Vital Records, Chenango (1847), Madison (1867) Counties, NY

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 7, 1847

Marriage

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] on Sunday evening last, by Rev. C.T. Johynson, Mr. Samuel S. Bloom, merchant of Utica [Oneida Co. NY] to Miss Mary [Lamb] daughter of Mr. Anthony Lamb, Jr., of the former place.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 14, 1847

Marriage

In Earlville [Madison Co. NY] on the morning of the 7th inst., by Rev. C.T. Johnson, Mr. Leander Mudge to Miss Helen M. [Buell] daughter of Ira Buell, Esq. both of Earlville. 

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 28, 1847

Death

In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY] on the 19th inst. widow Huldah Smith, aged 103 years.

Oneida Dispatch, Oneida, NY, April   6, 1867

Marriages

COLE - BRIDGE:  In Oneida Castle [Oneida Co. NY], April 1, by Rev. Andrew Cochran, Mr. D.A. Cole of Lansing, Mich. to Miss Celentia J. Bridge,  daughter of J.L. Bridge of Oneida Castle.

ROBINSON - FARNAM:  In Oneida [Madison Co. NY] at the residence of S.H. Farnam, March 28, by Rev. Charles E. Robinson, Mr. J. Robinson of Hartwick, Otsego Co. [NY] to Miss S.M. Farnam of Oneida.

CHUBBUCK - LAKE:  In Morrisville [Madison Co. NY] March 28, by Rev. S.S. Utter, Mr. Melville Chubbuck to Miss Minnie J. Lake, all of Morrisville.

WILLIAMSON - HULL:  In Sullivan [Madison Co. NY], March 28 by Rev. P.L. Hakes, Mr. Edwin Williamson to Miss Genia G. Hull, both of Sullivan.

BUTTERFIELD - HADCOCK:  In Deansville [Oneida Co. NY], March 16, by the Methodist Minister, Mr. Leander Butterfield to Miss Harriet Hadcock both of Madison [Madison co. NY].

BLISS - CLARK:  In Madison [Madison Co. NY] March 19, by Rev. E.S. Davis, Mr. Elisha J. Blinn of Eaton [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Nettie A. Clark of Hubbardsville [Madison Co. NY\].

HARRIS - BEEBE:  In West Eaton [Madison Co. NY] March 26, by Rev. O. Tayntor, Mr. Spencer L. Harris to Miss Olive C. Beebeu both of Erieville [Madison Co. NY].

BUTTERMAN - MALLORY:  In Canastota, March 25, by Rev. L.C. Rogers, Mr. Edwin Butterman to Mrs. Lucinda Mallory both of Sullivan [Madison Co. NY].

GRIFFIN - GAGE:  In Pierceville [Madison Co. NY], March 30, by Rev. J.W. Michael, Mr. J. Vermilye Griffin to Miss Lucia A. Gage.

STOOKS - SUTTER:  In Rome [Oneida Co. NY] March 12, by Rev. Mr. Clark, Mr. Henry Stooks of Verona [Oneida Co. NY] to Miss Carolien Sutter of Conradt Settlement [Columbia Co. NY].

MOORE - LYON:  In Nelson [Madison Co. NY] April 2d, by Rev. I. Harris, Frank W. Moore to Miss Mary A. Lyon all of Nelson.

Deaths

LAMB:  In this village [Oneida, Madison Co. NY], April 3, Mrs. Abigail Lamb, wife of Mr. Avery Lamb, formerly of Westmorland, Oneida Co. [NY] aged 52 years and 10 months.

MOTT:  In Hamilton [Madison Co. NY] March 22, Mrs. Prudence Mott aged 53 years.

JACKSON:  In Georgetown [Madison Co. NY] March 20, Mrs. Maria Jackson aged 63 years.

DAMON:  In Bridgeport [Madison Co. NY], March 15, Clark K. Damon, aged 65 years.

BAKER:  In Madison [Madison Co. NY], of diptheria, Willie [Baker] only son of George and Rose Baker, aged 4 years.

SEXTON:  In DeRuyter [Madison Co. NY] March 25, Mrs. Nancy Sexton aged 82 years.

SCOTT:  In Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY] Mrs. E. Jeanette Scott aged 32 years 11 months and 12 days. [Ellen Jeanette Smith Scott d. 26 March 1867]

HOLLENBECK:  In Oneida [Madison Co. NY] March 28, Mr. Oswin A. Hollenbeck aged 54 years.

BURCH:  In Green's Corners [Saratoga Co. NY], April 3 of congestion of the lungs, Mrs. Adaline Burch, formerly of Wampsville [Madison Co. NY], aged 68 years.

TRACY: Peterboro, Madison Co. NY:  The funeral of old Mr. Tracy, who died of cancer on Friday last, was attended at his late residence in this place on Sunday.  He had been a great sufferer, and death was a great relief.  Rev. C.A. Hammon conducted the exercises, which were very brief, as the body was to be taken to Nelson [Madison Col. NY] for interment.

DENISON:  In Oneida [Madison Co. NY] March 23, at the residence of her mother, Mrs. N.B. Wilbur, Mrs. Mary W. Denison, wife of Lyman Denison, Esq. of New York.

No brief obituary notice can do justice to the memory of one who possessed such a rare combination of personal beauty with exquisite culture of mind and heart. whether we refer to her kind and gentle spirit, by which she won the affection of all who knew her, to her intellectual gifts, her perfect taste and fine execution in painting and music, by which she challenged their admiration or her ardent childlike love of all things beautiful in nature by which the world of beauty in sight and sound was open to her sensitive soul or to that Christian faith which consecrated and sanctified these gifts and graces.  We are embarrassed by the limits of this notice.  In the prime of her life and beauty, she fell a victim to disease.  For several years, she bravely resisted its inroads, receiving all the loving care which the devoted ministry of her family could render.  But it becoming evident the past winter that she was failing, she left the city for the quiet repose of the country to die in her mother's house.  There, in perfect quiet and peace, grateful as a child for every kindness shown her, looking to her Savior with that entire reliance which removed all fear or dread of death, she lay for several weeks, waiting the summons to depart. and when, in the early watch her Savior called, she, asking for her husband and mother, smiled sweetly saying "Jesus is taking me," and slept in Him.

