Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, June 1877 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, June 21, 1877

Marriages

WHEELER - BOSWORTH:  At the residence of the bride's parents, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], on Sunday evening, June 17th, by Rev. S. Scoville. Mr. George Wheeler to Miss Eva T Bosworth, daughter of H.C. Bosworth, Esq.

SILLIMAN - HORTON:  In Coventryville [Chenango Co. NY], June 14th, by Rev. Mr. Reese, Mr. Sherwood D. Silliman of Herkimer County [NY] to Miss Avis A. Horton, of the former place.

North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY]:  Rev. E.L. Bennett, formerly of this place, was in town one day last week, to perform a marriage ceremony.  Mr. LaMott Sturges and Miss Alice Huntley were the most deeply interested parties to the transaction.  We trust they will find the state of matrimony preferable to that of single blessedness.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 20, 1877:  On Thursday last at 12 M, a pleasant and cheerful wedding took place at the residence of Mr. Huntley, where a few select guests who were relatives had gathered and witnessed the "coupling up" of Lamott Sturges with Alice Huntley, both of this place [North Norwich].  After the nuptial tie was completed, and they pronounced man and wife by E.L. Bennett, who officiated, a grand dinner was participated of by those present.  The bride was the happy recipient of a few rare and valuable presents, which, no doubt, added to the enjoyment of the occasion.

Deaths

SEELY:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], suddenly, June 17th, Polly [Seely] wife of Henry Seely, aged 54 years.

SAUNDERS:  In this town, [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 14th, Mr. Jeremiah Saunders, aged about 70 years.

GATES:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], June 14th, Lucinda [Gates], wife of Lewis Gates, aged 55 years.

WILLCOX:   In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY] suddenly, June 11th, Mr. Herrington Willcox, aged 74 years.

WELLS:  In Cambria, Wis., March 22d, Mrs. Betsey Wells, aged 85 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

DOUGLAS:  In Earlville [Madison Co. NY], June 16th, Dr. A.S. Douglass aged 45 years.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 20, 1877:  Dr. A.S. Douglass, of the firm of Douglass & Chapman, died of dropsy at his residence in this village [Earlville], on Saturday afternoon, aged forty-five years.  The funeral services were held under Masonic ritual at his late residence on Monday.  He leaves a wife and three daughters who have the heartfelt sympathy of one community in this their sad bereavement.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 20, 1807

Deaths

North Norwich, Chenango Co. NY:  In our village cemetery are two ancient weather-beaten tombstones, and upon the one is inscribed the name of Jacob Cole, who was born in the 1705, and on the other is that of Stephen Purdy, who was born two years after.  The former died in the year 1800 and the latter 1802.  Can correspondents of other towns bring forth more ancient date of the forefathers in their cemetery grounds.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 23, 1877

Marriages

HAYWARD - TILTON:  At the residence of the bride's mother in South Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY], June 19th, 1877, by the Rev. J.H. Smith, E.D. Hayward M.D. of Columbus, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] to Helen E. Tilton of South Edmeston.

PARCE - WELLS:  At the residence of Warren Thurston, Esq., June 20th, 1877, by Rev. H.M. Crydenwise, Mr. Frank D. Parse of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY] and Adelia C. Wells, of this village [Norwich, Chenanog Co. NY].

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WHITNEY - WILCOX:  At the residence of the bride's father, H.C. Wilcox, Esq., June 20th, 1877, by Revs. R.W. Van Schoick, pastor of the Providence M.E. Church, Scranton, Pa., and H. Crydenwise, pastor of the Norwich M.E. Church, Mr. W.W. Whitney, M.D. of Union, N.Y. [Broome Co.] and Miss Hattie Wilcox of Norwich [Chenanog Co. NY].

The marriage of Mr. W.W. Whitney M.D. of Union, N.Y. and Miss Hattie E. Wilcox of our village took place at the residence of the bride's father on Wednesday evening the 20th inst. at 8 o'clock.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. R.W. VanSchoick of the Providence M.E. Church, Scranton Pa., and H.M. Crydenwise pastor of the M.E. Church, a large number of the relatives and friends of the contracting parties were present, among whom were several of our prominent citizens as follows:  Hon. H.G. Prindle, Sheriff Hill, Esquire Bosworth, and their wives, J.W. Church Esq., A.F. Cladding and others.

The presentation of silver et cetera to the bride was very fine, making a most inviting and beautiful exhibit.

Following the marriage service, which was briefly but gracefully performed by the reverend gentlemen officiating, and the congratulations to the happy pair which were as deservedly and worthily bestowed, as they were numerously and unstintedly given, the guests were invited to a most sumptuous repast, provided with exquisite taste, as the evident enjoyment of all clearly testified.

Mr. Whitney will hold a reception at his home in Union, on Tuesday evening next, at which time he will introduce his newly wedded wife to his many friends in that place.  We feel that we but express the sentiments of hosts of our readers when we say that none of the fair daughters of Norwich have gone from our midst carrying more of the love and respect of all than Mrs. Whitney. We congratulate the Doctor and the people of Union on their good fortune.

Death

East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY]:  Mrs. Rathbun, an old lady that lived with her daughter, Mrs. Beardsley, died last Thursday. The funeral took place at the Congregational Chruch, Sunday, P.M.

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, June 1877 (continued)

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, June 14, 1877

Deaths

In Exeter [Otsego Co. NY], on the 29th of May at the residence of his father, O.C. Hinds, of consumption, Dennis C. Hinds, aged 31 years 1 months and 9 days.

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In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], June 7th, of consumption, George Dunavan, aged 29 years.  For six months he had been unable to work at his trade as a printer.  Funeral this Wednesday P.M. at 4 o'clock.

Died in this village on the 7th inst., George Dunavan, a grandson of the late Daniel Peck.  Mr. D. was a printer, having learned his trade in the Republican office, and after reaching his majority, worked most of the time, and till last November, in the Journal office.  He was an industrious, upright and amiable man, and a good workman whose early death we record with regret.  He was one of those men who could be fully trusted with any task given him and in any place he occupied.

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In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], of heart disease, June 12th, 1877, George Jarvis, aged 67 years.

Mr. George Jarvis died very suddenly early Monday morning last.  He was out as usual on Sunday and attended the Universalist Church, his accustomed place of worship, in the evening.  During all the spring he appeared in feeble health and had complained of palpitation of the heart.  Mr. Jarvis was born in the city of New York in 1810 and came to Cooperstown in 1840.  He was in the employ of E.&H. Cory from that time until the firm dissolved in 1864; for the three years following with E.P. Cory; and for the last ten years he has been at the head of the firm of Geo. Jarvis & Co.  Mr. J. was an industrious, intelligent and useful citizen, a kind-hearted and obliging neighbor and an ingenious and accommodating mechanic.  As such he will be greatly missed by the citizens of this place to all of whom he was known and by all respected.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, June 15, 1877

Marriages

At West Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], June 6th, by Rev. A. Hayward, Warren Weatherly and Miss Mattie T. [Thorp], adopted daughter of David Thorp.

The marriage of Warren Weatherly and Mattie Thorp was attended by a number of friends. The bride was elegantly attired.  many valuable presents were given them.  Both of the young people are to be congratulated.  They are much esteemed in this locality and all wish them happiness an dprosperity.

In Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], June 11th, by Justice Nelson, Chas. Saxton and Mrs. Brandow.

Deaths

In Maryland [Otsego Co. NY], June 5th, Broocksana Johnson, relict of the late Andrew Johnson, aged 69 years.

In Elk Creek [Otsego Co. NY], June 6th, Hannah Perry aged about 75 years.

At Westford [Otsego Co. NY], on the 11th inst. Mrs. Snyder, wife of the Rector of the episcopal church at Walton [Delaware Co. NY].

Hon. James M. Elwood died in Florida, a few days since.  He was a brother of Hon. A.R. Elwood, of Richfield [Otsego Co NY], educated at Oxford and Clinton and served in 1848 and 1849 in the Legislature.

The little daughter of Elbridge Signor of Hamden [Delaware Co. NY], aged three years, fell sidewise into a kettle of hot water and was so badly scalded that she died.

Mrs. Michael Brand of Roxbury, fell backward ad expired almost instantly while dining.  She was upward of 80 years old.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, 1877 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, June 14, 1877

Marriages

DEVALLANT - TAYLOR:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], June 7th, by Rev. L.C. Hayes, Mr. J. Devallant o Miss E.A. Taylor, all of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY].

