[Vital Records page] [GenWeb page]

---

MELI TODD SCRAPBOOK

In passing by the premises of Mr. Meli TODD we discovered a marked improvement in their appearance. By an addition to the height of his dwelling house, building new fences about it and the liberal use of paint upon his fences and buildings, he has made his place look good as new, and we hope he and his wife may long enjoy the fruit of their industry and care.

Handwritten Family Entries:

William OVENSHIRE born November 8, 1783
Elizabeth O. born June 5, 1794
Perline born May 29, 1806
Nancy born April 3, 1808
Lydia born October 27, 1810
Samuel born November 8, 1812
Grant born June 20, 1818
William born September 7, 1820
Isaac born August 21, 1822
Mary born July 20, 1824
Louis born July 10, 1826
Moris born 1829

Mr. Meli TODD, of Branchport, had just returned from a very pleasant visit to his brother, in Chautauqua county, when he was summoned to attend the dying bed of said brother, Mr. Truman TODD, who was fatally injured by upsetting a wagonload of shingles, on which he was riding, and died in less than two weeks, at the advanced age of 78 years. He was formerly a resident of Yates county. (Hand dated 1879.)

Variety Wedding: The friends of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. OVENSHIRE gathered at their residence on Mount Washington, July 4^th, to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of their marriage, and passed a very enjoyable day leaving many substantial proofs of their regard. There were about 75 present to enjoy the festivities of the occasion. Among the guests were friends from Bath, Avoca, Buffalo, Branchport, and Hammondsport. (Hand dated 1881.)

Big Egg - Mr. Meli TODD, of Jerusalem, recently laid on our table a monstrous egg which measured 13 ¾ inches in circumference and weighed a quarter of a pound. Hens that lay eggs of such dimensions should be encouraged.

A Pioneer Departed: The last few days have witnessed the death of an unusually large number of the older class of citizens. We hear, among others, of the decease of William OVENSHIRE, one of the primitive settlers of Barrington and a patriarch of the Methodist Church in that town. He was born 87 years ago, in the State of Delaware. At the age of twenty, he married Mary COLE about four miles below Newtown, and in the spring of 1806, settled in Barrington (then Wayne), and bought a farm now owned by Erasmus WRIGHT. An Indian trail was the only road then along Big Stream. Mr. OVENSHIRE struggled bravely with the inconceivable hardships of pioneer life, and made his way gradually and hopefully. He founded the Methodist Church, to which he ever after belonged, in 1809, he was a long time its class leader and his son Samuel holds the same position now. Mr. OVENSHIRE married a second wife, Elizabeth GIBBS, in 1816, who survives him. He was the father of fifteen children by the two marriages. Few men have been more identified with the local history of their respective localities than Mr. OVENSHIRE with the town of Barrington.

Isaac OVENSHIRE died at the residence of Mr. LANNING, in the village of Penn Yan, on the 19^th inst., in the 36^th year of his age. Mr. OVENSHIRE was born in this town and except a short time that he lived in Starkey, he spent his days in sight of the old homestead. Many years ago he experienced the love of God, and became a member of the M. E. Church. He was one of our board of stewards at the time of his death, which office he had held for a number of years. He was taken sick in the courtroom while sitting as a juror, and after great sufferings for about forty hours, he sunk into the slumbers of death, and we trust is safe in paradise. Suffer a few reflections before I close: five of the members of this church have died since Conference, all good and beloved members. Will the living lay it to heart. “God removes the workmen, but continues the work.” All ready we think we see a little cloud, and look for much rain. Who will pray for us.

John SHAW: Barrington , Yates County, November 23, 1858

William OVENSHIRE, Esq., of Barrington, Yates county, N. Y., died at his late residence on the 26^th of July, 1870, in the 87^th year of his age. The OVENSHIRE name is of English origin. Its derivation is from Devonshire, which, in process of time, became as at present. Father OVENSHIRE was born in Delaware, moved to Sheshequin, Bradford county, Pa., and subsequently, sixty-four years ago, came into the town of Barrington, where he since resided till death.  More than 60 years ago, he embraced religion, and joined the M. E. Church. Through his efforts many in the town were soon converted; and a class was there formed in 1810. For sixty years he has been connected with that society, holding for many years the offices of Trustee, Class-leader, and Steward. He also long held civil offices in the town and county; was Justice of the Peace many years. He was a man of considerable information, and related the incidents of early years with much interest. His Christian life was unblamable. The writer became acquainted with him twenty-three years ago; knew him intimately, having twice been his pastor. He was a Methodist of the old stamp, well posted in the usages and doctrines of our Church, and loved them. - Generally, in class-meeting, he would become so filled with the love of God, as to shout his praise aloud. His large family of children are mostly members of the Church; also several of his grand-children. The itinerant was ever welcomed to his home and board. He loved the Church and ministry. For several years he suffered from nervous affliction; yet his faith in God was firm. In resigning his aged partner, he resigned his all - declared he “was ready to die;” and, after blessing her, and while pointing Heavenward, sweetly entered there.

C. L. BOWN: Bellona, N. Y., July 29, 1870

Sophia, daughter of John and Lydia BEEBE, and wife of Samuel OVENSHIRE, died in Barrington, Yates County, N. Y., early on the morning of the 24^th of July, 1872. Sister OVENSHIRE was born in Great Barrington, Mass., October 9, 1809. She removed at the age of six years with her parents to Junius, Seneca county, N. Y. She early in life made the wise choice of Christ as her portion, was converted, and joined the M. E. Church in Junius, at the age of fourteen. In 1828 she removed to Barrington, Yates county, N. Y. On the 10^th of October, 1832, she was married to Samuel OVENSHIRE of the latter place. She removed with her companion to Steuben county, and united with the M. E. Church in Bath, in 1835. In 1868 she returned to Barrington, where she remained a member of the M. E. Church till called to the Church triumphant. When her health would permit, she was prompt in her attendance upon the means of grace, and sought and found comfort in the ordinances of the Church. She was devoted to the interests and welfare of her family, and spent her life in their service. When disease had wasted her energies, and she lay looking into the changeless future, she found that grace which had sustained her amid the trials and afflictions of life, abundantly able to sustain in the hour of prospective dissolution. In conversation with the writer, she declared the future to be all radiant, and her mind to be free from fear or doubt. On the Sabbath prior to her departure, while in conversation with her companion, faith so quickened her spiritual vision, and gave her such enrapturing views of the better world, that she clapped her almost palsied hand, and shouted the victory, and the praise of her Savior. Soon after she sank into an unconscious stupor from which she never fully revived, but lay so, gradually sinking away, that anxious friends were expecting every hour the final catastrophe. Still she lingered on the mortal shore till Wednesday morning, when exhausted nature yielded, and “the weary wheels of life stood still.” Thus passed another war-worn pilgrim to her rest. She leaves a husband and six children to mourn their loss, but their sorrow is assuaged by the joyous anticipation of meeting her in that heavenly home, as most, if not all are professedly walking in the way that leads thitherward. May this bereavement quicken their pace in the heavenly journey.

A. G. LAMAN: Barrington, August 12, 1872   

 

Obituary: Died in Jerusalem, Yates county, N. Y., October 12^th, 1878, Mrs. Pauline TODD, wife of Meli TODD, aged 72 years, 4 months and 14 days.
          Mrs. TODD was born in the town of Barrington May 29, 1806. She experienced religion when eighteen years of age, and immediately united with the M. E. Church. Her father, William OVENSHIRE, was s strong Methodist, his home was a home to many an itinerant Methodist preacher, in the early history of Methodism in Yates Co. She was married to Meli TODD in October, 1830, and immediately after she became a resident of the town of Jerusalem, and for 48 years she lived among us greatly esteemed and beloved by all who knew her.
         Though naturally quiet and opposed to every thing like display, yet her piety was deep, her life steady and consistent, and her attachment to the cause of Christ in the Church, was very strong. During her illness she talked freely about dying, and when death came she was prepared to go. May her bereaved husband think of her not as dead but alive with Jesus. The true and good never die. Her funeral was attended from the M. E. Church, in Branchport, Sunday afternoon, October 13^th, a large concourse of people present. Her mortal remains sweetly sleep in “Lake View cemetery,” there to remain until the morning of the resurrection.

“Tis sweet to remember the absent we love,
though we miss them below,
we shall meet them above.”