"So fades a summer cloud away; / So sinks the gale when storms are o'er; / So gently shuts the eye of day; / So dies a wave along the shore."

After the funeral exercises, her remains were conveyed to DeRuyter [Madison Co. NY] where beside those of her father, they rest in the hope of the resurrection.

Stories from the History of Guilford, Chenango County, NY (1868)

 Telegraph and Chronicle, Norwich, NY, April 1, 1868

"Good Old Times" by Effie Johnson

To one passing over the fertile hills and through the pleasant valleys of Guilford, noting the broad cultivated farms, with their nice comfortable farmhouses, the schools and churches so thickly scattered over its whole extent, it would seem somewhat like a fairy tale to hear that some of the first settlers of this thriving town still live [in 1868], yet such is the fact, although the number year by year is rapidly decreasing and soon the last link which binds us to the past will be broken.  Although the weight of more than eighty years is resting upon the calm pleasant faced old lady who gave me the facts which I shall here record, and the light has gone out forever from her blue eyes, yet her mind is as clear and vigorous, and her memory (especially of things pertaining to the olden time as perfect as at twenty-five.  She belongs to the numerous and intelligent family of the Yales, who settled the south part of the town, giving it the name of "Yale Settlement" or "Yaleville."

Guilford formerly belonged to Oxford.  About the year 1818, it was set off as a town and named Eastern.  Where or when this was changed to its present name, we are unable to learn.  The first settler was a Mr. Stephen Wicks, who with his family brought their goods from Bainbridge on their backs, their only road an Indian trail.  This was previous to 1797.  In 1799 Benjamin and Uriah Yale came on from Dutchess County [NY] and in 1803 Luman and James Birch joined the little company of settlers.  The last named gentleman lived with the wife of his youth for 70 years.  Married at the respective ages of 18 and 16, they lived together for seventy years, and at the ages of eighty-six and eighty-four carried on the work of a farm themselves, the good wife of eighty-four doing the dairy work for fifteen cows and churning by hand.  It is no wonder that Guilford is famed for the amount and excellence of its dairy products when we know it was settled by such people as those.  Two years later the venerable lady laid down to her long last sleep and at the ripe age of ninety-nine, her partner took to himself a bride of seventy.  

We will return to our first settlers.  Mr. Benjamin Yale the father of Mrs. Cooper, our informant, was eleven days making the distance from Dutchess Co., now accomplished by rail, in one.  His family consisted of his wife and nine children.  He drove a span of horses, a yoke of oxen and a cow all the distance. The country was an unbroken wilderness, but nothing daunted, the brave settler entered upon the task of felling the giant trees, preparing the ground for crops and putting in the seed which was to be for the life of all they brought with them, for there was no market in the wilderness where food could be procured at any price.

"I shall never forget the summer of 1800," said Mrs. Y, "for the scarcity of food and our near approach to starvation.  It lacked yet several weeks to the harvest and our grain was nearly gone.  Oh, how anxiously we watched the slowly ripening wheat, as our supply grew more and more scanty.  At last, all was gone.  We had the milk of two cows upon which eleven persons were to depend for subsistence.  All we had left was a little corn which we had saved for a stool pigeon, and this my father took into an iron mortar and commenced pounding it up for our last morsel of bread.  I remember how my mother's face had grown sadder as the food diminished and she looked round upon her little flock, till now, she broke down and cried.

Our good neighbor Stephen Wicks came in just then and said, "What are you doing, doctor?"  Father answered, "I am pounding up my last corn for a little bread and then I don't know but we must starve."

"Not while I have a morsel to divide," said the kind man.  "Send a child to my house, Mrs. Yale, and my wife will give you some flour."

"I went accompanied by a little sister, and the good woman filled a pillowcase with flour which was more precious to us than gold.  How carefully that flour was dealt out by our frugal mother, a piece of bread to each, and a cup of milk until the harvest came.  That was a joyful harvest, and after that we never knew want."  

I looked from the pleasant window of the farmhouse where I was sitting with my blind friend, upon a beautiful landscape. The green meadow grass was waving in the summer wind; smooth pasture lands dotted with sheep and cattle were beyond and the hillside was crowned with forest trees.  It was a peaceful rural scene, yet the shadowed eyes beside me had gazed upon this very land when it was one unbroken forest.  On this well cultivated farm more than half a century ago, she with her husband made themselves a home.  

"Our first housekeeping was very rude," she said, "Our house was a mere shanty, and we had neither table or chair.  [Planks] a wide one for the table and narrow ones for the chairs had to do duty until fall, when we built a chimney for our house and bought a table and chairs."  I could not but look with respect and reverence upon the venerable lady who had so patiently endured the toil and hardship of pioneer life and rejoice that in the evening of her days, surrounded by every comfort and cared for by kind children, she found rest.  Only the summer before, her aged companion had left her for the eternal home, and it seemed a pleasure to her to recall the scenes of youth.  

"Mother, tell how you were chased by wolves," said a bright-eyed daughter-in-law, who had been listening to the conversation.  "My brothers were always busy, of course, clearing up the land, so it fell to my lot, a little girl then of ten or twelve years, to go for the cows at night. I always found them by the tinkling bells they wore, for there were no roads or fences, you know.  My little sister accompanied me, and a large, faithful dog always was with us. We had gone about half a mile when we heard the bells and knew that the cows were chased by wolves or they were running very fast. They rushed past us and our noble dog growled while his hair stood straight up and I knew he was dreadfully frightened.  I told my sister to run for her life and I hurried after as fast as I could, patting the dog and saying "don't leave me, don't leave me."  For a while he obeyed me, growling and looking very savage all the time, then suddenly springing aside.  I heard him grapple with a great wolf who was hoping to make a meal of us, since he had missed of the cows. You may believe I ran then, but before we reached home the faithful dog overtook us, with the skin torn entirely from his face and hanging from his jaws.  He had saved us, and he was well cared for, and he got quite well again."

