George D. Stillson resident engineer letters, 1849-02-03-1849-03-14

Summary

Abstract:

This collection consists of letters written in February and March of 1849 in support of the candidacy of George D. Stillson for the office of resident engineer for the Genesee Valley Canal.

Extent:

.073 Cubic Feet 1 folder and 0.73 Cubic Feet

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

George D. Stillson Resident Engineer Letters. [box#, folder#]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

Handwritten letters related to the candidacy and appointment of George D. Stillson as resident engineer of the Genesee Valley Canal in 1849.

This collection documents George D. Stillson's application process for the new role of resident engineer of the Genesee Valley Canal between February 3 and March 14, 1849. Stillson was an experienced canal engineer, having been involved in the enlargement of the Erie Canal in the Rochester area. As a result of this, along with hs local political connections, a number of Rochester's leading citizens wrote letters of support to the state government. These included multiple former and future mayors of the city and officers of two leading banks.

Biographical / historical:

George D. Stillson was a prominent Rochester engineer of the mid-19th Cnetury. Born in 1815 in Scipio, Cayuga County, Stillson became an engineer at an early age, guiding the construction of the Buffalo and Tonawanda Railroad in 1835. He first appears in the Rochester City Directories in 1853, listed as a civil engineer and residing at 249 East Avenue. By this time, he had served as an engineer on the widening of the Erie Canal and been appointed resident engineer of the Genesee Valley Canal. As part of the latter project, he was responsible for the Portage Tunnel at the canal's summit. In 1855, the New York State Census shows him living in Brighton, with his wife Charlotte and son George S. Stillson. In 1865, he was appointed the Superintendent of Mt. Hope Cemetery, in which post he oversaw the substantial expansion of the cemetery's lands, creating the drainage and landscape features that still dominate much of the cemetery grounds. He passed away suddenly on February 19, 1881.

Acquisition information:

This collection was purchased by the Local History and Genealogy Division from Thomas Cook of Nunda, a local antiques and collectibles dealer.

Arrangement:

This collection consists of a single folder.

Physical description:

Very good, most on clean paper and very readable.

Dimensions:

14" x 9" x 0.25"

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Canals -- United States

Places:

Genesee Valley Canal--history

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this collection.

Preferred citation:

George D. Stillson Resident Engineer Letters. [box#, folder#]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:

Rochester Public Library

Rundel Memorial Building

115 South Avenue

Rochester, NY 14604, United States

Link to repository site

Contact:

585-428-8370

lochist@libraryweb.org