R. D. PHILLIPS

 

Obituary: We make no apology for presenting the following brief mention of another of our most distinguished early settlers, his business connections giving him a more extended acquaintance than is often attained in the common walks of a private citizen. A biographical sketch by Rev. Mr. CLARKE, says:
         Truman R. TODD first saw the light of day near Hartford, Conn., March 23d, 1801. Soon after his birth the family removed to Mount Holly, Vermont, where his brother Meli and sister Lavina, now Mrs. PADDEN, were born, and who are seated with the mourners today. In 1811 the family moved to Barrington, Yates county, N. Y., soon after which the father died, leaving four children, Truman, the oldest, only twelve years of age. By a disastrous failure to receive pay on a large labor contract, the family were left penniless in that then new country, subjecting our friend to a discipline where he well performed his part, and prepared him successfully to attain under his circumstances a distinguished prosperity in afterlife. February 22d, 1822, he married Miss Polly PADDEN, and in 1823 moved to Stockton , being then alike destitute of money or credit. Nor was he alone, the extreme pressure financially forbade credit to most, however promising the appearance of the strangers.
          He soon engaged for one year for $120, and Mrs. TODD for $1 per week, enabling him to deed 50 acres of land at $2.50 per acre, and furnish an outfit for their log house, in which the next year by clearing off land and produce realized, they were placed on the road to prosperity if not affluence.
          With the quick perception characterizing later years, he sought enlargement, and by exchange of farms every move counted to his credit, until the village hotel became his with several houses and building thereunto belonging, and next the lot diagonally located with its spacious buildings came into his possession, making him by far the largest real estate owner of the place. It was not by trades and land alone, that his best gains arose, but his drover, and especially his salesmen, he was most fortunate. By himself and in company with Mr. BLOOD, of Portland, he spent several seasons in that trade. It was his misfortune in early life not to acquire the education desirable for the voluminous accounts and extensive trade, but happily for him it was proverbial “that his word was as good as his note or bond.”
          In his business life Mr. TODD was irreproachable and honest to the core,” (sic) and we are reminded that he ever avoided all legal complications in the use of his money, and if practicable in all his business pursuits. Again, his moderate success never inflated him with self-esteem, or produced unnatural manners, always offensive when exhibited, and his parting advice to his sons evinced that his whole soul was permeated with the importance of truth and honesty as most essential to their permanent success in life. By his will he leaves his estate mainly equally divided with his children, Mrs. Salina PIERCE, and sons Charles T. and M. Stanley, and satisfactory to each.
          After the casualty of the 10^th inst., which ended his life on the 22d, he received all that care which skill and attention could command, his physicians being unremitting in their care as well as friends.
          The funeral service, most appropriate, by Rev. Mr. CLARK and choir was held at the Methodist Church on the 24^th, and he was buried in the village cemetery by the side of a monument which his care years since erected, and which will for ages perpetuate the family name.
           The attendance was large, and we notice from out of town Rev. TOTMAN, S. S. CRISSEY, Dr. HARRISON, T. D. COPP, and Milton SMITH, and all showing a deserved respect for the aged departed one. - Fredonia Censor

T. TODD died 1879 aged 78 years 4 months. (Handwritten note)

Married at Jamestown July 26^th, by Rev. M. C. WALLISTON, Mr. Charles T. TODD and Ella S.  SEGMOUR, all of Stockton.
          The happy young couple seemed to be in somewhat more than the state of blissful exultation that is usual on such occasions. They proposed, like the young patriots they are, to take in the grand Centennial Exposition as part of their bridal tour. They will probably reach home for friendly congratulations in about a fortnight.

 

From Branchport: Mr. Editor:  I have a desire to see my name in print once more, and with your leave will present to your readers a brief article. Our good friend and neighbor Meli TODD has just passed the advanced age of three score and eighteen years, and is in circumstances of comfort, mercy and grace. On Saturday of last week, about thirty of his old friends and neighbors came to his house to celebrate the anniversary of his birth and called to remembrance the passed (sic) events of the last 50 years. Of his male friends present there were seven whose combined ages amounted to 495 years. Their individual ages ranged from 60 to 85 years, and their average age nearly 71 years. Of those present, the following have resided in the town of Jerusalem the number of years set to their names: Nathaniel KEECH, 58 years; A. R. COWING and wife, 56 years; Ezra LOOMIS, Mrs. Josiah WHITE and Mrs. Eliza TOWNSEND, 55 years; Miss Jane LOOMIS, 54 years; Meli TODD and Mrs. Lois ANSLEY, 51 years; S. D. WEAVER, 49 years; Mrs. B. A. HIBBARD, 48 years; Josiah WHITE, 46 years. Mrs. ANSLEY , Mr. and Mrs. COWING, and Mr. and Miss LOOMIS, are now living on the farms where they first settled when the land was in a state of nature, and which by them has been made to blossom as the rose in yield an abundance of fruit. Mr. Luther B. BLOOD has lived at Italy Hill 49 years, and we think that he is the only person now living on the Hill who resided there 49 years ago. When he came there “corduroy road” was all the fashion, and only a path for the purpose of drawing timber led from Italy Hill to Branchport. When those old pioneers together look back on their labors and now beheld the results of their toil, they had been more or less than men and women had they not lifted their hearts to God in thankfulness for the rich blessings bestowed upon them. Not being a revealer of secrets, we have not said anything about the ages of the ladies, but we will say that each and every one of them seem to have the vivacity of youth, and that they all appear to be both pleasing and pleased in the enjoyment of the hour. After doing ample justice to the contents of an overflowing board, and a flowing of heart to heart, and wishing Friend TODD many more happy anniversaries of his birth, each one retired to his home feeling that he had just stood on a beautiful oasis in the journey of life.
          Your correspondent first visited this locality 41 years ago, and at that time Penn Yan was rather diminutive, Branchport was scarcely visible, and there was not a frame dwelling house between Branchport and Italy Hill. By every house there was a shingle factory and a fair supply of the rising generation. The fields were literally covered with stumps and the road was so full of them that a person had to let his team “gee, haw and go where they had a mind to,” in order to accomplish the feat of climbing a then tedious hill, full three miles in length; and for one and one half miles east of Italy Corners “corduroy roads” made it impossible for the traveler to have dyspepsia. When we now see the excellent highway, the splendid mansions, the commodious barns and the beautiful fields, we involuntarily exclaim, “great is the power of labor, and many and rich are the blessings of heaven.” Although we have gone through such scenes from the felling of the first tree in the forest to the present beautiful landscape, there are mysteries connected with the process that we cannot solve.

 

A Tribute of Respect: Editor Chronicle - Sir: I was inexpressibly shocked by the news received on my way from Wisconsin here, of the death of George G. GAGE, for many years a leading merchant of this place, and having known him from his infancy and esteeming him highly, I crave space for a few words of reverence in respect to his memory. The subject of this notice was born July 15^th, 1841, and consequently was 40 years old at the time of his death, leaving a wife and two children to mourn his loss. His whole life was lived in Yates county and for twenty years engaged in mercantile business in this place, and for the last fifteen years was engaged in business with his younger brother H. Hazard GAGE. I might exhaust eulogium perhaps by simply saying he was the exact compliment of his aunt, Miss Betsey GAGE, being the embodiment of every manly, as she was of every womanly virtue, but I desire to say more. It is illustrative of his character that in all the time he was engaged in business with his brother, no word or sign of anger, was manifested by either of them towards the other, at least such is the common belief and vouched for by the surviving brother which is about as notable an example of brotherly affection as that of Jonathan and David itself. He never made a public profession of religion but he lived it all the same. His honesty and uprightness of character became proverbial, he never failed doing right when he knew it; he performed the several duties of father, son, husband, citizen friend, with the most scrupulous exactness, that was nothing pharisaical in his character, he made no pretensions to extra goodness or purity, indeed he was one the most modest of men, and his great heart was as tender and sympathetic as a woman’s, and yet he was the only man in whose presence I ever felt rebuked. He has never yet been suspected of any crookedness whatsoever, and the mourning for his death is coextensive with his acquaintances.
          No man perhaps ever buried in this cemetery has had his grace so bountifully moistened with the tears of those outside his own family circle, as George G. GAGE , and still, the insatiate monster could not be induced to spare him to us a little longer.

“O why has worth so short a day, While villains ripen gray with time.”

James M. BURGESS  

Mrs. Polly TODD , Stockton , April 9 - The 78^th birthday of Mrs. Polly TODD , of Delanti, was made by a timely effort a pleasant one indeed by a surprise at her home with her sister Mrs. BARBER .  A number of ladies including her only child Mrs. C. C. PIERCE, who had a long time witnessed the trials of their respected friend, especially in her partial loss of sight, which shades every earthy pleasure, by concerted action entered her room with tokens of respect of various gifts, as also the selected luxuries for tea, and a time of social chat ladies always improve so well. But the guest of the day was not the lone one in surprise when it was known that a poetess was of the number, who an hour before leaving home, penciled the following lines so true to life as to call forth a heartfelt response at every line. Only A. L. B., the initials of the author is allowed. Lines written to Mrs. Polly TODD on her 78^th anniversary, April 9, 1883. (Poem edited.)