Deer and bears and wolves were plenty enough.  I have seen eight deer at one time following each other, and hunting amounted to something then.  Our neighbor Wicks was a famous hunter.

Benjamin Yale died in 1851 at the advanced age of 102.  Mrs. Uriah Yale, who died in 1860 at the age of 99, was a remarkably intelligent woman and retained her vigorous intellect to the last.  She was a great lover of the Bible and had almost, if not entirely, committed it to memory.  In the house where she died, lives a lady of 100 years.  So, Guilford does not seem unfavorable to longevity.  One of the sons of Uriah Yale lived 70 years in the town and died during the summer of 1867 at the age of 85 years.  Stephen Yale, his brother, still is living [in 1868], almost the only representative of the band of youthful settlers of 1799, who have made the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY (1879, 1880)

 Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, December 27, 1879

Marriage

FROST - GRIFFIN:  At the M.E. Parsonage in Leonardsville, Madison Co. [NY] Dec. 17, 1879, by Rev. J.B. Kenyon, Charles A. Frostb of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY] and Miss Nellie P. Griffin of Leonardsville.

Death

Mr. D.T. Hiller and wife were called to South Onondaga [Onondaga Co. NY] the first of the week by the severe illness of Mr. Joseph Owen Seeley, father of Mrs. Hiller.  Unfortunately, they were too late to reach there before his death which occurred on Monday the 22d.  Mr. Seeley was 83 years of age and was a prominent and most respected citizen, having when in active life filled many positions of public trust with honor and distinguished ability.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, January 9, 1880

Birth

Rev. H.M.J. Hawley of Afton [Chenango Co. NY] is the happy man.  It is a girl and weighs 7-1/2 pounds.  It came to town last Wednesday night.

Marriage

Mrs. Dwight Scott was the recipient of a pleasant surprise on Wednesday evening by the congregating at her residence of a few of her personal friends to congratulate her on the fifteenth anniversary of her wedding day - Crystal wedding as it is termed.  The evening passed very pleasantly, refreshments were partaken of and everyone left wishes for many anniversaries ere the final parting.

Guilford, Chenango Co. NY:  Mr. and Mrs. James Decker celebrated their fifth anniversary on Tuesday eve last.  there was a large number in attendance and some very fine presents.

Deaths

An aged citizen of Afton [Chenango Co. NY] Jerry J. Sheldon, 77 years old, died Sunday last.  He has been partially blind for several years.  He was a sterling old Democrat that never wavered in the faith.

Diphtheria is raging at an alarming rate in Towanda [Erie Co. NY].  A family by the name of Madden are all prostrated with the disease except Mr. Madden, and three of the children have already died.

Tommy Long and Jimmy Murray aged five and seven years were drowned in Elmira [Chemung Co. NY] Saturday by the ice on a pond giving way.

Masonville, Delaware Co. NY:  M. Stillman Davis died at his residence on Beach Hill, Dec. 29th.  The funeral services were held at the Baptist church, Dec. 31st by Elder Ripley.

_______________________

A Sad Accident

New Year's Day was not by a long way a happy day to a family named Meaker, residing in the Fifth ward [Binghamton, Broome Co. NY].  A sad calamity occurred to that family in the drowning of a little son named Albert Meaker, aged seven years.  He, with two other boys named Albert Preston, aged nine years, son of C.B. Preston, and a third boy about their own age, Harry Van Alstyne, had been riding downhill in the upper part of the fifth ward and left their homes at about ten o'clock in the morning.  They had not been there long before they decided to go on the ice of the Susquehanna and slide, and soon they were playing near the Rockbottom dam, near the entrance of the flume to the mills, where the water flows swiftly and the ice was quite thin.

At about two and a half o'clock a crowd was quickly brought upon the bank to witness the ice breaking and two of the boys, the Preston lad and the Meaker boy, splashing for dear life and likely to be drowned under the ice by the rapid current.  It was necessary that something for their rescue should be done immediately, but none of the crowd, it appeared, dared venture upon the tender ice, when quickly a young man, names Thomas F. Garvey who was some distance away, heard the sad cries of the little fellows for help, came rushing across the road and, pushing his way through the terrified crowd, rushed down a wooden framework where saw logs are drawn up into the mill and stepped out upon the ice.  He did not heed its bending but quickly prepared to swim by throwing off his heavy beaver overcoat.  He advanced farther and went down, the ice giving away by his weight.  He had gone about twenty feet from the shore but was sufficient distance to reach out and firmly grasp young Preston as the boy was going down for the third and last time.  The water here is said to be about twenty-five feet deep.

The heroic man Garvey was noble in clinging to the one he had sought to save, and notwithstanding that he was about to peril his own life, he would not let go his grip on the drowning boy. The water was cold and he was chilled through and being in such a condition it was impossible for him to swim.  Undoubtedly both he and the boy Preston would have been drowned were it not for tthe timely assistance of Maurice Gilbert and one named Potter, who put out some planks to which he caught hold and was rescued.

Mr. Garvey was scarcely able to walk when he landed upon the shore but encouraged by the many friends who had viewed the scene, he succeeded in safely reaching his home.  He changed his clothing and fortunately did not take cold from Hsi cold water bath.  The Preston boy was breathing but was unconscious.  He was taken into Mr. J. Hanrahan's on South Street, stripped of his garments by Mrs. Hanrahan and a neighbor, who rubbed the boy until his body changed from rigid coldness to warmth.  he was given stimulant and put into bed until the arrival of his father and mother, who afterwards took him to their home on South Carroll Street, Fifth ward.

Little Albert Meaker was never more seen alive.  He was near the edge of the ice, and he was carried by the swift water out into the stream. the spectators upon the shore witnessed a most terrifying sight. The boy cried for help, and it could not be given him, and they saw him when he went down for the last time. Rapidly he was carried along until he reached the dam, and as the boy passed over the dam, the little fellow's arms swung up as though he were asking someone to catch him from striking into the bubbling waters beneath.

