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

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, May 11, 1876

Death

SOULE:  In Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], on the 26th ult. of consumption, Wise W. Soule in the 67th year of is age.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, May 10, 1876

Deaths

CHAPMAN:  At Easton, Penn., April 30th, Labbous Chapman, Jr., son of the late Labbous Chapman.

CHAPMAN:  At the residence of her son-in-law, R.S. Lewis, at Elizabeth, N.J., April 30th, Mrs. Ellen Chapman, widow of Labbous Chapman, and mother of the late Labbous Chapman, Jr., aged 76 years.

DYER:  In Whitesboro, N.Y. [Oneida Co.], April 30th, Mr. H. Sam Dyer, aged 31 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 13, 1876

Marriage

At the house of the bride's father, in this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], May 3d by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. Sam'l Dorn, of Boonville, Oneida Co. [NY], to Miss Angeline L. [Sprague] daughter of Francis L. Sprague.

Deaths

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], May 3d, Miss Ida [Smith], daughter of the late Orlando and Caroline Smith, aged 19 years and 5 months.

April 30th, at her late residence near Chenango Forks [Broome Co. NY], Mrs. Lucy [Seymour] wife of Anson Seymour, aged 75 years.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, May 13, 1876

Deaths

BUSH:  Near Union Valley [West Bainbridge, Chenango Co. NY], May 4th, 1876, Emma J. [Bush] wife of Rossman Bush, aged 37 years 3 months and 10 days.

On Thursday afternoon of last week, Mrs. Rossman Bush who has long been a sufferer, died at her home near Union Valley. The fact that her death was not sudden relieved in a great measure the sorrow which naturally would fall to the lot of her husband who is left to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate wife.  Her funeral took place from the M.E. Church at Union Valley, at which she has for years been a regular attendant.  She was buried in the West Bainbridge Cemetery.

Fielding S. Gant, one of our most respected and esteemed citizens, died very suddenly about 10 o'clock Thursday morning last.  He had contemplated a journey to Yonkers and had gone to the depot to take the train, but on his arrival there, complained of being faint and desired to return to the Hastings house where he and his family are residing.  Being too weak to walk alone Mr. Hastings and Mr. Barlow assisted him but had not proceeded more than thirty yards before he fell dead in their arms.  Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause.  He was about 75 years of age.  His remains will be taken on Monday of next week to Greenwood Cemetery for interment.

News Item

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 11, 1876

An Old Letter

The following letter was written by Lewis Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence to his son, Gen. Jacob Morris, of Morris [Otsego Co. NY], when a member of the State Senate.  It was found among the papers of Capt. Richard Morris and to now held by James S. Masters (grandson of Richard Morris) of Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY].  Shortly after the date of this letter, Lewis Morris departed this life, about twenty-one years after signing the Declaration of Independence.

Morrisania, 26 December 1797

My Dear son:  I should have answered yours of 7th Nov. before, but I have a sore heel.  It is very troublesome still.  A few days ago, I had a letter from your brother Lewis.  He assures me that he will be here by the 1st of June.  He brings with him his two sons to put to some good school or academy. Valentine has wrote to Harry Walton for his opinion of the one at Schenectady.  I wish you would write me your opinion of it.  Lewis begs of me to make every enquiry in my power which I shall, for he is exceedingly anxious about the education of his sons.  He says they are promising boys and wishes to give them the best education this country can afford.  I was sorry to hear your son john had so disappointed you.  I was in hopes that Lewis Morris would have been kind enough to attended to his morals, and make some enquiry about his studies, and had the tutors been honest they would have informed the Gen'l that he was not attending to books and then you might have taken it in the bud.  Your daughter, Sally, is here, when she came from Elizabeth Town, it was too late to send her and no person going that she would be trusted with.  She is much improved.  Her aunt and uncle Valentine take grain pains with her. She writes and reads every day.  She could not have better tutors.  It is a pity that Shadow came to you so thin, it was a long journey for a horse not used to travel, and the man I suppose did not take the best care of him.  However, if you grind some corn and oats together and feed him regularly, he will be as fat as a coal by the spring for he is a good feeding horse and his stock surpasses anything we have among us. 

This will be handed you by Colonel Burr.  His talents will give him great power in the Assembly.  He can do a great deal of good or harm, just as the fit takes him.  Your house may be able to make a stand against his intrigues.  In my opinion he will bend all his force against the Governor though I do not think he will be able much to hurt his Election.  I am sure the governor will have a great majority in this county and I believe in all the Southern districts.  However, if we can, it will be best to make use of Burr's talents to bring forward the Morrisania Road.  Doctor Brown is concerned in the event.  I therefore conclude Burr will take it up and perhaps he may be Sanguine.  If so, we may carry it agreeable to our wishes.  It is very hard on me to give the road and fence both and for the Legislature to dissolve a solemn act, done according to Law, because Mr. Jones says so.  I believe James will write you on the subject.  I will speak to the Doctor to write to Burr, and I think something may be done in the business.  

Your sister Sally is at Mr. Rutherford's.  Sally writes me that Mr. R. is better, but that he mends very slowly, that he will not be able to move to Trenton this winter nor attend Congress.  I was happy to hear the good account of your son Leo, and the younger ones.  When you write Polly give my best love to her, and that we yet hope when the Old Soldier comes, she will join us.  The Capt., Nancy and your daughter Sally, join me in our best love to you and remember me to all friends at Albany in particular my old friend the Governor, and believe me your Affectionate father and Friend.

Lewis Morris.

