The Village of Belfast
Situated pleasantly on the west bank of the Genesee river near the north boundary of the town, is the village of Belfast. The first buildings there were David Sanford's sawmill and grist-mill and a log hut owned by the pioneer Baptist preacher, Elder Sanford. These were on the river bank a little below the present village. The first house on the hill, where Belfast village now is, was a log structure erected by Alexander V. P. Chamberlain, in 1816. Benjamin Chamberlain and a partner named Hughes or Hues opened the first store about 1840. Henry D. Lyman opened the first public house about two years later. The first framed house in the village was built by David Sanford, but at what date it is now impossible to ascertain.
The Genesee Valley Canal was completed to Belfast in 1853. When it was opened Belfast, in common with other villages along the line, became a point of considerable commercial importance, and in 1855 it had a population of 801. As the evidences of business prosperity began to manifest themselves, and a promise for a prosperous future became evident, measures were taken for the advancement of the cause of education in the village and surrounding county. The Genesee Valley Seminary was charted in 1856, and opened December 2nd, 1857, under the care of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For a number of years it was a very prosperous institution, with a capacity for the accommodation and instruction of three hundred students.
The present population of the village is about five hundred. It contains three churches, one hotel, a grist-mill, two saw-mills, a cheese factory, a sash, door and blind factory, several stores and a number of shops of different kinds. Belfast contains several fine business buildings and residences.
PROFESSIONAL MEN
Among the leading professional men of Belfast representing the medical profession may be mentioned Drs. J. H. and C. W. Saunders. The resident attorneys are Hon. Samuel C. Wilson, William Windsor and A. N. Raunswell.
BELFAST LODGE, NUMBER 146, FREE MASONS
The lodge was instituted in 1849. The Successive masters have been as follows:
| 1849-52 | John Hammond |
| 1853 | James McCray |
| 1854, 1855 | D. A. Knapp |
| 1856, 1862, 1863 | Jonathan Wafford |
| 1857, 1858 | C. M. Crandall |
| 1859 | E. A. Wilson |
| 1860, 1861, 1871 | R. G. Young |
| 1864-69 | R. M. Willis |
| 1870, 1873-75 | D. D. Nye |
| 1872 | E. A. Webster |
| 1876, 1877 | G. D. Miller |
| 1878 | W. W. Byrnes |
| 1879 | V. I. Cook |
| The present secretary | Watson W. Willis |
GENESEE RIVER CHAPTER, NUMBER 152, OF BELFAST
Genesee River Chapter was chartered Feburary 8th, 1855. The first officers were as follows:
| D. A. Knapp | High Priest |
| C. M. Crandall | King |
| Jonathan Wafford | Scribe |
The successive high priests are named below:
| 1855, 1856 | D. A. Knapp |
| 1857, 1858, 1866, 1867, 1875, 1876, 1879 | Jonathan Wafford |
| 1860, 1861 | C. M. Crandall |
| 1862, 1863, 1871-74 | W. W. Byrnes |
| 1864, 1865 | J. Hendrick |
| 1868-70 | R. M. Willis |
| 1878 | H. H. Lyman |
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