Friday, May 31, 2024

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, April 1878

 Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 24, 1878

Marriage

The most delightful affair of the season was the wedding last evening at the Congregational church, of Mr. Romeo W. Lewis of Sacramento, Cal., and Miss Katherine Breed of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].  In spite of the heavy rain, an immense crowd were assembled to witness the ceremony.  Within the church the scene was most beautiful.  A large, yet light and graceful gothic arch spanned the space immediately in front of the platform. The compact roll of the evergreens of the arch was sprayed with a profusion of ferns producing an exquisite effect.  The suspended bell decorated with jessamine and other delicate sprays of flowers was exceedingly graceful and worthy a careful examination.  These heightened by the elaborate arrangement of floral stands, jardinieres, urns and vases in the background, produced so beautiful an effect that by common consent we believe they were pronounced the finest decorations that we have ever had.  We noticed that the choir of which Miss Breed was a member and her sabbath school class were thoroughly cared for.  Mrs. Mitchell presided at the organ with eminent success.  The young ladies all say (and we think our young gentlemen should not be oblivious to it) that Mr. Scoville does his part on such occasions "beautifully."  The ushers were Chas. H. Stanton, James E. Nickerson, Captain Tillson and Charles E. Barnard.

Miss Breed will be missed by her numerous friends here, but her many excellent qualities are so well known, and Mr. Lewis has won such golden opinions from those that have met him, that they will leave pleasant recollections and will be followed by kind wishes of happiness in their distant home.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, April 24, 1878:  A remarkable marriage took place in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] Monday eve, neither bride nor groom having seen or known each other before.  Kitty Breed, daughter of Mr. Chas. Breed, a maiden of 32 springs, and Mr. Lewis, a widower of 47 summers, are the parties.  Mr. Lewis, a printer at one time in the Union office, but now of Sacramento, Cal, felt rather lonely after the loss of his wife, and requested a friend who had been the means of his first marriage to recommend him some suitable person to replace the loved one lost. The friend done his best, and Mr. Lewis, after the customary correspondence, has come on to claim his bride.  Mr. Lewis was formerly from Coventry [Chenango Co. NY].

Death

Mary Callahan died in St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Utica [Oneida Co. NY], on Saturday morning last, of consumption.  The deceased formerly resided in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] and had been an inmate of the hospital since January 3d, at which time she was admitted through the influence of Father Harrigan and has since been kindly cared for at that institution, until death terminated her sufferings.

Otselic, Chenango Co. NY:  Mrs. Truman, wife of John  D. Truman, a former resident of this town, died of consumption in Georgetown, on Friday last, aged sixty-three years.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NYT, April 27, 1878

Marriage

SACKETT - SLOAN:  At the residence of the bride's mother, April 17, by Rev. J. Jones, Mr. George E. Sachett to Miss Ella H. Sloan, all of Afton [Chenango Co. NY].

Death

ANDREWS:  In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], April 16, Rensselaer W. Andrews, aged 68 years, father of Mrs. Fred Graham of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].

ANDERSON:  In Sidney [Delaware Co. NY], April 22, 1878, Angelia C. [Anderson] wife of Leroy Anderson, aged 26 years.

MERRILL:  In Sidney [Delaware Co. NY], A[pril 18, Mrs. Eliza Merrill, aged 62 years.

TRIPP:  In East Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], April 20, Eliza J. [Tripp] daughter of James S. Tripp, in the 15th year of her age.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 20, 1878

Death of Gracie Latham

Never did a little girl love flowers more than Gracie Thoma s Latham.  Only eight years of age, she knew the names of all, even to the common weeds that blossom by the wayside.  When the sad news of her unexpected death came to her many friends, they recalled this love of hers and showed their affection by many most exquisite and beautiful floral tributes. At the funeral, her little white coffin stood in the midst of such a display of flowers as were never seen in our village.  We have not the space to describe them.  We can only speak of the different designs.

