Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, October 23, 1879
Marriages
The Minneapolis Tribune has a pleasant paragraph on the ninth anniversary wedding day of J.H. McDermott and wife which occurred in that city on the 3d inst. Several friends gathered at their residence in the evening, when a finely gotten up repast was disposed of, congratulatory remarks were made, and the night spent in a most enjoyable manner generally. "Mac" will be remembered by friends in this section as a former popular conductor on the Midland, and he now holds the responsible position of Yardmaster of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad.
Deaths
Miss Agnes Harris of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] while visiting the family of Rev. Mr. Loveridge, was taken very sick with diphtheria, which resulted fatally after an illness of only a few days. Her remains were taken to Norwich on Tuesday for interment. She had been in our village [Unadilla, Otsego Co. NY] about two weeks and had made many friends among the young people, and her untimely death has cast a shadow over our village - a gloom in the hearts of her young friends that cannot be erased in a long time. She was a sister of Miss Mary Harris, for several years a teacher in the Bainbridge Academy.
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Rev. Gideon Babcock Perry, D.D., M.D. died at his residence Hopkinsville, Ky September 29, 1879 in his 79th year and was buried from Grace Episcopal Church of which he was rector in this city since 1867, till of late for some time past having been altogether incapacitated from duty by reason of continued and extreme sickness.
The Rev. Dr. Perry was a native of South Kingston, R.I. and particular interest may be particularly noted of the old Perry stock as the last surviving kinsman, contemporary of the battle of Lake Erie's hero Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Their fathers being brothers and the sons born on the same homestead, the two were brought together. Thus, boy relatives attached to each other from the first, the incipient navy commander in fact at one time so won upon his younger kinsman, that but for parental interference, he had joined him to the American Marine in this country's service, mere youth as he was, yet full of the "fire of 76." To this Dr. Perry made pointed reference when asked to act as he did some score of years since, Chaplin at the "Perry Statue Inauguration," Cleveland, Ohio with the Hon. George Bancroft, historian, orator of the day.
To resume, however, home persuasions prevailed, and the subject of this sketch having duly prepared, was sent to Hamilton College, New York [Madison Co.]. After his graduation and theological course, as minister taking charge at Brookfield, N.Y. [Madison Co.], in 1823, The Rev. Perry married Miss Abby Brown, youngest daughter of Nathan Stewart, Esq. of that place. In 1824 Dr. Perry was called to the broader field of Stonington borough, Conn. and officiated there till in 1827, assuming the important charge to which he was chosen in New Bedford, Mass, and thence, three years later to the old Spruce Street Church, Philadelphia, Pa., retiring from his ministry there in 1834, on account of impaired health and seeking the West.
Renewing his labors in 1837, having removed to Canton, Ill. where a place of worship was established by him, the Rev. Dr. Perry successively ministered also at Alton, Ill. for a number of years and in 1843, was recalled to Philadelphia, remaining in that city till taking residence in the diocese of Ohio. Admitted to orders by the Bishop in 1846, the Rev Dr. took charge of St. Paul's Parish, Cleveland O., and as its first rector, rebuilding the Church he had just but lost by fire, was in office some ten years up to 1854, from there officiating at Grace Church in the same city, till 1857 when the Rev. Dr. Perry had organized under him as pastor St. James' parish of Cleveland, also now one of its attractive churches of over twenty odd years' steady growth and prominence. As next called to Natchez, Miss, in 1858, he became the rector of Trinity Church and resided there as such till his resignation in 1866, the year subsequent to accepting a call from Grace church, Hopkinsville, Ky. his last parochial charge and place of decease.
More than fifty years in the Christian ministry, it is impossible to enumerate the host of services and offices, baptisms, communions, marriages, burials and the like by him rendered in over half a century's vigorous occupation. By those tied to him in friendship, as to thousands throughout the land from Massachusetts to Mississippi and Pennsylvania to Missouri, who met and heard him with admiration, the Rev. Dr. Perry was known as a man of marked power, religious culture and ability. It was the expression of Bishop McIlvaine, himself eminent for golden speech and graceful mien, that the Rev. Dr. Perry, as a natural orator and logician to whom he accorded most hearty attention, was rarely excelled, if equaled. But few of its divines stood higher in the church, especially for pulpit eloquence, clear commanding gospel exposition and forensic force and notwithstanding his deafness, for energy and influence in almost every variety of work. He was sought and esteemed for these, aside from love and devotion to him for his many manly virtues in a long, busy life, not devoid of opposition at times befalling many another, and above all one of so positive character for good with executive will that feared not the face of man, nor mere opinion of multitude.
As noteworthy, at the farewell service, April 19th, 1874 (ere occupying the new magnificent structure) of St. Paul's Church, Cleveland, Ohio, after its first quarter century's existence, the Rev. Dr. Perry was present from a distant diocese and preached the last sermon, as he had the first, within its sacred walls, at the church's express request of its first pastor. It is instanced as one of the finest of the veteran rector's most interesting efforts so many came to hear and then for the last time in his former home parish of the Forest city. In addition to customary first degrees, those of D.D. and L.L.D. were conferred upon him by the respective colleges and after due course of study and lectures in medicine and surgery, that of M.D. from Jefferson college, Philadelphia. Dr. Perry for some years practicing both with success and distinction.
