Soldier's Letter, Civil War, March 1864

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, March 23, 1864

Letter from Asst. Surgeon C.M. Baker, 47th NY Volunteers

Headquarters 47th Rev. N.Y.S. Vols. Entrenchments at Jacksonville, Fla. March 4th, 1864

Mr. Editor:  Your kind notice of my appointment as Asst. Surgeon to this regiment, induces me to believe that a few lines detailing my first experience in a professional capacity on the battlefield may not be uninteresting to our friends at home.

Everyone is by this time cognizant of the fact that our forces met the enemy and suffered a defeat, by being vastly overpowered in numbers, at or near the town of "Olustee," some fifty miles from here, on the 20th ult.  With the details of the fight, I have nothing to do.  Our brigade consisted of three New York regiments (47trh, 48th, and 115th) under command of Col. Barton.  Immediately on our arrival at Jacksonville, Dr. Wm. A. Smith, our talented Surgeon, was detached to organize and put in an efficient state the post hospitals; and as our other Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Wm. S. Young, was absent North on furlough, I was left alone to accompany the regiment.  On the 19th, leave was granted to the Hospital Steward to return to Jacksonville on business, so that when the forward movement took place at daylight on the 20th I was entirely alone; with a few hospital attendants and stretcher bearers unused to the peculiar duties required of them.  As soon as the brigade formed line of battle, I selected a retired spot on the edge of a thin pine forest, sufficiently beyond the line of fire, as I thought, and proceeded to make preparations for the care of the wounded. At this time the artillery on both sides was thundering heavily, and soon the steady crack of the rifles assured me that our New York lads were hotly engaged.  In a few moments the wounded began to crowd on me.  Some came creeping on all fours, others limping along with unsteady gait; some on stretchers, and some in the arms of their comrades. They were shot in every imaginable place, but the great majority had received wounds below their waist belts.  This more than anything else, served to convince us that we were engaging veteran troops of the enemy, as it is the hardest work to learn soldiers the art of firing low.  For a time, I was in perfect misery.  I wanted to attend on all; and yet here I was, alone, surrounded by crowds of suffering men, in a place where Eriaraeus himself would have found work enough for every one of his hands. The instances of individual heroism would fill a volume.  "Here, Doctore," says one with a couple of fingers smashed and torn by a bullet, "Hurry and tie this up, will you?  I want to get back to the Company, quick!"  "Can't I go back, if you bind this up?" says another, showing a leg from which a portion of the flesh had been torn by a piece of shell.  "Don't mind me, Doctor; help that fellow from the 48th over there!"  answers a third, with a rifle bullet lodged in his thigh. Suddenly the enemy appeared to open with guns of a longer range; for the shells began to fly over and about us, and finally came bursting and crashing in among the poor helpless fellows scattered on the ground around me. Warning those who were able to help themselves to fall back immediately and crowding as many as possible into the ambulances and few wagons that could be made available, I changed my ground, but was soon notified that I must keep on rearward, as our troops were falling back and slowly contesting the ground, in order ot save as many of the wounded as possible from falling into the hands of the rebels. And thus, through that long and dreary night, dressing wounds by the wayside, and helping along the faint and weary, we retraced our steps towards Jacksonville.  How many gave out on the road, and thus were taken prisoners, I know not, but the number must have been considerable.

My first experience has thus been a sad and trying one, but I was considerably aided by the stern will and indomitable resolution of the men themselves. bravo boys all of them, they fitly represent the Empire State of the union.  You may imagine how bitterly they fought, when I state that the three regiments have lost about eight hundred men!  Our own regiment foots up a total of seven officers and three hundred and ten men!  Even now the men are anxious to again engage the enemy, and desire only a chance to "get square," as they say. Should any further movements take place here, I will keep your readers posted, and meantime remain.

Yours, truly, C.M. Baker, Ass't Surg. 47th N.Y. Vols.

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, November 1867

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 6, 1867

Marriages

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 30th, by Rev. Thomas Harroun, Mr. R.W. Van Semoick? to Miss Mary J. Winton, all of Norwich.

At the residence of W. Loomis, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 30th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. Myrteloo J. Reese, to Miss Nettie I. Ransford, daughter of James Ransford, all of Norwich.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 30th, by Rev Mr. Robinson, H.H. Herrington, Esq., to Miss Maria T. Beardslee of Pittsfield [Otsego Co., NY].

In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 19th, by Rev. Allen Bancroft, Mr. Luman Miles to Miss Delpherma Crandall, all of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY], Oct. 21st, by Rev. E. Holroyd, Mr. Christopher H. Manker? of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Lucetta A. Rathbone, of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Also, by the same in German [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 28th, Mr. Albert Hervey to Miss Phebe E. Lord, all of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY].

