An old cobblestone homestead which has been in the same family for four generations is about to be sold. This will be the first time that the house has been offered for sale since it has been in the Britton family or its descendants ever since it was built back in 1833 when cobblestone architecture was popular in this area.
118 years ago Richard Britton and his wife, Ann, bride of only two years, left their naive England to undertake a seven weeks voyage across the Atlantic, at the end of which they sailed down the St. Lawrence River into Lake Ontario and landed at Pultneyville.
Almost immediately this first Britton, who, according to "Landmarks of Wayne County" ¹ was a veterinary surgeon and farmer, purchased a tract of land just west of the village of Williamson on the Ridge and built there one of the early cobblestone houses in this area.
To Richard and his wife was born a son Joseph in the fall of 1833, to whom in his 28th year the father deeded the cobblestone homestead and its surrounding farm lands. Joseph, in turn, had a daughter, Carrie M, who was born, lived most of her life and died in the old homestead. It is her son, Howard Santee, who is the present owner of the old place.
Howard Santee, who, of course, is the great grandson of the original Britton, now plans to dispose of the old homestead, which will be the first time in 118 years that the property has changed hands. It was originally purchased from Sir John L. Johnstone of England through Joseph Fellows, an early land agent.
The Wayne County Historical Society and Museum at Lyons will benefit by the selling of the old Britton place, in that the great grandson of the builder of the homestead, has presented to the Museum his mother’s (Mrs. Santee’s) beautiful ivory faille wedding dress, complete with veil and slippers, which she wore on her wedding day, February 18, 1892 when she was married from the old cobblestone homestead. The present owner also gave the Museum the suit in which his father was married and a most unusual pair of honeycomb pattern glass communion cups which were used in the old Wesleyan Church of Williamson where the Britton family worshipped. (Old timers of the Williamson area will remember that this old Wesleyan church building is now the West Main Street home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Young.)
The old Britton home contains many antique pieces of furniture, some of which came from England. These and the tall grandfather clock, which has even in the family for many years, the great grandson will keep in the family.
¹ If the link is selected, enter Britton in the "Search inside" input window and click on "Search inside" or press Enter. To see pages 33 and 317 click on the "Page xxx >>" links.
Richard Palmer email 12/8/2020. Original article.