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

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, April 12, 1877

Marriages

Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Van Wagenen celebrated the tenth anniversary of their wedding at the St. James last Monday evening.  A large number of relatives and friends were present, and they came "down with the tin" handsomely.  Warm sugar and other refreshments were served in the dining room, while dancing and other amusements took place in the parlors.  A very social time was had, the host and hostess making it pleasant for all.  Times [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY]

Deaths

HOLLIS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 7th of consumption, Mr. Eli D. Hollis, aged 53 years.

LAMB:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], April 7th, Roby S. [Lamb], wife of Prentice D. Lamb, aged 33 years.  Her remains were taken to McDonough [Chenango Co. NY] for burial.

COOK:  In South Canaan, Ct., March 28th, Mr. Cephas B. Cook aged 41 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

The many friends of Mr. J.H. Cook, of Central Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], will regret to learn of the death of his son, Cephas B. Cook, which occurred at South Canaan, Ct., March 20th.  Mr. C. was a representative in the Connecticut Legislature and much esteemed by all who knew him.  He has been in poor health for several years, and the journeys to and from Hartford and his duties there were too great a strain upon his constitution.  He died of consumption, in the prime of life, at the age of 41 years. The Hartford Post of January 6th has the following:  "Cephas B. Cook is engaged in the brass and metal business in New York but has been a resident of Canaan for several years past.  He holds the offices of Justice of the Peace, School Visitor and Examiner, and is also a member of the Board of Education.  He was born at Oxford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] and received a good academic education at the neighboring village of Norwich, in that State. while a resident of New York he took an active part in politics, but since coming to Connecticut has given most of his attention to Business.  He was elected to the Legislature by the Democrats but is in no sense a partisan."

CHURCH:  Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY:  We are sorry to announce that Henry W. Church of the firm of Church Bros., died last Monday morning of the measles.  Mr. Church was a young man of exemplary habits, a kind husband and father, and a good citizen.  It is perhaps needless to add that his loss is severely felt in his circle of friends, which comprises this entire community.

FREEMAN:  Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY:  Mrs. Andrew Freeman died Monday P.M. at 5 o'clock, of hemorrhage.  Mrs. Freeman was an estimable lady in every respect and her loss is deeply felt.

HYDE:  Afton, Chenango Co. NY:  On Friday of last week our much respected townsman, Elijah Hyde, who had been quite sick for some weeks, had a severe shock of palsy, which terminated in death last Wednesday, at 1 o'clock A.M.  Mr. Hyde was one of the oldest citizens of this town and much esteemed by all who knew him.

BERRY:  Miss Jennie Berry telegraph operator at the N.Y.&O.M. station in Walton [Delaware Co. NY], died on Saturday evening last, and her funeral was attended on Wednesday, by a number of operators and employees of the road.  She was the only female operator on the Middle Division.

News Item

A Heroine's Grave

On Wells Hill in Preston [Chenango Co. NY], hard by the center of Chenango County, in a pleasant little cemetery, on a small, antique brown stone, the passerby may read the epitaph of Widow Jane Hadley, born 1733 and died 1819.

The subject of this brief notice was a native of Lexington Mass.  Her father Ebenezer Fisk was an inn keeper.  Her three brothers were carefully educated in Cambridge College, while she, with her four sisters (one of whom was the wife of the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Boston) were educated according to the tastes and necessities of that early day. Being able to read and write was thought sufficient for a woman. This she knew, and having acquired the culinary art as practiced then, she was taught skill and dispatch upon the spinning wheel, and many and beautiful were the articles of snowy linen wrought out by her dexterous hand.  And when the luxury of imported goods was denied her, she readily supplied herself with a lawn dress of matchless white, fine and nice, made from water rotted flax of her own spinning.

In 1754 she was married to Josiah Headley (afterwards changed to Hadley) and at once assumed the duties of landlady of an inn on the road from Boston to Lexington.  It was then she learned how much she could do and suffer for her country, and the soul-stirring scenes of the Revolution were often related with pathetic tenderness in old age, to her grandchildren. She saw with sadness the long line of "regulars," as they went to destroy the much-needed supplies at Concord, and as she fled in haste, she took her hands from the unkneaded loaf, and tarried not to wash, but clad in her camlet riding hood, from the seclusion of the forest she saw with pain her country' foes move like a "giant snake," as she often said.

Her house soon became a rallying place for the Friends of Liberty, and of such occasions she would say, "I did not stop to run; I flew to provide entertainment for their need."  About this time her eldest son Josiah was prostrated with a fever.  The ardent Sons of Liberty filled the house and thronged the bedside of the sick.  In a few days he paled in death, and who shall say this was not her offering to her country's cause?

She stood on Prospect Hill with a spyglass and witnessed the burning of Charleston, church not excepted.  Anon their wealth took wings and flew away, but she proved herself equal to any emergency.  Her father-in-law gave her fifty guineas, and with that she purchased a home and moved to the forest.

Once and again her residence was changed.  Her last removal was from Brattleboro (where she buried her husband) to Preston [Chenango Co. NY].  she came in June, 1810, in company with her son John and his family, and although seventy-eight years of sunshine and shadow had passed over her, like one of old, her eye was not dim nor her natural force abated.  Specimens of her stitching, long held as keepsakes, were done without the aid to glasses. She had a kind and helping hand for all, and one who knew her well say she never knew her to speak a frowning word.  Her Bible was her constant companion on the Sabbath, and when the close of life came, she passed away as one who had caught a glimpse of the invisible and heard him say "Be not dismayed; I am thy God."  