Whitney A. Moore, Thomas Crow and George Troop procured a boat below the dam, and by breaking away the ice as they endeavored to slide the boat out to the water, they soon reached the unfrozen river.  The rowed around for a short time, when they beheld the body and recovered it.  It was floating face downwards about two feet under the river's surface and had reached nearly to the Exchange Street foot bridge.

It was lifted out and carried to Mr. Orin Gleason's, on Exchange Street and Dr. J.H. Chittenden dispatched for. The doctor arrived but did no good and the body was sent to the mother, Mrs. John Meaker, who is a neighbor living on the same street with Mr. and Mrs. Preston.

The boys each had sleighs with them at the time of the accident and the Meaker boy's sleigh was never seen after the accident.  Little Harry Van Alstyne succeeded in getting the Preston boy's sleigh, piled it upon his own and started rapidly for home crying all the way that "Bertie Meaker was drowned."  He in that way breaking the sad intelligence upon Mrs. Meaker and Mrs. Preston.  The Preston boy states that he first saw "Bertie" Meaker break through and that he endeavored to rescue him and thus he narrowly escaped drowning.

Binghamton Leader, January 2.

Vital Records, Broome (1838, 1874), Otsego (1873) Counties, NY

 Broome Republican, Binghamton, NY, April  12, 1838

Marriages

In this village [Binghamton, Broome Co. NY] on the 7th inst. by George E. Isbell, Esq. Mr. Dryden A. Pope to Miss Lucy Roberts.

At Conklin [Broome Co. NY] on the 29th ult. by the Rev. Mr. McCrary, Mr. Hezekiah F. Lee of Salisbury, Conn. to Miss Betsey Ann Ensign, formerly of the same place.

Death

In Marshal, Calhoun County, Michigan, on the 8th day of March last, Sarah [Crissey] wife of Mr. Peter Crissey, late of this village [Binghamton, Broome Co. NY], aged about 45 years.

Broome Republican, Binghamton, NY, April 19, 1838

Death

In this town [Binghamton, Broome Co. NY] on the 16th inst. Mr. John Jewel, Jr., aged 22 years.

Broome Republican, Binghamton, NY, April 26, 1838

Death

In this village [Binghamton, Broome co. NY] on Thursday the 19th inst. of a consumption, Mr. Henry T Shipman, aged 56 years.  Mr. Shipman, was one of the earliest settlers in this village, having resided  here 33 years.  He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and had been through life a man of excellent moral character.  He has left a widow and a large family of children.

Union News, Union, NY, October 3, 1874

Death

A child of John P. Pier was buried here [Union Broome Co. NY] yesterday whose death is supposed to ave been caused by an injury received a week or two ago by striking  headfirst a tree while being swung,

Union News, Union, NY, October 17, 1874

Marriage

On the 8th instant at the residence of W.W. Hooper in Union [Broome Co. NY] by Rev. William N. Cobb, Henry V. Trask of Hornellsville [Steuben Co. NY]to Miss Jennie Stevenson of Union.

Death

In the town of Owego, Tioga Co.  N.Y on Sunday morning, October 11th, 1874, Benjamin Burton aged 47 years.

Union News, Union, NY, October 24, 1874

Deaths

In this village [Union, Broome Co. NY], Oct. 22d, 1874, of scarlet fever and congestion of the lungs, Harry [Park] son of Gregory and Eliza Z. Park, aged 2 years and 4 months.

In Union Centre [Broome Co. NY] Sept. 25th, 1874, Ida M. [Rockwell] aged 8 years and 11 months.

Daniel B. Simpson one of the best known and most respected citizens of Binghamton [Broome Co. NY] died Thursday evening Oct. 15th, in his 59th year.  His funeral took place last Saturday.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, July 2, 1873

Marriages

June 19th, At Exeter [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. E.H. Pecke, Orville L. Plumb of Burlington Flats [Otsego Co. NY] to Miss Alice jones of Exeter.

June 21st, At Mr. Vision [Otsego Co. NY]by Daniel Barnard, esq. Chancelor Spicer to Miss Libbie Johnson, both of Morris [Optsego Co. NY].

June 22d, At Toddsville [Otsego Co. NY] by Rev. H.A. Blanchard, Daniel A. Park of Burlington [Otsegp Co. NY] to Mrs. Julia A. Wheeler of Toddsville.

Deaths

June 16th, In New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY] Mrs Elsie W. Ballard aged 69 years.

June 28th, In Morris [Otsego Co. NY] at the residence of his son-in-law, D.D. Dye, Jonathan Angell aged 82 years and 5 months.

June 29th, In New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY], Isaac C. Kimbell Esq. aged 58 years and 19 months.

Two boys, sons of Volentine Pope, New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] went in swimming in the Unadilla River last Friday evening at that place, and one of them aged 12 years, got into deep water and was drowned.  The younger one gave the alarm, but it was nearly an hour before the body could be found. This should prove as a warning to young boys, to keep out of dangerous waters.

Civil War Letter, January 1862, Dr. Meigs Case

 Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, January 15, 1862

Civil War Letter from Dr. Meigs Case

Camp Griffin, Va., January 10th, 1862

Friend Carpenter:  I beg leave through your columns to thank certain patriotic ladies of Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY] for their very acceptable present to the hospital of the 43d Regiment.  The box sent contained a well selected and useful list of articles, and they are already adding to the comfort of our invalids.

Mrs. Moore and others in West Davenport, Delaware County [NY], will also, accept our thanks for a similar gift.

As an interest seems to be taken in our sanitary condition, I will at some future time, send you a copy of our Brigade hospital report.

It occurs to me as I write, that it is precisely five months since I entered upon my duties as assistant Surgeon of the Regiment. during which time, I have been acting Surgeon of the Reg't for four months through the absence of my Senior.

