Saturday, September 25, 2021

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, January 1866

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, January 3, 1866

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 28th, 1865, by Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Mr. A. Smith Pierce, of Cortlandville [Cortland Co., NY], to Miss Elizabeth Hickok, of Norwich.

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 1st, 1866, by Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Mr. Philander Butts, of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Maria  H. Wescott, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Christmas Eve, by Rev. R.A. Peterson, Mr. Franklin B. Coy, of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Helen E. Goodrich of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 24th, by Rev. E.H. Payson, Mr. William H. Snow to Miss Sarah E. Morey, , both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  At Steamboat Rock, Iowa, Dec. 25th, Mr. Oscar F. Loomis, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Mary Ann Van Ote, both of the former place.

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Franklin E. Beckwith, to Miss Almira P. Scott, all of Rockdale [Chenango Co.., NY].

Married:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 20th, by Rev. J.L. Jones, Mr. George J. Matteson to Miss Emma A. Gazlay, all of New Berlin.

Married:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 21st, by Rev. J.W. Barr, Mr. Rufus B. Hakes, of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Amanda D. Vosucson? of German [Chenango Co. NY].

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 26th, by Rev. N.G. Wadsworth, Mr. George S. Loomis to Miss Mary P. Adams, all of Sherburne.

Married:  In East Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 21st, by Rev. F.B Peck, Mr. John H. Smith to Miss Hannah M. Berry, both of Greene.

Married:  In East Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 27th, by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. W.B. Smith to Miss Phebe L. Lloyd, both of East Greene.

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 20th, by Rev. I.B. Hyde, Mr. Merritt E. English, to Miss Carrie Lowell, all of Greene.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Dec. 20th, by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. J. Guernsey Evans, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Hattie Hamilton, of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] Dec. 25th, by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Adelbert Benedict to Miss Eliza M. Decker, both of Coventry [Chenango Co.., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 25th, by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Charles A. Foote, of Oxford to Miss Ruth A. Laman, of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

In East Hamilton [Madison Co., NY], Dec. 27th, at the residence of the bride's father, by George Balcom, Evangelist, Major Willard Keech, to Miss Francelia E. Ackley.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 21st, 1865, at the residence of her son, J.Y. Washburn, Mrs. Margaret Washburn, aged 81 years.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 19th, Mr. Benjamin Hovey, aged 72 years.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 22d, Amelia [Kinney], wife of the late Sam'l Kinney, aged 74 years.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 18th, Mr. William Munn, aged 67 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY],. Nov. 1st, of dropsy on the brain, Eliza A. [Rathbun], aged 33 years, 6 months and 15 days.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 26th, of consumption, Mary M. [Warner], aged 16 years and 10 months.

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 15th, of consumption, Mr. Winfield S. Cadwell, aged 41 years, 3 months 4 days.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, January 10, 1866

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 2d, 1866, by Rev. R.A. Paterson, Mr. Ashbel A. Noyes of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, to Mrs. Julia Baldwin, of Norwich.

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 26th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. Frederick H. Scott of Preston [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Sarah J. Ransford, of Norwich.

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 27th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Stephen D. Hubbell to Miss Mary A. Cox, all of Norwich.

Married:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 24th, by Rev. G.P. Turnbul, Mr. Luman Conover, to Miss Rosepha Mattison, all of Coventry.

Married:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 26th, by Rev. L.B. Yale, Mr. A.J. Yale, to Miss Sarah J. Cornish, both of Bainbridge.

Married:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 289th, b the same, Mr. Melvin A. Yale, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Polly Pearsall, of Bainbridge.

Married:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 27th, by Rev. A.S. Yale, Mr. Ira Yale, to Miss Martha Smith.

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 27th, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Edwin D. Hunt to Miss Eunice Ann Eggleston, all of Guilford.

Married:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], by Rev. W.B. Cochrane, Mr. Thomas Walton to Miss Minnie Steere, all of McDonough.

Married:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], same date, by the same, Mr. Byron Winsor of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Jennie Steere, of McDonough.

Married:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 25th, by Rev. S.S. Cady, Mr. John W. Stanton to Miss E.M. Stoddard, all of Otselic.

Married:  In Earlville [Madison Co., NY] Dec. 25th, Mr. Elisha W. Stebbins of Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Cordelia Ringleka of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] Dec. 30th, by Rev. E.D. Thurston, Mr. Horace Eddy of New Berlin to Miss Abigail Henderson of Pittsfield [Otsego Co.., NY].

Married:  At Page Brook [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 27th, by Rev. Silas Barner, Mr. Thomas Scott to Miss Mary A. Hatch.

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 1st, by Rev. A. Parker, Mr. J.H. Skillman to Miss Jettie B. Cline, both of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 1st, by Rev. M.G. Wadsworth, Mr. George Southwick, to Miss C. Minnie Hawley, all of Sherburne.

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 19th, 1865, by Rev. Mr. Haswell, Mr. J.M. Lewis, of Sherburne to Mrs. D. Lewis of Madison, N.Y. [Madison Co.]

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 30th, 1865, of typhoid fever and hemorrhage of the bowels, Mr. T.C. Hall, only son of Thomas W. and Sarah A.  Hall, aged 27 years ad 11 months.  For about three weeks he suffered severely, still no murmur or complaint escaped his lips.  His last hours were peaceful.  His hope was like an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.  His faith unwavering, and he felt that to depart and be with Christ was far better than to  stay here and suffer and toil.  He felt assured that he should meet with his little girl now in Heaven.  He leaves a widow and many loving friends to mourn his loss.

Two years have passed since that sorrowful day / When death on pale horse bore my child away; / To the realms of bliss, of love and delight. / Her soul was conveyed by the angel in white.

In the silence of the night a voice I did hear, / Calling "Papa, papa, come up here,? so plain and clear. / That it must be my child is drawing near, / To tell us of her home so pure and dear.

But alas! with the call came the angel of death. / My husband is summoned to the land of rest; / But calmly and triumphantly i heard him say, / "Yes, blessed Jesus, I'm coming to thee."

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 23d, Mr. Catharine Dassett, aged 91 years.

Died:  In South Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 1st, Mrs. Sophia Smith, wife of the late Erastus Smith, aged 72 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 28th, Mrs. Rachel C. Low, wife of the late William Low, aged 49 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 28th, Mrs. Abigail Bates, aged 95 years, 4 months and 16 days.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 31st, Sarah [Beard], Wife of David Beard, aged 55 years and 8 months.

