USA > New York > Chenango County > Oxford > Annals of Oxford, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and early pioneers > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
439
ANNALS OF OXFORD
much time to teaching music. For several terms he held the office of Justice of Peace, and his decisions were im- partial and wise. His death occurred November 26, 1880, in Oxford. His wife was Millie Sheldon, whom he married in Temple, N. H. Her death occurred March 13, 1884, at the age of 86 years. Children, all born in Oxford: Lucy, married Charles Peacock of Norwich; Mary, died in early childhood; Abigail, married George Carhart, of Oxford; Lydia, married Chauncey Barstow of Oxford; Horace, remained on the old homestead. Married (1) Martha Pad- gett; married (2) Emma Jones; Emily, married Joseph Estabrook, now resides in Oxford, and only survivor of the family.
His daily prayer, far better understood in acts than words, was simply doing good. -WHITTIER.
Pendleton Family.
Nathan Pendleton and Amelia Babcock, his wife, of Quaker stock, came to Norwich from Stonington, Conn., soon after 1800. They settled on the east side of the Chenango river, about three miles below the village, and his land lay on both sides of the stream. They brought with them seven children, three girls and four boys, leav- ing five in Connecticut.
Isaac, one of the sons, was born January 16, 1781, in Westerly, R. I., and died November 3, 1843, in Oxford. He married, in 1808, Bridget Stanton of Stonington, Conn., whose death also occurred in Oxford. Mr. Pendle- ton purchased a farm at Lyon Brook, which is still known
440
ANNALS OF OXFORD
by his name, and moved April 7, 1820, upon it with his family. His wife and son Nathan, then but three weeks old, making the journey upon a bed placed in a wagon. Children :
AMELIA, married Harry Hull of Oxford.
LYDIA ANN, married Daniel H. Richmond; died in Nor- wich.
ISAAC, died in infancy.
MARY, died in infancy.
RHODA, married (1) Ormund Richmond; married (2) Benjamin B. Hewitt.
NATHAN, married Mrs. Elizabeth (Packer) Pellett.
JANE, married Albert G. Ayer; died August 6, 1894, in Preston, Conn.
SARAH, married Charles R. Breed; died December 19, 1905, in Norwich.
STANTON, married Amanda Malvina White; died in 1905 at Norwich.
HENRY, married Helen Cary ; died in Nebraska City.
Nathan Pendleton, son of Isaac and Bridget (Stanton) Pendleton, was born March 17, 1820, in Norwich, N. Y., and came to Oxford with his parents when but three weeks old. He married May 22, 1845, Mrs. Elizabeth (Packer) Pellett of Norwich, born April 5, 1820; died March 18, 1890, in Oxford. Mr. Pendleton received his preliminary education in a district school, after which he took a course in Oxford Academy and DeRuyter Institute. Remaining on his father's farm until 1849, he purchased the property a mile south of the village, on the east side of the river, which he still occupies, active and energetic. Mr. Pendle- ton is a leading agriculturist of the county, and is a fair example of the kind of men who have contributed so largely to the growth and substantial prosperity of the town. Children :
441:
ANNALS OF OXFORD
ELIZABETH PACKER, died June 9, 1887, in Norwich, N. Y., aged 41; married Captain Robert A. Stanton of Nor- wich, born April 29, 1838; died September 5, 1886, in Norwich. Captain Stanton was educated at the Norwich and Oxford academies, and in 1859 commenced the study of law in Oxford with Horace Packer, and subsequently pursued it under Dwight H. Clarke. He was among the early enlisted soldiers of the Civil war, having joined Sickles's brigade in June, 1861. Through promotion, he became quartermaster-sergeant of the 74th N. Y. V., second lieutenant and captain. He served his country faithfully for three years. On his return to Norwich he resumed his legal studies, and was admitted in November, 1865. In 1868 he was elected district attorney and served three years. Children: Edith, Margaret, married H. William Clarke of Oxford, Nathan P. and Charles R.