During that time, the other Regiments composing our Brigade have lost by death in hospital, from 12 to 19 men, and one regiment for a long time has reported one-fourth of their entire number off duty by reason of sickness.

I am happy to say, that but one death has taken place in our Regiment during the five months past, and we never have reported more than one sixteenth of our full number off duty by sickness.  Thus it will be seen that we are in a most gratifying condition of health.  The Maine Regiments seem to suffer most and one near us has lost twenty-seven men in three months.

The sickly season, however, is upon us, and I fear that we too shall succumb to the terrible depressing influences of malaria.  Our worst enemy at present, is measles, of which we have had within a brief period, over thirty cases, some of them quite severe and complicated with bronchitis pneumonia, &c, &c.  Again, thanking the good people of my native region for their kind remembrances of the sick soldiers, I am Respectfully, Meigs Case, Surgeon, 43d Regt. N.Y.S.V.

Vital Records, Cortland (1849), Otsego (1862) Counties, NY

 McGrawville Express, McGrawville, NY, July 12, 1849

Marriages

In Homer [Cortland Co. NY] on the 4th inst. by Rev. William N. Cobb of Homer, Mr. James L. Decker and Miss Polly Maria Dodge both of McGrawville [Cortland Co. NY].

In Jerusalem [Yates Co. NY], June 13th by Rev. S.J. Decker, Mr. Isaac Nye and Miss Juba Carey of Bristol [Ontario Co. NY].

In Solon [Cortland Co. NY], on the 4th inst. by Rev. A.H. Trow, Mr. David W. Seacord and Miss Ruth Ann Champeon all of the above-named place.

In McGrawville [Cortland Co. NY] on the 10th inst. by Rev. William N. Pearne, Mr. Darwin R. Rice and Miss Mary Wight, both of Solon.

Death

We learn from a gentleman from Norwich, Chenango Co. that the Eagle Hotel, kept by D.E. Lawrence, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday night.  The sister of Mrs. Lawrence and two children belonging to the landlord were also burned to death!  This is indeed lamentable!  Syracuse Reveille

[Note:  In the report of the fire published in a Norwich newspaper, there is no mention of the loss of life, leading to the possibility that the report above is incorrect.]

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, July 11, 1849:  The morning of the 4th was ushered in at this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] by a display of fireworks of an unexpected and destructive character.  Shortly after 4 o'clock, the Eagle Hotel, owned by H. DeForest and occupied by D.E. Lawrence was discovered to be on fire.  The alarm was given and the citizens soon assembled, but too late to arrest the progress of the flames.  The building being of the most inflammable material and entirely dry, was rapidly consumed, scarcely allowing time to remove the furniture.  Among the articles lost were several pictures, engravings, window shades and other property belonging to some of our citizens which had been loaned to decorate the ballroom used for an ice cream party given on the night of the 3d, among them, the beautiful painting drawn last year in the Art Union lottery by H. Hubbard. Esq.

How the fire originated is not known. The building was insured to the amount of $2000 and the furniture of $1000 in the Saratoga Mutual, which will nearly cover the loss.  Mr. Lawrence, however, lost some personal property, and suffers heavily in being thrown out of business at a time when it would have been most profitable to him.

Fortunately, our citizens were enabled by their exertions, assisted by a still air and the engine of Mr. Rider, to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings.

This fire furnishes to our citizens another admonition to adopt some measures to meet a similar visitation hereafter.  There is not probably a village in the State of the size and importance of this, which is so poorly provided in this respect. there is but one engine here and that is owned by a private citizen, while there is no organized fire company. A village like this should have at least two engines and two efficient companies.

McGrawville Express, McGrawville, NY, July 19, 1849

Deaths

A young man by the name of Joseph Holmes fell from the canal boat Vera Cruz, in the Varick canal on Tuesday evening and was drowned.  He is said to have come from St. Lawrence Co. where his friends probably reside.  Owego Times

____________________________

Two young ladies, residents of New York City, Misses Ferguson and Sybil, aged about 14 years, were drowned at South Worcester, Otsego County, on the 30th ult.  They were students in the Charlotte Academy.

Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, July 11, 1849:  On the afternoon of Saturday the 30th of June, the Rev. Samuel D. Ferguson and lady, and a company of young ladies of the Charlotte Academy, called to visit my family about 3 o'clock, P.M.  After being there a few hours, my children and niece accompanied the young ladies in taking a walk.  they went up to Strain's mill pound, about an hundred rods distant, without my knowledge or the knowledge of Mr. or Mrs. Ferguson.

After they arrived at the pond, my son, George, a lad of ten years old, got into a small boat and proposed to take a ride on the water with the young ladies.  My niece, Eliza, told them not to do so, and some of them promised they would not.  She left with several of the company to return to my house, knowing tea was about ready.  Soon after she had left, she heard screams and immediately ran for help.  James Strain, esq. and family heard their cries and immediately went to the edge of the pond, near where the boat had given way to them.  At this moment George and the four young ladies were out of the boat in the deep water.  George swam about, seized the hands of some who were about sinking and placed them on the edge of the boat, assuring them they would be saved if they would hold fast and not be frightened.  He then left them with the assurance that he would go ashore and get help to save them.  About the time he arrived at the shore, Esquire Strain and his wife and two others arrived, when the girls were yet clinging to the boat and screaming , "O man, help! O do not let us drown."  Esquire Strain told them to keep still and hang on to the boat, they should be saved. About this time, it was evident that Misses Hanna Ann Ferguson and Frances Sybil were about letting go the boat and sinking.  Mrs. Strain advised her husband to go in and save them.  At this time, they were not exceeding two rods from the shore. Strain took off his hat and shoes exclaiming, "O, My God!" and plunged in after them.  When he got in reach of Misses F. and S., they took hold of him and he made his way for the shore quite rapidly for a few feet, but one of the young ladies took hold of him with the grasp of death about his neck, and the other about one of his arms, at once checking his progress towards the shore.  He stopped and exclaimed, "O my back," when all three went down.