Friday, September 24, 2021

Vital Records, Greene, NY, May 1865

 Death notices and obituaries for May 1865, published in the Chenango American have been previously posted to this blog and can be found by searching on May 4, 1865, May 18, 1865, or May 25, 1865

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 4, 1865

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th ult. by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. Henry Kinney and Miss Frances M. Rowley, all of Oxford.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 11, 1865

Married:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. John T. Hanford, and Miss Ann Eliza Kellum, all of this town.

Married:  By the Rev. E. Holroyd, on the 1st inst., George H. Orr, of Addison, Steuben Co. [NY], to Miss Ellen S. Eddy, of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst. by Rev. A.J. Buell, Mr. Edwin N. Sanford of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] to Miss S. Emily Manwarring, of Coventry.

Died:  In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], of consumption, on the 5th inst. Martha A. [Short], aged 32 years.

Died:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY] on the 4th inst. Miss Sarah R. Wheeler, aged 17 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst., Hon. George Buell, in the 80th year of his age, formerly of Windsor, Broome County [NY]

Died:  In Chicago, Ill. on the 26th ult. Thomas Morris, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 65 years.

Died:  In Addison, Steuben Co. [NY], on the 28th, ult. Charles H. Root, formerly of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th? ult. Andrew Miller, aged 88? years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 18, 1865

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult. by Rev. R.L. Warriner, Edwin R. Warriner of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], and Miss Mary J. Dargavel, of Guilford.

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst. by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Charles Warner and Miss Sarah J. Warner, all of Norwich.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst. by Rev. E.H. Payson, John W. Thorpe, A.B., and Miss Charlotte M. Brown, both of Oxford.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst. by Rev. E.H. Payson, Mr. Henry Huel, of Oxford and Miss Abby A. Cook, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 25, 1865

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst. by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Morregay? Evans to Miss Francissa Aldrich, both of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  At Laporte, Ind. on the 9th inst. by Rev. G.C. Noyes, James B. Jenkins, Esq., of Oneida Castle, N.Y. to Miss Marrietta Lewis, daughter of Clarke Lewis of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, December 1865

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, December 20, 1865

Married:  In Emmanuel Church, Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 6th, 1865, by Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Mr. John McLean, to Miss Lydia Ann Bradbury, both of Guilford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].

Married:  At the residence of Dr. A.A. Baker, in Howard, Steuben Co., N.Y., Dec. 13th, by Rev. Mr. Rork, Mr. Melvin W. Graves, to Miss Julia A. Baker, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  At the home of the bride, Dec. 13th, by Rev. J.H. Barnard, Mr. William W. Chapel, of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Alice G. Pritchard, of Cincinnatus, Cortland Co. [NY].

Married:  In Marshall, N.Y. [Oneida Co.], Dec. 13th, by Rev. C.C. Thorne, Mr. Augustus J. Beardslee of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Carrie A. Moore.

Married:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 14th, by Rev. J.L. Jones, Mr. Orson E. Lothridge of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Frances A. Bruce of South Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY].

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 13th, by Rev. F. Rogers, Mr. Thos. L.B. Salisbury, to Miss Almeda Beach, all of Greene.

Married:  In Union Valley [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 26th, by Rev. B.H. Brown, Mr. Charles Clark, of Deposit [Delaware Co., NY], to Miss Mary Pierce, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 11th, Ann [Harrison], wife of James J. Harrison, aged 45 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 5th, Margaret [McEnaney], wife of Onan McEnaney, aged 40 years.

Died:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 23d, Almira Jane [Fosgate], wife of Wm. A. Fosgate, aged 29 years and 5 months.

Death of Abel Chandler

Died:  In Pepperell, Mass., Dec. 10th, 1865, Abel Chandler, Esq., formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], aged 69 years.

We learn that intelligence was received last week by his friends in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] of the death of Abel Chandler.  He died at Pepperell, near Boston, Massachusetts, where for some years past he has made his home, on Sunday, Dec. 10th.  When in this place, a short time since, he was observed to be much debilitated, and though none were prepared for so sudden a close to his career, few who saw him then will receive the information of his decease with surprise.  Mr. Chandler was in early life a resident, if not a native, of the town of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], in this county, and for many years was conspicuous in our local politics.  In 1835, or about that time, he removed to Norwich, and in 1837 was the Democratic candidate for county Clerk against Perez Randall, and defeated owing to a division in the party.  He had previously represented the county for one term in the legislature of the State. At the formation of the Chenango Mutual Insurance Company, Mr. Chandler was elected Secretary of that institution, a place which he held until near the time when it became insolvent.  From this period, though always actively engaged in speculations, political and pecuniary, he had no regular pursuit.  He was well known throughout this State, and also in the West, where many of his business operations were carried on.  He was a man of generous impulses, of a charitable disposition and of unusual resources of mind.  he leaves a wife and two children and numerous friends to mourn his loss. His age was about 69.

Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, December 27, 1865

Married:  ALLEN - MILLER:  At the First Congregational Church in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday, the 20th? inst., by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr A. Purdy Allen, of Bath, Steuben Co. [NY], and Miss Emma J. Miller, of this village.

Married:  OLIN - PARKER:  On Tuesday, ?th inst., at the house of Mrs. Spafford, Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Mr. Henry P. Olin of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary V. Parker of this village.

Married:  BECKWITH - SCOTT:  At the M.E. Parsonage in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], by the Rev. W. G. Queal, Mr. Franklin E. Beckwith to Miss Almira P. Scott, all of Rockdale, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].

Married:  BIRDLEBOUGH - STOKES:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 18, by Rev. W. C Bowen, Theodore Birdlebough to Mary E. Stokes, both of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  SANDERS - DRAKE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 15, by Justice R.T Davidson, Thomas J. Sanders, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Laura A. Drake, of Oxford.

Married:  MATTESON - GAZALY: In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 20th, by Rev. J.L. Jones, Mr. George J. Matteson, and Miss Emma A. Gazlay, all of New Berlin. 

Died:  ALLEN:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on 21st inst. Louisa [Allen], wife of Isaac Allen, aged 68 years.

Died:  MUNN:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], 18th Dec., William Munn, aged -7? years.

Died:  SYMONDS:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 17, Mrs. Lucia Symonds, aged 78 years.

