Vital Records - February 1857

 Oxford Times, February 4, 1857

Married:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th of Dec. last, by Rev. Cyrus Steer, Mr. Ira Johnson of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Nancy M. Thompson of McDonough.

Married:  On Jan. 1st, by the same, Mr. Samuel B. Crosby to Miss Cornelia West, all of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 14th, by Rev. H. Callahan, Mr. William H. Smith to Miss Mary B. Whittemore, both of Guilford.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, February 5, 1857

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the evening of the 28th ult., by Rev. Jas. D. Webster, Mr. Henry Race, to Miss Ann M. Moore, both of the above place.

Married:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., by the Rev. B. S. Williams, Mr. I.E.H. Sabin to Miss Harriet Mygatt(?).

Married:  Also at the same time and place, by the same, Mr. Jas. M. Saben to Miss Mary Mygatt.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th ult., by Rev. J.O. Bartholomew, Mr. Orrin Wheeler of Morrisville [Madison Co., NY], to Miss Olive A. Basset of Oxford.

Married:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th ult., by Rev. S.L. Rorapaugh, Mr. Jas. J. Noyes, to Miss Eunice F. Clark, both of Preston.

Died:  In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst. at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. E.G. Kinney, Mrs. Olive Seymour, aged 82 years.

Died:  In Orange Co. [NY], on the 80th ult., Mary Jane [Treat], wife of Platt Treat, aged 27 years.

Oxford Times, February 11, 1857

Married:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. John S. Webb to Miss Mary A. Davis, both of Smithville.

Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday evening inst., Ethan Clarke, Esq., aged 67 years, 10 months and 8 days.  Mr. Clarke was born in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, and at an early age removed with his father to Brookfield, Madison County, N.Y. where he remained until the Spring of 1821, when he came to Oxford, and has since resided here.  Mr. Clarke was in usual health on Sunday morning, attended Church in the forenoon and returned therefrom exhibiting so far as could be, or was perceived by his family, no signs of the near approach of death,.  Owing to the sudden rise of the River, the guard bank to the feeder of the Canal, a short distance above the village, commenced giving away about 2o'clock, P.M. on Sunday, and it was thought best to remove a quantity of flour from the cellar of the store house, owned by the deceased, and occupied by the firm of J.W. Clarke & Co., of which firm he was a member.  Mr. Clarke with his usual activity and energy, repaired to the store house to assist as far as he was able in securing the property.  He was found a few minutes before 3 o'clock, lying between the wall of the store house cellar and a cask standing in the cellar, in an insensible state, and was forthwith removed to his dwelling a few rods distant.  His physicians discovered that he had been attacked with a violent fit of apoplexy, in which he remained entirely insensible until about half-past 5 o'clock, when mortality became swallowed up in immortality.  Thus has passed away another of that band of old men, and early citizens of our village, who early became identified with its interests, shared and gloried in its prosperity, who will be remembered by the monuments they have reared by their indomitable energy and activity.  The works they have left are their best praise, their best eulogy the long continued and uninterrupted respect and affection of our citizens.  Among this band none more conspicuous, none more respected, none more deserving than Mr. Clarke.  Always ready and willing to aid with his means, by his counsel and advice, and by his labor in the advancement of all public interests and public improvements, no one has been or will be more missed, no one whose absence will create a greater void.  He was emphatically a useful man, useful to our village as a public spirited and energetic man, useful in promoting the good and welfare of society, and of the Academy of which he was for many years a valuable and efficient trustee, useful in his labor in the giving of his means in his life and his example in building up, sustaining and upholding the Church.  With him "Life was real, life was earnest, / And the grave was not its goal."  And though middle age had passed over Mr. C. ere they were sung, how perfectly in him were exemplified those other words of the poet.  "Act--not in the living Present; / Heart within, and God o'er head." His funeral will be attended at his late residence on Thursday at 2 o'clock P.M.

 Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Mr. J.F. Gernsey(?), aged 50 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, February 12, 1857

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst., Mrs. Sarah Hammond, mother of John Hammond, Esq., of Norwich, aged 84 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Lyman Hall, aged 54 years.

Died:  In Poolville, Madison county [NY], on the 27th ult. Ellen [Brainard], daughter of Wm. G. Brainard, aged 21 years.

Died:  In Cincinnatus, Cortland country [NY], on the 25th ult. Benjamin R. Kingsley, aged 62 years.

Oxford Times, February 18, 1857

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on 29th Jan., Clark Loomis, son of Mr. Daniel Loomis, aged 20 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, February 19, 1857

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst. by Rev. L. Wright, Mr. Alonzo Benjamin, Esq., to Miss Harriet C. Eggleston, both of the above place.

Married:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., by G.W. Edwards, Esq., Mr. Geo. Ward to Cherry Valley, Winnebago Co., Ill. to Miss Laura Kinney of the former place.

Died:  In Hamilton [Madison Co., NY], on the 12th inst., of hemorrhage of the lungs, Mrs. Amelia Dorman, aged 20 years.