At this instant, after Strain had the two young ladies, Mr. Eaton, of Herkimer County, went for a rope to throw to the other two, who continued to cling to the boat.  Mrs. Strain also left to get a board to reach them. They were gone not to exceed two minutes and when they returned Strain and the other girls were out of sight, and Mr. Eaton inquired of Misses Martha Griffin and Mary Stevenson what had become of Strain and others. They exclaimed that they had gone down and were drowned.  He then threw the rope towards them, but they could not reach the first time he threw it.  He then threw it again and they both grasped it and were drawn ashore, and considerable distance under water, and were saved.

Numerous persons immediately arrived, and after searching about a half an hour, found Mr. Strain at the bottom, where the water was about 11 feet deep.  He was then carried to the shore, in presence of his wife and eight children.  Soon after, Miss Ferguson was found within a few feet of where Mr. Strain was, and in a short time Miss Sibyl was also found.  They were all entirely lifeless. The two young ladies were residents of the city of New York, one of whom was an only daughter.

Mr. Strain was in the 46th year of his age; has left the home of his birth and is forever severed from his family and friends in a fervent effort to save those whom he never before saw or knew.  He was an excellent swimmer, but nothing at the critical moment could avail him.  the young ladies were about fourteen years of age.  I arrived at the spot within ten minutes after Mr. Strain and Misses Ferguson and Sybil went down.

Yours &c. Abraham Becker.

McGrawville Express, McGrawville, NY, July 26, 1849

Deaths

In Spring Port [Cayuga Co. NY], on the 23d inst., Miss Amanda M. Benedict, aged 20 years.

In New York, at the institution for the blind, the 2d inst. Esther Rosette [Eldridge], daughter of William Eldridge of Cortlandville, aged 19 years.

Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, January 15, 1862

Marriages

In Otego [Otsego Co. NY] on the 6th inst. Andrew A. Mather, Sheriff of Otsego County to Miss Addelaide J. Birdsall, daughter of George Birdsall, Esq. of Otego.

At Windy's Hotel, Morris, N.Y. [Otsego Co.] on the 12th inst. by Rev. H.A. Sherwood, Mr. Henry Merrills to Miss A. Wellman both of Milford, N.Y [Otsego Co.].

In Davenport [Delaware Co. NY] Jan. 18th, by Rev. E.C. Hodge, Mr. Carlton Tallmadge to Miss Mary E. Lockwood, both of Davenport.

In Greene [Chenango Co. NY] on the 31st ult. by Rev. W.C. Sdamson, Noah Thorton to Miss Julia A. Briggs, both of Maine, Broome Co. [NY].

In Afton [Chenango Co. NY] on the 14th inst. by Rev. W. Allen Johnston, Mr. Charles L. Seely to Miss Sarah M . Payne both of Afton.

Deaths

In Laurens, Jan. 8th, Mary E. [Steere] youngest daughter of Elisha B. and Francis A. Steere, int he 8th year of her age.

"Mother weep not for me, / Through broke from the parent stem, / I am now blooming in the Paradise of God."

At the residence of her grandfather, Mr. Dillingham in Geneseo, Ill, Dec. 25th of diptheria. Emma E. [Avery] daughter of John and Sophia W. Avery of Otsego Co. N.Y. aged 9 years, 11 months and 23 days.

During her short but terrible illness, Emma bore her sufferings uncomplainingly and with a fortitude seldom equaled by those more advanced in years.  She was a Christian child and for her mild and sweet disposition was dearly beloved and cherished by all who knew her. Although her parents were far away during her sickness and at her death, yet she had the love and care of fond grandparents and friends to mitigate her pains and to perform the last earthly rites of the child of their affections.

"Suffer little children to come unto me."

Vital Records, Madison County, NY (1854)

 Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, July 5, 1854

Marriages

In Manlius [Onondaga Co. NY] June 27th, by Rev. William Clarke, Mr. Augustine Bliss of Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY] and Miss Sophronia A. Ward of the former place.

At Knox Retreat in Nelson [Madison Co. NY] on the 28th ult. by Rev. L.A. Eddy, Mr. William J. Ayer of DeRuyter [Madison Co. NY] to Mrs. Luvantia E. Mead daughter of J. Knox Esq., of the former place.

On the 4th inst. by Rev.. D.C. Burritt, Mr. Frederick R. Earl of Waddam's Grove, Ill. to Miss Martha Lawrence of Perryville [Madison Co. NY].

Deaths

An Oneida Indian by the name of Abram Williams was killed by being run over by the accommodation train going west on Tuesday evening, about a mile and a half west of Rome [Oneida Co. NY].  the man was intoxicated.  Syracuse Journal

The body of a young female was found floating in the Chenango River a short distance below the village of Earlville, in the town of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], Saturday afternoon last, which, on examination proved to be that of an orphan girl, by the name of Ellen Wells.  She was about sixteen years of age and had been missing some forty-eight hours.  It is generally supposed that she was driven to commit the suicide in consequence of having been accused of committing a number of petty thefts and discharged from service by the lady with whom she had been living. Madison Observer, July 1st.

Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, July 12, 1854

Marriages

At the Methodist Parsonage in this village on the 11th inst. by Rev. L.A. Eddy, Rev. E.L. Newman of Onondaga to Miss Lucelia A. Spencer daughter of Mr. Miles Spencer of Onondaga.

At Cleveland, Ohnio, on the 4th July, Mr. Ossian E. Dodge of Boston [MA], editor of The Literary Museum to Miss Ettie Lyon of Zanesville, Ohio.

In Delphi [Madison Co. NY], July 4th, by Rev. William Cobb, Mr. Orrian D. Allen of Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Louisa Adams of Cazenovia.

Deaths

In Chittenango [Madison Co. NY] June 30th, Rev. John Baum aged 57 years, also, Mrs. Baum, wife of the former, on Sunday, July 2nd. [Magdalena Elwood Baum]

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In this village, after a brief illness, on Saturday the 8th inst, Mr. John F. Irons aged 43 years.

