Delaware County NY Genealogy and History Site

Mary S. Briggs

ONEONTA - Mary S. Briggs, 90, of Oneonta died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown.

She was born Jan. 4, 1915, in Rye, the daughter of Fredrick J. and Mary E. (Gregory) Selzer.

She married the late Harry L. Briggs on April 16, 1938.

Born and raised in Rye, Mary graduated from Rye High School in 1932, State Normal School in 1935 and State University College at Oneonta in 1963. She taught in Davenport Center, Milton School in Rye and at Charlotte Valley Central School, retiring in 1976.

For more than 20 years, Mr. and Mrs. Briggs operated a poultry farm, shipping chickens to the Virgin Islands at one point. They also raised turkeys. They owned and operated the Feather & Screen, where they sold gifts, televisions, chickens and eggs and ran a bakery.

Mary traveled extensively within the United States as well as to many other areas outside the United States including: Alaska/Pribloff Islands, Maritime Provinces of Canada, British Columbia, South America and the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Moorea, New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, Figi and Hawaii.

She served as town of Davenport historian from 1973 until 2001 and published eight books on local history.

Memberships included the Davenport United Methodist Church, Davenport Historical Society, New York State Municipal Historian Association, New York State Historical Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Honoring Mary's wishes, she was cremated and there will be no services. There will be a graveside service for family at their convenience at a later date.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Davenport United Methodist Church, in care of Joanne Fisher, PO Box 204, Davenport, NY 13750 or Davenport Historical Society, PO Box 88, Davenport Center, NY 13751.

Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Davenport.