Died:  STEERE:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d inst. Mrs. Phoeba [Steere], wife of Smith Steere, aged 69 years.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday morning last, Mr. Stephen Steere, aged 80 years and 9 months.  Mr. Steere was a son of the late Judge Stephen Steere who removed from Gloucester, R.I. in 1797, upon the Unadilla River in the 15th Township, and to this village in the year 1800. Norwich then formed a part of Tioga County and there were but three framed houses in the village.  Mr. Steere lived here to see the little hamlet of that period become the shire town of a new county, with a population of 3000 souls, and to be himself the oldest inhabitant within the limits of the corporation.  He was one of a family of twelve children, of whom Asel Steere of Providence R.I., Mrs. James Birdsall and Smith Steere, Esq. of this village are the only survivors.  Mr. Steere was never married.  His manners were quiet and unobtrusive, and he possessed the good old Rhode Island virtues of industry and frugality being true to his word attached to friends and minding his own business.  His death is the removal of another ancient and well known landmark.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, December 1865

 Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, December 6, 1865

Married:  PHILLIPS - BROWN:  At the residence of Jesse Green in Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 28, by S.L. Brown, Esq., Ira Phillips, of Wisconsin, and Adelia M. Brown, of Columbus.

Married:  MATHEWSON - HOLMES:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 28, by Rev. A.M. Bennett, Otis Mathewson, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] to Helen J. Holmes, of Sherburne.

Married:  INGHAM - BALCOM:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], 14th ult., by Rev. E. Curtis, Chas. H. Ingham, of Hume [Allegany Co., NY] to Julia E. Balcom of Sherburne.

Married:  HOOG - MYERS:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], 20th ult. by Rev. H. Garlick, Wm. Hoog, to Celia Myers, all of Greene.

Married:  GLEASON - LEE:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], 26th ult. by Rev. H. Garlick, Wm. J. Gleason, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], to Julia A. Lee, of Greene.

Died:  In Otego, Otsego Co., [NY], 27th ult. of Membranous Croup, Walter Conkey [Follett], only child of Sam'l R. and Frank C. Follett, about 1 year.

Died:  HALL:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult. of Typhoid Fever and Hemorrhage, Thomas C. Hall, aged 27 yrs, 11 months.

Died:  MAYNARD:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], 21st ult., Mrs. Elizabeth Maynard, aged 76 years.

Died:  ROGERS:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], 28th ult. Mr. Clark Rogers, aged 81 years, 6 months.

Died:  PHELPS:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], 26th? ult. Edwin A. Phelps, aged 43 years.

Died:  WINTER:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], 24th? ult. Miss Jennie Winter, aged 25 years.

Died: RATHBONE:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], 2d inst., Mrs. Ellen Rathbone, aged 33 years.

Died: BALCOM:  In Lansingburgh, N.Y. [Rensselear Co], Mrs. Lucretia Balcom, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 60 years.

Died: WATKINS:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 1, Henry N. Watkins, aged 34 years and 20 days.

Died:  WATKINS:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 27th, of Typhoid fever, Wm. W. Watkins, only son of Geo. W. Watkins, about 23 years.  He was a Lieutenant of the Otselic company of N.Y.S. National Guard, and was buried with military honors by the company.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, December 13, 1865

Married:  In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 28th, 1865, by S.L. Brown, Esq., Mr. Ira Phillips, of Wisconsin, to Miss Adelia M. Brown, of Columbus.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 8th, 1865, of consumption, Sarah C. [Kershaw], daughter of James Kershaw, aged 16 years.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 10th, Mr. Francis J. Eschbecm, aged 41 years.

Died:  At King's Settlement, Dec. 4, Esther [Tiffany], wife of Nelson Tiffany, aged 59 years.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 11th, Benoni H. Marks, M.D., aged about 70 years.

Died:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 25th, of diptheria, George J. [Dillenbeck], only child of Alexander and Deborah Dillenbeck, aged 4 years, 5 months and 18 days.

Died:  At the County Poor House, In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 28th, Hannah Benedict, aged 108 years, formerly of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Canandaigua [Ontario Co., NY], Oct. 5th, Rev. John E. Hyde, son of Asahel J. Hyde, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Woodbridge, California, Oct. 28th, Mr. John F. Rathbone, son of the late Gen. Ransom Rathbone, of Rathboneville, N.Y. [Steuben Co.], formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, December 6, 1865

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday morning Nov. 29th, Deacon William Avery, aged 67 years.

Deacon Avery was, we believe, a native of Greene County in this State [NY], but at the age of ten years he came to the town of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], which has been his home during all the active period of his life.  His educational advantages were those of the District School only.  But he possessed a mind of uncommon vigor, which was improved and enlarged by varied reading and much reflection.  He was early brought under the influence of Christianity and uniting with the Congregational Church was made a Deacon before he was thirty years old, a trust which he honored and adorned during his long connection with that Church. The characteristics of Deacon Avery were intelligence, sincerity, a strong will and energetic zeal. What he believed, he openly professed and fearlessly practiced.  A sense of conscientious duty impelled his actions.  On all the ministrations and ordinances of the Church he was a punctual attendant, and was first and foremost in the Prayer Meetings and Revivals and every enterprise or movement whose object was the sinner's gain and Christ's glory.  The missions, foreign and domestic, claimed and received his liberal aid.  He was the pioneer in founding the Temperance Society in Chenango County on the plan of pledged abstinence from ardent spirits.  He withdrew from the Colonization Society when it signally failed in the mission, and going boldly into the ranks of Abolitionism at a period when its name was a [-?-] and by-word, he served to the end, devoting time, talents and substance to the welfare of the slave and the down trodden.  In short, no operation of Christianity, benevolence or philanthropy failed of his prayers or his material attendance.  His whole life was an exemplification of practical Christianity.

A few years since, Deacon Avery retired form his farming to a new home in Georgetown in Madison County [NY]. A fortnight ago he came to Norwich by reason of severe internal ailments.  He received temporary relief, but suddenly died of what may be termed a paralysis of the muscular structure of the heart.  He was buried at Sherburne on Sunday afternoon.  Deacon Avery was the father of Dr. George P. Avery of Norwich.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

The 114th NY Infantry Regiment comes home, June 1865

 Oxford Times, June 21, 1865

The 114th NY Infantry Regiment returns from the War

The thralldom of red tapeism, and the delay which so long held the gallant 114th at Elmira [Chemung Co., NY], were dissolved on Saturday, and Sunday morning giving them the pleasant prospect of the hills and valleys of old Chenango and the thrice blessed retrospect of the toils and dangers, impositions and frauds necessary or incident to a soldier's life.  