An unusual sensation was produced in this community by the news of the decease of Mr. Irons, owing not merely to the suddenness of his departure from our midst but to the many estimable qualities he possessed, which endeared him to all who had enjoyed his acquaintance.

When it is considered that he was an artist of remarkable skill in the department of industry in which he engaged, that he was a man of uncommon amiableness of disposition, of uncompromising integrity and of public spirit - that he was a faithful friend, an indefatigable Sunday School laborer and above all a consistent Christian, it is not surprising that an immense assemblage of people of all ages attended his funeral obsequies at the Stone Church last Sabbath evening, and that they evinced on the occasion not only sincere sympathy with his deeply afflicted family, but an aspect of sadness arising from an appreciation of the irreparable loss the entire community has sustained in his death. 

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The house of Mr. Reals at Manlius depot [Onondaga Co. NY] was destroyed by fire on the morning of Tuesday in which a child of Mr. R. aged three years, was burned to death.  It appears that the parents were absent, having left their two sons - one twelve and the other three years of age - alone in the house. The children were playing with firecrackers and matches in an upper chamber, and it is supposed accidentally dropped some ignited substances down between the wall and the floor, from which the house took fire.  The oldest boy ran out to give the alarm and when he returned, the dwelling, with the younger boy in it was enveloped in flames. The poor child was burned so that not even a vestige of his bones could be found in the ruins, Syracuse Journal.

Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, July 19, 1854

Marriage

In Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY] this morning, by the Rev. C.D. Burritt, Mr. James M. Lyman of Jordanville [Herkimer Co. NY]  to Miss Ellenm A. Blair of Cazenovia.

Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, July 26, 1854

Marriages

In Hamilton [Madison Co. NY] at the residence of her father on the morning of the 24th inst. by Rev. George W. Eaton, D.D. J.D. Denison Esq. (foreman of Reflector Office) and Miss M.J. Atkins, daughter of C.D. Atkins, Esq. all of the place above named.

A generous fee accompanied the above notice, as a matter of course, as Printers know how to do the fair thing on such occasions, which is, perhaps, one reason for their general good fortune in these life partnerships.  May you be the luckiest type in the world, friend Denison.

In Rome [Oneida Co. NY] on the 18th inst. by Rev. George W. Eaton, D.D. W.W. Chebuck, Esq. of Hamilton [Madison Co. NY] and Miss Julia A. Trowbridge of Camden, N.Y. [Oneida Co.].

Deaths

At the residence of his father in Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY] July 3d, Leander Smith in the 40th year of his age.

For many years he was a resident of Du Page, Illinois, enjoying the confidence and respect of all with whom he associated.  Consumption with its varied forms held its withering hand upon him, admonishing him that life was fast passing away. When racked with pain and deep distress he longed for home and kindred associations. As soon as strength would permit, he hastened to his childhood's home, but how brief his stay.  Six weeks of intense suffering, which he bore with Christian resignation, and he slept the sleep of death amid the scenes of his early days.

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Mrs. Ellen Urban, daughter of Mr. C. Marvin of Syracuse [Onondaga Co. NY] and wife of Alexander Urban, a German music teacher, died rather suddenly on Wednesday morning (July 19) and from attending circumstances it was supposed poison had been administered to her by her husband.  The Syracuse Republican says:

About three weeks ago, she was brought home to die, it being apparent that she was rapidly sinking.  Her husband remained at Le Roy [Genessee Co. NY] and about ten days since, having been sent for, he came here, staid a few hours, returned to Le Roy, told persons there that he was accused of having poisoned his wife, and by them was advised to come back here and stay till her decease.  He expressed his determination so to do - packed up his property and left that village.  He has not been here nor been heard of since.  Previous to his departure, he told a person that his wife was going to die and mentioned what he desired to have done with his child.  To Dr. Hoyt, he said he was or would be suspected of having given her poison and said, "Doctor, I want you to be on my side."

A postmortem was held and indications discovered, which greatly strengthen the suspicions of foul play.  Urban has fled, whither no one knows.

Vital Records, Otsego (1807), Chenango (1880) Counties, NY

 Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, September 3, 1807

Marriage

Married, At Coventry, Connecticut, by John Spier, Esq. the 17th ult. Mr. Asa Harris of Otsego [Otsego Co. NY] to Mrs. Alice Dowe of the former place.  Mr. Harris has within the space of three years three months and seventeen days been the husband of three different wives - his present one is his fourth.  He is seventy years of age and his present wife fifty.  He had never seen her until the middle of the last month.  He left home on the 4th and in seventeen days returned with his bride, distance of about 200 miles.

"Two kindest souls alone must wed, / Tis friendship makes the bondage sweet, / And feeds their mutual loves; / Bright Venus, on her rolling throne, / Is drawn by gentlest birds alone, / and Cupids yoke the doves."

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, September 10, 1807

Death

Died suddenly in Hartwick [Otsego Co. NY] on the evening of the 30th of August, Mrs. Nancy Skiff consort of Mr. Joseph Skiff in the 24th year of her age.  She was interred Sept. the 1st.  A pathetic discourse was delivered by the Rev. John Bostwick from Job 23d 2d, to a large number of her relations and neighbors who might with propriety say with the text, "Even today is my complaint bitter, my stroke is heavier than my groaning."  She was virtuous in life and lamented in death by all who knew her.  How transient is all sublimary felicity!  We bloom like the rose at noon and are swept away with the evening breeze.  Mrs. Skiff was a kind partner, an obedient child, a tender mother, a good neighbor & pleasant friend.  We might well say why was life so fair cut down so soon, but God is wise and good, although this stroke is superlatively afflictive to the disconsolate husband and mother whom we will address in the language of the poet.

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, September 17, 1807

Elopement

Whereas my wife Mary [Harrington] has eloped from my bed and board, this is therefore to forbid all persons harboring or trusting her on my account, as I am determined to pay no debts she may contract after the date hereof.  Stephen Harrington, Burlington [Otsego Co. NY] Sept. 15, 1807.

