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
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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."
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