USA > New York > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, and border wars of New York, containing a sketch of the early settlements in the county > Part 29
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The following obituary is from the " Bloomville Mirror."
DIED-In Davenport, on the 21st ult., 1852, (at the resi- dence of his son-in-law, T. H. Rathbun,) SIMEON DURHAM, aged 88 years and 10 months, a soldier of the Revolution.
It is due to the memory of the deceased aged patriot to
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say, that through the many years allotted him, on earth, his deportment has ever been characterized by a consistency which the present and the future generations of our country may do well to emulate. At the age of sixteen years, near the close of the Revolution, he was in the field with the Connecticut troops three months, for which service he drew a small pension for the last few years of his life. He ever made the Bible the book of his choice, which he read with great assiduity, believ- ing in its gospel truths and in the Abrahamic promise, "that in his seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed." He has left a numerous family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to mourn his departure.
. Another : In Bloomville, on the 29th of January, 1853, Mr. SIMEON MCINTOSH, in the 92nd year of his age. He was one of the earliest settlers in this town.
DIED-at Harpersfield, on the 12th of February, 1853, suddenly in his chair, from an apoplectic fit, THOMAS HENDRY, aged seventy six years. In life respected, in death lamented. He was a kind neighbor, and has gone down to the grave like a "shock of corn fully ripe." His parents emigrated into this county prior to the Revolution, and he was one of the party captured in Harpersfield in the spring of 1780, the particulars of which are narrated in a previous chapter. An informant says, "He was a true patriot, and devoted his leisure hours to reading ancient and modern history, in which he was well versed." -
The " Bloomville Mirror" of March 8th, 1853, contains the following obituary :---
DIED-In this village, on the 6th inst., after an illness of two days, Mr. RICHARD PETERS, father of Mr. John Peters, in the 80th year of his age. . He was one of the first settlers of Stamford, where he resided for some forty years. About twenty years since he removed to Onondaga county, where he 31*
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remained eighteen years. About two years since he changed his residence to Preble, Cortlandt county. Last fall he came to this village, and arranged his affairs to make Bloomville his permanent residence, but death has taken him to the spirit land. While a resident of Stamford he was a member of the Methodist church of this place. He was prepared and resigned to die, and assured his friends that it would be well with him. It is only seven weeks since we recorded the death of his wife.
His funeral will take place to day at 1 o'clock P.M., at the church in this village. Sermon by Rev. D. Gibson.
From the same paper of May 17, 1853.
DIED-In Bovina, on the 7th inst., Mr. THOMAS HAMILTON, aged seventy-nine years. He has been a resident of Bovina some fifty-two years.
DIED-In Middlebury, Vt., on the 8th of June, 1853 Major JOSEPH DUREN, (father of Charles W. Duren, of Bloomville, N. Y.) in his 70th year. He was a major in the war of 1812, and participated in a number of engagements, particularly at Plattsburg and others, when the passage of the lake was so sharply contested in that remarkable war. He died universally respected, and a large circle of friends mourn his loss .- [Rutland Herald.
In Delhi, on the 3rd of October, 1853, WILLIAM CHARLES CHRISTIANI, aged forty-six years.
Mr. Christiani, at the time of his death, was a copyist in the county clerk's office. We examined a book of six hun- dred pages, executed by him, the other day, and think it the neatest and best copied book in the office. Mr. Christiani, was a German, and soon after his arrival to this country was employed in painting window-shades in this village. He was respected by all who knew him .- [ Ed.
DIED-In Meredith, Delaware, county, on the 17th Decem-
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ber, 1853, ABEL GALLUP, brother of Ezra Gallup, Esq., of Gallupville, aged sixty-two years.
He was one of the first settlers in the town of Meredith, and had by industry and perseverance acquired a handsome property. He was much esteemed by all who knew him, for his many amiable qualities .- [ Schoharie Rep.
