Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, March 1877 (continued)

 Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 14, 1877

Deaths

Mrs. Thompson, mother of B.L. Thompson, Esq., of our County Clerk's office [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], died on Monday morning last, at the residence of her son in this village under peculiarly distressing circumstances.  It will be remembered that Mr. Thompson was sick last Winter with varioloid in a mild form for several weeks.  The extreme lightness of the attack gave rise to doubts as to the real nature of the disease, though every precaution was taken with person and bedding and clothing that was deemed necessary at his convalescence.  Some six weeks since, his mother came to visit him from her home, we believe, in Watertown [Jefferson Co. NY], and was soon after taken sick.  She has lingered along under what was supposed to be a slow fever accompanied with erysipelas, &c., for several weeks until the last few days, when fears began to be entertained as to her recovery.  On Sunday last, Dr. Prindle who lives near, was out and in several times, and upon his last visit at evening pronounced her disease the smallpox, and that it was in its last stages.  On Monday morning as we have stated, she died, and examination proved that Dr. P. was right.  Though the disease had made but little show in the face, the body was covered with unmistakable evidence of smallpox.  She was quietly buried at midnight of same day, and every necessary precaution taken to prevent the further spread of the disease.

The supposition is as we learn that she contracted the disease from sleeping under the bed clothes or some portion of them which had been contaminated during the son's sickness and had been overlooked in the final fumigation.  This is the only exposure that is known that could have happened.

Mrs. Thompson was a woman of rare virtues and was highly esteemed by all who had made her acquaintance.  All will regret her the unfortunate circumstances attending her sad death.  Mr. Thompson and his family will receive the deepest sympathy in their great bereavement made more sad by the unfortunate circumstances attending it.

From the fact that the people of our village were so thoroughly vaccinated a few months since, no spread of the disease is anticipated, though the Board of Health will take every proper precaution to prevent it.

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Mrs. J. Pratt, the much beloved and respected mother of Joshua Pratt of this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], died at her residence, Sunday morning.  The deceased could properly be called one of Sherburne's pioneers.  Her deceased husband, Joshua Pratt, was very prominent in business and agricultural pursuits in the palmy days of Sherburne.  Mr. P. has lived to a good old age and up to the time of her decease, retained her mental faculties in a wonderful degree. We all mourn the loss of a good lady.  Her age was 82 years.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 17, 1877

Marriages

STRINGHAM - CADY:  At the residence of Geo. H. Stringham, in Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], March 11th, by Rev. I.P. Nicholson, Mr. Enos Oliver Stringham to Miss Martha E. Cady, all of Greene [Chenango Co. NY].

BOSWORTH - FRANKLIN:  At South Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], March 12, by Rev. H.C. Leach, A. Jay Bosworth of McDonough [Chenango County, NY] to Eudema Franklin of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

On Thursday last, the venerable Jedediah B. Wheeler and wife passed the fifty-sixth anniversary of their wedding day.  It was enjoyed quietly at the old homestead with a few friends.  Mr. and Mrs. wheeler have lived in our town for many years in the enjoyment of the confidence and respect of all who know them.  Coming of good old new England stock their habits have been such through life that though now advanced in years, yet their constitutions are as well preserved, and both give promise of many more years of usefulness.  That their days may long be spared to the community, well as to their family is the ardent wish of their many friends both here and elsewhere.

Deaths

SIMMONS:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], March 12th, Mrs. Emeline [Simmons], wife of Isaac Simmons, aged 67 years.

LULL:  March 10th in Morris [Otsego Co. NY], of pneumonia, Jonathan M. Lull, aged 68 years, 11 months and 21 days.

WEBSTER:  March 10th, in Morris [Otsego Co. NY], Mary A. Webster aged 89 years and 6 months.

BINGHAM:  March 10th, in Garrettsville [Otsego Co. NY], Mrs. Susan M. Bingham, aged 53 years 8 months and 10 days.

O'NIEL:  In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], Thursday morning, March 8th, Charles O'Niel, aged about 60 years.

GARDNER:  In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], Friday evening March 9th, Washington Gardner aged 51 years.

SHELDON:  North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Last Tuesday John Sheldon buried his infant child, aged three months.

SMITH:  At Rome, Oneida Co., N.Y., on Tuesday, March 13th, Mrs. Almira P. [Smith] widow of John P. Smith, deceased, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], aged 74 years.

In another column will be found the announcement of the death of Mrs. Smith, formerly well known to most of our older citizens.  Mrs. S. was the widow of the late John P. Smith, and though she has been living at Rome for many years, her remains were brought to this place on Thursday and interred in the Norwich Cemetery by the side of her husband.  They were accompanied by her son J. Van Smith.  Mrs. S. was stricken with paralysis some two weeks since and lingered until her death, alternating between hope and fear, attended by two daughters and other friends, each vying with the others in kind attentions to their aged relative and when the brittle cord was at last broken, they kindly laid her down to rest in her chosen spot.  Mrs. Smith was during her residence here highly esteemed for her many sterling qualities and her memory is sweet to many by reason of kind offices rendered while living here.  All will unite with the stricken children and friends in sympathy for their bereavement and tributes of respect for the departed.

BULLIS:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], at the residence of Wm. Castle, on the 13th inst., Mrs. Carrie L. Bullis aged 26 years.

The deceased with her husband had made all preparations to go to Kansas, their goods were packed, and they were about starting when she was taken suddenly ill.  The physician was summoned and everything which gentle nursing by loving friends could do to arrest the disease was done, but all to no avail, rapidly she went down, only about a week of sickness and the young wife, loving sister, and cherished friend has gone out and up to the other home and many mansions.  She died as the Christian died going down to the mystical river calmly, peacefully, joyously; in faith resting upon Jesus and the light from the spirit world breaking in to cheer the soul at the dying hour.  "So, God giveth his beloved sleep."  May God give special support to the husband and many friends so suddenly and sadly bereaved.

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On Wednesday afternoon, William Haight, a respectable citizen living about two miles below Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], was found dead in his sleigh under the following circumstances:  He was drawing a load of lumber from South Oxford to Coventry [Chenango Co. NY] and was seen by a farmer while passing his house near Coventry.  In a short time the farmer looked in the direction the team was going and saw the horses were standing still.  Mr. Haight not being in sight, the farmer went to the sleigh and found Mr. H. Dead.  It is supposed he died of heart disease or apoplexy.

Mr. Haight was a well-known citizen, a member of the M.E. Church, and highly esteemed by those who knew him.  He will be remembered by many in various portions of the County as keeper of the Campground boarding house at Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY].  He was we believe, a member of the official board of the M.E. Church at Oxford.  He leaves a large family to mourn his sudden death.