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

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 11, 1876

Marriages

GUILE - SARGENT:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 30th, by Rev. H.M. Crydanwise, pastor of the M.E. Church, Mr. Henry C. Guile to Clara A. Sargent, all of Norwich.

SANDERS - BUTTON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], April 20th, by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Elias F. Sanders to Miss Eva Button, both of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

HARRISON - SWEETLAND:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY], April 26, by Rev. R.A. Clark, Mr. George Harrison, of Smithville [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Rhoda Sweetland of the former place.

JONES - WOLDORF:  In East Worcester, N.Y. April 30th, by Rev. William McNeil, Rev. J. Jones of Afton [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Minnie Woldorf of the former place.

____________________________

On Monday of last week there arrived from one of the rural towns, a young man and lady with the avowed intention of being married, as per agreement, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY]

From here they were to proceed to Scranton, Pa., on a wedding tour.  The intended bride desired to postpone the nuptials till their arrival in Scranton and asked from her intended husband the sum of five dollars to enable her to spend the night with a friend at North Norwich, promising to buy the tickets to Scranton and meet the swain on the eleven o'clock train.  He agreed to the delay and forked over the legal tender with which she departed.

She met him on the train, as per agreement, but did not buy the tickets and he, lover like, paid the fare to S.  On arriving there, he was impatient that the long-delayed nuptials should take place, but she plead for another delay, to enable her to go up fifty miles into the country and obtain the presence of her cousin and asked for more of the needful with which to pay expenses and do some shopping, he to remain in the city. To this he consented, passed over the stamps and saw his lovely girl and hard-earned cash depart - she with love beaming from her eyes, promising to return on the morning train.

In due time the train, but minus the lovely passenger arrived. With longing eyes and troubled heart, he waited, a stranger in a strange land, for three long days, watching every train, but it brought nothing to his embrace.  The telegraph was brought into requisition, and this developed the fact that the cousin had not seen or heard of the expected bride; and finally, a wiser, sadder and poorer young man, he turned homeward, wondering, fearing, whether the mines or some other young man had swallowed her up.

Deaths

ECCLESTON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 4th, Mrs. Sally B. Eccleston in the 72d year of her age.

HOLMES:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], May 7th, Laura [Holmes] wife of Elijah Holmes, aged 63 years.

PADGET:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], May 7th, Jessie [Padget] daughter of Lewis Padget, aged 19 years.

TILLOTSON:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], May 2d, Orrin [Tillotson] son of Albert and Josephine Tillotson, aged 8 months.

SHERWOOD:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], May 3d, Mr. William Sherwood, aged 77 years. 

JOHNSTON:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], April 28th, Mrs. Hannah Johnston, aged 77 years.

KEELEY:  In Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], April 27th, Mr. James Keeley aged 36 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

KNAPP:  In Grand Rapids, Mich. April 26, Abigail Blakesley Sill [Knapp], wife of L.H. Knapp, aged 57 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY]

BURTIS:  In Buffalo [Erie Co., NY], April 29th, Grace E. [Burtis] wife of Rev. Arthur Burtis, D.D. formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], aged 71 years.

North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY]:  Last week, William Jaynes buried his youngest child; cause of death, heart disease.

Bridget Dunn aged 42 years, cook at the Central Hotel in Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY] was stricken on Monday afternoon with apoplexy and died before evening.

Wm. H. Plumb, an old resident of Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], died very suddenly Friday evening of apoplexy.

George Harrison died on the morning of the 3d inst. at Georgetown [Madison Co. NY], of Rheumatism of the heart.

Julia [Harrington] daughter of the late Jennice Harrington, of Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], died on Wednesday, the 3d inst. of a relapse from the measles.

Mrs. Ariadne Perkins, consort of the late Thomas Perkins, died last Thursday, the 4th inst.  Funeral services take place today, at South Otselic [Chenango Co. NY].

Dr. Abbott, a former resident and physician of this village, died in Elmira [Chemung Co. NY] recently.

Coroner Hand of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], was called to Afton [Chenango Co. NY] on Sunday to hold an inquest on the body of Hiram Gould, of Bettsburg, in that town, who was instantly killed by a gravel train on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad on the previous evening.  From the evidence it appeared that Gould, who was a wagonmaker, left his home on Saturday afternoon, at 5 o'clock, to go to Afton village on business, a distance of about three miles.  He crossed the Susquehanna River near his home to take the track of the Albany and Susquehanna railroad and had gone but a short distance on the track when, coming to a sharp curve in the road, he was overtaken by a gravel train and instantly killed.  His head was crushed, thigh broken, also the bones of one arm, with a general contusion of the whole body.  He was so deaf that for several years it had been very difficult for him to hear even loud sounds.  He leaves a wife and four children in dependent circumstances.  His age was 46 years.

John Hubbard, the young man who shot himself at the Cafferty House, in Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], April 10th?, died on Saturday afternoon last.  His case has attracted much attention among medical men and a postmortem examination showed that the wound was not necessarily a fatal one, the ball having entered between the fifth and sixth ribs and touched no vital organ, and that Hubbard starved himself to death.  The only nourishment he was known to take during the seventeen days preceding his death being about half a cup of beef tea and a few Spoonfuls of milk.  He was probably insane.