DIED-In this village, on the 12th inst., Mr. JACOB EVERY, aged eighty-four years. At the time of his death, Mr. Every was the oldest resident of this place. He came here some sixty-three years ago, and built a log-house, on nearly the same spot now occupied by our printing-office. There was but one other building (Mr. N. Gregory's) in the place. He was a stirring, enterprising business man, and his presence soon made the wilderness echo with the notes of improvement. He built dams, grist-mills, saw-mills, clothing establishments, and dwellings, and everything prospered before him. But the tide was changed as the sun of life began to recede. His grist-mill was destroyed by fire, and other reverses took from him the motive power of business. He has always resided in the village since he first moved here from Connec- . ticut on horseback, and was respected and esteemed for his many good qualities. Peace to the ashes of this once faithful and enterprising pioneer of our village .- [C.
DIED-In this village, on the morning of the 14th inst., Mr. GEORGE BUNNELL, (merchant) aged thirty-six years, of typhoid fever. In the death of Mr. Bunnell his parents and relatives have lost a true and tried friend, and the public a valu- able, capable and worthy business man. He has resided in our village about seven years, and had become endeared to our citizens for many virtues and benevolent deeds. His death has thrown around us a badge of mourning that time alone can obliterate. For the past two years he has held the office of supervisor of this town .- [ Mirror, Jan. 17th, 1854.
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DIED-In Meredith, on the 9th January, 1854, after a long and painful disease, Mr. PIERCE MITCHELL, age seventy- two years. Mr. Mitchell was one of the oldest settlers of the town. He was a native of Connecticut, but nearly, or quite fifty years ago came to this town, where he has since resided, respected and esteemed as an honest man and valuable citizen, encouraging others by his example of temperance, industry and frugality, to persevere in the task before them. Mr. Mitchell has left numerous descendants, and a multitude of friends and acquaintances, who will long cherish and revere his memory.
DIED-At Croton, N. Y., June 16th, 1854, Mrs. MAR- GERY WOLCOTT, relict of Deacon Thos. Wolcott, aged 71.
Deceased was one of the earliest settlers of the place, and of her disinterested benevolence, particularly in sickness, a sur- vivor has aptly remarked, "she had always been a mother to the neighborhood." She leaves a large circle of relatives, who, with the community, will deeply mourn her loss. For the last thirty years of her life, she was united with the church of Christ, and died as she had lived, an exemplary christian .- Com.
DIED-In the town of Roxbury, Delaware county, at the residence of his son, Martin Kelly, EDMUND KELLY, Sen., aged eighty-seven years, five months and fifteen days.
He was born in Frederickstown, Dutchess county, on the 25th of February, 1767 ; he enlisted at the age of fourteen under Washington, and served under him until the close of the Revolutionary war, doing justice to his country and honor to himself.
He was married to Lovina Liscom, in July, 1787. He leaves to mourn his departure the aged partner of his bosom, nine children, eighty-four grandchildren, one hundred and two great-grandchildren, together with a large circle of friends.
Among the obituary records of 1854, perhaps none were
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announced with greater regret than that of ADAM THOMAS, Jr., Esq. A correspondent says :
" The sudden death of this gentleman, which occurred on Tuesday of last week, from congestion occasioned by the too free use of cold water, while heated by labor under a burning sun, is deeply lamented by his numerous friends, and his loss is felt by all as a public calamity ; cut down in the prime of vigorous manhood, in the midst of an energetic, useful, and upright life, the remembrance of his amiable qualities and many virtues will long continue. To his bereaved family his loss is irreparable."
One of the most prominent traits of Mr. Thomas, was his enterprise and public spirit. A few weeks before his death he accompanied the author in making the preliminary surveys of a railroad route, known as the " Rosebrook and Bloomville route," to ascertain the feasability of constructing the Syracuse and Newburgh proposed railroad, through the places men- tioned. And it is due to him to state, that it was mainly owing to his efforts that this survey was finally made.
DIED-In Hobart, August 31st, 1854, Gen. ORRIN GRIFFIN, aged about 50 years.
