Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, September 1877

 Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 26, 1877

Marriages

Sept. 18:  At the house of the bride's parents in Morris [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. J.S. Southworth, Mr. Alfred Patrick, of Pittsfield [Otsego Co. NY], to Miss Deborah Pope of Morris.

Sept. 19:  At Morris [Otsego Co. NY], at the house of the bride's father, by Rev. A.E. Daniels, Mr. Charles Daniels to Miss Hattie Davis.

Deaths

Sept. 15:  In Waukesha, Wis. Mrs. Jabez Winton, sister of A.H. & Cephas Tillson of Morris [Otsego Co. NY], aged 73 years.

Sept. 19:  At his residence in Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY] of typhoid pneumonia, Walter B. Southworth in the 52d year of his age.

A kind and obliging neighbor, a faithful friend, and an affectionate brother has passed to his reward in heaven.   How well it may be said of him "an honest man is the noblest work of God."

Sept. 19:  In Morris [Otsego Co. NY], after a long illness, Mrs. C.M. Brooks.

Sept. 16:  In Preston, Chenango County [NY] Asahel Pendell in the 78th year of his age, brother of Mrs. Royal Potter of this village [Morris, Otsego Co. NY].

Sept. 18:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY] Anthony Hollis.

Hon. J.K, Lull of this village [Morris, Otsego Co. NY], received news from Kansas last week that his son, Dr. J.K. Lull had died on Thursday, Sept. 18, and was buried the Sunday following.  Dr. Lull was a native of this town, where he had many acquaintances.  He was about 42 years of age.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, September 28, 1877

Marriage

In Otego [Otsego Co. NY], at the home of the bride, Sept. 20th(?), by the Rev. D. Bundy, D.W. Studwell(?) of Stamford, Conn., and Allie A. [French], daughter of Morrell French.  At the marriage, the bride and groom were supported by Mr. and Mrs. Norton of Oneonta.

News Item

An Oneonta Boy 

A good many of our older citizens will recollect a boy named Henry N. Smith, son of Henry Smith, who was born in the house where A.S. Miles Now lives [in 1877] and left here when about five years old.  He is remembered by persons we have spoken to as a remarkably bright boy and at the early age he left here, evinced a great desire to become wealthy and useful.  He is both now.  His wealth, like all Wall St. operators is sometimes great and again meagre.  But Mr. Smith is in possession of valuable property that he cannot well lose unless by exceedingly bad management.  He is a very benevolent man and has a wife that never tires of prudently distributing to charity.  Mr. Smith is a nephew of Mr. P.C. Burton.  His father now lives in Tioga, Pa. We find the following sketch of Henry N. Smith in the New york Sun, of the 19th inst.  It cannot fail to interest all our readers:

Like the majority of successful Americans, Mr. Smith is a self-made man.  He was born in Oneonta, Otsego County, N.Y., some forty years ago.  On his mother's side he is half Scotch, half Yankee; On his fathers, entirely a New Englander.  It is probably to this quarter of Scotch blood that he owes his stubbornness, while the Yankee blood gave him his smartness.

The parents of Smith were poor, but they took good care of their children and managed to send Henry to school, first at Knoxville, Pa., and subsequently at Alfred Centre, Pa., to which state the family had removed.  When his education was considered complete, his father took him as a clerk into his store at Tioga.  Shop life in so obscure a place was not to the taste of the enterprising boy.  From his earliest days, stock speculation had been the subject of his dreams.

In the spring of 1858, the young clerk was already well known to the business community of Buffalo and made up his mind to start on his own hook.  His capital consisted of $143; his office was in his hat; the article he set out to trade in was Canada money. Two years later he had accumulated capital of $2,000, borrowed another $3,000, and opened a regular broker's office in Seneca Street.  He was no long a boy, but a man of 24 or 25.  He must not be classed, therefore with those mushroom celebrities of Wall Street who make a fortune when they are scarcely 20 years old. This sort of "smart" men usually get broken by 30 and have to take to the hundred share begging business towards 40.

Smith is quite a different speculator.  From '58 to '65 he worked hard and progressed slowly, but surely.  The issue of paper currency during the war and the high premium on gold made his Canada money business exceptionally lucrative and enabled him to realize a capital sufficiently large for ventures in a new field.  He resolved to leave Buffalo and came to New York, where his name had by this time become widely and favorably known in banking circles.  He went into partnership with a stockbroker of the name of Martin and two years later, on becoming connected with Jay Gould, reorganized the concern under the name of Smith, Gould & Martin. The new firm existed for three years and did an immense business.  It is supposed that, on its liquidation in August 1870, Smith retired with nearly $1,000,000.

The amount of money which Smith made during and after his partnership with Jay Gould seems to have been almost fabulous.  But the panic of '73 came on and dealt him a heavy blow. To fail or even to become seriously embarrassed was, with the means he had and the caution he always exercised, out of the question, but he lost a large portion of his fortune.  I am unable to tell whether he has since recovered his losses.  One thing is certain, and that is that his influence and popularity in Wall Street are a great as ever, and that his fortune is still very large.  His Fashion Stud Farm alone could be made the source of wealth for a dozen men.  Its last catalogue comprised nearly sixty trotters of all ages, including Goldsmith Maid, for which he paid $35,000 and the stallions Jay Gould ($35,000), Gen. Knox ($10,000) and Tattler ($17,000).  If we add to this his house, 547 Fifth avenue, with its magnificent contents of works of art and the large capital engaged in Wall Street, we shall find that the former Buffalo Street broker must be still worth far above a million of dollars. The well-remembered sale of his pictures some months ago cleared some $70,000.  Yet, Mr. Smith sold only such of them as he did not care to keep any longer.

It is a standing rule with Wall Street men to begin to patronize art, horse racing and yachting, as soon as they begin to make money.  Yet with Smith, all this was not a matter of fashion, but of natural taste. About yachting he does not seem to care much.  He built some years ago his America, the finest steam yacht ever launched in this country, but the Government having offered him $200,000, he soon got rid of her. With horses and pictures the case was different.  He had a fancy for them from his earliest youth.  He bought a suckling colt with the first $25 he ever saved.  he did not know what to do with the animal, but he felt he must have it.

It was the same with pictures.  He began to buy them as soon as he had a little money to spare.  He never had time to make a regular study of art, but he developed his natural taste by buying pictures, looking at them, and talking about them.  He is, therefore, a self-made connoisseur, but a very good one and in everything he buys for the embellishment of his home one cannot fail or recognize a man of fine eye and cultivated taste.  And what is perhaps still more to his credit, is that he does not buy them to make a show of them.  The enjoyment which he, his wife, and his four children derive, seems to be his only object. He does not even make his horses take part in the races, with the single exception of Goldsmith Maid, which has brought him about four times the amount he paid for her.

"When she finishes her career, I shall give up the racetrack altogether" said he recently, taking of his Trenton establishment.  "As long as my stud farm remains self-supporting and gives me the enjoyment I derive from it at little or no expense, I shall be perfectly satisfied."

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Obituary - Henry Norman Smith

New York Times, March 14, 1901

Henry N. Smith, a former partner of Jay Gould, died on Tuesday in a sanitarium at Stamford, Conn.  For the past year he had been in bad health, having had two strokes of paralysis.  Mr. Smith was for a long time a prominent operator in Wall Street, and his name was connected conspicuously with the events of the famous Black Friday.  He was also an enthusiastic turfman, and was the owner of the once champion trotter, Goldsmith Maid.  Among the many other horses he owned at one time or another were Jay Gould, Gen. Knox, Lady Thorne and Lucy.  In 1878 his breeding farm at Trenton, in which place he also made his home, was a rival of the best similar establishments of Kentucky and the West.

Some years ago, a lawsuit was brought against Mr. Smith by a New York firm of brokers with whom he had done business in the Street, and after a judgment of something over $900,000 was rendered against him, an effort was made to levy an execution on the breeding farm and other property he owned around Trenton.  The case was finally compromised.

Mr. Smith's body will be taken to Trenton today and the funeral services will be held there at once. The interment will be in Albany, N.Y.

Of late years Mr. Smith had not been in the city very often.  When he used to come here regularly, he stayed at the Manhattan Club.  He was a member of the Liederkranz and the American Geographical Society.

A Noted Character Dead

Oneonta Daily Star, Oneonta, NY, March 15, 1901

The death of Henry N. Smith is reported in the New York papers of yesterday.  The interest Oneonteans may take in the event arises from a statement that he was born in Oneonta, in a house that stood on grounds near to the Windsor hotel, on Chestnut Street.  His father was a shoemaker in this place between 1830 and 1840.  The demise of H.N. Smith occurred at a sanitarium at Stamford, Conn. and he was buried at Trenton, N.J. on Wednesday.  The funeral being held at Fashion Stud farm, which he owned.

Mr. Smith in his day was one of the "great bears' of Wall Street, New York, and was a member of the firm of Smith, Gould & Martin. These men were the ones who brought about the corner in gold which resulted in the memorable crash of Balck Friday, in 1869.  It was the belief in the Street at the time that H.N. Smith was the executive head that engineered the great scheme which resulted in such financial disaster.  Mr. Smith's wealth at that time was estimated as high as $5,000,000.  He lost much of his money, however, in the panics of 1872 and 1873, and though he recovered somewhat from his losses, he was compelled in 1878 to sell a $50,000 collection of paintings.  In 1885 he failed utterly, dragging down with him the house of William Heath & Company.  His obligations to the Heath firm were upwards of a million dollars.

Relative to the firm of Smith, Gould & Martin the World of yesterday prints the following:

"An old friend of Smith told today an incident, never before published, which illustrates the magnitude of the Firm's operations.  One day the bank at which they dealt gave notice at noon, in much alarm, that the firm's account was overdrawn $12,000,000.  the bank was notified that the shortage would be rectified.  When 8 o'clock arrived, the firm had a balance of $6,000.000 in the bank.