BERRY - HOYT:  In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY], June 7th, by Revs. A. Crocker, S.T. Berry and I.P. Hopwood, Mr. Stephen Hl Berry of Dover, N.J., to Miss Alice L. Hoyt of Coventry.

DILLWORTH - JONES:  In Sangerfield [Oneida Co. NY], June 6th, by Rev. W.F. Tooke, Mr. J.R. Dillworth of New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Cora A. Jones of Sangerfield.

CLARK - MAYCUMBER:  In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co. NY], June 3d, by Rev. E. Rogers, Mr. Albert Clark to Miss Rosanna Maycumber, both of South New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY].

GATES - HAYES:  In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co. NY], June 5th, by Rev. Daniel Reese, Rev. Fred H. Gates of Etna, N.Y. to Miss Nellie L. Hayes of Cincinnatus.

Deaths

KEYES:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 9th, Mr. Stephen Keyes, aged 80 years.

Another of our old and respected citizens, Stehen Keyes, died at his residence on Saturday morning last, from the effects of a paralytic shock, aged eighty years.  He was father-in-law of Hamilton Phelps, Esq.

SHEA:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 7th, George [Shea] son of Patrick and Catharine Shea, aged 5 years, 2 months and 14 days.

WOOD:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] June 11th, at the residence of her brother, Nelson O. Wood, Miss Sarah Wood aged 64 years.

BLISS:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], June 4th, of diphtheria, Emma R. Bliss aged 18 years; and June 7th, Ella Bliss, aged 5 years.

GARLICK:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], June 7th, Isabella [Garlick] daughter of Walter Garlick, aged 4 months.

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From the Chicago Inter-Ocean of June 4th, we copy the following mention of the death of a former resident of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], who left his native town while young and became identified with the interests of the growing city of Chicago which has since been his home and where he leaves surviving him a large family.

"The burial of the late Captain B.F. Davison took place last Saturday afternoon, with Masonic ceremonies at Graceland, Rev. H.G. Perry officiating as Chaplain, under the auspices of Cleveland Lodge, of which the deceased was a member.  Captain B.F. Davison was born at Norwich, Chenango County, N.Y. in 1816 and commenced sailing at an early age.  He first came to Chicago with Captain Whittaker in 1836, the vessel bringing a cargo of supplies for the fort here.  He made Chicago his home in 1856, since which year he has resided here.  For many years he was Marine Inspector for the Underwriters in Chicago, but of late years has been in the ship chandlery.  He expired at his residence in the city of Chicago at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon, 31st ult.  Having sailed for many years, having been an owner, and having been connected all his life in one way or another with our lake marine, no man was better known all over the chain of lakes. The deceased had hosts of friends and acquaintances, as also have his grown-up family, which is a numerous one."

News Item

The personal property belonging to the estate of the late Amasa Burrows of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], deceased, will be sold at auction, by H.A Bradley, Administrator, on Tuesday, June 19th, commencing at 10 o'clock in the forenoon at his late residence near Rockdale [Chenango Co. NY].  Five Dairy Cows, two Yearlings, a Bay Mare, a five-year-old Gray Horse, with Wagons, Sleighs and Farming Tools generally, will be sold.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, June 13, 1877

Marriage

Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Cooper received a most complete surprise on the evening of May 26th, it being the 25th anniversary of their marriage.  A large number of elegant pieces of silver were presented by some of their many friends, a fine collation was served, and a merry time enjoyed by all present, who hope to surprise them on their golden anniversary also.

Death

ALLEN:  In Grafton, Nebraska, May 31st, of consumption, Mr. William F. Allen, aged 53 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], and for a number of years employed in this office.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, June 14, 1877

Marriage

In Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], May 29th, by Rev. G.M. -?-, T. Johnson and Miss Sarah Gale, both of Binghamton.

News Item

We understand that Cornelius Whitbeck of this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], was recently married to a lady living near Albany [Albany Co. NY].  We also learn that said wife died in some kind of a fit about three weeks after her marriage.  It will be remembered that Mr. Whitbeck lost his second wife in this village about four or five months since, and the sudden taking off of his third wife must fill the old man's heart with unbounded sorrow.  Verily, this is a fast age we live in and Cornelius is one of the b-hoys.

Historical Sketch of New Berlin, Chenango Co. NY (1877)

 Historical Sketch of the Settlement of the Town of New Berlin

By John Hyde

New Berlin Gazette, New Berlin, NY, May 19, 1877

Aruna Welch, another early settler in New Berlin village had his dwelling house on North Street now owned [in 1877] and occupied by Widow Howard, and he occupied the same shop where Augustus C. Welch made nails, for his paint shop he being a house painter by trade.  He was a sociable and genial man and enjoyed the blessings of a happy disposition.  About the year 1820 he moved into the Ohio country, as it was then called.  He sold his homestead to Dyer Tracy who afterwards sold it to a gunsmith by the name of Jackson who acquired the name of "Stub and Twist" Jackson, for making stub and twist rifles, as he termed them, because he manufactured old nail heads and nail points procured from blacksmith shops into rifle barrels.  Mr. Jackson had a numerous family of sons and daughters.  Some of his sons worked with him in his gun making trade.  He was industrious and a good gun maker.  He sold his house and lot to Orsemus Clarke, a blacksmith, and moved back to Louisville.  Mr. Clarke occupied the place some years, was an industrious worker at his trade, built a new dwelling house on the site where the Aruna Welch dwelling house stood.  His wife was Thomas Steere's daughter.  He sold the place to Widow Harris and purchased the corner lot opposite the Blakeslee premises, on Geneseo Street, built the house now on the premises, lived there some time and finally went over into Pittsfield to a place where he carried on farming and hop raising the remainder of his days, leaving to his widow and his son, Charles, his property, acquired by prudent, economical habits and honest labor.

Vine Welch owned the next dwelling house and lot north of the Welch lot.  He was one of the first settlers in the village and by trade a maker of spinning wheels, both great and small; the one for making yarn from wool and tow, the lesser wheel to spin flax into thread, or yarn to be woven into linen cloth and quill heals to wind skeins of yarn for the weaver's shuttle.  In the spring season of the year the buzzing spinning wheels made manifest that the farmers' thrifty wives and daughters were busy at their accustomed avocations.  In the days when homespun cloth was made into wearing apparel for the men and women, Mr. Vine Welch found abundant employment in supplying his customers with the means of making their own clothing by hand.  His widow and children remained on the place some years after his decease.  The two daughters married and moved into the western states.  His  son remained on the place and worked at the carpenter's trade some years.  He purchased the hatter's shop belonging to Sylvester Walker which stood on the place where now [in 1877] stands the brick dwelling house owned and occupied by Ira Butterfield and moved it onto the premises and used it for his workshop.  The building is the long two-story part of the dwelling house now [in 1877] owned by Mrs. Thurber.

Vine Welch sold the premises to Mr. Willard, who occupied them several years before his decease, when the title passed to his daughter-in-law by will, who now owns the place and rents it to tenants.

Sylvester Walker, of whom mention has been made, was a hatter by trade, served his apprenticeship with Mr. Worthington at Cooperstown, married a sister of General DeForest's wife, bought the house and lot now owned and occupied [in 1877] by Frederick Furman and bought the lot now owned [in 1877] by Mr. Butterfield, built the hat shop as already mentioned, and carried on the hatter business several years and finally sold out and went into one of the western States.  He came to New Berlin about the year 1817, was one of the prominent citizens while he remained in New Berlin and was a sociable and good neighbor.  Mr. Meacham first owned the premises and built the dwelling house which he sold to Mr. Walker.  He was a chair maker and many of his chairs are yet in being.  In the early days of the settlement, wood was plenty and mechanics made their ware more for durability than for ornament.  Mr. Meacham was an industrious worker at his trade and after selling his homestead to Mr. Walker he departed for the western country.

Mr. Nehemiah Dyer worked in the old cotton factory several years and after accumulating a sufficient sum to enable him to buy a wild lot, he purchased the lot back of the Great Brook which he cleaned up and lived on until his decease, leaving a good property to his wife and children.  HIs wife was a daughter of John Blackman, who worked in the machine shop with Dyer.  This Mr. Blackham was by trade a cabinet and chairmaker and a first-rate workman.

Mr. Dyer was a good farmer and a much-respected citizen.  HIs wife made cheese of a superior quality, and better adapted to the taste of lovers of good cheese than can be found in modern cheese making factories.  Mr. Dyer left his estate to his wife and children.  One of his sons married a daughter of William Jackson, a wagon maker, who was an emigrant from England.

