Thursday, January 26, 2023

Vital Records, Chenango Co. NY, November 1873 (continued)

 

Chenango American, Greene, NY, November 6, 1873

Deaths

In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Oct. 27th, Mrs. Betsey Ranney, aged 75 years.

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We take the following obituary notice on the death of Mr. John Stoughton, father of John Stoughton, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY] from the N..ga Reporter:

In the death of Mr. Stoughton, the last link that binds the present with the past generation has been broken.  He was (as far as we know) the only survivor of that kind of pioneer who came into the "Old State of Lisle" when it was a wilderness, and helped to make it what we see it today.

He was born in Lenox, Massachusetts, March 27th, 1782; was married to Olive Davison, June 15th, 1805, and survived her only about two years.

He removed to Adam's Settlement in the "Old State of Lisle," Feb. 8th, 1808, onto the place where he continued to reside until his death, for a period of more than 65 years.  He helped to subdue the forests, rear schoolhouses and churches, and has performed the simple unostentatious duties of a private citizen and kind neighbor, with a fidelity and uprightness seldom equaled.  He has discharged the duties of many town offices to the entire satisfaction of his fellow townsmen and in the year 1839 was elected to the State Legislature, a position which he filled with dignity and fidelity, and at a time when it was "no mean honor" to be a representative.  In every public capacity his acts have been above suspicion.

But in the more trying and delicate capacity of a private citizen and Christian gentleman, in those humbler walks of private life, where the true and good in man is put to the severest tests, his nobleness of character were best exemplified.  By deeds of unostentatious charity, by genial smiles and kind words fitly spoken, he has relieved many a burdened heart, and encouraged many a desponding pilgrim in life's weary journey.

Nearly fifty years ago he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for all that time, longer than the life of most of us, he has been an humble, earnest, diligent follower of Christ; ever ready, anxious, to fulfill every obligation which that relation might require at his hands.  How oft have I heard him remark, within the past few years, that he had but a little longer to stay here, that he was anxious to prove the reality of that religion which had been the guiding star of his life; nevertheless, he would "patiently await" the summons of his Master.

His passions had been so thoroughly under control, his life had been so even, and his thoughts, words and actions so temperate that he did not [dwell] in the common acception of the term death.  His life's word was done, and well done!  His numbers were fully rounded, his mission was accomplished, his "house of clay" literally tumbled down about him and left his spirit to wing its way to the celestial body that awaited him in the better world.  His Master's summons had at last come, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Kind, generous, noble, good old man, though your hair was white, as the "driven snow," your face marked by the footprints of age, and your hand palsied, yet your heart was always young and ready to enter into the sports of childhood, ever kind and cheerful, giving sunshine and peace to all who approached you.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, November 8, 1873

Marriage

Patrick Burns, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], but now a Buffalonian [Erie Co. NY], was married to a Mr. Flanagan of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], on Tuesday. The service was performed by Father O'Connell. The happy couple paid Sherburne a visit on the day of the nuptials. We are informed the newly married are to start for Buffalo, their future home, on Monday next.

Deaths

BASSETT:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 3d inst., Mrs. Victoria M. Bassett, aged 21 years and 4 months.

WYMAN:  In this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 4th inst., Mrs. Wyman, aged about 50 years.

CHURCH:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 7th inst., George W. Church, in is 29th year.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, November 8, 1873

Marriages

MYERS - DUNN:  At the Beal House, Nov. 4th, by Rev. E.M. Blanchard, Mr. Ephraim Myers, of Unadilla, [Otsego Co. NY] to Miss Fannie S. Dunn, of Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY].

Almost a Golden Wedding: The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Place were invited to celebrate the 44th anniversary of their wedding on Wednesday, October 29th.  The happy couple who had walked together for nearly half a century, welcomed their guests as cordially as though the first flush of youth still mantled their cheeks.  The crown of gray hairs which adorned their brows only told that they were nearing the time when they should hear the King say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  The occasion was one of much interest and enjoyment to all who were present, many of whom were little children when the first wedding was celebrated. The tables were loaded with good things, and "the cup which cheers but not inebriates" circulated freely.  Some tokens of friendship which the guests presented were then offered by Rev. S.W. Weiss, with appropriate ad happy remarks, after which all joined in the prayer which he offered for the continued blessings of heaven to rest on the happy pair. The party broke up at an early hour well pleased with the entertainment.