About noon on Sunday they arrived at Greene [Chenango Co., NY], where a most joyful welcome and a most bountiful repast awaited them, and where overflowing hospitality and patriotic demonstration ruled the hour.  A want of transportation from Greene, which we believe was the result of no fault on the part of any town or individual, but chargeable to the absence of proper co-operation between different localities along the route to Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], delayed the progress of the regiment to this place [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY]. 

The main body of veterans reached this place [Oxford] by canal about 3 o'clock Monday morning, and the voice of cannon, the ringing of bells and the music of the Band called together a goodly number of citizens and Ladies, while cheer upon cheer repeated and returned by the brave boys, assured us of the hold that the bronzed veterans of eleven battle fields have upon the hearts of our people, and of the joy that thrilled each soldier's breast at the near prospect of home and rest from the toils and hardships of war.  A bountiful table had been spread at Lewis' Hall, early in the night, and the ladies mindful of the vigilance and watchfulness of the returning veterans for them, and the Republic, had given no sleep to their eyelids in their anxiety and joy to minister to the comforts and welcome home again the men who had made the patriotism and loyalty of Chenango historic. 

The Band escorted the weary men to the Hall, where a supper at dawn of day, was closed, by the proffer by the ladies and the acceptance with hearty cheers by the veterans, of a breakfast at the late hour in the morning. The tables were again spread, and at about 9 o'clock under escort of the Oxford Band and the Regimental band the officers and soldiers of the 114th again moved to the Hall.  The names of all the battles in which the regiment had borne part conspicuously displayed, and of the heroic dead, who had fallen in service, and an ample supply of flowers by fair hands, were timely and appropriate. 

Breakfast ended, Horace Packer, Esq., on behalf of the citizens' committee, introduced Wm. H. Hyde, who welcomed Col. PerLee and the regiment in a short address, responded to briefly by the Colonel, after which in response to a toast to the Ladies, Major Curtis replied with good effect. A sentiment in honor of the fallen braves of the regiment, followed by a dirge from the Band, all standing, drew tears from many an eye, and told with silent but eloquent effect upon the bronzed and furrowed features of living veterans.  

On behalf of the ladies, a Bouquet was presented to each Captain for his company, and to each commissioned officer, not forgetting Dr. Beecher, whose brief acknowledgment of the favor evinced that the rigors of war had not dried up the springs of humor and sentiment in his nature.  With cheer upon cheer, for the ladies, and the quickening impulse of Yankee Doodle by the band, the 114th regiment dissolved out of view, and their final visit became a matter of local history. The orderly, quiet and temperate bearing of our returned veterans, although removed from military restraint and their self respect and regard for public order, were the subject of frequent and deserved praise.

Long may they live to enjoy the rights and liberties which they have so nobly vindicated by their heroism, and to add to the renown of arms, the highest rewards of honorable and bonded citizenship.

Vital Records, Oxford, NY, June 1865

 Oxford Times, June 2, 1865

Married:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 31st ult. by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. Thomas M. McLagan to Miss Lavon M. Davis, both of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. by John L. Brown, Esq., Ephraim B. Shelly of Co. I, 16th Reg., to Frances Letson of the above place.

Married:  In Ischua, Cattaraugus Co. [NY] on 24th ult. by Rev. A.T. Cole, Mr. Edwin A. Hull of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Mary A. Hatch, daughter of C.C. Hatch, Esq., of the former place.

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 39th ult. by Rev. R.H. Spafford, Mr. Peter E. Wheeler to Miss E.H. Race, both of Greene.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult. Arsenath J. [Sadd], eldest daughter of Simeon C. Sadd, aged 19 years.

Died:  In Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], on the 27th ult. Mrs. Geo. A. Tuttle, aged 48 years.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th ult, Mrs. Ruth Dilley, aged 74 years.

Oxford Times, June 14, 1865

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st ult. by Rev. Jas. Haswell, Mr. C. Leroy Holmes to Miss Mattie L. Reese.

Married:  At Jamestown, N.Y. [Chautauqua Co.] on the 1st inst. by Rev. S.M. Rowe, Mr. J.W. Weller of Norwich to Miss Cerella Grandin of the former place.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co.., NY], on 6th inst. Mrs. Dexter Harris, aged 66 years.

Died:  In New York City, on the 3d inst., Mr. Orrin Wheeler, aged 49 years, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 31srt ult., Mr. John Bliven, aged 66 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult, Agnes Mitchell [Bowen], wife of Henry Bowen, Esq., aged 25 years.

Died:  At San Francisco, Cal., May 7th, Eliza H. [Franklin], wife of Stephen Franklin, aged 55 years.

Fatal Accident:  We are informed by a resident of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] of the following fatal accident.  On the 26th ult., while Gurdon Swan of that town was engaged with his son in drawing some logs that had been piled up on skids, the pile gave away, and one of the logs fell on the father, killing him almost instantly.  His funeral was very largely attended by sympathizing friends, who sincerely mourned this sudden and terrible death of a most worthy and respected citizen.  Chenango Telegraph.

Drowned:  Murray G. Williams, aged 11 years, son of Nathan G. Williams, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], was drowned while bathing in the river, below the village, on Friday morning last.  He was in company with two lads younger than himself, and in attempting to cross the river on a slab or plank, he lost his hold and sank.  Some two hours elapsed before his body was recovered.  Times

Oxford Times, June 21, 1865

Married:  In this village on the 196th inst. by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. William Sayles of Preston [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Alice R. Aldrich of Norwich.

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst., by Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Mr. M.M. Munson of Utica [Oneida Co., NY] to Miss Helen J. Jones, of Norwich.

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], on the 7th inst. by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. David Morgan of Delhi, Ohio, to Miss Cornelia A. Houck of Norwich.

Died:  In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY] on the 2d inst. Olive [Race] wife of Mr. Joseph Race, aged 55 years.

Died:  In this town, on the 5th inst. of diptheria, Jack [Hall], oldest son of Francis and Sarah Jane Hall.

Died:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th May, Mrs. Mary Johnson, aged 78 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst. Capt. Asa Reach, aged 77 years.

Died:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on 12th inst. Mr. Milton Wetherby, aged 64 years.

