and to whom he was untied in 1854; and three children, Mary l. Charles C. and Edward G. Kirby; one sister, Miss Anna L. Kirby and a brother, G. Fred Kirby of Marshalltown, Ia.  Mr. Kirby's grandparents, Reuben Kirby and William Guthrie, were among the early settlers of Bainbridge.  His parents were Philo Kirby a nd Susan Guthrie. The deceased had occupied the homestead farm until his removal to Bainbridge village a year or two since. The handsome residence upon the farm known as "The Pillars," built over forty years ago, has always been delightfully regarded for the generous hospitality dispensed within by Mr. Kirby and his family.

Mary Ella Kirby

Bainbridge Republican, February 20, 1930

Miss Mary E. Kirby passed to her rest in Paradise Saturday afternoon, February 15th, 1930, in the 75th year, at her lovely little home on North Main Street.  Here Miss Kirby had lived many, many years with her devoted niece, Miss Margaret Craig Kirby, as her constant companion.  Friday evening was spent in the home as countless other evenings had been spent between aunt and niece, talking and reading good literature; this night it was one of Shakespeare's comedies. Then there was a visit from an old-time school friend.  At midnight Miss Kirby aroused her niece and asked for the doctor. Dr. Danforth immediately responded and ministered to Miss Kirby, who was suffering a heart attack.  Her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kirby of Sidney, and her brother and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Kirby of "The Pillars," were summoned.  Miss Kirby lapsed into a state of unconsciousness from which she did not rally.  Mary Ella Kirby was the daughter of Charles Patterson and Margaret Craig Kirby, was born on the old Kirby farm on the west side of the Susquehanna near the town line of Afton and Bainbridge, March 5th, 1855.  She was baptized at the home of her grandfather, Philo Kirby, August 10, 1856, by the Rev. John Bayley, sometime rector of St Peter's Chruch.  Miss Kirby was presented for confirmation in St. Peter's Church by the rector-elect the Rev. S.S. Lewis, May 26, 1871.  She was the only member of the class and was confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Frederick Dan Huntington, D.D., first bishop of the Diocese of Central new York.  For memoranda of the service the Rev. Mr. Lewis left this note in the old parish register:  "Miss Kirby, prepared for the Apostolic Rite of Confirmation under the excellent training of the late rector, Rev. J.A. Robinson now of Jamestown, W.N.Y., was presented by S.S. Lewis, rector-eelct, immediately upon entering the parish, whose happy privilege it was to do this as his first pastoral act."  From that time Miss Kirby was a very regular and faithful communicant of the parish church and only left off her regular attendance four or five years ago when a well defined heart weakness warned her to husband her strength.  In these latter years Miss Kirby lived quietly at her attractive little home.  The house was a shrine of love and devotion to her niece, and to the relatives and close friends. A shrine too of art and literature and pieces of choice old-fashioned furniture.  The best books on art, the best magazines, and copies of the best in modern and ancient literature were always in evidence on the tables and book shelves. The artistic arrangement of the pieces of old furniture gave only a hint of other choice pieces not in sight.  People as a rule take for granted that excellence which does not display itself does not exist.  This is a false principle, as anyone knows who has been on terms of intimate friendship with one of the saints of the present day.  Those who knew Miss Kirby intimately realized her fineness and depth of character.  There was no love of prominence, no selfish motive for influencing others towards herself, no playing up to others for the purpose of hearing their praise. she gave way to none of these dangers, but rather she gave of herself and her means for the benefit and happiness of others.  She had a keen sense of humor; and she was not blind to the foibles and sham which many people display; but with all her keenness she was most charitable.  Her way of meeting the disagreeable contacts with humans was to say little and do much for the good of offenders. Throughout her life the Divine Word was a "lantern unto her feet and a light unto her path."  The funeral was held in St. Peter's Church Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. T.J. Collar officiating.  During the simple Burial Office of the Church solo parts of two favorite hymns were sung by Mrs. Helene Landon and Mr. Thomas Collins I, assisted by the choir.  Interment was made in the family plot in St. Peter's Churchyard.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 9, 1870

Married

POST - HEMINGWAY:  In Poughkeepsie [Dutchess Co., NY], Jan. 27th, by Rev. S.H. Synnott, Mr. George W. Post, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary A. Hemingway, of Poughkeepsie.

ANDERSON - STONE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 22, by Rev. E.R. Clarke, Mr.  Lewis B Anderson, to Mrs. Anna Stone, all of Oxford.

SALISBURY - WATROUS:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1st by Rev. J.S. Pattengill, Mr. Henry W. Salisbury, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Emeroy Watrous, of Colesville [Broome Co., NY].

WEBB - HACKETT:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 27th, by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. Wm. E. Webb, to Miss Sarah J. Hackett, all of Greene.

BRAISTED - ISBELL:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 27th, by Rev. J.C. Nightingale, Mr. Wm. C. Braisted, of New York City, to Miss Laura E. Isbell, of Smithville.

SHILLETO - PITTSLY:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1st, by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. John Shilleto, to Miss Flora Pittsly, both of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

KIRBY - CUDWORTH:  In Cortland [Cortland Co., NY], Feb. 1st, by Rev. A. Wilkins, Mr. Wm. D. Kirby, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Hattie J. Cudworth, of Cortland.

PORTER - WHITE:  In Homer [Cortland Co., NY] Jan. 27th, by Rev. D. Holbrook, Mr. Erastus B. Porter, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary J. White, of Homer.

Died

TURNER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on Monday morning, Feb. 7th, Deborah S. [Turner], wife of Lester Turner, aged 58 years.

RICHMOND:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 7th, Mrs. Keziah Richmond, wife of Seth Richmond, aged 79 years.

WHITE:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 13th, George White, aged 19 years.

CHURCH:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 13th, Mrs. Catherine Church, formerly of London, England, aged 76 years.

DEXTER:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 18th, Louisa L. [Dexter], wife of Willis Dexter, aged 34 years.