A little girl named Annie McCarthy, about thirteen years old, living at Port Dickinson, Broome County, was badly burned by her clothes taking fire while playing about a bonfire near Dickson's Island, on Tuesday afternoon of last week. James Van Amburgh, of Binghamton, who was passing at the time, ran t othe house, procured a blanket, and enveloped the girl in it; but the poor child suffered intense pain until Wednesday evening, when death came to her relief. [Chenango Union, May 12, 1881]
There was a pleasant gathering of neighbors and friends at the residence of Edwin M. Haynes, in the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on Saturday afternoon last, January 1st, the occasion being the observance of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Haynes. January 1st, 1856, Mr. Haynes, then as now a resident of the town of Oxford, married Miss Ruby Keach of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], both of whom were born and reared in the vicinity of their present home, where they have for a quarter of a century shared each others joys and sorrows, and when their united labors have been rewarded by a competency. The spacious rooms of the homestead, recently enlarged and refitted, were thrown open to the guests, and when dinner was announced, upwards of sixty were seated at the tables in the dining room, which were loaded with an abundance of good cheer. The "inner man" satisfied, the party returned to the parlors, where Rev. W.R. Baldwin made brief but appropriate remarks, alluding to the changes which twenty-five years have wrought, and congratulating the host and hostess upon their deserved success in life. He was followed by Dr. Foote, J.S. Shattuck, Kinyon Terry, and Dea. S. Root. Mr. Haynes feelingly responded. The happy couple were the recipients of many valuable presents, designed both for ornament and utility, and the more prized by them as testimonials of friendship and esteem from old and tried friends, many of whom were the associates of their youthful days. As evening approached the assemblage separated for their respective homes, each well pleased with the occasion which had proved so enjoyable. In the evening the parlors were again filled by a party of young people, who kept up the enjoyment until a late hour. Taken all in all, it was a pleasant anniversary, and a Happy New Year. [Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, Mar. 2, 1876]
George A. Harris: During the week just passed, much anxiety was felt throughout this community as to the serious illness from typhoid pneumonia, with with he was attacked early in the week, the result of a neglected cold; and although his recovery was towards the last despaired of, the announcement of his death on Saturday evening cast a gloom over all. He was in the forty-third year of his age. Deceased was a son of the venerable Dr. Harvey Harris. His grandfather removed from Connecticut in 1790, and settled upon the spot where the family residence now stands; there Dr. Harris was born eighty-five years ago, and has since resided; there George and his five brothers and sisters were born; there he has passed his boyhood and youth; and there, in the prime of life, in the vigor of manhood, and in the midst of his usefulness, he breathed his last. At an early age he was apprenticed to H.N. Walter, in whose employ he acquired a knowledge of the jewelry trade, afterwards becoming a partner with his employer, which relation continued until the death of Mr. Walter, when he continued the business in his own name. As a business man he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow men, his dealings were governed by the strictest integrity; his frank and genial manner made everyone his friend, and his prospects were promising for a prosperous future. His loss will be felt, not only by our business community, but in the social circle he will be missed; while in his pleasant home, the bereaved widow and three little children, the aged parents, the brothers and sisters who survive him, have met with a loss which is irreparable, and the event is one which calls forth the sympathies of everyone. funeral services were held at the family residence, on Tuesday afternoon, and were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing neighbors and friends. Rev. Dr. Taylor officiated, and his remarks were touchingly appropriate to the occasion His remains were accompanied to the grave by his Masonic brethren, with knight Templar escort, where the last sad rites were performed according to the ritual of the Order. Business places generally were closed during the services, as a mark of respect to the memory of one who has occupied so prominent a place among us, and who has left behind him a name upon which no tarnish rests. Peace to his ashes! [Chenango Union, Nov. 18, 1880]
Dr. Harvey Harris, d. 2 January 1881: Although for a number of years the Doctor has been gradually declining, and for a number of months past has seldom been seen upon the streets, yet up to within a few days of his death there was nothing especially to indicate that he was so near his end The untimely death, seven weeks ago, of his son, George A. Harris, who was a member of the same household, upon whom the aged parent leaned as a stay and staff in the decrepitude of tottering old age, and to whom he looked for solace and comfort when the shadows of the evening of life were gathering around, was a terrible blow, and doubtless hastened the final change.
Dr. Harris was a son of Captain John Harris, who was born on Nantucket Island, Mass., in 1753, and who came from Voluntown (now Sterling) Conn., to Norwich, in 1789. Captain Harris was among the early pioneers of this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] and was notably conspicuous in its early history. He with his family moved here in the month of January. two yoke of oxen attached to a long sled hauled their household goods and supplies, followed by his wife and six children in an old style sleigh, drawn by a pair of horses. Some idea may be formed of the tediousness of the journey performed ninety years ago, when it is stated that two days were occupied in making the distance, less than twenty miles, between Unadilla and Norwich. It was expected, in accordance with an arrangement with Avery Power, the first white settler of the town, according to all history, and William Smiley, who came with Captain Harris on his prospecting tour--the latter returning for his family--that a cabin would have been in readiness for the new comers on their arrival, but instead the timber of which it was to be constructed was still standing in the forest. While the new habitation was being erected, which occupied but a short time, for high walls and frescoed ceilings were not fashionable then, the Harris family, eight in number, with Hascall and William Ransford, took up their abode with Mr Smiley's family, numbering four or five, the entire household accommodations consisting of a single room.
