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First published Feb. 2, 1984: If you were to look up William H. Seward in a reference book, youwould find that he was governor of New York State from 1839 until1843, that he was United States Senator from 1849 until 1861, andthat he was Secretary of State in (President Abraham) Lincoln'scabinet. You might even read that he negotiated the purchase of Alaska in1867, which was promptly dubbed "Seward's Folly." Chances are youwould find no mention of the fact that for a few short years whenhe was a young man he lived in our town and became a very importantfigure in our local history. In 1835 the Holland Land Company sold its remaining interests inChautauqua County and the new owners raised the price on all landswith overdue payments and announced they would sell land to anotherparty if payments were not made. The settlers felt this was veryunfair and took things into their own hands. The first History of Chautauqua County by Emory F. Warren,published in 1846, had this to say about what happened in Mayville,"On the 6th of February, a mass of people, mostly from the interiortowns, assembled at Barnhart's Inn, about two miles easterly ofMayville, at four o'clock in the afternoon. They were armed withaxes, crowbars, and such other implements as the nature of theirenterprise would be likely to require. "After a formal organization, and the choice of leaders, theyproceeded to Mayville, where they arrived at eight o'clock in theevening. Their first movement was to surround the land office, anddemolish that part which was built of wood. This was very readilyaccomplished. Their efforts were then directed to the strong stonevault, which contained a large amount of valuable books and papers,belonging to the Holland Company. Entrance to this was not soeasily effected. After numerous and well directed efforts, thestone structure gave way, and the contents of the vault seized andcarried to Barnhart's and there burned in the public highway; afterwhich the assembly dispersed." After the excitement died down a new agent was appointed. That manwas William H. Seward, and he came to this area in the summer of1936. In a letter, Mr. Seward told of his trip to Westfield, "FromBatavia to Buffalo is forty miles; from Buffalo to Fredonia,forty-five miles; from Fredonia to Westfield, fourteen miles. Wetook an extra stage to this place and passed over the greatthoroughfare, within two to four miles of the lake-shore. Certainlymy eye never rested upon a finer country. It is not altogether new,nor yet so highly improved as the region in which we live (Auburn,N.Y.). The ground is almost level, with a gentle slope toward thelake, which lay spread out before us, perfectly calm, and lost inthe horizon, as it receded to the north. We found Westfield stillmore beautiful than Fredonia. The place is distant a mile and ahalf from Portland Harbor, and the broad surface of the water iswithin our sight from any part of the village We spent severalhours here, and during that time drove down to the harbor, andheard all that was addressed to us in favor of locating the landoffice here." William H. Seward decided in favor of locating the land office inWestfield and for a short time had his residence and office inGale's Hotel which was the Westfield House located where the GrandTheatre now stands [1984]. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1884.Mr. Seward soon wearied of living in the hotel and moved into the"McClurg Mansion" which he referred to as "my own hired house." Hedescribed the mansion, writing in a letter, "It stands in thecentre of grounds of several acres, ornamented with trees andshrubbery. It has a double piazza in front of the centre or mainbuilding, and is two stories high. The arrangement of the rooms isthis; in the centre hall, about 20 feet wide off this, in the rearan octagon parlor, which opens into the shrubbery of the garden.There are five spacious bedrooms above. There are cellars,out-houses, gardens, orchards, etc.; everything well-contrived. Theflowers and the fruit hang around me in profusion, and theretirement of my dwelling invites me to it every hour that I havefreedom." During the winter of 1839-40, at William H. Seward's direction, theFarnsworth house on North Portage Street was remodeled, and B.J.Seward, brother of William H., resided there until 1841 when it waspurchased by George W. Patterson who succeeded William H. Seward asagent at that time Mr. Seward had been elected governor of New YorkState. We are familiar with the story of the lovely old house being movedfrom its North Portage location to its present spot high on a hillup Portage Road where it now bears the name of the William H.Seward Inn. This is the story of the young lawyer who came to Westfield in 1836to pour oil on troubled waters. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Customized Silicone Bracelets Manufacturer , China Silicon Kitchenware, and more. For more , please visit Silicon Kitchenware today!
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