Thursday, September 17, 2020

Vital Records (September 17)

 Samuel Downing, Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, February 27, 1867:  On Monday the 18th inst., Samuel Downing, the last of the Pensioners of the Revolution, died at his residence near Amsterdam [Montgomery Co] in this State [NY], at the ripe age of 105 years.  Thus all are gone of that noble old band who achieved our Independence. Their record is closed, but their memory shall endure forever.  Voting first for Washington and last for Lincoln (and never for Buchanan as has been falsely said) this patriot was ever true in his political life to the principals for which he had contended on the field of battle.  1776 and 1864--he was a devoted to his country at the last of these dates as at the first; he was always true to himself and to his country.  Is it not a noticeable coincidence that in the same week which under the reconstruction bill, marks what we believe will be the beginning of a new life to the Republic, the last survivor of those who gave it is original existence should pass away?

Katie Brooks, Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, February 27, 1867:  Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY]:  Out little village has been filled with sorrow and gloom since Saturday evening, by a terrible catastrophe from a kerosene lamp.  It occurred at Chapel's hotel, while the proprietor was absent on business, and Mrs. Schapel lay in another room, sick on her bed.  Miss Katie Brooks, a very pleasant and amiable faced young lady, whose parents reside in Pharsalia, was sitting in a rocking chair, busily engaged on some crochet work when one of the rockers tilted the stand on which the lamp stood, and upset the lamp in her lap, exploding it.  She instantly flew to Mrs. Chapel's door, but the sick woman being unable to render her any assistance, directed her to the bar room, whither she rushed, while the flames enveloped the whole upper part of her person, and went up nearly to the top of the room.  Mr. Ralph Taylor and others tried to smother out the flames with their coats, but to little purpose.  But Mr. John Eaton tore off the clothing from the part of her person to which the burning was confined, and soon succeeded in quenching the fierce flames; not however, till death had done its work.  For, though everything was done, which the medical skill and the kindness of the village could suggest, she expired Sabbath evening at 10 o'clock, a little more than twenty-four hours after the sad event occurred.  Her parents were sent for immediately after the accident happened, and in a few hours were on the spot, only to look upon the poor, distorted face and tortured frame of the dear child of love, while utterly powerless to relieve her sufferings.  Our hearts bled for the parents and the daughter.  But the poor girl could communicate only an occasional work, that was fully rational, either to parents or others.  It was one great, overpowering agony.  We could only commend them in silent sorrow, to the All Sympathizing One for comfort and there leave them.  May we all learn the lessons of wisdom suggested by this painful event, in the prayer of, Yours very truly, C.B. 

James H. Davis, Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, March 6, 1867:  Quite an unfortunate and singular accident, happened in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] on Saturday afternoon, last, at the funeral of James H. Davis, who had died a day or two previous.  The corpse had been laid out in an upper room of the house, and upon the day for the funeral, the undertaker found upon going to the premises that it would be impossible to get the coffin, with the body in it, down the stairs, so narrow was the passway, and insisted that the body and coffin should be carried down separately to a lower room.  In this he was overruled by those having particular charge of the matter, they deeming it perfectly safe to lower the body and coffin to the ground, from a small roof which covered the entrance way to the house.  The funeral services having been concluded, four men stepped out upon the roof, to receive the coffin, and lower it by means of ropes, when just they were about to do so the roof fell, precipitating them, together with the coffin and contents violently to the ground, a distance of about ten feet.  All of the men were more or less injured by the fall, and Mrs. Ames, who was standing in the doorway below was seriously injured by being hit with a portion of the roof.  In the fall the head piece of the coffin was broken and the body partially slid out.  It was badly bruised and decomposition having partially set in, presented a horrid and repulsive sight.  The coffin was soon fixed and placed in the outer box and carried to the grave.  We don't know, indeed we think that no blame for the accident attaches to anybody; but the advice of the undertaker, who is a thorough practical man should have been taken.

Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, February 20, 1867

Married

GREENLEAF - DAVIS:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst., by Rev. D.D. Brown, Dr. L.D Greenleaf, of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY] and Elizabeth Davis of Plymouth.

TORRY - BROOKS:  In Earlville [Madison Co., NY], Feb. 9, 1867, by Rev. L.J. Ismond, Normon W. Torry, of Earlville, and Hellen A Brooks.

WILES - LIVERMORE:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 3, by Rev. J.W. Barr, David A. Wiles, of Willett [Cortland Co., NY],and Jane H. Livermore of German.

GILLILAN - PECK:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 5th, by the same, James R. Gilliland of German, and Jane E. Peck of the same place.

BROWN - SISSON:  In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 10th, by A.L. Tuttle, Esq., Alvin H. Brown, of Boulder, Linn Co., Iowa and Mary A Sisson of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

KNOWLES - HUNTINGTON:  At Adrian, Michigan, Jan. 9th, Benjamin Knowles of the Society of Friends, Smyrna, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], and Mrs. Anna Huntington, of the former place.

Died

HOPKINS:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 10th, Mrs. Sarah M. Hopkins, wife of the late George K. Hopkins, aged 42 years.

PABODIE:  Suddenly, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 13th, Aldin Pabodie.

WARNER:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 30th, 1866, Asa Warner, aged seventy six years, nine months, and eight days, and for more than 50 years a subscriber to this paper.  Father rest from sin and sorrow / Death is o'er and life is won; / On thy way dawns no tomorrow / Rest! thine earthly race is run.

HALBERT:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY], Feb. 8th, James [Halbert] son of Asa and Mary Halbert, in the 5th year of his age, Feb. 12th of Dyptheria, Eliza Myrick Halbert, and on the 13th, Mary [Halbert], wife of Asa Halbert.

WILLIAMS:  In Buffalo Oct. 22d, 1866, Mrs. Julia [Williams], wife of George Williams, aged 34 years.

RAYMOND:  In Elgin, Ill., Feb. 6th, after a painful and lingering illness, Augustin Raymond, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 64 years.

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