CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY: PAST AND PRESENT
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Guide is to present to students and other users the variety of research material on Chautauqua County available in Reed Library. The Guide consists of three major parts. Each part has a descriptive paragraph that should help researchers put its contents into proper perspective.
Part One is devoted to Chautauqua County and the people who built its rich heritage. This section is further divided into several topics, any one of which could serve as the subject of a prospective term paper. The suggested titles were selected mainly from the Western New York Collection in Reed Library. Occasionally, appropriate titles from the General Collection were also listed. When pertinent, attention was called to the holdings of other regional libraries, historical societies, institutions and schools.
Part Two is comprised of supplementary reference sources that could be used independently for answering factual questions, or for finding supportive material for a research paper, or other projects.
Part Three contains descriptions of several miscellaneous files of mostly uncataloged material that may include helpful supportive documents on a variety of topics.
Research in regional history is challenging and at times hindered by lack of adequate support material. Conflicting facts and multiple versions of singular events can further complicate progress. While Reference Librarians may not be able to solve all problems they can provide guidance for the meaningful use of available sources.
August 1985
Revised 1991
Revised 1999
THE BASIC STEPS OF RESEARCH
The library's online catalog is the key to the major portion of Reed Library's resources. Use this resource to find appropriate books and other monographic material. Sources can be located by authors, titles or by topics.
Term search entry samples:
CHAUTAUQUA CO. or COUNTY
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY BIOGRAPHY
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY CENSUS
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY GRAPE INDUSTRY
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HISTORY
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HISTORY BIBLIOGRAPHY
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY INDUSTRIES
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY MAPS
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
CHAUTAUQUA OPERA ASSOCIATION
CHAUTAUQUA SENECA INDIANS and many other subject phrases.
The same method should be followed to find material on towns, villages and cities in the County. Term searches can be broadened by truncating with a # sign at a logical breaking point. Too many search results can be narrowed down with the help of limiting commands.
FOR FURTHER HELP CONSULT REFERENCE LIBRARIAN.
When a call number of a online catalog record is prefixed with a ""WNY" or "Special Collection" notation, the item is kept at Special Collections. This area also houses several other collections that are not represented in the database. Of possible interest are theses, clippings, portraits, photographs, reports of administrative departments and governing bodies of the College, course syllabi and other records. The contents of these sources may include useful information. Therefore, researchers should ask for assistance from the Reference Librarians or from the personnel at Special Collections.
Besides monographic sources, pertinent periodical indexes and online or Internet databases should be checked for general topics and noteworthy events of interest beyond the region. Newsworthy local events often appear in the newspapers of various municipalities. These newspapers do not have indexes. For more detailed information consult the Reference Librarians.
REMEMBER: Libraries and historical societies in several municipalities house valuable local research materials that are not available in Reed Library.
PART ONE: CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The contributions of grassroots history are valuable because they help us understand the forces that continue to shape our history. Regional and local histories record the establishment and growth of settlements since the opening of early frontiers. During the post-Revolutionary years, the western corner of New York became well known to migrating frontiersmen for its fertile soil and beautiful setting. However, the vast wilderness did not see permanent settlers until the first decade of the nineteenth century. By 1808, Chautauqua County was already formed, and officially established in 1811.
The rich heritage of the County dates back to the mound-builders, the Hurons, Iroquois and the Neutral Nations. From the seventeenth century the Eries, then the Senecas occupied the Chautauqua region. The pilgrimages of white conquerors, missionaries, and French and British colonists are well documented in international, as well as national, regional and local historical sources.
In a narrower perspective, the historical accounts of Chautauqua County and its municipalities record its geological formation, geographic specifications, the ever-changing characteristics of its natural panorama, and the Indian occupation. The coverage of early history includes the Holland Land Company between 1800-1836, during which years the County experienced its establishment and phenomenal development. The human history of the County can be traced from the simple lives of the first settlers up through our complex modern community structure, reflected in, and influenced by, trends in government and politics, religion, education, industry, the arts, architecture and the influx of various ethnic groups.
The following bibliography of Chautauqua County is divided into several subject areas, suggesting prospective research interests. The titles cited are representative only. The bibliography is not a complete listing of local history material available in Reed Library.