"Smith seemed to sway the minds of his associates by some magnetic power.  His facility in borrowing money and obtaining the almost unlimited credit necessary to carry on his gigantic operations was for years a source of wonder of Wall Street men.  He was a friend and co-worker of Boss Tweed and helped him in many of his operations in Wall Street.

"On one occasion in the late '60s, Smith withdrew all his money from the Tenth National bank, $4,100,000, and took it home in a cab.  He kept the money locked up at home for several days.  Meantime Tweed and all the men in the enterprise tied up $20,000,000 in all, thus causing a stringent money market and gaining tremendous profits on loans."

As far back as 1868, Mr. Smith was known as one of the prominent patrons of the trotting turf.  He organized a stable which contained some of the fastest horses in the country.  With Bud Doble as his trainer and driver he met with great success and established a breeding farm at the Old Fashion racecourse for running horses near Trenton. There were 145 acres in this farm and when Mr. Smith bought it, he named it the Fashion Stud farm.  Here he brought together the most remarkable group of trotters that had ever been assembled for breeding purposes, among the mares being Goldsmith Maid, 2:14; Lady Thorn, 2:18 1/4; Lucy, 2:18 1/4; Lady Maud 2:18 1/4; and Rosalind, 2.2.  He also had there the stallions Jay Gould, 2:2 1/3; General know, 2:31 1/2; and Tatler, 2:26.

After his failure, Mr. Smith gave his entire attention to the farm, selling his colts annually in New York.  As recently as 1896 it was said of him that as a breeder he stood at the head of all American horsemen.  He bred thirteen trotters, having records of 2:15 or better as compared with eighteen bred by the late Leland Stanford, who had 500 horses against Mr. Smith's 100.  A few years ago, all of the horses remaining at the Fashion Farm were sold at auction in this city, by order of the court. The old stallion, Jay Gould, then about 30 years of age, was knocked down at $59.  Mr. Smith with Jim Fisk, Jay Gould and George C. Hall as his partners, paid $35,000 for him in 1871.  John H. Shults bought Stranger, the son of Goldsmith Maid and later sold him to go to Australia where he won many laurels, as did his son, Col. Kuset.

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

 Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, September 27, 1877

Marriage

HUTCHINSON - BARNES:  At the Hastings House, Sept. 11th, 1877, by Rev. N.S. Reynolds, Mr. Geo. H. Hutchinson and Miss Mertie M. Barnes  of Wells Bridge [Otsego Co. NY].

Deaths

COE:  In Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY], Sept. 21st, 1877, Saxton Coe, aged 80.

HALL:  On Pine Hill, town of Sidney [Delaware Co. NY], Sept. 23rd, Eugene Hall, aged 22.

KINGSLEY:  We learn that Bradford Kingsley of the town of Franklin [Delaware Co. NY], was found dead in his bed last Saturday morning.  Mr. Kingsley was a brother of Erastus Kingsley, the old proprietor of the brick hotel in Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY].

Broome Co. NY:  Mrs. Chubbuck, wife of Dr. D.J.H. Chubbuck, died very unexpectedly after a short but severe attack of congestion, on the morning of the 24th inst.

Broome Co. NY:   Nicholas Woodcock, a farmer residing about a mile west of Union [Broome Co. NY], was struck by lightning last Monday afternoon and instantly killed.  He had an iron ramrod in his hand at the time.  A man standing near was severely injured.

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, September 27, 1877

Marriages

At the home of the bride's mother, in this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], September 20th, 1877, by Rev. N.W. Wells, Henry K. Ball of Hartwick, N.Y. [Otsego Co.], and Miss Mary T. Eldred of the former place.

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Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY]:  The Butternuts Journal in quite an extended account of the marriage of the daughter of J.H. Gilbert, Esq., says:

The marriage of Miss Helen Lathrop Gilbert of Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY] and the Rev. James H. Ecob of Augusta, Me., took place at Locust Hill at the home of the bride's father, on Wednesday last at 12 A.M.  Only about eighty were present the accommodations being too limited to include more than a tithe of their friends and relations.

The house was tapestried with wild vines, mosses and beautiful flowers tastefully arranged.  Beneath the floral arch was suspended the marriage bell of white flowers and at the sound of Mendelssohn's Wedding march, appeared the bridal party. Assisting at the ceremony were the Revs. Moon of Gilbertsville, Morse of Utica, Hamilton of New Jersey, and Prof. Wood of Gilbertsville.

The ceremony and reception concluded, attention was turned to the table which was bountifully and artistically arranged. The presents were numerous, characteristic and elegant.  The dancing on the lawn was a very pleasant feature of the occasion.  The bridal party departed amid a shower of rice and old slippers, as harbingers of good luck.  They took with them the best wishes of all the community here about for their future happiness.

Deaths

In Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 19, 1877, of lockjaw caused by a splinter being thrust into the foot.  Edward A. Lewis, aged 14 years and 13 days. Grandson of Evan D. Lewis.

Almost any man in town knew poor old Elnathan Thomas by sight, who seldom made his appearance in our streets except in an intoxicated condition, although naturally rather a smart man.  He had long been without a home and worked as a laborer for different farmers near here, for the past two years most of the time for Albert Van Horn near Three-mile Point.  Last Tuesday he drove his team to the village.  Mr. V.H. was here in the evening in attendance at the concert and on his way home met Thomas walking in that direction much under the influence of liquor.  He was assisted by Mr. V.H. and a neighbor riding with him into the wagon from which he soon fell, striking on his head.  He was picked up and laid in the wagon and on arriving at the hop house on the farm of Mr. Phinney he was laid on its floor and left there to sleep off his debauch.  But he soon "slept the sleep of death."  He was not found until Wednesday noon, when Coroner Dr. Parsall was called to hold an inquest, accompanied by Dr. Hills.  An examination of the wound on the head showed that it was a severe one and the conclusion arrived at was that Thomas had died from the effects of the fall, the liquor he had drank, and the exposure.  The Doctors thought he had lived but a short time after he was laid in the hop house.  Yet, notwithstanding this solemn warning to those who indulge in strong drink, the day following the finding of the above body, there might have been seen in the streets of this village persons calling themselves men, in such conditions from the effects of liquor, as made them appear even lower than brutes.  The appalling increase of this [unreadable] the result of which, as in this case, fills many a premature grave.

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

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 27, 1877

Marriages

IVES - CARHART:  In Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], September 19th, at the residence of the bride's father, by Rev. P. Griffin, Mr. Samuel A. Ives of Guilford to Miss Frances Carhart of Guilford, formerly of New York.

REESE - LOOMIS:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], September 20th, by Rev. T.L. Randolph, Mr. Marshall D. Reese to Mrs. Sarah F. Loomis, all of Sherburne.

MORGAN - EASTMAN:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], September 19th, by Rev. H.N. Van Deusen, Mr. M.J. Morgan of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss M. Easton of Afton.

Deaths

HUBBARD:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 19th, Alice A. [Hubbard], daughter of Charles E. and A.E. Hubbard aged 1 year 6 months and 14 days.

WILLCOX:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 19th, J. Ira [Willcox] aged 4 years; and Sept. 24th, Alice L. [Willcox], aged 2 years, children fo John and LIllian Willcox.

BELDIN:  In Preston [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 19th, George Harris [Beldin] infant son of Jason I and Charlotte M. Beldin, aged 9 months and 16 days.

MACKSEY:  In Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 23d, of billious fever, Johnnie P. [Mackesey] oldest son of Patrick and Ellen Macksey, aged 13 years, 4 months and 5 days.

ANDREWS:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 18th, Mrs. Elizabeth Andrews aged 57 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

ACKLEY:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], September 14th, Mrs. Roxana Ackley, aged 78 years, 11 months and 8 days.

SMITH:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], September 19th, Mrs. Annett Smith wife of Elisha Smith, aged 21 years.

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DALRYMPLE:  In Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 21st, after a brief illness, Charles C Dalrymple, Esq., aged 51 years and 11 days.

The announcement of the death of Charles C. Dalrymple, Esq., of Otselic, has caused a feeling of sadness among his many friends, not only in his own town, where he has for years resided, but throughout the County.

Mr. Dalrymple died on Friday morning of last week at his residence of cholera morbus.  On Monday he consulted a physician, but his symptoms were not considered alarming until Tuesday evening, when his illness assumed a more serious form and notwithstanding every effort of his physician and friends, he continued to fail until about one o'clock on Friday morning, when he expired.

An extended eulogy of our deceased friend is unnecessary.  As a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected; upright and honorable in his dealings, his memory will ever be cherished among those who knew him best.  Politically, Mr. Dalrymple was a Democrat of the old school; and although residing in a town strongly Republican, he was repeatedly elected Supervisor of his town, which he ably represented on the Board.  In the canvass of last fall, he was the Democratic candidate for Member of Assembly.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, September 26, 1877

Death

ANDREWS:  In Lincklaen, Sept. 18th, Mrs. C.E. Andrews, formerly of this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], aged 55 years.  Her remains were brought to this village for interment.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 27, 1877

Marriages

In the Church of the Good Shepherd, Brooklyn, on Thursday, Sept. 20th, by Rev. Henry B. Cornwell, Rector, Mr. Samuel Ames to Miss Mabel Grannis, eldest daughter of Mr. Theodore C. Grannis.

On Sept. 10th, by Rev. B.T. Davies, Mr. Ira Brockett of Barker [Broome Co. NY] to Miss Elizabeth A. Carpenter of Smithville Flats [Chenango Co. NY].

On Sept. 20th, by Rev. B.T. Davies, Mr. Joseph B. Halstead of Marathon [Cortland Co. NY] to Miss Sarah Eldredge, of Whitney's Point [Broome Co. NY].