A Soldier Killed:  A shocking accident resulting in the instant death of George Agard, a member of the 114th from New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], occurred at Elmira, Saturday last.  Mr. Agard fell from the platform under a moving train and was cut in pieces by the wheels. The deceased was a son of the late Erastus Agard of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] and eaves a wife and child, to mourn his terrible death.  His remains were taken to New Berlin for burial.

Oxford Times, June 28, 1865

Died:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th, Rosa M. [Powell], daughter of Isaac T. and Eliza Powell, aged 14 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], May 9 of diptheria, Huldah [Hakes], wife of Rufus B. Hakes, aged 33 years; May 12th, Alice L. [Hakes], aged 2-1/2 years; May 15th, Ruetta [Hakes], aged 6 years; May 20th, Dever [Hakes], aged 10 years; May 28th, Halbert [Hakes], aged 3 months - all of diptheria - children of Rufus B. Hakes, who is left alone to mourn this great loss.

Died:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th May, Mr. David Harvey, aged 36 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], on May 19th, of diptheria, Ellen [Harvey], daughter of Nelson and Martha Harvey, aged 17 years.

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst. Mr. Jason Belden, aged 68 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 17th inst. Gertrude A. [Powers], wife of Myron Powers, aged 64 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst. Ransom [MacDonald], youngest son of R. MacDonald, Esq., aged 8 years.

Sudden Death:  George Darr, aged about 14 years, a driver on the canal boat McDougal, came to a very sudden death Sunday afternoon, about four miles below this village.  He was in the act of starting up his horses when the whiffletree suddenly broke, and a sharp end of the broken stick struck him with great force passing through the breast and resulting in his death in about an hour.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, November 1865

 Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, Norwich, NY, November 22, 1865

Married:  AINSWORTH - AYLESWORTH:  At the parsonage, in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 9, by Rev. S. Scoville, Albert A. Ainsworth of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] and Helen Aylesworth of Rochester [Monroe Co., NY].

Married:  SEYMOUR - FRINK:  At the Eagle Hotel in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14, by Rev. S. Scoville, Zenas L. Seymour of Sherburne [Chenango co., NY] and Mary F. Frink, of North Norwich.

Married:  BISBEE - SOUL:  At the Eagle hotel in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 18? by Rev. S. Scoville, Le Roy Bisbee of Lebanon [Chenango Co., NY] and Martha Soul of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  JANES - FERRIS:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 15, by Rev. J.H. Nason, Wright M. Janes and Maggie Ferris, both of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  NUTTING - SPURR:  In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14, by A. L. Tuttle, Esq., Franklin Nutting of Ellisburgh, N.Y. [Jefferson Co.] and Evelyn M. Spurr of Columbus.

Married:  PAYNE - COPELY:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 15, by Rev. I.B. Hyde, Geo. W. Payne and Mary Jane Copley, both of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  MILE - BUMP:  In Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], Oct. 11, by Rev. F. Kidder, L. Frank Miles of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], and Mary E. Bump of Unadilla.

Married:  NEWTON - SMITH:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 25, b Rev. A.S. Yale, Lawrence Newton and Maria Smith, both of Bainbridge.

Married:  INGHAM - BALCOM:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14, by Rev. E. Curtis, Charles H. Ingham of Hume N.Y. [Allegany Co., NY] and Julia E. Balcom, of Sherburne.

Died:  JENNISON:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14, Oliver Jennison, aged 71 years.

Died:  LATHAM: In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 17, Lois M. Latham aged 56 years.

Died:  HILL:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 15?, Heman Hill, aged about 65 years.

Died:  COATS:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 20, Sarah [Coats], wife of Harris Coats, aged 71 years.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 29, 1865

Married:  In Morris [Otsego Co., NY], Nov. 13th, by Rev. J.C. Foster, Mr. Albert Becker of Syracuse [Onondaga co., NY] to Miss Lavona Bagg of Morris, N.Y.

Married:  In Ripon, Wis. Nov. 2d, by Rev. E. W. Cook,  Mr. William H. St. John of Cohocton, N.Y. to Miss Elizabeth Bishop, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In this village [Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday evening, Nov. 22, 1865, Dea. Thomas Prentice, aged 79 years.  Dea. Prentice came to this town more than fifty years ago, and was one of fourteen persons who were constituted into a Baptist Church in 1814.  In 1815 he was elected Church Clerk, which post he filled until 1834.  Soon after the organization of the Church, he was chosen Deacon, which office he held until released from all earthly duties.  He was an honest, upright man, and respected by all who knew him. The religion which he professed in his youth was his support in the trying hour.  He gave to those who visited him during his last illness, unmistakable evidence of his trust in his Savior, when he said "I have a desire to depart and be with Christ," and all unite in saying that a good man has fallen.

Died:  In this village [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 21st, Mr. Daniel H. Richmond, aged 57 years.

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 22d, Charlie [Clark], infant son of Charles and M.J. Clark.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, Nov. 18th, Miss Mary R. Phelps, aged 47 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 2d, Mrs. Eliza Rathbone, aged 33 years.

Died:  At the residence of James Wood, Esq., in Lansingburg, N.Y. [Rensselear Co}, Mrs. Lucretia Balcom, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] aged 60 years.

Died:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14th, Mrs. Mariett Sage, wife of George Sage, and daughter of Austin Clark, Esq., of Newark, Tioga Co., N.Y., aged 40 years.  She was a member of the Baptist church in South New Berlin; a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, a tried friend, an exemplary Christian, beloved and lamented by all who knew her.  "How blest the righteous when they die."  