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, September 24,  1807

Death

Died in Milford [Otsego Co. NY] on the 11th inst. Mrs. Jerusa Lee consort to Lieut. Daniel Lee, aged 43 years.

Mrs. Lee was an amiable matron, a tender mother, and an affectionate wife.  She has left a large family and a tender partner to lament her loss.  Her funeral obsequies were attended on the Sunday following with great solemnity and a large concourse of people who let fall a tear of sympathy.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, April 29, 1880

Marriage

In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY] April 21st by Rev. O.L. Severson, Mr. John W. Shepardson to Miss Maria B. Per Lee all of Smyrna.

Deaths

In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY] April 22d, Miss Juliet Eells aged 12 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY] April 27th, Mr. Thomas Tyler aged 86 years.

In East Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] April 16th, Mrs. Polly Burdick aged 74 years.

In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY] April 18th, Mr. Seth Curtiss aged 87 years 11 months and 11 days.

News Item

Reminiscences of Fifty Years Ago [about 1830]

Among my earliest acquaintances in Greene [Chenango Co. NY] were the old-time mercantile firms of C.&A. Squires, Barnard & Hatch and Rathbone & Hunt.  My father traded mostly with C.&A. Squires.  He always kept "debt and credit," and many a time I have seen him on a rainy day take his account book under his arm, and start for "the village," to settle with Mr. Squires.  They were always willing to trust anyone in whom they had confidence, as witness the fact that at one time while at school, I wanted a sheet of paper.  I had no penny and had not time to go home, so I went to Mr. Charles Squires and asked him to trust me.  He was willing to do so if I would promise to pay him in a "fortnight." This I readily promised and got the paper.  I am happy to say, that I redeemed my promise by paying him out of the proceeds of the sale of some rags, which I carried to the store for my mother.  My father always kept his accounts in pounds, shillings and pence. Twelve and a half cents made one shilling and twenty of those shillings made a pound.  I believe this was common, fifty years ago.

We never traded much with Messrs. Barnard & Hatch.  I, however, used to have some boyish difficulties with a young clerk of theirs, one Rowland Jenkins.  You see, I was but a farmer's boy and store clerks in those primitive days, reckoned themselves among the aristocracy.

One little incident connected with the firm of Rathbone & Hunt, or rather I should say, with Mr. Alvah Hunt, left a shade of guilt on my conscience, which is not wholly eradicated to this day.  Mr. Hunt had a fine lot of plums in the yard behind the store, which was enclosed by a high board fence. The boys were in the habit of stealing the fruit.  One evening, a few of my comrades and myself, collected in front of the store and agreed to ask Mr. Hunt for a few plums. I was chosen as a committee of one to ask him. Accordingly, I presented our petition and received a very decided "No; I haven't got any."  In a few minutes after making my report, Mr. Hunt called me to one side and said he was glad to find one honest boy; that the boys kept stealing his plums, even before they were ripe, but just as soon as there were any ripe ones, I should come and he would give me some good ones.  In a few days,  he sent me, by my father, nearly a hat and of as nice plums as I ever saw, saying, it was for being honest.  I took them and ate them, and here was where the guilt came in.  I was not a whit more honest than my mates, who merely made me spokesman.

Another of our storekeepers, and a lifelong friend of my father, was Mr. Benjamin Perkins. He was rather an odd genius as I remember him.  I never saw him but twice without his long overcoat on.  One of those occasions was at my father's funeral, which by the way, was the only time I ever saw him in church.  Nevertheless, he was a good man in his way.

Mr. Peck the grocer was another of our tradesmen.  He was the first to introduce candies and sugarplums for sale, causing a sensation among the girls and boys.  He also kept the "ardent [bar]!" I have often seen some of the most honored men of Greene sitting there cracking hickory nuts with a glass of whisky beside them.  Not much temperance in those days. At another time, if agreeable, I may have a little to say about the drink but not now.

Not long after the Congregationalist Church was built (which I remember very well, we were surprised to find carpenters framing a building not far above Barnard's store. We boys asked them what it was to be and the answer was "a meeting house."  We believed it, of course, and so reported it at home.  What was our indignation, however, to find afterwards that it was only a blacksmith shop.  But such was the case, and it was soon ornamented with a splendid sign across the front, with the names of G.R. & A.F. Lyon in big capitals. We boys translated the initials thus "Great African."

The only drug store in town was that of Dr. Joslyn.  My old friend, Dr. Purple, read medicine there, and I believe Dr. Willard, also.  The last I ever saw of the Joslyn family was Frederick and he was lying on his deathbed in Eaton, Pa.  He had commenced the study of law in that city and was stricken down in his prime.

Not many, I presume, of the active businessmen of fifty years ago, are now living.  But, oh! how familiar their names appear to me now as I write.  There was Rev. J.B. Hoyt (or Birt Hoyt, as we used to call him); his brother Chauncey, the chair maker; Mr. John Winter, the tanner; Mr. Henry Beals, the carpenter; Oramel Austin, the blacksmith; Mr. Samuel Williams, the shoemaker; Mr. Henry Maloy, the cooper; B. Elisha Smith and Horace Green, the hatters; Orrin Sharp, the cabinet maker; Mr. John S. Avery, the wagonmaker; Mr. Ira Watson, the harness maker; Mr. Trumbal, the distiller; the brothers Juliand; my uncle, Stephen Ketchum, Mr. Charles Cameron, Mr. Jesse Scoville, Dr. Levi Farr, Col. M. Birdsall and sons, Mr. William Root and sons G.W. and Orson, Mr. Andrew Race, at the toll bridge; Mr. Pliny Nichols, of the Chenango House, and others whose names I cannot at the moment recall.

Of these, part have crossed the flood and part are "only waiting."  Younger than most I have named, I yet feel like an old man.  I have drifted away into South Jersey, as fair a land as the sun shines upon, where I shall probably finish my course.

Lewis Hoyt, Hammonton, N.J., April 20, 1880