A Remarkable Family
Many years ago a Mr. Davis migrated from the Eastern States and settled in Chenango County [NY], having a farm, and keeping a [inn] house, four miles east of Sherburne village, for years. He drove the first wheeled carriage that distance from the east into the woods. He raised ten children, eight boys and two girls, all of whom are still living. Four of the sons still live in Chenango County, and the others are scattered in different parts of this State. Mrs. H.C.Coon, of Syracuse [Onondaga co., NY] is a daughter of Reuben Davis, and the brothers arranged to meet at her home there, as the most central and easy point of access for a reunion, which took place some ten days ago. The eight brothers had their photographs taken in a group at Marble's Gallery. Their ages amount in the aggregate to the extraordinary sum of 576 years, being an average of 65 years and 9 months each. Each of the boys remained with their father until 21 years old, and although all of them were brought up in a hotel, neither of them ever smoked or chewed tobacco or ever was intoxicated. They are all farmers and well off in worldly goods. Such a family is seldom raised, and more seldom meet under such circumstances, after having been once scattered. One of the sisters lives in the west part of the State, and the other in California. The ten have had 36 children, 28 of whom are still living.
Telegraph & Chronical, Norwich, NY, January 17, 1866
Obituary of Francis M. Peck
Died: In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 17th, 1865, Francis M. [Peck], son of Philip Peck and a member of Co. H, 17th Regiment N.Y.S.V., aged 21 yrs 2 months and 17 days.
A youth of ardent temperament and enthusiasm on the breaking out of the war, he enlisted April 27th, 1861 in the company raised by Capt. Tyrrel and went with his comrades as far as New York, where he was taken sick with typhoid fever. The disease settled in the spinal column, paralyzing the lower extremities, and reduced to a mere skeleton, he lay in the hospital seven weary months. His friends finally succeeded in getting him home alive, and although by the sill of his physicians and care of relatives, he became better for a time, yet he never stood on his feet again, and by the tenacity with which disease clung to his system it was gainfully evident that he, too, must soon be added to the long list of those who have laid down their lives in defense of our country.
After more than four years of suffering, which he bore with a patience and fortitude that would have done honor to the veterans of many battlefields, this young soldier, knowing the efforts of physicians were baffled, and the kindness and prayers of friends of no avail, carefully arranged his affairs and bade his sorrowing parents and brothers a last farewell. He died happy in the full assurance of a hope in the Saviour and a blessed immortality.
May that ever kind Providence who directs all things for the best, sustain the doubly afflicted parents and brothers (still mourning for the death of another son and brother, Wm. H. Peck, aged 23 years and 8 months, killed at the battle of Resaca while nobly volunteering to bring in a wounded comrade) in this distressing affliction.
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