Vital Records, Oxford, NY - November 1861

 Oxford Times, November 6, 1861

A Horrible Confession:  It may be recollected by many of our readers, that about four years ago we published the awful account of the burning of the house of the Perkins family, at Millburn, at night, when all the family, including father and mother, grandmother and eight children, eleven in all, perished in the flames.  A Scotchman by the name of Walter Mitchell, who lived in the neighborhood at the time, and who had a dispute with Perkins as to the property, was suspected of the murder, but no proof could be found against him.  He left soon after for the West. Before the burning of the house he warned Perkins off the premises, and threatened if he did not leave, to burn the house over his head.  This Mitchell recently died in Illinois and on his death bed, confessed that he committed the horrible crime!  He stated that he threw into the house a bottle of liquid, which set fire to it, and stupefied the inmates.  That Mr. Perkins aroused himself and came to the door, when he knocked him back again, killing him.  This is a most revolting story, disclosing a depravity which was too horrible to die with the murderer.  If there be in the infernal regions one place deeper and hotter than another, this eleven fold murderer will find it!  Bing. Rep.

Oxford Times, November 13, 1861

Married:  In Willet, Cortland County [NY], on 21st ult. by Calvin J. Bliss, Esq., Mr. Charles B. Aldrich of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary J. Snow of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult., Mary E. [Cowan], daughter of Benj. F. Cowan, aged 5 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst. Maria R. [Moore], wife of Thomas L. Moore, aged 30 years.

Died:  In Churchville, Monroe Co., N.Y., on the 4th Inst. Ellsworth [Balcom], son of George and Florinda Balcom, of consumption of the bowels, aged 5 months and 8 days.  Thus God has given us a lesser light in the window of Heaven, to beckon us to steer right straight for him, also a tie that binds.

Death of Mr. Slocum:  A telegram announces the death of Smith E. Slocum, late of this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], at the Camp Hospital, at or near Washington, on Sunday last.  Mr. Slocum was a musician in the Anderson Zouave Regimental Band.  He had been laboring under pulmonary difficulties for some time and he went into the army in the hope that a milder climate and a congenial employment would restore his health.  But his case was past cure and he has gone thus early to his grave.  He was a man of fine musical talent and of social, generous qualities, and he leaves many friends to sorrow for his loss.  His age was about 25 years.  Chenango Telegraph

Oxford Times, November 20, 1861

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst. by Rev. W.T. Potter, Mr. Arden J. Webb of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Frankie A. Puffer of this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th inst., Mr. Leonard Daniels, aged 57 years.

Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th inst., Hannah [McCulpin], wife of Thomas McCulpin, deceased, aged 83 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst., Mr. joseph Chapel, in the 65th year of his age.

Oxford Times, November 27, 1861

Married:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst., by Rev. H. Garlic, Mr. Edwin C. Clarke of Westerly, R.I., to Miss Anvernette A. Holmes of the former place.

Married:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., by Rev. W. Peck, Mr. Wm. M. :Phelps to Miss Mary Taylor, all of South New Berlin.

Married:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst., by Rev. S.L. Rorapaugh, Mr. Delos E. Landers of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Arvilla Rorapaugh of Smithville.

Married:  In New Haven, Ct., on 13th inst., by Rev. Dr. Phelps, Mr. Almon Galpin of Washington, to Miss Hattiette N. Hall of the former place.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] on the 15th inst., Delos Foot, son of Benj. Foot, aged 4 years and 6 months.

Died:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst, Mary E. Schrom, wife of Col H. Schrom, and widow of the late Geo. m Smith, aged 47 years.

Died: In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th inst., Jane Eliza [Foot], youngest daughter of Robert E. and Susan R. Foot, aged 8 years and 10 months.

Behold a sweet and lovely child, / Who once so fair, serene and mild, / Had bid the world adieu, / No more she feels the pangs of death, / Or heaves an agonizing breath, / No tears her cheeks bedew, / Here's warning from the tomb, / And counsel form the sky; / Repent of sin believe on Christ, / Thus saith the Lord on High.