Vital Records, Norwich, NY, February 12, 1868

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 12, 1868

Marriages

At the residence of the bride's father, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 6th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. George H. Harris, to Miss Hannah Mary Bowen, daughter of James Bowen, all of Norwich.

At the residence of the bride's father, J.M. Brownell, Feb. 4th, by Rev. W.A. Wadsworth, Mr. LaFayette Winsor, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Ruth O. Brownell, of Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY].

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 6th, by Rev. Samuel Miller, Mr. Jay M. Scott, Jr., to Miss Anna Blencoe, both of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 2d, by Rev. D.D. Brown, Mr. Leander Law to Mrs. Phebe E. Chase,? both of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 5th, by Rev. L. Sperry, Mr. Wells Bronson, to Miss Kate Reynolds, all of Sherburne.

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 30, by Rev. J.W. Barr, Mr. Henry T. Robbins, to Miss Pl..... T. Atkins, of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 31st, by the same, Mr. Warren W. Stanton of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Charlotte S. Pentecost, of Smyrna.

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 31st, by the same, Mr. Dwight Moore, to Miss Mary H. Purdie, both of Otselic.

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 29th, by the same, Mr. Geo. B.  Miles to Miss Rebecca A. Miles, both of Otselic.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 28th, by Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Orlando Brooks, to Miss Josephine Lloyd, all of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY].

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 20th, by Rev. S. Moore, Mr. Charles H. Thornton, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Julia E. Gadsby, of New Berlin.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 5th, by Rev. I.B. Hyde, Mr. George Goodale, to Miss Hattie Winston, all of Greene.

In Huntsville, Ala., Jan. 89th, by Rev. J.M. Banister, Mr. Charles T. Robinson, of Jackson, Miss, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Virginia P. Watkins, of Huntsville.

Deaths

At the residence of her son, James H. Hubbard, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 4th, Mrs. Althea Hubbard, aged 72.

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 10th, Jane [Smith], wife of Jonah Smith, deceased, aged 72 years.

At the residence of her father, at White Store [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 30th, Mrs. Horatio P. Angell, only daughter of George Curtis, Esq., aged 25 years.

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 2d, Mrs. S.H. Bennett, aged 54 years.

In King Settlement [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 5th, Della [Tiffany], only daughter of Lewis and Maranda Tiffany, aged 4 months and 16 days.

"Little Della" so young and fair, / Called hence by early doom, / Just lent to show how sweet a flower / In paradise might bloom.

"Little Della", fare thee well! / Thou was not ours long; / God called thee hence with Him to dwell, / And join the heavenly throng.

Shooting Affair in Bainbridge

We learn from a source which seems to be reliable, that Mr. Elliot J. Kidder, a well known resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], was shot on Monday afternoon last, while in the woods with his hired man, by Robert Corbin, of that town.  It appears that there was an old difficulty existing between the two, and that Corbin some years since threatened Kidder's life if he ever put his foot upon the ground in dispute. The shot was fatal.

Shocking Accident in Oxford

It is our painful duty to record one of the most melancholy and singular incidents which to our knowledge ever occurred in this County.

On the 25th of December, amid the congratulations of friends, the Doctor [George A. Shoales], was united in marriage to Miss Annie Maria, daughter fo Wm. A. Harrington, Esq., of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  After a brief journey, the youthful bride with all her energies set herself to the task of preparing for the duties which the now relation imposed upon her, as a faithful and devoted companion.

On Monday, the 3d inst., her husband went to Oxford, prepared to remove his wife to their new home in Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].  Upon reaching the residence of her father, at evening, he was surprised to learn that she had been quite indisposed for the past twenty-four hours, though the illness was not apprehended to be of an alarming character. Tuesday, the symptoms were less promising, yet no serious doubts were entertained of a favorable termination.  On Wednesday morning the disease, which proved to be cerebro spinal meningitis, or brain fever, was fully developed, and the indications to the practiced eye of the physician were ominous of extreme danger.

The Doctor, who up to this time since his arrival had had the case in charge, administering such means as were at his command, desiring remedies which he had not, and also the aid of counsel, and anxious that not a moment's time be lost, mounted his horse, without waiting for saddle or bridle, and started on for the proposed help at full speed.  Just after crossing the river, on Navy Island, the horse took fright from a dog and the rider was thrown to the ground.  Unfortunately, he maintained his hold upon the halter till the frighted animal brought his head with much force against one of the guard posts on the canal bridge, fracturing the brain. Senseless and bleeding, the purple stream issuing from the ears and the nose, the Doctor was taken to the Stage house, where every means was called into requisition for his relief, which ingenuity or skill could devise. At evening still unconscious, the husband was removed to the dwelling of his now unconscious wife, her reason having taken its flight almost simultaneously with his.  There lay the newly married couple of six weeks before; but how changed the event, how strange the scene!  Physicians, ministers and friends gathered around, but what could they do?  

At eight o'clock on Thursday morning the spirit gently whispered to the bride, "Come up higher."  On Friday morning, at three o'clock, the bridegroom joined his companion in that house not made with hands, to go no more out forever.

Thus, suddenly passed away from earth husband and wife, in a singular and unaccountable manner, ere the sun had reached its noontide, just assuming the sterner trials and duties of life, each ignorant of the fate of the other.

On Sabbath afternoon last, the deceased were deposited in the same grave, in Oxford Cemetery. We saw them lying side by side, in the room in which six weeks before they had solemnly subscribed to the marriage covenant, dressed in nuptial robes, the bridal wreath encircling the brow, ready for burial.  So natural and life-life did the two appear, we stopped to wonder if this was death.

After prayer by the Rev. Mr. Payson, Presbyterian, their remains were removed from Mr. Harrington's residence, in the eastern part of the village, to the Congregational Church, followed by an immense concourse of people.  In the procession were large delegations of Good Templars from Norwich, Plymouth and Oxford, nearly the entire Lodge of the last named place being present.  The physicians of Oxford, with a full delegation from this town, were in attendance.

The services in the Church were conducted by Rev. Mr. Pauson, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Queal and Stafford, of Oxford, and the Rev. Mr. Cochrane, Methodist, of Plymouth  Appropriate and touching addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. Payson and Queal, the former speaking more particularly of Mrs. Shoales, and of her Christian life, having been for some years a consistent member of his Church; the latter alluding more especially to the character and worth of Dr. Shoales, whom he had known for a number of years, and whose exemplary life as a devoted Christian was worthy of emulation.

The services at the grave closed the scenes of an eventful day, by many sad hearts long to be remembered.

Dr. Shoales was a graduate of the State Normal School and also of the Medical Department of the University of Vermont.  For some two years he was Acting Assistant Surgeon in the war of the Rebellion, being attached to Sherman's Grand Army in its March to the Sea.  Possessed of good abilities, and in the vigor of health, his prospects for future happiness and usefulness were truly flattering.  His age was about 30; that of his wife 27 years.