What changes have been wrought in the Unadilla Valley within fifty years.  It is very pleasant to listen to the stories of the olden time which many among us can relate, and very precious are these links which bind us to the past.  One of the oldest churches in the town is the M.E. Church at Union, to which Mr. and Mrs. Place have been united more than forty years. This world has been a pleasant dwelling place to them, but they choose the path of true wisdom.  They make of it a steppingstone to the beautiful world where infirmity and death shall be known nevermore.  Mrs. E.J. Richmond

Deaths

BURDICK:  In Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], on the 3d inst., Harvard Burdick, in the 90th year of his age.

PEARSALL:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], on the 4th inst., Miss Caroline Pearsall, aged 33 years.

Miss Caroline Pearsall was born in the town of Coventry [Chenango Co. NY].  fourteen years ago, she became a subject of saving grace, and was baptized by Rev. A. Reynolds, and united with the Harpersville Baptist Chruch and at the time of her death was a member of the Bainbridge Baptist Church.  for five years past she has been an invalid, and at times a great but patient sufferer.  She and an older sister lived together and seldom on this earth is there seen stronger and deeper affection than existed between them.  On the surviving sister the cup will fall with great weight. During the last of her illness her sufferings were often intense, but she endured all with patient resignation, and as she neared the end manifested a firm and abiding trust in Christ, her accepted Redeemer, and said most touchingly "Jesus, lover of my soul, take me."  " Thus sinks the weary soul to rest."

Last week we published an article relative to the death of Mr. Fred D. Champlin, of Afton [Chenango Co. NY], whose promising career was terminated by inflammation of the stomach.  We have since learned more of his character and habits and are prompted to make them known.  He was a young man of great promise, an active member of St. Ann's Chruch, of Afton, an ornament to society, and had hosts of warm friends.  He was only about twenty years of age but had followed the profession of teaching for some time and had just finished a term in North Sanford when disease laid its deadly hand on his hopeful head, and he was called to "go up higher."  His funeral was attended from the church of which he was a member by a vast concourse of relatives and friends.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, November 5, 1873

A Brilliant Wedding at Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY]

ARNOLD - SANDS:  At St. Matthew's Church, Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], Oct. 30th, by Rev. M. Scofield, Mr. Frank B. Arnold to Miss Clara Mygatt eldest daughter of Frederick A. Sands. [Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, Nov. 6, 1873]

Right cheerily rang out the marriage bells at Unadilla on Thursday last. That picturesque village was dazzled by the occurrence of one of the most recherche weddings ever recorded in the social annals of Otsego Co.  The occasion was one which consummated the union of hearts and hands in the persons of Mr. Frank B Arnold, a rising young lawyer of the place and Miss Clara Mygatt, eldest daughter of Frederick A Sands, Esq.