Delaware Co. NY:  Orson Boyd and wife attempted to ford the Delaware River at Fisher's Eddie, near the Midland Railroad, on Tuesday of last week, driving a two-horse team attached to a lumber wagon.  They had reached the middle of the river when the powerful current, swollen by recent rains, overturned the wagon and threw both into the stream.  A young man named, Robert Lewis, who lives on the bank saw the accident and rushed to the rescue, pushing off a small leaky boat, but on reaching the middle of the stream his setting pad broke in two leaving him to helplessly drifting at the mercy of the current, unable to aid two human beings, who drowned before his eyes, the man battling bravely with the current, sustaining his wife above the water while he swam upon his back until they both sank, the woman in the meantime uttering the most piteous cries for help.  One of the horses attached to the wagon became entangled in the harness and drowned; the other swam and dragged his mate and wagon to the shore.  On Wednesday the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were recovered and buried on Thursday.  They left two children, one a baby and the other a child about three years old.  

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

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 4, 1876

Marriages

At the M.E. Parsonage in this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], April 18th, by Rev. W.H. Gavitt, Mr. Wilson Butler to Miss Mary E. [Nicholson] daughter of Mr. J.T. Nicholson, all of Greene.

At the residence of the officiating justice -?- Olmstead in Whitney's Point [Broome Co. NY], April 1-th(?), William Vanderburg of Whitney's Point to Miss Esther E. Drake of Colesville [Broome Co. NY].

At Whitney's Point, April 19th by Rev. Wm. Gates, Mr. L.D. Spencer of Lisle [Broome Co. NY] to Miss Rosena Youngs, of Nanticoke [Broome Co, NY].

Deaths

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], April 29th, Mr. Lorenzo Hayes aged 49 years, 5 months.

In Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], April 27th, Mr. James Kelley aged 38 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, May 6, 1876

Deaths

Mr. John Williams received a letter this week, announcing the death of Mr. Robert O. Williams, a younger brother of his, a resident of Moscow, Russia, which occurred in the town of Chur, Switzerland, on the 4th of March.  Deceased had been in this country but once, about fifty years ago, when he came to this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY] on a visit to his brother.  When he left here he was a practical engineer and returned to Russia for the purpose of engaging in that capacity on one of the principal railroads in Russia.  Subsequently he was engaged extensively in railroading and the owner of the great railroad between Moscow and St. Petersburgh, and sometimes had over one thousand men employed in his great railway carriage factory near St. Petersburg.  He also owned extensive iron works in the suburbs of Moscow.  John and Robert had never met since the visit paid by the latter in this village, though they have been in constant correspondence.  Deceased leaves a wife and six children.  His estate left, probably counts up among the millions.

Waterville, Oneida Co. NY:  On Wednesday of last week a lad aged about 12 years, son of Mr. Miller who resides on the turnpike half a mile east of Noble Clark's tavern, died of smallpox.  A sister of the deceased is now suffering from the same malady, as have two other members of the family prior to the death of the lad.  Several neighbors in the vicinity are also quarantined, we are informed.  Dr. Medina Preston, Jr. has had charge of Mr. Miller's family, but whether physicians from Bridgewater or elsewhere have been called in the neighborhood, we have not learned.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, May 6, 1876

Deaths

WAKEMAN:  In Sidney [Delaware Co. NY], April 30th, 1876, Moses Wakeman aged 67 years and 6 months.

DOTY:  In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], May 2d, 1876, Mrs. Esther A. Doty, wife of Joseph B. Doty, aged 19 years and 3 months

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, May 4, 1876

Death of the oldest man in the State

On Thursday of last week, Dalle Villeman, [the oldest man in the] county, and probably the oldest man in the State, died [April 20th at his residence] in Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY] at the age of one hundred and twelve years and eleven days.  He was born is Les Ayan, Canton De Lure, Department De La Haute, Saute, France on the 9th of April 1764.

In early life this subject of venerable longevity was employed, like thousands of other peasant boys of France, in caring for the stock of the -?- and the usual drudgery of those in his position.  He married at the age of twenty-two and with the wife of his early manhood he lived thirty-four years, she dying without issue.  During most of his married life he worked as a hod carrier for brick layers and masons.  He was at one time, a soldier in the army of Napoleon I, but not until the fortunes of that ambitious -?- were on the decline.  Villeman was one of the soldiers at Mayence and was [also] in Fort Huningue where the soldiers fought and --- with a desperate courage and was there when the news spread that Napoleon had surrendered his claims to the throne of France and Italy.  On his discharge from the army, Villeman claimed to have been stricken down with an illness during which he lay forty days "without eating or drinking a mouthful," but he finally recovered.  He remained a widower two years after the death of his first wife and then married at the age of fifty-eight.  By this wife he had five children, two of whom died in France.

At the age of eighty-two he acted on the philosophy of Horace Greely, "Young man, go west" and came with his family to America, landing in New York without money, or even goods, for he had been robbed by a sharper in Paris.  His first residence in this country was Utica [Oneida Co. NY].  One of the incidents of the then old man's life was the running of a foot race in that city.  A race had been arranged between a Yankee and a Frenchman.  When the time came, the Frenchman had a sprained ankle, and wanted to be let off, but the race was for a stake of $50, and his opponent would not consent without a forfeiture.  Villeman proposed to run in his place, which was finally agreed to, the man of eighty-two winning the race and receiving half the money.

From Utica he moved to Earlville [Madison Co. NY] from that to Otselic [Chenango Co. NY] and finally to Pharsalia, where he spent the remainder of his remarkably long life.  He was present at our county fair last fall and appeared to be a feeble old man of 75 or 80 years.  He was then afflicted by a cancer in one eye, but we do not understand that this death was caused primarily on that account.  The very compact, rugged machinery had worn out, and would no longer perform the necessary functions and he sank quietly to rest.  His name will be placed among those who have been remarkable for his length of days.