Died at his residence on Wagener street, Penn Yan, April 29, 1878, Henry HICKS, aged nearly 73 years. Mr. HICKS was born in North Hemstead, Long Island, June 8, 1805, and came from Columbia county to Benton , in this county, in 1833, settling on Elijah SPENCER ’s farm, ultimately purchasing and occupying the farm first settled by Levi BENTON , Sr. , near Benton Center, where he lived until his removal to Penn Yan, in 1861. His was a long and useful life, and his family has been almost patriarchal in proportions. His first wife was Elijah Ann SPENCER , whom he married in Columbia county, and by whom he had eleven children, nine of them reaching adult age. These were Mary E. ( Mrs. CHAPMAN ), and Capt. Martin S., both of whom died last year; Cordelia N. ( Mrs. MORREL), of this village; Henry Augustus, now in Maryland; George N., of the hardware firm of Hicks and Eastman, in this village; Ellen R., who married David ADAMS, of New York; James E., now residing in New Jersey; Alice, who married Emil REGEA, of New York; and Maleen, who resides in Penn Yan.
          After the decease of the worthy and estimable mother of these children, Mr. HICKS married Marietta WHITAKER, of Benton , who has also been an excellent wife, and the mother of three children, who are Ann R. , William, and Henrietta - the two oldest being born on the Benton homestead. The second Mrs. HICKS is the sister of Gen. A. F. and Col. Ephraim WHITAKER .
          Until his later and declining years Mr. HICKS was a very vigorous, persevering and laborious man, and carved out the beginnings of his prosperity with his own hands. He entered upon active life without a dollar, and by great industry and prudent management as a farmer acquired a competency, which, with a generous father’s regard, he partly bestowed upon his children as they reached manhood and womanhood. Before his fatal illness it scarcely seemed possible that he was past three score years, such were the vigor and elasticity of his tread and the undimmed youthful gleam in his eyes. He was highly respected as a citizen of Benton , and was once supervisor of the town, and for two terms town clerk. Since his residence here he was engaged in active business but a short time. The close of his earthly existence was marked by most gratifying and satisfying evidences of his full acceptance of the Savior’s redeeming love, and he passed away in the happy possession of that divine peace “which passeth all understanding.” The funeral takes place this afternoon at 2 ½ o'clock, from the residence.

Died in Litchfield, Michigan, on the 10^th inst., Mrs. Lydia MOORE, in the fifty-sixth year of her age.
         The subject of the above notice was the daughter of Jared and Betsy TODD , and was born in Tompkins county, N.Y. , in the year 1810. She was married to John MOORE in 1829, and with her husband removed to Chautauqua county, in the same state, where they embraced religion and united with the Baptist Church. In 1840 they removed to the then new State of Michigan , where after enduring the hardships of a pioneer life they secured for themselves a comfortable home. Immediately after their removal here they united with the Baptist Church of Litchfield, of which she was a worthy member at the time of her death. Her life was filled up with good words, as those who are most familiar with her can best testify, and she has gone to her reward in Heaven. She leaves a large family and circle of friends to mourn her loss. The funeral was attended on the 12^th inst. by a large concourse of mourning friends, who listened to a discourse by Rev. Mr. PATTENGILL .

Also, in Yolo County, California , on the 13^th day of October last, of brain fever, Daniel MOORE , son of John and Lydia MOORE, in the 33d year of his age.

Gone to the Spirit Land . Departed on the morning of the 26^th inst., Lorencia A. TURNER , sister of the wife of M. G. STODDARD , aged 25 years.

Died. - Near Branchport, March 4^th, William P. HIBBARD , in the 61^st year of his age.
Mr. HIBBARD was born in Canada East in 1811, and came to this place in December of 1833.
          In 1836 he married Betsey Ann , daughter of the Rev. Joel TOWNSEND , who survives him, and by whom he had three sons and five daughters.
          He was especially distinguished for equanimity of temper, soundness of judgment, diligence in business, and a degree of hospitality seldom equaled and rarely surpassed.
          As a husband and father he was indulgent, yet commanding the love and respect of all committed to his care; leaving an example that may faithfully be followed. As a citizen he sustained the highest reputation, was trusted and proved trustworthy, and the writer never heard that he had an enemy.
          He professed religion in his youth, and was for many years a consistent member of the M. E. Church . His house was the home of the preacher, and the church never called upon him in vain.
          Coming into the place when it was almost as a forest, and laboring hard to bring the soil to a proper state for cultivation, he became affected by a lingering and painful disease which could only terminate in a painful death.
          We feel that one has gone who was a brother to us all; and deeply sympathize with his family and friends.

W. HERRIES : Branchport, March 11, 1872

Necrology of 1875: Obituary mention has been made during the year 1875 of the following persons in the Yates County Chronicle.

Elizabeth , widow of William OVENSHIRE , Barrington, age 83
Mary E. , wife of John C. MILLER , Branchport, age 55
Uriah HANFORD, Jerusalem, age 76
Allen BASSETT , Barrington, age 79
Peter PULVER , Italy , age 57
John HISCOCK , Branchport, age 54

 

Mortality of 1871: The following is a partial list of the dead of 1871, gathered from the Chronicle file of the past 12 months:

Margaret BOTSFORD , Jerusalem, March 7, 96 years, 5 months
Elisha G. HOPKINS , Penn Yan, March 22, 78
Isaac P. SEYMOUR , Dundee, October 28, 77 
John GRAHAM , Italy Hollow, November 30, 87
James ARMSTRONG , Penn Yan, December 14, 56

James D. MORGAN , Sr. , died at his residence in this village on Wednesday night last, aged 72 years. He came to Penn Yan in 1812 and has resided here since that date. He was a leading and highly respected citizen and his death is deeply deplored. He leaves a wife and six children - two daughters and four sons.

To us, the sad event of last week, was the death of our esteemed friend Phineas PARKER, who died on Tuesday of last week, aged 63 years. For nearly half a century Mr. PARKER has been identified with the rise and progress of our little hamlet, and took an active part in every measure connected with our history. He had been trusted with nearly every town office, and always proved trustworthy, discharging every duty with fidelity and care. In his social relations he was a tender, kind, an indulgent father, and a faithful and true friend, a courteous and obliging neighbor, and a citizen who followed his convictions of right. Our hearts are sad, and our sympathy with the dear ones left behind is tender and sincere. As we write, we hear a voice saying to each one of our community, “Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the bridegroom cometh.”

Died in Jerusalem, January 30^th, 1871, Daniel JOHNSON , at the age of sixty-five years and five months. He has been twenty-two years a resident of Jerusalem having moved there in 1849, and was a quiet and much respected citizen. He had a large farm on lot 3 of the Beddoe Tract. He first married Catherine JOHNSON (not a relative) at Frankfort, Herkimer County, N. Y. , and their children were George , William , Daniel , and Frances . His wife died a few years ago, and he married a second wife, Ada WING of Naples who survives him. Before Mr. JOHNSON ’s removal to this county he was engaged in the foundry business at Rome, Oneida County           At the time of his death he was a member of the Universalist Church at Branchport.
          George , his oldest son, is a merchant at Italy Hill. He married Samaria SMITH, and has two surviving sons, Westel and Fred .
          William is the Superintendent of the Lambertville Iron Works at Lambertville, New Jersey. He married Sarah MOORE , at native of England , and their children are Sarah F. , William M. , Frank L. , Martha C. , Gertrude , Herbert , and Walter C.
          Daniel died at the age of seventeen.
          Frances is the wife of Thomas STODDARD of Jerusalem and they have a daughter Kate .

Sudden Death. - Dr. John TOWNSEND of Jerusalem, died quite suddenly on Friday last, aged about sixty years. On Wednesday previous, he visited Penn Yan, and returning he took with him the children of John HORNBROOK , who recently died in the jail from the result of an accident. Mr. TOWNSEND , who ever took delight in charitable deeds, intended to have the children stay with him all night, and on the morning to take them to their home. While lifting them out of the wagon he felt something give way internally, and was immediately seized with violent pains in the region of the heart, which continued until his death on the Friday following. It is thought that he ruptured a small blood vessel near the heart.

Dr. Israel CHISSOM died at his residence at Italy Hill on Friday, April 14^th, 1871, at the age of sixty-seven years and six months. He was the third son of Moses CHISSOM , an early settler of the town of Benton. His father died in 1839, and his mother is still living in Benton with her son Philemon CHISSOM , in the 88^th year of her age, with a mind full of clear and definite recollections. He studied medicine a few months with Dr. William CORNWELL , and afterwards with Dr. Uri JUDD of Penn Yan, and received his license as a medical practitioner from the County Medical Society. A few years ago he received from the Geneva Medical College the degree of M. D. He practiced at Kinney’s Corners many years, and for the past twenty years has  resided at Italy Hill and there practiced his profession; and also practiced law, a profession which he studied two years with Abraham P. VOSBURG. He married Jane MCCALLUP at Kanona, where he first engaged in the practice of medicine. They had one daughter, Mary , who married Samuel HAYES and resides in Vermont. Dr. CHISSOM was a man of active habits of life and jovial temperament. About six months ago he was stricken with paralysis, and did not recover from the affects of the shock.

.