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 25th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Warren H. Myers, of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Anna C. Bassett, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 23d, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Frank C. Boyce, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Mary E. Mortimer, of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY].

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 24th, by R.T. Davidson, Esq., Mr. J.D. Burnett of Oxford to Miss Josephine Brown, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 31st, by Ransom Eddleston, Esq., Mr. Eugene Black to McDonough to Miss Clara Bradshaw, of German [Chenango Co., NY].

Deaths

In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 10th, of typhoid fever, Mr. Harvey H. Hickok, aged 51 years.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 23d, Anna Augusta Bates, aged 40 years.

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 27th, Mr. Uriah Philley, aged 68 years.

In Nebraska City, Oct. 16th, Mr. Alfred Willoughby, aged about 25 years, son of Ira Willoughby, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, November 13, 1867

Marriages

In Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 8th, by Rev. J.H. Chamberlain, Mr. Dennis Holmes, to Mrs. Maria S. Franklin, all of Holmesville.

In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 6th, by the same, Mr. Orville A. Edwards to Miss Sarah A. Allen, all of Morris[Otsego Co., NY].

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 5th, by Rev. M. Bennett, Mr. Edward Faulkner of Brookfield [Madison Co., NY] to Miss Sarah E. Carpenter of Sherburne.

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 2d, by Rev. Thomas Harrough, Mr. Thomas H. Faucett of Eaton [Madison Co., NY] to Miss Rosette C. Bennett of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY].

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY] Oct. 23d, by Rev. M.G. Wadsworth, Mr. Vincent Adams, of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Sally L. Adams, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 21st, by Rev. R.A. Warriner, Mr. W.R. Buell, of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Addie Rowley, of Oxford.

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 27th, by Hiram Girtman, Esq., Mr. Wm. Soule, of Mexico, Oswego Co. [NY], to Mrs. Polly A. Willcox, of Columbus.

In Earlville [Madison Co., NY], Oct. 24th, by Rev S.M. Keeler, Mr. Robert Knowles of Smyrna [Chenango Co, NY] to Miss Eliza Burlingham of Earlville.

In Bloomington, Ill., Oct. 24th, by Rev. A.  McDougall, Mr. Frank Pierce of Earlville, N.Y. [Madison Co.] to Miss Mary C. Cady of Bloomington.

In Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], Oct. 29th, by Rev. T.P. Halsted, Mr. Dubois Bennett of Unadilla to Miss Mary E. Hicks of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 23d, by Rev. A./M. Bennett, Mr. Randolph Robinson, to Miss Jennie A. Britt, all of Sherburne.

Deaths

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 4th, Hon. Isaac Stokes, aged 71 years.

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 4th, Mr. Charles Hunt, aged 68 years.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 31st, Mrs. Mary [Wagner], wife of Mr. Andrew Wagner, aged 70 years.

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 31st, Mrs. Jerusha Philley, aged 67 years.

At Newago, Mich., Oct. 6th, of typhoid fever, Mr. Horatio P. Angell, late of new Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] aged 26 years.  A little more than a year ago, this paper published among its marriage notices that of Horatio P. Angell, to Miss Eliza Curtis, of Norwich.  Seldom has a bridal baroque been lauded upon life's sea with fairer prospects, or more fervent prayers for its prosperity, but the voyage is so soon ended, and a true, devoted husband, the honorable and upright man, the Christian upon whose fair name rested no stain, sleeps in death.  A few months ago, Mr. and Mrs. Angell sought a home in the west. The young widow returned to early home, with the strong arm on which she had leaned, the true heart she had trusted so implicitly, cold and silent under the coffin lid.  May the God in whom he trusted be the widow's God, and the ties so rudely broken be re-united in the better land.

Fatal Accident:  George Hokirk, of Harpersville, Broome Co. [NY], while engaged in gathering walnuts a few days since, fell from the top of a tree to the ground, a distance of thirty feet, striking across a limb in his descent, which so injured him internally that he died from the effects on Thursday last.  He leaves a wife and children.

Vital Records, Oxford, NY, June 1867

 Oxford Times, June 5, 1867

Marriage

FRINK - CALVERT:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th ult. by Rev. E.P. Nagus, Mr. Clark W. Frink of Blendon, Mich., and Miss Netty E. Calvert of McDonough.

Deaths

ROWLEY:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 31st ult. Mr. Gilbert S. Rowley, aged 80 years.

BENEDICT:  In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult. Hattie E. [Benedict], daughter of Abijah and Lucy Benedict, aged 6 months.