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, June 1877 (Continued)

 Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, June 6, 1877

Deaths

May 5:  In Norwich, Mrs. Lodema Bishop widow of the late Lyman Bishop, aged 74 years.

May 26:  In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], Adam G. Rifenbark, aged 66 years.

The death of Fletcher Harper, which occurred on Tuesday, May 29, removes from earth the last of a firm whose name has long been familiar as household words all over the land.  From seaboard to frontier "Harper Brothers" has been a legend known and read of and popular with the masses.  Nor has this wide and enviable reputation been due entirely to the fact of the firm's proud position as fathers of New York's publishing business and of book making in America.  From those who knew the four brothers best has gone forth such a testimony to their rare personal worth, that the public at large long ago came to regard the words Harper Brothers as being but another name for the Cherryble Brothers with whom Mr. Dickens put the world in love.  Unless common report is greatly a fault, the four were as thoughtful of others as tender-hearted and generous as they were shrewd, energetic and indefatigable.  A story illustrating the relation subsisting between the four used to be told.  One of them was once asked by an over serious visitor to the publishing house "which of you is Harper and which are the Brothers."  The member of the firm addressed replied with a kind smile, "Either one you please is Harper and the other three Brothers."

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, June 8, 1877

Marriages

At the residence of and by Rev. Dr. Grant, John R. Tyrrell to Miss Anna [Dunham] all of Delhi [Delaware Co. NY].

At Worcester [Otsego Co. NY], in the Baptist Church, June 6th, B. Ames of Albany [Albany Co. NY] and Miss A. Brewster of the former place.

At the bride's home, Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY] May 2d, by Rev. W.B. Westlake, Leverne G. Platt of Milford [Otsego Co. NY] and Miss Lynn E. Sargent of Oneonta.

Deaths

In Milford [Otsego Co. NY], June 3d, at the residence of her son, Jasper Woodbeck, Polly [Woodbeck], aged 87 years.

In Franklin [Delaware Co. NY], May 30, Merrick A. Barnes, M.D.,  aged 25 years.

In Franklin [Delaware Co. NY], June 1st, Mrs. John Benedict, aged 65 years.

In South Worcester [Otsego Co. NY], May 30, Lucetta [Pierce], wife of Norman Pierce, aged 42 years.

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], May 29, Louis Fitch, aged about 80 years.

In Sidney [Delaware Co. NY], June 3, Geo. B. Niles aged 30 years.

In Sidney [Delaware Co. NY]Juen 2, Thos. Williams, aged 43 years.

A boy named Michael Hayes, aged 16 years, was killed at Duanesburg [Schenectady Co. NY] Tuesday.  He was engaged as a laborer on the A.&S. railroad, and it appears that he got upon a gravel train for the purpose of flagging an approaching train.  When he had arrived at his destination, he went to the rear of the gravel train for the purpose of jumping off but finding the train going too fast he held onto the car for some minutes and then let go.  He fell and struck upon the back of his head, breaking his skull.  He survived his injuries about two hours.

Laurens, Otsego Co. NY:  John Phillips who died last week had been a prominent member of the M.E. church for many years.  By his death, the community loses an upright and useful citizen.

Vital Records, Chenango & Otsego Counties, NY, June 1877 (continued)

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, June 7, 1877

Deaths

In Barker [Broome Co. NY], May 11th, Mrs. Ruth Harrington, after a long and painful sickness, aged 67 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], June 4th, Mr. John W. Edwards aged 28 years.

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In this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], June 2d, Edgar B. [Conklin], son of Thomas and Sarah Conklin, of the town of Kirkwood, Broome County, [NY], aged 26 years.

Death is ever an unwelcome visitor, but it is doubly so when it removes from a community like this one of God's noblest works, an upright, honorable, and worthy young man, as in this case it has.

The subject of these few lines has been a resident of this village only about three years, yet in that brief space of time he has endeared himself to the entire community by his manly bearing and unquestioned integrity.  A life of usefulness and honor was just bursting upon him, when, lo! the messenger came and he bowed to its mandates, and entered into that unknown world, where the spirits of the just are made perfect.

Mr. Conklin commenced the study of the law in the office of E.J. Arnold, Esq., two years and a half ago, and it is here that he has shown to us what his aspirations and character were.  In the capacity of a student, he had exhibited those qualities which in time would have ripened into a full blown and useful career.  Indeed, such was the confidence of his ability and integrity which was reposed in him by Mr. Arnold, that it was his intention, when he should have been admitted to the bar, to have taken him as a partner in his business.  But all these earthly anticipations of a bright future have been dashed to the dust by the workings of an inscrutable Providence, and that young and manly form will no more be seen in our midst and the void occasioned by his death in the office, where he was so well beloved by his instructor and friend, will be hard to fill.

During the last year it has been our fortune to be near him in business, and we have found that he was composed of the material which once developed the world admires.  We always found him an agreeable and genial young man and one who, if he differed with us, did it from an honesty of purpose, and from an opinion founded upon research which it was hard to undermine.  In connection with all his noble characteristics, he was a Christian and when the destroying angel was hovering over his wasted and diseased form, it found him ready, and he exclaimed:  "All is well!"  And now that bright spirit is wandering by those golden shores waiting, yes, waiting for those loved ones he left here.

To the young men of our village, we would point to our departed friend as a character worthy of emulation.  Strive as he did to be a man.  Live as he did for a purpose, not only in this life but in the life to come.

His funeral was largely attended on Sunday, and an able and touching discourse was delivered by Rev. E.P. Eldredge, of the M.E. Church, of which he was a worthy member.  A pleasing feature of the obsequies was the attendance of the large Sunday School, of which he had been Ass't Superintendent. We noticed also that the class of which he was instructor wore the badge of mourning, betokening their grief and deep loss.

Our community not only mourn the loss of this promising young man, but they extend to the young and bereaved wife, and all of his near and dear relatives their heart-felt sympathies in this their hour of deep affliction.

And may we all be as fully prepared to enter the portals of another and a brighter world when the messenger comes as he was for whom we mourn.  "All is well!"  Peace to his ashes.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, June 7, 1877

 Death

"Aunt Ruth" Coe died at the residence of her brother-in-law, Dexter Hunt, on the 31st ult.  She was beloved and esteemed by all who knew her.  Her age was 81.  Her remains were taken to White Store [Chenango Co. NY  ] for interment.

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, June 7, 1877

Marriages

At the home of the bride's father, May 30th, by Rev. H.H. Fisher, Wallace S. Hathaway of Morris [Otsego Co. NY], to Miss Jessie A. Young, of New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY].

At Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], May 27th, by Rev. S.H. Moon, Wm. D. Babcock and Mrs. E.B. Greene, both of Gilbertsville.

Deaths

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], June 1st, 1877, Mrs. Naomi Lakin, aged 60 years.

In Toddsville [Otsego Co. NY], May 31st, 1877, David Finch, aged 45 years.

At the residence of Luther Goodrich, at Oaksville [Otsego Co. NY], June 2d, 1877, Wm. Northrup aged 69 years.

At Schuyler's Lake [Otsego Co. NY], April 25th, 1877, Mr. James Hayner in the 88th year of his age.

In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], May 23d, 1877, Wm. Oliver aged 50 years.

The last of the Harper Brothers is dead.  James Harper, the eldest died in March 1869; Joseph Wesley [Harper], the third brother died a year later; John [Harper], the second, died on the 22d of April 1875, and Fletcher Harper the youngest brother died on the 29th ult. after a lingering illness.  The business is now conducted by sons of the old firm.

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Died at Milford, N.Y. [Otsego Co.], May 31st, 1877, of prostration, succeeding pneumonia, and congestion of the brain, Sarah Hamlin [Bissell], wife of George N. Bissell and eldest daughter of David Hamlin of Watertown, N.Y. [Jefferson Co.], aged 28 years.

The funeral was held on the Sabbath of June 3d, at her residence, Milford, and after the burial of the deceased, memorial services were conducted at the Presbyterian church by the Rev. E.C. Van Camp, assisted by the Rev. A.B. Richardson.  The services at the residence were held amidst a profusion of floral offerings which symbolized in their quantity and beauty the depth of affection for her of her friends and acquaintances.  At the church, an assembly gathered filling the auditorium to overflowing.  the exercises were intensely impressive.  Rev. S.C. Van Camp, her pastor, referred eloquently and at length to the usefulness of the deceased, as a member of the church and to the graces of her character.  And the Rev. A.B. Richardson spoke feelingly of the void her loss must cause in the community.