Jane Fiske Hadley (1733-1819) - Find a Grave Memorial

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

 Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, April 5, 1877

Death

A peculiarly sad and impressive funeral took place at the M.E. Church in Susquehanna, a week ago last Saturday morning.  It was the funeral of a Miss Dix, who it is said by her friends, died of a broken heart.  According to the Susquehanna Gazette she had for some time kept company with a young man in Jackson and was engaged to be married.  She was preparing for her wedding when the news came to her that he had deserted her and married another girl.  She could not believe the story was true and came up to find out to her sorrow that the news was only too true.  She returned to her home, and taking to her bed never left it, except to be taken to her grave. The doctor who attended her says that her heart was paralyzed from the time she learned of her lover's base desertion.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, April 4, 1877

Marriages

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  Mr. Richard Cox and wife have lived sixty years of married life on the premises they now own and occupy.  there is on the lot an apple tree that measures eleven feet and six inches around the trunk that Mr. Cox planted himself.  One of Uncle Dick's peculiarities was that of taking the almanac of the year that his children were born in, with the day and hour they commenced unreeling the thread of life and as each one became of age presented them with it.

Mount Vision, Otsego Co. NY:  On the 7th inst. Mr. Morris Perry and Miss Alice Clark were married at Landen King's.

Deaths

March 31:  In New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY], Mr. Trevor Yates, aged 61 years, 3 months and 21 days.

March 21:  In Morris [Otsego Co. NY], Mrs. Lucretia Cook, widow of Rice Cook, of West Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], aged 80 years and 5 months.

March 21:  In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], Mrs. Charlotte Howard, widow of Martin Howard, aged 94 years.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 4, 1877

Marriage

BEEKMAN - FRANKLIN:  At South Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], March 16, by Rev. H.C. Leach, Willard J. Beekman of Lebanon [Madison Co. NY] and Francis M. Franklin of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

CLARK:  In Elmira [Chemung Co. NY], March 29, Hon. J. Burr Clark formerly of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], aged 65 years.  He was a brother of the late Hon John C. Clark, a resident for many years of Bainbridge.

HYDE:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], on the 3d inst., Elijah Hyde, aged 76 years.

SMITH:  The remains of Gardner Smith who formerly resided in this vicinity were brought to this place [Earlville, Madison Co. NY] for interment last week.  He died at Quality Hill [Madison Co. NY], in the town of Lenox, at the age of eighty-three years.

SALEY:  We are pained to learn today of the death of Mrs. M.S. Saley.  Mrs. Saley, who was formerly known to the readers of the Telegraph as "Dick Ditson," went to Rockford, Illinois, last Spring, he [sic] engaged in business with G.P. Griffin. We had learned with much pleasure of their prosperity in their new home, and sad indeed are we to know that this bitter cup is pressed to our friend's lips. The funeral services are to be attended at 2 o'clock P.M. on Wednesday of this week, at the residence of R.R. Briggs in this place [Earlville, Madison Co. NY].

PABODIE:  At the residence of Frederick Weller, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], april 2 of dropsy on the brain.  Freddie J. [Pabodie], son of H.C. and M.W. Pabodie, aged 7 months and 23 days.

We have tearfully folded his cold white hands / Lovingly on his breast. / We have kissed the pale lips forever closed, / And laid him down gently to rest.

We have laid him to rest with a void in our hearts, / In anguish wept over his tomb, / Yet we would not recall him where earth's chilling winds / Blight the flowers in their earliest bloom.

We would not recall him, Ah No, he has gone / Where life's surges can trouble no more; / To that Heavenly home in the land of the blest, / On that beautiful shining shore.

For we know there's a home in our Father's house, / A home for us all in the skies, / And we know the dear one we've loved so well /Has gained that Paradise.

News Item

Longevity

We have already noticed the fact that during the last two months, four persons have died in this State, who had lived more than one hundred years.  The careful observer will have noticed the fact in the papers of this county, that the deaths of a large number of aged persons have been announced during the Winter and Spring, showing that the Winter has been a severe one for the old, together with the fact that in Chenanog County people live to a great age as well as in other sections of this country.  This speaks well for the healthiness of our climate.  We append a list of these aged veterans with their residence and age who have died thus far during this year.

Jan. 1	Henry Knowles, Smyrna	91 years
Jan. 1	L.D. Burch, Sen., Sherburne	78 years
Jan. 9	Mrs. Joanna Holmes, Norwich	92 years
Jan. 10	Horace Brooks, Oxford	73 years
Jan. 12	Amaziah Parker, Otselic	73 years 9 months
Jan. 16	Nelson B. Hale, Norwich	70 years
Jan. 19	Sylvanus Smith, Rockdale	72 years
Jan. 22	John Pellett, Norwich	88 years
Jan. 22	Mrs. Abigal Stillman, Lincklaen	76 years
Jan. 23	Elliot Ufford, Pitcher	77 years
Jan. 23	Mrs. Hannah Van Wagner, Sherburne	88 years
Jan. 27	Mrs. Julia Emons, Norwich	81 years 7 months
Feb. 2	Christian Winters, Plymouth	83 years
Feb. 8	Mrs. Nancy Curtiss, Norwich	75 years
Feb. 8	Harry PerLee, No. Norwich	85 years
Feb. 12	Lydia Ann Ensworth, Oxford	72 years
Feb. 12	Miss Melinda Ives, Guilford	73 years
Feb. 12	Rev. A.G. Abbott, German	73 years
Feb. 17	John Harris, New Berlin	93 years
Feb. 18	Abijah Beardslee, New Berlin	76 years
Feb. 21	Miss Betsey Rice, Smyrna	80 years
Mch. 3	Mrs. Mary Kinyon, Norwich	77 years
Mch. 5	Betsey Root, Oxford	74 years
Mch. 5	Benjamin Gager, Norwich	81 years 4 months
Mch. 6	Wm. West, McDonough	77 years
Mch. 6	Mrs. Laura Loomis, Sherburne	73 years 7 months
Mch. 10	Mrs. Lemuel Jewell, Guilford	85 years
Mch. 11	Jemima Pratt, Sherburne	82 years 8 months
Mch. 12	Edward Lawton, Oxford	80 years
Mch. 12	Mrs. Achsa Thompson, Norwich	73 years
Mch. 13	Mrs. Huldah Taylor, Afton	82 years
Mch. 13	Solomon Kenyon, Pitcher	72 years
Mch. 13	Abial Bush, Guilford	77 years
Mch. 15	Polly Baldwin, Pitcher	84 years 7 months
Mch. 16	Mrs. E. Dye, Lincklaen	76 years
Mch. 17	Olive Botsford, Bainbridge	81 years
Mch. 17	Mrs. Bede Foot, Oxford	88 years
Mch. 19	Wm. Sliter, Bainbridge	76 years
Mch. 20	Sarah Parker, Norwich	80 years 8 months
Mch. 21	Mrs. Roby Moore, Otselic	85 years 5 months
Mch. 22	Isaac Leonard, Oxford	91 years
Mch. 23	Foster Anderson, Sherburne	86 years