SHERWOOD:  In Woodstock, Illinois, on the 9th ult., Mr. Levi Sherwood, aged 78 years. The Woodstock Sentinel says:  He was much respected and esteemed by all who knew him.  Deceased had been a Royal Arch Mason for over fifty years.  (Mr. Sherwood will be remembered as an old resident of this town [Oxford Chenango Co., NY], by some now living.  He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Academy in 1821, of which number Simon G. Thorp, Esq., is now the only survivor.)

Oxford Times, June 12, 1867

Marriage

McNEIL - WESTOVER:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the fifth inst., at the residence of the bride's mother, by Rev. D. Williams of Cazenovia.  Mr. Theodore F. McNeil of New York and Miss Mary Annette Westover of this village.

Deaths

WHEELER:  In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY] on the 25th ult. Mertie N. [Wheeler], youngest daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth Wheeler, aged 7 years.

ALDRICH:  In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY] on the 2d inst., Mary Ann [Aldrich], wife of Lucius Aldrich, aged 59 years.

Oxford Times, June 19, 1867

Marriage

LANDERS - STOCKWELL:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst., by Rev. J.L. Jones, Mr. Frederick A. Landers and Miss L. Stockwell, all of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

Deaths

BUSH:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Mrs. Martha E. [Bush], wife of Thomas A. Bush, aged 62 years.

PARKS:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., Fanny [Parks], wife of Lorenzo Parks, aged 56 years.

TWITCHELL: In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst., Mrs. Sophia Twitchell, widow of the late Benjamin Twitchell, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 66 years.

Oxford Times, June 26, 1867

Marriages

STEVENS - HAYNES:  In this village, on the 19th inst., by Rev. E.H. Payson, Mr. George E. Stevens, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, formerly of this village, and Miss Mary E Haynes, of this town.

LAMAN - MINOR:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th inst., by Rev. James Robinson, Mr. William L. Laman and Miss Julia E. Minor, both of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

TREADWAY - SHEPARDSON:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on the 12th inst. by Rev. L.B. Yale, Mr. Chas. B. Treadway and Miss Mary E. Shepardson, all of Bainbridge.

Deaths

SYMONDS:  In South Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 5th inst., Mr. Martin L. [Symonds], son of George and Sarah A. Symonds, aged 21 years, eight months.  The diseased has been a long sufferer from general debility, which finally terminated in disease of the brain.  The report that the diseased died of Hydrophobia is erroneous and without foundation and deserves correction.  

Killed by Horses:  Henry Woodward, late of Triangle, in Broome County [NY]was kicked to death by a span of horses which he was driving on the 14th inst. in the village of Owego [Tioga Co., NY].  The animals taking fright, and the end board against which his feet were braced giving away, he was precipitated on their heels, where he received such injuries as to cause a most instantaneous death.  It is a remarkable coincidence that two other brothers in the same family have been killed under similar circumstances.

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, October 1867 continued

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, October 23, 1867

Marriages

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 6th, by Samuel Steere, Esq., Mr. Albert D. Tilyou of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Sarah A. Gorton, of the former place.

In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 13th, by Rev. M.G. Wadsworth, Mr. Julius Beebe, of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Aiaelia? A. Haight, of North Norwich.

In Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY] Oct. 9th, by Rev. N. Ripley, Mr. Fred W. Smith of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY] to Miss Libbie A Cox of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

In Earlville [Madison Co., NY], Oct. 15th, by Rev. Mr. Thackleberry, Mr. Charles Gross, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Cornelia Pierce, all of Earlville.

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 13th, by Rev. L. Sperry, Mr. Arthur D. Vidler, to Miss Jennie R. Blanchard, all of Sherburne.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 9th, by Rev. A.M. Bennett, Mr. Arnold M. Coats, to Miss Olivia E. Skinner.

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 22d, by Rev. A.M. Bennett, Mr. Freeland B. Freeman to Miss Alice Rice, all of Sherburne.

In Waterloo, N.Y. [Seneca Co.] Oct. 14th, by Rev. R. Hogeboom, Mr. Wallace Kelley, of Greene [Chenango Co., nY], to Miss S. Louisa Townsend, of Waterloo.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 14th, by Rev. R. Scott, Mr. John Morrell to Miss Minnie R. McGee.

In Cortland [Cortland Co., NY], Oct. 9th, by Rev. S.F. Bacon, Benton B. Jones, Esq., to Miss Jennie C. Gurley, all of Cortland.

Deaths

In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 20th, Mr. Morris Mead, aged 67 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 9th, George Burton [Westover], son of Burton and Amelia Westover, aged 2 years.

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 7th, Charles E. West, Esq., in the 75th year of his age.

