Program

NYS Historic

Subject

People, Site

Location

7 Wyoming St, Warsaw, NY 14569, USA

Lat/Long

42.740527347173, -78.141904868043

Grant Recipient

Town of Warsaw

Largely credited as the founder of Warsaw, this historical marker for Elizur Webster joins a growing number of historical markers highlighting the impressive history of the Warsaw community, which traces its roots back to the groundwork laid by Webster.

In 1803, Webster arrived in the area by way of North Hampton, New York. He quickly performed a survey, then acquired the initial land tracts from the Holland Land Office, which would lay the ground for the forthcoming town of Warsaw. In the 1869, History of the Town of Warsaw, New York, written by historian Andrew W. Young, Webster’s introduction to the area is detailed:

Mr. Webster’s purchase included nine or ten lots, containing more than 3,000 acres, lying mostly along and in the valley of O-at-ka creek…Mr. Webster immediately entered upon his purchased possession. He made a small opening in the forest and built a log-house a few rods back of the present site of the Baptist church. Being the only settler, he must, it is presumed, have gone a considerable distance for help to raise his cabin.

That initial cabin, though no longer standing, was located nearby on South St., and the site where it stood is commemorated with a plaque.

In the decades to follow, Webster would become a leading figure in the community. Young’s History of Warsaw lists him as both the first Justice of Peace and Supervisor of Warsaw, and in an article featured in the December 4, 1823 edition of the “Albany Gazette,” Webster’s leading role in the creation of Wyoming County is mentioned. Beyond that, Webster served as a judge and New York State Assemblyman during his career.

In 1893, an interview with Webster’s granddaughter, Miss Elizabeth Young, was featured in the May 18 edition of “the Western New-Yorker” in which she recounted her memories of him and provided a description of his life in Warsaw. The article was titled, “Judge Elizur Webster: The First Settler of Warsaw,” and mentioned the house where this historical marker is located, which replaced the first cabin he built.

In 1816 he built and entered into his house at the head of Buffalo Street, now owned by Mr. Chas. Morris, which at that date was regarded as a mansion

She goes on to state:

Although Judge Webster was famous only in a limited sphere, yet he lived for a purpose and gained his highest ambition by his sagacity and industry he accumulated, what was for the time a large fortune, but better than that, by his nobility of character and many virtues, he gained the honor and esteem of all who knew him and in 1854, in the 87^th year of his age, there ended the long, active and useful life…

As of 2024, the house built by Elizur Webster serves as the Wyoming County Veterans Club.