Otsego Democrat, Cooperstown, NY, August 17, 1847
Marriages
On the 4th of July, by Rev. Mr. Whiston, Mr. Amos Burnside to Miss Thankful Jane Burnside, both of Maryland [Otsego Co. NY].
In Maryland [Otsego Co. NY] April 11, 1847, by Elder G.W. Howe, Mr. Richard Curry to Miss Sally Loss (?), both of Maryland.
In Milford [Otsego Co. NY], May 16, by the same, Mr. Samuel Dixon of Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], to Miss Elizabeth Cook of the former place.
In Milford [Otsego Co. NY], June 9, by the same, Mr. Harvey W. Spafford of Decatur [Otsego Co. NY], to Miss Harriet M. Daniels of Westford [Otsego Co. NY].
In Hartwick [Otsego Co. NY], on the 1st inst. by the same, Mr. Devilla Mumford to Miss Abigal Herring, both of Milford [Otsego Co. NY].
Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, July 4, 1849
Marriage
At Cherry Valley [Otsego Co. NY], on Wednesday, June 27th by the Rev. J. Ransom, Roswell Hart Esq., to Doetta E. Phelon daughter of Joseph Phelon of this town.
Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, July 11, 1849
Painful Accident, Three Lives Lost
South Worcester, Otsego Co. [NY], July 3, 1849
On the afternoon of Saturday the 30th of June, The Rev. Samuel D Ferguson and lady, and a company of young ladies of the Charlotte Academy called to visit my family about 3 o'clock P.M. After being there a few hours, my children and niece accompanied the young ladies in taking a walk. They went up to Strain's mill pond, about a hundred rods distant, without my knowledge or the knowledge of Mr. or Mrs. Ferguson.
After they arrived at the pond, my son, George, a lad of ten years old, got into a small boat and proposed to take a ride on the water with the young ladies. My niece Eliza told them not to do so, and some of them promised they would not. She left with several of the company to return to my house, knowing tea was about ready. Soon after she had left, she heard screams and immediately ran for help. James Strain, Esq. and family heard their cries and immediately went to the edge of the pond, near where the boat had given way to them. At this moment George and the four young ladies were out of the boat in the deep water. George swam about, seized the hands of some who were about sinking and placed them on the edge of the boat, assuring them they would be saved if they would hold fast and not be frightened. He then left them with the assurance that he would go ashore and get help to save them. About the time he arrived at the shore, Esquire Strain, his wife and two others arrived, when the girls were yet clinging to the boat and screaming "O man, help! O do not let us drown." Esquire Strain told them to keep still and hang on to the boat, they should be saved. About this time, it was evident that Misses Hannah Ann Ferguson and Frances Sybil, were about letting go the boat and sinking. Mrs. Stain advised her husband to go in and save them. At this time they were not exceeding two rods form the shore. Strain took off his hat and shoes, exclaiming, "O my God!" and plunged in after them. When he got in reach of Misses F. and S. they took hold of him and he made his way for shore quire rapidly for a few feet, but one of the young ladies took hold of him with the grasp of death about his neck, and the other about one of his arms, at once checking his progress towards the shore. He stopped and exclaimed "O my back," when all three went down.
At this instant, after Strain had the two young ladies, Mr. Eaton of Herkimer County went for a rope to throw to the other two who continued to cling to the boat. Mrs. Strain also left to get a board to reach them. they were gone not to exceed two minutes and when they returned, Strain and the other girls were out of sight and Mr. Eaton inquired to Misses Martha Griffin and Mary Stevenson what had become of Strain and others. They exclaimed that they had gone down and were drowned. He then threw the rope toward them, but they could not reach the first time he threw it. He then threw it again and they goth grasped it and were drawn ashore and considerable distance under water and were saved.
Numerous persons immediately arrived and after searching about a half an hour found Mr. Strain at the bottom, where the water was about 11 feet deep. He was then carried to the shore, in presence of his wife and eight children. Soon after, Miss Ferguson was found within a few feet of where Mr. Strain was, and in a short time Miss Sibyl was also found. They were al entirely lifeless. The two young ladies were residents of the city of New York, one of whom was an only daughter.
Mr. Strain was in the 46th year of his age. He left the home of his birth and is forever severed from his family and friends in a fervent effort to save those whom he never before saw or knew. He was an excellent swimmer, but nothing at the critical moment could avail him. The young ladies were about fourteen years of age. I arrived at the spot within ten minutes after Mr. Strain and Misses Ferguson and Sybil went down.
Yours, &ce, Abraham Becker.
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