In Avoca, Ill. Oct. 3d, Emma May [Haynes], only child of John J. and Lucy A. Haynes, aged 2 months and 14 days.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, October 30, 1867

Marriages

In New Haven, Conn., in Church by Rev. D.S. Gregory, Mr. Josiah H. Chapin, of Troy [Rensselaer Co NY], Assistant Superintendent of the Boston and Albany Railroad, to Mrs. Hattie M. Allen, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].

In Greene [Chenango Co. NY] Oct. 22d, by Rev. I.B. Hyde, Mr. Daniel Bly to Miss Josephine R. Wells, all of Greene.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 23d, by the same, Mr. Hugh Seillen, Jr., to Miss Addie E. Page, all of Greene.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 23d, by the same, Mr. George W. Prentice of Medina, Wis., to Miss Frankie Paddleford of Greene.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 15th, by Rev. J.M. Todd, Mr. R. S. Langworthy of Brookfield, N.Y. [Madison Co.], to Miss Eveline Rogers, daughter of Clark T. Rogers, Esq.

In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 1st, by Rev. C. Barstow, Mr. Mott C. Dixon to Miss Ella C. Sprague, both of Smyrna.

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 16th, by Rev. A.C. Smith, Mr. Truman Aldrich to Miss Ann Miles, both of McDonough.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 17th, by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. Martin M. Nash to Miss Lucinda R. Bentley, both of Guilford.

Deaths

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 15th, Lucell [Brasee], daughter of Francis an dElecta Brasee, aged 17 years and 13 days.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 15th, Catherine [Davidson], wife of Chauncey Davidson, aged 38 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 5th, Mr. Edward D. Bradly, aged 50? years.

In Brooklyn, Oct. 20th, of diptheria, Grace [Fisher], only daughter of Oscar M. and Susie Fisher, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 3 years and 7 months.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 20th, Mrs. Currence Jackson aged 91 years.

In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 28th, Mr. Charles D. Gear? aged 90 years and 7 months.

In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], Oct. 17th, Betsey [Owen], widow of Elijah Owen, deceased, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 84 yrs.

Glass Wedding

The fifteenth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. A. Bradley of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], was celebrated at their residence on the evening of October 19th.  Some eighty of their neighbors and friends assembled on the occasion, each one bringing as a token of their regards a piece of glassware.  One of Guilford's happiest social evenings is said to have been realized.  The following impromptus lines were contributed to the entertainment by one of the guests:

The Crystal Wedding

I'd scarce believe the story true, / That I had heard aright. / Did not this festal gathering / Bespeak a wedding night.

Yet fifteen years some changes make, / Strange things have come to pass, / And 'mongst the types of mortal love / We number tin and glass.

Time leaves the impress of his flight, / In more than snowy hair, / Steals from the cheek the bloom of youth, / And leaves the trace of care.

Yet counting up the vanished hours / A recompense appears. / If children's faces at the board / Mark well the lapse of years.

What matters the lost loveliness / From the staid matron's brow, / When in some beautious daughter's face / It shines reflected now?

Ah, hush! 'tis all 'Love's labor lost," / Our rhyme is quite destroyed, / For at the table, and the hearth, / There's a great, aching void!

We've done our best to make it right, / So let the subject pass. / This Crystal Wedding Harvest / Brings a Baby made of Glass!

Bainbridge Ledger

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, October 1867

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, October 2, 1867

Marriages

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 15th, by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. George M. Burrows to Miss Elesia D. Doty of Oxford.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 17th, by Rev. E.R. Clarke, Mr. Clarence D. Walker of Oxford to Miss Cordelia Riley of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 11th, by Rev. J.L. Burrows, Mr. C.H. Sanford to Miss Addie Blanchard, all of Sherburne.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 25th, by Rev. Mr. Robinson, Mr. S.A. Finch to Miss Helen H. Hall.

In South Amenia, Dutchess Co. [NY], Sept. 24th, b Rev. H. Smith, Mr. Truman E. Case of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary E. Benson of the former place.

Deaths

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], august 27th, Mr. Solomon Harris, aged 79 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 14th, Huldah A. [Pittsley], wife of William F. Pittsley, aged 55 years.

At the residence of his son, in Waterloo, Iowa, Sept. 23d, Major Lyman Ackley, late of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], aged 64 years.

In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], August 31st, John S. [Brown], son of Lawrence and Sally Brown, aged 8 years and 7 months.  From our home circle he has passed, / In his Saviour's arms he's safe at last.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, October 9, 1847

Marriages

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 25th, by Rev. Thomas Harroun, Mr. John A. Haight, to Miss Emma R. Bennet, all of Norwich.