Obituary: Died at his home in Italy , Yates County, September 14^th, 1875, Peter PULVER , in the 58^th year of his age.
          The subject of this notice was a man of more than ordinary importance. - For many years he was a prominent and leading citizen of his town. He was born in Otsego County in the year 1818; his parents came to Yates County about the year 1826, and settled somewhere in the eastern part of the town of Jerusalem; about the year 1835 they moved into the town of Italy, where he has ever since resided. By the exercise of economy and faithful application to business he had acquired a very substantial fortune and beautiful home. He was a consistent and efficient member of the Methodist Church at Italy Hill, and died in full faith of a blessed resurrection and an unfading home beyond the river.
          Thus, one by one, like the sands of the hourglass, the noble pioneers of our country are passing away. The record of their deeds may never be told in glowing terms upon the historic page, yet their record is fixed with indelible impress upon the very earth itself, which their strong arms have cleared, beautified and adorned. - Where shall another race of better, truer, nobler men be found than those patriots and pioneers of our country, who are slowly but surely moving on into the next world.
          May this solemn warning come like a note of admonition from the spirit land, to inspire the young with a high and holy zeal to live for virtue, temperance, truth and God.

Mrs. WALKER , who was thrown from a wagon in Branchport a short time ago, died on Tuesday of last week, aged about 57 years. We learn that the deceased was for many years a member of the M. E. Church , and that her life was consistent with her profession. She was supposed to be recovering until a short time before her death, when inflammation from internal injuries set in and terminated in death.

.

Obituary: In the town of Barrington on the 24^th ult., having lived man’s appointed time, three score and ten, Peter H. CROSBY departed this life. The deceased was an early settler of the town of Barrington, his parents having moved there when he was only ten years old. He has honorably filled the offices of supervisor and justice, and was a great friend of the temperance cause. For 49 years he bore the Christian name and character and during fifteen of those years he honored the name of deacon in the Baptist Church. He was deeply respected by his neighbors and friends, and all who knew him, for the many excellencies of his head and heart. He has left a wife and seven children to mourn his loss.

A Fearful Mystery Solved. - On Tuesday morning of last week, March 4^th, Melvin G. BARDEN , son of James P. BARDEN of the town of Montour in this County, left his father’s house, a mile and a half east of the village of Havana, to attend a vendue near the residence of Col. Green BENNETT , in the town of Dick (sic). The vendue was postponed on account of the extreme inclemency of the weather; but Mr. BARDEN was at the Beaver Dam Hotel and in that vicinity, during the afternoon, and left that place for Watkins in the evening. He was here at Slaght’s Hotel, near the Fallbrook House, and left town between twelve and one o'clock at night. Shortly after the last mentioned hour, Mrs. BOWER , wife of Perry BOWER, saw a horse and cutter (the horse being led by the man), pass her residence going towards the Inlet Bridge. On Wednesday morning a cutter was found near the inlet and at the head of Seneca Lake, which seemed to have been upset in going down the embankment of the new bridge at that point, on the north side, and abandoned by the owner, a circumstance not calculated to excite suspicion of anything criminally wrong.
          On Tuesday afternoon two boys who were out hunting ducks, found a horse in a little cove near Painted Rocks, about one-half a mile down the lake. Tracks on the ice and snow indicated that the horse was led by a man to the place where found. The poor animal was nearly frozen, and so entangled with the reins, and hemmed in by the lake in his narrow prison under a cliff, that he probably never would have come out alive without help. A part of the harness was on the horse and a part left with the cutter, from which he had been cut loose, apparently with a sharp knife.
          In the meantime Mr. BARDEN had been missing, and his father and friends having heard the above facts, came down and identified the cutter, horse, &c., and the impression became general that as he was well known to have had nearly $100, and a valuable gold watch worth over $200 with him, he had been murdered and thrown into the lake. Excitement ran high, and a close search was instituted for the discovery of the body. Blood marks were found at several places along the cliff, where the path was narrow, which were interpreted by some as proofs of foul play.
          All efforts to find the body were unavailing up to Saturday night, and the excitement was greatly on the increase. Two theories divided the public mind - one of which was that a foul murder and robbery had been committed, and the other accounting for the mystery on the grounds that the missing man who had been drinking, had upset at the point where the cutter was found, - while on his way home by the northern route - that he had cut his own harness, and in his benumbed and bewildered condition - it being a terribly cold night - mistaken his road and led his horse to the place where he was found - that at or near that spot he had fallen into the lake and disappeared, and that if found his watch and money would be found with him.
          On Sunday the search was resumed; and in the afternoon of that day J. B. HILL, N. S. WITHIAM and Frank WITHIAM, three boys, came down to Hector Falls from Burdett, and started for the locality where the horse was found, and where the lake was being dragged. - Shortly after starting, and about half a mile south of Hector Falls point, and nearly a mile north of Painted Rocks, they discovered the body lying on the shore and but partially in the water. They passed on, made the fact known, and Nathaniel C. WILLIAMS and E. INGALLS returned with them, took the body and brought it to Watkins , where a large crowd assembled to view it at the Engine House, and where an inquest was held. His shawl was found clinging to a bush near the body when discovered. His knife was found in his overcoat pocket, where he had evidently placed it after cutting the harness, and his gold watch and $65 in money were found on his person - thus at once completely disproving the murder and robbery theory, and verifying the one that he came to his death without violence. The body was taken to Havana on Sunday night, at twelve o'clock, and the unfortunate man has gone to his final rest, with a Christian burial. - This is a consolation to his bereaved relatives, who, while they cannot but mourn his loss, will feel grateful that his mortal remains have been reclaimed, and that no dark and fearful crime is connected with his sad and untimely fate. - Watkins Express - (Hand dated 1873.) 

A School Mistress Murdered by Tramps. - A crime, perhaps without precedent, is reported as having occurred at Thompson, Pa., a small hamlet on the Jefferson branch of the Erie railway, about 70 miles from Port Jervis. The trustees of the school just outside the limits of the village gathered at the schoolhouse for their regular meeting on Friday evening, November 1^st. There was some difficulty in getting the door open, and, after gaining admission, the dead body of Miss Alice KENNETT , the young school teacher, was found upon the floor. In her lifeless hand was tightly grasped a piece of chalk, and on the blackboard was written a story almost too horrible for belief. The helpless girl had dismissed her scholars that afternoon, and was putting the room in order for the evening meeting of the trustees, when two tramps suddenly entered and seized her. Her screams could not be heard, and she was helpless in their hands. She must have threatened the scoundrels with certain identification, for with almost incredible savagery they cut off her tongue, and left her dying on the floor. She crawled to the blackboard, and, with desperate strength, wrote briefly the circumstances of the terrible crime and a minute description of the two men. The room bore evidence that she had made a desperate struggle. The sparse community was at once aroused, and search began in every direction. The men may escape, but if they are caught their punishment will be instant and terrible.

.

Obituary: Died, near Branchport, February 12^th, 1881, Mr. Joel ANSLEY , aged 76 years, 11 months and twenty-nine days. Mr. ANSLEY was born, (we think in the town of Seneca, Ontario county) on February 14, 1804, and lived there about twenty-one years. In 1825 he removed to a locality three miles west of Branchport, bought a part of the “Beddoe Tract,” which was then a wilderness, cleared it up and made his house there while he lived, and at the time of his death he and Mr. Albert A. COWINGS were the only original settlers on that tract who lived on the land they had cleared up.
          On November 13^th, 1830, Mr. ANSLEY was married to Miss Lois A. PARKER , by whom he had seven children, two sons and five daughters. One of the daughters passed away before him, but his wife and the others remain to mourn their loss. In 1825 Mr. ANSLEY was brought to a saving knowledge of, and interest in, Jesus Christ as his Savior, and we learn that from that time he was “a living epistle of Christ known and read of all men,” and that without any flaunting show or unnecessary display of his religion he was ever active by precept and example in promoting the social, moral and Christian welfare of the community in which he lived. We have been personally acquainted with him for twenty years, and it always seemed to us that he lived for another world, and cared very little for this world, aside from the spread of the gospel and the salvation of men.
          The funeral services were attended by as great number of people in the Methodist Episcopal church, at Branchport, of which he was an honored member, and an appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. S. C. HATMAKER, from these words: “And behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias; who appeared in glory, and spoke of his deceit, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” We then laid his body in the tomb to await the sound of the last trumpet and the resurrection of the just. “He is not dead, but sleepeth, for he rests from his labors and his works do follow him.”

W. HERRIES : Branchport, February 25^th, 1881    

.

