History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 57

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

There is not much done in manufacturing. Fredonia is almost distinctly a residence village and school town. It has, however, a mammoth canning factory, an important felt mill, and two or three other milling establishments. The village owns its own water-works, a gravity system affording 110 pounds pressure, which comes from a natural rock reservoir, three miles distant, and containing 10,000,000 gallons of pure water. The revenue from these works affords the corporation sufficient money to pay all expenses, including inter- est on the bonds and the principal as fast as it falls due, the total bonded indebtedness having been $78,000. The streets are illuminated by electric- ity from a plant that is also the property of the corporation, and the street railway company is preparing to furnish stores and residences with incan- descent lights. This company has also secured a franchise to put in the Holley system of steam heating. There is also a regulation system of sew- erage, and the village is said to excel all others of its size in the state, in the amount of sidewalk flagging. Facing the park at the corner of two streets is the town hall, a fine three-story brick structure, erected in 1890 at a cost

* Contributed.

486

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

of $40,000, and which contains the postoffice, a spacious opera house, the common council rooms, and the hall for holding town meetings. The offi- cers of the village are President, E. H. Pratt ; trustees, F. R. Green, John M. Zalın, Charles G. Thayer, O. W. Fargo, George R. Moore.

The Fredonia National bank was established in 1855 by S. M. Clement. It was originally a state bank, but became a national bank in 1865. The capi- tal stock is $100,000. Its career has been prosperous, and it is an institution of stability, reflecting credit upon its management. Of surplus and undivided profits it has $67,000, while its deposits average about one-half million dollars. The president, Chauncey Abbey, has served continuously in that capacity since 1881, and is the only surviving member of the original board of direct- ors. He formerly resided at Arkwright, but since ISSI has been an honored citizen of Fredonia. A. O. Putnam is vice-president, F. R. Green, cashier, and H. G. Allen, assistant cashier.

Miner's bank is an old and sound monetary institution, occupying its own building. It was founded in 1851 by H. J. Miner, who died in 1872. Since then it has been under the proprietorship of H. D. M. Miner, who has been associated with it since 1856.

The Dunkirk & Fredonia Electric railway is owned by a stock company, dating back in its origin almost to the time when the Dunkirk & Fredonia Plank Road Co. operated their toll road between these villages. The first corporation was the " horse car company," which furnished what was con- sidered the ne plus ultra of accommodation to travellers. The public spirited directors carly saw the advantages of electricity as a motive power, fitted up an elaborate plant with power house and dynamos at Fredonia, and equipped the road with an elegant track and cars. W. Mckinstry is president, and M. M. Fenner superintendent and manager.

The Fredonia Natural Gaslight company was organized in 1848, and has ever since distributed gas for illuminating purposes. When natural gas was discovered in copions quantities the company was reorganized with revised title. The company distributes manufactured gas again now, purchasing the supply from a Dunkirk plant. The village consumes about 4,000,000 feet of gas per year, and the company has recently found it necessary to increase the carrying capacity by a new pipe line. The company owns eleven miles of pipe.

There is probably not a village of its size in the country possessing so fine a hotel as Fredonia's elegant new hostelry, " The Columbia," completed last fall at an expense of $50,000. It is beautifully situated, facing a charm- ing little park in the very heart of one of the prettiest villages of Chautau- qua county. There has been a hotel on this site since 1821. The village was laid out on its incorporation as "a square, measuring three-fourths of a

487

POMFRET.

mile from the Johnson House north, south, east and west," so the Columbia is the exact center of the village.

Another pleasant feature of the village is the Barker Library. A build- ing was presented to the village by the late D. R. Barker, and is used for this purpose. Thanks to the generosity of the citizens, several large contri- butions have been made for its maintenance.

In the city building is located the Citizens' club, which consists of eighty members, including the foremost men of the village, and which has been in existence for several years. The departments include parlors, reception room, reading and card rooms, and billiard parlors, and are furnished in admirable taste. The officers of the club are : president, A. N. Colburn ; vice-president, A. L. Mixer ; secretary, H. S. Clothier.