A bright day ushered in an evening resplendent with moonbeams, an auspicious harbinger of sunny hours and moonlit paths in the untried future.  The marriage ceremony was impressively solemnized at St. Matthew's Church by the Rev. M. Scofield, at half past seven o'clock.  Long before the appointed time the house was filled with friends of the happy couple, mainly in full dress costume.  Mr. Ellis Thompson, of Owego, presided at the organ, and elicited much admiration by his most skillful execution.  A profusion of flowers graced the altar.  The duties of ushers were most acceptably performed by Messrs. Will H. Emory, Sam S. North, Fred Bolles and Henry Emory.  The bride was richly attired in heavy white corded silk, trimmed with the same, cut decollete, looped with orange blossoms.  She looked lovely, as all bride's don't.  The groom wore conventional black. The first bridesmaid was Miss Mary Y. Peck, a petite blond of No. 369 V. 56th street, N.Y., in white tarlatan, trimmed with white satin, beautifully decorated with blue flowers throughout, hair dressed low.  The second bridesmaid, Miss Belle Sands, sweet sister of the bride, in white, like the first except trimmings of pink flowers.  Mr. Will R. Mygatt of Oxford, gracefully filled the role of first groomsman, as did Mr. J. Fred Sands that of 2d groomsman. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the bridal party repaired to the elegant residence of the bride's father, where, in spacious parlors, tastefully trimmed and brightly lighted, the usual congratulations were extended by hundreds of cordial well-wishers. The presents were rare and costly, among them were an Oxford town bond of the denomination of $1,000, an exquisite French clock of great value, articles in silver of every known name, paintings, chromos, etc.  The most valuable gift was made when the bride was given away by her father, who might have exclaimed with Plntus:  "I had, and I have not."  About the middle of the evening the bridal party, led the way to a dejeuner which would rival Delmonico's most happy efforts.  Tongue cannot tell or words express the varied kinds and endless quantities of delicacies which loaded the great tables.  Remote lands and distant seas were laid under contribution.  From the center arose a pyramid of fruits embracing almost every variety in the catalogue of a pomologist.  At one end was ice cream of all shades and flavors in pyramid shape. The crowning glory in cake was the bride's loaf, and here words are powerless to portray this monarch among mountains of luxuries.  Frosting in wreaths, frosting in bars, festoons, and delicate webs, linked sweetness long drawn out, delicately typifying the clear luster and endearing qualities of her for whom it stood.  Above the main loaf, Alps on Alps arose, the top surmounted by a handsome vase.  An exhilarating feature of the entertainment was a room devoted to appeasing the rosy god, where one's cup of happiness might run over - but didn't.  Here was an atmosphere of enjoyment containing all the choice spirits of the age.  The presiding Bacchus was Dr. A.J. Sands, of Vallonia Spa water cure, with the water left out, Health and prosperity, long life and happiness were duly pledged in the nectar and ambrosia of the glass, for "self and partner."  At which time the following toasts would perhaps have been apropos:  The nuptial bonds - May they never depreciate by a falling market.  The day we celebrate - many, happy returns of the day which made friend Arnold a benedict, though by no means a Benedict Arnold.  The groom - May his household be one in which love rules without law.  The bride - May she always love the law and the profits and never regret her action in this suit. 

The parlors of the host were now teeming with an array of beauty, wealth and distinction such as village drawing rooms seldom boast.  Amid the rustling of silks and play of light from blazing diamonds, was every accessory to comfort and luxury an aesthetic taste could invent, or abundant means procure.  The display in the matter of dress was something probably not to be equaled in many years in that village.  Among the toilettes of those present were noticed the mother of the bride in a super black gros grain silk; Mrs. Sanders, of N.Y., in a light purple silk, trimmings of the same with Valenciennes lace; Mrs. Geo. Gilbert, of Gilbertsville, light green silk, point applique trimmings, ornaments diamonds; Miss Fanny, daughter of Henry Gilbert, Esq., pink silk with Valenciennes trimmings; Mrs. Jackson was splendidly attired in heavy light colored lavender silk, with point lace berths, hair decked with flowers, diamond ornaments; Mrs. Hon. James Stewart, light grey silk with point lace; Mrs. F.T. Sherman, of Brooklyn, in elegant black silk and cameo jewelry; Mrs. L.E. Ireland, black silk trimmed with blue; Miss Ida Goodrich, in brown silk and white lace sack; Miss Lottie Emory, white organdy trimmed with blue; Miss Julia Woodruff, blue silk, white trimmings; Miss Sara Douglas, light silk white overdress, and Miss Louise Ellis in dark silk.  Among others were Miss Mary Schofield, Miss Julia Packard, Mr. and Mrs. Beecher, of Franklin, Hon. Wm. Birdsall, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Otego, Mr. and Mrs. Milo Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. B. Fellows, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. North, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Emory, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff Benedict, Otego, also Mr. and Mrs. James W. Clarke, of Oxford, the latter in an elegant black silk, Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Hayes, Oxford, this lady likewise in black silk with blue sleeveless jacket, Miss lizzie Cannon and Miss Agnes Hull in white Swiss trimmed with blue.  The latter two ladies were chaperoned by W.H. VanWagonen and W.M. Miller of Oxford.

The bride and groom started late that evening for an extensive bridal tour to Niagara, the lakes and Canada. The groom is a graduate of Hamilton College and studied law with Lewis Seymour of Binghamton.  "Love is the fulfilling of the law."

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