Program

NYS Historic

Subject

House, People

Location

234 S Main St, Fairport, NY 14450, USA

Lat/Long

43.091788, -77.442209

Grant Recipient

Village of Fairport

As a member of the state militia, Abner Wight (1756-1844) marched to the alarm on April 19, 1775, that ended in the battle of Lexington, Massachusetts. This battle, along with Concord, signaled the start of the American Revolution. A resident of Lenox, Massachusetts, Wight later served from 1777-1780.

In 1795, Wight purchased an eighty-acre parcel of land in Ontario County, NY from William Walker. This land, part of the Seneca Nation, would later become part of the Town of Perinton in Monroe County. An 1802 tax assessment shows Abner Wight had constructed a house on the property. Local historians believe this original dwelling was built of logs as records show no saw mill existing in the area until 1815. In 1836, Abner Wight sold his property to his son Asa Wight. The 1840 federal census shows two persons whose ages match that of Abner and his wife Huldah (1760-1849) living with their son Asa.

The 1855 New York State census describes Asa’s home as being a frame dwelling. According to local historians, it is believed that the home that stands at 234 S. Main Street as of 2021 was moved from the lot now occupied by 249 S. Main Street, about 350 feet south. However, while deeds and news articles offer plausible clues, no primary sources have been located to definitely prove the Wight house was moved. Asa Wight passed away in 1865 (FindAGrave.com). An 1879 deed shows Joseph Duncan and his wife as owners of 234 S. Main St. selling the home to S.P. Howard.