Death

In Colesville [Broome Co. NY], Sept. 17th, Allen Yeoman aged 14 years.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, September 29, 1877

Marriage

Norwich, Chenango Co. NY:  Emmanuel church was filled on Thursday afternoon last by friends of the parties to witness the marriage of Henry Pendleton of Clarksville, Alleghany County [NY] to Miss Flora A. Medbury, daughter of Jerry Medbury, Esq., of this village.  the chancel and altar were beautifully decorated with flowers and trailing vines, including the marriage bell of white flowers.  Rev. D.E. Loveridge officiated.  John Slater of New York, acted as groomsman, with Miss Minnie Palmer of Kansas as bridesmaid, assisted by Misses Jessie Rider, Ella Medbury, May Carpenter, Ada Main, Kiefer Rider and Calla Franklin.  Ed. L. Nash, Willie Allen, George Barnes and Eugene Burrows were the ushers.  After the ceremonies at the church, a reception was held at the residence of the bride's parents, where the young couple received the congratulations of friends, and the bride was the recipient of many valuable presents.  Union

Death

A dispatch was received Friday morning by G.W. Lathrop, announcing the sudden death of Mrs. Gates Brooks at Owego [Tioga Co. NY], Thursday night.  Mrs. Brooks had been in Owego a number of days in attendance upon her sister who was ill and who died the first of the week and whose funeral was to have taken place Friday.  Mr. Brooks and son DeForest, hearing that Mrs. B. was ill, started to go to her on Thursday evening. We did not hear whether she survived until they arrived.

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

 Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 19, 1877

Marriage

Sept. 13:  At Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. H.H. Allen, C.E. Currier to  Miss Lois H. [Primmer] daughter of John E. Primmer, all of Oneonta.

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  The past week has been a notable one for this town.  Last Tuesday morning, Mr. Hobart Benedict and Miss Anna May Converse were married.  In the afternoon of the same day Mr. Andrew Annable was married to Miss Libbie Porter.  They went on their wedding trip to the Queen's dominions.  At Locust Grove last Wednesday morning, Rev. Mr. Ecob of Agusta, Me., was married to Miss Helen Gilbert, eldest daughter of J.H. Gilbert, Esq.  About 100 members of the Gilbert tree of the tribe of Joseph were present on that occasion.  As the carriage with its happy company left the paternal home, it bore the best wishes of the community to this truly noble Christian lady, that wherever her lot in life might be cast, joy and happiness might be hers. 

Deaths

New Lisbon, Otsego Co., NY:  The wife of Moses Cummings died August 28th.  She has suffered long, but now is at rest.

In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 12th(?) after a lingering illness, Clara S. Eggleston aged 15(?) years. [Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, Sept. 21, 1877]

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co., NY:  Last Wednesday morning, Miss Clara Eggleston, daughter of Rufus Eggleston, died after a few weeks' illness which she bore with Christian fortitude and patient resignation.  Death claimed this shining Christian for his own.  A kind and affectionate daughter; a brilliant scholar; a consistent Christian, she was ever found in paths that lead to purity and peace. The Academy will no more be graced by her presence; her voice, like sweet music, will no more be heard in melody and song at the young peoples' meeting; her seat will be vacant at the Bible class, and from the family circle her voice is forever  hushed.  She has gone over the river to that city whose walls are of jasper and whose streets are of gold while her parents and friends watch and wait a little longer, how much longer none can tell.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, September 21, 1877

Marriages

In Portlandville [Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 20th, by Rev. G.E. Flint, Rev. Herbert B. Cook of Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY] and Miss Mahala [Cook], daughter of the officiating clergyman.

By the Rev. W.M. Hiller, of Cooperstown, assisted by Rev. B. Carruth, of Gilbertsville, Sept. 11th, at the residence of the bride's mother, Andrew D. Annable to Miss Elizabeth Porter both of Gilbertsville.

At the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Susan McNaught  in Bovina [Delaware Co. NY], 12th inst., Mr. Andrew D. Thompson of Bovina to Miss Jennie McNaught of Bovina.

In Schenevus [Otsego Co. NY], March 11th, by S.H. Gurney, Esq., Wallace Bates to Miss A. Kelley all of Schenevus.

Deaths

At Hobart [Delaware Co. NY], Sept. 8(?), after a painful and lingering illness, Mary Ella [Stewart] only daughter of Charles S. and Mary A. Stewart, aged 11 years.

At Walton [Delaware Co. NY] Sept. 11th, Hubbard Metcalf aged 62(?) years.

Portlandville, Otsego Co. NY:  The Wife of Rev. E. Dennison an aged and highly respectable lady, died Sept. 9th.  Memorial services were held on Wednesday following. Several ministers of the Methodist and other denominations were present.

News Item

Portlandville, Otsego Co. NY:  It was a son of Dr. Evans who was found dead in the hop yard, and not the Dr. himself, as stated in your last issue.  A misprint, of course.  The coroner and jury met again on the 14th pursuant to adjournment.  Several members of the family were re-sworn, also some of the neighbors, but no more facts were proven.  The verdict of the jury was in substance that the wound on his head produced death, but what caused the wound they do not say.  Some think he fell off the hop box; other think he had a fit and fell and hit his head on a stone.  Which theory is correct perhaps never will be known.

Brigham Young in Chenango County, NY

 Brigham Young in Chenango

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 27, 1877

E.P. Allen, Esq., of the Livingston -?- and formerly of the Chenango Telegraph has been visiting his old home in Smyrna, this County [Chenango Co. NY]; and in a letter under date of the 15th inst. published in his paper, he gives the following sketch of the Young family, who for years resided in that town, during Brigham's boyhood.

"About two and a half miles from the village of Smyrna in a south westerly location is the place where Brigham Young spent his early boyhood, and according to the accounts of persons from here and other parts of the county, he never lost his interest in his early home.  Some of the old settlers who came here nearly eighty years ago maintain that this town was his birthplace.  The claim, however, is disputed by others who give to the town of Whittingham, Vermont, the honor of having produced the late Mormon leader.  It is a fact, however that the father and family of Brigham lived here as early as 1804, and the very places where stood the old log houses - he having lived in at least two different ones in the same, neighborhood - are pointed out, as well as the site of the log schoolhouse where he first attended school.  It is not an unfamiliar locality to people of the town, but until the death of the prophet had not received any particular attention.  It is not difficult of access, as the road for two-thirds of the way leads down a pleasant valley.  Turning westward you pass between two mountains five or six hundred feet high by a "pass" just wide enough for a road.  At the first settlement of the town, it received the name of "The Dark Hollow," and it is just the name it deserved.  It is about a mile in length and for half the distance the bushes and trees are still undisturbed, the taller ones coming together over the road, forming a complete bower.  Frightful stories were once told about wild beasts lying in wait for unwary travelers, and imagination easily conjured up robbers and outlaws as the occupants of this gloomy looking place. Less than a dozen years ago a man named Ezekiel fancied that the mountains on either side of this pass contained gold and several places are now pointed out where he toiled fruitlessly to find a bonanza.

"Getting through this narrow place we come to Cold Creek at the foot of another mountain running north and south.  Twenty or thirty rods east of the creek on the north side of the road is the site of a log house, no vestige of which is visible, where the Young family once lived.  But it was nearly at the summit of the hill west of the creek which is more generally regarded as their home.  It is a few rods north of the road leading to Plymouth, and nearly on the line between the towns of Smyrna and Plymouth.  Nothing remains of the old house or the log schoolhouse, but I met with those who were positive as to the locality and in plowing over it have struck the stones supporting the corner of the house.  I saw the first volume of a quaintly written old book called "Stanyan's Grecian History," but its title page being gone, the date of its publication could not be determined.  The book was a present from Brigham Young to a young lady who afterwards became Mrs. John Munson.  She is now deceased.

"Other members of the Young family are well remembered here.   His brother Phineas was about seven years older and became Prominet in Mormondom.  At one time meeting in Salt Lake City, people from this place he made particular inquiries about a young lady named Chapman and learning that she had been married and become a widow, Phineas wrote to her soliciting her hand as his seventh wife.  She indignantly declined and continues a widow, living in the family of a son-in-law at Ithaca.

"The Young family were zealous Methodists, belonging to a small congregation which held meetings at the house of Deacon Stover whose farm was just east of "Dark Hollow."  Deacon Stover was a brother-in-law of the late Dr. Elwood of Rochester.  Brigham and all the family moved to one of the eastern towns of Steuben County (now in Schuyler County) in 1817 and from thence to Mendon or its vicinity, soon after which his more notorious and infamous career commenced.  Nothing censurable is alleged against any of the family while living here.  Some of the people say that even Brigham would "talk in meeting," but not in quite the rough manner afterwards characteristic of his Mormon preaching."

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

 Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, September 19, 1877

Death

HOUGH:  In Bozrah, Conn., Aug. 11th, Deacon Gay Hough, aged 98 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 20, 1877

Marriages

At the home of the bride's parents, Sept. 6th, by Rev. H.S. Parker, Mr. Ira Orrison Clark to Mrs. Ida Viola Carroll, all of West Colesville [Broome Co. NY]

At Chenango Forks [Broome Co. NY], Sept. 2d, by Rev. G.A. Place, Mr. Judson Matin and Miss Jane Palmer, both of Kattleville [Broome Co. NY]

In New Ohio [Broome Co. NY], Sept. 2d, by Rev. George Pritchell, Mr. Charles L. McCulough and Miss Amanda Holcomb, both of New Ohio.

At West Colesville [Broome Co. NY], Sept. 5th, by Rev. E.L. Bennett, Mr. John H. Standley and Miss Anna L. Harding, both of West Colesville.