JAMES NATHAN, died April 24, 1872, having but just reached the threshold of young manhood.
But I have that within, which passeth show ; These but the trappings and the suits of woe. -SHAKESPEARE.
Rev. Horatio T. McGeorge.
Rev. Horatio T. McGeorge, died January 13, 1852, aged 97. He was born in London, England, and in early life had the advantage of a liberal education. His attainments as a linguist were extensive and thorough, and he spoke with ease and fluency eight different languages. At the age of 25,. having married the daughter of an eminent Scotch divine, his mind was directed to the Christian ministry, and he was pastor of several dissenting congrega-
442
ANNALS OF OXFORD
tions in Scotland. At this period of his life he also studied medicine, and in connection with his clerical duties was to a considerable extent engaged in its practice. About 1802, he emigrated to this country and settled at Hadley, Mass., where he resumed the work of the ministry, and was for several years pastor of the Congregational church in that place. Then he removed to South Oxford in 1820, where the remaining part of his long life was spent. Dur- ing a portion of this time he preached in the Congrega- tional church at Coventryville, but was dismissed March 16, 1827.
During his residence in Oxford, Mr. McGeorge was very eccentric, and always wrote his name as Rev'd Horatio T. McGeorge, V. D. M. It was said he had been banished from England. He owned a Cremona violin, which he handled skillfully, playing nothing without his notes, and his execution was equal to any master of that instrument. He often drove to town, usually in an old gig, connected by his own ingenuity with a horse and two wheels about thirty feet from his seat, with ropes and straps so adjusted that he could free the animal from the vehicle and retain his seat. He had a small log cabin near his house that he used for his study. Sensible of how much men are affected by external appearances and to strike the passing traveler and the casual visitor with awe, he affixed to the outside of the building a large-sized coffin, standing upright, the head of which, when the lid was down, admitted the light through his only window. The more fully to accomplish his object, he had the roof and sides decorated with signs of his own make; a few of the inscriptions were : " Hermitage," " It preaches," "The house of death," and " Beware, thou sinner." Within was an open grave, which as each morn returned he threw out a small quantity of earth. Skeletons and articles of like species composed the
443
ANNALS OF OXFORD
ornamental part of his furniture. To sundry old men, women, and children this paraphernalia of death was ex- ceedingly terrifying. But transitory is our happiness here below and the unfortunate tenant of the " Hermitage " had practical demonstration of it, for, notwithstanding the sanctity of the place, on one dark Saturday night the coffin and signs were transferred to the side of a slaughter- house in the village, at the singular appearance of which hundreds of citizens were greatly shocked through the Sabbath that succeeded the transfer. The occasion was one of great grief to the old doctor, but it ended this vagary. He was buried in the grave that he himself had dug, and a stone wall in the shape of a coffin was built around it, which remains to this day.
He was the father of twelve children, among whom were :
ELIZABETH, born in 1779; died September 13, 1857, at Greene, N. Y .; married Reuben Chase.
HORATIO T., JR., born in 1784 ; died January 13, 1854, at Athens, Pa.
DAVEY D., born December 12, 1801, at Middletown, Conn .; died October 19, 1889, in Oxford, where he had resided since 1820. Married (1) December 19, 1826, Priscilla Robinson of Pittsfield, N. Y., born February 29, 1807; died July 2, 1835, in Oxford. Married (2) January 5, 1836, Hannah C. Bolles, born January 21, 1814, at Southbridge, Conn .; died December 3, 1891, at Schenevus, N. Y. Children by first wife: Elizabeth A., married Solomon Bundy, Jr .; Catherine A., died June 2, 1906, at Hornell, N. Y .; married James Curtis of Addison, N. Y. Children by second wife: Sarah D., died March 8, 1874, in Oxford; married Rodney L. Smith of Wolcottville, Conn .; Evalina, married September 4, 1878, William Cook of Oxford; Now a resident of Afton, N. Y.
