Vital Records, Otsego County, NY (1808, 1873)

 Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, September 17, 1808

Run Away

From the subscriber, Jonathan Rouse, near 18 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, of a fair complexion; had on a tow shirt, trousers and frock; took away a new long black coat, a light jacket, black striped pantaloons, light fur hat, muslin shirt and handkerchief, two pock do., a pair of cotton socks and a new pair of shoes.  I forbid all persons harboring or employing him. Whoever will bring him back to me, shall have six cents reward, and no charges paid.  Stephen Hague, Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 1, 1808

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, November 12, 1808

Marriage

Married by the Reverend D. Nash, at New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY] on Saturday evening last.  Doctor Willis Edson to the amiable Miss Sally Noble, daughter of Elanthan Noble, Esq.

Death

In London, Mr. Henry Ferguson, aged 94, a native of America.  He was found dead near the towers and 15,000 [pounds] in bank notes were discovered sewed in between his ragged, filthy clothes; the produce doubtless of his many years active employment in the asking of alms trade.  But what is more -astonishing, and will be of more consequence to the literary world, is, that a bundle of manuscripts in his own handwriting was found in his pocket, containing a concise, learned and elegant history of the progress of the arts and sciences in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, from the period of the Roman Augustus up to the year 1808.  In his wretched hovel near the city a very valuable library was found, and the antiquarians and booksellers have bid high to obtain it.  He was always very modest for a beggar, and was known to have done numerous acts of charity to orphan poor.  It was remarked of him that when he was out of begging, he was employed either in reading or writing and being the master of the various European languages and always at home with any passer by, his pleasing address and quaint remarks obtained him many friends.  It is not known that he left him any relations in England or in the United States of America.

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, November 26, 1808

Death

Died at Onondaga on the 21st of October inst. Sarah Catharine Hopper, only daughter of Jasper Hopper, Esq. aged three years, eight months and twelve days.  Her death was occasioned by her clothes catching fire while at play.  She lived but about twenty-four hours after the fatal catastrophe happened which terminated her existence.  Thus, died a sprightly and amiable little child and with her the high hopes which her fond parents had formed.  From death's arrest no age is free, and virtue and innocence however spotless, cannot for a moment prevent their possessor from descending down to the grave.

"Such is the state of man, / Today he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; / Tomorrow blossoms / The third day comes a frost, a killing frost; / And then he falls."

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, December 10, 1808

Marriage

Married at Lynchburgh (Virg.) Mr. John Hicks to Mrs. Mildred K. Lucas.  This marriage was attended with some singular circumstances.  The young widow had engaged her hand to Mr. Thomas Cobb, a respectable gentleman aged 72 years.  The day appointed for their marriage had arrived, great preparations were made and many friends, &cc assembled to enjoy the scene, when lo! young Mr. Hicks appeared, made suit to the fair widow, prevailed upon her to discard her old lover and marry him, and the ceremony was immediately performed.  The ladies who witnessed this marriage immediately retired, went into a committee of the whole, passed several spirited resolutions against the shameful conduct of the widow and highly approbatory of Mr. Cobb's fortitude under the conflicting passions of love revenge, &cc. and sent him an affectionate letter of condolence of his melancholy rebuff, to which the good old man returned a very grateful and tearful answer.

Otsego Herald, Cooperstown, NY, December 24, 1808

Marriage

Married on Monday evening last, by the Rev. Mr. Bradford, Mr. George Pearson, merchant, to Miss Judith Van Vechten eldest daughter of Teunis T. Van Vechten, Esq. all of this city [Albany, Albany Co. NY].

Death

Died at Boston on the 10th inst., His excellency James Sullivan, Esq. Governor of Massachusetts, aged 63 years.

Deserted

From this rendezvous, Chester G. Wood born in Saratoga County, State of New York, aged about 21 years; 5 feet 8-1/2 inches high; dark complexion, brown hair, blue eyes and by occupation a farmer.  He was dressed in a grey coat, dark vest, blue pantaloons seamed with white and brown hat; had also a pair of olive corduroy pantaloons.  Whoever will apprehend said deserter and lodge him in any gaol or deliver him at any military post, in the United States, or at this rendezvous shall receive twenty dollars reward.  B. Williams, Jun., Lieut, Com. of a detachment of the U.S. Regt. Light Dragoons, Recruiting Rendezvous, Cooperstown, Dec. 1808.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, October 15, 1873

Marriages

Oct. 8:  At the home of the bride in Morris [Otsego Co. NY] by Rev. O. Perkins, Mr. W.R. Leonard to Miss Flora A. Wing.  Printers remembered.

Oct. 8:  In Zion Church, Morris [Otsego Co. NY] by Rev. C.T. Coer, G. Clayton Peck of New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY] to Miss Eva R. [Holcomb] daughter of Edgar Holcomb, of Morris.  Printers remembered.

Under the proper head will be found the marriage of four of our young people.  They all have the good wishes of hosts of friends for a long, happy and prosperous married life.  May heaven's best gift be theirs to enjoy and when they shall become "old folks," May they have offsprings who will delight to care for and be a comfort to them.

Sept. 18:  By Rev. H. Garlick, Charles A. Johnston of West Exeter [Otsego Co. NY] to Emma Fairchild of Exeter.

Sept. 19:  By the same, George S White of Plainfield [Otsego Co. NY] to Deette Fair of West Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY].

Sept. 19:  By the same, Morgan Coman of West Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY] to Seraphine Gates of Brookfield [Madison Co.  NY].

Death

A little daughter of Jay Eccleston of New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] aged seventeen months, on Friday last fell into a kettle of boiled vegetables, which had been prepared for the family dinner and just taken from the stove and was so badly scalded that death ensued on Saturday. [Florine Eccleston d. 8 Oct. 1873, age 1 year, buried Riverside Cemetery, South New Berlin]