Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, June 1875 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, June 24, 1875

Marriages

BILLINGS - DIXON:  At the Congregational Church in Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], by Rev. C.C. Johnson, assisted by Rev. R.T. Cross, Mr. Erastus C. Billings, of Boonton, N.J. to Miss Sarah S. Dixon, of the former place.

CASE - COLLINS:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], June 18th, at the same place by the same, Mr. Myron D. Case, of Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], to Miss Fannie M. Collins of the former place.

Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY]:  Our quiet and pleasant village was on Wednesday of last week the scene of one of the most brilliant affairs that ever took place in this section.  The occasion was a double wedding at the Congregational Church, wherein Mr. Erastus C. Billings, of Boonton, N.J., and Miss Sarah S. Dixon, of our village, and Mr. Myron D. Case of Hamilton, and Miss Fannie M. Collins, of our town, were the happy principals.

The ceremony was performed at 1 o'clock P.M. by Rev. C.C. Johnson, assisted by Rev. R.T. Cross of Hamilton. The Church was crowded with invited guests from all parts of the State. The windows were darkened, and the Church was elegantly light for the occasion.  The orchestra and desk were beautifully decked and trimmed with flowers.  The ceremony was short but impressive, and all the arrangements were well carried out.  Immediately after the ceremony the friends were conducted to the residence of H.M. Dixon, where a splendid collation had been prepared for them.  A few hours were enjoyed in congratulations, music, &c., when the party left for Sherburne in three elegant barouches and took the evening train from that place enroute for Niagara Falls.  A large number of presents were presented by friends and relatives, among which were: an elegant gold watch and chain, a fifty-dollar greenback, two silver-plated cake baskets, two silver card receivers, a set of silver knives and forks, one elegant silver castor, one set of silver teaspoons, one splendid, silver-plated ice pitcher. A large number of other gifts such as glassware and table linen, were also presented, which we have not time to designate.  All should be seen to be appreciated.

taken altogether it was one of the most brilliant affairs that ever took place in our village.  Y.

Deaths

SAGE:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] June 17th, Mrs. Roann Sage widow of the late John Sage, aged 65 years.

McCORMICK:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 18th, Mr. Thomas McCormick, aged 62 years.

STANBRO:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], June 16th, Lucy [Stanbro] wife of Levi Stanbro, aged 33 years.

SUTPHEN:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], June 20th, Miss Julia Sutphen aged 74 years.

VAN WAGNER:  In Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], May 30th, Henry A. [Van Wagner], son of S.D. and Allen R. Van Wagner, aged 1 year 2 months and 13 days.

STETSON:  In Chicago, June 14th, Mrs. Helen M. Stetson, daughter of Peter Edwards, daughter of Peter Edwards of Otselic (Chenango Co. NY], aged 47 years.

WILCOX:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], June 16th, Mr. Harrison Wilcox, aged 85 years.  

Harrison Wilcox, of Smyrna, a man about 85 years of age, was found dead in the woods on Monday last.  He disappeared from his friends in the morning of that day, and being subject to fits, fears were entertained of his whereabouts and search instituted.  His body was discovered about 4 o'clock P.M.  Sherburne News

SCOTT:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], June 21st, Col. Jay M. Scott, aged 52 years.

Another well-known and respected citizen of an adjoining town has gone to his rest, he having expired at his residence in Plymouth, on Monday afternoon last.  Col. Scott was widely known, he having creditably filled the positions of colonel in the state militia, County Superintendent of the Poor, justice of the Peace, and other offices of trust.  He will be remembered as a public-spirited citizen, a kind neighbor, a loving husband and father, and an honorable upright man.  His illness was of short duration and was not thought to be dangerous until Sunday.  He had suffered for some days with a sore upon his ankle, which had nothing to do with his death. the immediate cause was from the crystals of the urine passing to the brain.  The news of his death will be painfully received by many sincere friends at home and abroad.

Guilford [Chenango Co. NY]:  George Williams, who died at his brother's near our village, on the 5th last, after a long sickness, was a native of our town, and for many years resided in the eastern part of it, above Mt. Upton.  He was an industrious man, as well as a life-long Christian and a constant adherent to the temperance cause.  He was a single man, aged about fifty-three years.

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Again we mark upon the record of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY] death.  Mr. Daniel Preston of the Messenger Ridge; Mr. Daniel Rider's little boy, of Beaver Meadow; and Mr. George W. Allen of South Otselic, were laid away in their final resting place, on Wednesday, the 9th inst. and on Friday, the 11th, a young man about sixteen years of age, of Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], was buried, who died of scarlet fever.  The boy also died of the same disease.

Daniel Preston enlisted, we believe, late in the company of Capt. Floyd Thompson, joined to the 114th Regiment volunteers in the war of the Rebellion, and faithfully served his country until its close, obtained an honorable discharge and returned home.  He contracted a diarrhea while defending the honor of the nation, which in time became chronic and uncontrollable and last spring, while he was sugaring, his disease assumed a consumptive form, which terminated in his death.

Mr. Allen was also in the Army, and in the same Company, and remained with it to the close of the war.  Mr. Allen was born in New Jersey, in the year 1825; came to Norwich some twenty years ago; in a short time  after came to South Otselic, and was soon married to Miss Elizabeth Gray, of North Pitcher with whom he lived up to the time of his death. Five children -one son and four daughters- as testimonials of their plighted faith, are now left with their mother, to mourn this sad affliction while they may walk upon this World's great thoroughfare.  Mr. Allen having, through his persevering industry and skill as a mechanic, left them a little home.

There can be but little doubt but that his disease germinated while standing at his post on the battlefield.  He too, like his fellow companion (Mr. Preston) who marched by his side, through fire and smoke, and was discharged at the same time, -?- "maching home" with him, both hearing the laurels of their noble and daring deeds indelibly stamped upon the -?- of fame.  They both died on the eighth and were buried the ninth inst.

In reference to Mr. Presto's religious proclivities, we are not informed.  Mr. Allen, at the time of his death, was a member of good standing in the Congregational Church at North Pitcher.

As they bore a companionship in life and passed together through the dark river of death triumphantly, so may they enter the celestial plains, where the noontide of God's glory shall cease to wave over their departed spirits nevermore!

News Item

Remarkable Longevity:  Mrs. Polly Medbury is now spending a few days with her son, J. Medbury of the Eagle Hotel of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].  She is one of a family of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters.  John Griffin and wife, their parents, both lived to the age of seventy-five years.  The oldest child died at the advanced age of ninety-three. The second lived to be eighty-four years old.  Three others died at the ages of seventy-six, seventy-seven and eighty.  Six of the children are now living.  The oldest, Betsey Gifford, has reached the age of ninety-one years, and resides in Watertown with her brother, John Griffin, who is eighty-eight years old.  William Griffin, living near Troy is eight-five.  Mrs. Medbury, residing in New Berlin, is eighty-two, and has a sister living with her, who is seventy-eight.  Mrs. Jane Whitman of Morris is eighty-one.  The old lady boasts with pride that not one of her family have died under the age of seventy-five years. The united ages of the eleven children reaches the sum of 915 years, an average of 84 tears and two months to each child. The united ages of the six still living sums up 605 years, an average of 88 years and a fraction over two months to each.