Lydia Hamilton Manwaring was born March 27, 1828 one mile west of Rockdale, NY.[Chenango Co., NY. and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Homer A. Searles, Binghamton, NY.[Broome Co.] January 27, 1892, aged 63 years 10 months. Her father, Amos Hamilton came from Vermont when seventeen years of age and settled on the farm where she was born. Her mother was one of the pioneer Methodists whose home was the minister's home as well and preaching services were held in her barn. With such religious training she early gave her heart to God. January 20, 1844 she married Leonard S. Manwaring who died July 3, 1891, after an illness of eight months, during which she took constant care of him. Never strong physically herself, yet she had God given strength to care and do for others more than she otherwise could have done. In 1861 she with her family moved one mile farther west to the farm bought by her husband when a young man and there the home is now left with everything to make life happy. But it stands empty, father and mother both gone. In October last she went to Binghamton to care for her daughter, who during a severe sickness lost a little girl three weeks old, and in the night baby died, she was taken severely sick with "grip" but after a few weeks was able to sit up and was gaining nicely when she was attacked with bronchial asthma which proved fatal after two weeks of the most intense suffering. Being compelled to sit in bed for about a week it seemed at times she never could get her breath again, during spasms of the bronchial tubes, when the family would pray that she might be taken out of her suffering, but verily, "God's ways are not our ways." The family gathered around the bed and prayed and then she offered an earnest prayer closing with, "And at last gave us an abundant entrance into the Kingdom, Amen." Such good advise as she gave them to work, work for their Master. She planned all her earthly affairs even to "carry me back home for the service for I want to start out from the place your father did." And when the children said, "How can we ever do so," she said "God will help you." Oh! to see such a death as that, how can one live without that Christians hope. She was a devoted member of the M.E. Church in Guilford. Her whole life was one of unselfishness, always trying to do something for her Master, counseling those around her and urging them to lead better lives. January 20 services were held at her daughter's in Binghamton, Rev. G.M. Colville officiating and the next morning they carried her home and her old neighbors and friends gathered to look upon her earthly form for the last time. Rev. William Frisby, her pastor made remarks from Romans 8:37 "In all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that love us." Then they laid her to rest by the side of her husband and son to await the resurrection day. She leaves four children, Perry, of Grayling, Mich., Charles Henry Manwaring 1855-1929, who resides near the old home, Mary Laura Manwaring 185-1902, wife of Homer Searles and Ruth Elizabeth Manwaring 1867-1947, wife of Harry H. Evans, both of Binghamton, N.Y. There is an aching void in their hearts today, but with a firm trust in God they are determined to live so that at last they may meet in Heaven an unbroken family, at "Home" with father, mother and brother. [Chenango Union, February 11,1892]

"Had He asked us, well we know
We shou'd say, Oh, spare the blow,
Yes with streaming tears should pray.
'Lord, we love her, let her stay.
In love she lived, in peace she died,
Her life was asked, but God denied."

"Farwell, dear mother, sweet thy rest,
Weary with years and worn with pain,
Farewell, till in some happy place
We shall behold thy face again.
'Tis ours to miss thee, all our years
And tender memories of thee keep;
Thine in the Lord to rest, for so,
He giveth His beloved sleep."