Mrs. Bissell united with the Presbyterian church at Milford in December 1872, by letter from the First Presbyterian Church of Watertown, N.Y.  and has ever since remained an active member thereof.  During most of that time period she has been its voluntary organist.  While she excelled in that position, her especial musical accomplishment resided in singing.  Possessing a pure, rich, soprano voice, completely at her command, and in addition, a rare comprehension which can only insure the proper expression of sentiment, she almost invariably delighted her listeners.  The last time she attended church service was in May, when she sang the melodious solo of P.P. Bliss, entitled, "What Shall the Harvest Be" with an intelligence and sweetness which fairly charmed the audience.  Little thought her listeners that the harvest reaping would contain so rich a sheaf, and one so valuable to the community and to her three children, husband and friends, as herself.

In the Sabbath School of her church, she manifest to an extraordinary interest, extoling that practical piety which nothing but the love of so noble a sphere of work can better call forth.

Nor was she alone conspicuous in the church.  Socially she was such a boon as only an active, cultured young woman can be.  No person of her circle of acquaintance cast a brighter light about her as their painful suspense throughout her illness attested.  

The last words that she uttered were addressed to her husband in admiration of her children as follows.  "George, our children are beautiful children; our children are beautiful."  Though her soul has fled to the realm of light and her voice is silent in the sleep that has no waking, the influence of her intelligent, Christian, earnest life, must long remain as an inspiration to all her friends.

Wicked in Chenango County, NY; Crimes of Rocco Rose, Part II (conclusion) (1915)

White Slaver's Sentence Is Five Years

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 23, 1915

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[Note:  Mention is made of an arson case associated with this story.  This has been previously posted to this blog and can be found at the following link.  Posted Sept. 26, 2016]

https://smdlocalhistoryblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/charles-griffin-alias-bartolo-taranto.html

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Rocco Rose was found guilty by the jury in Federal court in Syracuse [Onondaga Co. NY] late Tuesday afternoon and was sentenced by Judge Ray to five years' imprisonment in the Federal prison at Atlanta.

Local Interest in Trial

The case was started before Judge Ray on Friday of last week and has consumed a large portion of the time this week, both the government and the defense swearing a number of witnesses in support of their contentions.  Although the only local bearing the case has had is through the arson investigation, the interest in it has been very keen.  It was through Annie Millar's statements that the people's investigation of the Griffin fire was terminated so quickly and successfully and her alleged mistreatment by Rocco Rose aroused the sympathy of the public officials as well as the general public.  

A Syracuse exchange carries the following story of the finish of the trial on Tuesday.

Alleged Inhuman Treatment

"Declaring that he had been subjected to inhuman treatment in the jail at Norwich, Rocco Rose an alleged white slaver, took the stand in his own behalf in Federal court Monday afternoon.  The young Italian swore that he had been brutally handled by Detective Quinn, one of the officers who investigated the Norwich arson case.

Rose said that the officer assaulted him several times, once striking him in the side of the face with such force that blood appeared.  He said that the officer handcuffed him to a chair and then poured liquor from a bottle, at the same time threatening to kill him if he did not sign a confession.

Quinn Was a Witness

George B. Quinn to whom Attorney Lee referred frequently during the questioning of the jurors at the opening of the trial, asking if any of the salesmen had ever heard of George B. Quinn, sometime known as Benjamin Donovan, an alleged detective, appeared in court Tuesday morning and was placed on the stand by District Attorney Cregg.  During his cross-examination Attorney Lee went deep into the past of the witness in an effort to find ground for having his evidence thrown out.

Quinn testified that he was employed by the city of Norwich as a detective and that prior to the time he went to Norwich was employed by a detective agency.  Efforts to produce evidence that Quinn struck Rose, as had been charged or had had him handcuffed to a chair, failed, except in so far as Quinn admitted he had struck the defendant twice with the palm of his hand because he had called him names.  He denied that he ever threatened the prisoner's life or had handcuffed him to a chair.

With reference to his being known as Benjamin Donovan, Quinn said that it was upon the occasion of his being assigned to a murder case and that he had assumed the name for that time on the advice of his employer.

Mayor Berry Testifies

The government called former Mayor Silas W. Berry of Norwich and he told of being present when Rose's statement was taken.  He said that his term as mayor expired January 1st, but that he had been retained by the Common Council of Norwich to prosecute the arson cases.

Mayor Berry Testified that the statement was secured from Rose without the use of undue influence.  The defendant refused to sign the statement he said, although admitting that it was the truth.  He remembered hearing Rose say that he had been warned by his counsel against signing statements.

Other Witnesses

Carl Adwards and George Smith, police officers at Norwich, were called to testify along the same line.  They denied knowledge of any cruel treatment to the defendant.  Vincent S Conley, a Buffalo detective, testified that Rose had been arrested twice in that city, once for assault.

Michael Morrell, proprietor of a hotel at Binghamton [Broome Co. NY] where Rose is alleged to have stopped for a time, was examined briefly.  Judge Ray took the witness in hand for a little while.  "Who wrote these names in the register?" asked the court.

Attorney Lee apparently did not understand that the court was questioning the witness and objected to the question as incompetent.  Judge Ray turned around to the young attorney and replied:  "Your objection is overruled."

Both the government and defendant rested their cases before 11:30 o'clock.

The jury was given a recess of ten minutes and Attorney Lee summed up.  Assistant District Attorney Frank J. Cregg summed up for the government.

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Man Held as White Slaver Has License to Marry Miss Millar

Binghamton Press, Binghamton, NY, March 15, 1915

Records of the local marriage license bureau show that Rocco Rose, who was arrested in Norwich last week and held in $10,000 bail on a charge of violating the Mann white slave law in bringing Annie Millar to this city, obtained a license to marry Miss Millar, but that no return has ever been made to show that the ceremony was performed.

The girl claims that Rose persuaded her to come here, promising that they would get married and that he did obtain a license but never used it.  The marriage records at the City Clerk's office show that a license was issued as follows:

Rocco Rose, aged 21; residence, 49 North Depot Street; occupation, baker; born in Naples, Italy; father, Robra Rose; mother, Filomenia Varleo; first marriage.

Annie Millar, 19 years old; residence, 25 Washington Street; occupation, waitress; born in Germany; father, Joseph Millar; mother, Lizzie Murt; both of Germany.

The license was issued Oct. 10, 1914.

[Note:  Given the demonstrated nature of "Rocco Rose," the data provided on the marriage license is considered suspect.  Example-Annie Millar was said to be 16 years of age.  She testified that Rose instructed her to say she was 19 at the time of acquiring the license.]

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, June 1877 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY,. June 7, 1877

Marriages

BURLINGAME - PARKER:  At the residence of the bride, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 3d, by Rev. W.R. Stone, Mr. E.G. Burlingame to Mrs. Emma Parker, all of Norwich.

RICE - LOOMIS:  In Brookfield [Madison Co. NY], May 27th, by Elder Barry, Mr. A.D. Rice of Hamilton [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Ella Loomis, of North Brookfield, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

BUNDY - CAMPBELL:  In Brookfield [Madison Co. NY], May 23d, by Rev. Mr. Messenger, Mr. Warren Bundy of St. John, Mich., to Miss Annie M. Campbell, youngest daughter of David N. Campbell, formerly of New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

HARRIS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 3d, Charles Truman [Harris], second son of George A. and Mary Harris, aged 6 years and eight months.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 6, 1877:  Gone in his childish beauty, gone from his home, gone from his brother dear, never to return.  Too bright, too beautiful to last.  God gave and God hath taken him home.  Often, he has wished to go to God and see how the stars were kept.  Now he has become a star in the worlds above. The six days of suffering, and the Sabbath hours of Sunday School where he so loved to go found him in the class of his loved Father above, where he now sings the sweet songs with his little cousins gone before, who can unravel the mysteries of Providence.  Who can tell where death next leaves the vacant chair. The young taken, the aged left, a few days and all reunited, never more to be separated.

"He will gather, he will gather / The gems for his kingdom, / All the pure ones, all the bright ones, / His loved and his own / Like the stars of this morning / His bright crown adorning, / They shall shine in their beauty / Bright gems for his crown."

SMITH:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], of diphtheria, May 26th, Frank [Smith] aged 10 years; and on the 30th, Weltha [Smith] and Linna [Smith], aged 13 and 5 years - son and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith.