The "Harris House" near the old willow tree, which up to within a few years stood on the premises now occupied by David Shattuck, on Rexford Street, was considered an improvement, for it had two rooms. Here tradition has it, an Oneida Indian, name David, was tried about 1791, for the murder of another Indian whom he supposed stabbed his squaw. This was probably the first trial under the cognizance of the whites in Chenango County. Here the first town meeting was convened, pursuant to an act of the legislature, about the year 1793, and here various business meetings were held. Here, August 3d, 1795, in a rudely furnished log cabin, but where sobriety, contentment and happiness dwelt, the subject of this sketch, the fourth child born in Norwich, first saw the light of day, within a few rods of the spot where, with the exception of a year or two, he passed all the days of his life, and where on Sunday morning he closed his eyes forever upon earthly scenes.
With such limited school advantages as the new settlement furnished, in 1814, at the age of nineteen, Dr. Harris commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Henry Mitchell, attended lectures at the New York Medical College in 1816, and was licensed to practice by the State commissioners a year later. The Doctor commenced his professional career in New Berlin, but after about a year returned to Norwich. For many years he had the reputation as a practitioner second to none in a wide section of country, and many families had great confidence in his judgment and skill. Although he made no pretensions to surgery, he performed some delicate operations at an early period Never till the infirmities of age compelled him to withdraw from active professional labors did he decline to serve those requiring medical aid. To the poor especially he was lenient and kind. The Doctor joined the Chenango County Medical Society in 1818, was an efficient and honored member, when able to do so made it a point to attend its meetings, and took a deep interest in the profession of his choice.
Previous to Anti-Masonic times, Dr. Harris was a worthy Mason, and took three degrees in the order. After the lodge went down, as most of them did during that exciting period, he never connected himself with the Fraternity again. While watchful as to local interests, and well informed in regard to public affairs, Dr. Harris was not a lover of office, and held but few official trusts. He was Supervisor in 1838, and village Trustee in 1854. He was one of the founders of Norwich Academy, and a member of the first Board of Trustees.
In 1822 he married Philinda [Enos], a daughter of Truman Enos, an old resident who settled here in 1806, by whom he had six children--Abbie, Truman, Hannah Augusta, Harvey , George and William. Four of the children, Hannah Augusta (Mrs. Messenger) Abbie (Mrs. Pelton, of New York), Harvey and William, who are living in the West, together with his aged companion, survive. In 1857, Dr. Harris connected himself with the Congregational Church, of which Rev. Hiram Doane was then pastor, and ever exemplified his faith by his works.
Dr. Harris, at his death, was doubtless the oldest of our native born. He witnessed marvelous changes. He lived to see the original purchase of his father, of two hundred and fifty acres and more, extending from Broad Street to the Chenango river, embracing half of our present corporation limits, transformed from a dense forest into finely cultivated fields and gardens, intersected with streets and highways, abounding in places of business, studded with elegant residences, comfortable and tasty dwellings, the abodes of a prosperous, happy and intelligent people. The Indian wigwam and camp fire, and the cabins of the white man, he behold recede before the march of improvement and enterprise and the wheels of progress. Forty years after Dr. Harris was born there was not a steam railroad in the land; now not only the great city but every considerable town and village is penetrated by a net of railways and traversed by the iron horse. Not only has the Ox-cart and slow stage coach been made to give way, as a means of travel and communication, to the railroad and telegraph, but the patriarch came down to the day that witnessed the more wonderful operations, if possible, of the electric light and the telephone. Full of years, good works and blessings, respected and beloved, the aged father has gone to his reward. The last link that connects the preset generation with primitive days has been broken. Not one leaf, but many, have been lost to the unwritten history of our town and village. [Chenango Union, Jan. 6, 1881].
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 12, 1881
Deaths
BOW: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 8th, Maud Adelaide [Bow], daughter of Charles A. and Emma J. Bow, aged 8 months and 8 days.
BROOKS: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 10th, Walter F. [Brooks] son of Charles H. and Nellie L. Brooks, aged 6 years and 4 months.
WELLS: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 9th, Willie [Wells], son of William H. and Helen Wells, aged 8 years, 5 months and 9 days.
STERLING: In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY], May 6th, Mr. Isaac Sterling, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], aged 60 years.
PERKINS: In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], April 30th, Belinda [Perkins], wife of Peter Perkins, aged 66 years.
SWAN: At Lincklaen Centre [Chenango Co., NY], May 4th, 1881, of ulceration of the stomach, Mr. Samuel P. Swan, in the 60th year of his age.
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