Vital Records (July 4)

Mr. & Mrs. Erastus B. North

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 7, 1885

Tuesday, April 23th, was a lovely spring day, and just in keeping with the pleasant party that might have been seen wending their way toward the pleasant home of Mr. Erastus B North, in the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], half way between the villages of Mt. Upton and Guilford. As the line of carriages neared the gate, the family were gazing, much surprised, as such a procession was seldom seen only on funeral occasions. As the party halted and began unloading basket after basket of refreshments, with divers packages and parcels, their manner denoted nothing funereal, but instead, a jolly, merry company of relatives and friends, who had come from far and near to assist Mr. and Mrs. north to celebrate the thirty-eighth anniversary of their marriage.  The house was filled with guests.  The school closed near by, and teacher and scholars joined the party, each intent on helping celebrate the event.  Mr. Daniel North, who celebrated his ninetieth birthday last November, under similar circumstances, was present, and heartily enjoyed the "surprise."  The two oldest sons were not able to be present, each occupying an important railroad office:  Howard North, in Albany, and Eugene North, in Whitehall.  Three daughters with their families, however, were present:  Mrs. Henry Halbert, of Norwich; Mrs. Alvin Converse, of Gilbertsville; Mrs. Charles Manwaring, of Oxford.  About fifty people were present.  Refreshments were served, and the day was passed in social conversation, outdoor amusements, and singing. The music was a pleasant feature, and we doubt if it could be excelled at an impromptu gathering.  Mr. and Mrs. North were the recipients of many beautiful presents.  When the hour came for parting, everyone decided that it was one of the pleasantest "surprise parties" that it had ever been their privilege to attend.

A Complete Surprise:  It was a happy company that gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. E.B. North, of Guilford, on the afternoon of April 28.  The occasion that called so many together was the thirty-eighth anniversary of their wedding. Friends came from Norwich, Mt. Upton, Bainbridge, and Gilbertsville, to congratulate them upon their having been spared each other's company for thirty-eight years.

"Through days of sorrow and of mirth,

Through days of death and days of birth,

Through every swift vicissitude

Of changeful time."

The presents brought will serve as souvenirs of the day during the coming years. A bountiful dinner was served by the ever thoughtful ladies, to which all did ample justice. The company were entertained with visiting, games and music.  a daughter, Mr. Halbert, from Norwich, being present, favored us with some choice songs, after which the company dispersed, leaving with the worthy couple their best wishes for health and happiness.

Hiley Coon

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 7, 1885

Our correspondent furnishes us with the following particulars of a sad casualty which occurred at the Mt. Upton depot [Chenango Co., NY], Monday afternoon:

Hiley Coon, a sprightly lad of 17 or thereabouts, while assisting in loading some lumber which his father had sold, stepped backward off the car and fell a distance of twelve or fifteen feet, crushing in his skull.  Dr. Smith was away and the telegram was sent to Gilbertsville, but before the doctor reached him the poor boy was dead.  He had left his home only a little while before, in high glee; he was brought back a corpse.  He was an only child, and his father was lying very ill at the time.  The distressed family have the deep sympathy of the entire community.   F.J.R.

James Hill

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 14, 1895

James Hill, a well known resident of this town [New Berlin Chenango Co., NY], came to the village as usual Friday morning for the purpose of delivering milk at the creamery, and when returning, in company with his son, to their home, they found the road, just above the old paper mill site, badly blockaded with snow and they both got out for the purpose of making a pathway for the team, when suddenly, James exclaimed, "I am going to die," and as suddenly expired.  He leaves a wife and family to mourn their loss.  He was the youngest son of the late Nehemiah Hill.  New Berlin Gazette.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 7, 1885

Marriages

HICKBY - KILROE:  At St. Patrick's Church, in this village, May 5th, by Rev. T.F. Cullen, Mr. Morris Hickey, to Miss Bridget Kilroe, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

HARRINGTON - WILLIAMS:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], April 26th, by Rev. J.M.C. Fulton, Mr. Robert Harrington, to Miss Phebe Williams, both of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

MINER - VROMAN:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], May 2d, by Rev. C.S. Crain, Mr. Brownel W. Miner, of Hamilton [Madison Co., NY] to Miss Mary A. Vroman, of North Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

McFARLAND - CHAMBERLAIN:  in Afton [Chenango Co.., NY], April 30th, by Rev. E.T. Jacobs, S.F. McFarland, M.D., of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] to Miss Addie Chamberlain, of Afton.

MACKSEY - MORAN:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], April 29th, by Rev. Father Bennett, Mr. Perry Macksey, to Miss Maggie Moran, both of Sherburne.

BRISTOL - CAMPBELL:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] April 29th, by Rev. D.E. Loveridge, of Unadilla, Mr. J.D. Bristol, to Miss Eugenia Campbell, both of Bainbridge.

SMITH - HOPKINS:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], April 26th, by Rev. A.W. Barrows, Mr. George M. Smith, of Solon, Cortland county, to Miss Libbie Hopkins, of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY].

MARVIN - KENYON:  In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY], April 23d, by Rev. O.L. Cooper, Mr. Charles L. Marvin, to Miss Grace Kenyon, both of Cincinnatus.

Deaths

HUNT:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 3d, Mary A. [Hunt], wife of Oscar Hunt, aged 62 years and 4 months.

PRIME:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], April 30th, Mr. Henry Prime, aged 51 years.

SAMSON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 3d, Rosa Samson, aged 39 years.

SMITH:  At the Utica Asylum [Oneida Co., NY], May 5th, Mary V. [Smith], wife of john Smith, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].

O'HOLLAREN:  At Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], on the 22d ult., from the effects of a cancer, Mrs. John O'Hollaren, daughter of Mrs. Dennis  Hickey, of this place [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], She leaves a husband and six children.

BUTTS:  Suddenly, in Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], April 30th, Mr. Agrippa Butts, aged 86 years.

BENJAMIN:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY], April 26th, Mr. Darius Benjamin, aged 90 years.

COON:  Suddenly, in Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], May 4th, Hiley [Coon] son of J.H. Coon, aged about 17 years.  [See news item above]

BUSH:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 22d, Mr. Jonathan Bush aged 82 years.

BENNETT:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 22d, Mrs. Israel Bennett.

WARREN:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], April 29th, Mr. Edward R. Warren, son of the late Romeo Warren, aged 42 years.

AYLESWORTH:  In Iowa City, April 13th, Dr. B.H. Aylesworth, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

SANTMIER:  In Wilkesbarre, Pa., April 23d, Matie [Santimier], daughter of Rev. David J. and Mary E. Santimier, aged 6 years, 4 months and 16 days.  Remains taken to North Pharsalia for burial.