Saturday, November 30, 2024

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY (1869)

 Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 8, 1869

Marriages

At New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] Sept. 1st, by Samuel Steere, Esq. Wm. J. Fisher, of Penn. to Miss Sarah Peck of Pittsfield [Otsego Co. NY].

By Rev. O.K. Crosby at T.G. Lambs in Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], Aug. 26th, Joseph P. Loyd of South Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY] to Mary A. Wiltsie of Columbus.

Death

In New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] Aug. 27th, Mrs. Dorcas Reynolds aged 73 years.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September `15, 1869

Marriage

Henry S. Matteson having come to the conclusion that it was not good for man to travel alone through "this vale of tears," has selected from our most choice girls a partner, and last Monday the 13th, about 7 o'clock in the morning, by the help of Rev O.K. Crosby, he took unto himself Miss Celestia Yates and migrated to the state of matrimony.  May their travels through this state be of the most cheering character and as they shall proceed over its rough and troublesome paths, may blessings fall to them from every turn, and glorious results be the fruits of their union.

Deaths

In Garrattsville [Otsego Co. NY] on the 2d inst. of inflammation of the stomach, Mr. James Gregory aged 66 years.  For many years he was a much beloved and worthy member of the Baptist church of New Lisbon Centre [Otsego Co. NY].  His companion, two children and the church deeply mourn his loss.

Mrs. Lucia Loveland, 84 years of age, one of the oldest inhabitants of Franklin [Delaware Co. NY] was found dead on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 31st.  She seemed in her usual health the day before and nothing unusual occurred up to the time of retiring to attract the attention of her friends.  It is supposed that heart disease was the cause of her death.  Register

We learn of a sad accident that happened a few days ago, at Ludlow Pond, in McDonough [Chenango Co. NY].  A lad by the name of Merton Holdridge about fifteen years of age and living just south of McDonough village, was at the house of his uncle, Asa Wilcox, at Ludlow Pond making a short visit. The rest of Mr. Wilcox's family were absent at the neighbors or berrying, leaving Merton and a little daughter, his cousin, about eleven years of age, as well as two younger children.  In rummaging around the house, Merton found a pistol that was loaded, but which he did not know.  He playfully cocked and snapped it at his cousin several times, she retreating and he following.  Finally, it went off, the ball hitting her in the side and passing nearly through the body, causing her death in a very short time, not exceeding half an hour.  She was a bright, smart and beloved girl.  her sudden death is deeply lamented by all who knew her.  Telegraph

_______________________

A most lamentable affair occurred at Richfield [Otsego Co. NY] on Monday, Sept. 6th.  James Roy, Jr. a guest of the American Hotel, and son of a prominent citizen of West Troy [Rensselaer Co. NY], was drowned in the lake.  He took a boat and towels for the purpose of bathing, leaving the Lake House at eleven o'clock A.M.  The boat was discovered hauled up on the shore sometime during the afternoon containing the unfortunate young man's clothing, with his watch and money.  His towels had not been used.  His body has not yet been recovered, though every effort is being made to that end.  Mr. Roy was an old visitor at the Springs and was well known to many of our citizens.  He was about 25 years of age and a very estimable young man.  His friends in West Troy were telegraphed to and are now here endeavoring with our citizens to recover the body.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 22, 1869:  Richfield Springs, Wednesday Sept. 15, 10 A.M.  The body of the late James Roy, Jr. was found this morning, floating on the lake.  No marks of violence were found on the body and no inquest is considered necessary. The remains have just been sent to Troy for interment.  The relatives and friends of the deceased were present when the body was brought to land.

Albany Morning Express, Albany, NY, Sept. 8, 1869:  James Roy, Jr. son of James Roy, the wealthy manufacturer of West Troy, was drowned at Richfield Springs on Monday.  A dispatch was received by Mr. Peter Roy, a cousin of James, Jr. on Monday evening, announcing the fact that James had been absent from his hotel all day, and that fears were entertained of his safety, as he had gone to bathe in the lake early in the morning.  Later in the evening Mr. John F. Roy telegraphed to Richfield and received an answer to the effect that a boat containing the young man's clothes had been found, but that no clue had been obtained to his body.  His father and Peter Roy left home in the midnight train for Richfield.  A dispatch from Richfield yesterday is to the effect that Mr. Roy was undoubtedly drowned, but that his body had not been recovered.  The deceased was Mr. Roy's only son, was freely educated, possessed abilities of a high order, and was beloved by all who knew him.  He was scarcely 23 years of age.  In consequence of the sad event, the extensive mills of Roy & Co. at Port Schuyler were closed yesterday.

Albany Morning Express, Albany, NY, September 17, 1869:  The funeral of James Roy, Jr., who was drowned at Richfield Springs last week, took place from his father's residence at West Troy yesterday afternoon, at three o'clock.  There was a very large attendance, including all the employees in Mr. Roy's extensive manufactory.  Bishops Potter and Doane, and Rev. Mr. Townsend of West Troy officiated. The coffin was beautifully decorated with flowers.  The bearers were Edward Ward of New York; Edward Green of Troy; George Jackson, Marcus T. Hun, E. Troop Martin, William Kidd and Grenville Tremain, of this city.

The Troy Press, Troy, NY, Sept. 20, 1869:  In Memoriam:  We find the following tribute to the memory of James Roy, Jr. in the Richfield Springs Mercury:  

When the sad news reached our village that a boat was found adrift without the young oarsman who had launched it, a thrill of horror was universal.  Then we all remembered the pleasant presence and quiet life gone from our midst, vanishing out of the golden September sunshine into the glimmer of the cold dark waves.  Through all the patient search that followed, one heard pleasant memories of the lost one, and pitying words for the sorrowful heart that kept its faithful watch on shore a weary week. And when at last in the solemn grey of early morning, the cold white face came up again, when the last look had been given, and the poor unrested dust was quietly coffined, our hearts were full and eyes unused to tears were dim.  And though in such a sorrow a stranger intermeddieth not, we whisper softly, God help and heal the stricken hearts who mourn his loss.

All day, upon the rippled lake, / Dark rushes write the story, / All night, the moon tells tenderly / Of youth gone up to glory.

Still sunset waves sing soberly, / The kiss they softly gave him, / The last pale lily murmurs yet, / She saw, but could not save him.

On angel mother! from above / Saw you the white soul only, / Nor through the stars, watched all the night / The wave washed body lonely!

I know not.  Only this I know, / Nor sun, nor lake nor river, / Shall threaten more the one gone up, / Ashore with thee, forever.

Ethel Lynn

_____________________________

News Item

Sheriff Mathewson, of Chenango Co. [NY] having a bench warrant for the arrest of Charles Head, a well-known character of that County for grand larceny, went with it a short time since, to Cortland County [NY] where Head was said to be then living.  He was found at Blodgett's Mills.  Anticipating opposition to the arrest, he requested Deputy Sheriff Barnes to accompany him, who did so, and made the arrest.  But Head broke away and started to run, paying no attention to the calls made by both for him to stop.  Anticipating, as was doubtless the case, that severe measures were necessary to stop him, both fired, the Sheriff having a revolver, and the Deputy a pistol cane, intending not to injure but to intimidate him.  Unfortunately, one of the balls inflicted a wound from which he died in about thirty hours.  This man Head formerly resided in Morris [Otsego Co., NY] and bore rather a bad name while here.

No comments:

Post a Comment