Arrest of a Murderer

Perhaps some of our readers have heard of the death of Deloss Carrier, son of C. Carrier, Esq. of Columbus Centre [Chenango Co., NY], whose body, was found some months ago, by the side of a railroad near Gilman, Illinois, badly mangled, and who at the time was supposed to have been murdered. We are in receipt of an Illinois paper, from A.S. Palmer, son of friend G.S. Palmer, in which we read of a horrible murder lately committed near the same place that the body of young Carrier was found, and of the murderer, who it is supposed is the same person that murdered Carrier. The murderer's name is Johnson, and he was in company with Carrier the last time he was seen alive. the officers had hard work to prevent the prisoner being lynched.  New Berlin Pioneer

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Civil War Letter from the 114th NY Regiment, July 1863

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 29, 1863

Letter from the 114th NY Infantry Regiment

By William R. Gelderd, Delegate of U.S. Christian Commission

Camp before Port Hudson, July 3d, 1863

My Dear Telegraph:  It has been my lot while in New Orleans to visit and carry reading to the gallant boys, sick and wounded as they were, of our own 114th N.Y.S.V.  There were something over forty in the Marine Hospital.  I found nine wounded in the St. Louis, and there are several sick and convalescent in the Barracks Hospital, some of whom ought to be instantly discharged or granted a lengthened furlough, or else they will never recover at all.  But as I much wanted to see the boys in the field, and if needed as temporary nurse, be ready to act as one for them, Rev. Mr. Sutton procured me a pass and so I started up the river on the Sallie Robinson.  She was heavily loaded with stores for the troops, and had on board, besides two regiments for the field, the 28th Main and the 15th N.H.  

On the morning of July 1st we passed the ruins of Donaldsville.  For, as you know, last Sunday morning the rebels had the impudence to attack the fort and they kept at it some three hours and were beaten off with heavy loss.  A seedier looking lot of gallows birds never did disgrace sunlight than that lot of prisoners we took there.  I saw them on Monday marched to the Provost Marshal office. On Monday evening Admiral Farrignt came up and ordered every house to be fired.  If double the number that were actually burned had felt the flame, no injustice would have been done.  There is a nunnery there, so far respected by both parties, but the rebels do it from interest, for it is well known that a number of the prominent citizens of the place, now in the rebel army, left their money and jewels for safe keeping with the good nuns, and our boys have not yet asked for a look at the same.  Grim and sharp in it angularity looks the fort at the numerous brick chimney stacks, the mementoes that rebels once lived there, that burnt and black tell in every direction what has been at work.  But pass that, pass the monotonous river scenery, pass Baton Rouge, and defer your visit to the hospitals for a time when you can have time unrestricted and you stop, look and disembark at "Springfield Landing," where all supplies for the boys round Port Hudson, and the work they are engaged in, are stored, and here beginneth my experience of yesterday.  

I had found a corporal of the 114th on the Sallie Robinson, Porter H. Babcock by name, who had been down on business and was now going to the boys again, and you may be sure that the company of such a guide was a pleasant thing.  The country round Springfield Landing is one immense thorny thicket.  The timber grows small, and as if not possessed of thorns enough naturally, is very apt to take unto itself a mass of tangled drapery in the shape of creeping vines which mantle the original settler over clear unto the very top.  We have there a large contraband camp, as well as quarters for some troops, the number I cannot state, and a heavy amount of stores of all sorts.  Not seeing much prospect of getting a ride anyhow, Mr. Babcock and I started on foot about 4 A.M.  

In a short time we had reached "Libby Station," the farmhouse of a protected colonist, where a brother delegate of the Christian Commission attends to the sick and wounded who pass, as all do, that way to New Orleans.  We discussed our breakfast here with a very good will, but while engaged thereat, I noticed the reports of musketry down at the river and asked what it could be.  One said it was the night guard discharging their guns, but another declared that to be never done or allowed at any time.  So we went on our way along the dusty road, through the woods--it was just like treading in flour 10 inches deep--till a guard on the right hailed us with "Good news!"  Last night our boys recaptured Gen. Dow and took about 100 rebs with him, and the d--d guerillas that have been prowling round Baton Rouge, they've got them hemmed in so they can't escape us now. We'll use them well up, no fear of that this time.  An American Messenger made him right glad he had been a Sunday School teacher ere he came here to teach the rebels how to behave.  Shortly after, we met a long empty wagon train for Springfield Landing, negro drivers, escorted by some sixty cavalry, all, white and black, in pretty good spirits. Even the wounded that followed in ambulances seemed to forget their pain as they rolled through those deep woods. 

We walked on a mile or two, when a hasty sound made up look back and "the devil, the devil, the devil!  up altogether, cut for the woods and keep out of our way,"  fairly screamed a cavalry man as he dashed on at a furious gallop with his horse's belly almost flat to the ground.  Never before did I see a man ride at such a rate.  Four or five more, one an officer, followed in hot haste, one telling us that two hundred guerillas were at work in the train we had just passed, and he had hardly gone ere another flyer informed us that seven hundred guerillas had attacked the landing, and were shooting down the contrabands first of everything, on every side.  He disappeared at a rate similar to his predecessors, and his successor discovered unto us that it was sixteen hundred guerillas that had attacked the wagon train and that he could but just escape from a majority that it was useless to think of contending with.  Then came several loaded wagons at a heavy speed, dangerous in common times I am sure, and some of the body sills had broken with the jostling just behind the hind axle, and "Uncle Sam's" dinner timbers were for descending earth wards the nearest way, but the drivers never stopped for all that, a lot of spilled boxes would make no matter to him. Then another lot of riders, one of whom I noticed particularly as keeping the lower part of his coat parallel with the ground he rode in, while his pantaloons were seriously imperiled in the rear by the holes which the saddle had made therein.  But next unto him, maybe a quarter of an hour after, came a man of the N.Y. 160th, on a run, who took a more reasonable rate of procedure when we pointed out to him a lot of loaded wagons at a foot pace coming our way.  I wish I could have all the artist in the Chenangoese Photography to take his picture as I saw him.  His face plastered with dust, hat gone, (saw a cavalry man lose his as he fled past us) ditto cartridge box, trousers burst in the rear, while his shirt took the shape of a bird's tail as he ran.  He estimated the guerillas at 1800.  The guerillas had, by his account, been concealed in the woods till they dashed in, and went to killing the contrabands first. They must have captured every soldier and everything at the landing--bad luck to their impudence.  Well, having passed one or two camps, all for breaking up in fear of these fellows, we came to the plains where our boys thrashed the rebels on May 24th   It is a plain.  I know not how large, perfectly open up to the woods, and close to the woods were some half done breastworks which [..unreadable..] the rest of them played the mischief with us out of the woods after their manner.  Here I begun to see raw cotton thrown carelessly round in a way which would make a manufacturer shake his head in a manner indicating of anything but satisfaction.  But let him come and take it if he wants it very bad.  Just inside our lines is a barn, with one end open, with the loft chock full of cotton, while the staple blows about at will over the fields.  Then your way leads through divers corn fields, minus the whole stalk save about a foot high, which has gone for forage to our horses &c.  In a while the cotton seems to disappear, and you come to heavy woods with lots of tents at intervals, which give the idea, most unmistakably, to anyone whoever saw it, of a  Methodist monster camp meeting.  So many white tents, so many cooking conveniences, so many little squab beds of poles, bring up the thing very forcible, but the attendants are all brethren, no sisters visible, and the frequent oath, the stacked guns, the different variations of the blue uniform, and the occasional sight of a wounded man, tell what the gathering means, and that you are in the midst of war.  