New Berlin Gazette, New Berlin, NY, September 22, 1877

Marriage

Pittsfield [Otsego Co. NY]:  We have had a very pleasant time today (Sep. 5th) at the home of William H. Gray, it being the 50th anniversary of his marriage and also the 11th anniversary of the marriage of his daughter, Mrs. Davis McIntyre.  Dinner was served in front of the home in a maple grove, thirty-four in all partaking of the same.  The Rev Allen Hayward and family of West Laurens were among the number. The Elder made a few very feeling and appropriate remarks.  The presents were not very costly, but all were useful and good, amounted to something like $18.  The day was fine and there could not be a more pleasant place for such a gathering and when the party were all seated at the well filled table, Elder Hayward at the head, it was a beautiful sight, and the occasion will long be remembered by all that participated.

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, September 29, 1877

Deaths

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 14th, Mrs. Marilla Peck aged 82 years.  Mother of Geo. H. and Chas. R. Peck.  She was the oldest member of the Baptist church of this village and a true "mother in Isaac."

In Hartwick [Otsego Co. NY], Aug. 17th, Mrs. Hannah Johnson in the 94th year of her age.  She survived father and mother, two brothers, five sisters, two husbands and all her children but one, Green Gardner, with whom she spent her last days.  She was a member of the Baptist church in Morris [Otsego Co. NY], 

In Lisbon, Linn Co. Iowa, Sept. 8th(?), Mrs. A.E. Flint wife of D.O. Flint and daughter of C.W. Buel, aged 21 years and 9 months.

Mrs. Flint was a woman of genial, loving disposition and although her stay in our city had not been long, she had during that time made numerous warm personal friends, who today mourn her early departure.  She was born in Hartwick, Otsego Co. N.Y. and was married to Mr. Flint of Carthage, Jefferson Co., N.Y. January 4th, 1876.

MOORE:  Mrs. Moore, widow of the late Chester Moore, formerly of this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], died in Oneida Co. [NY], one day last week and was buried here last Saturday.

PAUL:  The Omaha Herald of the 5th inst. contained an account of the fatal scalding of a two-year-old son of Mr. C.H. Paul of that city, formerly of this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], on Sunday the 2d inst. by upsetting a table upon which stood a pan of scalding water.  The front of the body from the neck down was literally roasted. Death relieved its sufferings on Tuesday noon following.  The little one was a grandson of Mr. C.J. Paul of this village. 

News Item

The verdict of the Coroner's jury in the case of the boy Evans found dead in a hop yard at Portlandville [Otsego Co. NY], was that deceased came to his death by a blow from a blunt instrument in the hands of an unknown party.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, September 1877 (Continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 20, 1877

Marriages

HARRINGTON - ROSS:  At the residence of the bride's mother, in New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 1877 by Rev. Frank W. Townsend, Mr. Charles M. Harrington of Albany [Albany Co. NY], to Miss Grace Ross of New Berlin [daughter of the late Daniel Ross of New Berlin].

PLATT - PECK:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 12th(?) by Rev. J.K. Peck, Mr. Wood Platt of Tunkhannock, Pa. to Miss Carrie Peck eldest daughter of the officiating clergyman.

CLARK - WILSON:  In Ithaca [Tompkins Co. NY], Sept. 11th, by Rev. Dr. Wilson, Mr. John Clark Jr. of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Minnie Wilson, eldest daughter of the officiating clergyman.

CARRUTH - HERRICK:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 5th, by Rev. J. Clements, Mr. Charles S. Carruth to Miss Alice M. Herrick, all of East Pharsalia.

GAULT - BARROWS:  In Northfield [Delaware Co. NY], Sept. 12th, by Rev. D.L. Leonard, Mr. Alexander Gault of Medford Min. to Miss Olive R. Barrows of Columbus [Chenango Co. NY].

RULAND - COMSTOCK:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 13th, by Rev. H.N, Van Deusen Mr. Amanzo Ruland of Afton to Miss Jennie F. Comstock of Colesville [Broome Co. NY].

Deaths

JUDD:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 16th, Sarah [Judd] wife of Elizur Judd, aged 73 years.

DEXTER:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 17th, Carrie Louisa [Dexter] daughter of Willis and Lucina Dexter, aged 7 weeks.

SMITH:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 9th, Harvey A. [Smith] son of Eleazer and Harriet E. Smith, aged 2 years and 7 months.

MOORE:  In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 18th, Mary [Moore] wife of Nathaniel L. Moore, aged 73 years.

NEWTON:  At the County House in Preston [Chenango Co. NY] Sept. 13th, Mr.  Joseph Newton, aged 84 years, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

O'CONNELL:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 16th, Katie [O'Connell] daughter of William and Mary O'Connell, aged 1 year 3 months and 3 days.

LATIMER:  In Dixon, Ill. Sept 7th, Ella Backus [Latimer], wife of Charles W. Latimer aged 37 years, 11 months and 5 days, formerly a resident of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 19, 1877

Marriage

SNOW - BENEDICT:  In Otselic, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], Aug. 28(?), 1877 by Rev. J.W. Barr, Mr. Devillo O. Snow of Georgetown [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Nettie R. Benedict of the same place.

Death

South New Berlin, Chenango Co. NY:  It becomes out painful duty to chronicle the death of Samuel Tyler (better known as "Uncle Sam") who departed this life Aug. 7, 1877, aged 60 years. For upwards of a score of years he has been a great sufferer from rheumatism, unable to move himself in any way to make him comfortable, in fact he was imprisoned in his chair day and night, yet, through all this affliction he remained jovial and patient to the last.  His death has cast a gloom over the entire community, but if "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die" then Uncle Samuel is not dead.  He lives in his great example of patience and love.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 22, 1877

Marriages

CRANDALL - MEAD:  At the residence of Mr. Milo McCarty, Sept. 20th, 1877 by Rev. H.M. Crydenwise, Mr. Wm. Crandall to Mrs. Helen Mead both of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

BLODGETT - BLODGETT:  At the Methodist parsonage, Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], by Rev. J.L. Rae, Mr. John Blodgett to Mrs. Melendia A. Blodgett, both of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY].

PENDLETON - MEDBURY:  In Emmanuel Church, Norwich, N.Y., Sept. 20th, by Rev. D.E. Loveridge, Mr. Henry Pendleton of Clarksville, Allegany County, N.Y. to Miss Flora E. Medbury of Norwich, N.Y. [Chenango Co. NY].

A brilliant wedding occurred Thursday afternoon in this village, the happy couple being Miss Flora Medbury, one of our most accomplished young ladies, and Henry Pendleton, an energetic young businessman, residing at Clarksville, Allegany County.  The ceremony took place in Emmanuel Church, the rector Rev. D.E. Loveridge officiating.  The Church was tastefully trimmed and decorated and a large number of friends were present to witness their nuptials. At the close of the ceremony at the Church there was a reception at the residence of the bride's parents, where the joyous pair received the congratulations of many friends, and the bride numerous presents.  Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton left for Binghamton on the evening train and will directly proceed to their home in Clarksville and enter anew upon life's journey. They have our congratulations, and our best wishes attend them.

Deaths

WILCOX:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 19, J. Ira L. [Wilcox] son of John and Lillian Wilcox, aged 4 years.

_____________________________

DALRYMPLE:  We are pained to learn as we go to press of the death of Charles O. Dalrymple of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], which occurred at his residence this Friday morning of Cholera Morbus.  Up to Tuesday he was about his business apparently in his usual good health.  On the night of that day he was taken ill, and the attack baffled the skill of his attending physician causing his death as above stated.  His age was about fifty years.

Mr. Dalrymple had lived in Otselic for many years and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him.  He was an honest upright man in his dealings and his business relations though extensive have always been harmonious.  In politics he was a Democrat and notwithstanding he lived in a strong Republican town, he has several times represented it in our Board of Supervisors.  Last year he was the candidate of his party for Member of Assembly.  He leaves a wife and two children.   His death will cause a void in Otselic not easily filled.

Historical Sketch, New Berlin, Chenango County, NY (1877)

Historical Sketch of the Settlement of the Town of New Berlin 

by John Hyde

New Berlin Gazette, New Berlin, May 26, 1877

Lawsen Judson came up from old Connecticut and settled in New Berlin village about the year 1814.  He purchased a building lot on South Street and erected a one-story dwelling house and shop thereon, and in after years he raised the building to the dignity of a two-story dwelling house.  The premises now [in 1877] belong to Mrs. Cheney, her husband in his lifetime having purchased the same and transferred the title to her.

Mr. Judson was by trade a tailor and was esteemed as a good and respectable citizen and an honest and industrious worker at the business of making garments for his customers, giving satisfaction to his employers.  Writing his name brings back to recollection the pleasant times of trout fishing excursions we had together amid the woodland scenery in the spring season when the forest trees were resuming their green summer dress.  Early life associations are not easily erased.  Mr. Judson with his family went into the State of Michigan and settled at Port Hudson some 40 years ago.  He lived to an advanced age, leaving his wife and one daughter to inherit the fruits of his labor.

Russel Cheney who became the owner of Mr. Judson's place, as before stated was an apprentice to the tanner's trade in Mr. Charles Knap's employment.  On the expiration of his apprenticeship, he continued to work as a journeyman for Mr. Knap some years.  He married Phila Harris, the daughter of Charles Harris and built a dwelling house on a lot belonging to his wife where he lived during the lifetime of his wife and worked at the shoemaker's trade.  Sometime after his wife's death, he sold the house and lot, having by the will of his wife become the owner thereof, and purchased the Judson premises, married Miss Pratt and lived with her in her dwelling house next adjoining his premises during the remainder of his life. Before his death he conveyed by deed to his wife the Judson house and lot which his widow still owns [in 1877].  Mr. Cheney was a good neighbor and industrious.