Thus, it will be seen that forty-two of our old citizens who had attained the age of seventy years and upward, have passed away since the advent of this year, during three months ending March 31st.  Of these, twenty-one were seventy and less than eighty; seventeen were eighty and less than ninety, and four were upwards of ninety years of age.  The oldest was the venerable John Harris of New Berlin who had reached the ripe age of ninety-three years.  There have been doubtless many more deaths of people over seventy years of age in the county, during the three months, but they have not been brought to our notice.  There were quite a number also during November and December which we have not included in our list above.

In addition, there have been deaths of about as many more who had attained the age of sixty and upwards but not seventy, and yet we have in our own town still surviving we venture to say, one hundred persons and possibly more who are now upwards of seventy years of age.  Who says Chenango County is not a healthy one?

Pauperism in Chenango County, NY (1877)

Pauperism in Chenango County, New York 

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, April 12, 1877

We are in receipt of the Tenth Annual Report of the State Board of Charities in which the result of the Committee's visits to our public building is thus summed up.

"This county has made very good provisions for its dependent classes.  The poorhouse is a commodious frame building, in good repair and properly designated for its use.  A comfortable building nearby is used for the chronic insane, most of this class being retained under county care.  The institution is pleasantly situated near Preston, about six miles from Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].  It will accommodate one hundred and twenty-five inmates, exclusive of the insane.  The number of persons under care at the time of the examination, including twenty-two chronic insane, was eighty-five of whom thirty-nine were males and forty-six females.  Four of these were colored.  Sixty-one, or nearly seventy-two percent were born in New York; ten in other United States, and eight in foreign countries.  In six cases the place of birth could not be determined.  The birth of the parents was also mostly native, a considerable portion being of the New England States.  There were only eight inmates of the house under sixteen years of age, two of these being infants. Twenty-four were between the ages of sixteen and forty; twenty-five between the ages of forty and sixty; twenty-three between sixty and eighty, and five had passed eighty years of age.  Four became dependent at birth; sixteen before they had reached the age of twenty years; thirty-seven when between the ages of twenty and fifty; twenty when between the ages of fifty and seventy; and eight after they were seventy years old.  Eleven had been in the house less than one year; twenty-one over one year and less than five years; forty-nine, five years and less than twenty; three, twenty years and less than forty; and one more than forty years.  The summing up showed that the average time spent in the institution by the then inmates, was 7.02 years, or an aggregate of five hundred and ninety-seven years.

In the families of the inmates examined, there were known to have been, in three generations, one hundred and five dependents; thirty-two insane; eighteen idiots, and thirty-seven inebriates.  Twenty-two of the inmates were heads of families, having, as far as could be ascertained, sixty-one living children.  Of those, five were in poorhouses, six in asylums, and ten bound out; twenty-nine, it was said, were maintaining themselves; the condition of eleven could not be learned.  It is thought seventy-five of the persons examined will hereafter remain paupers; one probably will go out, and one may be so trained as to be self-supporting, while the future of eight is involved in doubt.

The following facts obtained regarding a portion of the cases examined are here given, as showing the general character of the dependent persons of this county, and, at the same time, throwing light upon the source of pauperism, disease and insanity.

