Thursday, January 12, 2023

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, August 1873

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, August 7, 1873 

Marriages

SMITH - RICH:  At the residence of the bride's father, in Stamford, N.Y., [Delaware Co.] July 30th, by Rev. J.D. Gibson, H.M. Smith, M.D. of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Mary Rich, of the former place.

GREENE - WOOD:  In Rochester [Monroe Co. NY], July 17th, by Rev. C. Ruddock, Mr. Melville H. Greene, of McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Florence Wood, of Rochester.

KELMER - FORD:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], July 20th, by Rev. W.B. Thomas Mr. Lorenzo Kelmer to Miss Betsey C. Ford Bainbridge.

Deaths

HUBBELL:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], August 1st, Julia M. [Hubbell] wife of A.R. Hubbell aged 85 years, a former resident of New Lisbon, Otsego Co. [NY].

CLARK:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], August 5th, Mr. George M. Clark, aged 26 years.

BROWN:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], July 26th, at the residence of M. Wood, Esq., Josie K. Brown aged 1 year and 5 months, daughter of George H. and Mary O. Brown, of St. Louis.

CUSHMAN:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], August 2d, Mr. Birt Cushman, aged 26 years, son of Danforth R. Cushman.

GORDON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], July 21srt, Mr. Erastus Gordon, aged 71 years.

FRASER:  in Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], July 31st, Ann M. [Fraser], wife of Charles Fraser, aged 43 years.

HAMILTON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], July 19th, Maria [Hamilton], wife of the late Joel Hamilton, aged 76 years.

BROWN:  In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], July 19th, Abigail [Brown] widow of the late John Brown, Esq., of Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], aged 81 years.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, August 7, 1873

Marriage

COOPER - BICKNELL:  At East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], by Rev. K.N. Raddock, July 29th, Mr. A.H. Cooper to Miss Frances G. Bicknell, all of Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY].

A correspondent writes us that the crystal wedding [15th anniversary] of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Powers, was celebrated on the 28th inst., at Holmesville [Chenango Co. NY], and was an occasion of much interest. The day was typical - rain, and sunshine - smiles and tears - like human life.  Rev. B.A. Russell, a venerable man of 72, expressed the congratulations of those assembled, and Rev. Mr. Stone offered prayer for the continuance of God's blessings upon the favored family.  singing also enlivened the occasion, and a bountiful table of good things was spread, and an hour spent very pleasantly.

News Items

In regard to the birthplace of the noted forger, Benjamin Rathbun, there seems to be a good deal of doubt.  It is pretty certain however, that the Tribune was mistaken in calling him a Chenango County man.  We have the following letter from Hon. Henry R. Mygatt, of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY]:

Oxford, August 5, 1973, Mr. Allen:  My Dear Sir:  It seems quite difficult to trace with accuracy the residence of the distinguished forger.  It remains quite in doubt whether he ever resided in Chenango.  None of our oldest inhabitants remember him as ever residing in this county.  I send you copies of three letters received by me form the historian and jurist of Otsego.  You will agree with me that he leaves the matter in doubtful uncertainty.  My own impression is, however, that the recently deceased never resided in this county.  Thankful for your efforts to obtain the truth, I remain sincerely yours, Henry R. Mygatt.

Letters from Judge Campbell

In reply to inquiries from Mr. Mygatt, letters have been received from Hon. Wm. W. Campbell, of Cherry Valley [Otsego Co. NY], which throws but little light on the subject.  The first of July 28th ways:  "The truth of history, which Mr. Allen, of the Telegraph, is seeking after, must be told, even though it reflects no credit on my native county of Otsego.  I never knew Benjamin Rathbun.  But I have always understood that he was a native of Springfield, the town adjoining Cherry Valley on the west.  On asking Mr. Olcott, the president of our bank, this morning, he confirmed my impressions.  I think we will be obliged to admit that he went to Buffalo from Otsego and not from Chenango."

In a subsequent letter, July 29th, Judge Campbell says, "Since writing to you yesterday, I saw John R Young, Esq., of Springfield, who lives in the Rathbun neighborhood.   He says we are all mistaken, and that Benjamin Rathbun, the forger, who recently died, was a New England man, and not of the Rathbun family of Springfield.  However, to make matters certain, he will see some of the Springfield Rathbuns who live neighbors to him and write me today or tomorrow.  Let there be a suspension of judgment until further advice. We must be certain that the truth of history is true."

In a third letter Judge C. says:  "I enclose a letter from John R. Young, not very satisfactory as to birthplace.  But in connection with what he said to me, I infer that B.R. was not born in Springfield, and never resided there.  It may turn out after all, that though born in New England, he might have resided for a time in Chenango, corresponding to the statement in Telegraph and sketch in Tribune.  The first time I am in Springfield i will make some further inquiry of some of the old inhabitants."

Mr. Young writes from East Springfield, July 30 as follows:  "I saw Mr. L.W. Rathbun this A.M., who told me that his great-grandfather, Benj. Rathbun, died where his brother Jacob now lives. That is where old Mr. William Rathbun lived.  He says that the Mr. Benjamin Rathbun that died a short time ago in New York, was a distant relative of theirs."

In reference to the pardon of Rathbun, the Buffalo Commercial states that he might have been pardoned if an application had been made.  This is an error.  An earnest application was made, but it was refused by the late Gov. Seward, and his refusal was placed upon ground which met universal public approval. the conviction took place in 1838, at Batavia, and the application for pardon was made a year or two subsequently.