444
ANNALS OF OXFORD
He tried the luxury of doing good.
-CRABBE.
Austin Rouse, M. D.
Dr. Austin Rouse, born June 15, 1796, in Norwich, N. Y., was the eldest son of Judge Casper Rouse, who came from the New England states and settled on the site of Mt. Hope cemetery in that village. Dr. Rouse studied medicine with Dr. Henry Mitchell of Norwich and com- pleted his studies with Dr. Perez Packer at Oxford in 1821, with whom he practiced for some time, remaining here till his death, which occurred August 27, 1866. In the social and domestic relations of life he was ever characterized by great purity of character, integrity of purpose, and an abiding kindness of heart, as uniform as it was admirable. He was, perhaps, connected with more hearthstones and homes than any other person in the community in the dear and tender relations of a beloved and faithful physician. Dr. Rouse married May 12, 1825, Jane E., daughter of Erastus and Abigail (Stephens) Perkins, born May 2, 1806; died September 28, 1875, in Scranton, Pa., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. B. Bennett. Mrs. Rouse, while descending a staircase, fell and was discovered by her daughter apparently in a faint. A physician was summoned, but the patient was beyond human help and expired in fifteen minutes after she was taken up. It was thought she tripped and fell headlong down the steps, striking upon her head and dislocating the vertebræ of the neck. Children :
MARY J., married Henry C. Roome.
LOUISE, married (1) James O. Clarke; married (2) Stevens.
MARGARET R., married Adolphus B. Bennett; died. July 29, 1891, in Jersey City, N. J., aged 47.
445
ANNALS OF OXFORD
Ay, call it holy ground, The soil where first they trod, They have left unstain'd what there they found,- Freedom to worship God. -MRS. HEMANS.
Ephraim Fitch.
Ephraim Fitch, one of the early settlers of the town, was born in Norwich, Conn., March 29, 1736. His father came over in the Mayflower from England and first settled in Massachusetts. Ephraim married Lydia Root, April 28, 1757, and raised a family of four children, one girl and three boys. He was the first elected supervisor of the town; was well educated, having passed through college; he became a teacher and later president of the same col- lege. The first visit that he made to Oxford was on horse- back, accompanied by Daniel Tremain, through the woods, guided only by marked trees and Indian paths. The two travelers bought land and afterwards settled upon it; the former near Fitch hill, north of the village, which sub- sequently was named after him, and the latter on the east side of the river, near Brisbin. They improved large farms, raised families, and lived to be very old men. Mr. Fitch died in Cattaraugus county, where he moved in 1814. He was said to have been 96 years of age at the time of his death. His sons, John and Jonatham, held town offices with Anson Cary, Uri Tracy, and others.
John Fitch was a captain in the Revolutionary war, served through most of the northern campaigns, and fought in every battle of consequence. A genuine spirit of '76, he was attached by General Washington to that brave body of men which, from the extreme danger of
446
ANNALS OF OXFORD
their service, was called the "Forlorn Hope." He was twice married and raised a family of fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, all living to a ripe old age but one, a girl, who died at the age of 24. Captain Fitch died suddenly in this village July 8, 1824, aged 66.
