HAMMOND FAMILY PICNIC 1892

Dr. Lydia Hammond Strowbridge.

Cortland Standard and Weekly Journal, Tuesday, August 23, 1892.

Hammond Family Picnic.

   The lineal descendents of Deacon John Hammond held their 17th annual picnic yesterday at the Floral Trout Park. There were over seventy persons from Marathon, Homer, Freetown, Cortland and elsewhere, who gathered to do honor to the memory of their common ancestor. A double row of tables was spread in the pavilion at noon and after a bountiful dinner the regular business was transacted.

   The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

   President—Samuel Hammond, Marathon.

   Vice-President—J. W. Strowbridge.

   Secretary—Mary Allen, Richford.

   Executive committee—Sherman Woods, Galatia; Samuel Hammond, Jr., Marathon; and Samuel Hammond, McGrawville.

   Speeches were then called for and some very pithy remarks by different impromptu speakers was the result. Among the speakers were T. L. Corwin of Cortland and Burgess Squires of Marathon. Mrs. Dr. Strowbridge read the following paper giving a resume of the past year and a brief statement of the present status of the genealogical tree:

   This is the 17th anniversary of the Hammond picnic, instituted in 1876 and which was organized for the purpose of becoming better acquainted with each other and also to keep in remembrance our honored ancestors, Deacon John Hammond and his wife, Phoebe Davis Hammond. There are only two of their children left and they both past three score and ten and neither able to be with us to-day. Of their grandchildren there are quite a number still living, but year after year our ranks are thinning out. Since our last annual meeting several of our number have been called to the silent land never to return. They are Sarah Stanton, daughter of Washington Hammond, Calvin and George Hammond, both sons of Luther Hammond, and John Hammond.

   It has always been a matter of congratulation and comfort that we could truly say of our grandfather and grandmother they were honest, truthful, God-fearing people, temperate, industrious and faithful in all things. It is esteemed by many of great importance that the blood of kings and conquerors flow in their veins, but is it not a reason for greater pride that our ancestors were upright in all things?—An honest man’s the noblest work of God.

   As we look back for sixteen years we can see with the aid of memory many of the loved forms who were then with us, we hear their voices, we look into their eyes, we see the happy smile, but they have passed from our vision. What makes their memory precious? It is their good examples, their words of cheer and the belief in their integrity. None were perfect, but the mantles of charity cover all defects.

   The next meeting will no doubt find that some of those present have answered to the final roll-call. Let us go from here more fully determined than ever before to live for the good of others and to practice all the virtues that characterized our ancestors.

Death of William P. Randall.

   August 22.—William Pendleton Randall, formerly of this place, died at the village of Norwich, N. Y., at an early hour this morning. Mr. Randall was born at Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., April 17, 1813, and the same year was moved to Cortland. He was the son of General Roswell Randall, and a brother of the late Henry S. Randall. During nearly all of his life he was a resident of this village, and for many years was engaged in running a line of stages from Syracuse to Binghamton and also on other routes. He was very genial and companionable in his nature, and was widely known and had many friends throughout this section of the state. He was trice married, his first wife (1834) being Ann Parker of Princeton, N. J., his second (1840) Sarah Bennett Hibbard of Cortland, and his third (1853) Mrs. Mary Thomas of Truxton. His only surviving child is Mrs. John Rockwell of Chicago.

   The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon at 4 o’clock at the residence of Mr. Daniel E. Smith, 59 Tompkins-st. this village.

INTERESTING FACTS FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

Things Seen and Heard in Villages and Hamlets About Us, and Items From All Over the County.

DeRuyter.

   DERUYTER, Aug. 20.—Last night’s storm was the heaviest known in this section for fifty years. At about 5 o’clock the rain commenced to fall in perfect torrents and continued till about 7:30. The river rose rapidly and at 8 o’clock was overflowing its banks everywhere. Aside from the great damage to crops in the lowlands there was immense damage done to other property, of which we learn the following: Charles Coon’s house on the Shedd’s Corners road was washed from its foundation and carried away, the family having barely time to escape. All their furniture, clothing, etc., were lost. The house was carried across the E. C. & N. track and completely demolished. The damage to H. K. Nash’s mill and stock will reach nearly $1,000. Hayes’ dam carried away. The Soap-st. bridge, the Dell Lewis bridge and Lon Crandall bridge, all new bridges, are already reported gone. Sidewalks in the neighborhood of the north and east bridges near the river are carried away, cellars full of water and mud and highways full of logs and other rubbish. The damage to DeRuyter and vicinity will be from $5,000 to $10,000.

Franks Corners.

   FRANKS CORNERS, Aug. 19.—Horace Baker of Elmira has been visiting his sister, Mrs. Samuel Hutchings.

   Mrs. Clayton Hutchings, who has been quite sick, is now better.

   John Bloomer is applying paint to Frank Price’s new barn at Virgil.

   Will Cole was in Cortland Thursday.

   Mrs. Harry Ingraham visited Fred Verreau’s Thursday.

   Oat harvest has commenced. The average yield will probably be small in this locality on account of the wet weather and rust.

   Farmers are complaining of Texas flies as irritating their cows and decreasing the quantity of milk.

Cincinnatus.

   CINCINNATUS, Aug. 20.—The annual farmers’ picnic will be held in Wight’s maple grove on the west hill on Thursday, Aug. 25. All those who attended the one held last year will be pleased to attend again. The South Otselic band will be played and other interesting things will be provided to make the day pleasant and enjoyable.

   Do not forget the social at the M. E. church on Friday evening, Aug. 26.

   Miss Myrtie Furman as an elocutionist has few superiors. The league feel justly proud in securing Miss Furman to favor those in attendance with her readings and recitations. The address of the evening will be given by Rev. Pittman on a “Glance at London.” Mr. Pittman has “been there” and will tell us his story of the great city. Admission 15 cents, including refreshments.

   The outlook for the coming term of the academy is good. Several scholars have applied for board and rooms and it is expected that with the teachers’ class the school will be larger than in some years.

   Prof. Ingalls has not yet returned from his vacation, but is expected soon.

   Prof. Horace Britcher of Johns Hopkins university, Baltimore, Md., and sister Susie of Syracuse are guest of Rev. and Mrs. Pittman.