MURDER VICTIM
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January 31, 1857, New Brunswick Courier, Saint John

Provincialist - On the night of Friday 9th, Phil Seelye in company with his two sons, Theodore Seelye, age 20 and Dunbar Seelye, age 19, having in their employ a young lad, a son of John Somers, was cutting cordwood on one of his farms on the St. Andrews Road, about five miles from the village of St. George (Charlotte Co.) when the camp with they occupied took fire and the four were consumed. It appears that Mr. Seelye, as was his custom, called at the house of Mr. McEwen who resides within sight of where the camp was situated and on departing said that he would not bid them good night as he purposed returning. This occurred about 7 o'clock. Mr. McEwen and family did not retire, but sat up expecting his return. About 10, on Mr. McEwen's sister going to the door, saw the camp in flames and gave the alarm. McEwen and sister on reaching the spot at first hoped that the inmates had effected their escape; but on moving away a portion of the burning materials, they saw the three young men extended as if in sound sleep; but alas! in the sleep of death, and Mr. Seelye's body a short distance from them, nearly consumed ..... the remains of the deceased were conveyed on Monday following to the family burial place at St. George. (left wife)

Several years later a man by the name of Carson confessed to the murder. He was in a land dispute with Philo Seelye and felt himself wronged. On the night of the murder, he slipped laudanum into the teapot and waited until the men were fast asleep and set the fire. He then escaped to California but confessed to the murder on his deathbed. See "Confessions of a Murderer" in the Bellows Falls Times, Mar 20, 1868.

Thanks to Contributor: Christine Nyholm (49866788) for above article.
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Philo Seelye
Canada Census, 1851
birth: 1797
residence: 1851 St George, Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada
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Wife's INFO:
Name: Jane Seelye
Event Place: St. George, Charlotte, New Brunswick
Age: 63
Birth Year (Estimated): 1798
Race: Native
Relationship to Head of Household (Original Language): Wife
Gender: Female
Religion: Baptist
Sheet Number: 72
Affiliate Film Number: C-1000
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Jane Seelye
United States Census, 1860
birth: 1800 New Brunswick
residence: 1860 3d Ward Cambridge City, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
other: N M Seelye, Emma Seelye, M Cobb, George Cobb