The gambled log house on the north side of the street next east of H.H. Harrington's dwelling house is one of the oldest dwelling house buildings in the village.  It was built and occupied by a Dr. Coleman as a druggist and apothecary shop in the early days of the first settlement of New Berlin.  Mr. Coleman was educated to the science of compounding and dealing in medicine.  Formerly no person, unless educated to the business, sold medicine or kept a drug store. An apothecary was supposed to understand the art of compounding medicine by previous study and exclusive practice in that particular business and physicians were carefully instructed into the mysteries of their profession and their competence tested by examination before being admitted to prescribe the apothecary's medicine to their patients.  Mrs. Howard the mother of General DeForest's wife, purchased the Dr. Coleman shop and converted it into a dwelling house and with her son, Henry Howard and his wife, lived there some years and then sold the place to Mrs. Rhodes who is the present owner and occupant [in 1877].

Asahel Hatch, after Dr. Coleman went away, came to the village and entered into the business of an apothecary.  He was well instructed in the business of compounding medicine.  He occupied the store built by Isaac Van Dyke in South Street now known [in 1877] as the Medbury store.  Mr. Hatch was a young man, intelligent and possessed of an amiable disposition and well qualified in the science of compounding medicine.  He left New Berlin about the year 1818 and went with General DeForest on a raft of lumber from Olean to New Orleans.  On the way he stopped at Natchez and when ready to go on, Mr. Hatch could not be found.  It was generally supposed by his friends that he had been murdered.  His fate was never known.

Ebenezer Bivens succeeded Mr. Hatch in the druggist business in the Van Dyke store.  Charles Medbury, Esq. having purchased the Van Dyke property, he rented the store to Mr. Bivens.  He served his clerkship with George Pomeroy, an eminent druggist at Cooperstown, and he obtained a competent knowledge of his profession.  He married the eldest daughter of Levi Blakeslee and purchased a building lot and erected a dwelling house on the west side of South Street.  Tracy Knap afterwards purchased the premises and built the house which the late John Harris owned and occupied at the time of his decease.  Mr. Bivens after a while, formed a co-partnership with Mr. Medbury and united the selling of merchandise with drugs and medicines.  On the dissolution of the firm of Medbury & Bivens, Mr. Bivens formed a co-partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Blakeslee and traded in the old Blakeslee's store for several years.  He finally went into the western country and became a farmer during the remainder of his life.  Mr. Bivens was an active man of business.  While in New Berlin, he had occasionally held some town office.  In the military, he arose from a private soldier up to the rank of a colonel of a regiment.

A Mr. David Atherton owned the premises on which Amenzo Cady's shop and the Medbury store now stand [in 1877].  He came from Connecticut and built a small one-story dwelling house thereon about where the blacksmith shop now stands [in 1877].  He was a saddler by occupation.  He sold out to Isaac Vandyke and went into the adjoining town, Columbus [Chenango Co. NY].

Isaac Van Dyke came from New Jersey and was a tailor by trade and worked for customers contemporaneous with Tailor Judson.  His family was connected with the Ten Brook family of Pittsfield [Otsego Co. NY].  He built the Medbury store now so called and rented while he lived.  He had but one child, Betsy Van Dyke, who married a Mr. Birdny DeForest and went into one of the Western States.  The store is now [in 1877] owned by Delos Medbury, a son of Charles Medbury and rented. The dwelling house has given place to a blacksmith shop.

Calvin Thompson was one of the early settlers in New Berlin village, was a carpenter by trade and one of our good old-fashioned citizens and much esteemed for his industrious and quiet habits.  He left a homestead dwelling and premises to his son, Alfred Thompson, who now [in 1877] resides on the place.  It is situated a little below the Baptist Church on the west side of the road.

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

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, September 13, 1877

Deaths

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 10, Libbie [Newell], wife of Eugene T. Newell, in the 26th year of her age.  Funeral this Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the residence of her mother, on Fair Street.

In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], August 30th, Abram C. Crounse, aged 66 years.

In Buffalo [Erie Co. NY], September 1st, 1877, Willard W. Crafts, aged 58 years, son of the late Willard Crafts, Esq., of Utica [Oneida Co. NY].  Mr. C. was in the habit of spending considerable time in Cooperstown where he was highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintance.  He had been an invalid for many years, but the shadow thus cast upon his life did not dim the natural cheerfulness of his disposition.

At Cortland, N.Y. [Cortland Co.], Aug. 26th, at the house of her son-in-law, T. Rose, Esq., Mrs. Eliza H. Clark, aged 88 years, widow of the late Arvine Clark.  Her remains were carried to Milford [Otsego Co. NY] and buried at that place from the house of her son-in-law, Hon. John Eddy, with whom she had previously been making her home.  

In Springfield, N.Y. [Otsego Co.], August 25th, Mr. Joseph Fake. Mr. Fake was born near Lansingburg, Rensselaer, Co. N.Y., Oct. 5, 1794.  At the time of his death, he had nearly completed his 83d year.  Shortly after his birth, his father removed with his family to the town of Minden Montgomery Co. [NY].  In the year 1818 he married Miss Barbara Wilson, with whom he lived fifty-six happy years.  After his marriage he settled in the town of Springfield, where he continued to reside until the time of his death.  He was widely known as the upright citizen and the generous hearted and noble-minded man.  In him the poor and needy found ready sympathy and help and no appeal of distress reached his ear that did not also reach his heart.  His life, pure, faithful, conscientious, and useful, was a practical illustration of the Christian principle and spirit.  The deceased was a brother of the late Peter Fake, of Clinton [Oneida Co. NY], so long and favorably known as one of the faithful friends and efficient trustees of the Clinton liberal Institute.  One son, Mr. John W. Fake, and three married daughters, Mrs. [-unreadable] and one unmarried daughter, survive him.  "The memory of the just is blessed."  And those he has left behind have the richest of legacies in the memory of his spotless life, and the long years of happiness and usefulness he passed on the earth.  His youngest daughter ministered to the comfort of both father and mother for more than twenty-five years, with a tenderness, a devotion and a forgetfulness of self rarely equaled.  Her's is, assuredly, the rich reward, the rest and peace which God sends upon the soul that loves and blesses the needy and the old.  And to her may fitly be addressed the significant words of Solomon:  "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."

Found Dead in a Hop Yard:  On Friday afternoon last, about 3 o'clock, the body of Lincoln M. Evans, son of Dr. Thomas Evans, of Portlandville [Otsego Co. NY], aged 10 years and 11 months, was found in the small hop yard of Otis Westcott, near that village, by an older brother of the deceased, with marks of violence about the head.  Coroner Dr. Parshall, of this village was notified and on Saturday morning, accompanied by Dr. Westlake went to Portlandville, there impaneled a jury, and viewed the remains of the boy.  A postmortem examination was also made. Testimony was taken before the jury during the day, after which they adjourned until Friday, of this week, when a further examination will be had. The facts in the case thus far look as though foul play had been practiced.

News Item

Abner Graves, one of our oldest citizens, now in the 77th year of his age, and still in good health, is about removing to Peoria, Ill., where he will spend the winter with his daughter.  Mr. G. was married in the house he is now about leaving, 55 years ago today.  He carried on the tailoring business here for 40 years.  His brother, Calvin was 83 years of age last Tuesday.  Not a man now resides on this corporation who was a resident of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY' when their parents removed here with their little family in 1801.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 12, 1877

Marriages

Sept. 11:  At Morris [Otsego Co. NY], by the Rev Hobart Cooke, Miss Martha L. Buzzell of Morris, and John S. Jadwin, of Carbondale, Pa.

Sept. 4:  At the residence of the bride's parents at West Oneonta [Otsego Co NY], by Rev. W.H. Humphrey, Lewis M. Hunt of Laurens [Otsego Co. NY] and Elnora Strait of Oneonta.

Silver Wedding:  Last Wednesday evening, Sept. 5th, a large number of the friends and neighbors of J.T. Clark and wife gathered at their pleasant home, in Laurens [Otsego Co. NY] to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their married life.  Guests were present from Laurens, Oneonta, Morris, Maryland, Burlington, Hartwick and Hamilton.  The occasion was a happy one, and all present had a delightful time.  At about six o'clock supper was announced; the tables were loaded with the luxuries of the season and fair hands attended to the wants of the guests.  Never did a happier, gathering set down to an evening meal, than the one assembled on this occasion.  Mr. Clark and wife were married in the village of Morris [Otsego Co. NY] that day, twenty-five years ago, by Rev. Mr. Post and most happily have they enjoyed those years.  By the acts of kindness and true friendship for others they have drawn around them many, many warm personal friends who were anxious to show to them their appreciation for kindnesses rendered. The presents were numerous, valuable and useful, coming as they did from warm hearts they were received with equal warm hearts and with that simplicity and meakness of manners known only to Mr. and Mrs. Clark.  The presentation remarks were made by Rev. Mr. Lee, the Presbyterian clergyman of Laurens.  Responded to by Rev. B.P. Ripley of the M.E. Church.  At an early hour the guests took their departure, and the happy household were left to enjoy the gifts and congratulations of friendship of a large circle of friends, reassured to them by this anniversary gathering.

The persons who were the moving spirits in getting up this social gathering, must be happy in knowing that their efforts proved a success and were appreciated by all the friends present and by those who were unable to attend, many of whom were represented by tokens of friendship and regards to which the table ladened with gifts fully attested.

Deaths

Sept. 11:  In Morris [Otsego Co. NY], Oliver P. Kinnie, aged 61 years.

Aug. 29:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], Samuel Coe, aged 16 years.  He was the son of Henry N. Coe.

Aug. 20:  In maple Grove, Mich of paralysis, Mrs. David Whitlock, aged 67 years.

Sept. 4:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], Alfred Coe, aged about 19 years.  Eldest son of Henry N. Coe.

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  Mrs. Catherine Sherwood for a number of years residing with Mr. Charles Meeker, died on the 2d inst., was buried in the Scoville burying ground last Tuesday.