Daniel Perry Fitch, the seventh son of Captain John Fitch, was born on Fitch hill April 23, 1804, and passed the first twenty years of his life in this town and Norwich. At the age of 12 he entered the office of the Oxford Gazette, published by Chauncey Morgan, where he learned the "art preservative of all arts." Previous to this time he became a member of the family of Cyrus A. Bacon, probably working for his board, as he took care of the cow, set the table and helped wash dishes. James Clapp kept his horse in the barn where Mr. Bacon kept his cow, and one day while preparing for a drive dropped a five dollar gold piece, which he was unable to find. A few mornings afterwards Perry saw something shining in the dirt, picked it up and put it in his mouth until he had finished milking, when he showed it to Mr. Bacon, who told him to let Mr. Clapp see it. Mr. Clapp asked where it was found, and said it was his pocket piece, then placed it in his pocket and continued eating breakfast. Perry went into the kitchen feeling very poor, but soon Mr. Clapp asked him to go to the store of Ira Willcox, where he purchased a fine piece of broadcloth, and then took him to William Guyler's tailor shop and told him to make the boy a good coat, as he had found and returned his gold piece. In a short time Perry had a coat worth more than the amount of money he had found. When Morgan sold out young Fitch entered the office of Thurlow Weed, who published the Chenango Agriculturist in Norwich about the year 1818. Perry remained with Mr. Weed until he sold, and then left the printing business on account of poor
RESIDENCE OF ALPHA MORSE AND VIEW THEREFROM
ST. JAMES HOTEL
447
ANNALS OF OXFORD
health. He had relatives in South Oxford, where he re- mained five years, then left for the western part of the State, and died a few years ago at Cuba, N. Y.
Who does the best his circumstance allows, Does well, acts nobly ; angels could do no more. -- YOUNG.
Hezekiah Morse.
-
Hezekiah Morse, born July 3, 1767, at Sherburne, Mass .; died suddenly July 18, 1827; married (1) Elizabeth Perry ; married (2) Sally Stow, who died September 22, 1870, aged 93.
Mr. Morse removed to Eaton, Madison county, in 1804. In 1809 he was elected supervisor of that town, which office he held for several successive years. At an early age he became a communicant of the Episcopal church, and as there was no congregation of that persuasion in the vicin- ity of Eaton he came to this village in 1819 to reside that he might worship in that faith. Mr. Morse purchased of Daniel Denison Valley View farm, now owned and occu- pied by his grandsons, A. and E. P. Morse.
His son, Hezekiah B., was born February 15, 1811, in Eaton, and coming to Oxford with his parents resided on the farm till his death, which occurred June 16, 1879. He was a practical farmer and made a success in life. The farm originally comprised 160 acres, but at present com- prises ninety, one-third of which is fertile river bottoms, through which the Chenango pursues its winding way, and the rest gradually rolling west to higher elevations. Mr.
448
ANNALS OF OXFORD
Morse married May 4, 1845, Clarissa Symonds, born June 29, 1824, in Oxford; died July 4, 1877. Children :
MELVIN, died March 21, 1864, aged 18.
ALPHA, married Mariba Durfee. He and his brother Edward have pursued dairying in a practical manner for years, and engaged in raising thoroughbred short-horn cattle purely for dairy qualities. Mr. Morse had an exhibit of cattle at the World's Fair in Chicago, where he was employed several months. Children: John R., born Jan- nary 18, 1868; died September 10, 1870; A. Raymond, mar- ried Bertha Willcox, and has two children living, having lost twin sons; now practicing medicine at Eaton, Madison county.
CLARA, died December 27, 1872, aged 22; unmarried. TWIN SONS, died in infancy.
EDWARD P.
The greatest happiness comes from the greatest activity. -BOVEE.
Jeremiah York.
Jeremiah York was born September 25, 1794, at North Stonington, Conn. In 1815 he married Catherine Pendle- ton at Norwich, N. Y., where they resided three years and then came to Oxford. Mrs. York was a native of Connecti- cut, where she was born July 22, 1789. She died January 14, 1826, in Oxford, leaving three children, Hiram, Henry D., and Catherine, who married S. P. Stillman. The two last are still living in 1906, aged 82 and 79 respectively. Mr. York lived the remainder of his life in Oxford, passing away April 24, 1873. He married for his second wife Mrs.
449
ANNALS OF OXFORD
Aruba Sheldon, born February 4, 1804; died April 21, 1886. One child blessed this union, Electa A., who mar- ried Henry L. York of Norwich, and died November 2, 1853, aged 25.
During the many years of his life in Oxford, Mr. York was an active and prominent member of the community, being identified especially with its educational interests. He was a trustee of Oxford Academy until the frailties of old age obliged him to resign. His children, four in num- ber, and three of Mrs. York's (nee Sheldon) were educated at the Academy, in which he was so much interested, and they repaid his kindness by attaining good scholarship.
