Mary Ann Blythe

b. 8 October 1837, d. 3 April 1922
  • Mary Ann Blythe was born on 8 October 1837 in St. Lawrence County, New York.
  • Thomas Blythe and Elizabeth Wilson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Waddington, St. Lawrence County, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Ann Blythe, Jane T. Blythe, Ellen Blythe, Betsey Cannon Blythe, Caverhill Tate Blythe and William Wilson. Also in the household were Thomas (age 35) and Christopher (22) Brown.
  • Thomas Blythe and Elizabeth Wilson, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Waddington, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Ann Blythe, Betsey Cannon Blythe, Caverhill Tate Blythe and William Wilson.
  • She married James W. Short on 23 February 1876.
  • The following appeared on 4 August 1910 in The Madrid Herald: The following six sisters have been enjoying a happy reunion from Tuesday until today at James W. Short's: Mrs. Robert Wood of Potsdam, Mrs. Samuel Young of Wad., Mrs. Betsey Pringle and Mrs. Jane Packard of Chipman, Mrs. J. W. Short and Mrs. Ellen Elliott; also, there are present Mrs. Wood's daughter, Mrs. Dr. Wm. Reynolds and her daughter, Miss Lorene, and Mr. Young of Wad. The six sisters are daughters of the late Thomas and Betsey Blythe of Wad. and held their last reunion in Potsdam four years ago.
  • Mary Ann Blythe became a widow at the 20 March 1911 death of her husband James W. Short.
  • The following appeared on 23 March 1916 in The Madrid Herald: (Madird Locals) The three sisters, Mrs. Mary Ann Short, Mrs. Ellen Elliott and Mrs. Jane Packard regaled themselves with great pleasure on Tuesday with a nice piece of beef that was from a joint sent to [their sister's husband] Samuel P. Young of Waddington by his son, Thomas Young, in Arizona. The beef was from a steer killed on the latter's ranch and was sent parclepost, arriving in perfect condition. By the way, Mrs. Packard, who was so sick about New Year's time, is entirely recovered, the other two sisters also being in good health.      
  • The following appeared on 1 November 1918 in The Potsdam Herald-Recorder: Mrs. Ellen Elliott, daughter of Thomas Blythe and Elizabeth Wilson, was born December 26th, 1841, in the town of Waddington, living there nearly all her life. She was one of a family of seven children, of whom three survive her, Mrs. Jane Packard, Mrs. Mary Ann Short and Mrs. Samuel Young. December 13, 1865, she was united in marriage with Mr. George Aitchison, also of the town of Waddington, by Rev. James Morrison of the Scotch Presbyterian Church of Chipman. Mr. Aitchison died March 30, 1888. She again was united in marriage to Mr. Walter E. Elliott June 30, 1895, by Rev. James Robertson of the Scotch Church, Chipman. Mr. Elliott died September 3, 1897. She remained upon the Elliott farm for a few years, going to Potsdam for a time before coming to live with her sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Short, about June 20th, 1905, where she has since made her home. About twenty years ago she lost the sight of one eye and the other one gradually failed until about thirteen years ago her sight was gone completely. She has borne this sad affliction with the greatest patience and fortitude, always looking upon the bright side. During her childhood she united with the Scotch Church at Chipman and retained her membership there until about five yhears ago, when she with several others from Chipman united with the Congregational Church here. About two weeks ago she was taken ill with heart failure but nothing serious was expected until the past Wednesday when she gradually failed until she passed peacefully away Friday noon October 25th. Her funeral being private was held at the home of her sister Mrs. mary a. Short Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. E. T. Clements, her pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. James Robertson with interment in the Madrid cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 3 February 1922 in the Potsdam Herald -Recorder: Mrs. Jane Blythe Packard passed away in Madrid Monday afternoon, January 23, 1922.