Across the park in another three-story building, is the Fredonia Athletic Club, made up of the brawny young men of the village and numbering nearly 200 members. The club is replete with plunge and shower baths, lockers, bowling alley, gymnasium, reading room, etc. Courtesies are extended vis- iting wheelmen, for the organization takes great interest in cycling, and has in its membership several who have distinguished themselves in contests in this state and Pennsylvania. The officers are : president, Dr. N. G. Richmond ; vice-president, W. P. Barnum ; secretary, H. G. Allen ; treasurer, Dr. A. W. Dods.

NEWSPAPERS .- In January 1817 the first newspaper of the county, the Chautauqua Gazette, was issued at Fredonia by James Percival, a number of the people having advanced from Sio to $30 each as subscriptions. The old name Canadaway was not grand enough for a village with a newspaper, and a public meeting was held which adopted the name Fredonia at the sugges- tion of Judge Houghton and the first issue of the Gazette proclaimed the new name. In 1818 Carpenter & Hull were proprietors and soon James Hull was sole owner. The Gazette was never a paying property, the patrons mostly wished to pay in some production of the farm, and paper, ink and labor cost money. Mr. Hull became involved and an unrelenting creditor sent him to jail. By obtaining the " freedom of the limits " he could come to Fredonia on Sunday by returning to "the limits " at Mayville before midnight. This he was sure to do for he was a man of honor and integrity. Under all its difficulties the Gasette existed five years. In 1821 there was " printed, and sold wholesale and retail, by Hull & Hickok, Fredonia, N. Y.," a pam- phlet of 24 pages of 21/ by 4 inches in size, with illustrations from crude cuts evidently made in the office.

The New York Censor, a four page weekly, was founded in April, 1821, by H. C. Frisbee. The press and entire outfit cost about $200 and was brought from Buffalo as a small wagon load. Mr. Frisbee published the Censor, which was changed to Fredonia Censor, for 17 years. It was sold to E. and

488

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

J. Winchester and published three years by E. Winchester, then by R. Cun- nington for one year until 1842, when Willard Mckinstry purchased it. Since 1867 Mckinstry & Son (Louis) have been the publishers. Under their management the Censor has been a power in upholding morality, hon- esty, and integrity, and in sentiment strongly Republican.

In 1826 the Fredonia Gacette was published by Hull & Snow, the sub- scription list of the People's Gazette, of Forestville, being transferred to it. The office was soon removed to Dunkirk, and shortly after was consolidated with the Westfield Phoenix. The Western Democrat and Literary Inquirer was published from 1835 to 1837, at Fredonia, and the office was removed to the prospective city of Van Buren and used on the Van Buren Times, W. H. Cutler, editor. The Frontier Express was started in 1846, in 1849 it was changed to the Fredonia Express, in 1850 to the Chautauqua Union. In 1851 it was sold to Tyler & Shepard who changed it to Fredonia Advertiser, a Whig organ, with Levi L. Pratt editor. In 1852 L. L. Pratt & Co. became owners. In 1855 it was " Know-nothing " in its views, in 1862 Democratic. In 1864 Pratt, Hilton & Co. sold it to J. C. Mullett and C. E. Benton. March 1, 1865, Mr. Benton was sole owner. In 1868, by uniting with the Dunkirk Union, the Fredonia paper became The Union and Advertiser. It is now published under that name, in connection with the Dunkirk Daily Herald, by C. F. White & Co. A. II. Hilton is editor. It is Democratic in politics.

CHURCHES .- The First Baptist Church, which became The Fredonia Baptist Church May 25, 1859, dates from a meeting held at " Canadaway " only three years after the first settler made a permanent home in the wild woods of this county. The record is preserved and is : " November, 1805. A number of Baptist brethren having moved to this place, it then being a wilderness where we have no knowledge that there was ever a religious assembly before, whose number was small, consisting of only five brethren and four sisters, thought proper to meet on Lord's days to recommend the cause of Christ and confirm each other in the faith." , The brethren were probably Zattu Cush- ing, William Gould, John Van Tassell, Benjamin Barrett, Eliphalet Burn- ham, and the sisters Rachel Cushing, Rhoda Burnham, Sophia Williams, Silence Barto. The next record is: "March 14, 1807. The brethren and sisters entered into covenant, and agreed to meet every Saturday in each month to renew covenant." September 8, 1808 articles of faith and a cove- nant were adopted, and, October 20, sixteen persons were examined by a duly authorized council, and the church was organized. This organization occur- red in the 40x50 foot barn of Zattu Cushing-the largest building in the town. In 1813 Mr. Cushing was made a deacon and in 1816 Ebenezer Web- ster and Elijah Devine were chosen to the same office, as was, in 1821, Nathaniel Crosby. Elder Joy Handy was the pastor from before organization until 1822. In 1829 the Second Baptist Church (now extinct) was organi-