A correspondent says : "The village of Hobart has again been called to mourn the loss of one of its most active, esti- mable business men. Gen. Orrin Griffin died on Monday evening, the 31st ult., aged fifty years. The funeral solemni- ties were celebrated on Wednesday, at the Episcopal church, where an appropriate and impressive discourse was delivered by Rev. Wm. A Curtis, to an unusually large congregation. The occasion called together many persons from adjoining villages and towns; from Bloomville, Bovina, Roxbury, Kort- right and Harpersfield. The decease of General Griffin, will be irreparable to his surviving widow, greatly lamented by his numerous relatives, and deeply felt by the community at large, Taken from his ordinary business, apparently in usual health,
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he was confined to his house only a week. His illness, a dis- ease of the heart, was short, to be sure, but stern, unrelenting, and painfully severe. Though desirous of living, it would seem as much for the sake of others as himself, yet he met his end with a calm and decent fortitude and tranquil resignation, fervently expressing his belief in the articles of the Christian Faith, and uniting in the devotional services of the church. He had sustained, for many years, the reputation of a correct and honorable merchant, and was distinguished for his public spirit, benevolence and charity."
DIED-At San Francisco, on the 9th of October, 1854, Mr. CLAUDIUS FLANSBURGH, aged 18 years and 8 months, of the Panama fever.
Mr. Flansburgh was a young man of high talent, and a noble scholar. He was born in Harpersfield, in this county, where his parents now reside. He started for the land of gold on the 5th of Sept., full of hope and expectation ; but alas ! how frail is life! He was cut down in the bloom of manhood. He leaves a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn his early death.
IN Walton, October 19th, 1854, LEVI HANFORD, a Revo- lutionary soldier, and it is believed the last one of the Old Sugar House prisoners, in the 95th year of his age.
He was born in Norwalk, Conn., in 1759. In 1775, at the age of 46, he was enrolled in the militia, and called out for short periods of time. In the spring of 1776, he volunteered to go to New York, and while there, was sent with a detach- ment of men to Governor's Island in the night, and commenced the first fortification that was ever made on that now strongly fortified place. In March, 1777, he was taken prisoner by the British and Tories at Norwalk, Conn., and taken to New York and confined in the Old Sugar House prison, in the different hospitals, and on board of the prison ships, for fourteen months,
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suffering every thing but death, and when exchanged, him- self and one other, were all that remained of the guard of thirteen taken with him. After he left the prison, he con- ยท tinued in active service at different times and places, to the close of the war. In 1782, he married Mary Mead, daughter of Gen. John Mead, well known in Revolutionary times as the commander of the American lines at Horse Neck. She too, saw much of the cruelty, hardships and sufferings of our Revo- lutionary struggle. At one time, she was unexpectedly sur- rounded by British light-horse, and with a sword presented to her breast, was, with horrid oaths and imprecations, threat- ened with instant death, unless she revealed where her brother was secreted, who had fled, and was at the time but partially concealed, in sight, and almost within the sound of her own voice ; but by her resolute firmness and intrepidity, she caused them to believe that, from the circumstances, she could not know the place of his concealment, thereby saving herself and her brother. At another time the house was surrounded, and a British light-horseman struck at her twin sister, and miss- ing her head, the sword struck the casing of the door, (an inch board,) cutting it quite in two. She was repeatedly plun- dered of her clothing and valuable effects. In 1808, they re- moved from Connecticut, into this county, with a family of nine children, all of whom are now living, and after living together for more than sixty-five years, her death, which occurred seven years since, at the age of 87, was the first death in their family. In 1809, they united with the Baptist church in Franklin, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Daniel Robertson, and to the close of their lives, lived in christian fellowship with the church, and by their daily deportment, evinced to themselves and the world, the genuineness of their love for the religion they pro- fessed. A large circle of relatives and friends will cherish their memory, and now sympathize with the afflicted family, in that dispensation of Divine Providence, that has bereft them
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of an honored parent, and borne another of our Revolutionary fathers to the tomb.
AT Davenport Centre, on the 28th October, ABIJAH PAINE, Esq., aged about eighty years, formerly of Meredith.
IN New York City, on the 12th ult., at his residence, after a short illness, SAMUEL SHERWOOD DAVENPORT, in the 43rd year of his age. His wife, Martha Davenport, survived him only five days. Their remains were interred in the Masonic grounds, at Cypress Hill Cemetery. The deceased formerly re- sided in Delhi, and will still be remembered by numerous ac- quaintances.
IN Hobart, on the 28th February, 1854, Mrs. ABIGAIL MARVINE, relict of Anthony Marvine, Esq., in the 80th year of her age.
Though not the oldest inhabitant of Hobart, yet it is not known, that any person has resided in this region so many years, or that any one came earlier, she having removed hither in 1784, with her father's family, then a child of ten years. For many years, there was neither school-house nor place of public worship. The early settlers were subject to many pri- vations and hardships, but they were gradually surmounted, and a number of Episcopal families having removed hither from Connecticut, they were enabled to erect the church edi- fice now standing in Hobart, on the 4th of July, 1801. Mrs. Marvine was then 27 years old. It was the only place of pub- lic worship in the town of Stamford for some time, and is believed to be the oldest Episcopal church within a circuit of fifty miles. In 1810, Mrs. Marvine lost her husband, a lawyer of large practice for those times, and living as he died, among a rural and scattered population, leaving his widow with eight children, the eldest being only seventeen years, and the youngest about four months old. The care of providing for, and educat- ing so large a family, together with the responsibility of closing
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up her husband's estate, which by his sudden death, was left in a very unsettled condition, would have been enough to discour- age a female of ordinary mind; but she survived to see all her children become heads of families, and some of them grand- parents. Though of Presbyterian parentage, she became after- wards a communicant in St. Peter's church, and her six sons and two daughters were baptized, and brought up in attend- ance on its services, so far as circumstances permitted. They are now mostly connected with the Episcopal communion, though widely scattered in different countries, and different States. But two are now remaining in Hobart; these, with Mr. C. Marvine, of Delhi, are the only children now residing in the county of Delaware. The death of Mrs. Marvine was calm and peaceful, full of christian faith and hope .- Com.
THE HON. SELAH R. HOBBIE, First-Assistant Post-master General, died at the city of Washington, on the 23d March, 1854, of an affection of the lungs, with which he had been for a long time afflicted. He was born at Newburgh, New York, on the 10th of March, 1797, and died at the age of 57. While a boy, he removed with his father to Walton, in this county, and soon after, while yet quite young, was deputy clerk of the Assembly at Albany, where he became acquainted with Gen. Root, then a member of the Assembly, in the meri- dian of his great power and influence. At an early day, he established himself at this place, in the practice of the law, where he married Julianne, eldest daughter of Gen. Root, with whom he was connected in business. He ranked among the the first lawyers of the Delaware bar, having an extensive and lucrative practice. As an evidence of the public appreciation of his talents and standing, he was commissioned District Attorney and Brigade Major and Inspector, the duties of which he discharged with distinguished ability and success. He held these appointments till 1826, in the fall of which. year, he was elected to Congress from the counties of Delaware
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and Greene. At the close of his term in Congress, his numer- ous friends from all parts of the country, were bringing him forward as a candidate for clerk of the House of Representa- tives, which was superseded by his being appointed Assistant Post-master General, on the accession of Gen. Jackson to the Presidency, in 1829.
To his skill, judgment and perseverance, the Post Office De- partment owes much of its success for the past twenty-five years. It will long continue to feel the beneficial effects of his services. His severe and unremitting labors impaired his health ; and in 1850, after the accession of Gen. Taylor, he voluntarily resigned, and retired from the office which he had held from his appoint- ment, in 1829. Relaxation from the arduous duties of the office, and his visit to Panama, as agent of the Mail Steamship Company, to regulate and improve our postal system in that quarter, somewhat restored him; and on President Pierce coming into office, he yielded to the request of friends, and consented to resume his duties of First Assistant Post-master General. His strength however, impaired by pulmonary dis- ease, was unequal to the labors of the position, and he soon sunk under them. He was prompt in the dispatch of busi- ness, easy, frank, and candid in his intercourse, and these qualities, added to his extensive knowledge, made him a most popular public officer. He was universally esteemed. As a husband and father he was devoted, kind and affectionate. He was beloved, and exemplary in all the relations of life. In his death the national service has sustained a great loss, society an ornament, and mankind a friend.
At Alexandria, (Va.,) on the 21st of November, 1854, Mr. FREDERICK D. HANFORD, of Hobart, (N. Y.) aged thirty-two years. For several years he was principal of the Hobart Seminary. His remains have been deposited in the burial ground of the Episcopal church in Hobart.
