In our research, we have read some very interesting articles about our home and many of its former occupants. Following are some of the more interesting details.
An article written, by Anna E. Henion, in 1912 stated that our house was built circa 1855 by Columbus Coleman, a well-known local architect and builder. We believe that around 1870, the house was extensively expanded/remodeled as you see it today. This house was purposely built with the finer rooms facing the railroad tracks. The trains were quite a popular attraction in Victorian times, and was considered quite prestigious to live next to the tracks. The closer . . . the better!
Local folklore and publications state that our home was part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Although we don't know for sure where slaves were hidden, there are plenty of small cubbies that would be well-suited for just such purposes.
An article written in 1953, by Caroline Lester, stated that the first tennis net in the village was placed on our lawn; and, that on the Fourth of July, before the lake was built, it was "very popular place to send off rockets and watch the fireworks". She also indicated that our lawn was the favored viewing location for people gathered the first time VanCleef Lake was filled with water in 1917.
Another romantic story about our home is that the house was built as a wedding present for Laura Hoskins Hubbell, from her father Charles Hoskins. Mr. Hoskins, a signer of The Declaration of Sentiments in the Women's Rights movement, was a prominent dry goods merchant, who lived in the brick Federal style home next-door. However, thus far, research shows the earliest inhabitants of our home were Isaiah (1837 - 1909) and Emma Powis (1837 - 1923) Randall. This may be further evidenced by the find in the basement wall of large carved initials, "ER" (for Emma Randall?). Isaiah Randall was a prominent jeweler on Fall Street in the village. Later, the Randalls moved to another home further down Cayuga Street.
Our theory, which research has verified, is that Charles Hoskins purchased and remodeled the home for Laura Hubbell (1824 - 1900) and her four children after Laura's husband, Wolcott S.B. Hubbell, died in 1866. Laura Hoskins Hubbell lived here with her children Charles Wolcott Hubbell (1856 - 1934), Daniel Southwick Hubbell (b 1857), James Platt Hubbell (b 1859), and Francis Mary Livingston Hubbell (b 1862) for many years.
At one time, Laura was a Preceptress at the Mynderse Academy across the street. Charles Hubbell became a bookkeeper, married Maude Mary Murray in 1884 and moved to Chicago, IL. Daniel Hubbell became a local attorney-at-law and married (2nd) May Gifford of Princeton, NJ. James Hubbell married Adelaide M. Guion, in 1891 and moved to Hyde Park, IL in 1900. He later became a pump manufacturer in Washington DC. Fannie (Francis) Hubbell married Joseph Cutter Foster in 1886 and moved to Cincinnati, OH.
In 1903, Thomas White Pollard (1870 - 1932) purchased the home from the Hubbell family. Thomas was a clerk at the State Bank, on Fall Street, and lived here with his sister Charlotte (Lottie) E. Pollard (1872 - 1953). Both Thomas and Lottie were very socially active and made many contributions to the village. After Thomas' death in 1932 (there is a stained glass window at Trinity Lane Episcopal Church dedicated in Thomas' memory), Lottie ran a boarding house for teachers here. She died in 1953. Neither Thomas nor Lottie ever married.
Harold Sanderson, who was the owner of Sanderson Funeral Services, purchased the property from Lottie's cousin, Lucia Banks of Montreal, Canada. Mr. Sanderson never lived here. He rented the house to the Brinnon family from 1954 to 1958.
Dr. Charles and Shirley Hall become the owners of the house in 1958. Dr. Hall was a local Veterinarian. Charles and Shirley, along with their eight children, lived in this house for eleven years.
In 1969, the Halls sold the home to George and Shirley Patterson. George was employed by Gould Pumps, and Shirley was a director of the Seneca Falls Historical Society. Shirley's mother, Mrs. Peters, had her own "apartment" downstairs (original kitchen and domestic quarters).
Allen and Laura Croce were the next owners . . . purchasing house in 1986. After living here for just over a year, they sold the house to us.
We moved here from Southern California in February 1988. Both of us are retired Pacific Bell managers. Along with dedicating many hours to the restoration of our home, Joanne - with lots of help from Karl - has taken on the challenge of running the Hubbell House on VanCleef Lake Bed & Breakfast as well as Ebay Sales (Ebay Seller ID is HubbellHse) as time permits. In addition, Karl does small "handy - man" jobs.
Your hosts, Joanne & Karl Elliott
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