489

POMFRET.

zed at Laona from this church. May 1, 1830, the Dunkirk Baptist Church was taken off, and, according to the records, August 31, 1831, the For- estville Baptist Church was organized out of this church. Rev. Elisha Tucker became pastor in 1822, and the next year he was sent "to New York, Boston, Salem, Providence, etc., to solicit material aid for the finishing of the frame meetinghouse." This was completed and used until 1835. Rev. Jiralı D. Cole was pastor from April 14, 1832, until Rev. Beriah N. Leach succeeded him April 1, 1836. He was followed by Rev. John. F. Bishop, March, 1838, when the membership was about 500. The next year dissatisfaction arose, and two divisions were formed. Mr. Bishop continued pastor of one division in the meetinghouse for several years, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. S. P. Way and Rev. Bliss C. Willoughby in turn until the reunion February 12, 1848. From 1839 the other division met in the acad- emy and was ministered to by Revs. A. C. Barrell, J. L. Richmond, Alfred Handy, Ebenezer Loomis. Each division calling itself the "First Baptist Church," adopted articles of reunion February 12, 1848, and, at a joint meet- ing, February 14, mutually voted a reunion. Ebenezer Webster, John Ham- ilton and Joel R. Parker were then elected deacons, and, later, Ahnond R. Madison, who served the church most acceptably for over 40 years, was chosen clerk. May 19, 1849, Salem T. Griswold was settled as pastor. Since him have been A. Kingsbury, from April, 1851 to 1855, C. N. Chan- dler, Alonzo Wheelock, George G. Downey, Howard M. Jones, Charles Thompson, Lester Williams, Malcolm McGregor and Charles E. Smith, D. D. Membership 300. The present brick church, seating 500, valued at $20,000, was dedicated July 7, 1853.

The First Presbyterian Church of Pomfret was organized Sept. 29, 1810, as a Congregational church, Rev. Jolin Spencer officiating. The members were Benj. Barnes, Isaac Barnes, (chosen deacon), Norman Goodwin, Mark Stacy, Hannah Loomis, Lucinda Goodwin, Abigail Rood, Ruth Barnes, Israel Loomis (chosen deacon), Samuel Marsh, Asa French, Phoebe Risley, Persis Chadwick, Jeremiah Barnes. Thirteen members were added in four years. Mr. Spencer preached part of the time until Samuel Sweezy was installed pastor, March 13, 1817. The church became Presbyterian about this time, and, until 1824, included all Presbyterians living in Dunkirk. Services were held in a plank schoolhouse in the center of Houghton com- mon, and in various places until IS23, when a room was fitted up in the sec- ond story of the academy, which was used until the occupation of the brick edifice, commenced in 1835, standing on the site now occupied. The Pres- byterian " Society " was incorporated in 1819 with Gilbert Douglas, John Crane, Benj. Douglas, Henry Abell, Thos. G. Abell, Solomon Hinkley and Har- · vey Durkee, trustees. The pastors from Mr. Sweezy have been William Page, D. D. Gregory, A. Parmelee, Wm. Bradley, D. R. Rudd, Sylvester Cowles, D.D.,

490

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

C. L. Hequembourg, S. M. Hopkins, D. D., Augustus Pomeroy, Sabin Mc- Kinney, Daniel Clarke, Edwin S. Wright, Win. Scofield, J. M. Fradenburg, D. D., A. L. Benton, M. D. Kneeland, D. D., T. E. Calvert, S. W. Pratt, D. W. Teller, (died in 1894). The membership is about 500.