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

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, May 4, 1876

Deaths

The funeral of Charles S. Bradford of Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY], was largely attended on Tuesday.  Mr. Bradford was a life-long resident of this place, and his many virtues and Christian character will long be cherished when his remains shall have moldered in the dust.

____________________________

DAVIS:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 26th, after a brief illness, Mr. Paris O. Davis, in the 58th year of his age.

Mr. Davis was born in this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], and was a son of Joseph Davis, who immigrated from Rhode Island many years ago and settled in the eastern portion of this town.  His mother was Abigial Pray Davis, a sister(?) of the late Mrs. Hiram Meller(?) of this village.  Though Mr. Davis's life has been that of a tiller of the soil he possessed -?- traits and -?- habits.  He was one of the most industrious and energetic men we ever knew.  In all his business dealings he was upright and honest, yielding to every man his just due, and in return feeling it but right to acquire it from others.  In this spirit he accumulated wealth and at the time of his death he was one of the large farmers of our county.  He was withal a benevolent man and though his charity may have been believed -?- only, many a poor man has had occasion to bless him for noble deeds of charity.  Knowing the object worthy, he hesitated not to impart to it a portion of that with which he was so abundantly blessed.  By reason of his removal from the business center he was not called upon to aid greatly in the public enterprises, yet the church and other public institutions came in for a share of his benefactions.  He was warmly attached to his town and home friends and seldom traveled even without the confines of our county.  Some twenty years ago he visited the west with a view to settling there, but after considerable observation abandoned the idea and returned to make this his permanent home. We believe he also visited the Eastern States.  He has been twice married; the last time in 1842 to Miss Emily E. Parker, eldest daughter of Nathan Parker, Jr., Esq., now deceased, a most estimable lady, who survives him.  He also leaves surviving him one child, a daughter, Emma, wife of Prof. James H. Werman and the grandson, "Bennie," of whom he thought so much. He had one sister, the wife of Washington Winsor and another, Lydia, wife of Francis N. Grant, who died last year.

Mr. Davis was one of our sterling men who abjured alike the luxuries and vices of our times.  His word once given was always relied upon as "good as his bond."  And in all his business and social transactions he was found on but one side of the question, and that generally the right side.  He was not a member, but an attendant of the Baptist Church in this village, and he died in the Christian faith.  Cheerful in his sickness when advised by his physician that he could not survive but a short time, he was resigned and expressed himself as ready for what the Master had in store for him.

His funeral was attended from his late residence on Friday afternoon last, and though the day was exceedingly stormy, an unusually large number of the citizens of the village and town gathered to pay a last tribute of respect to his worth.  

In their bereavement the relatives and friends have the sympathy of our entire community

_____________________________

DIED:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] on Saturday the 20th ult. of scarlet fever after a brief illness, Miss Minnie L. Conway aged 19 years.

The unusually sad circumstances connected with the death of this young lady seems to call for something more than a passing notice.  She was born in Ireland and was the daughter of Major Thomas Conway, an officer in the English army, now stationed in London.  She was thoroughly educated in Maryborough Convent, Ireland, and came to this country with a desire to see and judge for herself of its beauty and learn so meting of our institutions.  She made it her home with Mr. Dennis Conway, who together with his brothers Michael and Cornelius were cousins of hers.  Her education and fine ladylike bearing at once gave her an excellent position in the young society of our village. Last year, learning of her superior acquirements, the Board of Education sought her out and at their earnest request she accepted the position of a teacher of one of our ward schools, a position which she filled with great acceptance up to her death.

The dread disease which has hovered over our village for some weeks, now happily subsiding, sought her out and marked her for its own, and she was stricken down last week, and, in a few days, disease had done its work.

Her funeral was held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in this village on Monday last and was largely attended by sympathizing friends from our Protestant as well as the Catholic community.

She was beloved by all who knew her for her real worth and truly estimable qualities.  In the school system with which she was connected she was considered to be one of the best teachers and enjoyed the respect and confidence of officers and patrons.

Though stricken down in a foreign land far away from near relatives and friends, yet it will be a pleasure to them to know that their daughter and friend was ministered unto with loving hands and everything possible done for her restoration, and in her circle here she is greatly mourned as one who never could go in and out before them without shedding a ray of light and pleasure upon all around her.

________________________

Jedediah Barber, for half a century a resident and leading businessman of Homer [Cortland Co. NY], died on Wednesday evening of last week.  He may almost be said to have been the maker of Homer.  Coming to that place at a very early day, he soon after engaged in mercantile business, and during his long and active life, always had the interests of the village at heart and did everything in his power to forward them.  His acquaintance throughout the county was very extensive and for many years he was probably better known than any other man in it.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, May 1876

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 4, 1876

Marriages

BEESLEY - QUINLIVAN:  In Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], May 2d, at the residence of Mott C. Boss by Rev. Dr. Gulliver, Mr. J.B. Beesley Train Dispatcher of the Midland Railroad at Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Ella E. Quinlivan of Binghamton, N.Y.

CRAIN - COVEY:  At the residence of the bride's parents, May 1st, by Rev. C.S. Crain, Mr. Hermann L. Crain son of the officiating clergyman, to Miss Olive M. Covey, both of Mt. Upton, N.Y. [Chenango Co. NY].

