Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, July 1878

 Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 13, 1878

Marriages

MILLER - OLNEY:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY] at the residence of W.A. Duren, July 9th, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Alonza E. Miller to Miss Celia Olney, both of Columbus, N.Y. [Chenango Co. NY].

FITCH - GROSS:  At the M.E. Parsonage in Greene [Chenango Co. NY], July 3d, by Rev. H.N. Van Deusen, Miletus Fitch and Ella A. Gross both of Greene.

Deaths

BROWN:  In Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], June 24th, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, aged 75 years, formerly of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

KNAPP:  In Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], July 3d, of cancer, Mr. Geo. Knapp, aged 76 years, father of David H. Knapp, Esq. of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].

NICHOLSON:  In Triangle [Broome Co. NY], July 5th, Rev. I.P. Nicholson, aged 61 years, formerly of McDonough [Chenango Co. NY].

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, July 10, 1878

Marriage

TILLOTSON - MERCHANT:  June 27th, by Rev. G.A. Severson, Mr. C.S. Tillotson of Whitney's Point [Broome County, NY] to Miss Rose Merchant of Binghamton [Broome Co. NY].

Deaths

HARRINGTON:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], at the home of her parents, June 30th, of consumption, Miss Helen M. Harrington, aged 33 years and 8 months.

For more than eight years, has this fatal disease been following its victim, a resort to water cures, and then to the far west, seemed to drive it away for a time.  Yet upon a return to the east, and to the duties of school life, its presence was surely found to be preying upon her - yet with her great perseverance she succeeded in finishing her course and graduating at Maple Wood Music School in Connecticut.  Returning to her home in Oxford with anticipation high and with far more zeal and perseverance than strength, she commenced her work, only to be stopped suddenly - for she found that disease was fast overcoming her.  But not until after spending one season in the South and some time in other localities did she become assured of her inevitable fate. Acting upon this assurance, she spent the last eighteen months of her life with her friends at her home in Oxford.

PLUMB:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], on July 1st, Mr. Justus Plumb, aged 73 years.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, July 13, 1978

Marriages

COOK - BENNET:  At the residence of the bride's father's, Newark, Wayne Co. N.Y., Mr. Cook of Pittsburg, Pa. to Miss Marion Bennet formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

COLE:  In this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 7th inst. Mr. Rufus Cole, aged 64 years.

GARDINER:  In Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], on the 6th inst. Mrs. J. Gardiner.

ALLEN:  In this town [Chenango Co. NY], July 10, Mrs. Mary P. Allen wife of Henry Allen, aged 21 years.

REXFORD:  A fine monument of sarcophagus pattern, costing $2,500, has been erected in the Quarter cemetery to the memory of Nelson C. Rexford, who died at Naples, Italy, three years ago. The burial plot is fifty feet in diameter, and is surrounded by an ornamental railing, designed and manufactured in New York. The plot was chosen by Mr. Rexford some years before he died, for his last resting place and is situated in one of the most beautiful portions of the cemetery.

News Item

About 9 o'clock Thursday night, a fire broke out in the house owned and occupied by Mrs. Levisee, about two miles south of this village, at the foot of what is known as Church Hill.  A report reached the village about 10 o'clock that a man and child had been fatally burned and a number of people immediately left for the scene.  The following are the facts as were given to us by Mrs. Levisee:

Mrs. Robinson and son, Floyd, aged four years, of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], had arrived in the morning, bringing with them Mrs. Higgins, an aged lady, mother of Mrs. Levisee.  Early in the evening Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Levisee and daughter went on a visit to Mrs. Church, living at a little distance, leaving Mrs. Higgins and the child alone in the house.  The child had been put to bed and Mrs. Higgins was alone in the lower room.  In some unexplained manner the curtain took fire from the candle which she had been using, and she immediately endeavored to extinguish the flames. Thinking she had, she supposed there was no more danger.  She soon discovered, however, that the house was on fire, and being an old lady, was unable to save the house.  An alarm was immediately given and before help arrived, the house was enveloped in flames.  It was soon ascertained that the little boy was still in the house and an effort was made to reach him.  Mr. Charles Peckham, a neighbor, heroically tried to reach the little one, but was driven back by the flames and smoke.  He made a second attempt and this time was successful in reaching him, but not until after the child had been fatally burned.  Mr. Peckham was badly burned about the head and arms, and at the time we left he was suffering intense pain.  Dr. Henry Lyman was called and did all in his power to relieve their sufferings.  He found the child so fearfully burned than no hopes were entertained for its recovery.  A terrible gash was found on its forehead, supposed to have been cut while being carried from the house.  The little fellow was conscious and was suffering the most intense agony; the skin peeling from its face and body.  The little sufferer was gradually sinking. and at 12:30 o'clock death came to its relief.  Mr. Peckham, though not fatally burned, was in a terrible condition.  Too much praise cannot be given him for his noble act, and although he did not reach the child in time to save its life, he did all that human aid could do.  The grief-stricken mother, who but a short time before left her child in perfect health and strength, was nearly crazed with grief. Word was sent to Mr. Robinson at Otselic, and he arrived about 6 o'clock Friday morning.

Nothing was saved except a melodeon and a few household articles.  The greatest sympathy was expressed for the unfortunate ones and the neighbors did all in their power to comfort them. We have visited homes of suffering and sorrow, but never before witnessed such a sad scene as this.  Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.  Drs. A.J. Mitchell and C.L. Easton, of this village, who were present, assisted Dr. Lyman in dressing the wounds and rendered him great service. We learn there was no insurance on the house.