• A man fifty-one years old, vagrant and idle, recently admitted; had a pauper sister.
• A man aged twenty-one years, illegitimate and an idiot, thirteen years in the State Idiot Asylum.
• Mother licentious and dissolute, a boy thirteen years old, congenital deformity of the lower extremities, is bright and intelligent but entirely helpless.
• Parents said to be temperate and respectable, an idiot male, aged thirty-six years, thirty years an inmate and said to be an illegitimate
• A girl aged sixteen years, born in the poorhouse of an adjoining county, committed to this house as a vagrant at the age of fourteen years, offers but little hope of reformation.
• A girl of eighteen years old, was thrown into the fire when an infant by her mother, who was at the time intoxicated, and then sent to the poorhouse, where she has since remained, is badly deformed in the face and probably without remedy.
• A woman aged thirty-four years and feeble minded, had a pauper brother, but no information obtained as to her parentage.
• A girl fourteen years old, remarkably intelligent, two months an inmate, confirmed in habits of vagrancy and vice, and said to have been neglected in early childhood.
• Father intemperate, a man aged forty-eight years, unknown in the county, committed on account of sickness, is believed to have been guilty of criminal practices and probably has been in State prison.
• An unmarried girl seventeen years old, fairly intelligent, recently admitted, was orphaned at the age of twelve years, since which time she has been homeless and at service.
• A woman said to be one hundred and two years old, and twelve years an inmate, parentage and habits in early life unascertained.
• A single woman aged eighty-six years, of New England parentage, twelve years in the house, is temperate, fairly intelligent and respectable, the last of her family generation, and a fair type of some twenty other inmates.
• An idiot boy thirteen years old, five years an inmate, is filthy and beastly in his habits, and the father said to have been grossly intemperate.
• A vagrant boy thirteen years old, admitted at the age of seven years, placed afterwards in an asylum but returned to the house.
• An epileptic girl aged nineteen years, recently admitted, father intemperate.
• An insane woman fifty years old, once at the State asylum and fourteen years an inmate of the house, abandoned by her husband and hopelessly incurable.
• Another insane woman also fourteen years an inmate, after treatment at the State asylum and likewise deserted by her husband.
• A widowed woman eight years insane, two years at the State Asylum, no other insanity in her family.

The helpless condition of the inmates of this house will be seen by the following statement of the conclusions arrived at during the examination, regarding their future:  Seventy-five will hereafter, probably, remain paupers; one seemed likely to go out, and one may probably be trained so as to become self-supporting.  The future of the others was considered doubtful.

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

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, April 5, 1877

Marriages

At the M.E. Parsonage, Triangle [Broome Co. NY], March 23, by Rev. George C Andrews, Mr. Peter Johnson to Amy A. Eggleston, all of Triangle.

In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], March 22, by Rev. E.T. Jacobs, Mr. D.A. Hyde to Miss Angelia Johnston, both of Afton.

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, April 5, 1877

Marriage

On Thursday, March 22d, 1877 in Milford, N.Y. [Otsego Co.], at the residence of the bride's parents by Rev. S.C. Van Camp, Nelson Scott of Milford and Miss Kate L. Goodrich youngest daughter of Chauncey Goodrich, Esq.

Deaths

At Edgewater early Easter morning, Mary Ann [Purpelly], wife of John Purpelly and daughter of the late Surgeon Lyman Foot, U.S.A.

Born at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, when this was a frontier post, her infancy was surrounded by the rude accompaniments of Indian and early settler life.  Upon the breaking out of the Florida war, Dr. Foot removed his family to Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], where the subject of this sketch grew up to womanhood.  Passing much of her early life in this village, she was well known to many here, while numerous friendships formed in other places often called her hence.  To all she was known for her sprightliness of manner, for her quick and ready wit, and for her varied accomplishments which served to entertain and enliven all those with whom she was associated.  Had she chosen to make use of her talents for the benefit of the public, a career of successful authorship would have been opened before her.  But frequent and long endured period of ill health, and the many vicissitudes of a somewhat chequered life prevented.

Her characteristics of mind and heart shone forth in the intense sufferings of her final sickness of more than a year's duration.  Of strong and resolute will, of unwonted cheerfulness when all around were sad and of patience under pain and trial, she was an example to many who shrink under the lesser ills of life.

________________________________

In Oaksville [Otsego Co. NY], Saturday night, March 21st, Abel Brooks in the 88th year of his age.

Mr. Brooks was born in this state [NY] and had always lived in this section of the country.  His trade was that of a miller, although he did not follow this occupation continuously through life.  He was an industrious man, and wherever known highly respected for the singleness of his motives and the honesty and uprightness of his character.  No one could impeach his integrity.  Constitutionally strong and strictly temperate in his habits, he lived to the good ripe age of 87, even more than fulfilling the Psalmist's allotment of three score years and ten.  His strength gradually failed, and he died apparently of old age.  Like a shock of wheat fully ripe he was gathered into the Father's great store house, no more to be chilled by the storms of earth or to be burdened by trials and crosses.  Those of his kindred living may justly feel proud of his memory for the cardinal virtues he possessed.  They may rest in the faith that although his deeds were not great, as the world measures greatness, yet in the sight of heaven they will receive their just recognition and reward.  "For a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."  His funeral was attended from the home where he had lived, on the 3d inst., by Rev. E.S. Peck of Cooperstown, and the remains were interred in the old cemetery at Fly creek.

____________________________

At Schuyler's Lake, March 26th, John Austick aged 66 years.

Mr.  Austick immigrated to this country from England when a mere youth.  By frugality and industry, he rose from poverty and became one of the wealthiest and most successful businessmen in Exeter [Otsego Co. NY].  Although requiring prompt and full payment of all indebtedness, he was by no means oppressive with debtors, and liquidated all claims against himself with equal exactness.  His death leaves a vacancy in the ranks of businessmen not easily replaced.

_______________________________

In Milford [Otsego Co. NY], at the residence of Mr. Newton, Viola F. [Cooper], infant and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Cooper, aged three weeks.

"Her's was the morning hour, / And she hath passed in beauty from the day, / A bud not yet a flower, / Torn in its sweetness from the parent spray. / The death wind swept her to her soft repose, / As frost in springtime blights the early rose / Not lost, but gone before."

In Worcester, N.Y. [Otsego Co.], After a lingering illness, borne with Christian fortitude, relying entirely on the merits of her Saviour, and supported by His presence, Mary Waterman, consort of H. Waterman, aged 57 years, 11 months and 15 days.

In Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], March 20th, Mrs. Betsey Eddy, wife of David Eddy, and daughter of Col. Joseph Gardner, aged 78 years and 4 months.

At Schenevus [Otsego Co. NY], April 2d, Hon. E.E. Ferrey aged 65 years.