The Masonic Mirror long published in Philadelphia, contains discourses from him, while as Knight Templar he gave the address upon occasions of assembly by the Order in Ohio and for other Masonic bodies at intervals in New England and various places with great acceptability. Among his most popular efforts were those at institutions of learning and before literary societies, by members of which he was elected to honorary membership and for his interest in behalf of education ever an active work, public spirited and practical in his view. His life in Fino, was full of earnest for the common good. Through fifty-six mature, eventful years a kind husband, the exemplary citizen, loving father, true man, pastor and friend, pursued his way, and kept the Faith. At his obsequies the Priest of the church (Rev Charles Morris), with him almost daily during final illness, testified to his triumphant death. "A true soldier of the Cross - I believe if ever one was most fully prepared to meet his Maker and find rest in the bosom of God our Saviour it is the beloved and reverend brother whose form is in the casket before us!"
The attendance was crowded at the funeral services in the Parish Church, which was heavily draped about the chancel and columns and the altar, lectern and pulpit arranged with choice floral designs and emblems appropriate to the high office of the venerable deceased. During the hymns "Asleep in Jesus," and "How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord," and anthems chanted, and at the eulogy, the congregation was visibly affected. Every class and denomination of people were present, a tribute of unfeigned regret for the loss that was felt. The bearers, ten in number, from the best members of the parish and large community, friends, neighbors, and brethren, with their own hands prepared the last rites of the Christian sepulture. At the grave during the committal office, a rainbow of singular beauty appeared in the sunny sky, and, overarching, remained so, resplendent, till, after the concluding services, the cortege left the cemetery.
The Rev. Dr. Perry leaves as sincere mourners, a widow and three children; the Rev. Henry C. Perry of the city Episcopal clergy, Chicago, and a son and daughter residing in Hopkinsville, with their surviving parent.
News Item
Fifty years ago, there were few better-known families in Northern Chenango than those of Chester and George Hammond of Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY]. They came to the town in 1808 from the little town of Bolton, Tolland County, Ct. about fifteen miles east of Hartford. Chester was a farmer, and George a woolen manufacturer whose carding machine and manufacturing establishment was on the south side of Pleasant Brook in Smyrna village. Such establishments are now almost unknown in the country and this one long since disappeared. Half a century ago they were common. The oldest in the town was started by Joseph Collins, father of Levi B. Collins, Esq., in the north part of the town, and there were others two and three miles west of the village, one operated by Montgomery Percival and another at a later day by William Sprague, at Upperville [Chenango Co. NY].
George Hammond buried a number of his children in Smyrna and then followed the others who removed to Sweden and Bergen. He long since passed away and only one son and one daughter survive; Lemuel who lives in Clarendon, Orleans County [NY] and Mrs. Joseph Staples, of Sweden, Monroe County [NY].
Chester Hannond lived upon the hill southeast of the village and from his residence looking north could be seen the narrow valley of Pleasant Brook and the broader and more extensive flats upon the Chenango towards Earlville and Hamilton. His house and farm were in full view from the village, and while more than half a century has passed away, I remember how delighted were my boy eyes when they looked across the little valley to Deacon Hammond's home. I suppose his stately form, his godly life and example had something to do with the impressions made upon me, and I used to look over to the spot as almost holy ground and in passing it, as I sometimes did, feel something akin to reverence even for the place, and as for its noble proprietor, I used to think he could not be far from heaven, and this in spite of the fact that the information he felt it his duty to give of my going in swimming on Sunday, between the forenoon and afternoon service, cost me the very last whipping I receive3d from my father. Dea. Hammond largely aided in building the Congregational "meetinghouse" in Smyrna, was elected a deacon on the organization of the church and continued in the office until his removal to Michigan in 1835.
On Tuesday, October 7th, the oldest child of Deacon Hammond died near Mumford, Monroe County [NY] at the ripe age of seventy-seven. Many of the older class of people in Smyrna will remember Anna M. Hammond [Brown], although it is forty-six years since she was married to Gen. Theron Brown and went with him to his home in Wheatland, where she died. It was the sad privilege of the writer to be at the funeral on the 10th. It took place where all her married life was spent upon an eminence as sightly as that where she lived in her early years and was largely attended by people from Wheatland and Caledonia. Her oldest brother, Hon. Charles G. Hammond, of Chicago, who was at the meeting of the America Board in Syracuse, when her death took place, was present, together with her two sons and two stepsons and their families. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Taylor of Leroy and the remains interred in the Baptist church cemetery where she had long been a worshiper.
Mrs. Brown suffered a fracture of her hip about ten weeks previous to her death and was a great sufferer until death called her away. From very early life she had been a devoted Christian and throughout the community where her later years were passed, she was universally esteemed. "The memory of the just is blessed."
In the vicinity where Mrs. Brown so long resided, quite a number of Smyrna people have lived. Noah and Lewis Hutchinson resided near Mumford, but I do not know that any of their families are now living. Nathan Sutliff died at Mumford, many years ago, but his remains were taken to Sherburne Hill for interment by the side of his wife. A daughter, Mrs. Harmon, also resided there, but died in Tennessee. Mr. Sutliff's only surviving child, Mrs. Lusk, who is now entirely blind, is visiting in Smyrna. The late Hollom Hutchinson, who represented Livingston County in the Assembly in 1835, was also from Smyrna. Ephraim Finch of Wheatland, married a sister of Hollom Hutchinson, and his son married the widow of Thomas Milner, of Norwich - a daughter of the late Harvey Talcott, of Smyrna.
S.P.A.
