Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 18, 1879
Deaths
Guilford, Chenango Co. NY: Mrs. Bradbury, wife of Andrew Bradbury died on Wednesday. Mrs. Bradbury has been confined to the house since January 15th, 1875 and has been a great sufferer ever since. Her age was 76; her funeral will be held at the house at 2 o'clock, Saturday.
Earlville, Madison Co. NY: At about five P.M. Wednesday we learned the death of little Lizzie Williamson who has been for so long a time struggling with that dreadful disease, scarlet fever. About seven that evening news came of the death of our much esteemed young townsman Jason M. Benton, another victim of the same disease. Mr. Benton leaves a wife and one child to mourn his loss.
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BILLINGS: In Smyrna, N.Y. Jan. 9th, 1879, John F. Billings, having nearly completed his 78th year.
The son of one of the original settlers of Smyrna, John Billings, who came from Somers, Connecticut in 1797. He was born in Smyrna, February 15th, 1801. Settling on the farm near the place of his birth, he was married January 19th, 1825, to Miss Lucretia Crawe of Hamilton, N.Y.
Fifty-two years they traveled the journey of life together, when a sudden accident opened for Mrs. Billings the door into eternity. During the last year of his life, Mr. Billings was a great sufferer and more or less helpless. Though his disease was of an irritating nature, his last days were marked by unusual patience and resignation. Of his children, two daughters died in early womanhood, three sons live in their native town, one on the homestead, the other lives in Smyrna village. Thus, the sons of the original settlers are going away.
On that street settled in an early day [by] Captain Felt. His son, Asa Felt lived on the same farm, removing to Earlville previous to his death. A neighbor was John Parsons. His son Alfred Parsons succeed to the farm and has now removed to the village of Earlville. Alpheus Hall settled on that street as did Noah Wood. Solomon Hall succeeded to the homestead of his father Alpheus and died some years since. Julius Wood lived and died where his father Noah settled. There are many farms in Smyrna now in the hands of the third generation from those who cleared the primeval forest. A few of the second generation survive, as Messrs. Harlow Billings, son of Joseph Billings; L.B. Collins, son of Joseph Collins; Thos. L. Wilcox, son of Lillibridge Wilcox; Henry Wilcox, son of Russell Wilcox; John Wilcox, son of John Wilcox, and perhaps a few others. Our fathers, where are they? Do they live forever?
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Owing to the crowded state of our columns in Wednesday's issue, we omitted to speak of the funeral of the late Nelson O. Wood, which occurred on Sunday last, from his late residence in North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY]. The services were largely attended by his many friends and acquaintances from various portions of the County. A special train left this village at one o'clock bearing with it about one hundred and fifty Masons, Knights Templar, and Odd Fellows, each in the regalia of these several organizations to take part in the funeral rites. Teh services at the house were very impressively conducted by Rev. S. Scoville, at the close which, the last remains of the friend of all were looked upon for the last time, and the body was delivered to Norwich Masonic Lodge for burial in accordance with the request of the deceased. The long procession of the regaled Brothers and plumed Knights bearing their dead to the tomb was an impressive and noble sight. Arriving at the Plasterville cemetery, a large concourse of people assembled and reverently witnessed the burial.
Worshipful Master, David H. Knapp conducted the funeral ceremonies in accordance with the ritual of the Order, in a clear ringing voice, so that all the vast throng could unite in its spirit with becoming respect. All the orders joined in depositing the evergreen and when the ceremony was concluded, Past Master, H.D. Mallory, acting as Chaplain, offered a most beautiful and touching prayer, partly ritualistic and adapted to the circumstances of the case.
The ceremonies concluded, the usual tribute was paid to the friends,2 and the Brothers from Norwich returned to their train and homes.
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