HUMPHREY:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], May 29th, Mr. Charles M. Humphrey, aged 61 years. 

The funeral services of Charles M. Humphrey, one of our most respected townsmen, took place at the Baptist Church in this village last Wednesday afternoon, at one o'clock. 

FRANCISCO:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], June 1st, Mrs. J.B. Francisco, aged 42 years.

WILKINSON:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], May 31st, Mr. William N. Wilkinson, aged 42 years.

CARR:  In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], June 2d of consumption, Alice [Carr], eldest daughter of William and Mary Carr, aged 19 years, 6 months and 9 days.

CONKLIN:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY], June 2d, Mr. Edward B. Conklin of Kirkwood, Broome Co. [NY], aged 26 years.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 9, 1877:  Our Community [Greene, Chenango Co. NY] was pained to learn on Saturday morning last, of the death of E.B. Conklin, one of our sterling young men.  He had been studying law for a year or two in the office of E.J. Arnold, was well and favorably known to our citizens and by his courtesy and pleasant ways had endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. The funeral was attended on Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church (of which he was a member) by a large concourse of our leading citizens.  Rev. E.P. Eldredge preached the funeral sermon, Revs. J.H. Sage of the Baptist Chruch and Rev. A.B. Dilley, of the Congregational, assisting in services.  The Sunday School of which he was an active member, took part in the procession, his class of six young men wearing badges of mourning. The sympathy of the entire community is with the wife and child of the deceased, and other relatives, so sadly bereaved.  L.N. Former

BENTON:  In Lisle [Broome Co. NY], May 7th, Mr. James Benton, aged 75 years, formerly of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]

JONES:  The wife of Rev. A.B. Jones of East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], died suddenly on the 25th ult.  It is supposed in a fit, to which she had bene subject.  She was about her usual duties half an hour before she was found dead in her chair, no one being present when life departed.

WELCH:  About 5:30 o'clock Monday evening, Mr. Wm. Gillman discovered from his saloon window a straw hat floating in the water below the dam in this village.  He fished it out and soon after inquiry was made for Tommy Pettis Welch, grandson of Mr. T.C. Pettis, who had been missed at home for some little time.  The hat was shown to Mr. Pettis, who recognized it as belonging to his grandson.  The alarm was immediately given, boats and lights were provided, and men proceeded to rake the pool for the body.  About 10 o'clock the body was recovered by Geo. Moulton and James Warn.  It was in about 25 feet of water and near the dam.  It was not known how the lad got into the water.  He was last seen by Mr. Pettis about the store premises at half-past four o'clock.  Some think he fell from the dam and others from a boat or dock below.  He was a bright, intelligent lad, a little over seven years of age, and dearly beloved by his grandparents who adopted him after the death of his mother, their daughter, which occurred soon after his birth.  His father is in Plainfield [Otsego Co. NY], this State.  Times

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 9, 1877

Marriages

FIELD - HOAG:  At the home of the bride, June 6th, 1877, by Rev. H.M. Crydenwise, Mr. Stephen O. Field to Miss N. Alida Hoag, both of Norwich, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].

DEVALLANT - TAILOR:  At Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], June 7th, by Rev. L.C. Hayes, Mr. J. Devallant and Miss E.A. Tailor, all of Plymouth, N.Y. [Chenango Co. NY].

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, May 1877 (continued)

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, May 31, 1877

Marriages

At the home of the bride's mother, May 23d, 1877, by Rev. James Ryder, Charlie D. Brooks of Fly Creek, N.Y. [Otsego Co] to Miss Ella E. Weeks of Cooperstown, N.Y. [Otsego Co.].

At Burlington Flats [Otsego Co. NY], May 16th, 1877, by Rev. S.S. Cady, Lewis A. Bennett of New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY] and Miss Hattie A Reynolds, of Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY].

Deaths

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], May 25th, 1877, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. P.C. Howell, Mrs. Hannah McCoy aged 78 years.

In Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], May 27th, 1877, Mrs. Roxey Bowen in the 94th year of her age.

At Westford [Otsego Co. NY], May 18th, 1877, Mary Roseboom, widow of Garrett Roseboom, in the 85th year of her age.

In Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], May 27th, John Phillips, aged 78 years and one day.

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In Cherry Valley [Otsego Co. NY], May 19th, Fanny C. Merritt, wife of Dr. Geo. Merritt, in the 48th year of her age.

Mrs. Merritt had been a patient sufferer from cancer for several months.  In alluding to her death, the Gazette says:  "Mrs. Merritt was born in Great Barrington, Mass., in 1829.  She was the daughter of Rev. Sturges Gilbert.  While she was yet a child, her father with his family came to this State.  He had charge of the parish at Hobart, Del. Co. [NY] and later on, of the one at Westford [Otsego Co. NY].  They moved to Cherry Valley in the Spring of 1847.  Four years later, she was married to Dr. George Merritt with whom she has lived happily twenty-six years.  She leaves five children, four daughters and one son.  Mrs. Merritt was an earnest and active member of the Episcopal church.  Early received into its sacred fold, she was all her life a faithful and devout Christian and carefully instructed her children in the forms and doctrines she so well loved.  She was buried on Tuesday at 4 P.M. from Grace Church in which she has been a devout worshipper for thirty years.  Mrs. Merritt was a kind and accommodating neighbor, a true faithful and loving wife, an affectionate and devoted mother."

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At Hartwick, Sem. [Otsego Co. NY], may 16th, Mrs. Rachael Jones aged 66 years.  She adds another link to the chain that binds us to the future world.

"I think i hear her say: / I have reached the Joys of Heaven, / I am one of the sainted band; / To my head a crown of gold is given, / And a harp is in my hand."

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, May 30, 1877

Marriages

May 22:  At the residence of the bride's parents by Rev. Mr. Towner, Seth Young of Guilford Centre [Chenango Co. NY] and Miss Hattie E. Law of Ouaquaga [Broome Co. NY].

Mt. Vision, Otsego Co. NY:  There was quite a large gathering of relatives north of here at the house of Mr. C.A. Potter, Thursday evening of this week at the marriage ceremony of Mr. Zina E. Lay of Springfield [Otsego Co. NY] and Miss Clemma A. Wright.  They started the next day on their wedding tour to their home in Springfield [Otsego Co. NY].  A sensible tour.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, June 1, 1877:  In New Lisbon [Otsego Co. NY], May 21, by Rev. Walter Fry, Zina E. Lay and Clemma N. Wright.

Deaths

May 28:  In Morris [Otsego Co. NY], Harriet Lull wife of the Hon. Jacob K. Lull, aged 78 years and 8 months.  The funeral services will be held in Zion Church this afternoon (Tuesday) at 3 o'clock.

The wife of Hon. Jacob K. Lull of this village is quite feeble, and her death is daily looked for.

Since writing the above, Mrs. Lull has died; an excellent and kind Christian neighbor has passed away.  She has gone to her final rest, like a shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest.

The body of Geo. Ackerson of Little Falls [Herkimer Co. NY] was found on the 18th inst. in the Erie canal about two miles from that village.  He was formerly a resident of this county [Otsego Co. NY].

William Oliver for many years a successful merchant in Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY] died in that place last Thursday.  Mr. Oliver many years ago lived in this town and worked at the blacksmith business for M.T. Winton.  Their shop was near the corner where the Pittsfield Road comes into the creek road just above Mr. Van Rensselaer's farmhouse.  On the discovery of gold in California, he with others, went to that State, sought and found gold, returned and settled in Gilbertsville where he has since resided, enjoying the respect and confidence of his fellow men.

M.D. Peak of Green Bay, Wis. died at Paris, Saturday, the 19th inst.  Mr. Peak and wife sailed for Europe last October.  The deceased was the only son of the late Dr. Peak of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY] and was highly respected.  He entered the Worthington Bank while he lived here and subsequently removed to Green Bay, Wis. where he had resided many years.  He has a sister living in Richfield Springs [Otsego Co. NY], the wife of Dr. W.T. Bailey.  Mrs. Peak sailed the 26th for this country with the remains of her husband.  

Mt. Vision, Otsego Co. NY:  Mrs. Marion Walby, wife of Delos Walby, died on the 8th inst. of consumption aged about 47.  Their daughter DeEtte is very low now with the same disease.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, June 1, 1877

Marriages

In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], May 28, at the residence of the bride's parents, "on the fly" by Thos. Heath, Esq., Mr. Charles M. Flint of Otego [Otsego Co. NY] and Miss Libbie M. Crandall.

