Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Vital Records, Norwich, NY - September 1860

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 5, 1860

Married:  COLE - BONNE:  At Clayville [Oneida Co., NY] Aug. 30, by Rev. M. Earl Dunham, Tunis M. Cole of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Jerusha Bonne, of Clayville.

Died:  CHILDS:  In Bridgeport, Madison county [NY], George N. Childs, aged 61 years.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 12, 1860

Died:  WHITBY:  In South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst.., Oelln? W. [Whitby], infant son of Flexman M. and Sara A. Whitby, aged 5 months and 3 days.

Died:  EDMONDS:  In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 28th, Nelson Edmunds, aged 30 years.

Died:  CHENEY:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst. after a severe and protracted illness, Mrs. Phila Cheney, wife of Russel Cheney, aged 59 years.

Died:  HARRIS:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the morning of the 21st of Aug., Jennett [Harris], wife of Philip D. Harris, aged 19 years 4 months and 13 days.  Mrs. Harris was born in Sherburne and was beloved by all who knew her. About 18 months ago she was a bride.  So her life seemed full of promise but Death loves a shining mark. and a cheerful and happy home is soon by him converted into a scene of deepest sorrow.  In her death a young husband is suddenly bereft of an affectionate wife--a Father and Mother of an only daughter, and a brother of an only sister.  She was calm and self possessed and closed her eyes in death expressing her faith in Jesus, the Savior of sinners. This blessed hope seemed to rob Death of its sting and prepare the Spirit to ascend to God who gave it.  "Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord."

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 19, 1860

Died:  MINER:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 11th, Ella S. Miner, only child of Henry and Hetty S. Miner, aged 4 years and nine days.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 26, 1860

Married:  PHETTEPLACE - KENYON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept 12th?, by Rev. L. Wright, D.A. Phetteplace of -?- to Miss D. Ann Kenyon of Fabius, Onondaga county [NY].

Died:  BERRY, In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 20th?, John S. Berry, aged 71 years.

Died:  CROWELL:  In Fultonville, Sept. 9th, 1860, Adaline D. [Crowell] wife of O.L. Crowell.  Previous to last spring Mrs. Crowell resided in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], and she will be long remembered here as a woman of the most admirable character.

Died:  ANGELL:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Sept 23d 1860, Esther P. Angell, wife of Horatio E Angell, and daughter of J.R. Mathewson, aged twenty-one years and six months.  In the noon-day of life, the fair flower faded.  She was deeply loved by a large circle of friends who deeply mourn her loss.  Well may we exclaim "Death loves a shining mark"  for it has taken one of the fairest and best among us.  May God give strength to the afflicted husband and parents to bear this heavy stroke.  

Death of Geo. L. Baker:  This widely known citizen of the town of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], died at Delavan, Wisconsin, on the 15th inst., from injuries received the previous day from a collision of two railroad trains.  The letter which we print below, gives a circumstantial account of the manner in which he was hurt and of his last moments:

Delevan, Wis. Sept. 16th, 1860

Mr. Joseph Baker:  Dear Sir:  I now find the first leisure time since your son was injured to write you the particulars of the sad affair. The collision which proved fatal to him, was caused by a freight train running into a passenger train while standing at our depot.  George had been attending the County Fair, which was held at Elkhorn.  They attached a platform car and a passenger car to the train at Elkhorn, placing the platform car between the car on which he was, and another passenger car.  It was just after dark that the train arrived at our place, and the brakeman had neglected to light his signal (a red lamp) and the cars were not yet lighted up. The freight train had not its "head light."  While the train was having the express packages and mail unloaded, the passengers were so far from the depot platform, that they were waiting for the train to move, so they could get out upon the platform.  The freight train came up just as your son was lighting the car, running the platform car into the car where he was, and as he occupied the front seat he was the first one injured. 

I arrived at the wreck just as they were taking him out of the window on a door.  I asked who it was.  He knew my voice and answered "Baker".  I took hold and four of us started for his boarding place, but he got tired and when opposite my house, he complained of lying badly, and preferred to stop with us.  I took him in and sent for Drs. Heminway and Devendorf to assist me.  It was evident form the first that there would not be any hope of saving the limb, and we greatly feared that he never would rally, which proved to be the case.  His principal hurt was his left knee, the leg was broken just above the knee, and the knee crushed, and the bones laid bare on the left side, and a large flesh wound on the right side of it.  There was also a wound over the eye, but it was so well dressed that it would not show badly.

The shock to the nervous system by crushing the leg, was what killed him; for no reaction took place, and stimulants had little or no effect upon him.  I did not leave him until he died and was laid out.  He wished his body and effects sent to you.  He gave us your address; but wished us not to write until morning, so as to see how he was; but before morning he was gone.  He had his senses to the last.  he complained of difficulty in breathing; knew his friends until a few minutes before he died.  his breath grew weaker and weaker; he sank gradually.  I never saw one bear suffering better. When he was taken from the car I heard some one say, "Take good care of him, for he bears it like a soldier."  No murmuring, he died like a hero.  His last words were in answer to my question.  "Do you wish to say anything or want anything?"  He said "I can't talk."  He afterwards made signs for water, which was freely give him.  He died fifteen minutes before five o'clock, Saturday morning (yesterday).  We started his body by first express train. We had prayers at our house, and my family and neighbors accompanied the remains to the cars.

A Mr. Glazier came before we had the arrangements completed, and telegraphed to you, and assisted in advising about the coffin. The rest was done by Dr. Heminway and myself.  Mr. H.J. Briggs and wife (friends of him and me) together with my wife and myself, did all we could have done for our own.  He had many friends here; all speak well of him. We found him an agreeable companion and friend. We have the consciousness of having done all we could for him, and now, although personally a stranger, May I sympathize with you, in your deep affliction, and point you to the Great Comfort in you distress.