In Toddsville [Otsego Co. NY], March 19th, Mrs. Amy J. Doolittle wife of the late John Doolittle, in the 76th year of her age.

In Plymouth, Ind., March 19th, Lucy May [Wilbur] only child of Leroy and Ophelia Wilbur, aged 2 years and 7 months.

In Roseboom [Otsego Co. NY], March 20th, Mrs. Harmon Howland, in the 70th year of her age.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, April 7, 1877

Marriage

JACKSON -SCOTT:  At the residence of the bride's mother in this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on March 31st, by Rev. James Chambers, Mr. Willard Jackson and Miss Laura Scott, both of this place.

Deaths

ANDERSON:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], March 23, 1877, Mr. Foster Anderson, aged 86 years.

PARKER:  In this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], April 1st, 1877, Gettie Floy [Parker] daughter of H.R. Parker, aged 2 yrs and 5 months.

_____________________________

Hezekiah Gifford, Esq.  (From the Elgin (Ill.) Advocate)

The subject of this notice died at Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas on March 2, 1877, of congestion of the lungs, aged sixty-six years, four months and twenty-eight days.

Mr. Gifford was really the first white man to locate in what now comprises the bountiful city of Elgin, having come here first in the fall of 1834, from Sherburne, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].  After looking around for a short time, Mr. Gifford returned to New York and induced his brother James T. [Gifford] to remove to the then far west with him. The two brothers left New York in January of 1835 and after a tedious tramp, they arrived at Chicago in March of the same year.  They left Chicago on horseback for Milwaukee and soon after sent their horses to Chicago and started on foot to explore the country.  After a long, weary march of three days and nights, during the greater portion of which time they were without food and obliged to wade deep creeks and rivers, they arrived at what is now Algonquin.  Here the travelers rested overnight, resuming their journey early next morning, they soon reached the ground on which Elgin now stands, and they at once resolved to locate here.   Hezekiah built the first house in this city, and in May was joined by his wife, and they settled upon their farm, remaining there a few years, when they removed to Grafton, Wisconsin.  They tarried in that state about two years, when they returned to Elgin and Mr. Gifford embarked in the commission business and kept a general store, which was about the first of the kind in the place.  He soon after removed to Aurora, where he engaged in the milling business. From that city he removed to Kansas in 1856, and returned to Elgin in 1862, and started business in the mill then owned by Dr Root.  A year later he started in the grocery business and put on the road the first delivery wagon in this city.  In 1866 he moved onto a farm in Cook County, where he remained until 1872, when he again returned to this city, and occupied the large, new and elegant house he had just completed on Villa Street, where he lived surrounded by all the comforts and luxuries of life until January, 1875, when his wife, who shared the toils of life with him, was called home to her rest.  In May, 1876, he started on a business trip to Kansas, when he was overtaken by failing health, which grew worse until death released him from earthly troubles. 

In his last moments, he was surrounded by all his children, two daughters who live in Kansas and one son, S.J., who lives in this city.

It would be almost impossible to write a sketch of the deceased without embracing in it a history of Elgin, and in fact, of northern Illinois.   Mr. Gifford, very early in life, took a decided stand in favor of religion and united with the Baptist church, and was instrumental in organizing a church near St. Charles and later the one here, of which he remained an honored member up to the time of his death.  He was a kind, loving father and husband, a warm and genial friend, a man of deep convictions and always earnest for the right as he understood the right.

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

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, April 5, 1877

Marriages

WRENCH - BURDITT:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 25, by Rev. H.N. Van Deusen, Mr. John W. Wrench to Miss Hattie Burditt, all of Afton [Chenango Co. NY]

LAMAN - FOOT:  In Coventryville [Chenango Co. NY], March 23d, by Rev. E.G. Wicks, Mr. Henry W. Laman of Waverly, N.Y. [Tioga Co.] to Miss Cornelia A. Foot of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

HOLMES - COON:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], March 24th, by Rev. J. Clarke, Mr. Daniel M. Holmes of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Cora M. Coon, of Lincklaen.

FAIRCHILD - TUCKER:  In West Winfield, N.Y. [Herkimer Co.] April 1st, by Rev. J.C. Darling, Mr. Charles H. Fairchild of West Winfield to Miss Ida A. Tucker of Utica [Oneida Co., NY] formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

BOTSFORD:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 17th, Olive [Botsford] wife of the late Gideon Botsford, aged 81 years.

SLITER:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 19th, Mr. William Sliter, aged 76 years.

WOOLEY:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], March 24th, Mr. S.W. Wooley, aged 63 years.

The funeral of S.W. Wooley was held at the family residence, last Monday afternoon.  The services were conducted in an interesting manner by Rev. Egberts, of Bainbridge.  The attendance was very large.  Sentinel

AINSWORTH:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY], March 18th, Mary H. [Ainsworth], daughter of Albert A. and Helen Ainsworth, aged 1 month and 13 days.

PEET:  In Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY], March 23d, of diptheria, Helen L. [Peet] daughter of Silas and Amelia Peet, aged 17 years 1 month and 11 days.

BARBER:  Whitman Barber, aged about thirty years, a farmer residing in the southeast part of this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], died suddenly on Monday evening last.  He had been at the residence of Mr. Phetteplace, a neighbor, in the morning, and while on his return home about eleven o'clock, he was taken with vomiting.  Reaching his home, diarrhea set in, and he died between nine and ten o'clock in the evening.  Dr. Stuart was called a short time previous to his death, but he was past help.  His death was probably caused by abscess or perforation of the bowels.  Mr. Barber was in the enjoyment of his usual excellent health previous to the attack which so suddenly resulted in his disease.