Methodist Church .*- In 1805 the first Methodist Episcopal itinerate made his appearance in Fredonia, but, like the Tishbite of old, he proclaimed his message, and " passed on," only occasionally returning until 1811, when Rev. Elijah Metcalf, preacher in charge of Chautauqua circuit, organized a class as part of the Ohio conference. Before this Fredonia was in the Baltimore conference. Among the members of the society were Justin Hinman and wife, Daniel Gould and wife, William Ensign and wife, Jeremiah Baldwin and wife. In 1812 Benjamin Paddock was pastor ; 1813, John McMahan ; IS14, Burrows Westlake ; 1815, Lemuel Lane ; 1816, Daniel D. Davidson ; 1817, Curtis Goddard ; 1818, John Summerville ; 1819, the eccentric Rich- ard C. Hutton with Benjamin P. Hill, assistant. At the general conference of 1820 the territory was given to the Genesee conference and " Lake " circuit formed including the territory between North East, Pa., and Silver Creek, with Rev. Jolin Summerville as pastor. In 1821 Nathaniel Reeder was pastor, Ira Brunson assistant ; 1822, Richard Wright, Sylvester Cary assist- ant ; 1823, Parker Bnel, Richard Wright assistant ; 1824, Josiah Keyes.

In 1824 the general conference transferred Chantanqua county and part of Cattaraugus to the Pittsburgh conference, and in 1825 Henry Knapp was sent to the circuit with John Scott assistant ; 1826, Job Wilson, Jolm P. Kent : 1827, Joseph S. Barris, Zechariah Ragan; 1828, Joseph S. Barris, Samuel Ayres. In 1829 the name of the circuit was changed to Forestville, James Gilmore being sent as pastor and Alured Plimpton assistant ; 1830, David Preston, Samuel E. Babcock ; 1831, David Preston, Jolm Robinson ; 1832-3, John Hallock, Daniel M. Stearns. " Fredonia " first appears as a charge in 1834, William Todd pastor, Lorenzo Rogers assistant ; 1835, H. Luce was appointed : 1836, T. J. Jennings, J. W. Davis and B. S. Hill assistants ; 1837, J. H. Tackett, C. D. Rockwell; 1838, J. H. Tackett, Josiah Flower ; 1839, W. H. Hunter, I. C. T. McClelland ; 1840, W. H. Hunter, Moses Hill ; 1841, Moses Hill, E. J. Kinney ; 1842, J. W. Hill ; 1843, Moses Hill. August 2, 1843, the annual conference held its eighth session in Fre- donia, Bishop Joshua Soule, D. D., presiding. There were 130 ministers, appointed to ;o circuits and stations divided into six districts : Ravenna and Warren in Ohio, Meadville, Erie and Franklin in Pennsylvania, and Jamestown in New York. The conference met in the new church on Center street then completed. This was the last visit of Bishop Soule to a conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, as he was one of the number that seceded in 1844, and formed the Methodist Episcopal church South.

* By Rev. J. Boyd, Espy, A. M. Ph. D.

491

POMFRET.

The pastor in 1844 was Thomas Graham ; 1845, Niram Norton ; 1846-7, J. E. Chapin ; 1848, H. W. Beers ; 1849-50, S. C. Thomas ; 1851, J. W. Lowe ; 1852, Albina Hall ; 1853, Jolin Peate ; 1854, G. W. Chesbro; 1855, Niram Norton ; 1856, A. C. Tibbitts ; 1857, J. R. Lyon ; 1858-9, D. M. Rog- ers : 1860-1, E. A. Johnson ; 1862-3-4, R. W. Crane ; 1865-6, E. H. Yingling ; 1867-8, D. S. Steadman ; 1869-70, J. H. Tagg ; 1871-2, A. N. Craft ; 1873-4, R. F. Randolph ; 1875-6, J. M. Bray ; 1877-8-9, A. J. Merchant ; 1880, John O'Neal (who died at the close of his first year. He was a fascinating preacher and a most affectionate pastor) ; 1881-2-3, J. A. Kummer ; 1884-5, W. P. Big- nell ; 1886, J. M. Barker ; 1887, (six months) J. Z. Armstrong ; 1887-8-9, H. C. Westwood, D. D. (He died near the close of the conference year. He was a very excellent preacher and loving pastor) ; 1890-1-2-3, J. Boyd Espy, Ph. D. The church has been prosperous in its history, but never more so than now. It has 360 full members, with no internal dissensions and is free from debt.

