Benjamin Bunker, Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 6, 1880: Our Smyrna correspondent writes that a tombstone in the East Burial Ground in that town bears the inscription: "Benjamin Bunker, born at Charlestown, Mass., March 22d, 1772; died in Smyrna, April 10th, 1831, aged 59 years"--and adds that no one seems to know who he was. We have taken some pains to investigate the matter, and find the facts to be substantially as follows.
Benjamin Bunker, father of the one who lies in the cemetery at Smyrna, was the owner of the farm in Charlestown, Mass., upon which Bunker Hill, of revolutionary fame, is situated, and his wife was of the Breed family, whose farm joined that of the elder Bunker, whose fields, including the memorable Breed's Hill, where the scene of sanguinary strife in those dark days. The son, during his residence in Smyrna, followed blacksmithing.
For thirty years or more, there has resided in this village a quiet, unobtrusive gentleman, who has enjoyed the esteem of his fellow citizens, and who during his residence here pursued his calling as a shoemaker, until he reached his seventy-fifth birthday, when he left the bench, with means sufficient to make him comfortable in his declining years. His name is Benjamin Bunker, and he is a son of the Benjamin Bunker who died in Smyrna, and grandson of the Benjamin Bunker who owned Bunker hill. He was born in Barnstable, Mass., in 1797, and is consequently now eighty-three years of age. His health, usually excellent, has of late been impaired by shocks of paralysis, and the old gentleman is feeble, but able to be about the streets. He makes his home with his nephew, D.C. Northrup, of this village, as does also his older sister, mother of Mr. Northrup.
Deacon Lester Turner, Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 6, 1880: "Another old landmark gone" was heard from many a lip as the news that Dea. Turner was dead spread through the village on Monday morning last. One who had known him many years added, with much earnestness, "Yes! and he was a good man, too." Dea. Turner was born September 25th, 1807, on the farm in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], which has been the homestead for two generations of the family. His father, Ethan Turner, was an early settler in the town, occupying this farm. His children were two sons and two daughters. One of the daughters died some years ago, and one son about a year since; and now the other son has followed, leaving the sister, Mrs. Gideon Wetmore, of this village, the last of the family.
Dea. Turner was married October 10th, 1833, to Miss Deborah Smith Halbert, at Union Valley, Cortland Co., N.Y., and the young couple took up their abode at the homestead, and very earnestly began their life work. Having relatives in this village, Mrs. Turner transferred her church connection to the Congregational Church here, the next spring, 1834. January 4th, 1835, Mr. Turner joined that Church by profession, the day on which the ministry of Rev. John Sessions began over the Chruch. In 1836, the Congregational Church of Preston installed Rev. Hyram Dyer, its pastor, and Mr. and Mrs. Turner took letters from the Norwich Church and joined there, it being nearer home. They remained members there while the Church was kept up, and then connected themselves with the Congregational Chruch at Oxford, it being more accessible to them. Mr. Turner's Christian character was so earnest that he was soon chosen a Deacon of that Church. In March, 1857, having obtained a competence from the farm, he removed to this village, and at once united with the Congregational Church. For a time he resided on Mitchell Street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], in the house now owned by A.J. Beebe; then buying the Sholes place, now the residence of A.H. Goodwin, it became his home. February 7th, 1870, his wife died after a lingering illness. After a few years he went with his son's family to the old Wilcox farm, south of the village, which he made his home until 1873. May 13th of that year he married Miss Elizabeth Foote, of this village, and has since resided on Cortland Street.
Dea. Turner was always a quiet man, yet was very earnest in every work he took up. Inheriting an iron constitution, his physical endurance was often remarkable. It is said, while on his farm during haying, that when he struck into the grass he never stopped the firm, steady swing of his scythe until the end of the swath was reached, whether the distance was ten rods or forty. This same quality he carried into his Christian life. He was ever ready to do any Christian duty, and always did the duty earnestly. January, 1868, following his removal to this village, he was made Deacon of the Congregational Church, which office he still held at his death. He has been also a Trustee. In politics he was a Republican, but was never a politician. Once only he was Supervisor of his native town. It is not remembered that he ever held any other civil office, and he always drew back from accepting any office in the church, but once taken he cheerfully performed the duties. Two children by his first wife were born to him, Frances V., who died about 1862, and Charles L. who now lives in this village. The funeral was held at the residence on Cortland Street, this (Wednesday) afternoon, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Dr. Taylor officiating. The remains were buried in our village cemetery.