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Hon. Darius C. Jackson, a well-known railroad contractor residing in Middletown, N.Y. [Orange Co.] fell dead of heart disease in that village on Wednesday morning of last week, while hastening to take the Erie train for New York.

He was sixty-three years of age and was born in Farmington, Wayne County, New York, August 24, 1813, of Quaker parents.  In his youth he removed with his family to Lenawee County, Michigan, where he became a prominent man.  He was twice Sheriff, was Sergeant-at-Arms in one of the first Legislatures of that State, was a Whig candidate for State Senator and a Clay elector.  he was one of the founders of Adrian, Michigan, and built large mills at Addison in that State.  He built the railroad from Cleveland to Sandusky in Ohio, now part of the Lake Shore airline.  He removed to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1853, and built the Milwaukee and Lacrosse, and a part of the Land Grant Railroad from Madison to Portage.  He was owner of the Milwaukee and Watertown Railroad.  He was United States Marshal for the State of Wisconsin for six years under the appointment of Abraham Lincoln and was removed by Andrew Johnson.  He removed to Middletown, in 1868 and built the eastern section of the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad, including the Fallsburg tunnel and the Ellenville branch, under a contract of $1,500,000, losing heavily by its failure.  He has since built the Monmouth County Agricultural Railroad in New Jersey, also the third and fourth tracks of the New York Central, from Clyde to Rochester.  He built for the government the Schuylkill Arsenal at Philadelphia and the keeper's lodge on the Antietam battlefield.  He leaves a wife and several children.  He was a man of generous qualities, irreproachable character and orderly life, and was greatly beloved and respected.

News Item

In Coon County, Ky., Friday, Col. W.G. Terrell was convicted of manslaughter in killing Harvey Myers of Covington, March 28th, 1874, and sentenced to eight years in the penitentiary.  Myers was a lawyer of note, and was born and raised in Bainbridge, this County [Chenango Co. NY].

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Old Residents of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] will recollect Darius McKibbin, who in "ye olden time" was in the employ of the late David Griffing, as a hatter.  Thirty years ago or more, he removed to the West, where he has prospered and where he has held various responsible offices.  It will be seen from the following letter received by us from him, that he is sound politically.   His home is in Geneva, Wis.

"Enclosed find two dollars.  Please continue to send me the Union.  I like to hear from the old home of my childhood, for the first thirty-five years of my life were spent in old Democratic Norwich, when we could count two hundred majority in town, and twelve hundred in Old Chenango.  Then B.B. Andrews, R. Curtiss, D.E.S. Bedford, David Griffing, Abel Chandler, Elisha B Smith, John F.  Hubbard and others of the like, were laborers in the good cause. We have fallen into bad times when bad men rule, and minority candidates are placed in office."

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, March 1877 (concluded); April 1877

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, March 29, 1877

Marriages

In Harpursville [Broome Co. NY], March 17, by Rev. I.P. Towner, Mr. Chas. W. Seneare, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Mae Evans, of Union, N.Y. [Broome Co. NY].

In Whitney's Point [Broome Co. NY], March 18, by Rev. C.E. Taylor, Mr. John Dickinson of Whitney's Point to Miss Zadie C. Cook of Barker [Broome Co. NY].

Death

In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY] of typhoid pneumonia, Frank [Southworth] son of John Tracy Southworth, aged 10 years, 10 months, and 27 days.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, March 29, 1877

Marriage

KUHN - OBENAUER:  At the M.E. Parsonage, Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 27, 1877, by Rev. N.S. Reynolds, Mr. George Kuhn of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Kate Obenauer of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY].

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, March 28, 1877

Marriage

March 14:  At the home of the bride, by W.B. Westlake, Jesse Wilbur of Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY] and Miss Anna Smith of Laurens [Otsego Co. NY].

Death

March 20:  In Creek Settlement, Mrs. Elizabeth Garlick, aged 86 years.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 4, 1877

Deaths

NILES:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], on March 28, Nathan Niles aged 64 years, 7 months and 19 days.

PABODIE:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], on the 2nd inst., Fredie J. [Pabodie] son of Henry C. and May Pabodie, aged 7 months and 22 days.

COLE:  Sir Knight DeWitt C. Cole a member of Norwich Commandery No. 46, K.T., and formerly a resident of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], died recently in Florida, whither he had gone for his health.  In pursuance of his request made some weeks since, his remains were brought to Owego [Tioga Co. NY] for interment, and were buried with Knightly honors under the direction of a detachment of Norwich Sir Knights assisted by the resident Sir Knights of Owego, members of Malta Commandery.  Sir Knight Cole was universally esteemed where he was best known, and the many positions of honor and trust he has held during his railroad service, attest his zeal and fidelity to his employers and the public as well.  He was forty years of age and leaves a wife and one child, a little son, together with a large number of personal friends to mourn his death.  His disease was consumption.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 7, 1877

Marriages

INGRAHAM - KEELER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co NY], March 25th, by Rev. R.M. Duff, Mr. George Ingraham to Miss Mary A. Keeler, both of Oxford.

WHEELER - SMITH:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], March 29th, by Rev. J.C. Ward, Mr. John G. Wheeler to Miss Mary A. Smith, both of Oxford.

