Vital Records, Oxford, NY, February 1860

 Oxford Times, February 1, 1860

Married:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult. by Rev. H. Callahan, Mr. Charles Day to Miss Betsey Wheeler, both of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th ult., by Rev. Mr. Capen, Mr. Henry Pendleton of Olde city, Nebraska, to Miss Helen Cady of Norwich.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21th ult. Charlotte [Monell], wife of Hon. Robert B. Monell, in the 59th year of her age.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th ult. Mr. Edmund Sanford, aged 79 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th ult. Mrs. Siley [Evans], wife of Riley Evans, aged 51 years.

Died:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d ult. Mr. Luke Wheeler, aged 41 years.

Died:  In East McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th ult. Mary [Steere], wife of William Steere, aged 75 years.

Oxford Times, February 8, 1860

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 31st ult. by Rev. R.L. Bennell, Mr. Samuel F. May of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Angeline T. Phetteplace of Norwich.

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 1st inst., by Rev. E. Cade, Mr. Henry L. White to Miss Victoria C. Sheldon, both of Guilford.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d of January, Ella L. [Clarke], daughter of Amos S. and Salome A. Clarke, and adopted daughter of Ichabod and Harriet E. Seeley, aged 10 years and 5 months.

Died:  At Middlebury, Tioga Co., Pa., on the 22d Jan. Mr. Eben Sherwood, formerly of this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], aged 63 years.

Died:  in Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 9, suddenly, Mr. Ephraim P. Eldridge, aged 68 years.

We learn from the Hamilton Union, that a little son of Mr. Black, landlord of the hotel at South's Valley, in the town of Lebanon [Madison Co., ,NY], was so badly burned on Sunday, the 22d instant, that he died on the following morning.  It seems that the mother was absent at a neighbor's leaving the child in charge of the father, At the time of the accident, the little fellow, who was only two years old, was sitting in a chair at the table, looking at the pictures in a book.  The father went out for the purpose of getting a pail of water and while absent heard the screams of the child.  He immediately returned to the house, and found the child almost entirely engulfed in flames, but before he could be extinguished the child was fatally burned.

On Friday evening last the dwelling (a log house) of Mr. Alvah Briggs, situated near what is called Briar Street, in the town of Davenport [Delaware Co., NY], took fire and burned to the ground, five of Mr. Brigg's children, the oldest 17 and the youngest 3 years of age, being burned to death.  One boy, aged 15 years, escaped, but so narrow was his escape that is hair was badly singed  Mr. Briggs and his wife were absent on a visit at the time, and reached home just as the house and its previous contents had burned up.  It is supposed that the fire took from some shingle shavings.  It seems that the lad who had been shaving shingles, throwing the shavings into the fire in an open fireplace and the shingles under a flight of stairs close by; it is supposed that after the children had retired the shingles took fire from the shavings and spread with such velocity as to render the rescue of the five unfortunates impossible.  The calamity is indeed a terrible one.  Delhi Express

Oxford Times, February 15, 1860

Died:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult. Mr. Lathrop Rosebrook, aged 53 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst., Sarah Jane [Taylor], infant daughter of Moses and Jane Taylor, aged 4 months.

Died:  in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 5th, Mrs. Delight Easton, aged 85 years.

Oxford Times, February 22, 1860

Married:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th inst. by Rev. W.M. Delong, Mr. Samuel Cline to Miss Betsey M. Loomis, both of Smithville.

Married:  At the same time and place, by the same, Mr. Uri Rorapaugh of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary June of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th inst. Hannah L. [Fish], wife of Mr. Seth H. Fish, aged 54 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst., David [Tillotson], son of Perry and Clarissa Tillotson, aged 2 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst., Emma J. [Badger], daughter of Chester and Sarah Badger, aged 9 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th inst. Stephen Elliott, aged 21 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on 12th inst. Mr. Gordon Johnson, aged 71 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst., Mr. Joseph H. Moore, aged 59 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst. Mrs. Barbary [Cook], wife of the late John Cook, aged 77 years.

Died:  In Pilot Mound, Minnesota, Mr. Otis French, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 71 years.

Death Loves a Shining Mark:  It is with a feeling of sadness we learn that a useful and well known citizen of Windsor , Broome county [NY] has been suddenly removed from earth.  Gideon Hotchkiss, Esq., died at Goldsboro, Wyoming Co., Pa. on the 11th inst. of a short illness.  He was traveling on business, and from exposure in a cold room, took a violent cold, which so prostrated him that he sent for his wife and friends. The messenger found Mrs. H. too ill to leave home, even to close the eyes of a beloved and worthy consort.  A friend, Mr. Guernsey, went on, and arrive in time to witness his decease.  Mr. H. was widely known and esteemed as an inventor, and his usefulness will live long after his ashes shall have mingled with earth.  At one time he worthily represented his county in the legislature.  In all the relations of life, as a citizen, a Christian a husband and father, he was a man without reproach, and his loss will be deeply felt and lamented not only in the domestic circle where he was most loved and appreciated, because best known, but also by a wide circle of friends, and acquaintances extending throughout many States of the Union. We can only express our heartfelt sympathy and condolence with the bereaved widow, children, relatives and friends, and with the church to which he has belonged for many years. The funeral took place at Windsor on Thursday, the 16th inst.  Deposit Dem.

Oxford Times, February 29, 1860

Married:  In Kenosha, Wis., on the 21st Jan. by Rev. Mr. McNamara, Nathan G. Backus, formerly of Oxford [Chenango co., NY] to Mary E. Smith of the former place.

Died:  In West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on 23d inst. Mr. John K.S. Green, aged 70 years.

Oxford Times, February 8, 1860

A Mystery Unraveled - A Murder Not a Murder

Many of our readers will remember an excitement which prevailed in this vicinity, some fifteen years since, occasioned by a report that a man named Mix had been murdered, a short distance above Smithville Flatts [Chenango Co., NY].  The facts were that Mix had been to this village with a load of flour, which he sold, and started on his return home, which was in Locke, Cayuga Co.  Mix did not return home, but his wagon and horses were found in the road somewhere near Smithville Flatts.  Every circumstance conspired to convey the idea that he had been murdered for his money. The whole community turned out in a vain and fruitless search for the body of the supposed murdered man.  Woods and swamps were searched, ponds dragged, houses ransacked, but no trace could be found.  Several remarkable dreams were related, pretending to throw light upon the matter and suspicion pointed strongly at certain persons; suspicion which has not been removed from the minds of many to this day, and it has since been currently reported that one of the suspected parties made a confession of the murder on his death bed.  We have reliable and responsible information that Mix is now living in one of the interior towns of this State.  He has been to California, but has returned, and our informant knows his whereabouts. We will give the necessary information to any person desiring to investigate this matter for the purpose of clearing up character, or for any other legitimate purpose.  No doubt some of those people who spent days and weeks in the swamps of Smithville, endeavoring to find his body, would like to get a sight at it now.  Chenango American.