SKINNER - COVEY:  At the same time and place by the same, Mr. Henry A. Skinner of Rockdale [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Almeda M. Covey of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

WIGHT:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], April 26th, Lulu [Wight] youngest child of M.B. and M.A. Wight, aged 1 month and 16 days.

MARTIN:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], April 28th, Mrs. Margaret Martin, aged 85 years.

ST. JOHN:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY], April 30th, Lizzie A. [St. John] only daughter of Lewis S. and Augusta C. St. John, in the 7th year of her age.

SHOVE:  In Mt. Upton [Chenango Co. NY], April 21st, Mr. Taber Shove, aged 77 years.

BARNETT:  In Buffalo [Erie Co. NY], April 19th, Mrs. Harriet Williams [Barnett] wife of the late Ezra Barnett, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].

An insane woman named Catharine Croffut died in the Broome County poor house on the 20th ult, aged 71 years.  She had resided in the poor house for the past 41 years.

Tracy Kellogg aged 98 died at Fly Creek [Otsego Co. NY], Sunday the 22d ult.

Mrs. John Montross died at her residence in Canastota [Madison Co. NY] on the 20th ult of cancer, aged about sixty years.

Mrs. Rachel Murray, wife of Hon. William Murray of Delhi [Delaware Co. NY] one of the Justices of the Supreme Court for this District, died at Wilmington N.C. on the 19th ult. while on her way home from Florida, where she had been spending the winter for the benefit of her health. She was universally beloved and respected.

___________________________

Jedediah Barber, the pioneer merchant of Homer [Cortland Co. NY], died at his residence in that village on the 19th ult. aged 89 years.  He was a good citizen and a public-spirited man.  Reuben Smith, another aged citizen of that place, died on the 16th aged 90 years; and Capt. Daniel Griswold aged 83 years expired on the 20th.

The Homer Republican [Cortland Co. NY], in its notice of the funeral of the late Jedediah Barber of that place on the 22d ult. says:  "In addition to President A.D. White and others from abroad in attendance upon Mr. Barber's funeral, Mr. L.H. Redfield, of Syracuse, was also here.  He was an intimate friend of Mr. Barber at Onondaga hill where Mr. Redfield started the Onondaga Register in 1814.  He is now the oldest living man in the State that was ever connected with the press.  Though 86 years of age he is still vigorous.  His memory seems unimpaired.  He manifested his continued interest in the press by making us a call at our office.

___________________________

DAVIS:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 26th, Mr. Paris O. Davis, aged 57 years.

Just as we went to press last week, we learned of the death of Paris O. Davis, which occurred at his residence in the east part of this town, on Wednesday morning of last week.  Mr. Davis was too well known in this community to need any extended obituary, his life having been spent in the quiet pursuits of agriculture, among those who had learned to respect him for his many excellent qualities.  His illness was painful but brief, the disease being pneumonia and the announcement of his death was a shock to many who had not learned of his sickness.  He leaves a widow and one daughter Mrs.  J.H. Worman of this village.

_____________________________

CONDON:  At the residence of Dennis Conway in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] April 26th, Miss Nellie Condon aged 18 years.

It was with feelings of pain that the many friends of Miss Nellie Condon learned of her death from scarlet fever, which occurred at the residence of Dennis Conway in this village on Wednesday of last week after a brief illness.  She was a young woman of superior intelligence and possessed many excellencies which endeared her to her associates and friends.  Her remains were on Thursday conveyed to the residence of a relative in Poolville [Madison Co. NY], from which her funeral took place on Friday, services being held in St. Malachi Church in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].  Requiem high mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Hyland of Amsterdam, assisted by Rev. Father Harrigan of Norwich and a large concourse of citizens from Sherburne and adjoining towns testified to the worth of the deceased, and the appreciation in which she was held.

Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY]:  The funeral of Miss Nellie Condon of Norwich was held at St. Malachi's Church in this village on Wednesday last, many persons being in attendance from this and adjoining towns.  Requiem High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Hyland, the pastor and choir of St. Patrick's Church, of Norwich being present, after which Father Harrigan preached an eloquent funeral sermon over the remains of the deceased when she was interred in the Catholic Cemetery of this place.

_____________________________

CONWAY:  At the residence of Dennis Conway, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 29th, Miss Minnie L. Conway, aged 19 years.

Once more the angel of Death has entered the residence of Dennis Conway and stricken down one who was very dear to this community.  Miss Minnie L. Conway died of scarlet fever on Saturday evening last, after an illness of but five days, aged nineteen years.  Deceased was a daughter of Thomas Conway, a cousin of the Messrs. Conway of this place, who has served for years in the English army, and is now in the military service of that government.  She came to this country some three years since, making her home with the family of her relative, Dennis Conway.  After having for some time attended Norwich Academy as a pupil, she engaged in teaching, in which capacity she was employed for three terms in the Birdsall Street school in this village, the engagement being terminated by her untimely decease.  It is seldom that the death of a young person causes so general a feeling of sorrow in a community as has that of Minnie Conway.  As a student, teacher, associate and friend, she had won the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances and the love of those who knew her best. She will be missed in the social circle, in the school room, and in the house of worship.  On Monday afternoon her funeral was largely attended at St. Patrick's Church, the altar of which was profusely decorated with floral offerings.  High mass and service for the dead was celebrated and Rev. Father Harrigan spoke eloquently of the deceased and of her many virtues.  Her remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery.

_____________________________

GRIFFING:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 30th, Webster L. [Griffing], son of the late David Griffing, aged 19 years and 10 months.