Fanny E. (Randall) Neff, Bainbridge News & Republican, December 1, 1932: Mrs. Fanny E. Neff, widow of Erwin G. Neff, died at the home of her son, Arthur Neff, on Pearl street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] early Monday morning. She was born January 8th, 1851, in Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], the daughter of Robert and August Kentfield Randall. She is survived by one son, Arthur, with whom she resided. The funeral was held at the Colwell Funeral Chapel Wednesday, November 30th, at two o'clock, Rev. G.H. Orvis officiating. The bearers were E.C. Ward, Fred Robbins, Cory Thornton and George Fredenburg.
Margaret Emily (Davidson) Youngs, Bainbridge News & Republican, November 8, 1934: Mrs. Margaret Emily Young, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davidson, of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], passed away early Saturday morning at the Binghamton State Hospital, following a short illness and an operation Mrs. Youngs, who had been employed at the hospital [Broome Co., NY] for some time, was taken ill about two weeks previously and medical aid was unable to save her. Mrs. Youngs was born on Feb. 20, 1906, in Scotland, and at the age of 2 years, with her parents and family, came to this country, and in 1918 they took up their residence in Bainbridge. A private funeral was held Monday afternoon in the funeral chapel of Colwell Brothers, Wet Main street, with the Rev. G.H. Orvis, pastor of the First Presbyterian Chruch, officiating, and interment was made in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge]. Besides her parents, she is survived by three brothers, William and Thomas, of Bainbridge, and John, of Troy.
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 6, 1880
Marriages
MITCHELL - SAGE: At the residence of the bride's parents, in Brooklyn, on Wednesday, April 28th, by Rev. Dr. E. Lord, Franklin B. Mitchell, Esq., of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Helen [Sage], daughter of Col. Clinton H. Sage.
TARBELL - ROUNDS: In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], April 27th, by Rev. D.N. Grummon, Mr. Charles E. Tarbell, to Miss Ellen J. Rounds, both of Afton.
LEIGH - MUZZY: In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY], April 21st, by Rev. R. Rogers, Mr. J.D. Leigh, to Miss Clementine Muzzy, both of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].
GREGORY - DOUGLAS: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 21st, by Rev. S. Johnson, Mr. Ransom Gregory, to Miss Sue J. Douglas, both of Bainbridge.
PHILLIPS - MERCHANT: At Constantia, N.Y. [Oswego Co.], April 29th, by Rev. E.D. Teakey, Mr. William O. Phillips, to Miss Emma Merchant,
GOODWIN - PHILLIPS: At Constantia, N.Y. [Oswego Co.], April 29th, by Rev. E.D. Teakey, Mr. Frank Goodwin, to Miss Olivia M. Phillips.
Deaths
TURNER: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Monday morning, May 3d, Dea. Lester Turner, aged 72 years. [see obit above]
PHILLIPS: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 2d, Mrs. Augusta A. Phillips, aged 25 years, 4 months and 4 days.
WINSOR: In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 25th, Merton H. [Winsor], son of Edson and Mary Winsor, aged 17 years and 3 months.
OWENS: In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], April 26th, Miss Eliza J. Owens, aged 18 years, 10 months and 22 days.
DAVIS: In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], April 7th, Ruby A. [Davis], wife of John Davis, aged 63 years.
FINKS: In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], April 20th, Mr. Franklin Finks, aged 63 years.
COLE: In the Insane Asylum, Preston [Chenango Co., NY], May 1st, Mrs. Lovina Cole, aged 39 years, formerly of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].
HUMPHREY: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 27th, of apoplexy, Joan [Humphrey], wife of Nelson A. Humphrey, aged 55 years.
CAMPBELL: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 28th, Mrs. Daniel Campbell, aged 71 years.
SCHOFIELD: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 24th, Mrs. Clarissa Schofield, aged 43 years.
CARD: in Earlville [Madison Co., NY], April 14th, Mrs. Nancy Card, aged 87 years.
EELLS: In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], April 22d, Miss Juliet Eells, aged 12 years.
TYLER: In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], April 27th, Mr. Thomas Tyler, aged 86 years.
THOMPSON: In Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY], April 22d, Mr. Chauncey Thompson, aged 20 years. Deceased was a student in Bainbridge academy.
SQUIRES: In Titusville, Penn., April 8th, suddenly, Mr. Thomas J. Squires, aged 46 years, formerly of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].
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