Obituaries (May 9)

Tompkins Jewell

Bainbridge Republican, May 8, 1875

Mr. Tompkins Jewell, of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], who was badly injured in Norwich, last summer, by his horse taking fright from the backing down of the D.L.&W. cars, is, it is feared fatally injured.  He has suffered constant pains since the accident, and two of the best physicians in the county decide that his internal injuries are of such a nature that they must eventually prove fatal.  Mrs. Jewell was also badly bruised.  He has commenced suit against the Railroad company for damages, and perhaps the nuisance of blocking up the highway, so common in Norwich, may sometime be abated.--Times

 

Mrs. Tompkins Jewell

Chenango Telegraph, August 31, 1876

Again the funeral bell has sounded in our beautiful valley.  Mrs. Tompkins Jewell, sister of the late James Hayes, died at the residence of her son, E. Jewell, where she had gone for a visit, and on Thursday, Aug. 24th, her funeral was attended in the Baptist Church, where a little more than one week before she had attended the funeral of Westcott Bockwell.  The most fitting eulogy which can be pronounced upon this excellent woman is the one of Holy Writ, "Her children rise up and call her blessed."

 

Tompkins Jewell

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, April 26, 1893

Tompkins Jewell died Thursday, April 13, at the advanced age of eighty-three years at the home of his son, Barrett V. Jewell, in this place.  He was the last one of our citizens whose life connected the present day with the early years of the century, so many of whom have died within a few years.  Mr. Jewell was born in this town in the year 1810.  Before coming to this place he owned and resided upon the farm lying west of this place, now occupied by Hiram Merithew.  Selling that he purchased the farm in this village now owned by his son, James Jewell, and resided there many years. At one time he did an extensive business in buying butter-cheese and other produce, and was very successful.  About the year 1860 he removed with his family to New York where he entered into business, but not succeeding, soon returned to his place in this village, and remodeling his house conducted it as a hotel for several years.  His wife died in 1876, since which time he has resided with his son Barrett, receiving the best of care and attention through his declining years, and during his last illness.  He died of  no particular disease, suffering no pain, and having taken nothing but water for five weeks preceding his death.  Surviving him he leaves six sons who were all present at the funeral.  They are Edward, of Deposit, Friend P. of Norwich, James T. of this place, Elisha, of Lena, Otsego county, Louis of Binghamton, and Barrett V. of this place, with whom he resided.  Funeral services were held form the house on Saturday at 11 A.am., the officiating clergyman being Rev. Mr. Dunning, of Gilbertsville.  Mrs. Mills, of Guilford, aged eighty-nine, a sister of the deceased, was present at the funeral, and notwithstanding her great age, is still active, in possession of all her faculties, and is remarkably preserved.  The burial was beside his wife in the Mt. Upton cemetery.--Mt. Upton correspondent, Otsego Journal.

 

Charles &Edward Samuel Mills

Chenango Union, April 22, 1875

Rufus N. Mills and family, of Guilford Centre [Chenango Co., NY], has been subjected to one of these heart rending bereavements in the death by scarlatina of their only two sons, that sooner or later invades the quiet and happiness of every family circle.  These two promising lads, one nine and the other ten years of age, were the life and hope of their parents, and now that they have been removed in their tender years by a Higher Power for some inscrutable reason, their death and its sorrow fell upon the disconsolate father and mother with crushing sadness.  One was sick about three days, and dying on the 8th, [Edward Samuel] and the other some ten or twelve days, and dying on the 14th inst. [Charles]  In their severe affliction, the family have the sympathy of many relatives and friends.  [Buried in Guilford Center Cemetery]

 

Margaret Porter Beecher

Chenango Union, April 22, 1875

DIED:  in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah A. Yale, on Thursday evening, the 15th inst., Margaret Porter, relict of the late Parson Beecher, aged 90 years and 5 months.

 

The death of that venerable woman, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, which occurred in Coventry on the evening of the 15th inst., in her ninety-first year, is deserving of something more than mere mention.  Mrs. Beecher was among the pioneers of this County, and especially of Southern Chenango.  Early in 1808, she came with her newly married companion, Parson Beecher, from Salem, now Naugatuck, Connecticut, and took up her abode in a log cabin her husband had prepared the previous year, in their wilderness home.  The hardships, deprivation and trials of a new Settlement were theirs to endure.  Neighbors, roads, mills, schools, churches, if not wholly unknown, were few and far between.  With industry and economy came a measure of prosperity, and a degree of contentment and happiness, in palaces, often sought for, and seldom found.

 

The first framed house in the western part of Coventry, and the first, we believe, on the Catskill and Ithaca turnpike as subsequently laid out, between Bainbridge and Greene, was built by the late husband of the deceased.  In it, town and also religious meetings were frequently held, the place being reached by single paths or the marks of the woodsman's ax upon the forest trees.  From that household, from that house, which, with some additions still remains, a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters have been sent out into the bustling world.

 

In 1819, on the 4th of July, as the records show, Margaret Beecher with three or four others, connected herself with the First Congregational Church of Coventry, located at East Coventry, or Coventryville, that portion of the town having been settled nearly simultaneously, perhaps a little earlier than the western.  In December, 1822, the Second Congregational Society of Coventry was organized, with Parson Beecher, Timothy B. Bidwell and Samuel Porter, as Trustees.  In 1824, the Society commenced building the church edifice, which was dedicated in the beginning of 1825.  In June of the last named year, the Second Congregational Church of Coventry, was organized, with a membership of fourteen, all being regular members of the First Church of Coventry.  prominently on the roll appears the name of Margaret Beecher.  She lingered longest, most of the original number having crossed the river long before.  In her death, the last of that noble company of fourteen, who there planted the seeds of a glorious fruition, nurtured by their prayers and watered by their tears, has entered into rest.

 

In every department and relation in life did Mrs. Beecher nobly fill her allotted sphere. As wife, mother, sister, companion and friend, she was sincerely cherished and beloved.  In her daily walk, by precept and example she exemplified the religion she professed.  Of strong memory and sound mind, every faculty strengthened by much reading and by the contemplation of serious and substantial things, it is not perhaps so surprising that she should maintain so deep an interest in passing events, as well as be able vividly to recall scenes and occurrences of three-quarters of a century ago.  Gifted with rare conversational powers and pleasing address, all classes were attracted to her and made glad in her presence.

 

Her patience was only equaled by her fortitude.  Not a complaining word during the long and tedious winter of illness and suffering, escaped her lips. The comfort and welfare of others, and the happiness of her own family, rather than considerations of self, was often the burden of her mind.  Having outlived nearly four generations, retaining in a remarkable degree her mental powers till the ebb of life, like one falling to sleep she passed away.  The influence of such a character and life, reaching into the last decade of a hundred years, can never be estimated or measured by the duration of time.

 

The funeral was largely attended on Sunday last, from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Yale, Rev. William Crocker of the First congregational Church assisted by Rev. Mr. Horton, of the Second, officiating. Deceased leaves three daughters and five sons, all but one, Mrs. Hoyt, of Pittston, Pa., being present at the solemn service.  She was mother to Dr. H.H. and Harry Beecher of this village.