It is but a few weeks since we announced the return of Web. L. Griffing from an extended tour through the Southern States, Cuba and Mexico, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health.  It was hoped by his friends that his winter's journey had not been in vain and that his health was improved, but on Tuesday of last week he was attacked by pneumonia, to which was added hemorrhage of the lungs and his frail constitution could not withstand the shock.  He rapidly sank until Sunday afternoon, when, between one and two o'clock, he expired. Deceased was a son of the late David Griffing and was a young man of kindly impulses giving promise of future usefulness.  His early death will be mourned by his widowed mother, and his youthful associates will miss the pleasant smile and cheerful greeting with which he was wont to meet them.  His funeral takes place this (Wednesday) afternoon, from the residence of his mother.

____________________________

VILLEMAIN:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], April 20th, Mr. Dalle Villemain aged 111 years and 2 days.

On Thursday, April 20th, 1876, Dalle Villemain died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Augustus Gauchot, in the north-west part of the town of Pharsalia, aged one hundred and eleven years and two days.  Villemain was born April 18th, 1765, at Frotte, Department of Haute Soane, France, and was in the army of the first Napoleon for several months previous to his final downfall.  At the age of eighty-two he came to this country, first stopping in Utica, where he had a son residing, and afterwards moved to Earlville, thence to Otselic, and finally to Pharsalia.  Those of our readers who visited the County Fair last fall, will recollect seeing the old gentleman, who occupied a prominent seat in Floral Hall during the continuance of the Fair.

The Pitcher Register gives Villemain's age at one hundred and twelve years and eleven days. The figures given by us were furnished a Union reporter who interviewed the centenarian three years since, by the family and have heretofore been supposed to be correct.

_____________________________

FULLER:  In East Hamilton [Madison Co. NY] April 22d, Mr. George Fuller, aged 23 years, formerly of Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY].

George Fuller, of South Hamilton, formerly of Smyrna, while loading his gun to go out hunting, on the 11th ult. met with an accident which has since cost him his life.  It is said, although it seems improbable, that he first capped his gun and cocked it, and then attempted to load it at the muzzle, putting in the powder and shot, and with his head over the muzzle, jarring them down.  A discharge followed, and the contents of the gun passed through his hand.  A surgeon dressed the wound and he appeared to be improving fast until Thursday, the 20th, when lockjaw set in, and he died on the following Sunday. Deceased was a blacksmith by trade and had lately gone to that place to work at the business.  His age was twenty-three years, and he leaves a wife and one child.  Funeral services were held at his late residence on Tuesday morning of last week, and the remains were interred in the Smyrna cemetery on the afternoon of that day.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, April 1876 (concluded)

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, Apr. 27, 1876

Marriages

At the Baptist Parsonage in this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], April 23d, by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. Charles W. Page to Miss Ida E. [Bowe] daughter of R.S. Bowe, Esq., both of this town.

At the residence of the bride's mother, near Lamb's Corners [Broome Co. NY], April 16th, by Rev. D. Personous, Mr. Georger. Marsh of Lisle [Broome Co. NY] to Miss Lottie M. Spencer of Nanticoke [Broome Co. NY].

Deaths

In Chenango Forks [Broome Co. NY], April 11th, Sarah J. [Hayhew] wife of Henry W. Hayhew, aged 37 years.

In Colesville [Broome Co. NY], suddenly, April 6th, at the residence of her son-in-law, Amos Wedge, Mrs. Huldah Reynolds, in her 91st year.

News Item

Family Gathering

Mr. Alexander Day, an old citizen of this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], recently completed his eightieth year and his birthday was made the occasion of a pleasant family gathering of relatives.  Mr. Day was the son of John Day, an English soldier who came from the mother country to participate in the war with the Colonies.  He was a loyal English subject to the day of his death.  After the close of the Revolutionary war, he married Anna Wood and settled in the town of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY] where Mr. Day was born, residing there until the subject of this sketch was ten years old, but the intense Americanism of the new Republic made it more agreeable for an English subject to reside in the King's dominions.  The family emigrated to Upper Canada and Mr. Alex. Day lived there until the war of 1812 broke out, when he was drafted into the British army, being mustered in at Bennington Heights near Toronto along with thirty others.  In these day before active service began, the soldiers talked together of other lands and better governments.  Over the river, the star of the new Republic glittered and invited them.  The water is thirty-five miles across from Bennington Heights to Fort Niagara.  Thirty of them embarked in a boat one night and following the Milkyway, in due time they came into their port.  There Uncle Sam challenged them and holding aloft the white flag of peace, they were allowed to land.  They were detained a short time and then having taken the oath of fidelity to the U.S. Government; they went their various ways into the new freeland.

Mr. Day left the Canadian soil with fifty cents in his pocket.  His investments with Uncle Sam have turned out well and the fifty cents has returned more than compound interest.  Mr. Day remembers the hardships of those early days; times when the one or two cows went with bells on their necks through unmeasured acres of woodland; when sheep fell victims to the wolf and poor piggy was caught up by the marauding bear.  These days are past, affluence reigns in all the Chenango Valley; the old cow bell has long been forgotten, and fine herds of cattle roam over well-cultivated fields - a dying Chenango County man will revive and come to life if he hears "Butter has riz." Granges prevail and middlemen grow rich, but the country is no better and the race of men no stronger or wiser than in those early days of the Republic.

