Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, July 1876 (continued)

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 20, 1876

Marriages

Last Monday morning, Mrs. Charlotte Bennett was in high expectation of that day being the bride of Mr. Miles Brown of Taylor [Cortland Co. NY].  But alas!  how soon her fond hopes were blasted.  There seems to have been a slight misunderstanding about the appointed time for the wedding to take place.  Mr. Brown came to town Monday morning, as he says, with the express intention of taking Mrs. Bennett back home with him, not as Mrs. Brown, but that she might by staying a few days get acquainted with his family and then decide whether she was willing to make the place her home.  Imagine, if you can the disappointment she must have felt, after she had sold her fowls, rented her house, packed her goods, and sat, robed in her best gown, momentarily expected the arrival of Mr. Brown, after which would follow the tying of the nuptial knot.  Mr. Brown comes, dressed in his everyday attire, and after the accustomed salutes she asked who he was going to have tie the knot.  He, of course said, no one yet, which led to an explanation followed by some words which resulted in "bustin" the whole affair.  Mr. Brown returned home with deep sorrow depicted upon his countenance, feeling that he had been euchured in this little game.  She unpacked her goods with a heavy heart, thinking how vain are the promises of man.  Pitcher against the world for trouble about marrying.  Register

Last Monday the 10th, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Thompson celebrated the fortieth anniversary of their wedding.  Nearly seventy of their relatives and invited guests were present.  Their house was trimmed in festoons of American flags which were all distributed to the younger members of the company at the close of the day. A table was spread in the "new barn" to accommodate the entire party and laden with a sumptuous dinner.  A good number of gifts were bestowed on the worthy couple in grateful acknowledgement of the event and as a testimonial of personal regard.  As they sat at the head of the table, they seemed in the fullest vigor, with the prospect before them of many years.  Among the guests outside of the relatives were Aunt Robie Moore, aged 96, Revs. J. Allen and George Foster.  All but three years of their married life have been spent where they now live. The original part of their farm was purchased second from the government with little or no improvements on it. Beginning without a dollar, their course illustrates what can be done with industry and a prudent economy; having now one of the best farms in Center Otselic. Their eldest son, The Rev. George L. Thompson, stationed for the last three years at New Haven, Conn., is with his family spending a vacation at his father's. One interesting fact in connection is there has not been a death in the family during the forty years.  

Deaths

Jessie Tyler, a lovely and beautiful child of three years, daughter of Delos Tyler, died at Mt. Upton [Chenango Co. NY], of dropsy on the brain, on the 10 inst.  A number of sympathizing friends attended the body to its burial in the cemetery at South New Berlin. The sweet child, only survived for a little time on this unfriendly earth, to woo her parents to her home in heaven.

A young man named Andrew Nix was killed at the R.R. Depot in Prebble [Cortland Co. NY], July 5th.  He was attempting to get into a moving train, fell under and was crushed.

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WESCOTT:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] on Friday the 14th inst., Charles Wescott aged 83 years.

Under its proper head in today's Telegraph will be found the announcement of the death of Charles Wescott, another of our veteran pioneers, at the advanced age of eighty-three years.  He came to Norwich from Killingsly, Conn., when a mere boy, and with one or two trifling exceptions resided here until his death.  He was passionately fond of music, the fife being his favorite instrument, and the man must be full three score and ten who can remember when Mr. Wescott did not play the fife at training or other public doings where music was needed.  He joined a military organization when quite young, and always maintained his connection with the military until he was four score years of age when he was dropped from the rolls.  His regret at this summary treatment was so deep that by permission of the Adjutant General of the State, he was again enlisted and was borne upon the rolls as a musician until the day of his death.  He was one of the oldest, if not the very oldest Mason in the county, being a member of the first lodge formed within its limits.  His funeral was attended with military honors by Company E, 103d Regt., Captain Sholes, and by a large number of the Masonic brotherhood.  Rev. D.E. Loveridge conducting the services at the deceased's residence in the East part of the town.  "Uncle Charley" was a most universal favorite and though his long life had been an active one, we never heard of his having an enemy and do not believe he ever had one.

Deceased leaves a wife somewhat younger in years surviving him, also a daughter, the wife of E.T. Hayes, Esq., of this village, also three sons, Dr. G.R. Westcott, Paul L. of this village ad Charles, of California.  His death was the result of a stroke of paralysis received a few weeks since.

News Item

Spirit Rappings at Mt. Upton

Perhaps in rebuke of the unbelieving multitude, who honestly believe that there is no "spirit" more to be dreaded and feared than the ardent.  Our parsonage has been visited for months past by what seemed to be veritable spirit rappings.  Of all places it the world, why the spirits should select the parsonage was a wonder.  For nearly half a century the old parsonage has been the home of the very best of people but the "rat tat tat" came as regularly as ever was heard.  This was about three months ago. The Rev. E.P. Eldridge who lives in the parsonage sought diligently to find the source of the disturbance.  He cut into an unfinished attic, he uncovered a post, hoping to find mischievous rats at the bottom of the mischief.  The hired girl and the children came down repeatedly from the haunted chamber, trembling with fear, and still the knocking went on.  Neighbors were called in, but the "rat tat tat" continued with the regularity of clock work. Then commenced a rattling noise on the roof.  Large stones were picked up, thrown by an unseen hand. The little girl declared she heard whispering voices in the attic; that she saw a man running around the house at midnight; that the cow was milked repeatedly by unknown hands.  Threatening letters were pick up in the yards.

Weeks and months rolled by, and the family suffered on in silence, only the one neighbor's family being aware that anything unusual was going on.  The girl and the entire confidence of the family and seemed to suffer more from fear than any of the rest.  Night after night, for months until the pastor grew haggard and nervous for lack of sleep, the disturbances went on.  One night at midnight the girl called Mr. Eldridge just after a large stone had rattled down from the roof, declaring that she saw a man who threw it.  He ran out rifle in hand, followed by his wife with a revolver.  He fired into a maple tree and his excited fancy conjured the falling twigs and leaves into dropping blood.

A week or two ago, the girl returning from church before the family, declared she found the house broken into and all in confusion.  She was coiled upon a sofa when they returned, the image of terror.

The Monday night following, Messrs. Bacon and Bosworth, carpenters at work upon the church, and Messrs. Graves and Wheeler, came to the relief of the beleaguered family.  So well laid were their plans that their ghostships were caught in the very act.  It proved a very human ghost, none other than the hired girl who had apparently suffered so much from terror. When charged with the deed the following morning she stoutly denied the facts, but those who saw her throw the stone could not be persuaded that she was innocent.  She was sent home bitterly lamenting her folly in losing so good a home and begging forgiveness. She assigned no motive for her actions only that "the devil was at the bottom of it all."  No doubt of that, but he found too willing an instrument to do his bidding.  But alas for our "haunted house."  Not a ripple of excitement has moved since the girl was carried away.  No doubt some envious man will say "I was sure that there was a woman at the bottom of it."