Vital Records, Chenango and Otsego Counties, September 1877 (continued)

 Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, September 12, 1877

Death

WEBB:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 5th, Everett L. [Webb] son of George M. and Harriett M. Webb, aged 10 years.

O, life will be sweeter and sadder / Because thou has lived and hast died; / And death will ne'er seem so fearful / Since thou hast passed through its tide.

O, the earth must ever be dearer / For thy cherished form it enfolds; / And Heaven will surely be nearer / For the sweet, bright spirit it holds.

O, Father, most holy and loving, / Who gave us our darling, our boy / Let Thy peace fill the void that is aching, / Since 'tis Thou that hast taken our boy. / And while we must weep for our treasure, / Through the long sad days that will come, / May we trustingly say, "Thy pleasure / And Thy most holy will, be done."

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 13, 1877

Deaths

In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 6th, Mr. James F. Watson, son of Ira Watson, 2d, aged 23 years.

In Clarkville, Madison Co., N.Y., Aug. 30th, Miss J. Adelia Clark, aged 45 years, youngest daughter of the late Hon. Joseph Clark.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, September 15, 1877

Marriage

BLACKMAN - BROWN:  At the home of the bride, Sept. 13, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Daniel L. Blackman of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Mina M. Brown.

Death

The oldest inhabitants of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], will be pained to learn that Martha C. Garland, wife of Erasmus D. Garland, died, August 19th, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Clough, in Minneiska, Wabasha Co., Minnesota, at the age of 74 years.  For the last ten years Mrs. Garland has resided with her daughter, previous to which she was long a well-known resident of Sherburne.  She was the Step-mother of Capt. Ira C. Garland of the New York police; Jerome Garland, with whom Mr. G. is now living in Virginia; Frank Garland, who fell in the war of the Rebellion and the brother of Fannie, wife of Eugene Fitch.  Mrs. Garland was a zealous and exemplary member of the Episcopal Church and her constant prayer was that her lamp might be found trimmed and burning whenever her Maker should call her home.  She will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, a warm friend and kind neighbor, and the bereaved friends will have the sympathy of all to whom the deceased was known.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, September 13, 1877

Death

Ives Settlement, Chenango Co. NY:  Since our last, death came suddenly in our midst and took from the family circle a wife and mother.  On Saturday, August 18th, we were shocked to hear of the death of Mrs. Lewis A. Ives and sadness was in all our hearts.  A large concourse of people, the largest we ever witnessed on such an occasion, gathered from far and near to her funeral which was held at the house, and the many tears and sighs attested the sympathy and grief of those present.  She enjoyed a pleasant home and surrounded by a large family it seemed that she could not be spared and yet she was taken.  How truly God's ways are not our ways. We trust she is safely at rest in "the home over there."  We shall sadly miss her as a friend and neighbor, but the grief and loneliness of him who for so many years, in all his joys and sorrows, has had her companionship and counsel, and of those who are deprived of a mother's tender care, sympathy and love, only He knoweth who knows all hearts.  May He greatly comfort and bless those sorrowing ones.

Oneonta Herald and Democrat, Oneonta, NY, September 14, 1877

Marriages

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], Sept. 6, by Rev. J.H. Robinson, Henry T. Middlemasy of Delhi, and Miss Jennie H. Frasier of Hamden [Delaware Co. NY].

At M.E. parsonage, Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 11 by Benj. P. Ripley, George A Chamberlain of Otsdawa (Otego) [Otsego Co. NY] and Mrs. Sally Weeks of Hartwick [Otsego Co. NY].

Friends and relatives to the number of seventy odd gathered at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins Clark in Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], on Wednesday evening of last week, to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage.  Oneonta, Mt. Vision, Morris and many other towns of the vicinity had representation in the company, and numerous beautiful gifts from friends far and near testified to the esteem in which the worthy host and hostess are held. the presentation speech by Rev. Mr. Lee and the reply by Rev. B.P. Ripley were very happy efforts, and a pleasanter company, or more merry, Laurens never gathered.  In lightsome jest and kindly conversation, or at the table bountifully spread, the time sped swiftly away and late it was ere the last guests bade lingering good night and hearty goodspeed to their kindly entertainers.

Deaths

At Portlandville [Otsego Co. NY] Aug. 25, of disease of the heart and dropsy of the chest, Nelson Southerland aged 47 years.

Portlandville, Otsego Co. NY:  Mr. Thomas Evans, living near this village, was found dead Friday afternoon last in the hop yard near his house.  HIs two brothers and grandfather were in the yard.  About 1 p.m. the mother of the boys called to them to drive some cows out of the corn.  The deceased started and then told his brothers (one older and one younger than himself) to go on and drive the cows and he would go back and fill his box.  They drove the cows, went in the house, thence back to the yard and to the box where their grandfather was picking.  Soon their father came, and one of the boys started for the box where the boys picked, and not finding the deceased there, he called to him, but got no reply.  He started for the house, and when about two rods from the box found the deceased lying on the ground with his hat on and head upon a hop hill, dead.  His father carried him to the house.  He was about eleven years of age.  Coroner Parshall was notified who summoned a jury and an inquest was held on Saturday, Sept. 8th.  A post-mortem examination was made by Drs. Westlake of Cooperstown and Spafford Thorn of this village.  Dr. Spafford kindly furnished us with the result of the post-mortem which is in substance this:  "Upon the left side of the cranium was discovered a contused wound.  The skull was not fractured. We removed a section of the skull and examined the brain. The subject being young, upon the internal table of the scull, corresponding to the external injury, there was a slight convexity, where in a normal state, there should have been a concavity.  The brain presented no abnormal appearance whatever, but upon pressing down the left interior portion of the brain, extravasated blood of a very dark color flowed freely.  All the blood vessels were congested. The subject must have met his death very suddenly, judging from the appearance of the brain.  There was no discoloration or swelling about the wound on the external table of the brain.   He died from concussion of the brain.  As all other parts of the body presented a beautiful appearance."  These are the facts as proven before the coroner thus far. There is a mystery about the boy's death which will without doubt be solved before the inquest ends. The inquest adjourned to Friday, Sept. 14th.

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

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 13, 1877

Marriages

SMITH - FORD:  In German [Chenango Co. NY], August 23d by George Thomas, Esq., Mr. William Smith of German to Miss Rosa Ford of Willett [Cortland Co. NY]

WHITE - FREEMAN:  In Taylor [Cortland Co. NY]a, August 29th, by O.P. Miner, Esq., Clem B. White of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co. NY] to Miss Fiona I. Freeman of Taylor

Deaths

BARKER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 11th, Mrs. Maria E. Barker, widow of the late Woodbridge Barker of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY] aged 59 years.  Funeral services will be held at her late residence on West Main Street, Thursday, at 10 o'clock A.M.

BARTLE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 7th, Cora H. [Bartle] daughter of P.L. and S.E. Bartle, aged 1 year and 3 months.

HUMPHREY:  In Smithville Flats [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 3d, Ira B. [Humphrey], youngest son of Charles L. and Prudence E. Humphrey, aged 1 year and 4 months.

He died without a sin / He died without a fault. / Let him rest undisturbed, / Within his little vault.

BIDWELL:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 4th, Mrs. Sally P. Bidwell wife of Eleazer Bidwell, aged 75 years.

CRUMB:  In Smyrna, Sept. 5th, Ida May [Crumb] infant daughter of Henry Crumb, aged 4 months.

JUSTICE:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 2d, Mr. Luther Justice, aged 87 years.

JACKSON:  In Oneida [Madison Co. NY], Sept. 2d, Mrs. Parmelia Jackson, aged 57 years, step-mother of D.A. Jackson, Esq., of the Oneida Dispatch.

GREENE:  In Willet, Cortland Co. [NY], August 22d, after a long illness, Clarissa [Greene], wife of Edward Greene, aged 73 years.

VERNOR:  In Detroit, Mich., August 31st, Annett [Vernor] wife of Benjamin Vernor, and daughter of Zalmon Fairchild of Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], aged 67 years.

AYRAULT:  In Urbana, N.Y., August 4th, Miss Mary T. Ayrault, sister of Walter Ayrault, D.D., former Rector of St. Paul's Church, Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

Killed by the Cars

On Tuesday morning, Patsey Conley and James Gannon, two boys about fourteen years old, attempted to steal a ride on the Norwich train to go hop picking.  they were in the cut, just above the East Street crossing, and Conley tried to get on the fore end of a freight car of the passing train but was thrown down with his leg across the track.  His left leg was crushed from just below the hip joint, and the right one between the knee and ankle.  Gannon tried to get on the rear of one of the cars and was thrown into the ditch.  The section hands were going to their work on a hand car attached to the train.  Seeing the mangled body as they passed over him, they cut loose, called for help and went for the doctors.  The lad was taken home and died within three or four hours.  Walton Chronicle.

News Item

The Whitney's Point Reporter [Broome Co. NY] give the following particulars of the return of a Cortland County [NY] lady, after a mysterious absence of twenty-three years.

"Twenty-three years ago, Miss Rebecca Salisbury of Willet, Cortland County [NY], left home very mysteriously, her parents not knowing where she had gone or with whom.  At the time of her leaving, a diligent search was instituted, but no trace could be found or could anything be heard from her.  This week Wednesday she returned.  Her parents are now both dead.  At the time when she left, she went with a man by the name of Silks, whom she married.  Mr. Silks is now dead, and she is married to a second husband who is quite wealthy.  It appears that when she left, she thought her parents would be angry, so she never let her whereabouts be known.  Mr. Silks, with whom she left, was a Baptist minister.  This country must appear strange to her, so many changes have taken place in the last twenty-three years and even her own relatives, who have survived, must have changed very much in that time.  She now resides in the State of Illinois and is at present visiting a sister in this place.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 12, 1877

Marriage

BECKWITH - DODGE:  On the 4th inst. by Rev. L.M.S. Haynes, Albert R. Beckwith and Wealthy M. Dodge of McDonough [Chenango Co. NY].