In 1812 Major Robert Swartout was Commander and Quartermaster General of the Fort at Niagara.  Mr. Day enlisted in the U.S. Army and was appointed wagon master by Major Swartout.  He served in this capacity for eighteen months, until the close of the war.  His journeys extended over the greater part of Central New York; the route of travel lay mostly along the great western turnpikes.  Fourteen days were required to make the journey between Buffalo and Albany. The arsenal for the supply of military stores and equipment was at Batavia.  Mr. D. would be entitled to a pension for service in the War of 1812, but his papers of discharge and service in the army were lost. The old men who anticipated in those stirring events of nearly a century ago are fast passing away; the few survivors ought to appear at the Centennial.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, April 29, 1876

Deaths

FULLER:  In this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 25th inst., Mr. Daniel W. Fuller, aged 49 years and 1 month.

WARNER:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co, NY], on the 27th inst. Mr. Stephen Warner, aged 27 years and 10 months.

CONDON:  At the residence of Denis Conway, in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] on the 26th inst. Miss Nellie Condon aged 18 years.

The death of Miss Nellie Condon which occurred at the residence of D. Conway in Norwich last Wednesday was an event marked with more than usual sorrow.  Her excellencies as a young lady of superior intelligence, virtues and piety had endeared her to the society in which she moved and to numerous acquaintances, all of whom speak of her death in the morning of life as an irreparable loss.  On Thursday her remains were conveyed to the residence of her aunt, Mrs. Hyland, in Poolville, from which her funeral took place on Friday and at 11 o'clock, Friday, A.M., Requiem High Mass was celebrated at St. Malachi Church in this village, by Rev. Father Hyland of Amsterdam, assisted by Rev. Father Harrigan and St. Patrick Church Choir of Norwich. The solemn grand and sublime ceremonies of High Mass attended as they were by a large concourse of citizens from this and adjoining towns is perhaps the best testimonial that could be offered to the worth of the deceased, showing the appreciation in which she was held. We believe this to be the first time that the Requiem of High Mass has ever been celebrated in this village, and the impression will long be retained by those who witnessed it.

On Bury Me with Singing

By M.L.H.

On! bury me with singing; / With rejoicing gather round, / When ye have made my narrow bed / Mid the clustering churchyard mounds, / Hush the tolling of the old bell; / Hush the sad funeral strain; / Bear away the hearse and sable pall, / And bring them not again.

Oh! bury me with singing; / Let it swell above the prayer; / I cannot bear that ye should weep / While I am singing there. / There is no gloom within the grave / Where the Christian takes his rest, / I shall not hear life's tempests rave / When the turf lies o'er my breast.

Oh! bury me with singing; / Chant a joyful, happy strain, / And perchance my spirit hovering near, / Shall catch the sweet refrain; / Sing of a vanquished, conquered world / Sing ye of a Saviour's love, / Sing of the glittering Gates of Pearl, / Of my glorious home above.

Oh! bury me with singing, / Dry the tear and hush the sigh / Remember while 'tis sweet to live / 'Tis a glorious gain to die. / Then bury me in the morning light! / And sing as ye bear me on, / For the day I hail shall know no night / When those fleeting shades are gone.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, April 29, 1876

Marriage

A very sensible sort of wedding occurred on Maple Street, Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], on Wednesday evening last, so says the Herald and Democrat.  For several days prior to that time, Benjamin Burgess and Hattie Van Alstyne had together purchased furniture, crockery, carpets, pictures, etc. and with these household goods furnished comfortable rooms.  Wednesday evening a good supper was prepared, and the parties were all ready to commence married life. Then the parson came in and made them one.  We call that a very sensible and correct way of getting married.

Deaths

STOCKWELL:  At Oakland, Livingston County, [NY] March 19th, Henry Stockwell, aged 74, formerly a resident of this place [Bainbridge, Chenango Co. NY].

______________________________

At Sidney Plains, N.Y. [Delaware Co.], April 22d, Charles Skinner Bradford, aged 35 years.  He was educated at the Delaware Literary Institute, in Franklin, N.Y., entered the 144th Regiment N.Y.S. Volunteers at its organization as Orderly Sergeant, was promoted for good conduct to be first Lieutenant, was a long time its active Quarter Master; with it he was mustered out of service on the return of peace with a record unsullied and personal popularity unsurpassed.

He returned to Sidney Plains, was appointed postmaster, entered [the] mercantile business and exhibited the same traits of character which had marked him in the army, order, punctuality and integrity.  He was the friend and counsellor of all.  Old and young, high and low came to him for advice and encouragement.  A lineal descendant of the Rev William Johnston, who settled at Sidney in 1772, he possessed and developed the more lovable traits of character of that sturdy divine, energy, courage and an unyielding adherence to the right.  He was a gentleman by instinct, Christian from conviction and practice.

He will be sorely missed by the community, by the Church and by the family circle.  His life was an open epistle, known and read by all men.  In the village of his birth, he lived and died, leaving not an enmity or a heart turning.  Well may his survivors take up the lamentation of the ancient prophet, "How is the strong staff broken and the beautiful rod."

His funeral took place on Tuesday and was one of the largest and most impressive gatherings Sidney has ever witnessed.

Smyrna Citizen, Smyrna, NY, April 29, 1876

Deaths

FULLER:  In East Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], the 22nd inst. Mr. George Fuller, aged 23 years.

John Eckman died at the residence of L.H. Talcott this morning.  Mr. E. is a Wwede and has been at work for Mr. T. for some time past.  He has no relatives nearer than Omaha.