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 24th, by Rev. Thomas Harroun, Mr. Lester Blackman to Miss Mary Heady, all of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 18th, by Rev. Thomas Harroun, Mr. Darwin D. Freir, of Taylor [Cortland Co., NY], to Miss Mary D. Lottridge of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY].

At the Chenango House, in this village Sept. 24th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Barton Springer, of Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Angeline Tyler of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

At the residence of the bride's father, October 2d, by Rev. D.D. Brown of Plymouth, Mr. Benjamin G. Geer of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Charlotte A. Marvin of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 1st, by Rev. G. Flint, Mr. Solomon D. Vanwagner of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Alice R. Cone of Columbus.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 11th, by Rev. E.B. Peck, Mr. George Yeomans to Miss Mary Clark, all of Preston [Chenango Co., NY].

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 5th, by Rev. J. Storrs, Mr. Charles Daniels to Miss Mary C. Cox, all of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 13th, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. J. Henry Willoughby to Miss l. Louise Woodruff, all of Oxford.

Deaths

In Newark, N.J. Oct. 1st, Harriet Allen [Dunlap], daughter of Prof. John Dunlap, formerly Principal of Norwich Academy [Chenango Co., NY], aged 16 years 1 month and 20 days.

In Elmira [Chemung Co., NY], Sept. 29th, of typhoid fever, John Emory [Lyon], son of Reuben and Caroline Lyon, aged 31 years, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 5th, with consumption, Mr. Condington Bliven, aged 64 years.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 19th, Mary [Spurr], daughter of the late Daniel H. Spurr, aged 17 years.

Found Dead:  We learn that on Tuesday of last week, the body of a German spectacle peddler, named J. Kleinmar, was found in the town of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on what is known as Sherburne hill, in a state of advanced decomposition.  It seems that he had staid at Deltz's hotel in Smyrna two weeks ago Friday night, and that he started the next morning for Sherburne, across lots, expected to return, as he went away without paying his bill.  Nothing more was heard of him for a period of ten days, when his protracted absence excited apprehension for his fate, and search for him was made, the body being found as described above.  There were no marks of violence about his person and his valuables, including money and a gold watch, were undisturbed.  It was also thought there [were] indications that he died in a fit.  A coroner's inquest was held and a verdict rendered in accordance with the facts.  It is understood that the deceased was from Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY].

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, October 16, 1867

Marriages

At the residence of the bride's father, in Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], October 9th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. George H. Spey, of Leavenworth, Kansas, to Miss Edna M. Hayes.

At the residence of the bride's parents, i this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], October 15th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. William A. Raymond, Esq., of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Ustacia Crain, only daughter of Gen. H. Crain, of this village.

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 2d, by Rev. F.B. Peck, Mr. Adelbert Cook to Miss Louisa E. Wells, all of Norwich.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 6th, by Rev. L.E Spafford, Mr. William Miller to Miss Maria Loomis, all of Oxford.

In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] Oct. 3d, b L.E. Carpenter, Esq., Mr. Stephen T. Figary of Oxford [Chenango Co.,NY] to Miss Sophia Stimpson of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Deaths

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 11th, Thersa M. [Cook], widow of Charles cook, late of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], aged 35 years.

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 11th, Miss Hannah M. Johnson, aged 40 years.

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 14th, Mr. James Ward, aged 47 years.

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 7th, Charles E. West, Esq., aged about 75 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 3d, Mr. Eber Williams, aged 90 years. 

Also on the same day, Martha Bennett [Williams], his wife, aged 87 years and 10 months. 

In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 31st, John S. [Brown], son of Lawrence and Sally Brown, aged 8 years ad 7 months.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 21st, Mrs. Sarah Moses, widow of John Moss, aged 81 years.

Soldiers Letter, Civil War, July 1963

 Oxford Times, August 19, 1863

Letter from the 114th NY Infantry

The letter below from a member of the gallant 114th is sufficiently plain to be easily understood, and sufficiently positive to satisfy the most earnest and radical patriot.  It is from one who has the blood of the revolutionary sire coursing through his veins, and who does not propose to relinquish without a struggle, the blessings which his patriot father fought to obtain.