TARBELL - HOTCHKISS:  At the Universalist Church in Smithville Flats [Chenango Co. NY], on the 1st inst., by Rev. Daniel Ballou of Utica [Oneida Co. NY], Mr. Charles t. Tarbell of Smithbille, to Miss Emma [Hotchkiss] daughter of Mr. George Hotchkiss of Greene [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

BROOKS:  At Eau Claire, Wis. March 16, suddenly, Hiram Brooks, aged 85 years

In its proper place will be found the announcement of the death of Mr. Hiram Brooks, a former resident of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] and a brother of Mr. Charles B. Brooks.  Hiram has resided at Eau Clair, Wis., for many years, was highly respected by all who knew him.  He was buried with Masonic rites.  He was a volunteer in the late war and served with credit in the Fourteenth N.Y. Volunteers, enlisting at Clayville, his home at that time.  He returned with a shattered constitution and was illy able to withstand the attack of neuralgia and rheumatism which finally reached the heart and suddenly carried him off.  Many of our people will regret to learn of his decease.

DEFOREST:  At Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], on the 3d inst. Hattie DeForest, aged 2 years.

LYON:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY], March 28, Mrs. Susan [Lyon] wife of George H. Lyon, aged 74 years.

JOHNSON:  At Hesperia, Aciana Co., Michigan, March 19, Henrietta [Johnson] wife of Wm. A. Johnson aged 48 years.  They were both former residents of Chenango County, N.Y. 

Wicked in Chenango County, NY - Murder of Delia (Maloney) Scott (1907)

 Murder of Mrs. James Scott Near Chenango Lake

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, October 25, 1907

The murder of Mrs. James Scott, which was brought to light with the discovery of her dead body in a lonely piece of woods near Chenango Lake, Wednesday afternoon, is one of the most revolting crimes in the history of this section of the country.  William Scott, the stepson of the dead woman is under arrest charged with the murder.  To E.S. Harrington, a lifelong friend of the family, he has confessed that he fired the fatal shot, but even without that admission, the chain of circumstantial evidence pointing to young Scott's guilt is unusually strong.

The History of the Case

Since his release on parole from the Elmira reformatory where he was sent a year ago on a charge of grand larceny in the second degree, William Scott had been contemplating matrimony.  He had an idea of keeping house in the upper rooms of the family residence on Waite Street.  He had talked of this more or less with his father and stepmother, but they had given him little encouragement in the enterprise.

Friday afternoon young Scott came to the family home and told his father that he was going to look at a stove which a farmer near the lake had for sale.  He asked him to come along and look at the stove.  Mr. Scott told the young man that he did not want to do this, as his eyesight was none too good, and he could see but little.  He suggested that Willie take his stepmother along with him.  William agreed to this, and they drove away.

They took the lake road and stopped once or twice to make inquiries for one William Follett.  The last place that they were noticed was the Guile farm.  Soon after they were seen passing there going toward the lake, Willie was seen driving back alone.  Perhaps an hour had elapsed.  When he arrived at the family home on Waite Street, he told his father that he had left his stepmother at Frank Stockwell's and that he need not worry, as he would have someone there to get breakfast for him.  Then he went across the river to the Brown farm where he had been employed.

Soon after he reached the Brown farm, he approached Fred Genung, a farm hand employed on the farm and pulling out a revolver attempted to sell it to him.  Genung took the revolver and examined it.  One chamber contained a loaded cartridge, the others containing empty shells.

Scott Visits the Sheriff

Saturday morning, William Scott came to the county jail and asked to see the sheriff.  After talking with Sheriff Beardsley for some little time, he casually remarked that his father and stepmother had quarreled Friday morning, and that he had taken her driving that afternoon.  He said that they had gone up the lake road after chestnuts and that he had started back home with her.  He said that after passing the Hotel Virgil on the return drive, they had met Frank Stockwell, and that his stepmother had then left the wagon and driven off with Stockwell.

Sunday morning, James Scott, the husband of the murdered woman, and the father of the self-confessed murderer, went to Stockwell's and found that his wife was not there.  Saturday night young Scott had called at his father's home and made certain incriminating remarks, which aroused suspicion that all was not as it should be.  Monday, Mr. Scott and a party of neighbors spent the day searching for the missing woman.  That night they came to the jail and told Sheriff Beardsley all of the circumstances as they then knew them.  The next morning (Tuesday) Willie Scott was located at the Brown farm and brought to the jail.

Suspicions are Aroused

Sheriff Beardsley questioned him for some time and from his replies became suspicious enough to detain the young man in the jail.  That day the sheriff went out with the searching party and from his investigations became convinced that to the best of his judgment, no statement made to him by young Scott was true.

Then entered S.E. Harrington into the case.  Mr. Harrington has been a lifelong friend of the Scott family.  He is a straightforward, honest man, and one who readily gains confidence.  Without his aid it is doubtful if the authorities would have been able to ferret the matter out.

Tuesday evening, Mr. Harrington went to the Scott home and asked to see the wagon which William had used on the drive Friday afternoon.  This he examined carefully without result.  When he asked Mr. Scott if any lap robes had been used, one was produced, and on examination Mr. Harrington found what he took to be blood stains.  The blanket is now in the hands of the authorities who will determine by analysis whether the stains are blood stains or not.

Harrington came to the jail and had a talk with Scott Tuesday night. Scott was non-committal but asked Harrington to call again in the morning.  This Harrington did.  After four or five short talks Harrington gained Scott's confidence and he agreed to take him to the place where he would find the missing woman.

In talking with Scott, Harrington told him that, assuming that Mrs. Scott was dead, the body would be surely found within a few days, and that the guilt would unquestionably be fixed on him.  Harrington intimated to the young man that if he helped him find the body a way for escape might be found.  Harrington told him, that if he had a son who was in trouble as he thought Scott was, he would be glad if someone else would help him to get away where he could make a fresh start and live an upright life.  Young Scott broke down and said that he would lead him to the body. At the same time Scott asked Harrington to fix things so that he could escape and asked him to hurry.