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

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 27, 1876

Marriages

VOLTZ - GOURLEY:  At the parsonage, 328 King Street, London, Ontario [Canada], by the Rev. John Kay, on Thursday evening, the 18th inst., Jacob John Voltz, Esq. of that city, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Alice Gourley, only daughter of John Gourley, Esq., of Thorndale.

__________________________

BEH - HOGAN:  At Emmanuel Church in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] on the 25th inst. by Rev D.E. Loveridge, Mr. Joseph Beh of Utica [Oneida Co. NY] to Miss Mary Hogan of this village.

An unusual occurrence for this age took place at Emmanuel Church, on Sunday.  The Rector published the bans of matrimony between Mr. Joseph Beh of Utica and Miss Mary E. Hogan of this village and announced that the marriage would take place at that church on Tuesday at 4-1/2 o'clock P.M.  the peculiarity of this case is that the parties are both Roman Catholics and the publishing of the bans in a Protestant church caused a ripple of excitement unusual on occasions.

At the appointed time there was a very large audience to witness the ceremonies which were performed by the rector of the church.  The bridal party left on the evening train for Utica.  The somewhat imaginative correspondent of the Binghamton Times has the following in regard to the manner in which the ushers performed their duty:

Soft treading, bouquetted ushers Rindge and Hickock on the cushioned floors seated the curious ladies who came to see Miss H. go out of single blessedness into the care laden life.

Deaths

BROOKS:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], on the 23d inst. Charlie [Brooks] infant son of Charles H. ad Nellie L. Brooks, aged 9 days.  Sleep on sweet babe, / And take thy rest. / God called the home / When he thought best

_____________________________

DIED:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], April 10th, Maj. Isaac T. Powell aged 65 years 10 months.

Thus, another of our old and respected townsmen has been taken away.  Maj. Powell was born in Pharsalia in 1810 and lived there until his death.  In the early part [of his] life he did his share of hard labor chopping and clearing the farm upon which he lived for many years, enduring the hardships and privations that pioneers in those days were compelled to do.  He moved to East Pharsalia, where he owned and kept a store for many years.  He was possessed of a strong and vigorous constitution and sound judgement; with marked perseverance and unbending integrity of purpose, which qualified him for any position of honor or trust to which he was called and entitling him to the respect of all who knew him.  Thus, we sympathize with the family in their loss of so dear a father and devout husband.  May they be sustained and strengthened in their afflictions by the assurance that he died as he had lived, a devout Christian, embracing the cause of Christ in early life.  United with the church he discharged the duty of a Christian faithfully, enabling him to pass from this life of light and happiness into the dark valley and shadow of death with full assurance of a blessed immortality.

East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY]:  Our community is again caused to mourn by the death of Isaac Powell, who died last Thursday of typhoid pneumonia.  But a few weeks ago, his son, O.M. Powell, buried his wife.  They were both loved and respected and will be sadly missed.  O.M. Powell is almost entirely helpless with inflammatory rheumatism.  The widow of the late Isaac Powell is also sick.  Mrs. Robinson, who was caring for them, was taken sick very suddenly last Friday night.  Saturday she was removed to her sister's Mrs. L. B. Felton.

_______________________________

David Thorp, a young man about 22 years of age, residing in Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], died on the 10th inst. in consequence of an injury received on the 30th of March, while at work in the sawmill belonging to Hamilton Law.  The facts of the occurrence are as follows.  Young Thorp was at the mill of Mr. Law, who is his father-in-law, sawing plank with a circular saw. The spreader was down for the purpose of wedging the log to prevent the pinching of the saw. The last plank which was sawed from the log was being removed from the head blocks, when it accidentally tipped and came in contact with the saw, which was running at fearful speed.  At this time Thorp was standing on the rollway of the mill.  The plank was thrown with the speed of an arrow, in a straight line through the mill, striking him in the middle of the abdomen doubling him up so that his head was also brought violently in contact with the flying plank.  He was thrown a distance of fifteen feet, Where he was picked up in an insensible condition, and supposed to be dead; but he revived and medical aid was summoned.  He lingered with great suffering until his death, as before stated.  He was a member of the Christian Church of North Pharsalia which he joined about a year ago and was highly esteemed by those who knew him.

Coventry [Chenango Co. NY]\:  The death of Thomas W. Carter, well known as a late resident of this town, occurred at his home in Afton [Chenango Co. NY] on Monday the 17th inst.  The funeral took place at North Afton the Wednesday following, calling together a large congregation of friends and relatives to pay the last sad tribute to the memory of the departed.  A delegation from the Coventry Masonic lodge, of which the deceased had long been a member was present at the burial and officiated in accordance with the custom of the order.  Mr. Carter had been ill nearly all winter with a fever, and was recovering when a sudden relapse occurred, resulting in death. The deceased was a man of family and in the prime of life.  He possessed many desirable qualities of heart and mind which commended him to the love and friendship of his associates. We need ask no pardon for the tear that falls as we think of the kindly face and cheery voice that never more can greet us this side of the great unknown.

Otselic [Chenango Co. NY]:  Another pioneer is gone, Mr. Thomas Perkins, one of the oldest inhabitants, and for many years one of the first businessmen of the town, has passed away.  For many years he had been afflicted with cancer in the face, and had submitted, at two or three different times, to applications which removed it but failed to effect a cure.  For nearly a year he was confined to his room and his bed.  He was much esteemed and his long and patient suffering called forth the warmest sympathy from all who knew him.  His companion is very feeble, and not expected to live.  Mr. Perkins, if we mistake not, was in his 88th year.  His children to the third and fourth generations, dwell among us.  The funeral took place at his residence the 16th inst.