         Jane Blythe, one of a family of six daughters of Thomas and Elizabeth Wilson Blythe, was born Dec, 1, 1836, in the town of Waddington where her childhood and life passed until her marriage with William R. Aitchison January, I860. She then lived in Madrid on a farm near the Waddington road. To them three children were born, James W., Thomas B. who died in Rutland, Vt, Feb. 1894, and Elizabeth E., now Mrs. Edward Maxwell of Montreal, Canada. Mr. Aitchison died August 11, 1872.
         March, 1879, she was united in marriage with Hoyt O. Packard of Waddington and they made their home near Chipman, where she resided until she came to Madrid in August, 1919 and has made her home with her sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Short. Mr. Packard died in December, 1897.
         For a number of years she was a patient sufferer from a cancer that eventually caused her death.
         Mrs. Packard for a time attended the Presbyterian church at Waddington and for years had been a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church at Chipman from which she had never withdrawn. She contributed to its support and also assisted in every way she could for its betterment.
         She was a woman of strong character, kind disposition and always very thoughtful of others, ever ready to give a helping hand or kind word to her friends and neighbors.
         She is survived by her two children, Dr. James W. Aitchison of Madrid and Mrs. Edward Maxwell of Montreal, by two sisters, Mary A. Short of Madrid and Mrs. Samuel Young of Waddington, grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends.
         The funeral was held from the home of Mrs. Mary A. Short Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock. The pastor, George R. Harland of the Scotch Presbyterian Church of Chipman officiating, assisted by Rev. I. Steenson. Burial in the family plot in the old cemetery.
         The out of town relatives present at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Edward Maxwell of Montreal, Mrs. Samuel Young of Waddington, Mrs. B. T. Scott of Potsdam.
  • Mary Ann Blythe died on 3 April 1922 at age 84 in Madrid, St. Lawrence County, New York.
  • She was interred at Madrid Cemetery, Madrid, St. Lawrence County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 12 April 1922 in The Courier & Freeman: It was a surprise to this community when it was learned that Mrs. Mary Ann Short had passed away Monday, April 3, at 11:00 o'clock, although she had been in feeble health for several months from advanced years and confined to her bed between three and four weeks. She was one of a family of girls born to Thomas and Elizabeth Wilson Blythe. She was born October 8, 1837, on the farm in the town of Waddington, where her childhood and early life was passed. She remained at home with her parents until her marriage February 23, 1876, with James W. Short, of Waddington. They made their home on his farm back of the Madrid Springs for twenty-five years, when they sold it to Mr. W. E. Griffith and came to Madrid village to live where they purchased the McClellan place on Main street which has since been their home. They attended the First Congregational Church of Madrid, where they were both members and where for over forty years she has given for its support and assisted in its benevolences. Mr. Short died March 20, 1911. After his death Mrs. Ellen Elliott, a sister, came to live with her and died October 28, 1918. After Mrs. Elliott's death Mrs. Jane Packard, a sister, came and made her home with her until her death ten weeks ago on January 28, 1922. She was kind and unselfish, always talking of others and helping in her own quiet way. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Young of Waddington, and several nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, April 5th, at 2:30 o'clock from the home, Rev. Isaac Steenson officiating, assisted by Rev. H. Victor Frelick of Potsdam. Burial was in Madrid cemetery. The bearers were all nephews: Messrs. William Wood, T. R. Pringle, Dr. Robert Reynolds, Thos. Barnett, Walter White and J. Edward Walker. There were many beautiful flowers from relatives, friends and neighbors. The out of town friends at the funeral were Mr. Wm. Wood, of Adams, N. Y; Mrs. B. T. Scott, Rev. and Mrs. H. Victor Frelick, and Dr. Robert J. Reynolds, of Potsdam; Mrs. Wm Talcott, of North Lawrence; Mrs. Robert Shaver of West Stockholm; Mr. Edward Barnett, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Barnett of Massena; Charlotte McCargar and Flora Hadley of Ogdensburg.
  • Last Edited: 4 Dec 2015

Family: James W. Short b. 1840, d. 20 March 1911