Death

CADY:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 10, Addie [Cady] daughter of Albert and Betsey M. Cady, aged 4 months.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 15, 1877

Marriages

ANNABLE - PORTER:  At the residence of the bride's mother, September 11th, by the Rev. W.M. Hiller, of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], assisted by Rev. B. Carruth, of Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY] Andrew D. Annable to Miss Elizabeth Porter, both of Gilbertsville.

BENEDICT - CONVERSE:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], September 11th, at the residence of the bride's parents, by Rev. S.H. Moon, Robart E. Benedict to Miss Anna M. Converse, both of Butternuts.

BOSS - TALCOTT:  Sep. 12th, by the Rev. Ira B. Allen, Mr. John Boss to Mary E. Talcott, all of Columbus [Chenango Co. NY].

DUNCAN - HITCHMAN:  September 12th, at the residence of Charles Thompson, Esq., Otselic, by Rev. R.G. Foster, Truman F. Duncan and Miss Bessie Hitchman, all of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

EGGLESTON:  In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], September 12th, after a lingering illness, Clara S. Eggleston, aged 16 years.

MURRAY:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 9th, Mrs. Charles Murray, aged 44 years.

HARVEY:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 12th, of heart disease, Cransten P. Harvey, aged 63 years. 

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

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, September 6, 1877

Marriage

At East Arlington, Vt., August 29th, 1877 by Rev. J. Randall of Arlington, Ernst Otto William Mildner of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], and Miss Abbie L. Billings of the former place.

Deaths

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY] September 1st, 1877, Wilhemina [Dennison] daughter of James Dennison, aged 23 years.  She had long been a patient sufferer and died in the hope of a blessed immortality.

At Addison, N.Y. [Steuben Co.] at the house of his son George H., on the 26th ult. William Hollis, aged 68 years.  He was a brother of Geo. M. Hollis, of Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], of which town he was formerly a resident.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, September 7, 1877:  William Hollis. formerly of this county [Otsego Co. NY], died in Addison on the 26th ult.  He was born in Boylesville, England, March 28th, 1809.  He came to this country in June 1821, and settled in the town of Butternuts.  Hon. George m. Hollis, now of Butternuts, is a brother of the deceased.

Mrs. Catharine J. Johnson, wife of Rev. S. Johnson was fearfully burned at Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY], Aug. 15th, by the falling of a kerosene lamp.  she suffered intensely until the 25th when she died.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 5, 1877

Marriages

Aug. 20:  At the Baptist parsonage in Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. F.B. Sutherland, Hiram Kamp of Morris [Otsego Co. NY] to Miss Sarah S. Bartholemew of Morris.

Aug 8:  At the Baptist parsonage in Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. F.B. Sutherland, A.J. Angel of Pittsfield [Otsego Co. NY], to Miss Maria A. Spafford of West Binghamton [Broome Co. NY].

Deaths

Aug. 29:  In Morris [Otsego Co. NY] Mrs. Melissa Smith wife of Thomas Smith, aged 30 years.

On the 18th inst., the youngest child of Mrs. C. Bowdish aged about 3 years, died very suddenly of cholera infantum after an illness of about fourteen hours.  Mrs. B. is the widow of the late Rev. L. Bowdish.  It has been erroneously reported that this young lad died from eating Paris green.

Gilbertsville, Otsego Co. NY:  Mrs. Fanny Whitlock died at Assyria, Bath County, Michigan, August 20, whither she went for a visit about the first of last April.

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, September 7, 1877

Marriages

In Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], Sept. 4th, by Rev. F.A.M. Brown, assisted by Rev. O.C. Sargent, Morris T. Menzie and Miss lizzie J. Cottrell, all of Delhi.

At the residence of the bride's parents at West Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY], September 4th, by Rev. W.H. Humphrey, Lewis M. Hunt of Laurens [Otsego Co. NY] and Elnora Strait of Oneonta.

At Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], Tuesday, Sept. 4th, by Rev. J.H. Robinson, Mr. David G. Atkin to Miss Emma Shaw, both of Delhi.

Deaths

In Milford [Otsego Co. NY], at the residence of James Cummings, August 23d, George W. Beals, aged 57 years.

In Garrattsville [Otsego Co. NY], August 28th, Harriet [Cummings] wife of Moses Cummings.

The wife of Moses Cummings died on Tuesday, the 28th ult.  She has been sick a long time with dropsy and has been a great sufferer but was never heard to murmur knowing that God would be her support in all the trials that she would have to pass through.  She leaves a kind husband to mourn her loss.

In Morris [Otsego Co. NY], August 29, Mrs. Melissa Smith wife of Thomas Smith, aged 30 years.

At Deposit [Delaware Co. NY], August 25th, Sylvia Radeker [Knapp] wife of Hon. Charles Knapp in the 71st year of her age.

In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY] Aug. 29th, Samuel Coe/Cox(?) aged 16 years.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, September 5, 1877:  Samuel Cox, second son of Henry Cox, died last Wednesday morning, August 29th, from the effects of drinking water from a well that for a long time had been kept covered.  The spring which supplied the house had dried up and resort was had to the well.  Three other children of the family are sick from the same cause, whose recovery is reported doubtful.

In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY] Sept. 4th, Alfred Coe/Cox(?) aged about 16 years.

In Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY], Sept. 2d, Mrs. Catharine Sherwood, widow of the late Samuel Sherwood, of Oxford [Chenango  Co. NY], aged 86 years.

The remains of Mrs. Wheeler, a former resident of this village [Unadilla, Otsego Co. NY], who recently died in California, were brought to this place last Saturday and buried in St. Matthew's church yard cemetery.

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

 Oxford Times, Oxford, NY September 5, 1877

Death

JACKSON:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 2d, of cholera morbus, Mr. Lovinus B. Jackson, aged 68 years and 8 months.

Guilford, Chenango Co. NY:  Died in Guilford Aug. 15th, after a short illness, Mary Ann [Ives] wife of Lewis Ives, aged 47 y'rs.  The deceased was a daughter of John VanCott and leaves a large family of children to mourn her early death.

Guilford, Chenango Co. NY:  The remains of Hezekiah Ensworth of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] were brought to this place for interment.  His funeral was held in the M.E. Church on Sunday, the services beign conducted by Rev. Mr. Crydenwise, of Norwich.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 6, 1877

Marriages

At the Baptist Church, Marathon, N.Y. [Cortland Co.], Aug. 30th, by Rev. J.H. Sage, Prof. Elbert Place of Cincinnatus, N.Y. [Cortland Co.] to Miss Ella A. Webster of Marathon.

Also, at the Baptist Parsonage in this village [Greene, Chenanog Co. NY] Sept. 2d, by the same, Mr. O.E. Tuttle of Greene, to Miss Frankie E. Brooks of  Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

Death

Robert L. Brougham, late of the law firm of Charitree & Brougham, of this village [Glens Falls, Warren Co., NY], died very suddenly at Dansville, Livingston, Co. N.Y. at five o'clock A.M. Friday morning August 18, 1877, age thirty-four years.  He was attacked with severe pneumonia about the 20th of May last, but under the treatment of Dr. Bullard of this village, he in a measure recovered therefrom but remained in such a feeble and nervous condition that he was induced by his friends to go to "Oak Home" medical institution at Dansville, under the charge of Drs. Jackson, arriving there about the 20th of June and remaining until his death.

There was much encouragement of his speedy restoration to health, but about a week prior to his death, he was attacked with very severe neuralgic pains in the head and face, suffering intensely at times, yet upon consultation had by Drs. Jackson and two leading and prominent physicians at Dansville the night before his death, no immediate cause for alarm was apprehended and it was thought he would be better as soon as he recovered from this neuralgic attack.  From his sudden and unexpected death, the next morning the physicians draw the conclusion that an abscess of the lungs had opened.  At three o'clock A.M. he awoke spoke to the nurse in attendance, rose up in bed and said he would get up, as it was time to do so.  Two hours later he passed quietly and gently away.  His remains were carried to Essex, Essex Couty [NY] where his wife's parents reside and were interred on Sunday, August 12.  The funeral services were conducted by his pastor and friend Rev. Mr. Clumber of this place.

During all his sickness he was sustained and comforted by the presence of his devoted wife and although among strangers every care and attention was bestowed upon him.

Mr. Brougham was born in Montgomery County [NY], admitted to the bar about 1868, commencing practice at Greene, Chenango Co. [NY] and remained there until November 1871, when he removed to Glen's Falls, and entered into partnership with A.J. Cheritree which continued until his death.

He was a hardworking, industrious lawyer, faithful to the interests of his clients and had he possessed the requisite physical organization to endure the labor and strain incident to the practice of the law, would have reached a prominence in the profession.  The reputation he leaves behind him is one well worthy of imitation.  He was an exemplary Christian, a devoted husband, a faithful and honorable lawyer, a good man.  Glen's Falls Messenger, Aug. 17.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, September 8, 1877

Death

GANLEY:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], September 3d, Miss Ellen Ganley, aged 14 years, 3 months and 22 days.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, September 1877

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 6, 1877

Marriages

LAMAN - RHODES:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], August 4th, by Rev. E.G. Wicks, Mr. James G. Laman of Coventryville [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Carrie N. Rhodes of Oxford.

JAMES - JANES:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 2d, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. William H. James of Nelson [Madison Co. NY], to Miss Sarah Janes of North Norwich.

CALKINS - DUTCHER:  In DeRuyter [Madison Co. NY] August 23d, by Rev. W.C. Philips, Mr. Dwight W. Calkins of Beaver Meadow [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Libbie E. Dutcher of DeRuyter.