The first church building was begun in 1822 and completed in 1824. It stood on the lot now occupied by Mr. A. Lapham, on East Main street. Afterwards it was moved to the corner of Main and Green streets. The sec- ond church was built in 1839 on the corner of Center and Barker streets. In the early fifties a parsonage was bought on the opposite corner. The present property was purchased in 1867 and the church erected in 1868-9, the whole costing about $28,000. The dedicatory services were conducted by Bishop Matthew Simpson and the Rev. B. I. Ives May 12th, 1869. Dur- ing the pastorate of Dr. J. A. Kummer the present parsonage, (John P. Hall memorial parsonage), was built at a cost of $2,700, and partly furnished, the furnishing being completed during the short but popular pastorate of Dr. J. 7. Armstrong. The official members are Rev. W. H. Hover, superannuate ; Charles L. Pearce, local preacher ; George G. Miner, Sunday school superin- tendent and president of Epworth League ; Ralph H. Hall, Festus Day, F. A. Cottrell, Dr. M. W. Cobb and Z. E. Wheelock, trustees ; H. D. M. Miner, F. A. Cottrell, M. H. Shannon, G. G. Miner, Henry Leworthy, J. M. Tyrrell, Z. E. Wheelock, Dr. M. W. Cobb, Frederick Dunn, stewards ; F. A. Cottrell. J. M. Tyrrell, Seth Aldrich, Rev. W. H. Hover, Dr. M. S. Corey, class lead- ers. The Epworth League, No. 2081, was organized March 1, 1890, and has II0 members.

The Junior Epworth League, No. 1843, has a membershipof 50, and was organized by Miss Elizabeth Richardson, a teacher in the Normal School, January 10, 1893. She was its superintendent until March 17, 1894, when she was accidentally killed by the elevator in the normal school. She had laid broad plans for its future work. The League had already arranged to educate a boy in China, naming him Henry Richardson Espy. Mrs. G. G. Miner is superintendent. During the last year 70 were added to the church

492

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

from the Sunday school, which has a membership of 375, with II officers and 32 teachers. The "Woman's Foreign Missionary Society," "Home Missionary Society," " Daughters of Eunice," "Ne Plus Ultra Society," and "Woman's Aid Society," are doing good work in connection with the church.

Trinity (Episcopal) Church .- The organization of this church was effected August 1, 1822, under the name of " The Rector, Church wardens and Ves- trymen of Trinity church at Fredonia," and October 15 it was received into union with the Protestant church of this state. The first wardens were Michael Hinman and Watts Wilson ; vestrymen, Jonathan Sprague, Abiram Orton, Joseph Rood, Abraham Van Santvoord, Benjamin Douglas, Nathan Hempsted, Joseph G. Hinman. The charming church edifice, seating 500, was completed and consecrated in 1835. Its interior has recently been remodelled at a considerable expense, and the edifice is valued at $20,000. The first pastor was Rev. David Brown. The present rector, Rev. J. J. Lan- ders succeeded Rev. W. O. Jarvis in 1875. The church is in a most pros- perous condition. The wardens are Elias Forbes and George Barker. The vestrymen are A. R. Moore, clerk ; Charles G. Thayer, treasurer ; Louis Mckinstry, Dr. R. T. Rolph, Dr. A. J. Evans, W. W. Sloan, J. W. Guest, Major E. H. Pratt, Frank W. Howard.

The Church of the United Brethren in Christ .- A society of this denomi- nation was organized in Fredonia by Rev. J. Holmes, A. D. 1880. The names of the pastors who have served the church since its organization are Revs. J. Holmes, A. Meeker, T. J. Butterfield, L. L. Hager, L. MeIntire, I. L. Bowen, M. A. Baldwin, W. S. Grover and I. Bennehoff. The member- bership is twelve. A substantial church edifice 30x40 was erected on Clin- ton Avenue in 1888. Two things have militated against the growth of the society, viz: It has always been worked with outside appointments, thereby rendering it impossible to hold services every Sunday ; and the fact of the isolation of the church edifice which has been a constant menace to its life.

There is also in Fredonia a small Campbellite society, a German Luth- eran church (on Oak Hill), and a Free Methodist church. There is a Ger- man Evangelical church at Laona. "Lily Dale," the noted summer resort of the spiritual or spiritist organization is near the eastern border of the town on Cassadaga lake. (See Stockton.)