Obituary: STEVER - Died in Jerusalem on the seventh inst. at the residence of his son, George S. , Mr. James STEVER , in the 76^th year of his age.
          Mr. STEVER seems to require more than the above passing notice. He was one of our early settlers, one of the pioneers of Jerusalem.
          Born in Hillsdale, Columbia County, he came to Jerusalem nearly fifty years ago (forty-seven years the 12^th of last May.)
          He and his brother Peter bought farms together, being in partnership, and when they dissolved, James took the farm which he owned at the time of his death. He at one time owned quite a large tract of land which he cleared and as his family grew up, sold to his son.
          His family consisted of five sons and one daughter, and his wish all through his life, was to keep his children near him, which wish was fulfilled in a remarkable degree, as they are all residents of the town which he helped improve, and are all good, active businessmen.
          Leonard , the oldest, ex-supervisor, owns the Robert GERMAN farm in the northern part of the town.
          Peter lives in Branchport, and owns the flouring and custom mill property.
         George S. owns a good farm near the homestead.
          Elizabeth is the wife of Robert F. MILLER , and lives on the Boyd farm.
          Joseph lives on the homestead.
          James owns a grape farm on the banks of the lake, and has an extensive grape basket and box factory.
          Mr. STEVER was a man of superior judgment in business matters. Starting poor, he, by hard work and good management, acquired a fortune quite early in life. He retired from active business, giving place to his sons, saying he had enough to live on, enjoyed the prosperity of his children, whom he aided by his good counsel and experience, and his children appreciated his advice and confided in his judgment. In his death his children are great losers.
          Mr. STEVER was married August 27^th, 1829, to Desire GOODSEL, who is left heartbroken by his death. They celebrated their Golden Wedding at their home just a few days before his death, on which occasion there was a family gathering of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, of over thirty. They received many splendid presents, tokens of the love and esteem of the givers, but did he not live to enjoy them.
          His work was done; he was willing to go; his death was quiet and peaceful. Surrounded by his children as he always wished to be, he passed to the unseen world. May our loss be his gain, and our end as happy. (Hand dated 1879)

Meli TODD came to this country with his father, Benajah TODD, in the year 1811, in his 8^th year from the state of Vermont. The family consisted of a father, mother, and four children, one older than himself, Truman , and two younger. Benajah TODD took up a lot of land and built a log house about 2 ½ miles south of where Dundee now is. He lived eighteen months there and died. The reader can have but a faint idea now-a-days of the privations and hardships the family left fatherless and surrounded by a wilderness filled with ferocious animals, had to endure. - In 1812 they had their only pig caught by a bear in the daytime, who carrying it some ten rods from the house, took a good meal and covered the remainder with leaves. The rattlesnake was the most to be dreaded. Meli has stepped over them many times barefooted when they were curled up under small bushes. The family bought in 1814 the farm where Lodowick DISBROW now lives in Barrington. Truman and Meli cleared it mostly and paid for it. They frequently went to Bennett ’s settlement, a distance of three or four miles and worked for eighteen pence and a shilling a day; took their pay in wheat and backed it to mill. Meli married a daughter of William OVENSHIRE , Esq. , of Barrington, and in 1830 came to Jerusalem and settled on the Beddoe tract. He built a log house and commenced chopping and clearing his land, converting the pine into shingles, of which he has rived, shaved, and bunched as many as 4,000 in one day, 1,000 being considered a day’s work. In 1840 he bought the farm now occupied by Daniel JOHNSON , built a frame house and barn, and in 1850 sold out and bought where he now resides, one and a half miles west of Branchport. They have raised two children, Benajah and Lydia . Benajah is a well-to-do farmer living half a mile north of his father. Lydia married Frank STEVER , and lives on the homestead with the father and mother.

Jerusalem Wheat. - S. C. CLEVELAND - Dear Sir: - I see you are inclined to concede to Starkey the banner for wheat, but hold a little, Jerusalem will speak. Charles BEEMAN raised and threshed from four acres, 202 bushels wheat, machine measure. The farm it was raised on is now owned and occupied by William HURD , formerly owned by F. P. HURD . - BEEMAN has subsequently cleaned and sold his share, at Branchport, and tells me it held out 44 bushels to the acre by weight. Now let Mr. WEBB weigh his wheat, this machine measure don’t always come up to the scratch. We have a few more fields of wheat to thresh and be heard from, up here.

A. R. COWING: Jerusalem, August 20^th, 1871

Starkey Correspondence. - Mr. Editor: - I see you request to have a report of all crops of wheat that yield over 20 bushels per acre.
          From 18 acres Mr. Clark SHARP of this town raised 603 bushels of wheat, of the Treadwell variety. N. WEBB on 5 ½ acres had a yield of a trifle over 45 bushels per acre. Morgan STRUBLE also had five acres of barley, which when threshed turned out 196 bushels.

I recently had a talk with Mr. James PERRY , formerly of this town, but now of Himrods. He is in his ninety-fourth year, and is as smart as many men at sixty. Mr. PERRY settled in Reading, now Starkey, in the year 1816 and resided on one farm nearly fifty years. He raised a large family of children, of which all are now living in Yates and Schuyler counties.

 

Old Residents of Pulteney: It is generally remarked that Pulteney is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants. We mention some names and invite comparison from surrounding towns:
          H. B. WINTERMUTE , ninety-two years; B. F. WELLES , 92; Tyrus TUTTLE , 86; Ira GIBSON , 86; Mrs. AXTELL, 89; John CORYELL 85; Robert MILLER, 83; Rebecca MILLER, 83; Ozias PARKER, 83; Luther PARKER, 85; Eli PICKETT, 81; John GLOADE, 78; Webster TOMER, 78; Aaron WHITEHEAD, Sr., 72; William HORTON, Sr., 72; William BALKMAN, 76.
          The two oldest in the above list voted at town meetings, February 14^th, and we will venture to say that Mr. WINTERMUTE steps as spryly as many men at 50 years of age. If you wish to live a good, long life, locate in Pulteney,
N. Y. - Pulteney News (Hand dated 1882.)

 

The Aged of West Jerusalem. - Friend Cleveland - In the Chronicle of February 5, 1880 I noticed an article over the signature, Neapolitan, stating there were some 30 aged people over 70 years of age in Middlesex, as contains about 19016 acres, and only numbers about 30 very old people. I thought of giving a statement of the second election district of Jerusalem. There are 74 persons in said district whose ages are as follows: No. of acres 19000.

Isaiah COHOON..................................... 75
David W. SMITH .................................   70
Mrs. Lydia MACE *................................ 74
Joseph COGSWELL............................... 97
John B. HARRIS ..................................... 78
Mrs. John B. HARRIS ............................. 76
Bartleson SHEARMAN ........................... 83
Mrs. Mary FRENCH *............................ 76
Mrs. Waty COREY *.............................. 77
Mrs. Margaret MUNGER *..................... 76
Aaron SCHOFIELD ................................ 82
Mrs. Sally SCHOFIELD .......................... 76
Mrs. Jane COMSTOCK *...................... 81
Mrs. Desire STEVER *............................ 70
Mrs. Hannah MILLSPAUGH *............... 88
Mrs. Elizabeth HENDERSON *.............. 81
Solomon D. WEAVER ............................ 83
Meli TODD ............................................. 76
Peter H. BITELY..................................... 78
Wynans BUSH........................................ 81
Mrs. Wynans BUSH................................ 76
Samuel BOTSFORD ............................... 70
Isaac FOX............................................... 70
Mrs. Mercy WALLACE *....................... 72
Mrs. Sally WILCOX *............................. 84
Mrs. Jane C. ROSE *.............................. 70
Joel ANSLEY .......................................... 77
Mrs. Joel ANSLEY ................................. 73
Ebenezer H. STRATTON ........................ 73
Simeon COLE ......................................... 75
Nathan WHEELER .................................. 70
John . G. LOWN ...................................... 71
Mrs. John G. LOWN ............................... 71
Nathaniel G. HIBBARD ........................... 73
William LYNN ......................................... 71
Nathan DICKINSON .............................. 76
Mrs. Nathan DICKINSON ..................... 71
Ambrose HUNT...................................... 76
Mrs. Louis COREY *.............................. 84
Patrick TUEL ........................................... 87
Charles GRIFFITHS ................................ 70
Mrs. Charles GRIFFITHS ........................ 70
Mrs. Emma BENEDICT *....................... 85
John TINCKLEPAW (sic)....................... 83
Mrs. John TINCKLEPAUGH (sic).......... 80
Moses HARTWELL ................................ 82
Henry LARZELERE ................................ 82
Mrs. Hannah STODDARD *................... 79
Elias CHASE........................................... 74
Mrs. Elias CHASE................................... 72
Christopher E. CHASE............................ 76
Mrs. Christopher E CHASE..................... 74
Mrs. Leah DAVIS ................................... 74
Mrs. Huldah DAVIS *............................. 72
John D. KELLY ....................................... 72
Mrs. Celinda COONS *.......................... 74
Mrs. Mary SQUIRES.............................. 71
Mrs. Eunice CAPELL *........................... 77
John TAYLOR ........................................ 78
Mrs. Susan KETCHUM *....................... 89
John BEST............................................... 84
Mrs. John BEST...................................... 74
Thomas SAUNDERS .............................. 76
James KENNEDY ................................... 89
Mrs. James KENNEDY .......................... 74
Mrs. Angeline ADAMS *......................... 71
Levi SPANGLER.................................... 78
Mrs. Levi SPANGLER ............................ 72
Jesse WILCOX ....................................... 80
Joseph MILLSPAUGH ............................ 76
Morgan SMITH ....................................... 72
Mrs. Morgan SMITH ............................... 76
Miss Hannah RUNNER ........................... 74
Jackson WRIGHT ................................... 72               * widow

Making in all 74 persons, over 70 years. Their united ages are 5668. Average 76 years 3 months. Over 70 and less than 75, 32; over 75 and less than 80, 22; over 80 and less than 85, 14; over 85 and less than 90, 5; over 90 and less than 100, 1. Respectfully, Jackson WRIGHT .

VETERANS. - A correspondent of the town of Pulteney, Steuben County, sends us the following list of ladies and gentlemen in that town who have passed the allotted time of man - three score years and ten. Of the gentlemen , our correspondent states, all but three - John GLODE , Isaac TYLER , and Ozias PARKER - voted at the last town meeting, and many of them are still hale and hearty, and bid fair to survive many years longer.

.GENTLEMEN: John LOUNSBURY , aged 90; Jacob HILER , 89; Henry B. WINTERMUTE , 84; B. F. WELLS , 83; Warren MILLER , 82; Luther PARKER, 80; Cyrus TUTTLE , 79; Wm. HORTON, Sr., 78; Ira GIBSON, 77; John CORYELL, 77; Isaac SINCIBOX, 76; Jacob CORYELL, 75; Robert MILLER, 75; John A. PRENTISS, 74; James PIERCE, 74; Peter MCCONNELL, 73; Isaac TYLER, 73; William ENGLISH, 72; Simeon DECKER, 72; Wm. PRENTISS, 71; Harry GODFREY, 71; Webster TOMER, 71; Ozias PARKER, 70; John WATEROUS, Sr., 70; Daniel SPEARS, 70; John GLODE, 70; R. R. FARGO, 70;  (said FARGO’s mother saw her 96^th birthday a few days ago.)

LADIES: Mary VANMAKER , 83; Abigail SAME, 79; Mrs. James SIMMONS , widow, 76; Mrs. John SULLIVAN, widow, 74; Mrs. FERGUSON, mother of Solomon FERGUSON - still hale and hearty - 90.

         How many towns in this county can make a better exhibit of aged people than this? We should be glad to have our friends in the several towns make a careful canvass, and send us the result.
          Let us hear frequently from our Pulteney correspondent. (Hand dated 1873.)

 

.

Necrology: The following is a list of persons whose decease has been announced during the year, 1872, in the Yates County Chronicle:

Date                                                                                                                 Age

Jan .  2.   Alfred POYNEER , aged 16, son of Martin POYNEER , and
              Fremont PARIS, aged 15, son of Jacob S. PARIS , were drowned
              while skating on the Lake at Branchport.
Jan .  4.   Deacon Benjamin WATKINS , Potter................................................ 75
Jan .  8.   David R. CONLEY , of Milo, killed on the railway at Himrods............ 57
Jan .  9.   Kitty WESTCOTT, Torrey ................................................................ 25
Jan. 10.   Henry ARMSTRONG , Milo............................................................. 48
Jan. 14.  John MALLORY , Penn Yan............................................................. 63
Jan. 15.  Charles BRENNAN , Penn Yan, killed by the caving in of a well
              he was digging................................................................................... 50
Jan. 22.  Maxwell CORNWELL , killed by railway cars at Himrods.................. 44
Jan. 23. Eliza , wife of Augustus MALTBY, Dundee......................................... 54
Jan. 24.  Ruth , wife of Henry ELLIS , Dundee................................................... 38
Feb.  2   Mrs. Irene RANDALL , widow of Samuel RANDALL , Milo.............. 70
Feb.  2.  Catherine CRANE , Benton , widow of Horatio CRANE..................... 78
Feb.  2.  David SEMANS , Himrods................................................................ 85
Feb.  6.  Lois BUXTON , Milo, widow of John BUXTON............................... 79
Feb.  9.  Catherine , wife of John DAINS , Jerusalem......................................... 59
Feb. 10. Amy , wife of Adam CROZIER, Benton ............................................. 66
Feb. 15. Sylvester BAILEY , Barrington........................................................... 60
Feb. 17. Stephen N. DAVIS , Benton ............................................................... 58
Feb. 17. Deacon Stephen ROBINSON , Barrington......................................... 82
Feb. 17. Mrs. Abigail PETTIBONE , Jerusalem................................................ 79
Feb. 19. Ida , daughter of Charles V. BUSH , Penn Yan.................................... 20
Feb. 22. Barnard GELDER, a soldier and son of John GELDER,
              Jerusalem........................................................................................... 36
Feb. 24. Nancy Ann , wife of William J. WILSON , Starkey.............................. 37
Feb. 29. Elizabeth MCKEOWN , mother-in-law of Charles WAGENER ,
              Penn Yan........................................................................................... 93
Mar.  3. Dennis HALLORAN , Penn Yan........................................................ 58
Mar.  3. James SNOOK, Barrington............................................................... 62
Mar.  4. John B. FRANCISCO, father-in-law of Benjamin F. LAMB ,
              Jerusalem........................................................................................... 81
Mar.  4. William P. HIBBARD , Jerusalem....................................................... 60
Mar.  6. Melicent BANNISTER, widow of Dr. C. BANNISTER , of
              Phelps , mother of Mrs. Stephen B. AYRES , Penn Yan....................... 82
Mar.  6.  Bridget SHERIDAN , widow of Philip SHERIDAN , Penn Yan........... 66
Mar.  8. Betsey, wife of William R. WILKIN , Starkey..................................... 65
Mar.  9. Mrs. Susan CANFIELD , Torrey ........................................................ 19
Mar 10. Horace KENYON , Barrington.......................................................... 46
Mar 10. David B. FITZWATER , Jerusalem..................................................... 54
Mar 14. David CROCKETT , colored, Penn Yan............................................ 20
Mar 16. Robert WOODRUFF, Penn Yan....................................................... ---
Mar 16. Mrs. Nancy WINTERS , Torrey ......................................................... 66
Mar 22. Henry KNIGHT , Starkey.................................................................. 77
Mar 23. John VANDEVENTER , Sr. , Torrey .................................................. 73
Mar 26. William S. HUNTINGTON , Washington ........................................... 31
Mar 26. Benjamin E. JONES , Starkey............................................................ 88
Mar 27. Cynthia , wife of Francis OLMSTED , Torrey ...................................... 72
Mar 28. Augustus KNAPP , Penn Yan............................................................. 78
Mar 28. Alidah BRIDGMAN, widow of Abner BRIDGMAN......................... 69
Mar 29. Evelyn CREGO , Italy ......................................................................... 44
Mar 30. Gen. John M. OLIVER , Washington .................................................. 44
Mar 30. Mary , daughter of Clayton SEMANS ................................................ 22
Apr.  1. William M. SAYRE , Starkey.............................................................. 46
Apr.  5. William KETTERER, Potter............................................................... 18
Apr.  8. Ada, daughter of John OVENSHIRE, Barrington................................ 18
Apr. 10. Olive , wife of Teal MILLIS, Barrington.............................................. 80
Apr. 11. John SULLIVAN , Dundee................................................................ 26
Apr. 14. Jacob COOPER , Middlesex.............................................................. 80
Apr. 15. Jesse DAVIS , Himrods...................................................................... 80
Apr. 17. Ann REMSEN , wife of Jacob MESEROLE, Penn Yan...................... 72
Apr. 21. Anna Lulu , daughter of Darius A. OGDEN , Penn Yan........................ 17
Apr. 21. George EWBANKS , (colored,) Dundee............................................ 63
Apr. 22. Mary H. , wife of Col. Chas. LEE , Penn Yan...................................... 54
Apr. 23. Elizabeth MURDOCK , widow of Newell F. MURDOCK ,
              Dundee.............................................................................................. 75
Apr. 26. Robert FERRIER, Dundee................................................................. 60 (?)
Apr. 27. Mary E. , wife of Dr. J. M. WADDELL , Penn Yan, died at
              Big Thompson, Colorado................................................................... 27
Apr. 28. William H. CHAMBERS , Rock Stream............................................. 70
May  3.  William PLUMMER, St. Charles, Illinois, formerly of Starkey............. 83
May 10. Henry M. WILLIAMS , New York, son of Hon. Richard H.
              WILLIAMS ...................................................................................... 33
May 11. Phebe TOBEY, widow of Stephen TOBEY , Dundee......................... 80
May 11. Michael JORDAN , Tyrone ................................................................ 86
May 12. John C. FITZWATER , Jerusalem...................................................... 66
May 17. Mary M. , wife of John W. ROSS , Torrey .......................................... 52
May 20. Ambrose HAIGHT , Jerusalem, died at Prattsburg.............................. 87
May 20. Lucy P. SAYRE , widow of Coe B. SAYRE , a constituent
              member of the Penn Yan Presbyterian church, died in Romulus,
              Seneca Co......................................................................................... 75
May 22. Darius BAKER, Torrey ..................................................................... 53
May 25. Mary CARPENTER, widow of Jacob Y. CARPENTER , Starkey..... 71
May 26. Lucinda DECKER, wife of Henry DECKER, Potter........................... 66
May 26. William H. TOWNSEND , son of John TOWNSEND , Jerusalem,
              drowned in Keuka Lake.................................................................... 25
May 27. Mary ELLIS , widow of Amos ELLIS , Himrods................................. 82       
June  6.  Mrs. Elizabeth LOSEY , Starkey........................................................ 66
June  7.  Mary KIDDER, Penn Yan, widow of Dr. Nathan L. KIDDER ,
              of Benton ........................................................................................... 90
June 18. Frances A. , daughter of Henry CARLEY , and wife of James W.
              SINSIBOX, died in Pulteney............................................................. 31
June 19. Caroline LAWRENCE , Greenwood, Steuben county, widow of
              Silas LAWRENCE , of Milo............................................................... 72
June 28. David H. BUEL , Benton .................................................................... 78
June 28. Clara JILLETT , Penn Yan................................................................. 70
July  9.   Phebe TOWNSEND, widow of Rev. Joel TOWNSEND ,
              Jerusalem........................................................................................... 84
July  9.   Henry VANVERST , Bellona ............................................................. 58
July 16.  Mary C. , wife of John O. CONLEY , Middlesex................................ 33
July 17.  John PORTER , Dundee..................................................................... 83
July 22.  Samuel S. MILLSPAUGH , formerly of Jerusalem, died at
              Corning............................................................................................. 60
July 22.  Loren BARNES , Starkey.................................................................. 77
July 25.  Nancy COLEMAN , widow of Oliver COLEMAN and sister of
              James COOLEY ............................................................................... 64
July 26.  Antoinette wife of George A. SHEPPARD , Milo................................ 37
July 29.  James THOMAS , Dresden................................................................ 65
Aug.  3.  Jesse EATON , Barrington................................................................. 53
Aug 14.  Calvin DRAKE , Benton ..................................................................... 84
Aug 19.  Martha C. , wife of Charles D. BUSH , Benton .................................... 40
Sept.  1. Anna E., wife of Francis B. SHEARMAN , Penn Yan......................... 55
Sept.  3. Wemple W. WYMAN, son of William W. WYMAN, Potter............. 24
Sept 23. Elisha DELANO, Penn Yan............................................................... 74
Sept 29. James COOLEY , Penn Yan.............................................................. 71
Oct.  3.  William PELTON , Kinney’s Corners................................................. 64
Oct.  4.  Elder Joseph G. ANDERSON , Barrington......................................... 80
Oct.  5.  Rodney L. ADAMS , Editor, Geneva.................................................. 57
Oct.  9.  Alexander BOYD , Howell, Mich., formerly of Penn Yan.................... 66
Oct. 14. George GRAY , soldier, son of Isaac GRAY , Penn Yan...................... ---
Oct. 17. Ellen T. , wife of Elder Almon C. MALLORY, Benton ........................ 69
Oct. 19. Rev. Charles C. Z. CASE , Elmira...................................................... 36
Oct. 23. Elsie FITZSIMMONS , Dundee......................................................... 44
Nov.  6. Joseph JONES , Editor, Illion............................................................. 33
Nov. --  Cyrus HERRICK , Bluff Point............................................................. ---
Dec.  2.  George H. SHEARMAN, soldier, Penn Yan...................................... 33
Dec.  6.  George HAWLEY , Potter................................................................. ---
Dec.  6.  Judge Thomas A. JOHNSON , Corning............................................. 68
Dec.  7.  Judge Frank M. BABCOCK , Greeley, Colorado, son of John
              BABCOCK ...................................................................................... 30

