Vital Records, Norwich, NY, August 1848

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, August 1848

Marriages

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst. by Rev. J.T. Goodrich, Mr. William Gage of Hillsdale, Michigan, to Miss Ruth Morey of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY]. [Aug. 23, 1848]

In Bridgewater, Madison Co. [NY], on the 22d inst., by Rev. Mr. Brown, Mr. Robert Carr to Miss Sarah M. King, both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]. [Aug. 23, 1848]

Deaths

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult. Mr. Horace E. Taylor, aged 20 years. [Aug. 3, 1848]

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst. Mary A. [Thompson], daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth Thompson, aged 5 years and 4 months. [Aug. 16, 1848]

In South Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., Margaret [Chamberlain], wife of J.P. Chamberlain, Esq., aged 17 years. [Aug. 16, 1848]

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst. Julia Ann [Hull] only daughter of John Hull, Jr., aged 1 year. [Aug. 23, 1848]

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst. Mrs. Sally Smith, aged 38 years. [Aug. 30, 1848]

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on the 23d inst. Mrs. Ward, aged 74 years. [Aug. 30, 1848]

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on the 24th inst. Charles W. [Thompson], son of Harvey and Ellizabeth Thompson, aged 3 years. [Aug. 30, 1848]

In Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY] on the 26th inst., suddenly, of apoplexy, Mr. Jacob Smith, aged 55 years. [Aug. 30, 1848]

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on the 28th inst. Hannah H. [Leach], wife of Willard H. Leach, aged 29 years. [Aug. 30, 1848]

In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], July 15th, Ruth Bell aged 71 years. [Aug. 30, 1848]  "Blessed are the dead who die in the lord." [Aug. 30, 1848]

In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., Mrs. Anna Ashcraft, aged 64 years. In the loss of this aged widow, her family and friends have experienced a severe bereavement.  Of naturally weak constitution, she was confined much to the circle of home.  Here her presence was felt at all times, as in the discharge of the many unobtrusive graces and virtues of her character, she filled so fully the relation of mother and friend.  She sank submissively into the hands of death.  In the exercise of Christian fortitude and patience, she waited calmly her summons hence. Her friends sorrow not as those without hope.  [Aug. 9, 1848]

At his residence in Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on Monday, the 7th inst. Mr. Reuben W. Parker, aged 23 years.  Mr. Parker was formerly from this town (Norwich) and had many acquaintances both in this and the town of Greene, and was known as a kind, upright and honest citizen.  During his sickness, which was about four weeks, he suffered intense pain, which he bore with great patience, although in his last hours he frequently expressed a desire to drop away then, that his pain might be over, reminding his friend to weep not for hm, for "they could come to him, but he could not to them."  His funeral was attended on the 9th inst. by a large concourse of people.  He was buried by the Order of Odd Fellows, to which he belonged, and had been a faithful and devoted member.  [Aug. 30, 1848]

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 7th ult. Roxanna [Bundy] wife of Solomon Bundy, Jr., aged 26 years.  Mrs. B. had been in feeble health for some months past, yet none thought her so near her end till within the last few weeks.  The disease which terminated her days on earth was dropsy in the brain.  Her sufferings were extreme, yet they were borne with great fortitude and composure.  During the last week of her life, she was deprived of reason, but in her lucid intervals, she repeatedly expressed the strongest confidence in her Savior, and entire resignation to his will.  Her principal attraction to life, she said, was her dear husband and fond little one, but even these she could willingly leave at her Master's call, feeling confident that she should again see them, and know them, in a brighter and better world.  during her last sickness, as often as reason returned, her wonted cheerfulness was manifested, and a heavenly smile played upon her features, which was seen lingering even upon the corpse.  "The memory of the just is blessed."  The deceased was born in Hamden, Conn.  From thence, with her friends, she early removed to this town.  for six years previous to her marriage, she spent her time principally in teaching the young, an employment which she loved, and in which she was most successful.  Her amiable disposition, her kindness of heart, her accomplished manners, and her skill in imparting knowledge, won the confidence of all, and hundreds now in this community, of youthful hearts, mourn for her as for a dear friend. She early became a hopeful subject of renewing grace, and years ago made a public profession of religion.  she walked worthy of her holy vocation and died in triumphs of faith.  The many who followed her to the grave, told impressively the hold she had upon the affections of this community.  but she has gone, vanished away like a cloud!  Her sun has set at noon, but we doubt not it has already risen in another sphere where it will shine through an eternal day.

Happy and bright in yon world of light, / Is my loved one with Angels singing; / With a harp in her hand, in a choral band, / Which with music sweet is ringing; / And the Angels rejoice, as she tunes her voice, / That to her a crown is given; / And that free from sin, she has entered in / To partake of the bliss of Heaven.

Oh! keen is the smart of the stricken heart, / When loved ones are from it riven; / But faith looks up with longing hope, / To a joyful meeting in Heaven, / Then I'd cease to mourn, th'o she'll ne'er return / To a world of sin and sorrow; / And I'll hope and pray that the grief today / May lead to a blissful tomorrow.  C.J. [Aug. 9. 1848]

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst., Edwy N. Cruttenden, A.B., in the 25th year of his age.  Death chooses its victims wherever and whenever directed by the will of Him who hath brought all things into subjection unto himself.  As the huntsman delights in accruing to himself the choicest game, so death often from among the millions makes selection of the choicest spirits, and disregarding the hopes and expectations of relatives, friends and the world, snaps the silken chord, and the freed spirit wends its way to a participation in the glories of eternity.  The subject of this notice, although contending against adverse circumstances, had been successful in obtaining for himself an education, and in laying a sure foundation for future usefulness.  But a few days before his death, he graduated at Geneva College, with distinguished honors and had gone forth from the walls of his alma mater, accompanied with the love, respect and good wishes of his instructors and associates.  Possessed of an amiable disposition and a kind heart, endowed with a high order of intellect, controlled and directed by strict moral principle, he had chosen for himself a course in life, in which he could best gratify the predominant wish of his heart - to do good.  His early death is a great and irreparable loss to the world, to his family and friends, and to the Chruch. As a son he was ever affectionate and dutiful, as a brother, kind and attentive, as a friend sincere and devoted, and as a Christian his character and example were such that for others to have copied and followed after, would have been but to honor their professions.  At the Convention for the Diocese of Western New York, sitting at Geneva during the week of his death, his name had been enrolled as a candidate for orders in the Ministry.  with a sacrifice of self eminently characteristic, he had given up what he might, from his capacity and character, most reasonably have expected - the prospects of wealth, worldly honor and advancement and had consecrated himself to the high office of striving to benefit his fellow men.  From being a candidate for those orders in the Chruch upon earth, he has thus early been admitted to orders in the Church perfected in heaven.  Though his eye has closed, and his spirit has fled - though his place be vacant, and his voice is silent - "though dead, he yet speaketh."  The impress of his character and virtues has been fixed upon hearts that will retain and feel their influence as long as life shall last.  The hearts of his friends must bleed in view of the great bereavement they have sustained, yet an echo from his dying bed whispers, "Weep not for me." Conscious of his near approach to death, tortured with pain and racked with suffering - with a calmness tranquility and resignation never before surpassed, he bade adieu to his friends, giving to each a parting word, and "having the testimony of a good conscience, in the communion of the Catholic Chruch, in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope in favor with his God and in charity with the world." he yielded his soul to Him whose he was and whom he faithfully served.  May the last prayer which was heard uttered from the dying pillow of this estimable young man, be heard in heaven and answered and all be prepared to go from earth as calmly and as happily as he has gone.  [Aug. 30, 1848]