Vital Records, Otsego (1880), Chenango (1880) Counties, NY

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, April 1, 1880

Marriage

In the Presbyterian Church at Richfield Springs [Otsego Co. NY] March 25th, by Rev. F.H. Seeley, Ashton W. Caney of Ilion [Herkimer Co. NY] and Miss Jennie E. Crumley of the former place.

Deaths

In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY] March 11 of consumption, Mary [Burton] wife of John Burton, aged 30 years.

In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], March 14 of pneumonia, William Bailey aged 51 years.

In West Laurens [Otsego Co. NY] March 12, of pneumonia Julia E. [Deitz] wife of William Deitz, aged 46 years and 11 mos.

At Chaseville [Otsego Co. NY], March 16, Mrs. Mary McIntyre sister of Dr. E.E. Houghston.

In Otego [Otsego Co. NY] March 22, Henry Birdsall aged about 40 years.

In New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY] March 4, Meribah [Hinman] widow of the late Eben Hinman, aged 71 years.

In this town [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY] March 25th, 1880, Russell Warren aged 83 years and two months.  Mr. W. lived and died on the farm on which he was born.  he was an excellent and successful farmer, prompt in all business matters, liberal to the poor, a strict observer of the Sabbath, and a firm believer in the great truths of Christianity.  He had the respect and good will of all his neighbors.  He was the last but one of the older race of the Pierstown Warrens.  A sister, Mrs. Johnson, survives him.  Mr. W. was four times married, the first and fourth wife and the second and third ones being sisters.  All were members of the Baptist church of this village.  He leaves four children.

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In regard to the man, Benjamin F. Benson who last week met his death at Poughkeepsie [Dutchess Co. NY] and whose wife resides at Toddsville [Otsego Co. NY] the Telegraph of that city says:

The above party registered at Devendorf's hotel Saturday afternoon and remained there until 11 o'clock Monday morning, when he told the proprietor that he would return in half an hour and pay his bill.  But he failed to call.  Yesterday afternoon, he, in company of Lorenzo Welker was walking on the P.H. & B.R.R. track, when they reached a point about one mile west of Pleasant Valley and when reaching a culvert that is on the farm of Samuel J. Landis, Benson told Welker that he was a cattle broker and said that he was going to sell Mr. Landis some cattle.  Welker walked down the steps to the culvert first and Benson started and fell from the top to the roadway beneath, a distance of 18 feet, striking on his head which rendered him unconscious.  Mr. Landis and Dr. McLaury, of Pleasant Valley, were summoned.  Benson was carried to Mr. Landis' home, where he remained unconscious until this morning, when he died about nine o'clock.  Dr. McLaury says he thinks the cause of his death was concussion of the brain, as only a slight bruise is to be seen on the right side of his face.

There was a hole made in the ground by his head, five inches deep.  It is rumored that he has relatives living at Clinton Corners and in Dover.  Coroner Frost brought the body to this city and will hold an inquest Tuesday morning at ten o'clock.  A trunk left a Devendorf's Coroner Frost took in charge and opened, but could not find anything to identify the man, only a lot of soiled clothes being found. 

In its issue of the next day the same paper says:  The man Benson, who died from injuries received on the P.H. & B.R.R. Tuesday by a fall from a bridge, is supposed to have met his death under suspicious circumstances.  A man in whose company he was at the time of the injury is absent0 from town and a warrant has been issued for him. 

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, February 4, 1880

Marriages

FOSGATE - TRACY:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] Jan. 25th, by Rev. D.R. Carrier, Mr. Frank M. Fosgate of Norwich and Miss Bertha A. Tracy of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

WINSOR - WINSOR:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY] Jan. 22d by Rev. H.N. Van Deusen, Mr. Merritt L. Winsor of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] and Miss Carrie L. Winsor of the former place.

Guilford, Chenango Co. NY:  The surprise given to K.E. Bunnell and wife on the tenth anniversary of their marriage, was a genuine one.  The presents were elegant and appropriate and good feeling everywhere manifest.  May their friends never be fewer than now.