Literary pieces and other writings on the County or by its residents form an impressive collection, most of which is housed in Special Collections. Included are the novels of Grace Richmond, Albion Tourgee and other authors, poets and playwrights of varying prominence. However, space limitation did not allow the listing of such literature in this Guide. For individual authors and titles the online catalog should be consulted.
A. GENERAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Native American culture is the foundation of the history of Chautauqua County. The Senecas, the fiercest and the most populous member-tribe of the Six Nations, held a right to the land of Western New York. At the same time, the preemption right to the land belonged to Massachusetts. When the land was sold, the Indians relinquished title to it at the Treaty of Big Tree on September 14, 1797, and retreated to the designated Reservations. From then on, their history is well documented, along with their attempt to simultaneously co-exist with the white man and maintain their own cultural heritage. In addition to the material in the general collection, the following local history sources may be used to substantiate this documentation:
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Seneca Records, 1824-1940.
Special Collections (uncataloged) 35 reels
These reels pertinent to the Seneca Indians, though not necessarily relating to the Chautauqua Region, contain census from 1973 to date, the Superintendent's annual report, letters to and from the Secretary of War, and other correspondence. Some indexes are available.
Curtin, Jeremiah.
Indian Myths.
WNY/E/98/F6/C9 1923
In this book almost 100 Indian myths and legends were collected under the auspices of the Bureau of Ethnology.
Iroquois Indians, A Documentary History. 50 reels.
Microfilm E/99/I7/I76/1984
This significant microfilm collection contains negotiations and other diplomatic documents of the League of the Iroquois. The Iroquois dealt with a number of other tribes, states and nations from the 1640s to the 1840s. The documents reveal the great military and political power of the Iroquois Nation during these two centuries. The Collection is in chronological order. An unusually detailed Guide (kept on top of the microfilm cabinet) contains a reel summary list and a reel-by-reel itemized description of each document.
Parker, Arthur C.
Excavations in an Erie Indian Village and Burial Site at Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York.
New York State Museum. Bulletin 117; Archaeology 14
WNY/E/99/E6/P2, 1907
Historical background, customs and habits of daily Indian life, as derived from the findings of archaeological excavations are noted in detail. Plates and other illustrations embellish the text. A detailed index is provided.
Parker, Arthur C.
The History of the Seneca Indians.
WNY/E/99/S3/P2/1967
The first part of this descriptive history concentrates on the aboriginal inhabitants, and Indian Tribes in New York State. Later chapters explore the changing and prevailing cultural, social and political situation of the Senecas up to the early twentieth century. Included are lists of Indian Reservations and several treaties regarding them. Some maps, portraits and an index enhance the text.
Seaver, James Everett.
A Narrative of the Life of Mary Jemison, The White Woman of the Genesee.
WNY/E/87/J527, 1932
The narrator was captured by the Indians in 1755 and spent the rest of her life among them. A useful introduction and over 100 pages of supplementary notes authenticate the legendary story. Indexed.
Society of Friends (Hicksite) Executive Committee of the Yearly Meetings.
The Case of the Seneca Indians in the State of New York, Illustrated by Facts.
WNY/E/99/S3/F8/1840
A short historical description of the legal rights to the land of the Seneca Indians, and their struggle against the laws and ambitions of white men opens this 1840 publication. It is followed by examples of memoranda, letters, petitions, court actions, affidavits and treaties pertaining mostly to the selling of Indian lands willingly or by alleged bribery. Included are several lists of the names of Indians who opposed emigration. Indexed.
Upton, Helen M.
The Everett Report in Historical Perspective. The Indians of New York.
WNY/E/99/I7/U75/1980
This is an historical account of Indian-State relations from 1888 to 1973. The role of several commissions, including the ineffectiveness of the Everett Commission of 1919, is explained. The Appendix contains the text of a number of federal and state treaties with the Six Nations and other Tribes. Detailed notes, bibliography and an index add to the scholarly value of this special study.
Wallace, Anthony.
The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca.
WNY/E/99/S3/W3/1970
A well researched and detailed account of the late colonial and early reservation life of the Senecas, and the process of degeneration and reconstruction of the Tribe. Demographic fluctuations, social, political and economic conditions are discussed. The rituals and beliefs of the followers of Handsome Lake, who introduced the religious revitalization of the Tribe are also examined. Extensive references, a bibliography and an index supplement the text.
New York State histories invariably contain at least some account of the region. The following books are part of the Library's main collection:
Ellis, David, et al.