Donaldsville, La., July 17th [1863]

Dear Son:  I am now on the bank of the Mississippi. We have got the rebels surrounded on all sides between here and Opelousas and Brashear cities, so they cannot get back into Texas again. The Union men drove them out of Texas, while Banks' army was at Port Hudson, and now Banks has got them where he wants them, he says.  I suppose when the three Divisions march upon them, there will be some pretty hard fighting, probably a great many lives will be lost.  I may be one of them. If it should be so, you must do the best you can for yourself.  But there is one thing F. I want you should remember, that is, the peace democrats and copperheads are traitors to the Union and their country.  I want you should despise them as you would traitors. Remember this as long as you live and tell them if I get killed, that I fought for the union like a brave soldier, and was not a traitor, like them.  If it had not been for our northern traitors, this war would have been closed a year ago.  They are the cause of the loss of a great many lives of brave soldiers that are fighting for the union and the rising generation.  I have but one son, and I should be very sorry to have hm become a traitor to his country and the Union.  My father fought for our Independence, and for his country, and why should I not fight to maintain it?  And F., I want you should do the same, and stick to the Union as long as life lasts.  I suppose I have got one brother partly in favor of the copperheads or peace democrats.  Now, I don't want my son to be brought up in that way.  I had rather see him died on the battlefield, fighting for his country and the union.  I cannot see how fathers can hold their sons back from fighting for the union, when their fathers fought for it.  Now some of them tell them to destroy it!  Curse such men!  They ought to be shot down dead, when they open their months for such treason.  If I die, I shall die for my country and the union, not for a little money to leave behind and let the union go.  What do such narrow-minded men care?  Such men ought to be hung.  That is what I think about it.  I remain your father and a friend to the union and my country.   A.H.

________________________________

The writer is believed to be Asa Holmes of Oxford, and he was writing to his son Frank who was about 13 years of age.  The adjutant report for the 114th Regiment reveals that Asa did not survive the war.

HOLMES , ASA.—Age , 45 years. Enlisted, August 1, 1862, at Oxford, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. A , August 6, 1862; died of chronic diarrhea, November 1, 1863, at Barracks Hospital, New Orleans," La .

In Hospital, New Orleans, Nov. 2d, Mr. Asa Holmes of Co. A, 114th Reg., of Oxford, aged 47 years. [Oxford Times, Nov. 25, 1863]

A letter received by his wife, announces to her the sad tidings of the death of Asa Holmes, of company A, 114th Regiment, which occurred in Hospital at New Orleans.  Although exempt by age form military service, Mr. Holmes volunteered into the army, and sustained the character of a good soldier and true patriot.  [Oxford Times, Nov. 25, 1863]

Smithville [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral services of Asa Holmes of Co. A, 114th Reg. N.Y.S.V., will be held in the universalist church, in East Smithville on Sunday the 27th inst., at 1 o'clock, P.M.  Sermon by the pastor.  [Chenango American, Greene, NY, Dec. 24, 1863]

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, March & April 1840

 Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. by Rev. S. Sperry, Mr. Horace S. Beardsley, to Miss Clarissa D. Paine, all of this town. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 4, 1840]

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. by the Rev Luther P. Blodget, Mr. Alanson Crumb, of Otsego [Otsego Co., NY] to Miss Finettes Problrt of the former place. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 4, 1840]

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], on the 10th inst. by the Rev. A. Wheelock, Sherman A. McCullough to Miss Harriet Vanette Powers. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 11, 1840]

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst., Lafayette [York], youngest son of Charles York, Esq., aged 4 years and 5 months. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 11, 1840]

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Thursday, the 19th inst., of Scarlet Fever and Canker Rash, Girard [Smith] the son and only child of James H. Smith, undersheriff of this county, aged 8 years and 6 months.  There was an early determination of the disease to the head which deprived him of reason, except at short intervals, after throwing him into a state of frantic wildness.  This rendered his sickness much of the time, heart-rending and agonizing.  Of a sudden, nature sunk, the storm subsided, and he fell quickly into the peaceful slumbers of death, greatly to the relief of his agonizing parents and attendants.  His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. A Wheelock, Pastor of the Baptist church in this village from Isa. 52, 7, "Thy God reineth". The speaker endeavored to illustrate the doctrine of the wisdom and goodness of God in the dispensation of the darkest and most mysterious Providences. Thus, has died among us another as lovely a child, probably as ever lived. Girard was comely in his person, possessing one of the sweetest dispositions, and in his manners was uncommonly graceful and attractive.  He loved life sanctuary and was always cheerful and glad to accompany his pious parents to the house of God for their sabbath devotions.  A smile of gladness was often seen lit up upon the countenances of the father and mother as they marked the sprightliness of their boy and observed the modesty and gracefulness of his manner in entering the church.  He was one of the idols of the sabbath school, full of animation, imparting life and spirit to his class, and to the public examinations which are conducted by the Pastor during the sabbath intermission.  What he was in the sabbath school room, he was also, in the domestic circle; constituting a kind of central attraction to all the family and giving a zeal to all their enjoyments, especially during the more leisure hours of their winter evenings, when they reckoned upon being enlivened by Girard and his books.  He studiously avoided the company of wicked persons and was so shocked at the profanity he occasionally heard in the streets, that he could not be persuaded to repeat the oaths he had heard.  He manifested a deep interest in pious persons and in religious devotions; often followed his pious stepmother to mingle his prayers with hers in secret.  At times also he has unsolicited followed his father in prayer.  Precious child.  He lived long enough to win to himself many friends and died after three days' dreadful sickness bemoaned and bewept by the aged and the young.  [Chenango Telegraph, March 25, 1840]