In Otego [Otsego Co. NY], at the home of the bride, May 30, by Rev. Mr. Bundy, Ralph Guernsey of Cobleskill [Schoharie Co. NY] and Louise [French], daughter of Merrell French.

In Walton [Delaware Co. NY], by Rev. H.M. Ladd, E.D. Mathew of Middletown [Orange Co. NY] and Miss Hannah G. Peabody of Walton.

Deaths

In Springfield [Otsego Co. NY], of diphtheria, Laura [Prime], daughter of John Prime, aged about 20 years.  In the same place, and of a like disease, Viola [Flint] wife of Willard Flint.

In West Kortright [Delaware Co. NY], May 23d, Robert McIllwaine, aged 82 years.

In Kortright [Delaware Co. NY], May 22, Charles Chadwick.

Near Schenevus [Otsego Co. NY], May 22, Nellie L. [Wyman] daughter of Orson and Mary Wyman, aged 4 months.

In South Worcester [Otsego Co. NY], Mrs. Loraine Baldwin, wife of John S. Baldwin, aged 53 years.

In Richfield Springs [Otsego Co. NY], Jacob Walter aged 89 years.

In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], May 27, Peter Rifenbark aged 56 years.  

Wicked in Chenango County, NY, Crimes of Rocco Rose (1915) Part I

 Rocco Rose is Typical White-Slaver

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 19, 1915

A white slave case under the Mann act, which will be of interest roughout the state has come to light in connection with the arson investigation being conducted by Detective Quinn of the Drummond agency and the local police authorities.  Annie Millar of Buffalo is the victim in the case and Rocco Macearohni, alias Rose, alias Smith, alias Dephin is the man who is alleged to be guilty.

Rocco Rose, as he is known here, was arrested in Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], on the night of December 21, 1914, by Detectives Quinn and Scanlon while Annie Millar was arrested on Hawley Street in the same city by Jerome Lewis and Detective Quinn the same evening.  Both are being held here as material witnesses in the arson cases pending against Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Rossie and Charles Griffin.

Case for Federal Court

On Saturday, the authorities became very sure that they had a white slave case triable in federal court and on Sunday afternoon when United States Commissioner James S. Flannagan of this city [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], took the affidavit of Annie Millar, there was no longer any question about it.

Annie Millar is a little Polish girl, 16 years of age, whose ignorance was taken advantage of by Rocco to support him.  Her affidavit said in substance that she became acquainted with Rocco about the middle of August 1911.  On the evening of September 4 [1911], Rocco seemed enamored of the girl, took her to a fruit store at the corner of Washington and Ellicott Streets in buffalo, which was kept by an Italian whom she did not know. The couple went into a rear room and were served with ice cream and soda.  Almost instantly Annie felt dizzy and soon lost consciousness.

Awoke in Rochester

When she awoke the next morning, she found herself in a strange room with a girl named Mary Davis, who told Annie that they were in Rochester and had come there during the night.  Annie had no knowledge of leaving Buffalo and had no other clothing with her than that which she wore the evening previous.

Beaten and Assaulted

On the second day of their being in Rochester Rocco and Annie and Mary Davis and the man Gabriel Vasto, who had taken Mary away from her home, went to 110 North Frigid Street where they were registered as married people.  Here Annie swears that she was assaulted by Rocco and beaten and choked until she was browbeaten into consenting to live a life of shame.

After about two weeks' time, the four people moved into a house at 352 Platt Street where they lived for another two weeks.  Rocco secured secondhand furniture and the four people lived there two weeks. Annie was not allowed to leave the house, nor was she permitted to write to her anxious parents in Buffalo.  During their stay in this house, Rocco received a letter from Genario Reparti, alias Farario, Rose, Rosa, Rossi and Viola, commonly known here as Jerry Rossi. The letter told Rocco to come to Binghamton where Jerry had a restaurant known as the Cottage Hotel.

Upon the receipt of this letter, the four people parted company.  Mary Davis and Gabriel Vasto returned to Buffalo, where they were married.  Mary was but 14 years of age and she died a short time thereafter, being dead in November when Detective Quinn was in that city looking up evidence.

Into Another State

One morning in late September previous to the Griffin fire, Rocco and his browbeaten girl started for Binghamton via the Central railroad.  They first went to Elmira and then changed cars for the Lackawanna, which runs out of this state into Pennsylvania for several miles thus making the Mann act effective, in that he brought her into this state from another.  They arrived in Binghamton in the early morning and stayed at a hotel near the station for the remainder of the night as Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Rose.

Lived Life of Shame

The next morning the Cottage hotel was sought out and they stayed until after the arson investigation was begun here and the news of it was published abroad.  It was there that Jerry and Rocco prevailed upon Annie to live a life of shame, the proceeds of which were always given over to Rocco and beginning on October 23rd and continuing until the time of their arrest upon December 21, Annie Millar frequented two notorious Binghamton hotels, according to her own statements, and became one of the infamous women of that city.  "I turned all the money I collected from men over to Rocco.  The money I earned paid all our expenses and when we were arrested, Rocco had a $35 balance in the bank," Annie said in her affidavit. She said that she had no spending money.  That her daily earnings were first given over to Josie, Jerry's common law wife, that their board was deducted and the balance given to Rocco at the end of each week. She was instructed not to take drinks from men but to accept packages of cigarettes which were given to Rocco, and he then sold them to some jobber.  The day before she was arrested, she claimed to have received 54 packages of "coffin nails."

Shortly after Rocco Rose and Annie Millar arrived in Binghamton, as he had promised her, they secured a license to marry.   He compelled her to give her age as 19 years and her name as Annie Rose.  The couple were not married, however, and the license Rocco claims to have lost.

After suspicion fell upon the occupants of the Cottage hotel in the arson investigation, Annie and Rocco went to the home of Joe Pannuchi at 15 Hawley Street and lived there until the time of their arrests.

Rocco also made a statement before Mr. Flanagan Sunday afternoon which he refused to swear to, and which was thereupon taken in the presence of several witnesses.  He acknowledged taking Annie from Buffalo to Rochester and then again from Rochester to Elmira, thence over the Lackawanna to Binghamton, where they registered as Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Rose and found Jerry the next day.

Will Finally Get Rocco

Rocco will be detained here as a material witness in the arson case until after the March term of court, unless some other developments occur which will alter affairs.  Then when the arson case is disposed of, he will be arrested for violating the Mann act and held for the Federal grand jury. The case will be heard by Judge Ray, if there is an indictment found.  Harry Dununcio of Binghamton who is here as a material witness in the arson case will also be held as a material witness in the white slave case.

The credit which is reflected upon the local officials and the detectives from the Drummond agency who have been working on the arson and now on this new phase of the investigation is considerable and the people of this city feel assured that the progress which is being made is satisfactory in every respect.

Digging up Further Evidence

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 22, 1915

Following up the sensational white slavery revelations made by Annie Millar on Sunday, Detective Quinn and Sheriff Holcomb have been digging up other evidence which will be used against Rocco Rose when he appears before the Federal grand jury.  Jerry Rossi, Filomena Poletta and Harry Denuncio who are either material witnesses or charged with arson have corroborated parts of Annie's statements pertaining to her life in Binghamton.

Rocco Rose is but 22 years of age and though his reputation is not an unblemished one, he has been imprisoned only once before and that in Buffalo about two years ago when he did four months for slashing another Italian.  Last summer he worked with Jerry Rossi in Waterbury, Conn., in a bakery.  Tiring of work, they hoboed it into New York State and to Buffalo.  Jerry later went to Binghamton while Rocco stayed in Buffalo, met Annie Millar, seemed infatuated with her, treated her to drugged soda water according to her statements and then carried through the various acts alleged against him in the white slavery charge.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, May & June 1877

 Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, June 2, 1877

Marriage

McDonough, Chenango Co. NY:  Miss Lorida P. Steere daughter of Riley Steere, was united to Elijah Launto on Sunday last.  Rev. Charles Steere performed the ceremony.

Deaths

CORBIN:  In Lebanon, N.Y. [Madison Co.] May 20th, of cancer in the stomach.  Delia M. Corbin, aged 61 years.

SMITH:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 30th, May Genevive [Smith] aged 8 years 5 months; June 1st, Edith Elvise [Smith] aged 1 year 7 months, 16 days.  Children of Charles D. and Josie A. Smith, of scarlet fever.

WELCH:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], June 1st, Mr. Daniel Welch, aged 90 years.

