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| Reading a series of obituaries from a single cemetery, as they are presented here, is like reading the multi-generational history of a community. These people were the local populace at a particular time. The people buried here knew each other, were neighbors, relatives and school mates. They attended church together and engaged in "trade" or business. All people are listed in alphabetic order by surname at BIRTH. Women identified by a married alias only and for whom a birth surname can not be identified, are listed on the last page for the cemetery's obituaries. |
BENNETT Cromwell
Tioga County PA Abstracted Wills – Docket A
Pg. 545 Bennett Cromwell
probate date Dec. 6, 1867, Chatham;
Names: Wife - Sally Bennett Daughters - 2 - Susannah Calista Clark,
Lois Lusin Bennett, Children of my dec'd son (not named) viz - Henry Ralph
Bennett, Eva A. Bennett.
Exec. - Leonard Clark
Wit. - Reuben Morse, Benjamin Morse
BENNETT Susannah Calista
Wife of Leonard Clark
BURLEY Clark L.
Wellsboro Agitator – Feb. 7, 1900
Mysterious Death of Mr. Burley
His Body Found Frozen in the River near Addison
The body of Clark L. Burley, aged about 40, the son of Ebenezer R.
Burley, of Chatham Valley, was found last Wednesday afternoon frozen fast
in some flood debris against the north bank of the Canisteo river, at a
point about a mile and a half east of Addison, N. Y. The spot where
the body was found was close to the Erie tracks and the discovery was made
by some train hands. It was with considerable difficulty that the
body was loosened from the flood trash to which it had been frozen.
Every evidence indicated that it had floated down stream to the spot where
it had lodged during the freshet of ten days before. The dead man
was dressed in coarse clothing, and a tattered ulster, and wore heavy lumberman’s
shoes. There was a silver ring on his left hand and an Elgin-movement,
open-faced gold watch, with a gold chain, in one of his vest pockets.
Coroner Goff had the body taken to Corning Wednesday evening. After
a crowd had viewed it in the Erie dead-house, it was placed in Fletcher’s
undertaking establishment. Here, as it was frozen, it was thawed
out by the process customary in such cases. After the body was stripped
it presented a sickening sight, as it was one mass of cuts and bruises
due to dashing against floating cakes of ice. On the body were found
papers dated at Westfield, Freeman, Addison and elsewhere. Telephone
inquiries at all these places ascertained that Burley had lived for a time
near Freeman, Steuben county, N.Y., that his farm near that place was mortgaged
and that his wife in October last had sued him for divorce. There
is known evidence, other than these disheartening circumstances to support
a theory of suicide. Burley had two children. Another theory
is that he fell from a train, rendering him unconscious, and that he then
froze to death. In less than 24 hours after the body was discovered,
Mr. Burley’s parents and other relatives in this county, who had heard
nothing of his whereabouts in two months, and were anxious about him, were
informed of the unclaimed body in Corning. Mr. S. M. Burley, of Chatham,
at once went there, where he identified and claimed the body and it was
delivered to him by the Coroner. Burial was in the cemetery in the
Swing Gate school district in Chatham.
CHAMPLAIN MARIAH
Mansfield Advertiser - May 14, 1879
Died Cooper, Mrs. Jason d. Mrs. Jason Cooper of Chatham twp, May 4th.
CHRISTIAN Andrew
Wellsboro Agitator – Oct. 10, 1923
The body of Andrew Christian was brought to the Swing Gate cemetery
Sunday for burial. Mr. Christian was a resident of this vicinity.
He was with his brother, near Osceola, when he died. He leaves two
daughters, Lydia Griffin and Hazel Christian, also one son, Orville, of
Azelta; three brothers. Mr. Christian had been in poor health for
some time.
CHRISTIAN Iva
Westfield Free Press - Thursday, July 23, 1914
Coroner Secor held inquest into the death of Iva Christian. "She
came to her death as a result of wounds (shot her) inflected with felonious
intent by one, Arthur Simons." He also shot Hiram Hackett who will
recover. Burial on Friday.
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CHRISTIAN Iva
Wellsboro Gazette - July 30, 1914 (article includes pictures of principals but are very hard difficult to view online) Arthur Simmons, who is held on a charge of murder in the first degree for killing his 15-year-old cousin, Iva Christian, because she refused to marry him, is a sullen prisoner in the county jail. If he has regret for his terrible deed he lacks the ability to express it. He has seemed unable to realize what he has done or to show fear for the consequences of his act. Simmons, naturally unprepossessing in appearance, has become even less so since his arrest. He gives his hair no attention and it hangs in a tangled mane over his eyes. He has a very prominent nose and a poorly formed chin. His countenance shows indications of degeneracy. The murderer is not as literate as some of the papers stated. He can read and write, and possesses average intelligence. So far as can be learned there never has been insanity in the family. Some of his relatives advance the theory that overwork in the hay fields of Genesee county , where he was employed as a farmhand, may have affected his mind and brought him to mental state, where he could plan and execute the crime. |
CHRISTIAN Iva
Scrapbook in Knoxville Library
Cold Blooded shooting Iva Christian and Hiram Hackett both Receive
Bullet Wounds--Girl Dies in Hospital
Arthur Simonds in Custody for Crime One of the most cook, premeditated
attempted murders ever occurring in this part of the country took place
at the home of Andrews Christian, on the Jemison, in Westfield Township,
Monday evening of this week, July 20, 1914, about 7 o'clock, when Iva Christian,
a girl about 16 years of age was shot in the back and Hiram Hackett, a
neighbor of the Christians, received two bullet wounds, one in front and
one in the back, and Mr. Christian escaped the shot intended for him, which
lodged in the wall very close behind him. The shooting was done with
a revolver in the hands of Arthur Simonds, of Alexandria, N.Y., a nephew
of Mr. Christian and a cousin of the girl, who died at the Blossburg Hospital
at noon yesterday, Tuesday. The story of the crime gathered
from reliable sources is as follows: Simonds, who is a son of Mr.
Simond's sister, came from his home at Alexandria on a bicycle, according
to his own story, and was seen in the vicinity of the Christian home, or
within a mile of that place as early as probably 10 o'clock in the forenoon
on Monday, having placed his bicycle in hiding in the woods near the road
on the way from Phillips Station to the Christian home. He was seen
by several persons during the day, and having been at the home of his uncle
some time during last winter was known by the people in that neighborhood,
although during the day he did not mingle with anyone or apparently seem
to know or wish to recognize any of the people whom he met, rather avoiding
them and did not go to the Christian home until along in the afternoon
or toward supper time and then from a different direction than that from
which he started in, it being the general opinion that he carried his bicycle
through the woods and across fields to another road approaching the home
of his intended victim. After arriving, the girl, who was alone,
prepared a cold lunch for herself and Simonds, he insisting it was not
necessary to build fire and cook supper. Mr. Christian, who was working
in haying for a neighbor, had supper before his return home. Soon
after arriving he and his daughter happened to be close together in a corner
of the living room when Simonds whipped out his revolver and covering them
made the assertion that Ida would marry him or he would fix her so she
never would make a home for any one else. The argument lasted for
nearly half an hour, Simonds continually playing the gun back and forth
in front of Mr. Christian...and as Hackett knocked on the screen door at
the kitchen Christian said "Come in, Hite." As Hackett entered Simonds
dropped his revolver to his side in a concealed position and turning shook
hands with him, whereupon Hackett seated himself. During the interval
while Simonds had his revolver lowered Iva Christian attempted to get out
of the house, running past Simonds she started for the kitchen door but
before reaching it Simonds leveled the revolver and fired, the shot entering
her back and coming out in front, piercing the body clear through; in almost
the same instant Simonds turned and fired at Christian, the bullet missing
him, and then fired on Hackett, the bullet striking slantingly in his stomach.
Hackett immediately grappled with Simonds and they fought their way out
of doors but before Hackett could succeed getting hold of the gun Simonds
had fired another shot, striking Hackett in the back; although badly wounded
he clung to the man until he overpowered him, took the gun away from him
and held him until Christian secured a rope and he was securely bound,
after which Hackett walked to his home several hundred yards distant.
In a few moments the neighborhood was alarmed and a large number gathered
on the scene, Coroner Secor and Dr. Patterson, of Westfield, were notified
and were soon in attendance. Affidavits were taken of the two persons
wounded and an examination revealed that Miss Christian's injury was the
most serious and arrangements were commenced to provide means for removing
both she and Mr. Hackett to the Blossburg Hospital, where their wounds
were dressed although but very little hopes were entertained at the time
for the girl's recovery. Mr. Hackett's injuries are not expected
to prove fatal. Sheriff Rees was notified and together
with District Attorney Green came from Wellsboro and took Simonds back
with them. A strong sentiment was shown against Simonds
during the entire time he was kept prisoner after the shooting until the
sheriff arrived but he appeared to heed very little of it and not once
seemed to find a pang for what he had done, saying he was ready to die
now. It is stated that he had started last April to do the job and
came as far as Addison then changed his mind, going back home;
also that he saw the girl leave home with a horse and wagon in the afternoon
Monday, going in the direction of Phillips Station, that..." (Remainder
was not included in scrapbook)
CHRISTIAN Iva
Scrapbook in Knoxville Library – not dated
"Murderer Dies"
Arthur Simmons who Slew Iva Christian Died at Fairview Hospital"
The last chapter in the history of the senseless and cruel murder of
Iva Christian of the Jemison who was killed by her cousin, Arthur Simmons
was written on Thursday night at the Fairview State Hospital for the insane
when Simmons Died. He was convicted of the murder of Iva Christian
of Westfield Township in the courts of this county during the September
term 1914. He was defended by Attorney Charles M. Elliott, Attorney
Ernest Green being district attorney at that time. The jury returned
a verdict of murder in the first degree. Attorney Charles M. Elliott
appealed the case to the state Board of Pardons, the death sentence was
commuted and he was sent to the hospital for the criminal insane at Fairview.
An alienist was appointed and he was declared insane. The remains
were sent to Attica for burial."
COOPER Burdick
Wellsboro Agitator - Nov. 11, 1918
Burdick Cooper, of Clymer, aged 77 years, died Wednesday morning at
the county home. He is survived by two sons, G. E. Cooper, of Clymer,
and N. C. Cooper of Tiadaghton.
COOPER Salmon M
Abstracted Wills of Tioga County PA – Docket A
p. 157 337
Probate date Jan. 21, 1856 Chatham Township
Administrator Urania J. Cooper, W. D. Kelly
Bail – Harrison Mack, Daniel Angell
COOPER MACK Bible records
Salmon M. Cooper died Jan. 11, 1856
COOPER Winchester E.
Knoxville Courier – Feb. 5, 1913
Death of W. E. Cooper
Winchester E. Cooper died Monday morning, Feb. 3, 1913, at the home
of his son, County Commissioner H. H. Cooper, in Knoxville, PA, after a
gradual decline from old-age. He was born at Dryden, Tompkins county,
N.Y., Nov. 23, 1837, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents, the late
Jason and Mariah Cooper, when a small boy, and they located in Chatham,
this county, chopping the road through the woods much of the way from Knoxville
to where they located, and the subject of this sketch always resided on
lands taken up by the Coopers except the last five years, which time he
has made his home with his son at whose home he died. He is survived
by five children who are Joseph Cooper, of Little Marsh; H. H. and L. A.
Cooper, of Knoxville; Mrs. Charles Churchill, of Clymer; Mrs. Ellen A.
Crum of Bingham, Potter county. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs.
Betsey Matteson, of Knoxville, and one brother, Burdick Cooper, of Clymer,
also several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of relatives
and friends. Mr. Cooper’s long residence in this vicinity gave him
a large acquaintance, and he was known by his many friends as "Uncle Chet,"
all of whom unite in sympathy with his bereaved family. Funeral services
will be held from the home of his son, where he died at 1 o’clock this
afternoon, conducted by the two pastors of this town, Revs. M. R. Chapman
and J. H. Mathias. The interment will be in the Swing Gate cemetery in
Chatham, near the old Cooper homestead, by Funeral Director H. B. Jones.
MACK URANIA J
Wellsboro Agitator - January 29, 1902
The funeral of Mrs. Urania Cooper, aged over 80, wife of Winthrop E.
Cooper, was held from her home Sunday. Burial near the Swing-gate
school house, Rev. F. Johnson officiating. The deceased, who was
a most estimable lady, leaves a large family and a host of friends to mourn
her death. Note: Husband’s correct name should be
Winchester E. Cooper.
MACK URANIA J
Wellsboro Gazette – January 31, 1902
Little Marsh, Jan. 31 – Mrs. W. E. Cooper, who had been in poor health
for some time, died last Friday, aged 75 years. The funeral was held
at the house on Saturday.
MATTESON Julia
Wellsboro Agitator – June 24, 1908
Death of Mrs. B. Cooper
Mrs. Julia Cooper, aged 64, wife of Mr. Burdick Cooper, died at her
home in Chatham township on June 14th, after many years of poor health.
She was a daughter of the late Gardner Matteson and was one of a family
of 11 children, only three of whom survive her – one brother, George Matteson,
of Knoxville, and two sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Boom, of Chatham, and Mrs.
Ward Brady, of Woodhull, N.Y. She was twice married. Her first
husband was Leonard Bennett, who was a soldier in the civil war and died
in Washington in 1865. By him, she had two children, one son, Ralph,
who died when he was 16 years of age, and one daughter, Eva, wife of Clark
Burley, who died a number of years ago. The funeral was held on Tuesday
last a 1 p.m.
PANGBORN Caroline
Wife of Matthew Boom
SPRINGSTEEL Eleanor “Nellie”
Wellsboro Agitator - Mar. 30, 1875
Mrs. Nellie King, the widow of S. P. King, deceased, is very ill and
not expected to live from one day to the next.
WATKINS William
WATKINS - In Deerfield, Pa., January 20, 1888, William Watkins, aged
87 years.
? Mrs. Louise Clark
Tioga County PA Record of Deaths
Louise Clark died 12 Feb 1895, white, female, aged 62 years, 2 months,
3 days, born Benson, VT, died Chatham, died of a hernia of 2 days duration;
buried Swing Gate on 14 Feb. 1895.
Wife of Zebediah Clark
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BRAGUE SARAH A.
The Agitator - April 17, 1895
Miss Sarah A. Brague died on Wednesday and was buried Friday.
She was a middle-aged maiden lady, a sister of H. G. Brague, of Chatham.
COLE ISAIAH J.
Wellsboro Agitator Nov. 8, 1899
Died - Cole- In Chatham, PA October 30, 1899, Mr. Isaiah Cole
GRAVES Charles
Wellsboro Gazette, Tioga, PA--Thursday, June 18, 1914
Little Marsh, June 17--Charles Graves, aged 80 years, quietly passed
away last week Tuesday at his home in Waterloo, NY. Mr. Graves had been
in poor health for some time. The remains were brought to Shortsville for
burial. Mr. Graves is survived by his wife, 2 daughters and one son,
Mrs. Velma Pope of Wellsboro; Rosa Graves of Binghamton, NY; Charles Graves
of Philadelphia; also by one brother, Joseph, of Little Marsh. The deceased
was a former resident of this place.
SHORT JOHN
Westfield Free Press - November 12, 1885
John Short of Chatham Valley, one of the oldest pioneer settlers of
Chatham Twp., well known throughout the county, died at his home on the
1st inst., aged 95 years.
SHORT POLLY
Wellsboro Agitator – July 5, 1928
Mrs. Polly Appleby passed away very suddenly, at her home June 29.
WHITNEY ELIAS
Wellsboro Agitator – October 16, 1895
--The remains of Elias Whitney were brought to Little Marsh last week
from West Union, N.Y., where he died. The funeral was held in the
Methodist church Saturday afternoon, Rev. F. H. Rowley, of Troupsburg,
conducting the service. The burial was at Shortsville.
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