Died:  William Burr Andrews, son of Burr B. and Lovina Andrews, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], departed this life on the 7th instant, of that painful disease the Scarlet Fever, after a sickness of five days, aged 1 year 7 months and 17 days.  Too pure for Earth, he has left us for Heaven. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 8, 1840]

Married:  In Hamilton [Madison Co., NY], on Wednesday evening last, by the Rev. Mr. Backus, Mr. Mathew O. Wells of Preston [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary S Taintor of Colchester, Connecticut. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 15, 1840]

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th inst. by the Rev. Mr. Sperry, Mr. William F. Chapman to Miss Sarah Livingston Lowe, all of that place. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 29, 1840]

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, January & February 1840

 Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst., Benjamin F. Holcomb, son of Mr. John Holcomb, aged 3 years and 9 months. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 1, 1840]

Died:  In Galveston (Texas) October 28th, with the Yellow Fever, Mr. Augustus C. Hinkley, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], aged 27 years. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, nY, January 8, 1840]

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst., by Jacob Hecox, Esq., Henry H. Willcox, to Miss Marion Purdie, all of that town. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 15, 1840]

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the evening of the 15th inst., by the Rev. L.A. Barrows, Mr. Marenus Janes, of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary Dunkin of North Norwich. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 22, 1840]

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Friday morning last, Harriet Platt [Sanford], daughter of Augustus Sanford, aged two years. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, February 5, 1840]

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 31 inst. Miss A. Eliza Fletcher, aged 23 years.  "Another loved one from our earth, / Has passed death's shadowy strand; / And gone to grasp the mysteries / That throng the spirit land." [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, February 12, 1840]

Married:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst. by the Rev. L.H. Stanley, Mr. Marcus P. Harrington, of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Lois M. Murdock of the former place.  [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, February 26, 1840]

Fatal Accident:  We are called upon to record a most heart rending calamity which befel Elijah Beardsley, son of Parrick Beardsley, Esq. of this town, aged 18 years, on Wednesday, of last week, the particulars of which, so far as we have learned them, are substantially as follows:  While Mr. Beardsley and his son were engaged in drawing hay, the latter with a yoke of oxen, and when descending a hill, the son in the rear and the father in advance, the road being narrow and the snow deep.  The son, who was obliged to walk in front of the cattle, was heard to cry "Whoa."  On looking back, he discovered that his son was missing, he went immediately back to the load of hay and team which he was driving, and on examination, found him completely doubled up under the back part of the sled containing the load of hay; his efforts to relieve his condition, being alone, were totally unavailing; he at the same time, not knowing whether his son was dead or alive.  What must have been the feelings of a father placed in such a situation?  Language is too inadequate to express them; better are they imagined than described.  Mr. Beardsley, after having ascertained his son to be a corpse, went some distance for assistance, and having extricated him, who was but a few moments previous enjoying the sweets of life, found his neck and right thigh broken, and other parts of the body injured.  It is supposed he must have fallen down, become entangled by the feet of the cattle, and thus drawn under the sled, when his right foot caught upon one of the beams of the sled, which drew his leg over his right shoulder.  Delaware Ex. [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 29, 1840]

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 15, 1840

Death of the Editor

The painful duty devolves upon us of announcing to our friends and patrons, the death of the Editor of this paper, Mr. Elias P. Pellet, who died on Wednesday morning last, aged 36.  For a year past Mr. P. had been in a delicate state of health, but not until within the short period of less than three months, did his disease (consumption) assume a malignant aspect, which threatened to baffle the exertions of the most skillful in the medical profession, and as it is shown, that scourge had fastened its deadly fangs in too deep a hold, to be released by any powers of the humankind.  For eleven years, in health and out of health, in days of political darkness and political sunshine, out of prosperity and in prosperity, has he served the Whigs of this county faithfully and truly, always at his post, battling against the myrmidons of a tyrannical Executive, and contending with all his energies for the rights of his party, the constitution and laws.  No menace intimidating, he discharged his duty without fear or favor, boldly and manfully, relying upon the strength of a good cause, to bear him safely over the raging billows of the political ocean.  But ours is not the task, not are our editorials the province of his eulogy; yet we may be excused in extracting the following obituary notice, which appeared in Saturday's Albany evening journal:

Death of the Editor of the Chenango Telegraph

We are deeply pained today with intelligence which consigns an early and cherished friend to the grave.  Elias P. Pellet, Editor of the Chenango Telegraph, died at Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], in the thirty-sixth year of his age, on Wednesday.  This melancholy result has been for some weeks anticipated.  Promontories of an alarming nature were discovered early in the autumn.  These soon took the form of a decided pulmonary disease, and for the last two months his friends have not been permitted to hope for his recovery.