(Excerpt from a long, yet incomplete article entitled Jottings by the Way by Hon. Guy SHAW , regarding a trip to California to bring back a prisoner. Hand dated 1873.)
….As we move along the coast, the beautiful city of Oakland is on our right, and San Francisco is on the opposite side, and on our left. Now we move steadily across, on a pier over two miles long, and extending nearly to the middle of the bay, where we met the ferry-boat that conveys us over to the city of San Francisco. Now we take a “buss” for the American Exchange hotel, where we met several of our fellow passengers that we left the day before at Sacramento. Soon after our arrival, Henry LAWRENCE , Esq. , formerly from Yates County, who first discovered our friend BURNS, and caused his arrest, made our acquaintance…..Returning to our headquarters, we met Mr. BROWN , brother of Morris BROWN , Esq. , of Penn Yan; also Mr. BIGELOW, son of Niram BIGELOW, of oil notoriety. All of our old Yates County friends looked rugged and hearty, and expressed themselves well satisfied in the exchange of a home in Little Yates for one in California…..

 

More About the Beddoe Tract: Mr. Editor: We were pleased with the article in your last issue, by R. H. W., on the early settlement of the Beddoe tract in the town of Jerusalem, and we merely propose to add this article to the one already published. Joel ANSLEY moved on the said tract about the year 1826, taking a farm of 160 acres in a state of nature, and made it to blossom as the rose and yield an abundance of the fruits of the earth from the beautiful fields that surround his commodious habitation. Like some others, he had something to begin with, but by industry and frugality he has been able to support a large family and give liberally to sustain the cause of education and the cause of Christ . He and his wife have long been members of the M. E. church, and knowing Him in whom they have believed, they are passing their declining years in the happy prospect of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.
          A few years later William PADDOCK settled on Lot No. 1 on said tract, then covered by the heaviest pine timber in that vicinity. We have seen this farm when the stumps occupied one-half of the surface and seemed as though they would entirely prevent cultivation. Mr. PADDOCK began life without any capital save strong arms and a willing mind, and now his farm is beautiful to behold, and he is surrounded by every comfort that life can bestow. Having done well his part through all the toils of life, he yet remains with us, a respectable and much respected citizen and early settler in this part of our town.
          In the month of February, 1830, Meli TODD came and settled on Lot No. 10 on the Beddoe tract. With a capital of $18.75 and an old ax, he “took up” 50 acres, upon which the woodman’s ax had never legitimately fallen. Having no family, he built a shanty, and the second night he slept therein. After paying for the 50 acres, by improving the land and getting the avails of his labor, he, in 1836, bought fifty acres more for which he was able to pay $1,000. He then built a good house, and again added 46 acres to his farm. In 1849 he bought a small place one and one-fourth miles from Branchport on the road to Italy Hill, and in 1850 built thereon a good and comfortable dwelling, where he is now spending his declining years and enjoying the fruits of his early toil. That he might reward his two children, Benyah and Lydia L., for their industry and economy, he, in 1855, sold his first purchases and divided the proceeds with them, and the family now own 258 acres, and live within sight of each other, all having buildings that are comfortable and convenient. Mr. TODD and his family have always been supporters of the gospel and are now members of the M. E. church. Perhaps it would not be proper to say that he kept a “Methodist Tavern,” as in taverns people are supposed to pay for that which they receive; but at his hospitable board preachers were and are now always welcome, and we think that the preachers fully understand and freely enjoy his hospitality. In early days his house was used as a place for social prayer, and his barn was used as a place of public worship, in which the disciples of Jesus commemorated the death of Him who died that they might live. Having done their full share to build school-houses, erect churches, support the gospel, and sustain every benevolent cause, we are pleased to record the fact that he and his amiable wife remain among us as mementoes of the past, and that they with their children have the highest respect and the best wishes of this community.
          We sincerely hope that all the old settlers may long remain with us - connecting links between the time when our beautiful hill was a dense forest and the present, when it is covered with beautiful farms having stately mansions and all the improvements that heart should desire.

ITEM: Samuel DAVIS , of Jerusalem, Yates Co., died Monday, the 10^th inst., about noon. He was aged 94 years 5 months and 10 days. He was the oldest pioneer in Yates County, the most of the county being a wilderness at the time he moved into it. Penn Yan was then a wet tract of land covered by witchhazels, and there were less than a dozen settlements in the town of Jerusalem. The railway, telegraph, photography, the Atlantic Cable, and the wonderful discoveries and inventions of Edison and others in modern times have been brought out within his life time. He died universally esteemed, and leaves a wide circle of friends. - Naples Record.

Death of G. G. GAGE . - We briefly noticed last week the death of George G. GAGE , of Bellona . It occurred on Tuesday of last week, after a short illness. The funeral took place from his late residence on Thursday last, Rev. Dr. GOLDSMITH officiating. Mr. GAGE was for many years a prominent citizen and business man of Bellona , and was highly respected for his many virtues of head and heart. His age was about 46. (Hand written: died 1881.)