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Variety Wedding:  Quite a nice family festival took place last Thursday at the house of George Miller in South Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].  It was the crystal or, as called by card, variety wedding of George and Amanda Miller.

Since they had been prevented by severe sickness of one of the party from celebrating their 10th anniversary, they concluded not to let the 15th pass unnoticed.  Therefore on Jan. 29th, favored with beautiful weather, a host of relatives, neighbors and friends gathered there in the afternoon, to the number of fifty or more, to congratulate them upon the happy return of their marriage day, not forgetting some little offerings as tokens of their good will, which certainly was as pure as the crystal vases.  The assembled multitude were hospitably treated to a bountiful repast, carefully prepared, and at the conclusion of the feast, a poem written for the occasion, was read by one of the guests.  The evening was spent in friendly conversation and many good wishes were bestowed on the worthy couple at the parting. 

Deaths

LAMB:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY] Jan. 25th, Hon. Truxton G. Lamb aged 68 years.

SEELEY:  In Bennettsville [Chenango Co. NY] Jan. 19th, Mrs. Ely Seeley aged 62 years.

ABBEY:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] Jan. 18th, Mrs. Mahala Abbey aged 80 years.

GREEN:  Abbie S. [Green] wife of Charles H. Green, a former resident, and daughter of Mr. Charles Walker, of this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], committed suicide at Rixford, Pa., on the 27th ult. by taking morphine.  The deceased had been in poor health for some time.  Among other troubles was a brain affection and she had acted strangely at times. We have seen a letter form the physician who attended her, in which he states the facts as given above and denies the rumors that the family were in destitute circumstances, which led the lady to commit the rash act. Her age was 45 years and she leaves four children.

Mt. Upton, Chenango Co. NY:  Three funeral in a few days have occurred in our vicinity.  Grace Owens aged 20 months, died of scarlet fever.  Mrs. Rosealthea Coon was buried on the 27th ult, and Mrs. Betsey Place on the 28th ult.  The Place family have buried four of their number in six months.

Vital Records, Madison County, NY (1855)

 Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, April 4, 1855

Marriages

In this village [Cazenovia, Madison Co. NY] March 26th by Rev. William Clarke, Mr. Rufus Weaver of Nelson [Madison Co. NY] and Miss Almira Bryan of this village.

By the same, March 27th, Mr. Jeremiah Bump of Smithfield [Madison Co. NY] and Miss Sophia R. Fitch of Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY].

In this village [Cazenovia, Madison Co. NY] on the 29th ult. by the Rev. T.L. Clarke, Mr. D.L. Mulliner of Nelson [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Ann Chesebro of Cazenovia

On the 20th ult by Rev. J.W. Armstrong, Mr. W.B. Herrick of Baldwinsville [Onondaga Co. NY] to Miss Charlotte E. Foot of Phoenix, Oswego County [NY]. 

Deaths

At Ithaca, N.Y. [Tompkins Co.] on the 28th ult. Martin Root, aged 31 years, son of Charles and Abagail Root, of Fenner [Madison Co. NY].

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At his residence in Peterboro [Madison Co. NY] on the 26th ult., Nehemiah Huntington aged 79 years.

At a public meeting of his neighbors, held the following day, Perry G. Palmer, Esq. was appointed Chairman and James Barnett Secretary.  The following resolutions, offered by Gerrit Smith were spoken upon by several persons and unanimously adopted:

Resolved:  That the death of Nehemiah Huntington, who has resided in our village nearly 48 years, is a fit occasion, not only for expressing as we do most sincerely, our sympathy with his excellent wife and nearest friends, but a fit occasion also for speaking of his virtues, for impressing our hearts with their value, and for honoring the memory of the wise and good man, whose life so beautifully illustrated those virtues.

Resolved: That our deceased neighbor was a Christian, not in words only, but in deeds also; an eminent example of truthfulness, sincerity, modesty, prudence, trustworthiness, benevolence and peace making.

Resolved: that we bid ourselves, our children, and our children's children, never to forget Nehemiah Huntington; his pure and honest life, his kindness to his fellow men, and his humility before his God.

Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, April 11, 1855

Marriage

In this town [Cazenovia, Madison Co. NY] on the 4th inst. by Rev. E.G. Andrews, Mr. Joseph F. Crawford to Miss Betsey [Porter] daughter of Mr. Ebenezer Porter of Cazenovia.

Death

Joseph Centreville was executed at Plattsburgh [Clinton Co. NY] on Thursday for the murder of his sister-in-law.  He requested that a brass band might perform while the "ceremony", as he termed it, was going on.

Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, April 18, 1855

Death

Mr. John H. Parmely, as aged and respected citizen of Munnsville [Madison Co., NY], suddenly dropped dead upon the floor beside the bed of his sick wife on Sunday the 1st inst.  Mrs. Parmely, his wife, who was aged 70 years, had been for a long time unwell, and her death was daily looked for.  His constant watching and over excitement had enfeebled him and shortly before he died, he had hastened for a doctor to attend her, being alarmed by symptoms of her failing.  He had just returned and was standing by her side, when he fell and expired.  His death was followed on the succeeding day by that of Mrs. Parmely, which took place within a period of less than twenty-0four hours.  Democratic Reflector

News Item

Riot in Oxford

A riot occurred at his place yesterday, among the Catholics, while assembled in their church for worship.  It appears that one of the faithful had bene married by a Protestant clergyman, and, in consequence thereof, he was excommunicated.  Yesterday, he, in company with a Protestant friend, entered the church, whereupon the Priest, Father Callan, ordered him to be put out, which order was faithfully executed.

At the door a fight commenced in which the Priest is said to be implicated.  The exercises in the church were suspended and the crowd adjourned to the nearest hotel where a most general fight ensued between the Protestants and Roman Catholics in which the latter came off second best.

No firearms were used, nor any lives lost, though many persons were badly injured in the affray.  The Priest was arrested and is now in custody, as are also several of the rioters.  All is quiet this A.M. The examination of those arrested is now proceeding.

Later:  The Priest has, with several others, been held to bail in the sum of one thousand dollars to keep the peace.  He has since been taken with a Supreme Court writ for private damages by one of his countrymen.

Much excitement still prevails.  Several more arrests are to be made this P.M.

Cazenovia Republican, Cazenovia, NY, April 25, 1 855

Deaths

In the town of Fenner [Madison Co. NY] on the 17th inst. Mr. Edward Root aged 61 years.

He was at the time of his death an Elder in the Presbyterian Church in this village and was highly esteemed.  He came into this vicinity nearly forty years ago from Connecticut.  He was one of those energetic men who convert the wilderness into a fruitful field and are prospered in their ways. The love of God and hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ comforted and sustained him in his passage to the grave.

Morrisville, Madison Co. NY:  The little son of Mr. George E. Cummings of this village, an only and a deeply cherished child, three years of age, while playing on an upper floor of the barn on the premises where Mr. C. resides, Thursday of last week, fell through a doorway a distance of twelve feet to the ground, striking upon its head on a plank and causing its death after about twenty-four hours intense suffering.  [George Daniels Cummings, d. April 13, 1855, aged 3y]

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY (1862)

 Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, July 2, 1862

Marriage

In this village [Oneonta, Otsego Co. NY] on the 20th ult. by Rev. D.L. Pendell, Mr. Charles J. Alger to Miss Roxy A. Spencer both of Oneonta.

News Item

Capt. R.T. Johnson of the gallant 72d Regiment is home for a short time for the benefit of his health and to recruit more men for his company.  We are glad to see (says the Delaware Republican) that he is in good spirits and, although his wound, received at Williamsburg, is not yet healed, in nearly as good health as when he led his company, the first offering of Delaware County, out from among us.  Since that day, what momentous events have marked the history of our country!  The brave boys who followed his leadership have won laurels, and on one hotly contested field, sealed with blood their devotion to the Constitution and the Union.

Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, July 16, 1862

Marriage

At the Hotel of Mr. Barton in East Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY] on the 2d of July, by Rev. E.C. Hodge, Mr. George P. Parish of Oneonta and Miss Rulannah Chamberlain of Maryland [Otsego Co. NY].

Death

Coronel Dr. Thomas J. Bailey was called on the 5th inst. to hold an inquest upon the body of John Curtis, an aged citizen, lately resident in the town of New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY], near Ambler's Settlement.  From the testimony before the Coroner's Jury it appeared that deceased was 68 years of age; that he had been for several years afflicted with aggravated hernia, which caused him much distress; that for three days previous to his death, he had eaten nothing and had grown weak, and during that time he had heard the intelligence of the death of a favorite grandson; that he got out of bed about 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, put on his pants and shoes and started for the kitchen.  His wife awakened and alarmed, went into an adjoining room for a light and when she and her aroused daughter reached the kitchen, Mr. Curtis was found upon his knees, his throat cut from ear to ear, the windpipe and carotid artery complete severed.  His razor lay upon the floor.  He died in a very few minutes.  Dr. Gibson was the physician in attendance.  The verdict of the Jury was, suicide in a fit of mental abstraction.

Dr. Bailey held another inquest in the afternoon upon the body of Gaius C. Brooks in Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY].  The evidence showed that Mr. Brooks had for some time past been troubled with short breathing and palpitation; that he attended the celebration in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on Friday, and stayed until after the fireworks.  The last that was seen of him on that day was about 11 o'clock at night, when he was noticed walking homeward, very slowly, in the road near Coxville.  He was found dead in his bed next morning near 6 o'clock, his body yet warm.  He was not heard to enter his house, but there is no doubt that he went directly home.  A supper which had been placed upon a table for him had been partially eaten.  Dr. Blin Harris, (Drs. Baker and Beecher attending) made a postmortem examination of the body.  From his testimony the jury rendered a verdict of death by enlargement of the heart, occasioned by a mass of fat three inches in length in the cavities of the heart.  Mr. Brooks was in his 67th year.

Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, july 30, 1862

Deaths

Killed in battle, near Richmond, Va. Alonzo Jenks of Laurens, Otsego Co., N.Y., a member of the 61st Regiment and son of John G. Jenks of Laurens.

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Died near Humbolt, Tennessee of fever contracted while camping in a swamp, Benjamin B. Comstock of Laurens, Otsego Co. N.Y.

"By feeble hands their shallow graves were made; / No stone memorial o'er their corpses laid.  / In barren lands and far from home they lie, / No friend to shed a tear when passing by."

Laurens weeps for her honored dead.  She is called to mourn the loss of one of her noble sons.  Benjamin B. Comstock died July 16th, from disease contracted by exposure to the swamps of Tennessee.  But a short time since he left his native town, to go forth into the world and brave the rugged storms of life.  He went forth with bright visions of future happiness, leaving all the fond endearments of home and its loved associations.  His future career promised to be one, not only of honor to himself, but of usefulness to his fellow man, and it was while laboring for the welfare of others that he heard the call of his country for aid.  He was among the first to respond to that call.  He could not forget his country and while toiling manfully for her, he did not forget his God.  He prayed fervently for his country. He labored earnestly for her and for her, he nobly died. The fever contracted while camping in the swamps of Tennessee was too much for his feeble constitution and in a few short weeks it hurried him from earth.  Yet when the summons came it found him ready to go.  No fear blanched his cheek, but all was peace.  He told his weeping comrade, who gathered around his dying couch, to write to his mother and tell her that he was willing and ready to die.  In his death that mother has lost an affectionate son, and our country one of its gallant defenders.

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We regret to learn the death of Lieut Washington B. Fairman, who with other young men of this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY] joined the Ellsworth Regiment as a private.  He was soon chosen 2d Lieutenant in the 25th N.Y. Regiment, where he served with courage and fidelity.  He was wounded in the recent battles before Richmond and taken prisoner.  On the 17th inst. he died in a hospital in Richmond from the effect of his wound.  He was a young man of fine character, whose loss is mourned by many friends here and elsewhere.  Cooperstown Journal.