We have known Mr. Pellet intimately from his early youth.  Twenty years since, when we published a paper in Norwich, the deceased, in his boyhood, was residing near the village on his father's farm.  He had an unquenchable thirst for information, and used to devote his leisure hours and evenings to the reading of "exchange papers" in our office.  He soon expressed a desire to acquire a knowledge of the "art preservative of all arts," and actually became a very good printer, by working at night, while the day was devoted to his agricultural duties. About twelve years ago Mr. Pellet became the Editor and Publisher of the Chenango Telegraph, to which he has devoted himself with untiring industry and singular ability.

Few men were more familiar with the political history of the last twenty years.  Few have labored more zealously, and none with a patriotism more unalloyed, than our departed friend.  He was of an ardent temperament, and in the heart of a conflict, wrote with earnestness and severity.  But he never gave his paper, his talents, or himself, to any cause but that which he believed would promote the welfare of the People and advance the glory of the State.

The People of Chenango have lost a faithful and efficient guardian of their rights and interests.  The public Press has lost one of its brightest ornaments. We have lost a much-loved friend, the recollection of whose services and virtues will not soon be effaced from our memory.

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, September 1867 continued

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 18, 1867

Marriages

In the Methodist Church, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Thursday morning, September 12th, by Rev. T. Hairoun, Mr. George D. Wilbur, of Sharon, Conn., to Miss Mary E. Case, of this village. 

At the residence of the bride's father, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], September 12th, by Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Mr. Garwood Baker to Miss Henriette Weiler, daughter of Frederick Weiler, all of Norwich.

At the residence of the bride's father, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], September 9th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. William Guile, to Miss Emma McFarland, daughter of J.D. McFarland, all of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], September 11th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. Edward Johnson, to Mrs. Maria McAlpine, all of Norwich.

At the residence of the bride's father, in Helena, Arkansas, September 4th, by Rev. Otis Hackett, Capt. C.B. Watkins, to Miss Gussie Hackett, daughter of the officiating clergyman, and granddaughter of Dea. Charles Randall, of this village [Norwich, Chenango C., NY].

At the Baptist parsonage, in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 8th, by Rev. J.H. Chamberlian, Mr. Frank Herrington, of Pittsfield [Otsego Co., NY] to Miss Marilla Briggs of Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY].

At the same place, by the same, Sept. 9th, Mr. Augustus Sage, of Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Amelia Harris, of Utica [Oneida Co., NY].

At the Baptist Parsonage, in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 16th, by Rev. M.L. Bennett, Mr. G.P. Richardson, of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss E.E. Gates, of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 9th, by Rev. H. Garlick, Mr. John M. Canniff, of Auburn [Cayuga Co. NY], to Miss Sarah J. Wheeler, of Greene.

Deaths

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 3d, Mr. Phillips D. Pees, in the 96th year of his age.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 5th, Mrs. Sally Bradley, aged 67 years.

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], August 31st, Amy M. [Benedict], wife of Uriah Benedict, aged 60 years.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 25, 1867

Marriages

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 10th, by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. M.L. Saley, of Earlville [Madison Co., NY], to Miss Emma J. Smith, of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY].

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 8th, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Wm. J. Hackett, of Harpersville to Miss Mary Prouty of Oxford.

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 18th, by Rev. H. Garlick, Mr. A. Magee Jr., to Miss Isabell Seneare? of Greene.

In Franklin, Delaware County [NY], Sept. 11th, by Rev. R. Allen, Mr. G.W. Bordon, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Ann E. Brasee of the former place.

Deaths

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Tuesday, Sept. 17th, Ellen [Griffin], wife of Thomas Griffin, aged 30 years.

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 19th, Mr. Aaron Cady, aged 75 years.

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 6th, Nellie [Burgess], daughter of Alex and Eunice Burgess, aged 6 months and 4 days.

In Greene [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 14th, Capt. Wm. Tracy, aged 53 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 29th, Amelia L. [Shapley], daughter of Mrs. Joseph W. Shapley, aged 10 years.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 21st, suddenly, Mrs. Sarah Moses, widow of Jonah Moses, aged 81 years.