So we went for a mile and a half when the woods opened suddenly for a space and I got a little idea of general level of the land, but it is most curiously broken up with deep ravines which come when you least expect them and open on every hand.  Over more than a mile of such broken country did our troops drive the rebels in the attack of May 27.  And, as it is all a heavily wooded country, I am astonished at the pluck that could drive an enemy out of such defenses, as well as at the foolishness, to say nothing harsher of that enemy that could be induced to leave them.  So our boys use these ravines, those in advance, as natural parallels in the siege, and the edges of the level land as spots to silence the rebel cannon with our sharpshooters' deadly fire. but more of this hereafter.  So we went on through woods and camps.  Here the timber is of a far different character from that round Springfield Landing, tall and straight, as well as heavy. the Magnolia being as big as any tree round.  Those of your readers who have seen this as a comparatively small tree, may imagine its beauty as a tree 2 feet thick and 100 feet  high, flashing white with it magnificent blossoms from top to bottom.  

We were pretty tired when we reached the camp of the 114th, that is, where the cooking is done, and commissary stores are kept.  I should, ere this, have noted that we found at the signal post on Port Hudson plain on one side, a man making signs to one in a tree on the other, I suppose about the rebel tricks at the landing, for in less than five minutes after our arrival, orders came for the boys to take two days ratios and start for the Bayou Sara road.  They were to do to light marching order and only take one wagon with them. So there was bustle for a while, when the order was countermanded, as news had come that "our cavalry had surprised the guerillas at Springfield Landing, and cut them all to the  d--l and taken all that they could not kill, quick enough.

There in the woods were the first Chenango boys I had seen able to do duty, and I was glad enough to see them.  James Sherwood was among the first I saw, and then Hawley and Brookins of North Norwich.  Aldrich, the drummer, also came and shook hands with me and Charles Hall of New Berlin. After dinner, James Sherwood took me to the front where most of the regiment are watching the rebels for evil and not for good, as the frequent presence of a stern man watching like a cat through a hole in a log at the breastwork shows very significantly.  His rifle is poked through the hole and with his finger on the trigger, he sits minute after minute watching for a rebel ahead at a 500 yards distance or the protrusion of a rebel cannon through an embrasure.  He is far from being alone in his merciless quest, and as either one shows itself a dozen balls remonstrate to their power at breach of U.S. rule in the case. While Sherwood and I were going to see the boys he showed me a spot in advance where the road went over a knoll, and charged me to hurry over that, as it was exposed to the fire of the rebel rifle pits.  Safe enough as we walked there it was even so, for "zit, zit" told us that two rebels had personal objections to seeing us there.  Those hills were far from being spent as the note plainly told. I saw many Norwich faces here and Norman Potter looking just as he used to, but Eugene Sherwood, who was wounded in the hand a while ago, has had the jaundice and looks far from well.  There are several sick who if I could have my way should be occupying a bed, not in the woods here, but in the Barracks Hospital, New Orleans.  

It is a most common sight to see the nests our boys have constructed for themselves in the side hills, where they are now living.  They have scooped out holes almost big enough for woodchucks to lie in and the contrast of the dark dead brush, with the light yellow clay of the side hill is very striking, and so into what we might call checkerboards of colors they have mapped out the hill.  But even here our gallant boys are not safe.  A spent ball killed Erastus Gregory about a week ago as he sat reading his Bible on a log and Morell Sturges and William Sipples lay in their nest day before yesterday, when a rifled cannon ball from one of our own batteries, the gun being elevated too high, went clear over the rebel battery it was aimed at and came and took both legs off for one, and broke one leg for the other in two places, it was amputated, but he died yesterday.  I am going to take a sketch of where the boys are now, and maybe wives and mothers will be glad to see it.  I think of taking one of where our boys charged on the fatal 14th.  Fatal indeed, if it be true as I heard today, that our loss that day and since amounts to one hundred and fifteen.  It was that day when the boys in the St. Louis Hospital were hurt, D.H. Bentley in the thigh, Leroy B Woods in the knee, who died last Friday the 26th June, and many others.  Bolivar Aldrich, Co. C, with Henry L. Isbel were stretcher bearers for the wounded.  Poor Isbel was shot through the thigh as he and Aldrich were carrying off a wounded man of the 151st N.Y. and the same ball struck off the fur on the sleeve of Aldrich's coat.  Isbel is in the St. Louis Hospital.  I have seen him several times, and though he is low, I hope he may recover, but there is in that word sadly too little light admitted.  

Last night on our left the rebels made a nice little whip for themselves. They had rolled up a great pile of 6-pounder shells for our benefit, and because they dare not show their dirty faces, even by moonlight, they calculated to throw them lighted over their breastwork inside ours. But their arms were not quite strong enough, and the first one rolled back among their own infernal tools, and ignited the heap, and such a set of explosions followed by groans and screams--"I'm dying!" "Lord have mercy on me." &c. Have not been heard this last two or three nights previous.  

I went with three or four boys this morning to where the battle was fought on the 14th.  It was then rough as the ground was, full of logs, brush and fallen trees.  Our boys have since cleared it away pretty much, and on the edge of a rise of ground we have a lot of frowning breastworks, behind which our boys are practicing at rebel game 450 yards off all day, said game being pretty careful how it shows itself.