The members of the searching party Wednesday were Sheriff Beardsley, Deputy Sheriff Robbins, Mr. Harrington and William Scott.  They left Norwich about 11 o'clock.  The body was found at 1:30 o'clock.

Harrington arranged matters so that he was handcuffed to Scott.  The plan was understood by Scott to be this:  He was to lead Harrington to the body, whereupon the handcuff was to be unlocked and he was to escape.  To carry out this idea Harrington gave Scott food and money.  On various pretenses, Harrington contrived to unlock and lock the handcuff several times to convince the young man that he had the key which would do it.

When Harrington's house was reached, the team was stopped.  Harrington unlocked the handcuff and went into the house and got an overcoat, leaving Scott in the wagon.  Scott apparently suspected nothing and fully believed that he was to be allowed to escape as soon as the body was found.  While driving along the road, toward the lake, Harrington and Scott talked in low tones about the matter and finally Scott admitted to Harrington that he killed her.  He said that she fell to the ground and died almost instantly when she was shot.

According to agreement, Scott pressed Harrington's hand before the Borland cottage was reached and upon receiving this pre-arranged signal, Harrington had the carriage stopped, and told Sheriff Beardsley that he and Scott were going to look for the body.  Everything worked like machinery. Sheriff Beardsley agreed, and Scott started to lead Harrington through the woods.  It was part of the scheme that the sheriff and Deputy Robbins should ostensibly search in another direction, and they kept in the background.  before leaving the wagon, Harrington had slipped the real key to the handcuffs to the sheriff and had retained a false key which would not unlock them.

Scott lead Harrington directly to the body, showing not the slightest emotion.  the body of the murdered woman was found lying back downward on the leaves.  The head was drawn back, and one arm was under and one arm over the body.  The clothing was disarranged, and the position of the lower limbs was unnatural.

As soon as the body was found Harrington shouted at the top of his voice.  Then he pulled the false key out of his pocket and attempted to unlock the handcuff with it, but of course was unable to do so.  Scott then realized the ruse which had been employed to trap him and at the same time find the body of his victim and called Harrington a traitor.  He struggled to get away, but Harrington was able to hold him until the sheriff an Deputy Robbins arrived.  After he realized that he had been trapped, Scott stated that he did not shoot his stepmother, but that someone else who was in the wood did it.

Delia M. Scott, the murdered woman, was 43 years old.  She was born in Manchester, England, and was a daughter of John and Catherine Maloney.  She came to this country 19 years ago and became the wife of James Scott sometime after that.  For several years the family lived in the vicinity of Chenango Lake, not far from where Mrs. Scott was killed last Friday afternoon.

The alleged murdered is 23 years old and is the youngest son of James Scott and a former wife.  The woman killed was a stepmother.

James Scott, the father, is a man in his sixties, and has an honorable record in the Civil War.  He is a member of the G.A.R.  Mr. and Mrs. Scott had just completed payments on their little home on Waite Street and with Mr. Scott's pension were in fairly comfortable circumstances.  While they are poor people, the Scotts have always been honorable, hardworking and industrious.  Since moving to this village, Mr. Scott had found considerable work in trucking and other similar occupations.

William Scott, or Willie, as the family call him, as a lad was continually getting himself into trouble and only by the efforts of parents and friends was kept out of serious difficulty with the legal authorities many times.  Last year, he purloined a horse and cutter which he brought to this village and disposed of, and for this he was sent to the Elmira reformatory.  His release on parole was procured only recently through the efforts of his parents and friends.

What Was His Motive?

To Mr. Harrington, Scott stated that he did not know why he killed his stepmother, but notwithstanding this statement, his father, James Scott, is inclined to believe that the crime was carefully planned before it was executed.  He believes that the motive was a desire to obtain possession of the family home on Waite Street and that had Willie not been taken into custody when he was, he too would have been a victim of his son's fiendish mind.

Mr. Scott was very bitter toward his son Wednesday night.  He visited him at the jail after the discovery of Mr. Scott's body and it is said that in some respects the interview was a stormy one.  At the Sun office Mr. Scott stated that he had disowned the boy and had told him never again to call him father.

For the purpose of setting himself right with the public, Mr. Scott left at this office a statement signed by Sheriff Beardsley which said in substance that Willim had retracted his previous allegations of a quarrel between Mr. and Mr. Scott on Friday morning last, and that no such quarrel had taken place.

Scott as a prisoner

Scott does not seem to take his confinement in the jail seriously.  Tuesday morning, before starting out to show Mr. Harrington where to find the body of his stepmother, he ate a hearty breakfast and when he returned from the harrowing experience of locating the remains of the woman that had been murdered in cold blood knowing as he must have, that he was a prisoner held on a capital charge, the first thing that he demanded was food.  He laughs, talks and sings.  One favorite song which he sang just before going out with the officers Wednesday morning had as its theme, "My Dear Old Mother."  He spends much of his time pacing up and down the corridor in front of his cell.

Scott Electrocuted Monday Morning

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 15, 1909

Auburn, June 14:  William Scott, who in October 1907 murdered his stepmother, Mrs. Delia Scott, near Chenango Lake, shortly after 6 o'clock this morning paid the penalty of his crime in the death chamber at Auburn prison.  the execution was unusually successful and clean being entirely free from distressing incidents.

In view of the fact that Scott's near relatives are poor, Father Hickey of Auburn will take charge of the remains for a proper burial in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery on the shores of the beautiful Owasco Lake.  Undertaker W.H. Meagher will have charge of the burial, which will take place at 3 o'clock this afternoon.

William Scott (unknown-1909) - Find a Grave Memorial