Vital Records - September 1853

 Oxford Times, September 7, 1853

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Miss Lefa Balcom, aged 83 years.

Oxford Times, September 14, 1853

Coroner I.C. Bourne of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY] was called upon, on Tuesday of last week, to hold an inquest on the body of a man found in the barn of John Cole in Hancock, Delaware Co., about 9 miles from this village [Deposit, Delaware Co., NY].  The following facts elicited by the jury have been kindly furnished us by Dr. S.D. Higgins of this village, who was called upon by the coroner as a witness:

On Sunday last, Mr. Cole was in his barn and found on the mow a straw hat nearly new and a pair of boots, but supposing them to belong to a brother, no suspicion was excited.  On Tuesday morning of this week going into the barn after a cradle and having to pass over this mow, his nose was assailed by an intolerable stench and on looking for the cause, he saw a large quantity of flies in the hay, and flying about and on going there became alarmed from appearances and immediately went out and called in some neighbors (James M. More and C. Cannon)  They went on to the mow and removed the hay about one foot, when they found the body of a man that had apparently lain there for a number of days.  (The coroner was immediately sent for, who called a jury).  The body was that of  a man rather of medium size apparently 30 to 35 years old.  On removing the  neck cloth they found his throat cut across the front and right side, the large artery on the right side being severed, there were two wounds, apparently caused by a dirk, one in the breast in front, and the other on the left side, neither of which was fatal and a bruise on the right side, the right ear was cut or torn off, the head was in such a state of decomposition, that it was impossible to tell whether there were any other wounds on it.  From appearances the body had lain there 5 or 6 days.  The dress consisted of satinett pants of a mixed reddish drab color, a blue mixed satinette or cashmere vest, a shirt of hickery cloth, or blue and white cloth, lined with white, a black cravat and coarse boots.  The right pocket of his pants was cut or torn off.  In his pocket were found two letters, directed to Thomas Burke, one dated at Pond Eddy, no signature to it; the other written August 15th 1853, requested an answer to be sent to Ripley, Chautauqua Co., NB.Y. signed James Clark.  Inside of his hat was written with a pencil, Thomas Burke and James McCarthy.  On the mow was found a part of a razor case, and in the river, some ten rods from there, a razor, which had apparently been there but a few days. Verdict of the jury in accordance with the facts.  As hearing on the above case, and giving some clue to his death, are learn that a man by the name of Thomas Burke, who had heretofore lived with Mr. Fuller, of this village, called at his house on Thursday last in company with another man that he called James McCarthy or McGuire.  Mr. Fuller's people were not certain which. Mr. Fuller says Burke, when he lived with him, was in the habit of carrying considerable money about his person, and always carried it in his right pocket.  They were inquiring for work.  Burke had in his hand a pair of boots and a bundle, the other man had on blue overalls, and I believe a hickory shirt; was rather under the medium size.  They were both Irish. Two men, bearing the above description were seen by Mr. H. Travers, about half way from here to where the body was found on Thursday, just before night.  Burke was evidently murdered and robbed and appearances are very strong against his companion.  Deposit Democrat. 

Married:  In this village on the 13th inst. by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. William Alcott to Miss Maryette Norton, both of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., by Willis Gregory, Esq., Mr. Edward W. Nickerson of Oxford [Chenango co., NY] to Miss Mary Foot of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY].

Died:  In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], after a short illness, Mr. Simeon Miles, aged 83 years.  Thus has passed away the last of three brothers, who emigrated form Connecticut, at an early period in the history of Chenango County, when most of it was a howling wilderness, enduring at times the severest hardships, but with moral courage, a strong arm, and a determined purpose, the stately trees fell before them, and the solitary places were made to rejoice and blossom as the rose.  Mr. M. was a man of decision, of character, a member of Christ's visible Church; and as he had lived, so he died the death of the Christian.  His end was peaceful, he met the king of terrors firm and undismayed.

Died:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th, Mr. Silas Thomas, aged 61 years.

Oxford Times, September 21, 1853

Married:  In Otego [Otsego Co., NY], Sept. 21st, b Rev. A. Queal, Mr. Edward L. Bennett, of Bennettsville, Chenango Co., to Miss Francis M. Saunders, of Otego.

Oxford Times, September 29, 1853

Married:  In this village [Chenango Co., NY], in the Congregational Chruch, on the evening of the 21st inst. by Rev. H. Callahan, Mr. Charles Meeker, formerly of Redding, Ct., to Miss Anna Maria Seymour of Oxford.

Married:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th inst., by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Orlando Smith of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Caroline Holdredge, of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  At the same time and palce, by the same, Mr. Charles H. Holdredge of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Anna M. Smith of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Otego [Otsego Co., NY], on the 21st inst., by the Rev. E. Baldwin, Mr. John Gadsby of Morris, Otsego co., to Miss Mianda Brown of the former place.

Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango co., NY], on the 27th inst., Mrs. Abigail Holdredge, aged 52(?) years.