SPENCER - FURLOW:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY] August 16th, by Rev. A.C. Sperry, Mr. Dresstus E. Spencer to Miss Henrietta Furlow, both of Greene.

BLEE - PURDY:  In Jersey City [NJ], August 26th, by Rev. Mr. Shaw, Mr. William H. Blee of Oneida [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Mary E. Purdy, daughter of E.H. Purdy, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

HARKNESS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 4th, Louise [Harkness] wife of Robert Harkness, aged 58 years.  funeral services on Thursday, at 1:30 P.M.

SCHORN:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 4th, Lottie E. [Schorn] wife of Joseph Schorn, and daughter of William Rock, formerly of this place, aged 29 years.  Funeral services at her late residence on Gold Street [Norwich], Thursday at 4 P.M.

SIMPSON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], August 26th, Lottie [Simpson] daughter of Lewis N. and Catherine Simpson, aged 9 months.

BARTLETT:  Suddenly, in Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], August 30th, Miranda [Bartlett] wife of George C. Bartlett, Esq., aged 65 years.

Smyrna:  Our townsmen were startled on Thursday, by the sad announcement of the sudden death of Mrs. George Bartlett.  Deceased was found dead in her bed on Thursday morning, the cause of her death probably being heart disease. She was much esteemed by all who knew her, and her bereaved family have the sympathy of the whole community.

FRANKLIN:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 1st, Ada [Franklin], daughter of Charles Franklin, aged 6 years.

JACKSON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 2d, Mr. Levinus B. Jackson, aged 68 years.

BENEDICT:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 1st, Miss Esther Benedict, aged 51 years.

MERRIFIELD:  In Union City, Mich., August 30th, Mrs. Celia D. Merrifield aged 33 years and 7 months, formerly of Smyrna, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].

Smyrna:  The many friends of Rush R. Clark will regret to learn of the death of his sister, Mrs. Celia D. Merrifield, which occurred on Thursday last, at her home in Union City, Mich. She was born in this town, and always lived here until a few years past.  She was much admired by all and leaves many friends in this vicinity to mourn her loss.

BARBER:  Stephen Barber and wife, who resided near Malone, Franklin County [NY], were shot by a tramp on the night of the 26th ult.  Barber is dead and his wife, although seriously injured, will recover.  The Binghamton Republican surmises that the murdered man was a former resident of that city.  If so, his wife was formerly Eliza Mills, of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], and for years a resident of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].  There are doubts as to whether they are the parties.

News Item

The death of Brigham Young is the greatest calamity that could have fallen on the Mormons at this time.  For thirty years he has held his followers by the power of a mighty will and under the most discouraging circumstances the Mormon Church has grown and prospered.  It is estimated that at the present time the believers in Mormonism number at least 120,000.  When they removed to the wilds of Salt Lake, they did not number 40,000.  Brigham governed his people by a stern will, but at the same time he was cunning enough to institute ordinances that were popular with the people.  His death is a shock to the institutions which he assisted in founding, from which they will not soon recover.  

Brigham Young was born in Vermont in 1801, and in 1804 removed with his father to Smyrna, in this county [Chenango Co. NY].  The older inhabitants of that town remember him distinctly.  He carried the mail on his back over the Smyrna hills for a time and engaged in ball play and other sports with the boys of the town.  In 1817, the Young family removed from Smyrna to Steuben County and ten years later removed to Monroe County.  He learned the trade of painter and glazier and worked at it for several years.  He was married in 1824, and by this marriage had two children, both girls.  The father of Brigham was a zealous Methodist, but Brigham himself was skeptical on the subject of religion until he espoused the Mormon faith.  He claims to have received the first revelation in regard to polygamy.  Certainly, he practiced it liberally, having married some twenty or thirty wives, most of whom were present with their children and grandchildren at his funeral.  His death occurred on the 29th of August, and his funeral took place on Sunday last.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 8, 1877

Marriage

AVERY - BERRY:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] at the Congregational Church, Sept. 6th, by Rev. S .Scoville, Edward D. Avery and Miss Addie L. Berry, all of Norwich.

Deaths

IVES:  In Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], August 18th, Mary Ann [Ives] wife of Lewis A. Ives, aged 47 years.

BIDWELL:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], Sept. 4th, Mrs. S.P. Bidwell wife of Eleazer Bidwell, aged 76 years.

Vital Records, Chenango & Otsego Counties, NY, August & September 1877

 Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, August 29, 1877

Deaths

Samuel Hanson of Earlville [Madison Co. NY] who fell from a scaffold at a house, a week ago, where he was engaged painting, died on Saturday from the effects of the injury.

It was recorded that Seth Aldrich, a well-known citizen of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], living near the Columbus line, had died very suddenly, while sitting in his chair after dinner, but it proved to be a Mr. Bosworth, a former resident of this town [Columbus, Chenango Co. NY], but for some years a resident of Madison County [NY].  The mistake probably arose from the fact that Mr. Bosworth's daughter was the first and Mr. Aldrich's daughter the second wife of the same man.  So, when the first reporter said, "Mr. Horton's father-in-law is dead," the next one gave the name of the wrong father-in-law.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 1, 1877

Deaths

HAGAMAN:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], August 23d, at the residence of her son, John Hagaman, Mrs. Judeth Hagaman, aged 93 years.

LORD:  In Peabody, Kansas, Aug. 16th, Warren D. [Lord] son of Frances D. and Jane W. Lord, aged 10 months.

WATERS:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Monday August 26th, Nina L. [Waters] daughter of Geo. and Sarah Waters, aged 2 months and 6 days.

JEWELL:  Aaron Jewell aged 83, father of Thomas P. and Hiram A. Jewell was buried on Friday of last week.  Mr. Jewell had been a resident of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY] for more than a half century and was much respected.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, September 1, 1877

Marriage

CHAMBERS - BUELL:  At the congregational Church in this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], August 29th, by Rev. Robert Chambers, Rev. James Chambers and Miss Jessie Buell daughter of Mrs. Lucinda Buell, both of this village. 

A numerous assembly, comprising the wealth, beauty and culture of our pleasant village gathered in the Congregational Church last Wednesday evening to witness the marriage of the pastor, Rev. James Chambers to Miss Jessie, the accomplished daughter of Mrs. Lucinda Buell.  the church was gorgeous with floral decorations and the pulpit resembled a conservatory so covered and surrounded was it with fragrant exotics.  Promptly at half-past seven the wedding party entered the church, preceded by two of the ushers and took their positions to the right of the pulpit.  The bridegroom was dressed in a handsome black evening suit, and the bride was radiant in snowy attire and crowned with the conventional orange blossoms.  "What a fine-looking couple was the verdict of all present.  The marriage service (especially arranged for the occasion) was read by Rev. Robert Chambers of Whitby, Ontario, and the happy couple were soon made one. The organ then pealed forth the Wedding march and the bridal party immediately left the Church and entering the carriage in waiting drove to the residence of Lucius Newton, where they received the congratulations of the numerous guests.  There they stood young and happy, under the marriage bell, while opposite in striking contrast sat the aged Captain and Mrs. Newton, whose heads are silvered by the frosts of ninety winters and whose married life has extended over a period of almost seventy years.  "Time and his brother Care" have been gentle in their dealings with this aged couple.  As we looked at them, sitting together so happily and entering so heartily into the evening's festivities, we could not help thinking how their thoughts must have wandered back over the highway of years to the time when their own paths met and together they commenced their journey through life.  Still musing, we thought how their hearts must have swelled with pride to see gathered around them such a large family of sons, everyone distinguished in different walks of life, to witness the marriage of their granddaughter.  Congratulations passed, the guests partook of the refreshments and viewed the many beautiful and costly wedding gifts.  Particularly noticeable among them were sets of silver and china ware of unique and elaborate design, a set of revolving bookshelves, a group of Roger's statuary, a Parian marble statuette, an elegant gold watch, the gift of Captain Newton to the bride, a handsome book of engravings, silver knives and forks, a Russia leather bound Bible and other costly presents too numerous for enumeration.  Among the guests present were Isaac and Warren newton, Esqs. of Norwich, Dr. Homer Newton of California, Albro Newton of Brooklyn, Prof. Hubert Newton, the eminent astronomer, the father and three brothers of Rev. Mr. Chambers, Rev. Frank Townsend of New Berlin, Rev. C.C. Johnson of Smyrna and many others. The newly married couple left Thursday morning for an extended tour, during which they will visit New Brunswick and various other portions of Her majesty's dominions.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 1, 1877:  The ceremony was performed by Rev. William Chambers, a brother.  The music was rich and a finely executed march by Mr. M.D. Potsford preceded the occasion and the bride and bridegroom, bridesmaids and best man assembled at the proper circle and with the usual form were pronounced man and wife.  The bridesmaids were Miss Belle Newton, Miss Hattie Buell, Miss Maria Williams, Miss C. Newton.

Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, August 30, 1877

Deaths

In Hartwick Village [Otsego Co. NY], Aug. 22d(?), after a lingering illness, Mrs. Mary Gifford, sister of Mrs. Rufus Luce.

In Albany [Albany Co. NY], August 10th, '77, at the residence of his grandfather, Thomas McElroy, James Adams [McElroy] only son of Alexander and the late Rebecca McElroy in the 18th year of his age.  His remains were taken to Lyons, Wayne Co. and interred by the side of his mother and her relatives.

Morris Chronicle, Morris, NY, August 29, 1877

Marriages

Aug. 1:  At Fly Creek [Otsego Co. NY], by Rev. James Ryder, John C. Dye of Leonardsville [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Libbie Hickling of Edmeston [Otsego Co. NY].

Aug. 15:  By Rev. L. Sperry, Jeremiah Colton to Miss Rosetta M. Nichols all of Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY].