Report of Committee on Historic Sites. TO THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: At the annual meeting of this Society held at Geneseo, in 1898, a committee was appointed to take steps to secure to the Society two historic sites, with a view to suitably mark them and thus preserve to posterity that which otherwise might soon be entirely lost sight of. At the annual meeting in 1899, a report of progress was made, the committee continued and empowered to purchase such sites if possible. The sites referred to are located in the towns of Groveland and Leicester; the first being a burial place of seventeen of a scouting party under command of Lieut. Boyd, of Gen. Sullivan's expedition, who, on returning from a scouting expedition to the Genesee River, in Sept., 1779, were ambushed on the site just above the head of Conesus Lake, by several hundred Indians and Royalists, under command of the celebrated characters, Brant and Butler; the other being the mound erected over the remains of Lieut. Boyd and one of his party named Parker, who were captured at the time of the ambush and massacre, carried to the Indian settlement of Little Beard's Town and then tortured and put to death. In August, 1841 (19-21) with much of the spectacular, the remains of Boyd and Parker were exhumed, and with those of their seventeen companions who were killed in Groveland, were taken to Rochester and placed in Mt. Hope Cemetery, where they have since remained, with their resting place almost unmarked. These precious relics should never have been permitted to be removed from Livingston County, and in attempting to preserve those historic sites from further desecration, and perhaps oblivion, some amends may be made for that mistake. Your Committee wonld report that immediately after its appointment, the negotiations for the site of the burial of Lieut. Boyd and his companion Parker were committed to Charles Jones, a member of the committee, who a short time before his death reported that the parties owning the site would convey to the Historical Society the mound and sufficient land adjoining for $25. Mr. Jones was at this time confined to his house by illness, from which he never recovered. After his death, the local members of the committee attempted to secure that site, but found that the property had in the meantime changed hands, and the offer to Mr. Jones did not hold good. The full committee, consisting of Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth, C. K. Sanders, Hon. L. R. Doty, and Wm. A. Brodie, met to consider the situation, again visited the two sites, and it was unanimously resolved to make the attempt to secure both before the annual meeting to be held August 15, 1899. This duty was assigned to the local members of the committee, Messrs. Doty and Brodie, and they are pleased to report herewith that a part of their work has been satisfactorily accomplished. As an evidence of such accomplishment, we herewith present to this Society, without cost to it, a deed of the site where the seventeen patriots who were ambushed and massacred in Groveland, were buried. As to the other site, we have to report that negotiations have fallen through, as the present owners of the property value their land (mostly water and waste) at far too high a price. We hereby recommend that the suggestions of Hon. William P. Letchworth, as to the erection of a substantial monument, suitably inscribed, be erected by this Society on the site already secured. All of which is respectfully submitted. Geneseo, N. Y. August 14th, 1899. WILLIAM A. BRODIE, I unite cordially in the recommendation of the local members of the Committee as to the suggestion of Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth. C. K. SANDERS. Mr. Sears then introduced the President elect, Mr. J. D. Lewis, who spoke fitting words in recognition of his new relations to the Society. The audience was enlarged and cheered by the presence of the members and friends of the Livingston County Official's Picnic, whose annual celebration was to follow the Historical Meeting, that had already used its full quota of time. A cordial vote of thanks and of welcome was extended to the "officials" for their presence and their patience, and to the Geneseo Band for the generous courtesy of its inspiring music. Mr. Bunnell announced the publication of the Treaty of Big Tree Centennial Book at the price of one dollar, richly illustrated, as ordered by the Society. Propositions for a union of the two societies assembled, were by vote referred to the Board of Councilmen. The weather was ideal, --the com pletest for an out-door meeting of the whole month. H. D. KINGSBURY, Secretary. Twenty-Fifth Annual Meeting AUGUST 21, 1900. The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the Livingston County Historical Society was held at Craig Colony, Sonyea, N. Y., on Tuesday, August 21, 1900, and was called to order by the President, Josepb D. Lewis, at 11:30 a. m., in the "House of the Elders." Every officer of the society was present, and a large number of life and active members. After a few happy words of greeting by the President, he very forcibly urged upon the society the necessity for a fire-proof building to safely house the large collection of historic relics belonging to the society. After the reading of the proceedings of the last annual meeting, the Secretary and Treasurer read his report, which was received and approved. Report of Secretary and Treasurer. TO THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: I herewith present my financial report, as Treasurer of the Society, to and including August 20th, 1900. On the 4th day of September, 1899, Mr. H. D. Kingsbury, the retiring Secretary and Treasurer, reported to me as follows: 1899. May 13. Received of L. R. Doty, balance in his hands..... 9 59 This amount Mr. Kingsbury paid me on Sept. 4, 1899. My own report of finances is as follows: Received of W. D. Kingsbury. Log Cabin contribution by H. Wadsworth. 1 20 30 00 $34 85 28 49 .$28 50 40 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 2.00 1.00 1.00 100 1.00 1.00 1 00 $79 50 Total receipts.... Payments. 1899. Int. Rev. stamp on deed, Boyd to Living ston County Historical Society. Recording same deed. J. O. Vanderbilt, bill. Reward to L. Leonard, Log Cabin depre Within the past week two of our number have passed away. Charles D. Bennett, of Portage, one of our oldest and most faithful and beloved members, died August 18, 1900, at the age of 81 years. Capt. Samuel Culbertson, of Groveland, another valued member, and who is part of our country's history in the civil war, died Aug. 18, 1900, aged 63 years. Other deaths have occurred since the publishing of our last pamphlet in 1898, as follows: Carroll H. Cocher, Daniel McPherson, John Olp, Charles Jones, Senator Blakeslee, Nelson Janes, W. W. Wheeler, A. J. Abbott, B. P. Richmond, F. B. Francis, S. F. Seward, Hon. L. B. Proctor, Hon. O. D. Lake, Hon. E. H. Davis, Charles Shepard and General C. H. Young. The Board of Councilmen met at Mt. Morris on May 18, 1900, and there was present at such meeting Messrs. Bunnell, Dana, Doty, Hamilton, Sanders, Lewis, and Brodie. The Secretary reported that, owing to the peculiar circumstances attending the publication of the annual pamphlet, he had not carried out the standing rules of the Society, viz: "That the pamphlet be published within three months of the annual meeting." The fact that the annual meetings were held in 1899-in January and August-raised the question, shall there be published one or two pamphlets covering the time from January, 1898, when the last was issued, and the Secretary asked for instructions. On motion of Mr. Hamilton it was resolved that the next pamphlet contain proceedings of meeting of January, 1899, August, 1899, and August, 1900, and the detail of such publication was referred to the Publication Committee. At the same meeting the secretary called attention to the fact that the matter of the historic sites was referred to the Board of Councilmen at the last annual meeting and asked that some action be taken in regard to carrying out the object intended to be accomplished by the securing of such sites so far as it related to the one already obtained, and the surviving members of the former committee were reappointed. Such committee consists of the following gentlemen: Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth, Hon. L. R. Doty, C. K. Sanders, and W. A. Brodie. In due time the committee will undoubtedly be heard from. At the same meeting of the Councilmen, initiatory steps were taken to select a place of meeting for to-day, with the suggestion that Craig Colony, Sonyea, N. Y., would be a desirable place. The result of the suggestion met such a response, on the part of the Superintendent of Craig Colony, that we rejoice in meeting here on this occasion. At the annual meeting, one year ago, the chairman of the committee on historic sites made a report in which he stated that the site of the • burial place of United States soldiers, under Lieut. Boyd, of Gen. Sullivan's army, had been secured without cost to the society, and the deed for the same was presented at that time. Since that time I have received from Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth his check for the amount paid for such site, so this society is indebted to that generous gentleman and honorary member for that valuable and interesting historic site. One other matter I will present for information and possible action. |