History of New York State.
F/119/E46/1967 (and several earlier editions)
This is a shorter, but more up-to-date state history; used frequently as a college course text. There are several references to Chautauqua County in the index.
History of the State of New York. Edited by Alexander Flick. 10 volumes
H/119/N65, 1933-1937
As seen in the cumulative index at the end of volume 10, not too many references are made to Chautauqua County. The set is useful for putting regional history into a state-wide framework.
Sullivan, James, ed.
History of New York State, 1523-1927. 6 volumes
F/119/S8, 1927
This is a more scholarly state history. In Volume 2 a separate, though small section is devoted to Chautauqua County. Volume 6, a biographical supplement, contains prominent citizens who may have attained recognition beyond county limits.
Regional Histories are narrower in scope, therefore, in them more attention is paid to municipalities.
Doty, William J.
Historic Annals of Southwestern New York. 3 volumes
WNY/F/119D68/1940 Copy in general collection.
Volume one and two of this set are comprised of a relatively well researched regional history up to the late 1930s. The third volume contains biographical information on prominent families and personalities who resided in Southwestern New York. An extensive subject index enhances the usefulness of this set.
Turner, Orsamus.
Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase of Western New York.
WNY/F/127/H7/T7/1849; reprinted in 1974
This fairly comprehensive historical account is filled with facts, quotes, sketches, and anecdotes about events and people. It should be used with later, more scholarly, histories. The reprint volume contains a valuable name index. The extensive table of contents in both editions serves as subject index.
Holland Land Company Records
For over a decade Reed Library has been collecting, mostly on microforms, Holland Land Company records and related documents that were generated by those speculators who purchased Western New York land in the mid-1830s from the Dutch entrepreneurs. The next few items, among others, directly relate to early land sales and the development of Western New York.
Archives of the Holland Land Company, 1789-1869. 202 reels
Microfilm/HD/195/H64/H6, 1984
(See short history and research instruction on Reel Number One.)
A large portion of this unique set of land records contains a rich variety of documents on the surveying and opening of the Western New York frontier and its development into well-structured settlements. Other documents and letters reveal the Company's dealings with Indians, settlers, land agents, bankers, politicians and the complexities of land speculation from the post- revolutionary period to about 1840. The Collection also contains valuable survey records and regional maps. Certain segments of this collection pertain directly to Chautauqua County.
Pieterse, Wilhelmina C.
Inventory of the Archives of the Holland Land Company, ...1789-1869.
Ref/HD/195/H64/P532a, 1976 Copies at Special Collections and Microform Room
It is an enumerated list of titles to groups or sets of documents that make up the Archives. The Inventory is annotated with microfilm reel numbers for easy access to the collection. It also contains a concise, but useful history of the Holland Land Company, its structure and activities in the United States.
Livsey, Karen E.
Western New York Land Transactions, 1804-1824, 1825-1835
Extracted from the Archives of the Holland Land Company
SpColl/WNY/HD/195/H64/L5/1991 and 1996, 2v
This is a name index to land contractors in the "Land Tables" in the Archives of the Holland Land Company between the given years. Further indexing is in progress.
Holland Land Company and Chautauqua Land Office Records
Microfilm/ HD/195/H64/H68 and guide (and in print) 54 reels
These reels contain almost 100 years of land contracts in Chautauqua County. The original ledgers for these microfilms are housed in the Patterson Library in Westfield. Includes some records for the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the County Clerk's Office in Mayville. Reel No. 0 has introductory material and name index.
The cumulative Holland Land Company and Related Records also contain a microfilm version of land contract ledgers for Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee and Orleans Counties. In addition, Reed Library has the manuscript ledgers for land contracts in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties.
Brooks, Charles E.
Frontier Settlement and Market Revolution: The Holland Land Purchase.
WNY/F/127/H7/B76/1996
Chazanof, William
Joseph Ellicott and the Holland Land Company; The Opening of Western New York.
WNY/F/123/E394/C48, 1970
Wyckoff, William K.
The Developer's Frontier: The Making of the Western New York Landscape.
WNY/F/128/.44/W93/1988
The Brooks, Chazanof and Wyckoff are dissertation based studies of the Western New York frontier. They contain many useful references to the evolution and development of Chautauqua County. There are useful maps, illustrations, and indexes in each book.
