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National Registry Historic Site

The History of Cattaraugus County by Everts 1879 describes the Valley of Zoar as containing from 800 to 1000 acres of bottom lands, situated along both sides of Cattaraugus Creek, and in the southwest part of the Town of Collins [in Erie County], the northeast part of the Town of Otto, and the northwest corner of East Otto.

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East Otto
Mansfield

This obituary was found while I was doing family history research. Unfortunately it was submitted without identifying the source. While Mr. Lenoard is described as an East Otto native son, it should be noted he lived in the Towns of Mansfield and Little Valley as well as several states.

November 2, 1934, East Otto:  The body of Sidney Leonard 89, last survivor of East Otto's native sons who took part in the Civil War was brought to the East Otto cemetery Thursday for burial, preceded by funeral services at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bell Blackman, New Albion.

Front cover of School Souvenir  1903-04
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School Houses
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Eddyville
Mansfield

In the town of Mansfield we are fortunate that one of the residents saved memorabilia. The museum now has possession of several "shool souvenir" booklets that Mae collected through her years in the one room school house. These are small cardboard printed items sometimes with pages containing poems and the list of students for the school year. The tiny booklet is about 2 inches by 3 inches and lists the school, teacher and students as well as a trustee, or other official.

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Mansfield

The following story about Samuel Harvey’s journey to Mansfield is taken from "The History of Cattaraugus County, NY", published 1879 by Everts, edited by Franklin Ellis.

Photo of Samuel Harvey
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Mansfield

One of the early settlers of the town of Mansfield, was born in Marcullus, Onondaga Co., NY, March 28, 1801, he being the fourth child and second son in a family of twelve children of Medad and Anar (Buell) Harvey. His parents were natives of New England.

photo of early homestead
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Industry
Lumber
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Great Valley

The picture is representative of an early homestead, not necessarily from the Great Valley Area.

Allegheny River
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Transportation
Waterways
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Cattaraugus County
Olean

In 1807, the Allegheny River, by law, was made a public highway. The first raft ran from Olean Point down river to Pittsburg, PA. This momentous event led ironically to both the development and underdevelopment of the southern portion of Cattaraugus County.

 

Showing 1836 Holland Land co. Map
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Transportation
Roads
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Mansfield

          The Holland Land Company purchased over 3 million acres of land west of the Genesee River during the 1790s.  Joseph Ellicott (1760-1826) was appointed as the Holland Land Company local agent out of Batavia, NY. Joseph was trained as a surveyor by his brother Andrew who had surveyed Washington, DC.

Watson Road School
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National Registry Historic Site
School Houses

   Where are the old schoolhouses? There are more than 170 common (elementary mostly one room school buildings) remaining in Cattaraugus County. We would like to compile them into a brochure to make them accessible to everyone; however, many are now private residences.

Picture of original school
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National Registry Historic Site
School Houses
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Farmersville
Franklinville

Peter Ten Broeck, without an heir to his fortune, and having passed the meridian of his life, had for a long time contemplated and finally planned to bestow his wealth so that it might do the greatest good to the greatest number, and establish imperishable honor to his name.  As fast as his estate could be turned into ready means, he had decreed that the balance be expended in an endowment and construction of a literary institution known as “Ten Broeck Free Academy.”  In his last will and testament, after providing certain sums of money to relatives and friends, the balance of his estate am

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Franklinville

BLACK SALTS: EARLY PIONEER SOURCE OF INCOME

When a pioneer farmer in the early 1800’s arrived at his recently acquired property, the first thing that he saw was trees.  He would cut the trees to build a cabin, a barn, storage building and fences.  However, there were still countless trees left.  Then he would start to clear land for meadows.  He needed open fields to plant crops and raise his livestock.  So he continued cutting down trees and burning them to ashes.

The Home on the Hill
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Eddyville
Mansfield

    “In 1843 Wm. Hurd Eddy braving the dangers of the wilderness moved his family of six by ox-team still further into the country. Six children including Frances, in her mother’s arms, crowded in the wagon, three were girls, two were boys [and Frances held by Mama] making six children in all. Later in life the girls married becoming Mary Eddy Harvey, Nancy Eddy Simmons, Lydia Eddy Harvey Bowen. The boys, William Henry Eddy married Lucy Pratt, James Wyman Eddy married Jane Harvey. William H.

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Hinsdale

Some various history on Hinsdale, New York

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