GOLDEN WEDDING: Fiftieth Marriage Anniversary of Albert R. COWING and Sally TORRANCE - On Wednesday, March 3, 1875 the family of Albert R. COWING, of Jerusalem, celebrated the Golden Wedding of himself and wife, in a spirit which bespoke the mutual affection of parents and children, while it established a pleasing and conspicuous way-mark in their family history. That seasons are not always the same, was proved by this occasion. The 3d of March, 1825, according to the testimony of Mr. and Mrs. COWING , was a warm and spring-like day. The sap ran freely from the maples, and the genial atmosphere indicated the approaching bloom of the vernal season. The 3d of March, 1875, was a true wintry day. It might be called spring by courtesy to the month, but none of the mild influences of that delightful season  could be observed in the chilly air, which grew no less chilly as we rode up from Penn Yan to the more elevated range of West Jerusalem. The east wind with its keen edge was kind enough to follow in the rear; but it sent along the chill of a great snow storm it was driving over our latitude, and which arrived later in the day; coming down with such rush, and haste, and fury as is seldom witnessed. Large flocks of snow birds flitted about as if inspired by the wintry air with unusual vivacity. These harbingers of the impending storm seemed to tread the snowy carpet of the earth, as gay as the birds of summer, in the green fields of that balmy season. The snow bird wears his Arctic coat under an Arctic sky, as happily as to all appearance as the June warbler under a tropical sun. A slight change of vesture and habit is the equivalent with him of genial skies and a bland atmosphere. So it is through all nature. Slight changes of place and circumstance work immense changes of destiny as well as comfort and feeling.
          So we found on that Golden Wedding day. Inside the hospitable mansion of Mr. COWING there was no winter; and the social sunshine banished all thought of the Greenland sky above. There were gathered all the living children, two grand-children and one great-grand child; and though the unpropitious weather kept a large share of the distant relatives away, as well as many of the nearer neighbors, there was a goodly company, and a very pleasant enjoyment of the occasion.
          After a bountiful repast, tempting and satisfying to all healthful appetites, was served, the letter and poem of James W. BIXBY , with which we conclude this notice, was read by Mr. Thomas VANTUYL , of Prattsburg.
          Mr. COWING then spoke, making pleasant allusions to the happy domestic life he had enjoyed, and the noble part his wife had performed in the arduous labors of their conjugal partnership. He said it was once considered an honor to raise large families, and though their ten was eleven short of the number of his father’s children, he deemed it a very respectable number for this age, when small families seem to be the rule. They had been careful and strict in the discipline of their children and had been rewarded by their obedience and affection. As time passed he felt more and more drawn with affectionate ties toward his children.
          A few remarks were made by S. C. CLEVELAND in regard to the rare and peculiar interest which should cluster around the occasion of a Golden Wedding; so seldom occurring, so full of interesting suggestions, as connected with the mutations of half a century; and the pleasure of the parents who find after so long a period all their offspring reflecting honor and credit on their parentage and family training.
          Dr. Philo K. STODDARD , an able and popular physician of Prattsburg, and one of the sons-in-law of Mr. COWING , expressed his high regard for the family, and said he had found his alliance with them a very fortunate event of his life, and had found their home his home.
          Albert R. COWING was born in the town of Seneca, Ontario county, June 5, 1804. His father, James COWING, was an early settler, moving there from Ballston, Saratoga county, where he married his second wife Sarah RANDALL , the mother of Albert R. COWING. James COWING died at the age of nearly ninety years, in Seneca , April 8, 1829. Three of the COWING family have been residents of Yates county. Caleb , Marshall and Albert R. Caleb COWING still resides in Starkey much enfeebled by age, and about ninety years old. Marshall resided in this vicinity for some time, and died finally in Michigan.
          Sally TORRANCE was born in the town of Reading, March 4, 1806, and was a daughter of Ezra B. TORRANCE and Jemima MOREHOUSE , his wife. She was married to Albert R. COWING, March 3, 1825, by Gideon LANNING , an eminent Methodist minister of that period - said to be still among the living.
          Early in November following they moved to the place near which they still reside, and which they still own, and became the first permanent settlers on the Beddoe tract, west of Branchport. They moved into a log house on the border of the Green tract. The house was built by Zadoc BASS, who had moved away. - Among their early neighbors were Capt. William THRALL , Nathan HARRIS , Asa BROWN, the SHATTUCKS, and others. Mr. and Mrs. COWING have seen a world of change in that town since they first made their home there in the woods. It was long after that the road on which they live, leading from Branchport westward, was cut through the forest, and it was a dense forest, largely of pine, surpassed by very few in its value for timber. They cleared their own farm almost entirely, redeeming 120 acres from the wilderness, and in 1862 erected the handsome and commodious mansion in which they now reside.
          Their children have been Maria , Sophronia, Rhoda , Sarah , Eliza , Carrie H. , Mary J. , Albert A. , Helen J. , and Celinda.
          Maria married Alfred BALDWIN , and has one son, Orrin, who married Lydia PARKER in Michigan and resides there.
          Sophronia married Charles BELLIS , of Starkey, and died leaving two children, Cornelia and Albert . Cornelia married Thomas GRAY in 1864, and lives in Indiana . Albert married Lucena HOTCHKISS , of Bristol, Ontario county, in 1866, and resides in that town.
          Sarah married in 1855, Dr. Philo K. STODDARD , a successful physician at Prattsburg, who was a surgeon of the 161^st regiment, performing much active service in the war of the rebellion. Dr. STODDARD by a former marriage has a son, Philo Lewis , a dentist of Prattsburg, who was present with his wife on this occasion.
          Eliza died in 1856, twenty-three years of age.
          Mary J. married January 20^th, 1875, James W. FRY , of Syracuse. Mr. FRY is a piano manufacturer and a worthy and intelligent man.
          Albert A. , married in 1868, Alice M. MYERS , of Watkins , and resides in that village a jeweler successful in his vocation. They have had one child, Freddie M. , who died at eleven months of age in 1870.
          Helen J. married in 1868 Abram V. SLAGHT who is conducting a store in Eddytown. They have a daughter, Linda .
          Two other daughters, Carrie H. and Celinda, still reside with their parents, and contribute by their gentle manners and deft accomplishments to make it one of the most pleasant homes in the land.
          Among the guests present on this occasion were Mr. George TORRANCE , of Lockport, a nephew of Mrs. COWING , and Miss Helen TORRANCE , of Niagara county, a niece of Mrs. COWING .
          Among their neighbors present were Meli TODD and wife, Mrs. Betsey A. HIBBARD , widow of the late William P. HIBBARD , Mrs. Eliza TOWNSEND , widow of James R. TOWNSEND , Thomas VANTUYL and wife, Mrs. HARRIET L. BRUNDAGE, of Prattsburg, Mr. John LAIRD, Joel ANSLEY and wife, S. C. CLEVELAND and wife, and others. [From the Yates County Chronicle of 1869.]

William OVENSHIRE was born Nov. 3, 1773, in the north part of the State of Delaware, and when he was about six years old his father moved to Sheshequin, Pa., a few miles below what was then known as Tioga point, or, in the language of the day, “Tiog Pint,” now known as Athens, Pa. Here he remained about ten years. When he was thirteen years old his father died - about the year 1790. In 1799, he took up his residence on what was then called the Tioga River (now Chemung) about four miles below Newtown (now Elmira), on the south side of the river, where, in 1805, at the age of twenty years, he was married to Mary COLE, and soon made arrangements for emigrating to the Lake Country; and in the Spring of 1806 he came to Wayne, and contracted for a farm, which is now owned by Mr. Erasmus WRIGHT. The town of Wayne then comprised all of what is now Wayne, Tyrone and Barrington - bounded on the north by Ontario county, on the east by the Pre-emption Line, or the town of Reading, on the south by the town of Jersey, (now extinct), and on the west by Keuka (then Crooked) Lake. The farm upon which he there settled was a small gore, or a part of one, and he soon found its title was in dispute, and for fear of trouble, he left in 1808 and purchased a piece of land north-west of this, near the north line of the town, which was afterwards designated as the Blue Farm being long owned by Mr. Ezekiel BLUE, now the property of Joshua RAPLEE. During this year he exchanged this farm for the one on which he now resides, having lived on the farm sixty-one years.
          At this time the whole country was a wilderness, and well stocked with bears, wolves, deer and other game, and the Indians would come each fall and put up their Wigwams upon the flats of Big Stream, for the purpose of hunting, and used to get salt at some place he thinks, not far from where the wells were bored for salt some five years ago.
          In August, 1809, he went to his home, below Elmira, to visit his friends, and while there was converted to Christianity, and upon his return to Wayne he set up meetings and endeavored to exhort his neighbors to reform and become religious, and as a result there were several converted. Being a Methodist in sentiment, he undertook to get a Methodist preacher to come into the wilderness and preach to the settlers. He obtained the assistance of Elder B. G. PADDOCK, who came and formed a Methodist class, of which Mr. OVENSHIRE was a member; said class is still in existence, and he is one of its members, and has officiated as Class Leader, or Steward, for much of the time since its organization - in 1810. About this time he served some two or three years as constable, and then was appointed a Justice of the Peace, which office he held for several years.
          In 1816 he lost the wife of his youth, and was married in the same year to Miss Elizabeth GIBBS , who is still living. He has been the father of fifteen children - four by his first wife and eleven by his second, ten of whom are now living, two by his first wife and eight by his second. He is now in his eighty-sixth year, has lived in what is now Barrington sixty-four years, been a member of the M. E. Church fifty-nine years, a professor of Christianity sixty years and has lived to see all of his children become professed Christians. He has, of sons and daughters, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law, twenty-two; grandchi