Mr. York erected in 1835 the first brick dwelling-house in Oxford, now the residence of Walker Porter, south of the W. R. C. Home. He was a thorough-going farmer, using every method then known to make his farm pro- ductive, and at one time took first premium awarded by the Town Agricultural Society for the best wrought and cropped farm in Oxford. He was for many years a deacon in the Baptist church, and also an honored member of the Masonic order.
Abigal Sheldon, daughter of Mrs. York by a former marriage, was born in 1825 in White Store, N. Y., and died January 12, 1891, at Highmount, N. Y. She married Charles Fish, born in 1824 near Albany, and who came with his father's family to Oxford in 1840 and lived on the Loren Willcox farm, then owned by a Mr. Thompson, a relative. Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fish they went to Elmira to reside, where their two daughters were born: GEORGIANNA, married (1) John Hoffman, a native of Germany, who died in 1883; married (2) Henry Bellamy of Pleasanton, Ill. MEDORA, married October 16, 1866, James T. Hill of Oxford, now residing at High- mount, N. Y.
450
ANNALS OF OXFORD
Neither above nor below his business.
-TACITUS.
William Mygatt.
William Mygatt, born October 25, 1785, in New Milford, Conn. ; died February 5, 1868, in Oxford ; married January 29, 1817, in New Milford, Caroline, daughter of Cyrus Northrup, born July 27, 1797, in New Milford; died May 15, 1866, in Oxford.
Mr. Mygatt was one of the prominent business men of Oxford, whose career was especially successful. During the summer of 1818 he brought his wife of but a few months to this village and engaged in the mercantile business. For a few years he was associated with his brother, Henry Mygatt, and brother-in-law, Austin Hyde, after which he devoted his whole attention to the tanning business. He purchased of Major Dan Throop the place now owned by Mrs. George B. Coe, then a farm, and his tannery stood at the foot of the hill, but no vestige of it now remains. Mr. Mygatt's business operations were of greater magnitude and extent than usually pertain to one man in a country town. By his industry, his diligent attention to business, and a wise forecast, he was eminently prosperous and suc- cessful. His habits of life were rigidly temperate, frugal, and regular, and to these doubtless he was much indebted for that uniform health which he enjoyed even to old age. Early trained in the principles of Christianity, he always exhibited a high appreciation of the institutions of religion, giving to them his personal encouragement and pecuniary support. Thus he lived to a good old age, honored and
451
ANNALS OF OXFORD
respected; then he passed away and entered into rest. Children :
ELIZABETH, born November 7, 1817; married Henry L. Miller; died February 5, 1890.
FREDERICK N., born August 19, 1819; died March 27, 1823.
SARAH A., born October 16, 1821; died March 1, 1893; married April 20, 1847, Dr. Alfred B. Coe, died August 13, 1854, aged 36. Children: George B., born January 6, 1849; died April 8, 1901; married Florine Brewster of Schoharie; (child, Ralph B.). William M., born Novem- ber 8, 1851; died September 19, 1893, in West Winfield, N. Y .; married Lucia Winsor of Guilford; (children, James W. and Alfred W.). Carrie E., born May 16, 1853; died unmarried August 12, 1896, in Owego, N. Y.
EMILY N., born August 26, 1823; died unmarried May 15, 1856.
SUSAN M., born October 29, 1825; died February 21, 1826.
CAROLINE L., born January 31, 1827; died January 23, 1895, in Minneapolis; married September 18, 1850, Rufus J. Baldwin, born January 22, 1825, in Guilford; died in Minneapolis, Minn. Children: Emily, born August 29, 1853 ; died April 17, 1858. Lizzie, born July 9, 1859; died April 10, 1869. Frederick R., born November 6, 1860.
JANE A., born February 1, 1829; died November 24, 1894; married June 14, 1866, Dr. George Douglas.