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Many of the older residents of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY] and other northern towns in this county will remember three brothers named Z.W., James and John Elmore, who came to Sherburne about the year 1806.  They came from Canaan, Columbia County [NY].  Z.W. Elmore was for many years a merchant and accumulated a good property.  He was noted for his strict integrity and was one of the most active members of the County Bible Society.  Of his family we have no present knowledge, but he lived many years a widower and died at the residence of Mr. N. Isbell, on the road from the Old Four Corners to Sherburne Hill.  James Elmore was a farmer and a successful one. As far back as the oldest inhabitants remember, he owned and occupied the farm north of The Quarter, now owned by Asa Foote, Esq., and for the time was a very successful fruit grower, always having for market some early varieties of apples.  He married Lydia Percival, a daughter of John Percival, of Smyrna, and had two children, David and Eliza.  The former lives in Elmira, and the latter in Illinois.  John Elmore came to Sherburne with his brothers, but soon after moved to DeRuyter, purchasing the building where the Taber house now stands, as we learn from the Era, where he kept a hotel for over twenty-five years.  he also kept a store in the same building and was one of the projectors of the Great Western turnpike from Albany to Homer.  In 1833 he removed to Earlville, Madison County, and in 1839 to Oberlin, Ohio, where on the 23d ult., he died, at the ripe age of 89 years.  Thus, these three early pioneers of Sherburne have all passed away, leaving good names as legacies and examples most worthy of imitation.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, August 6, 1873

Death

A young man, named Wm. Brandon, was drowned last Thursday about two miles above Upper Lisle [Broome Co. NY].  The deceased went, in company with another boy, to go in bathing, and as neither could swim they kept near the shore, till deceased said, "I am going to take a ride," and mounted two saw logs for that purpose and pushed out. When he had gone some distance the boy on the shore warned him that he was getting over deep water and then he saw him apparently jump from the logs, although it is probable that the logs turned and threw him into the water, where he soon drowned as he could not swim.  Neighbors were summoned, and with the aid of pike poles succeeded in finding the body. Deceased was about 25 years of age and had neither father nor mother living.  Binghamton Times.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 7, 1873

Marriage

In Sioux City, Ia., May 15th, by Rev. T.K. Kinkard, Mr. George W. Hurlburt of Sioux City, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Delia B. Browne, of Chicago, Ill.

Deaths

On Saturday last a boy, about fifteen years old, was drowned at Walton, Delaware County [NY], while in bathing.  It is thought he was seized with cramp as he was a good swimmer, clinging to a root when found.  He had been working for a man named Dann, and when taken to his home, he at first refused to allow the corpse to be carried in, and when persuaded to do so, he refused to furnish a sheet to lay the corpse on, or to give a piece of linen to tie over the face.  How is that for a brute?

The many friends and former acquaintances of Miss Amelia S. Raymond, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], will regret to learn of her death which occurred, suddenly at Springfield, Ohio, on the 6th inst.  The first intimation of her illness was a dispatch received by her brother, M.D. Raymond, of the Clinton Courier, on Wednesday about noon, which was speedily followed by another announcing her death.  Miss Raymond was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends for her very estimable qualities, and her decease is a most severe affliction to her aged parents.  May they have the sympathy of the community and be enabled to reconcile themselves to the sad dispensation

A little boy about ten-years of age, named Joseph French, was drowned at Kittel's lock, about two miles below this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], on Thursday evening.  His mother had sent him for a milk pail for which he had to cross the lock.  As he did not return in what Mrs. F. thought to be the proper time, she went in search for him and discovered his hat floating in the lock.  She called for assistance, and on drawing the water from the lock, Joseph's body was discovered lying between the bed pieces.  He had probably been there about half na hour.  Of course, all efforts at resuscitation were in vain.  Joseph was a promising and intelligent boy, and the anguish of the mother at her bereavement can only be conceived by those who have witnessed similar occurrences.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, August 9, 1873

Marriage

CASE - SMOULEY:  At the residence of the bride's mother, in North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Aug. 5th, by Rev. Mr. Bullock, Smouley of Straudsburg, Pa., and Mary Case of North Norwich.

Deaths

RAYMOND:  In Springfield, O. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 1873, Cornelia B. Raymond, daughter of A. Raymond, Esq., of this place [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY] aged 33 years.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, August 9, 1873

Deaths

In Masonville [Delaware Co. NY], July 31st, Henry Spiemerman, in the 79th year of his age.

In Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY], August 1st, Minerva [Phelps], wife of Milo Phelps, aged34 years.

In Nineveh [Broome Co. NY], July 21st, Emerson [Young] youngest son of Coe and Mary Young, aged 1 year and 4 days.

I watch to see a little face / Sly peeping through the door, / And stop to hear a wonted step / That comes within no more, / I wait to catch a laughing tone, / And watch and wait in vain; /'Twill never come again.

The Autumn rose can bloom and fade / In safety on its bough; / The little hand stretched forth to pluck / will not molest it now. / The playthings scattered far and wide / About the parlor floor, / Are placed in order side by side / to be disturbed no more.

We hear the tread of other feet, / and other tones of glee, / And listen for another voice / That comes no more to me. / We sit and mark in silent grief / the solemn hours move on; / Oh! what can give our heart relief - / Our little one is gone.

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