Thursday, May 16, 2024

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, April 1878

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, April 11, 1878

Marriage

In Springfield, March 27th, 1878, by Rev. L. Carter, Frank Congdon and Miss Sylda L. Thayer all of Springfield [Otsego Co. NY].

Deaths

In Pierstown (Otsego) [NY] April 4th, 1878, at the residence of her grandson, Lovina [Barnum] widow of the late Abijah Barnum, aged 82 years.

At Fly Creek [Otsego Co. NY], April 6th, '78, Teresa E. [Caulkins], wife of Albert D. Caulkins, aged 37 years and 10 months.

At Wells Bridge [Otsego Co. NY], April 2d, Mrs. Huldah Fisher, aged 89 years and 14 days.

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Mrs. Ann Eliza Goodyear, relict of the late Jard Goodyear, died at Colliersville [Westchester Co. NY] on the 30th ult.

Mrs. G. was the only daughter of Peter Collier, one of the early settlers of the southern part of the present town of Milford [Otsego Co. NY] and formerly a prominent businessman of Otsego County. She was born May 1, 1803, near the spot where she died and where she had lived for nearly a full three-quarters of a century.  In 1822 she married Jared Goodyear, then a resident of Schoharie County [NY].  During her long married life, she proved herself a noble helpmeet to her husband and became intimately acquainted with the details of his extensive interests, bringing to bear upon them a mind unusually clear and quick, a rare good common sense, and an exalted idea of right and fair dealing.  To her assistance and to her suggestions can be attributed no unimportant part in her husband's great success in business.

Throughout the long life thus brought to a close, Mrs. Goodyear well fulfilled her part as daughter, wife and mother, and many will regret that the hand now cold in death can no longer minister to the wants of the deserving poor.  To such, and many more, the memory of her acts of kindness, words of encouragement and her ready sympathy will last as long as life.  Of an even temper, and with a mind cultivated to a greater extent than would have been supposed, she endeared herself, though an invalid for many years, to her neighbors and acquaintances, while her form of character made her greatly respected and loved in the family circle.

the funeral was attended by a large concourse of neighbors and citizens at her late residence in Colliersville.  The sermon was by the Rev. Daniel Ballou at Utica and her remains were deposited in the village cemetery, where she now sleeps by the side of her husband who went before her, four years ago.

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News Item

A Short Historical Sketch

The valley of the Butternut, below the beautiful village of Morris [Otsego Co. NY] has many historical points of interest. Although perhaps these places are of a more local than general history, they have a dear spot in the memory of many of the old residents of the valley, and the present generation love to visit them and linger around the places made sacred to them by the memory of their ancestors.  About one mile from the village, on the four corners, stands a large butternut tree.  At the time of the war of 1812, the story is told, when our country demanded the strength and sinew of its people, a small box was nailed against this tree, and all the farmers - gray haired sires and light-hearted boys - for miles around, gathered there. The box was filled with "lots", and a line marched round the tree single file, each person taking a "lot" from the box to see who should go in defense of the country and who should stay at home to take care of the farms and families.  How vivid is the picture always brought to our mind as we go past the venerable old tree.  We see the eyes of the young men sparkle with excitement, and there we see one who is jealous of his companion - one has drawn a "war ticket" and the other a blank and must stay at home. The old men and middle-aged are there with cast down faces, looking serious but in earnest, and wondering when the dark days will be over, and the mothers and sisters are there too, looking tearfully on, and praying the "God of battles" to direct all things aright.

A mile, perhaps, farther down the valley is a marble pillar, four or five feet high, surrounded by a tall iron picket fence.  This monument marks the place where Miss Cooper of Cooperstown [Otsego Co NY] was thrown from her horse and instantly killed about 75 years ago.  She was sister to Otsego's great novelist, J. Fenimore Cooper.  The iron of the fence around the monument was manufactured on the spot, out of ore dug from the hillside a few rods from the scene of this sad and fatal accident.

We next come to the old Morris Manor.  In June 1787, Jacob Morris arrived at this spot, or near it, and built a house.  In a letter dated from this place to a brother in New York, June 21, 1787, he says:  "We came down the Susquehanna River up the Unadilla, then up this beautiful stream (the Butternut Creek) to my new home.  I am probably the first white man who ever navigated its waters." This happened only 91 years ago. The appearance of the country here now makes us receive this fact almost with incredulity.  At this point of the valley comes in Mill Creek, a very beautiful and picturesque stream, on which are the Falls of St. Mary's.  In the near future I intend to give a short description of it, reviewing some of its legends and historical points.

Morris, April 1878

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, April 10, 1878

Marriage

April 3:  At the residence of the bride's parents, in Morris [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. J.S Southworth, Mr. G.H. Thayer of Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], to Miss Sarah L. Mott daughter of Joseph Mott.

Death

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  Mrs. Thomas Cope nee Botsford, died last Saturday evening, leaving an infant son two weeks old.  Her remains are to be interred in Hillington cemetery next Tuesday.

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