Vital Records - June 1855

 Oxford Times, June 6, 1855

Shocking Accident:  On Monday afternoon as the new Bell of the Congregational Church in this village [Hamilton, Madison Co., NY] was being raised to its place in the tower, a shocking accident occurred which resulted in the death of Mr. S.M. Beckwith.  The circumstances attending the event were as follows:  Mr. B. was in the belfry superintending the hoisting of this bell, when the ropes becoming disarranged, he stepped out upon the bell, and rearranged them, and then stepped into the belfry.  The bell was then raised a few feet, when the ropes again became displaced and he went out a second time and placed them in order.  He then remarked that he would stand where he was, on the bell, and keep the ropes in their place.  The words were scarcely uttered before the ropes gave way, precipitating him along with the bell upon the steps of the church which were crushed by the blow.  He was taken home and died in a short time.  Hamilton Journal

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], April 29th, Mrs. Joanna Fitts, widow of Jonathan Fitts, of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], in the 79th year of her age.  She was a native of new Hampshire, where in early life she united with the regular Baptist Church.  In 1807, she came to this county, where she became a member of a Church of the same faith and order, and maintained a consistent Christian course through life.  In her death her relatives and the Chruch have sustained a loss not easily repaired.

Died:  In Plover, Wisconsin, May 1st, 1855, with the consumption, Andrew Jackson Bunnel, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], aged 26 years.

Oxford Times, June 13, 1855

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Mr. Jesse Inman, aged 90 years.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult., Mrs. Abigail Gazlay, relict of Aaron Gazlay, aged 76 years.

Oxford Times, June 20, 1855

Died:  In Davenport, Iowa, June 2d, 1855, Mrs. Mary A. Leonard, aged 35 years, wife of Mr. Alfred Leonard, and youngest daughter of Seth and Rebecca Stratton of Oxford [Chenango Co.., NY].

Died:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th, Wm. Peter Sprague, aged 26 years.

Died:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th, Thomas Willcox, aged 76 years.

Bad Accident at Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY]:  A correspondent sends us the following account of a fearful accident which occurred in Edmeston on Sunday inst.  Two boys one aged 13 and the other 15 years, were drowned in the mill pond at South Edmeston, Sunday afternoon.  The former was the son of Lewis Shurr, named Walter [Shurr]; the elder, named Joseph [Howard], was the son of Dr. Lyman Howard, both of Columbus, Chenango County.  These boys with one other named James Shurr, a cousin of Walter, started with a small boat to sail on the mill pond. When in the center of the stream, the boat was taken down the stream, the water being very high, which prevented the boys from managing the boat.  they went over the dam and as they passed over it, they all jumped out into the stream.  Walter and Joseph were drowned; James the third one, saved himself by swimming ashore.  The body of Walter was found, but the other had not at last accounts.  Utica Herald.

Oxford Times, June 27, 1855

Died:  In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d inst., Mr. Frederick Hopkins, aged 87 years.

In a good old age, this "faithful soldier and servant of Christ unto his life's end," hath departed in peace, leaving his beloved family and his numerous friends to remember his virtues, to imitate his christen example and to mourn his loss, to them irreparable.  In 1814, when the Episcopal Church was first established in this village, he was elected Senior Warden and continued for many years faithfully to discharge the duties of the office.  For several years past his feeble health has not permitted him to engage in active duties, but his ardent devotion to the interests of the Chruch terminated only with his life.  He was a patriot of '76, and served his country in the Revolutionary war. Animated with the principals of liberty, he ever adhered to them with fidelity, and was always found supporting the best interests of our country.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Mr. Sill Huntley, aged 75 years.

Died:  At Clifton, Staten Island, on the 5th inst., Mrs. Margaret Lawrence, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 74 years.

On Tuesday of last week, Stephen Lane, of Decatur, Otsego Co., while ploughing, got caught in the tug, and the horses taking fright, he was dragged the distance of a mile, and so badly injured that he died on the Friday following.  He was 18 years of age.