And believe me yours, truly, C.T. Harris, M.D.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 12, 1860

Obituary, Editors Chenango Telegraph:  Our village has suffered a serious loss in the death of one of our esteemed citizens.  After an illness of about two weeks, Mr. Samuel S. Stebbens died at his residence on Wednesday, the 5th instant, aged 65.  Mr. S. was born in Hartland, Conn.  His father, Samuel Stebbens came to Sherburne when the son was but eight years old, leaving him with an uncle in Connecticut.  Mr. S., the elder built the first house on the site of the hotel now owned by U.T. Harvey.

The subject of this notice graduated at Yale College in 1816, soon after which he came to Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] and taught school for one year, returning again to Connecticut.  He afterwards went to Montrose, Penn, where in 1833 he united with the Presbyterian Chruch, and has ever since proved a zealous Christian.  In 1834-5 he again taught the Academy in this village, when he removed to Onondaga County, where he remained nine years.  He afterwards taught in Alabama and in Illinois.  From Quincy, Ill. he returned with his wife to Sherburne about six years since, with the intention of giving up his profession, and passing the remainder of his days in ease and retirement, with his sister, widow of the late Hon. Bennett Bicknell of Madison County [NY]. His active habits of mind and body forbade this, and, to avoid ennui, he found himself compelled to resort to his old employment, more for recreation however, than profit.  Accordingly, he established a select school for a limited number of pupils, with a view to preparing them to enter college.

Since his return to Sherburne, the writer of this has been in friendly relation with him, and has had frequent occasion to admire the depth and clearness of his intellect, his purity of life, his natural kindness of heart, and his unbending integrity  His sympathies were active in all  matters of public interest, and whenever opportunities were presented, he cheerfully co-operated to promote the welfare of our village.

Like a "shock of corn fully ripe," he has gone down to his grave deeply mourned by surviving friends, and lamented by all who knew him.  The sympathies of our community are with his bereaved widow and sister, and with his children, who are too widely separated by distance to be present to look their last upon him and see him laid at rest.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 12, 1860

It was our good fortune, a few days since, to be present as an invited guest, on one of those happy occasions which occur in the history of few families and which, though private in their nature, have an interest beyond the circle of relatives assembled.  It was the celebration at Sherburne, Chenango county [NY] of the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of William Newton and Lois Butler.

Mr. Newton came to Sherburne when 18 years of age from near Colchester, Ct.  This was in 1806, only thirteen years after the settlement of the town.  He bought a farm in Hamilton, built a log house, returned and brought on his father's family.  Mrs. Newton's father, Deacon Richard Butler, came from Wethersfield, Ct., in 1794, when she was only four years of age. The county was then almost an unbroken wilderness.

During the fifty years since their marriage, a large family  has grown up around them.  For thirty-eight years they have lived in their present home.  One child after another has left them, until now they are almost alone.  Twice they have mourned the loss of a daughter.  One of these who had gone to India, a missionary's wife, was taken ill the morning after she reached the place of her destination and died in a few weeks.  Rarely has there been occasion to mourn the death of one giving greater promise of usefulness.  

Nine children and thirteen grandchildren assembled in the old homestead at the Golden Wedding.  Eight of these were married, so that nine families and one unmarried son were seated around a table spread literally across the old hearthstone, about which they had so many times gathered in their childhood.  A truly happy group was that, with the old gentleman seated in his large easy chair, and his thirteen grandchildren surrounding and clinging to him in their fondest embraces of love and affection.  Few are the instances wherein parents are permitted thus long to share each others joys and sorrow, and alike behold their children prosperously settled in life. Two sons have already gained distinction at the bar, one is occupying a chair as Professor Mathematics at Yale college, one has selected the ministry as his calling, one remains at the old homestead, and is extensively engaged in agriculture.  The others are alike well established on farms, or in mechanical operations.  It was but just that this should be an occasion of regard from devoted and loving children, and that, perhaps for the last time together, they could again bow at the family altar and untie with parents in fervent praise and thanksgiving.

Before the festivities of the day closed, all, from the oldest to the youngest, joined in the delightful task of planting two oak and two elm trees before the old homestead as the most fitting memorial of the happy occasion.

We clipped the above account of a reunion that took palce at Sherburne, on the 22d of August last from The Albany Evening journal.  As two of the sons resided in our village (one engaged in the Bank of Norwich and the other as a lawyer) we are enabled to add some facts to the account above given.  Mr. Newton was 20 years of age when he first came to this county from Connecticut.  Most of the time since that, his residence has been in Sherburne, on his farm, although he was engaged about 14 years in building canals and railroads in this State and in Pennsylvania. The family consisted of seven sons and four daughters.  These eleven children and their parents were never together but once, on Thanksgiving Day in 1835.  In 1836, one daughter died at the age of 16.  In 1848, another, Mrs. Little, died in India.  She was a graduate of the Albany Female Academy. The other two, Mrs. Lathrup and Mrs. Buell, reside in Sherburne. The oldest son, Wm. B., 49 years of age, is a farmer of Parma, Monroe Co.  The next two sons, Warren and Isaac S., reside in Norwich, N.Y.  The next, Lucius is at the homestead as a farmer. The fifth, Hubert A. is at Yale College.  The sixth, Albro J. is one of the firm of Kinyon & Newton, at Binghamton, N.Y.  The last Homer S. is now with his parents at Sherburne.  Their parents have given to all of these children the privileges and advantages of a thorough academic education, and three of the sons are graduates of Yale College. As such gatherings of families so large, are unusual, we have felt at liberty to record this fully, as one having a local interest here. 

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