JULIA M., born May 8, 1832; died April 23, 1863, in Minneapolis, Minn .; married September -, 1857, Charles E. Vanderburgh, born December 30, 1830, in Skaneateles, N. Y .; (children, William H., born July 15, 1856; Julia, born -, 1861; died -, 1871).
452
ANNALS OF OXFORD
The choir,
With all the choicest music of the kingdom, Together sung Te Deum.
-SHAKESPEARE.
John C. Bowers.
John C. Bowers, born April 14, 1811, in Stonington, Conn .; died April 1, 1898, in Oxford; married (1) Achsa Main, daughter of Randall Main of Oxford, who died within a year and a half after their marriage; married (2) January 31, 1842, Emeline Peck, born July 17, 1817; died November 4, 1902, in Sidney.
Mr. Bowers came to Oxford in 1817 and in later years became colonel of a militia regiment, when such organiza- tions were popular, and a very dashing officer he made. He was a conductor of singing schools for many years in Oxford and adjoining towns, teaching " sacred music " to many old-time singers, who eventually became members of village choirs. In the early days of St. Paul's church he was a choir leader, which position he faithfully and satis- factorily filled a number of years. When the present church was erected he furnished the stone to build it, and laid many rods of sidewalk in the village. Mr. Bowers conducted a bakery for a time on Washington street, op- posite the Chenango House, which has since been burned. He successfully canvassed a portion of the State for the New York State Gazateer, and in Illinois for a United States map. Later he built the octagon house on Mechanic street. Children by second wife :
D. MARION, married October 16, 1873, Frances Weller of Sidney, where he now resides. RODOLPHUS T., died Jan- uary 2, 1853, in infancy.
453
ANNALS OF OXFORD
He lives long that lives well.
-- FULLER.
Samuel A. Gifford.
Samuel A. Gifford, who was familiarly known as Gen- eral Gifford, was the only son of Abner and Lucy (Lord) Gifford, who came in 1800, soon after their marriage, and settled in the town of Oxford on what is known as Prospect View farm, which overlooks nine towns. Here their six daughters and one son were born. General Gifford was the youngest of the family, except one sister who died at the age of fourteen years. He always resided in the town and the greater portion of his life was spent on the farm that his father settled. At an early age he became con- nected with the State militia and in the course of time was promoted from a private to captain, then to colonel and brigadier general. He received his commissions from the Governor of the State and held the office until the militia was disbanded. Having a talent for vocal music, he for many years taught singing schools and was leader or chorister in some church nearly all his life, till failing health compelled him to give up active work. General Gifford was born in 1817 and died September 29, 1894. He married in 1848 Emma Hodge of Oxford, born in 1824; died November -, 1906. Children: MARY A., married Alexander Lathan; residence Denver, Col. RAY, married Ida Carhart; died in 1893 in Oxford. WARD B., married Jennie L. Turner; residence Oxford. HIAL H., married Ella B. Brooksbank, and resides on the old homestead.
454
ANNALS OF OXFORD
Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.
-GRAY.
McFarland Family.
The clan Macfarlane descended from one of the ancient Earls of Lennox. The ancestor was Gilchrist, the brother of Maldowen, or Malduin, third Earl of Lennox; the name of a descendant named Parlan being changed to Macpar- lan, and later to Macfarlane, originating the name of the Highland Clan. During the year 1488, in a war for the protection of their lands on the west shore of Loch Lomond, the Macfarlanes separated, forming a clan by themselves. They were numerous and powerful, but in the wars of the clans their chief was killed, they nearly destroyed, and many of the survivors fled to remote parts of the country. Andrew Macfarlane, who married into the Stewart and Darnley families, saved a portion of the clan from destruction, and recovered for them a part of their possessions. His son, Sir John Macfarlane, was made captain of the clan. A portion of the Clan Macfarlane at the time of their dispersion settled in the north of Ireland, and changed the spelling of the name to McFarland.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.