Mr. Hanford was one of the earliest graduates of the State
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Normal School, from Delaware county. Returning to the town of Stamford, he established the Hobart Seminary, and during his connection with that institution it maintained a high repu- tation for thoroughness of instruction among the neighboring seminaries. His close attention to the interests of his students and the school, was doubtless one of the principal causes of the early termination of his useful life by consumption.
DIED-In Stamford, on the 21st of August, 1854, of con- sumption, BAILEY FOOTE, son of George B. Foote, in the twentieth year of his age.
He was a young man of stern integrity, and promised to make a man of worth in the town where he lived, and was distinguished for the many virtues he possessed. He was always found casting his influence on the side of virtue. During an illness of four months, he suffered severely from weakness ; he was never heard to complain, but exhibited that cheerfulness of character which so naturally belonged to him. When told by the writer of this communication that, in all probability, they soon must part, tears rolled from his eyes for a few moments, and then, with the spirit of a man, he said it was all right, or it would not be so. The day of his death will long be remembered. He said he felt his time was short, and conversed about his final departure with . as much composure as if he was preparing for an earthly journey.
He wished to see the pastor that had visited him during his illness, and requested him to speak from these words : " Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." There is a power in religion that sheds a brightness over the hour of death .- [ Delaware Gazette.
DIED-In Andes, March 1st, 1855, PETER PENET, aged sixty years. Mr. Penet, was one of the oldest settlers of the town of Andes, and was a quiet and industrious citizen. The
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confidence and esteem of his townsmen is shown, in the fact that he has been annually elected town-clerk of that town for the last twenty-five years.
WILLIAM HOLLIDAY, aged one hundred and four years, one month and twenty days, died at Colchester, in this county, on the 21st of February last. Mr. Holliday was born in the town of Rye, Westchester county, in this State, on the 26th of December, 1750. He removed to the town of Harpersfield, in this county, in 1791, where he remained until 1795. He then removed to Colchester, where he has since resided. At the time he came to this county, he had to place his movables on the backs of horses, there being no carriage-roads. He assisted in making the first ten miles of road ever made in this county, which was at the head of the West Branch of the Delaware river. Where the village of Delhi now stands, there was but one log hut. Mr. Holliday was a professor of religion, and was a member of the Baptist church for seventy-six years, and for fifty-six years a deacon. He had thirteen children, eighty grandchildren, one hundred and fifty-one great-grand- children, and seventeen great-great-grandchildren-total 261.
There are very few, if any persons now alive, who were in the county at the time Mr. Holliday came into it, and he has, after outliving the generations that came on the stage with him, been gathered to those that went before him.
The sudden decease of Col. AMASA PARKER, at his residence in this village, on the 1st of March, 1855, in full health and vigor of mind, though at an advanced age, has cast a gloom over this community, and left a void that will not soon be filled.
He was born at Washington, Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 28th, 1784, and was a graduate of Yale College. He attended the law school at Litchfield, and finished his studies with Peter Van Schaick, of Kinderhook. He came to Delhi
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in 1812, where he practised in his profession till his death. He was a partner of Hon. Samuel Sherwood from 1812 to 1827, when the latter removed to New York. He then entered into copartnership with his nephew, Amasa J. Parker, Esq., now one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of this State. After the promotion of Judge Parker to the bench, he connected himself in business with his son, Robert Parker, with whom he continued through life. He was Surrogate of this county about nine years, and for a long time Master in Chancery. He devoted his whole time to his profession, made that his principal business, and closed a professional career of uncommon success, at the mature age of seventy.
Though his death was sudden, he was not unprepared. He had set his house in order. Those who knew him, will remember him as he looked in robust health. Few men who have died at his age, have exhibited so little of decay in body or mind.
He was proverbially faithful to his clients, courteous to his adversaries, vigilant in the preparation, and able in the trial of causes. He belonged to the old school of lawyers, and though averse to radical changes in the practice made by the "The Revised Statutes" and "The Code of Procedure," he pro- foundly studied and mastered them.
As a citizen, he was just, without reproach, and highly esteemed as a neighbor. Indeed, in all the relations of life, he faithfully discharged his duties to all men, kindred and strangers. For many years he had been a prominent member of the Episcopal church.
Such men are not only ornaments, but pillars of society. Their like is not often found-their loss is irreparable.
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