The Woman's Christian Association of Fredonia was incorporated in May, 1892, and is a publie beneficence. Mrs. Lorenzo Morris president, Mrs. George R. Moore secretary and Mrs. Squire White treasurer. Mrs. E. A. Curtis has been prominent in its work. Through the liberality and gener- osity of Mrs. Lorenzo Morris and Mr. A. O. Putnam the association has purchased, fitted up and established a "Home for Aged Women." It was opened in 1893, the first institution of the kind in the county. The " Home " is not a home for paupers. It is rather a retreat for elderly women left alone

493

POMFRET.

in the world, but who have some means-enough to insure them care and comfort in such an institution.

About 1812 five brothers, Horace, Ebenezer, Elisha, Eli, and Joseph Webster, came in and settled on what has since been known as Webster street. AAmong their descendants now living in Pomfret are Ahira G., Lemuel B., Willard and Erskine Webster. The family is a much re- spected one in the town.

Veniah Fox from Connecticut settled on "Webster street" before 1812. None of his des- cendants are living. His son Captain Simeon cut the first tree in that locality. He was a boat captain on the lakes. Veniah died where he settled in 1849. Channcey Fox, another son, lived and died there. James Hart now owns the Fox homestead, where he has lived for 57 years. Veniah Fox was a Revolutionary soldier and participated in the seige of Yorktown. Morris Adams settled about 112 miles north of Fredonia in 1814, where he died in 1853. His father, Justus, moved in a year or two later. In 1836 Bishop Adams, a brother of Morris, settled at Van Buren Point, and at one time owned two hundred acres of land there. John, Thomas, and Jesse, brothers of Morris and Bishop, came about 1816 and settled in other portions of the county. John Adams a descendant lives in Fredonia. His son, James R., has been supervisor.

Erastus W. Ramsdell and Anson Reed, the oldest living residents of Laona, say they planted the first vineyard in the vicinity of that village. Mr. Ramsdell set out one acre and Mr. Reed a half acre of grape roots in 1860. This beginning was followed in 1865 by Dewitt C. Colson, who planted half an acre and in 1866 an acre and a half William Reed came to Laona in IS15, where he lived and died in 1825. His son Anson was born there January 28, 1817. Erastus W. Ramsdell came to Laona in 1828. They are the only men living in that village who came there before 1830.

Alanson C. Straight, son of Cowen Straight, came to Charlotte from Wayne county about 1816, and during his residence there he cleared up three farms. His sons John P. and Albertus A. now live in Laona. There Cowen Straight kept hotel three years and then bought the farm now owned by his sons. Horace White came from South Hadley, Mass., in the fall of 1832 and settled on a farm two miles north of Sinclairville. His children were Harriet E , ( Mrs. Alonzo Wilcox ), of Shumla ; Maria (Mrs. George Cobb) dec. ; Almena ( Mrs. Lewis T. Parker), of Laona ; Horace (dec. ), and George P. (dec. ) Mr. White lived and died there. Reuben Bar- tholomew from Connecticut came in with two yoke of oxen in 1818 and settled on a farm in the southwest part of the town, where he lived and died. Leverett Todd came with him. George Bartholomew, a son of Reuben, resides just east of Fredonia. Daniel Bartholomew, brother of Reuben, moved into Pomfret about 1815, and settled near Fredonia. Rufus S. Martin, born in 1789, came from Chittenden Co., Vt., to Pomfret in 1830. He settled in the southeast part of the town, and died there May 2, 1841, his wife died March 2, 1877. His son Prescott has been much in local polities and lives in Fredonia village. Two sons of Rufus S. Martin went to California, where one became a member of assembly and state senator. Dr. James Pettit came from Cazen- ovia and settled at Cordova about 1834. His grandson James M, now owns and occupies the homestead. His son, Eber M. Pettit, settled near him about the same time. Both died there. Dr. James Pettit died May 24, 1849, and his wife in 1859. Dr. Pettit was a strong Aboli- tionist, and his house was one of the principal stations of the " underground railroad," where escaping slaves were cared for, secreted, protected and forwarded on their way to the free land of Canada.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 57

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068