Newstead Historical Society

Newstead Historical Society Preserving the history of Newstead in Akron, NY, and maintaining the Rich-Twinn Octagon House Rich-Twinn Octagon House, 145 Main St. Akron. Also open every Wed.

Open on the first and third Sunday, April through October from 1 - 3 pm. Knight-Sutton Museum, 123 Main St. Open on the first and third Sunday April through September from 1-3 pm. from 10am - 1pm through September.

If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: 'President...
06/04/2026

If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: 'President Can't Swim.' - Lyndon B. Johnson

Many weeks ago we had the privilege of examining a collection of eight land surveyor field notebooks from the local area...
06/03/2026

Many weeks ago we had the privilege of examining a collection of eight land surveyor field notebooks from the local area dating between 1854 and 1883 that originally belonged to James E. Paxon, A. B. Paxon, and C. E. King. James Paxon was a civil engineer in the Akron-Erie area in the early 1880s.

They feature entries and surveys referencing Akron Cement Works, School House No 10, Tunis Eckerson's property, Hezekiah Cummings' property, Herman H Buell's property, the Tonawanda Indian Reservation and Falkirk among others.

It was fascinating to get a glimpse into the past by leafing through these pages and also marveling at the penmanship!

Thank you to Roger Brewer for sharing these treasures with us after acquiring them from an auction.

Did you know?Elijah Boardman (March 31, 1752 - July, 1814) is one of six Revolutionary War soldiers interred in the News...
06/02/2026

Did you know?

Elijah Boardman (March 31, 1752 - July, 1814) is one of six Revolutionary War soldiers interred in the Newstead area.

Born March 31, 1752 in Weathersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, he was the third child of Israel Boardman. He married Nancy Deming April 6,1780. They had six children, four girls and two boys. They were married by Joshua Belden, a minister of the Newington, Connecticut church.

In 1775 he enlisted at Newington, Hartford County, Connrcticut, and served in General Arnold’s expedition to Quebec in Colonel Enos’s 9th Connecticut Regiment He was taken prisoner and held on board the “old Jersey prison ship “ until he was exchanged or released, according to the Daughters of American Revolution and his pension record. He served during this period two years.

He also served under Colonel Samuel Webb from April of 1777 until November of 1777 as a corporal and was promoted to Seargent at the end of that term. He continued to serve under Colonel Webb until December of 1781.

The state of Connecticut Comptroller’s office has furnished for his pension record a list of reimbursements they made to him for blankets, clothing, and wages in British pounds. For two years’ service he earned 60 pounds in 1780.

The D.A.R. says he died in Junius, Seneca County, N.Y. in July of 1814. Another record says he died in Saint Albans, Vermont. Although his son Elijah and his wife Nancy are buried at Evergreen Lawn there is no headstone for Elijah, Sr. there. The cemetery records list Elijah Sr. there where his son is buried, but the death dates differ on the gravestone: Elijah Jr. died in 1869 - Elijah Sr. in 1814. The gravestone there says 1869, apparently it is the son’s gravesite.

Nancy applied for a pension in December of 1845. She died in March of 1846. The records do not indicate what amount she received, if it was even processed on time.

In 1932 the surviving children were living in Seneca Falls, and in Newstead, another in an unspecified place in Erie County .N.Y. (sources: Patricia Rodrigues using US government pension records, Daughters of the American Revolution records, Familysearch.com, and Findagrave.com)

Happy National Indian Citizenship Day!It was on this day in 1924 that the Indian Citizenship Act by Congress granted cit...
06/02/2026

Happy National Indian Citizenship Day!

It was on this day in 1924 that the Indian Citizenship Act by Congress granted citizenship to all American Indians born in the U.S. The day celebrates the history, heritage, and culture of American Indian tribes across the country. All the tribes have their own traditions and beliefs. American Indian Citizenship Day celebrates their contribution to the country’s culture and a reminder of their enduring legacy.

Since the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, American Indians were in a unique spot. Article 1 of the Constitution stated that “Indians not taxed” do not fall under the voting population of America.

American Indians were also part of the Dred Scott decision of 1857. The Dred Scott decision was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that declared that living in free territory did not entitle Dred Scott, an enslaved person, to his freedom. However, in July 1868, the 14th Amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision and made anyone born in the U.S. citizens with equal protection and process under American law. And yet, interpretations of this amendment excluded American Indians from U.S. citizenship.

The 1870 census showed that the estimated population of American Indians was more than the population of five states and 10 territories, yet 92% of the American Indians were not legible citizens. It was the Dawes Act of 1887 that gave conditioned citizenship to American Indians.

Before the Civil War, citizenship was limited to those American Indians who had less Indian blood. During the Reconstruction period, granting of citizenship to American Indian tribes was sought after by the Republicans in Congress. In 1888, American Indian women who married U.S. citizens were given citizenship. The American Indian WWI veterans got their citizenship in 1919. (source: nationaltoday.com)

(Image: President Calvin Coolidge posed with Natives, possibly from the Plateau area in the Northwestern United States, near the south lawn of the White House, from Library of Congress collection)

Happy National Pen Pal Day!History of National Pen Pal DayThe trend of making pen pals itself started during the 1930s. ...
06/02/2026

Happy National Pen Pal Day!

History of National Pen Pal Day
The trend of making pen pals itself started during the 1930s. In 1936, a society named Student Letter Exchange was formed to help people find suitable pen pals. It helped young students from different countries connect through letters and learn about each other’s cultures.

Many pen pal companies back in the day charged a fee for their services. They would assist people in finding a suitable pen friend according to their likes, dislikes, and personality. During the 1950s, newspapers and magazines started columns dedicated to pen friends. People looking for a pen pal would either have their brief details published in that section or find one with similar interests from the list that’s already published in that column.

Today, one can also find pen friends through online communities and social media like Facebook and Reddit. National Pen Pal Day is a fantastic way to make your pen friends feel special and loved. Pen pals share personalized gifts and messages with each other on this day. A pen pal can be from any part of the world and, in most cases, it is not necessary to meet them in person. You interact with them through letters. (source: nationaltoday.com)

Why not make a pen pal today and exchange both of your local history!

Remembrance isn't just fanfare and speeches. It is also a quiet salute when no one is watching and a solemn thank you wh...
05/30/2026

Remembrance isn't just fanfare and speeches. It is also a quiet salute when no one is watching and a solemn thank you whispered on the wind...

Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a ...
05/28/2026

Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. - John Adams

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123 Main Street
Akron, NY
14001

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+17165427022

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