Vital Records, Chenango County, NY (1879)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 22, 1879

Marriages

STEWART - HOLCOMB:  At the house of the bride's father, Ira Holcomb, Esq. in Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY] May 15th by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. A. Birt Stewart to Miss Sue A. Holcomb both of Plymouth.

FULLER - FERGUSON:  In Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] May 10th, by Rev. D.N. Grumman, Mr. Chester J. Fuller of Afton [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Annie B. Ferguson of Guilford.

PAGE - JOHNSON:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY] May 6th by Rev. S.T. Ford, Mr. Albert Page to Miss Mariette Johnson all of Greene.

BROWER - SHERWOOD:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY] May 11th, by Rev. James Ryder, Mr. Hiram C. Brower of Sauquoit [Oneida Co. NY] to Miss Ida M. Sherwood of Bainbridge.

GREEN - PECK:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY] May 14th by Rev. D.N. Grummon, Mr. Robert E. Green of Jordan, N.Y. [Onondaga Co.] to Miss Kate M. Peck of Bainbridge.

GREENE - GREONE:  In South Otselic [Chenango Co. NY] May 1st by Rev. H.W. Williams, Mr. Edward Greene of Willett [Cortland Co. NY] to Mrs. Evelina Gerone of German [Chenango Co. NY].

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FRENCH - BREED:  In St. Paul's Church, St. Paul, Minn., May 14th, by Rev. E.S. Thomas, Mr. George J. French to Miss Julia B. Breed daughter of Samuel S. Breed, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

St. Paul, MN Pioneer Press:  "Long before the hour of nine, the friends of Mr. George J. French and Miss Julia B. Breed, daughter of Mr. S.S. Breed, commenced to throng the pretty St. Paul's Church to witness the plighting of the troths of those favorite young people.  Mr. French is a valued employee in the Merchants' National bank, while his fair bride has for several seasons been one of the prettiest and most accomplished of St. Paul belles.  She is especially gifted with musical talent and has long officiated at the organ which yesterday pealed forth its most joyous tones, as if rejoicing in her happiness.  Mr. Frank Wood regaled the guests with beautiful organ selections previous to the entrance of the bridal party which promptly at the hour set arrived at the Olive Street entrance to the church, alighted beneath a graceful canopy and passed to the altar to the subdued harmonies of the Bride's Chorus from Lohengrin, the following order being observed:  the ushers, Mr. William Rhodes, Jr. and Mr. Harry Johnson; the groomsmen, Mr. Ketcham of New York and Mr. T.B. Marrett; the bridesmaids, Miss Flora Parkhurst and Miss Josie Mead, both cousins of the bride, and residents of Evanston, Ill.; the groom and the mother of the bride; the bride with her father.

"The ceremony was performed in an impressive manner by the rector of the church, Rev. E.S. Thomas, while the organ breathed forth the softest melodies.  At the close of the benediction, the bridal procession passed out to the majestic measures of Mendelssohn's grand wedding march, the bride and groom in advance followed by the groomsmen, who had each obtained a maid; Mr. Marrett escorting Miss Parkhurst and Mr. Ketchum, Miss Mead.

"The bride appeared in a lovely toilette, being a tasteful combination of white satin and silk with point lace trimming and a full tulle bridal veil confined by white blossoms.  The maids wore white organdie with lace overskirts decorated with white satin bows and coiffures decorated with silver combs.

"The mother of the bride made a magnificent appearance in a toilette of black moire antique, elegantly trimmed with thread lace.

"The groom and all of the men wore morning costume, en regie, Prince Albert coats and light trousers.

"From the church the happy party proceeded to the residence of the bride's parents on Eighth Street, where a reception was held until 10:00 o'clock.  The reception was held in a spacious bay window the arch of which was elegantly decorated with flowers, a floral horseshoe hanging from the center, while the letters B and F cunningly wrought in bright flowers, hung at each side of it.  Flowers appeared in great profusion throughout the apartments.  The young couple were congratulated by a multitude of warm friends, who were entertained with a delicious collation. The gifts which were many and rich, were not exhibited.  Mr. and Mrs. French departed by the morning train on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad and will visit the eastern cities.  At Brooklyn, N.Y. they will hold a second reception at the residence of the groom's parents."

Deaths

McCORMICK:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] May 17th of consumption, Mr. Thomas McCormick, aged about 33 years.

LOTTRIDGE:  In Columbus [Chenango Co. NY] May 8th Mrs. Betsey Lottridge widow of William Lottridge, aged 74 years and 6 months.

CHANDLER:  In Columbus [Chenango Co. NY] May 16th, Mrs. Chandler aged 96 years. [Sarah Jones Chandler, widow of Ebenezer Chandler]

WIDGER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY] May 16th, of heart disease, Mr. William Widger age 79 years.

FARGO:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY] April 30th of typhoid pneumonia, Mr. Gilbert Fargo aged 80 years.

STEBBINS:  In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY] May 16th, Mr. Jesse M. Stebbins aged 74 years, brother of E.W. Stebbins of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].

HORTON:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY] May 14th, Mr. Phlemency Horton, aged 94 years, formerly of Brisbin, Chenango County [NY].

INMAN:  In Chicago, April 1st, Mrs. Hannah F. Inman formerly of Coventry [Chenango Co. NY] aged 44 years.

CHENEY:  In Oneida [Madison Co. NY] May 19th, Sarah Bristol [Cheney] wife of P.D. Cheney, and daughter of Rev. Dr. D.W. Bristol, aged 41 years.

News Item

On Sunday night last, the grave of William Nimmons at Nimmonsburg, hear Binghamton [Broome Co. NY] was robbed.  Mr. Nimmons died in February last and was buried, as was his often expressed wish, in the family burial ground.  His wife, who resides in Boston and with whom he had not lived for some time previous to his death, came on at that time and, with other members of the family, selected a place in the family grounds for his grave, reserving at the same time space for her own, expressing a wish that she might be laid by the side of her husband in case of her death.  Subsequent to the burial, the wife became piqued over some trivial family matter and attempted by way of revenge, as is alleged, to forcibly obtain possession of the body, and a gang of men from Binghamton, hired for the purpose, went to Nimmonsburg to remove the remains, but were successfully resisted by incensed neighbors of the family.  Although unsuccessful at that time, it was given out that the body was to be procured at all hazards and shipped to Boston.  Strict watch was kept upon the grave for some time, but the wife having returned to Boston, and quiet being restored in the neighborhood, the watch was to a certain extent relaxed.  The lot was visited on Sunday afternoon and nothing unusual was noticed.  On Monday morning, it was discovered that the grave had been robbed of its contents, the dirt replaced, the mound rebuilt, sods and flowers put back, and wooden stakes stuck at the head and foot of the grave, as before.  No trace of the missing body, or of the perpetrators of the crime, has yet been revealed.