Vital Records, Otsego County, NY

 Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, August 10, 1853

Deaths

In this village [Oneonta, Otsego Co. NY], on Saturday the 6th inst. after a short but painful illness, Mr. George Furry aged 27 years and 4 months.  The deceased was from the town of Otsego, Indiana.  He was a man beloved and respected by all./  The community has lost a good citizen and the church a good and worthy member.  He leaves a widow and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.

James Holmes died recently in Owego, Tioga County [NY] in the 99th year of his age.  He was a native of Sussex County, N.J. and has resided most of his life in Tioga and Schoharie Counties [NY].  He was engaged in the battles of Germantown, Brandywine and Monmouth.

Coroner John F. Perkins, was last Saturday called to hold an inquest upon the body of Zalmon Foot of the town of Jefferson, Schoharie County [NY], who was found in the Susquehanna River, in Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], on the 4th inst.  It appeared from the evidence adduced upon the inquest that he had been in the water about four weeks.  He could not have been identified by his features as the flesh was gone from his face and his lower jaw dropped off when he was taken from the water, but by papers and letters which he had in his pockets, he was found to belong at the above place.  He was said to have been insane.  The verdict of the jury was that he accidentally fell in while crossing the river and was drowned.  He was about 25 years of age.

News Item

Frederick Freeland was yesterday arrested on complaint of Mrs. Freeland, charged with the crime of bigamy.  The circumstances as appears in the information and confessions of the parties were these:

Freeland was married at Kingston [Ulster Co. NY] in 1840 and afterwards removed to Syracuse [Onondaga Co. NY].  About a year since he abandoned his wife and three children - one an infant 11 months old - went to Rochester [Monroe Co. NY], married a woman by the name of Caroline A. Parkinson, and with her has since resided at Watertown [Jefferson Co. NY].

On the arrest of Freeland, Caroline Parkinson, the second wife, was called as a witness and testified that she had never been married to Freeland, and Freeland was discharged.  The former wife being dissatisfied with the course of justice, sought satisfaction by going to the house of Freeland and destroying his property and that of his second wife.  In searching the house, she found a certificate of the second marriage, which was given by Dr. Lee of Rochester in December last.  Freeland was again arrested and underwent a thorough examination, the second wife was again called to testify and finally tho' with much reluctance, admitted their marriage as shown in the certificate.

Freeland was committed for trial in default of giving bail.  Rome Sentinel, July 18.

Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, January 31, 1849

Death

Died suddenly, at Stanwix Hall, Albany [Albany Co. NY], on Sunday morning, Jan. 28th, Wells S. Hammond, Esq. of this village [Cherry Valley, Otsego Co. NY], in the 34th year of his age.

This death has fallen upon the inhabitants of our village with a force that shocks and appalls every individual.  Born here amongst us, he had acquired his education at Schenectady and Albany, and commenced, and for some years continued, the practice of the legal profession in the city of New York.  Finding that his health was there declining, he returned a number of years since to this home of his nativity, where his health became restored, and he has ever since continued the practice of his profession.  Mild and amiable in his manners, ever friendly and affectionate in his feelings, he was one of the few who could make his way successfully through the conflicts and oppositions of profession and political life, without leaving behind him any clement of comity or hostility.  To the inhabitants of this village and county he was well and thoroughly known.  Possessed of a stern integrity, and ever actuated by high and honorable feelings, he had secured the confidence of all.  In his business capacity - while to many, he was endeared by very intimate and friendly relations.

Called by Professional business to the City of Albany, he left here last Thursday, was occupied there on Friday and Saturday; on Sunday morning was struck suddenly with paralysis and expired at about half-past ten in the forenoon.  Thus, stricken down in the maturity of manhood, in the pursuit of a professional career that was every way successful and in the midst of those social and friendly relations that give to life so much of its value, we feel this to be an occasion of unusual import and solemnity.  While the mourning circle of friends are engaged in the immediate contemplation of the one who has thus quickly and strangely passed from among us, the community will dwell with unavailing regret upon the loss they have sustained by his removal.  Mingling our sympathies with the one, and our regrets with the other, we would feel that there is nothing remaining, but submission to the behests of God. 

Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, March 14, 1855

Marriages

In Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], on the 1st instant, by Rev. Mr. Comfort, Mr. J.C Snyder to Miss  J.M. Persons, both of that place.

In Westford [Otsego Co. NY], Jan. 21, 1855, by Elder E. Slont, Mr. L.H. Camp of Westville, Otsego County [NY] to Miss Nancy Sprague of Mayfield, Fulton Co. N.Y.

At Centre Valley, Otsego Co. [NY] on the 25th of Feb. inst. by Rev. Mr. Kling, Mr. Thomas Abbott of Fort Plain [Montgomery Co. NY] to Miss Adna Best of the former place.

Deaths

In Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], on the 1st inst.  Willis L. [Carpenter], son of L.P. and E.C. Carpenter, aged 82 years and 29 days.

At South Valley [Cattaraugus Co. NY] on the 7th inst. Mrs. Mary Sullivan, wife of Mr. Martin Sullivan, aged 52 years.

In Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], on the 2d inst. Mrs. Catherine Ernst aged 72 years, relict of the late John Frederick Ernst.

The deceased was among the earliest settlers of the place, and in the relation of wife, mother and neighbor, sustained a character which assured to her the respect and favorable regard of all her acquaintances, making her exit from life even at a ripe old age, a source of heartfelt regret.  Unpretending in her deportment, it seemed to be her sole aim to discharge all the relations of life in such a manner as to conform to her Christian professions, which were early fixed deeply in her mind and practically carried out in acts of kindness and usefulness not only to her own household, but to all with whom she was in association as acquaintance, neighbors and friends.  The very numerous gathering at the funeral solemnities on Sunday last at the Church of her adoption and love, afforded the amplest testimonial of her most estimable character, at the same time it gave assurance that her virtues will long be cherished in remembrance.

Otsego Democrat, Cooperstown, NY, April 24, 1847

Marriage

In Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], on the 14th inst. by the Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. Alexander E. Rowe of Richfield [Otsego Co. NY] to Miss Charlotte Burse of Exeter [Otsego Co. NY].

Deaths

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], on Sunday the 18th, inst. Harvey Perkins, Esq. aged 37 years.

In Burlington [Otsego Co. NY], on the 15th inst., Mrs. Elizabeth Cushman, widow of the late Benjamin Cushman, aged 82 years.

On the 25th of March, last, George Fox of the town of Summit [Schoharie Co. NY] in the 28th year of his age was chopping a hemlock log about 19 feet long and from 20 to 28 inches in diameter.  It was on the side hill and frozen fast.  By chopping, the log became loosened and rolled upon him, breaking in his chest and killing him instantly.  He has left a wife and two children to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and father.  He was beloved and respected as a neighbor and an honest, upright and pious man.