Vital Records, Otsego County, NY (1808, 1825)

 Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, May 28, 1808

Death

Died, at Cornwall, Vt., on the 30th ult. Mrs. Rebecca Clark, aged 106 years.  This is the most remarkable instance of longevity which has ever been known, perhaps in this State.  She lived to see the fifth generation in her own family.  Her posterity is supposed to be between two and three thousand.  She retained her intellectual faculties to a degree very remarkable for such an uncommon age.  She could hear, see and converse, although with considerable difficulty.  Her bodily strength continued to the last and she was able to walk across the house the day preceding her death.  Although her death was sudden, it was not occasioned by any particular disease, nor accompanied with any observable pain.  Nature, worn out and exhausted, met without a struggle, the dissolution to which it has been long and gradually approaching.  She had been for a long time a professor of religion and member of a church, and her piety was such that her friends have a well-grounded confidence that an unusual, protracted life will be succeeded by an infinite existence of blessedness and rest.

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, June 4, 1808

Marriages

Married on the evening of the 28th May last, by the Honorable Elijah H. Metsalf, Esq.  Mr. Ashbel Graves to Miss Aroxey Hamlin, all of this town [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY].

At Burlington [Otsego Co. NY] on Sunday evening last, by the Rev. Mr. Henry Chapman, Doctor Abel Morse of Otsego Village [Otsego Co. NY] to the amiable Miss Mary Hatch of that place.

Death

Died in this town [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY] on the 30th May last, Mr. William Dowse, in the eighty-ninth year of his age.  He was born in England the 25th day of December 1710, which he left for America in 1762, where he has since resided and for several of the last years of his life, in this county.  If ever strict undeviating honesty was to be found on earth, it was in him.  His heart was the seat of human kindness - unambitious and unaspiring, he fought only for a competency.  during the period of a long, and for many years an active life, and an extensive intercourse, he had never had a legal controversy and it is believed, not a personal enemy.  Ever cheerful, Frank, open & sincere, he conciliated the affections of all that knew him.  To him avarice, duplicity and insincerity, too often the characteristics of others, were unknown, as charity, humanity and gratitude were his constant companions through life.  In his last moments, he breathed peace and benevolence to all.  To say more might perhaps be considered ostentatious, but to say less, would be withholding the tribute due to such rare, though humble, merit to such exalted virtue.  The murderous victor, in his sanguinary course and the gilded trappings of the sceptered tyrant may catch the vacant gaze, yet on virtue like this, contemplation loves to dwell.

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, June 11, 1808

Death

In England in December last, John Ramsay a seaman, aged CXXV [125].  He served in the fleet under Sir George Rooke at the taking of Gibraltar in 1704.  He retained his faculties to the last.

Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, June 21, 1825

Deaths

At Canajoharie, Montgomery County [NY] on the 14th instant, Doctor William S. Comstock and assistant Surgeon in the army of the United States, aged thirty-one years.

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At his residence on Staten Island, on Saturday the 17th inst. after a long and painful illness, Daniel D. Tompkins, Esq in the 51st year of his age, late Vice President of the United States.

The New York Gazette of Tuesday says "the remains of the late Daniel D. Tompkins, Esq. were yesterday afternoon attended to the place of interment by numerous relatives, friends and an immense concourse of citizens.  The corpse reached the city on board the steamboat Nautilus at about five o'clock.  The flags of our forts and vessels were hoisted half-mast and minute guns were fired form them and from the Revenda Cutter.  The members of the Court of Errors, now in session at our City Hall and indeed all the official characters of the city, including the Mayor and corporation, paid their last respects to the deceased, whose amiable character and public services ill never be forgotten by a grateful people.  The body was conveyed to St. Mark's church, where the funeral services were performed.  It is to be interred in the family vault at Westchester."  

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From the N.Y. Commercial Advertiser, June 13:  Another bright and beautiful star has set forever!  the Reverend & truly beloved John Summerfield breathed his last at eleven o'clock this morning after a painful illness of near four weeks.  Everyone who knew him, loved him and will mourn.  The Christian Church will mourn, and with the numerous denominations to which he was attached and in which he shone like a meteor of heavenly light, his loss will be irreparable.  He was indeed a meteor.  He shot upon us in a twinkling, shone as it were, but for a moment and sunk to rise upon the world no more.  He was a native of the neighborhood of Manchester, England, in the 27th year of his age and the eight of his ministry.  Of his personal appearance, we need not speak.  Who that has seen him, but retains a distinct impression of his graceful form, his comely features, and the sweet benignity of his countenance beaming as it were celestial light!  Of his character we need not speak. Who that has known him, ever knew a being partaking of the frail nature of humanity, more spotless and lovely!  Of his eloquence we need not speak. Who that has listened to the silver tones of his voice, the fervent strains of his manner, and his soul-moving eloquence, but has felt his bosom thrill within him as he wiped the gushing tear from his cheek.  But he is no more.  That form of beautiful symmetry is laid low. The countenance which but a few weeks since beamed with intelligence and grace, is now cold and pallid. That tongue whose every movement was melody is mute.  But after all, we should not grieve too much for==

"In what a brighter world than this his spirit shines. / How very near he is to Jesus. For sure he must be near / To him in heaven who did so love his name on earth. 

And now he's washed his mortal cares and sins away. /And now he drinks the consolations of a Saviour's love. / And now he tunes his voice to angel themes. / And now he joins a band, the rapture of whose song / An Angel's mind can scarce imagine."