CARPENTER:  At Cambridge, Vt., Henry Randall Carpenter, infant son of J.C. and Agnes L. Carpenter, aged 1 year and 8 months.

JONES:  East Pharsalia, Chenango Co. NY: Mrs. A.B. Jones was found dead in her chair last Friday P.M.  She was seen out in the yard about half an hour before she was found dead.  The funeral took place at the Congregational church Monday, at 1 o'clock P.M.

MOORE:  McDonough, Chenango Co. NY: Miss Emma Moore, daughter of Andrew Moore, died from consumption, a few days since.  She leaves a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.

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CASTLE:  Richard Castle, aged 82 years, died at his home in Ava [Oneida Co. NY], on Friday last.  Mr. Castle was born in England in 1794 and came to America in 1848.  After residing in Utica [Oneida Co. NY] about four years, he moved to Ava where he lived during the remaining twenty-four years of his life.  In the year 1864 his wife was removed by death.  A second wife survives him.  He was a great sufferer before his death but bore every trial with Christian resignation.  His upright character, warm heart, and earnest life endeared him to all who knew him, and he is sincerely mourned.  His son William resides at Norwich, and Richard at Whitestown.  Two other sons, Thomas and George, and his daughter, Mrs. Waters, were present when he died.  All his children attended his funeral, except one daughter who resides in England.  Six children, twenty-seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren survive him.  Rome Citizen

As intimated above we would state that  Mr. William Castle of this village is the son of the aged veteran above named.

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On Saturday last we noticed in its appropriate place in the Telegraph, the death of Mr. Albert Tiffany at his residence in King Settlement [Chenango Co. NY] in the sixty-second year of his age.  Mr. Tiffany was a son of the venerable William Tiffany, who preceded him some years since and who was well and favorably known as one of the early pioneers, not only of his particular locality but of the County at large as well.  Albert chose the occupation of his father and has always resided near the old homestead in King Settlement.  He was one of the many successful farmers who have done so much to develop the resources of our county.  His kind and genial disposition attracted many friends who showed their solicitude for his recovery during his short and painful illness.  In his life, though it was passed in the humble walks of an agriculturalist, he was able to bestow upon his neighbors who were less fortunate than he, many of those kindnesses which were prompted by a kind heart and generous spirit and now that he has passed away his memory will be kept green in the hearts of those who have so often shared in his benefactions.  His funeral was attended by a large number of sympathizing friends from his own and adjoining towns, conspicuous among whom were a number of our prominent businessmen.  He was buried in Norwich cemetery.  He leaves a widow and three daughters, Mrs. Geo. W. Sholes of Binghamton, Mrs. LeRoy Smith of this town, and Mary, an unmarried daughter, all of whom are well-known here and highly esteemed and respected by all.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 31, 1877

Marriage

Mr. and Mrs. Alanson Bingham, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], who spent 41 years of their married lives in this town, celebrated their fiftieth anniversary or golden wedding, May 31. The children, five in number, were all present and had a very enjoyable time. Tears of joy and gratitude filled the eyes of all as they once more gathered around the board bountifully spread, that death had spared every one of them, and that the family circle was still unbroken.

Death

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], May 28, Mr. Alonzo Marvin 2d, aged 44 years.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, May 1877 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 31, 1877

Marriages

COE - JOHNSON:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 26th, by Rev. H.M. Crydenwise, Mr. William Coe to Miss Sarah J. Johnson, all of Norwich.

JOHNSON - WHEATON:  At the same time and place by the same, Mr. Henry Johnson of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Addie L. Wheaton of New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY].

LAUNT - STEERE:  In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], May 27th, by Rev. Charles Steere, Mr. Elijah Launt of McDonough to Miss Lorinda P. Steere of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

SUMNER - BROWN:  At the Congregational Church in East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY] on Sunday morning, May 27th, by Rev. Jos. Clements, Mr. Jay M. Sumner to Miss N.E. Brown, all of East Pharsalia.

Deaths

MILLS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 29th, Mrs. Harriet M. Mills, aged 49 years.

DIMOND:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], May 26th, Bridget [Dimond], wife of Patrick Dimond, aged 32 years.

Mrs. Dimond, the wife of Patrick Dimond, was taken from this life on Saturday, the 25th.  She leaves a widowed husband, four orphaned children a sister and other friends to lament their loss. She was buried on Monday according to the rites of the Catholic faith.

WILLIAMS:  In Garrettsville, Otsego Co. [NY], May 22d, Mr. Timothy Williams of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], aged 70 years and 6 months.

Mr. Timothy Williams of this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], whom we mentioned last week as having met with a severe accident, died at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Oakley in Garretsville, Otsego County [NY] last Tuesday.  His remains were brought to this village for interment and buried Wednesday.  Mr. W. was a member of the Baptist Church and an estimable and useful citizen.  His age was 70 years and 6 months.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, May 30, 1877:  Mr. Timothy Williams of this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], who was lately injured by accidentally being thrown from a wagon, near Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], died last week Thursday, and his remains were brought to his residence in this village. The funeral was held Wednesday.  Mr. W. was a member of the Baptist church in this village and a good citizen.  His age was 70 years.

RANDALL:  In Masonville [Delaware Co. NY], May 25th, Mr. Hezekiah A. Randall, formerly of East McDonough, aged 68 years.

UFFORD:  In Syracuse [Onondaga Co. NY], May 18th, Mr. Beach Ufford of Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], aged 78 years and 8 months.  His remains were buried at North Pitcher on Sunday, the 20th.

GURLEY:  In Cortland [Cortland Co. NY], May 23d, of apoplexy, Harriet S. [Gurley] wife of Emilus Gurley and sister of Mrs. James H. Sinclair, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], aged 54 years.

FISH:  Suddenly, in Upper Lisle, Broome Co. [NY], May 18th, Mr. Elijah W. Fish, formerly of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co. NY].

GREGORY:  Adeline Gregory, daughter of Levi Gregory, deceased, died at the residence of her brother-in-law, Moses Farnham, on Sunday night last.  Funeral on Wednesday, at the Methodist Church in this place [Mt. Upton, Chenango Co. NY].

FOSTER:  Hon. Charles Foster, a prominent lawyer of Cortland [Cortland Co. NY] and a gentleman universally respected, died at his home in that village on Wednesday of last week, aged fifty-three years.

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CHAMBERLAIN:  At Mt. Upton [Chenango Co. NY], May 25th, Mr. Calvin Chamberlain, aged 55 years.

Another of our aged citizens has been called to that undiscovered country beyond the shadows of the valley of death.   Mr. Calvin Chamberlain died at the residence of his son-in-law, Joseph Marsh, on Thursday evening last, at the advanced age of eighty-four years.  Mr. Chamberlian was born in the town of Butternuts, Otsego County [NY], in 1793, and since that early period has always lived at or near this place [Mt. Upton, Chenango Co. NY].  The farm now owned by his son, Cyrenus Chamberlian, was reclaimed by him from a howling wilderness and made one of the pleasantest and most productive in the valley. What changes have taken place within the compass of his long life!  The grand primeval forest that lined the banks of our beautiful river, have given place to smiling fields and prosperous villages, and the screech of the locomotive wakes the echoes among the hills that in his early life rang to the whoop of the wild Indian, or the music of the woodman's axe.  For sixty years, Mr. Chamberlain has been a member of the Methodist Church and in no place will he be missed more than in the sanctuary he has so long been connected with and helped to sustain.  The funeral took place from the residence of Mr. Morse, on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock.

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Mt. Upton, Chenango Co. NY:  Mr. Calvin Chamberlain, who has been for weeks suffering from disease, died May 25th, aged 85 years.  An industrious and estimable citizen, a kind father, a sincere and life-long Christian has met and vanquished the last enemy. Death was to him a welcome messenger, for it unfolded the gates of eternal life.

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Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, May 30, 1877:  Mr. Calvin Chamberlain, one of the oldest citizens of Mt. Upton, died May 25th, 1877, aged 85 years.  Mr. Chamberlain has been a life-long subscriber of the Telegraph, and his long and busy life has been identified with the history of our Valley.  More than half a century ago he united with Union M.E. Church, near which was his home.  He died as he had lived--well.  Death was a vanquished foe.  His large family circle of children and grandchildren will cherish the memory of a -?- and faithful Christian father.

