Vital Records, Norwich, NY, June 1848

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, June 1848

Marriages

In St. Paul's church, Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], on Wednesday morning last, by Rev. Doct. H. Gregory, David Griffing, Esq., of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Mrs. Mary E. Blossom, of the former place. [June 7, 1848]

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 24th ult. by Rev. J. Copeland.  Mr. Clarke Smith, of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Adeline L. Gilbert, daughter of Abner Gilbert, Esq., of the former place. [June 7,1848]

At New Berlin Centre [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst. by Rev. Mr. Ketchum, Mr. Huntington Brown to Miss Henrietta E. Phelps, all of that place. [June 14, 1848]

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th inst. by Rev. Wm. Wyatt, Mr. Otis O. Knight to Miss Eliza H. Willcox, all of Oxford.  {June 21, 1848]

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst. by Lyman Barnes, Esq., Mr. Ephraim Trass to Miss Adeline Staunton.  [June 21, 1848]

In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] on the 19th inst. by Rev. J.P. Chamberlain, Mr. Van Ness Ransford of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Almira Newman, of Butternuts, Otsego Co. [NY]. [June 21, 1848]

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday evening, the 25th inst. at the Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Charles Jerome, Chester C. Cole, Esq., of Marion Crittenden Co. Ky, to Miss Amanda M. Bennett, of the former place. [June 28, 1848]

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst. by Hiram Gritman, Esq., Mr. Peter Posler, of Columbus, to Miss Hannah M. Cobb, of Sherburne [June 28, 1848].

By Rev. John S. Mitchell, Mr. Stanley D. Pangburn of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Louisa P. Burlingame, of Bennington, Vermont. [June 28, 1848]

Deaths

At Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult. Mr. Abel Smith, of Preston [Chenango Co., NY], aged 72 years.  He was born in Eat Lyme, New London County, Conn. and had been for the last forty years a resident of this County.  He was a house joiner by trade, but for the 30 years last past, he has devoted his time almost exclusively to farming.  He was a man of commendable skill in business, and of exemplary industry, a kind neighbor, a firm friend, an orderly and peaceable citizen; and while he provided well for his own household, his active benevolence was exhibited in relieving distress and administering to the wants of the poor and unfortunate, and while the recipients of his bounty will ever cherish his memory with affectionate gratitude, it will be the pleasing duty of his numerous friends and acquaintances, to imitate his many virtues. [June 7, 1848]

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th ult. Samuel Norris, aged 16 years. [June 14, 1848]

Murder:  A Mrs. Beckwith, about eighty years of age, we understand was killed in Franklin [Delaware Co., NY] on Saturday afternoon last.  It is said that she and her husband, who is about eighty-five, have been in the habit of drinking to excess, and on that day or the one previous, had brought home some whiskey, which they divided. During Saturday afternoon the old man was gone out an hour or two and he says while he was gone, the old woman hid his whiskey - that they had a quarrel and he struck her.  There were five pretty severe wounds on the head, apparently inflicted by some instrument with sharp corners, although none could be found except the whiskey jug.  A coroner's inquest was held on Monday afternoon which rendered a verdict that she came by her death by wounds inflicted by him.  Del. Gazette [June 14, 1848]

Another Revolutionary Hero gone to his rest:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst. Mr. Joseph Sheffield, a Revolutionary Soldier, of the Continental Army, Massachusetts Line, aged 88 years and six months.  The subject of this notice enlisted in the army of independence when a mere boy and served with credit during the whole of that eventful and sanguinary war.  He was with the army of Washington during its retreat through the Jerseys, one of those brave and indomitable soldiers of liberty, who were traced by their blood on the frozen ground over which they marched.  He was with him at Valley Forge, at Germantown, Trenton, Princeton, and every battle of that campaign, which terminated in freeing the Jerseys from British domination.  If I mistake not, he was also at Saratoga and Yorktown.  He has been a pensioner from the time tardy justice was done by the Government to the Revolutionary heroes.  Mr. Sheffield was one of the first settlers of this County and assisted in converting the wilderness into fruitful fields.  For many years he was a well-known advocate in our Justices' Courts, and became celebrated for his shrewdness, wit and eloquence.  But Time has at last gathered the hero to an honored grave.  He has gone to join the brave spirits who fought so well and bravely to secure the innumerable blessing which we now enjoy.  Long may his memory survive, to animate the soldiers of liberty.  Let his errors, if any, be forgotten in his grave, and his patriotic virtues held in remembrance to animate future generations to emulate his patriotic deeds.  "Let a kind tear bedew his grave, / And Freedom's banner o'er him wave." [June 28, 1848]