Circa 1849: History of the Sartwell Mansion
Home of Publisher Scott Redfield
Pat & Ernie Long Collection
Circa 1849: History of the Sartwell Mansion
Home of Publisher Scott Redfield
Pat & Ernie Long Collection
The Sartwell mansion on Main St. in Smethport is believed to have been built by Solomon Sartwellin about 1849. He came to the area in 1816, and was the first of the Sartwell family in the area. Solomon was a man of many talents. He was high sheriff, a lumberman, a merchant, county treasurer, postmaster, and associate judge. After his first wife died he married the daughter of Isaac and Phoebe King. Together they had six children Alfred, Chester, George, Roswell, Mary, and Samuel. Mary married Major John C. Backus, and they came into possession of the house shortly there after. In 1872, 12 years after Marys death, Backus sold the house to Marys older brother Chester K. Sartwell. In 1902 Chesters widow, Mary E. Sartwell sold the house out of the family to Frank G. Lindholm for $3,600. 3 yrs. later Frank Lindholm sold the house to Thomas L. Richmond for $7,000. After his death 3years later Richmonds widow, Sarah, sold the house to Scott F. Redfield for $6,500. In 1927 Scott Redfield filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was handled by Grange National Bank which sold off at least one section of the lot. In 1943 Grange National Bank sold the property to Katherine Lake. After Katherine died the house was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Moore. The Moores live in the house until failing health forced them to sell the house to the Harmons for $12,000 in 1961. The Harmons owned the house for twenty-six years before they sold it, in 1987, to the present day owners Jeff and Sandra Keppel.
Sartwell Family Biography
SIMON SARTWELL was the first of the Sartwell family in America. Before he was killed by indians, while plowing on his farm, he had two sons Obediah and John. Obediah moved to Langdon N.H. where he married and had six children the oldest of which was Solomon, born in 1796. Solomon was reared and married at Langdon. After he was married he moved to an area in Potter County Penn. now called Sartwell Creek. In about 1816 he moved to Farmers Valley in McKean County Penn. where he was elected high sheriff of both Potter and McKean Counties. He was also a lumberman and merchant, county treasurer, postmaster and associate judge. His wife had died a few years earlier, and he felt it was time to remarry. He married the daughter of Isaac and Phoebe King. Together they had six children Alfred Mortimer, Chester King, George Washington, Roswell, Mary, and Samuel Babcock Sartwell. Of the six children Chester, Roswell, Mary, and the Samuel where the only children that lived to adulthood. Roswell served in the Fifty-Eighth Regiment but was discharged due to disability. Like his father he became sheriff and was engaged in lumber and mercantile businesses. His sister Mary married Major John Backus and they had two children Frank, and Cora.
Mr. Leonard D. Moore and his wife Onalee Mae Sutton Moore and their two children James and Georgia lived here in the late 1940's and early 1950's Leonard was in the sheriff department at that time. One of their famous inmates were members of the Boston Brink's robbery.
Death of Mrs. Sartwell
The Democrat
May 15, 1891Sartwell.- At her home in Smethport, Sunday morning, May 10, 1891, of heart disease, Ann Elizabeth, wife of C. K. Sartwell, in the 65th year of her age. The subject of this sketch was a daughter of the late Henry Chapin, one of the old settlers of Keating township. she was borne at White Store, Chenango county, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1826, and removed with her parents to Smethport in 1833, where she spent her early womanhood. On Nov. 17, 1846, she was united in marriage to C.K. Sartwell, of this borough, who survives her, together with three children as follows: H. S. Sartwell, of Olean; Ella, wife of Eugene Quackenbush, of Cincinnati, and Mary who resides at home. Mrs. C. Bennett of and Mrs. R. Sartwell, of this borough; Mrs. Calvin Hooker.....unreadable....are the only ones left of a large and highly respected family. Mrs. Sartwell was a woman of fine executive ability and her many noble qualities greatly endeared her to a large circle of friends, who will sincerely mourn her death. The funeral was held at the family residence on Main street, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. J. H. McCandless officiating. The remains were interred in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Death of Mrs. Sartwell
McKean County Miner.
May 15, 1891Elizabeth, wife of C. K. Sartwell, died ar her home on Main street, in this place, on Sunday morning last, at 4:30 o'clock, aged 65 years, the cause of death being dropsy. The deceased was the daughter of Henry and Johanna Chapin, nag was born in Chenango county, N.Y. She had been a resident of Smethport for a great many years, having come here in 1832, in company with her sister Mrs. Nelson Richmond. She was married to C. K. Sartwell on November 17, 1846, the result of the union being five children three whom are living and were present at her death, viz: Henry S. Sartwell was widely known and universally esteemed, and her house was a favorite stopping place, particularly in court week, for many of the best people in the county, one and all of whom will miss her and sincerely mourn her death.
The funeral services were held at the family residence, on Tuesday afternoon, at four o'clock, Rev. J.H. McCandless officiating. The remains were interred in Rose Hill Cemetery, whither they were followed by a large concourse of mourning relatives and friends.
Solomon Sartwell Mansion 2005 - Keppel Residence
photo credit: David Keppel 2001
Solomon Sartwell Mansion 2017 - Smith Residence
Solomon Sartwell Mansion 2017: Now the residence of Phillip and Karen Smith
photo by Cora Ahearn Photography
Solomon Sartwell Mansion 2017