Historical Sketch, Settlement of New Berlin, Chenango Co. NY

 Historical Sketch of the Settlement of the Town of New Berlin

by John Hyde

New Berlin Gazette, New Berlin, NY, April 21, 1877

The next class after pioneer farmers who made settlements in New Berlin were mechanics, manufacturers, and tradesmen.  Some of the individuals have already been mentioned.  As early as the beginning of the precent century [1800s], workers in wood and iron and in other manufacturing trades commenced building work shops along on either bank of the village creek from near its source down to its termination in the Unadilla River. The course of the stream is nearly east and runs about through the center of the village.

On the head waters of the stream near the west line of the village, Thomas Medbury, a gunsmith, built a shop where he manufactured rifles and smooth bore shot guns for which he found purchases among the Nimrods of up-country backwoodsmen, whose exploits, are not their histories written in the chronicles of hunting scenes of former times.  Mr. Medbury's dwelling house is the same owned and occupied by John Low.  Barnabas Brown, Jr. purchased the house and shop of Mr. Medbury, and made the gunshop into a clothing and cloth dressing establishment and with Buel Sherman, whose wife was his sister, carried on the cloth dressing business several years and then sold the premises and purchased a village lot on South Street and built a dwelling house thereon, where he resided until his death some years ago.  The gun shop and cloth dressing house and apparatus have long since disappeared.

Next down the creek was the Knap & DeForest woolen factory mentioned in a former number.  James Denison purchased the factory buildings and water works and entered into the business of making ropes from flax.  While Mr. Knap owned the establishment, Aschel Edson carried on the business of carding wool in the same building.  Mr. Denison sold the premises to Thomas Chapel who made the building into a dwelling house and built a brewery nearby and made strong beer.  Also, he had a cider mill for grinding apples by waterpower on the premises.  On the decease of Mr. Chapel, the property passed into the possession of other owners, and is no longer used for any manufacturing purpose whatever.

Knap's oil mill, where he made oil out of flax seed, stood on the creek near the place where Benjamin Haight has a workshop for planning boards by water machinery and a furnace for casting some kinds of iron ware, and down the creek below its junction with the north branch in the paper mill pond, are yet to be seen the remains of an old sawmill, whose water preserved timbers antedate this generation's memory as to the time when the mill was built or by whom owned.

Up the north branch of the creek there stood another sawmill, also a carding machine and a cloth dressing establishment.  An accidental fire destroyed all the buildings with much of their contents.  No mills were afterwards erected, and the creek was left to tumble over a beautiful cascade and wind its way through a deep rock-bound channel amid wild overhanging shrubbery fording splendid scenery of nature's works in the midst of our village civilization. The old Blakelee's paper mill, after it came into the possession of Daniel Harrington, was destroyed by fire and he has erected a more commodious and elegant structure in its place. The elephantine machine with its fifty working men power might perhaps have survived the burning building from total loss if the village corporation had sooner become the owner of so valuable an acquisition.  It is a problem remaining to be solved, should an occasion hereafter occur to test its capacity.  May such a calamity never call into action our village firemen, but the old fire engine be permitted to always remain in its snug carpeted building, uncalled for and its powers untested.

The ancient gristmill owned by Blakeslee and Mallet and lately owned and occupied by Nichols, who also attached thereto a cider mill and cooper shop, is next below the paper mill.

Below the gristmill, at the foot of the hill, on the south bank of the creek, where now [in 1877] stands a dwelling house built by Chauncey Babcock was a distillery where rye was made into whiskey before temperance societies had their being.

Next in order were Knap's tannery and Field's trip hammer works.  The tannery on the south bank and the trip hammer on the north bank of the creek. Both were supplied with water from the same pond.

Goodrich's tannery near the junction of the creek with the river, terminated the long row of ancient workshops and the waterpower labor of the creek in aid of human industry.  In the bygone days when all these workshops were in full operation, the village mechanics made their own wares and supplied the neighbors with the products of their own labor.  No readymade clothing or ready-made boots and shoes were imported from abroad to compete with the industry of our own mechanics.

Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, May 1877 (continued)

 Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, May 23, 1877

Deaths

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  Miss Mary Williams, died at the residence of her father, Asahel Williams, last Thursday evening.  The funeral was attended form the M.E. Church on Saturday at 2 P.M.

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  After a lingering illness, Sidney Wood died last Wednesday evening about 6 o'clock.  The funeral was attended on Friday, at 1 o'clock from the M.E. Church.

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  The funeral of Mrs. Ezra Brewer was largely attended last Wednesday afternoon from her late residence on Maple Street.  The services were conducted by Rev. S.H. Moon, assisted by Revs. Sutherland and Carruth. The casket, the most beautiful one I ever saw in this part of the country was covered with fine black broadcloth, paneled with silver beading, the corners circling inward; the ornaments of the latest and most approved patterns, the name plate of solid silver, surmounted by a wreath and cross of white camelias.

Jacob Brown, who died recently near Decatur [Otsego Co. NY], at the advanced age of ninety-one, was almost the last of the early inhabitants of that portion of the county.  Eighty years ago, he came with his father from Columbia County [NY] and settled upon the same farm where he resided at the time of the closing up of his long and useful life.  Though he has never changed his residence since that time, he has lived in two different counties and three different towns.  Formerly his nearest post office was Cherry Valley [Otsego Co. NY], and the nearest grist mill was Spencer's mill, Maryland [Otsego Co. NY], and between his home and the latter place, a distance of nearly a dozen miles, there were only two houses - the first above Worcester [Otsego Co. NY] and the second at what is now [in 1877] known as Chaseville, in the town of Maryland.  In those early days, the only mode of reaching the mill or post office was on horseback, the ordinary road being a single trail through the woods.  He voted at every Presidential election from the time of reaching his majority.  For the past fifty years he had been a most exemplary Christian.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, May 25, 1877

Marriages

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], by Rev. James H. Robinson, Carl H. Schnickerman of Germany, and Miss Ju Lottie M. Harder of Delhi, N.Y.

In South Worcester [Otsego Co. NY], May 17, by Rev. J. Keogan, B.A. Olmstead of Victoria, Ill. and Miss Lizzie R. Robertson of Worcester.

Deaths

In Milford [Otsego Co. NY], John Shute, aged 62 years.

In Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY], Mrs. Sylvia Cutler, widow of Hiram Talbot, aged 66 years.

At Kortright [Delaware Co. NY], James T. Blakely, aged 25 years.

In Stamford [Delaware Co. NY], Mrs. Jane Kerr, widow of the late Wm. Kerr, aged 86 years.

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], on the 15th inst., Hannah E. [Atkin] youngest daughter of John M. Atkin, aged 19 years.

In Walton [Delaware Co. NY], May 15, Lawrence Bristol, aged 68 years.

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], on the 17th inst., infant child of Chas. Frisbee aged 15 months.

In Springfield [Otsego Co. NY], Willie [Palmer] son of William and Hannah Palmer aged 7 years.

In Davenport [Delaware Co. NY] May 18, Jane [Roe] daughter of William and Lucy Roe.

In Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], May 18, Elias Alger, aged 66 years.

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], May 20, Mrs. Mary Pettengil, aged 75 years. She was found dead in bed Sunday morning.  Her remains were taken to Laurens [Otsego Co. NY] Monday for interment.

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], May 22d, Mrs. Laura Moore, wife of Lewis Moore, aged 61 years.

In Meredith [Delaware Co. NY], 19th inst., John [McNaughton] son of John McNaughton, aged 7 years.

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The sudden death of Mrs. Carrie Figger, wife of William Figger and daughter of Benjamin Beach, which occurred the 14th of May, was severely afflicting to the immediate relatives and greatly awakened the sympathy of their neighbors and friends.

From childhood she had been in delicate health, which had caused her to be regarded with peculiar solicitude and affection by her parents.  She was of an affectionate nature and strongly attached to her friends.  For some weeks previous to her death, she had been ill at her father's house, but was thought to be improving, when death came with startling and overwhelming suddenness.  But though sudden, she was not unprepared. She had full confidence in the Christian faith, in which she had been reared and so expressed herself to the writer but a short time before her demise.  She greatly loved the songs of Zion which she delighted to sing and though her voice is now hushed in death, so far as earth is concerned it is the firm conviction and trust that a new voice is added to the multitude that sing praises to the Lamb around the throne of God.

It was a bright, beautiful day, May 16th, when her remains were deposited in the family plot in the Cemetery at Portlandville [Otsego Co. NY], in which village the most of her childhood days were spent.  

The bereaved family gratefully acknowledge the sympathy and kind attentions which were shown them in the time of their affliction.

Oneonta, May 23, 1877, W.