Death of Isaac Maynard, Esq

The June 20, 1876 Stamford Mirror carried almost a column and a half about the death of Bovina native Isaac Maynard, son of early Bovina settler Elisha Maynard. Isaac spent his whole life on the family farm in Upper Bovina. This is the article reporting on how Maynard died:

Fatal Accident-Death of Isaac Maynard Esq.

A sad accident occurred on Monday, June 12th, by which Isaac Maynard, of Bovina, was almost instantly killed. Mr. Maynard started, in company with Mr. William Cowan to visit his son at Stamford, in a buggy wagon, drawn by a spirited young horse. While descending the mountain near the Thomas Mill at South Kortright, they came to where a party of men were working on the road and as they were passing a yoke of oxen, the horse suddenly sprang to one side, upsetting the wagon and throwing out first Mr. Cowan, and soon after Mr. Maynard. Cowan escaped with slight injury. On raising up Mr. Maynard, be said he did not think he was much injured, but felt as though his back was hurt; Mr. McLean placed a Buffalo-robe to his back, and put him in as easy position as possible. In a few moments he said, "Oh! my back," leaned back, and breathed his last. It is supposed that he sustained some internal injury. The horse ran a short distance and stopped, slightly injured, but the buggy was badly broken. Mr. Maynard's body was conveyed to his home in Bovina, and buried on Wednesday. His funeral was largely attended by those who sympathize with the friends of the deceased, and mourn the loss of one of the oldest, most useful, and valued citizens of that town.

The other article in the Mirror, a tribute to Maynard, also appeared in the June 21, 1876 Delaware Gazette:

Death of Isaac Maynard, Esq , of Bovina.

The death of Isaac Maynard, Esq, of Bovina, on the 12th inst, at the ripe age of 81 years, was unexpected only in view of the violent and painful manner in which it occurred. On the morning of that day, with elated spirits and with no greater infirmities than those which had for years afflicted him, he left his home in company with a relative to visit a son and an elder brother residing at this place [Stamford]; and the first intelligence which his family received of the sad calamity that had overtaken him was the return of his lifeless body within four hours afterwards. It was a tragic close of a long, useful and honored life.

He was born upon the farm upon which he lived at the time of his death and was then the oldest native inhabitant of the town. Delaware county, when he first knew it, was little better than a primeval wilderness, and no man rejoiced more sincerely than he over its rapid and almost incredible growth in every element of material prosperity. It is to the sturdy manhood and sterling worth of men like him, that the county is largely indebted for its present advanced position in enterprise, intelligence and wealth. With his own hands he had subdued a fair portion of its territory and built up for himself a home, which to him was dearer, and more sacred than any other earthly spot. He loved the quiet and seclusion of his own fireside, where he had long calmly awaited the summons of his Master. It was his most ardent desire to be there permitted to close his eyes upon the scenes of this world, but Infinite Wisdom had determined otherwise. By the roadside, with a stone for his pillow, the messenger of death, clothed in a most terrible form came to him, but not to find him unprepared. In the supreme agony his last words were a prayer to the God, in whom he had so long trusted, for his saving mercy. 

His early opportunities for education and mental discipline were necessarily meagre, from the primitive nature of the times in which his youth was passed, yet he had a mind rich in native resources and a fund of practical common sense, which seldom failed him. He was the trusted counsellor of all the neighborhood, and his honest, homely, sensible advice was often followed, when that of men learned in the professions was discarded. He was a man of few words and of great simplicity, and transparency of character. Fearless and independent in defense of the right, his uncompromising, and untarnished integrity was a tower of influence wherever his name was known. Even the malice of an enemy never presumed to attack the stainless purity of his private life. Although politically in a feeble minority, for nearly a quarter of a century he was honored by his townsmen with an important public trust, the duties of which he discharged with fidelity and distinguished ability. His decisions were rarely questioned and never reversed. He died in the communion of the United Presbyterian Church, to whose ordinances and ministrations he had long been devotedly attached. 

The funeral services took place from his late residence on the 14th inst. A vast concourse of friends and neighbors assembled out of respect to his memory and their saddened countenances, as they looked for the last time upon his mortal form, testified how keenly and sincerely they mourned his departure. His pastor, Rev. J.B. Lee, who felt deeply the loss of a faithful friend and adviser, paid an eloquent and touching tribute to his life and character and personal worth, taking as the foundation of his discourse the inspired account of the death of the son Abraham; (Gen. 35:29). He was laid to rest in the beautiful valley where his life had been spent, and where will long survive the influence of his good works, and the fragrant and blessed remembrance of his many virtues.