For user related information consult the following research guides:
Guide No. 55: Genealogical Research and the Holland Land Company
Guide No. 56: Archives of the Holland Land Company in Reed Library and Related New York State Collections
Chautauqua County Histories are divided into two basic categories: County-wide histories and those written on specific cities, towns or villages. Both types are mainly concerned with the evolution of each municipality. Generally, they cover: social, cultural and political life, local government organizations, institutions, schools, churches, agricultural and industrial advancements, anniversaries, celebrations, noteworthy events, and biographical information of prominent persons.
Readers are reminded that some facts, dates and spellings of names are derived from oral tradition, or from poorly researched data. Early events were often based on the fading memories of aging eyewitnesses or on accounts by second generation storytellers. Questioning facts, dates and names is a characteristic approach in weighing the validity of local history books. It is also known that errors once quoted are perpetuated. However, by comparing two or three sources the variances are better controlled. When there is a choice, the latest scholarly opinion should be selected.
The following County-wide histories encompass a wide variety of the above listed subject matters:
The Centennial History of Chautauqua County: A Detailed and Entertaining Story of One Hundred Years of Development. 2 volumes
WNY/F/127/C7/C4, 1901
The intended purpose of this history is well illustrated in its title. Rich in biographical sources. Has a table of contents.
Downs, John P.
History of Chautauqua County, N.Y. and Its People. 3 volumes
WNY/F/127/C7/D75, 1921
The first two volumes record the agricultural, economic, social and cultural development of the County up to the beginning of the twentieth century. The third volume is an extensive, but far from complete, biographical dictionary of the County's noteworthy citizens. Volume 3 has a name index.
Edson, Obed.
History of Chautauqua County, New York.|
WNY/F/127/C7/E2, 1894
The evolution of the County is reviewed in 85 chronologically arranged chapters. The history of individual towns is contained in the last 37 chapters. The biographies are occasionally accompanied by portraits. There is no index to the over 900 pages of text, but an extensive table of contents is provided.
History of Chautauqua County, N.Y., 1938-1978. Edited by Ernest D. Leet. WNY/F/127/C7/H55, 1980
The main purpose of this book is to update earlier historical accounts of the County. By the introduction of new subjects, such as communications, radio, environment, conservation, recreation and tourism, contemporary developments are put into proper perspective. Although it is claimed that the volume is based on extensive research, there are no reference notes. This lack is balanced with a supplementary bibliography and an index.
Young, Andrew W.
History of Chautauqua County, N.Y., From Its First Settlement to the Present Time: With Numerous Biographical Sketches.
WNY/F/127/C7/Y6, 1875; reprinted in 1974.
It is a non-scholarly, but well respected, source book on the natural history, early Indian and French occupation and the development of towns and villages of the County. Short biographical sketches, lists of municipal government officials and other useful supplements add to the value of this County history up to about 1870. The text is largely based on research material accumulated by Elijah T. Foote, Chautauqua County Judge. His Papers (1755-1877) are also available on microfilm. The reprint volume includes a valuable name index.
Town, village and city histories are abundant in most regions. Some of them spring from the ambition of individuals, while others result from the efforts of various groups. It is customary to compile a heavily illustrated commemorative volume on 50th or 100th anniversaries of the formation of municipal units. The date of foundation should be established before additional information is sought on small municipal units. Dates are usually available in gazetteers and county or regional histories. The following list includes some examples of the variety of available titles:
Anderson, A. W.
The Conquest of Chautauqua: Jamestown and Vicinity as Told by Pioneer Newspapers and Persons.
WNY/F/129/C49/A8, 1932
A detailed, but traditional, account of the development of the southern part of the County, with impressive illustrations and portraits. An unusual, but welcome chapter, "Africa," is devoted to the early black population. There is a general index.
Bush, Gladys.
Dunkirk, A Chronology and Index of Historical Facts.
WNY/F/129/D8/B799, 1947
The Chronology, spanning the years 1809 to 1946, was compiled from numerous sources. Its purpose is to provide quick reference to important events in Dunkirk. Bush's other Index, cited below, covers a wider scope.
Bush, Gladys.
Index to Dunkirk's History, 1798-1946.
WNY/F/129/D8/B8, 1947
This is truly a reference index to the City. The subjects are followed by brief explanations, after which are item numbers that refer to the Chronology.