Above her portrait was a star of violets, and over it a cross and crown of different varieties of white flowers.  Placed on stands and other supports near the coffin were the following:  A large cross of hyacinths, a dove of trailing arbutus, a cross of white hyacinths, geraniums and lilies, a lyre of japonicas, roses and azaleas, a harp of wild dielytra, a cross of pink hyacinths and calla lilies, a wreath of japonicas and roses, a mass of geraniums for a background, with the letters "G.L." in white flowers, a wreath of japonicas and roses.  At the foot of the coffin stood three callas filled with English violets, which were sent from Utica.  The casket was covered with the choicest varieties of cut roses.  besides the above, there were very many vases and baskets filled with tulips, violets and other beautiful flowers. the grave itself was robbed of its terrors. the sides were turfed with green sods, over which had been scattered innumerable violets.

At the funeral Thursday afternoon, Rev. Mr. Haynes, the pastor, officiated.  We give [extracts of] his remarks.

....Such a flower was our little friend.  Though but eight years of age, evidences of unusual genius had lighted her eyes.  With her teacher she would sit for hours delighted with her attempts to render oils of her own combination into form on the canvass.  Ambition to do the very best, characterized her efforts at the little private school where she daily studied. With great independence of judgment, she moved among her friends, seeking usually the company of adults in preference to children and giving evidence to those who knew her best of unusual perception, and wonderful appreciation of all that was singular and truly great.

....We confidently believe that though her too brief life ended in such a struggle and today such a shadow hangs cloud like over this dear home, the time will come when our dear brother and sister will praise God that they could shelter such a spirit, impress their own life upon it, teach it about Jesus and then give it back to him, to be with Him, enjoy Him and help Him in his great work for ever and ever.

....During Gracie's severe illness she manifested a nearness to Christ which would surprise even the most ardent believer in the conversion of children.  It was such a nearness that we cannot but believe the dear savior came to her with unwonted preciousness and for a special purpose.

...During her fearful struggle against the remorseless disease, she frequently ejaculated short prayers.  "Dear Jesus," she cried "have mercy upon a poor sick little girl."  We heard her frequently jsut before she passed away exclaim, "Lord Jesus have mercy upon my soul," One evening with her poor little throat so hoarse she could not be heard above a whisper, she was heard to hum "I will sing you a song of that beautiful land, the far away home of the soul", and the last two lines of one verse.  "Where no storms ever beat on that glittering sand / While the years of eternity roll." were distinctly heard.

....She frequently called for her father to come and pray with her and these were some of her requests.  "Ask Jesus to help me bear my pain."  "Kneel down and ask Jesus to carry me safely through."  Once she asked for a prayer to be repeated and then turning to her mother, said, "Now, let us all say amen."  Out of the night of gloom that is upon you, dear friends, let these touching but vital remembrances of your darling's hold on the Lord Jesus Christ, shine like glittering stars; stars indicating what we so well know, that night is only the opposite of the day that lies just beyond.  

....To us who knew her in home, school, neighborhood and church, and especially to her dear family and parents, remains the sorrow of waiting a little while ere we join her in the land of the blest.

While her little spirit was with us, it was our duty to watch and fight disease, for we knew not whether life or death was God's will.  All that skill, perseverance and loving vigil could do was done to save her to her friends. but one who holds the destinies of all flesh in his hands, ordered otherwise.

Now that she has gone, our duty is equally plain.  We shall miss her at every turn in our path. the sorrow will be life long, but in Christ it will not be more than can be borne.  

....With friends who knew her in life and know her still, Cracie is now a spirit blessed.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, April 24, 1878

Death

DOOLITTLE:   In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], April 16th, Miss Susan Doolittle, aged 65 years.

 Miss Susan Doolittle, an aged maiden lady, who has made it her home with Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Willcox for several years, died suddenly at their residence in the boarding hall in this village on Wednesday evening last, by strangulation.

The lady had been unwell for some time, but under treatment of a physician was recovering.  On the evening mentioned, Dr. Miller stopped into the hall to see Mrs. Willcox, who was ill, and while attending that lady, heard Miss Doolittle coughing in an adjoining room.  The cough was like a person choking and the Doctor inquired if she was in the habit of coughing in that manner and on being told that she was not, he hastened to her room and found her purple in the face and gasping for breath. She managed to whisper that she could not breathe, the Doctor did all that circumstances would admit of, but she was past help and died in a few seconds.  It is not known whether she had attempted to swallow something that caused the strangulation or not, and no examination was made any further than to discover that there was no obstruction in the throat.  The funeral was held on Thursday, the remains were taken to Windsor [Broome Co. NY] for burial.

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