We have masked battery of seven guns only a little way from where Col. Smith fell that day. The trees show strangely many marks of the shot and shell that day.  Many rebel shell are now lying in the woods unburnt, for the rebs filled them with sand for the want of powder.  I have multitudes of rumors, which as they are but for the day, I will not repeat.  But our pickets when near the enemy's works are on pretty cordial terms, and have signals when they want to talk.  I heard a conversation this morning when the rebs told our boys they would not fight or were they not compelled to.   They do [unreadable]  bad as they do New England ones.  Antislavery men know very well the glorious reason.  But they did ask for some hard tack, and the boys aggravated them sorely by asking them to come out and take some soft bread and butter.  They replied however with asking in turn that we would come for some Louisiana rum.  I think our boys got the run.  but whether the rebs did the hard tack this deponent saith not.  In a little time they got into very friendly talk. and when at last the time for closing came "Down Yank," "Down Reb" crack, crack, and for the rest of the day, half an inch of hair or hat will draw a shot from either one of them.  All day and night at intervals the mortars are at work. The many explosions reverberating through the woods, while those from the boats in the river answer in turn.  An eleven ounce charge of powder will send a ten inch shell about 500 yards. The rebel artillery threw all manner of evil stuff on the 14th; old iron, gun barrels filled with nails, in one instance a case of dentist's tools came flying, horse shoes and pieces of railroad iron.  The curious configuration of the country gives the rebs advantages of which I marvel that they make no better use.  If New Yorkers should abandon some of their mountain sides as comparatively easily as rebels have done the pokerish ravines, they would deserve all they got.

I slept in camp last night.  My bed was of poles covered with loose cotton, spread over with James Sherwood's blanket.  We have many sugar hogsheads filled with cotton to make our breastworks.  I saw more than a dozen bales of cotton lying round loose today in a heap.  A great deal has been drawn into camp for that very purpose.  There is one huge bridge over a gulley which is spread over thick with cotton to muzzle the sound of heavy guns in their passage.  

So now, having no more at present to say, a mortar explosion having just reached my ear in the distance, of which many of the rebs have a hearty benefit, asking full and plenary pardon of your compositors, Mr. Editor for writing on both sides of my sheet, and wishing a "thank you for nothing" to the rebel sharpshooters who this morning twice sent a "zit," "zit," "spat" not a yard from us as we were visiting the 18th N.Y Battery.

Believe me, yours sincerely in a good cause, Wm. R. Gelderd, Delegate of U.S. Christian Commission.

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, November 1865

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 1, 1865

Married:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 24th, 1865, by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. Hiram Rorapaugh, to Miss Frank Norris, both of Smithville.

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 18th, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Harvey V. Schenk, of Cherry Ridge, Pa., to Miss Laura Smith, of Guilford.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 5th, 1865, Mr. Oliver P. Hall, aged 28 years, 10 months and 12 days.

Died:  At Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Oct. 23d, Dea. John F. Smith of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 73 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 17th, Mr. Ira Manning, aged 58 years and 8 months.

Died:  In Versailles, Cattaraugus Co. [NY], Oct. 11th, Mr. Amos T. Mead, aged 73 years and 4 months.

Drowned:  Timothy Dowd of this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], met his death in the following manner, on Friday of last week.  He was steering a canal boat upon the Erie Canal, about three miles this side of Troy, and working heavily at the rudder the tiller broke, precipitating him into the canal.  It is supposed that he must have injured himself in falling, as he was dead before he could be rescued.  His remains were brought to Oxford for interment.  He was about 20 years of age.  Greene American.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 8, 1865

Married:  At the residence of Henry Hotchkiss, in Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 1st 1865, by Rev. Robert Scott, Mr. Charles S. Bakke of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Frank A. Hotchkiss of Smithville.

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 22d, by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. James H. Davis, to Miss Mary G. Hamilton, both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  At White Store, Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 29th, by Geo. Curtis, Esq., Mr. George M. Baxter, of Masonville, Del. Co. [NY], to Miss Rasu Ann Cash, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY].

Married:  At Gospel Hill, Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 20th, by Rev. P. McNulty Mr. Chauncey Wade, to Miss Mary Ann Barbazon, both of Guilford.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 29th, by Rev. L.A. Spafford, Mr. Gurdon E. Grannis, of Preston [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Mary E. Sackett of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 25th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. Lorenzo W. Brown, of Cuyler, Cortland Co. [NY], to Miss Emily L. [Hall], daughter of Samuel Hall.

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 24th, by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. Alonzo Fausett to Cazenovia [Madison Co., NY] to Miss Arethusa C. Tefft of Smyrna.

Married:  In Cortlandville [Cortland Co., NY], Oct. 24th, by Rev. A. Wilkins, Mr. J.R. Birdlebough to Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Addie Rexford of Solon [Cortland Co., NY].

Married:  In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 6th, by C. Carrier, Esq., Mr. William Beatty, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Sarah E. Sherman of Columbus.

Married:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 18th, by Rev. I.B Hopwood, Mr. Adelbert V. Talman to Miss Eliza A. Kales.

Married:  At Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], Oct. 22d, by Rev. P.S. Worden, Mr. Henry Winton to Miss Harriet Gross, both of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], by Rev. M.G. Wadsworth, Mr. William H. Jones, to Miss Phebe A. Foster, daughter of C.C. Foster, all of Sherburne.

Died:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 31st, 1865, of typhoid fever, Mr. Joel J. Bixby, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 3d, of consumption, Mary E. [Brown], daughter of Dudley Brown, aged 18 years.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 26th, Mrs. Olive Briggs, aged 86 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 29th, Mr. George M. Lyon, aged 33 years, 8 months and 13 days.

Died:  In Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 26th, Mr. Daniel D. Clark, late of the U.S. Navy, aged 33 years.  He was formerly from Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 1, 1865

Death by Shooting:  We are very much pained to learn that a son of J.S. Ludington, Esq., of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], was instantly killed, on Wednesday, by the accidental discharge of a gun.  He was out gunning with a companion, and had stopped beside a log, leaning his gun upon or over the log, when by some movement the gun was discharged, the contents passing upward from the neck through his head, killing him instantly. The lad was about fifteen years of age.  Chronicle [Norwich, NY]

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 8, 1865

Death of Frank S. Ludington:  We learn that our account of the accident to Frank S., son of James S. Ludington, Esq., was not correct in every particular, and we accordingly, by the request of the father publish the following:  He was standing upon a log with his gun when another boy, Zadoc Adams, approached him and requested to see his gun. Frank handed it to him and Zadoc examined it for a few minutes, cocked it, and as he was handing it back, it was accidentally discharged, the whole charge entering the neck, cutting off the jugular vein and lodging in the back of the neck, near the spine and just at the base of the skull.  The report was at once circulated by the frightened boy that Frank had fallen from the log and in his fall had discharged his own piece.  But we understand on Saturday morning last, he went with Mr. L. to the place of the accident, and upon being assured that no one blamed him, confessed the fact as above stated.  Chronicle [Norwich, NY]