Died:  in Toronto, Canada, L.F. Lewis, formerly of Hamilton [Madison Co., NY].

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., of heart disease, Mary D....y [Hayes], daughter of Edward and Diana Hayes, aged 18 years and 2 months.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Joel F. Gleason, aged 50 years.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst. Peleg B. Folger, aged 64 years.

Died:  In Hartwick, Otsego Co. [NY], John Luther, in the81st yer of his age.

Oxford Times, February 25, 1857

Another Revolutionary Patriot Gone:  Died:  January 20th, 1857, at the residence of his son, James G. Mersereau, in Tioga, Tioga county, Pa., Joshua Mersereau, aged 97 years, 7 months and 12 days.The deceased was born on the north side of Staten Island, resided a long time at Guilford, Chenango Co., N.Y., and lately near Erwin Center, Steuben Co., N.Y.  His father, Joshua, himself and his brother L. (late of Covington, Tioga Co., Pa.) were devoted and active Patriots in our Revolutionary struggle.  He has voted at every Presidential election and gave his first vote to Washington, and his last to Fremont.  He was descended from Huguenot ancestors who were driven from France by the bloody persecutions which ensued on the revocation of the edict of Nante's and he exhibited in no small degree the virtues justly attributed to the Huguenot character  Tioga Agitator.

Fatal Disaster in Brookfield [Madison Co., NY]:  On Sunday the 9th inst. as two young men, named Main and Hall, were endeavoring to dislodge the ice which threatened the destruction of the bridge and dam near the late residence of Hon. Elisha Randall, one mile south of Clarkville, Madison county [NY], the dam and bridge suddenly gave way, precipitating the young men, togther with the mass of ice and timber that had accumulated above, into the frightful vortex below, crushing young Hall's head in a shocking manner and instantly killing him.  Mr. Main, although severely injured, had sufficient courage and presence of mind to rescue the body of young Hall from the surging element, from which it seems almost incredible he himself should have escaped.  His efforts to save his companion's life were however unavailing, one side of young Hall's head being completely torn away, and his lower jaw crushed. The deceased was 17 years of age, and a son of Jesse W.  Hall, Esq., of New Berlin, Chenango Co. [NY].  Morrisville Observer.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, February 26, 1857

The Sherburne Transcript mentions the sudden death of Levi Gager, an old and highly esteemed resident of that town, on Tuesday last.  He was in the house of a neighbor, and while conversing, fell from his chair and immediately expired.  His death is supposed to have been caused by disease of the heart.  His age was 69.

Married:  In Binghamton, [Broome Co., NY], on the 14th inst., by Rev. A.P. Mead, Mr. Nelson R. Jackson, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Eleanor P. Egleston, of Triangle [Broome Co., NY].

Married:  In Poolville, Madison county [NY], Jan. 29th, by the Rev. Mr Starr,  Mr. Richard Evans, Jr., to Miss Amanda B. Pool, of Poolville.

Married:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., by G.W. Edwards, Esq., Mr. Gilbert Tuttle, of Georgetown, Madison county, to Miss Mary Jane Coy, of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on the 12th inst. by Wm. M. Waterman, Esq., Mr. Barney W. Sherwood, of Conklin [Broome Co., NY] and Miss Helen A. Brink, of Windsor [Broome Co., NY].

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult. Clark [Loomis], son of Daniel Loomis, aged 20 years.

Died:  In Olean Point, Cattaraugus county [NY], on the 12th inst., Mr. Caleb Smith, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 76 years.

Died:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst., Mr. Ebenezer Ogden, aged 21 years.

Died:  In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on the 27th ult., at the residence of her father, Miss Fanny Alderman, aged 14 years.

Died:  In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on the 29th inst. Harriet Pamela [Cooke], infant daughter of Geo. H. and Francis A. Cooke.

A Chapter of Accidents:  On Friday last, John Rooney and John S. Carpenter of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], were hunting rabbits, about two miles east of Smithville Flatts, and when about leaving for home, Carpenter proposed to show Rooney the nearest route out of the woods.  After proceeding a few rods on their way, Carpenter in advance of Rooney some 6 or 8 feet.  Rooney's gun was accidentally discharged, either by the trigger being caught on the twig of a tree, or striking the hammer of the lock upon a log.  The contents passed into Carpenter's leg, near and above the knee joint.  He lived only 6 or 8 hours after the accident.

Another:  On Saturday last, Andrew Bailey of Smithville, while at work in a saw mill, owned by Bennet & Taylor, in the act of moving some splinters in front of the saw, had his right arm caught by the saw, at the joint of the wrist, and his hand nearly severed from the arm.

We are also informed that a child of Jared Ingersoll, was severely scaled last week.  Also that a son of Benajah White had two of his fingers sawed off, and that a man had his jaw broken in a fight.  All of the parties resided in Smithville.  A chapter of accidents indeed, for one week.