Batavian Progressive (Batavia, NY)

"Ezra Terrill, one of the pioneer fathers of Genesee county, died in Pavilion a few weeks since, and last week the Le Roy Currier publishes the following locally interesting notice of him and his neighbors:
Ezra Terrill was born at Bennington, Vt., Nov. 5th, 1789. When an infant one year of age his parents removed to Van Rensselaer's Patent, now Rensselaer county, N. Y. They remained there until Ezra was about seven years old, when in the state of Empire. They westward took their way again, locating this time at Marcellus, Onondaga county. Ezra Terrill stayed with his parents in this place, assisting his father in farming matters, and improving such meagre opportunities as the region afforded for the attainment of an education, until he became twenty years of age. The spring(?) preceding his majority, that of 1809, he in company with Roswell Newell, a neighboring young man of about his own age, came on foot to the present town of Byron, and engaged to work during the season for __ Preston. In the fall he returned home, here he remained during the winter. The glowing accounts which he gave of the beauty and fertility of the Genesee country induced his father, Zalmon(?) Terrill, to go with him the next spring to spy out the ___ in that region, while the father was so pleased with the out look, that together with Ezra he purchased the three quarter (BecHuh) of land bounded on the east by the road running north and south through Union Center; on the north by the road to Pavilion center; on the west by the line of lots three quarter of a mile west of the Union Cornels road, and on the south by the highway running past George Van Buren's present residence, containing three hundred and sixty acres of land. Zalmon built a log-house near where the highway crosses the line, just west of the Wesley chapel and a few rods east of the present residence of Edward Cheney.
In this house Ezra lived with his parents until 1815, when he married Miss Roxanna Elliot, of Cherry Valley, N. Y. She was a sister of Mrs. Elijah Phelps who came in the year 1811, to the new country to bear her sister company. After his marriage he lived on the north eastern corner of the section, and occupied one hundred acres of the farm now owned by the children of Duncan McMillan. Here he resided until 1833 when he purchased the old farm of his father and removed to the place of his subsequent residence and of his death.
It may be interesting in this connection to mention some of the early settlers and neighbors of Mr. Terrill, when he commenced keeping house for himself. Elijah Phelps, to whom wo have referred as a brother-in-law of Mr. Terrill, came 1811 and located on the very farm where now at the age of 88 years he is still residing. ...
On the west Mr. Terrill joined farms with Lovell Cobb, a notice of whoso early life and death appeared in the Courier a few years ago. ...
When Mr. Terrill began housekeeping there was no highway in all his neighborhood. He was obliged to go to Le Roy to mill as well as for many necessaries of life. Religious meetings were held in the log school houses, and attended by such traveling preachers as might happen along. Miss Laura Terrill, a sister of the subject of this sketch, taught the first school within the limits of the present town of Pavilion. When neighbors visited each other, blazed trees by day, and lighted firebrands by night [sold the way?], and when all were snug in bed at night the howl of the wolf was no uncommon lullaby. There were no poor houses then, nor many jails. The pioneers were a hardy, industrious race with no time to become paupers or criminals.
Mr. Terrill was one of the exemplary men of his time and generation. He was quiet and un__ in his ways, but was never found wanting when his opinion was desired upon any topic of local or general interest. In religion he was a Universalist, and during his whole life was an ardent supporter of that faith.
In matters of reform or improvement, he was always an active and liberal worker, and while careful and prudent in money matters, had always an open purse to [worth ?] charity. He was, in a few words, a worthy member of that worthy pioneer band whom we are at all times proud to regard as our ancestors and predecessors."

"Elmer C. Evans, son of Nyrum Evans, choked while eating a piece of meat dying instantly, the child was but fifteen months old and was probably sucking on the meat when it became lodged."

"DEATH of JAMES NOBLES. — On Tuesday evening of last week Mr. James Nobles, a long-time resident of Pavilion, went to his home from E___'s store, where he was engaged as clerk, and after doing a few chores about the place went into the house and was about to sit down when he fell to the floor in a convulsion. The family were much alarmed and supposed him to be dead, but he revived and grew considerably better in a few days, but on Sunday began to sink rapidly and died on Monday morning at half-past three. Dr. Tuzler, who was called in consultation last Saturday night, pronounced the disease congestion of the brain. The funeral was held Wednesday of this week. He was interred at Union Corners beside his wife who died several years ago. Two children, Lillie and Eddie, who are thus orphaned, and a faithful and affectionate sister, Miss Mary, his companion for many years, will sadly miss him. Mr. Nobles was a very kind hearted man, of a friendly and social disposition and had many friends in and about Pavilion who will regret his death. His age was 54 years."

"The following are the date of death, names and ages of those who have died...James L. Hills, Aug. _, 1890."

"Pavilion...
Mr. Edward Cheney, who has long resided near Union Corners, died last week buried on Saturday. He had been a helpless invalid for years. We are told that he had another stroke shortly before his death. He leaves two grandchildren, Edward Nobles, of [Sehome/Behome ?], Wash., and Mrs. Lillie Hutchinson of this village. His aged wife survives him."

"Genessee County Pioneers...Necrological Report... Bethany... Olive J. Hart, April 10, aged 58."