THE HOUSES THEY LIVED IN

BUTTERFIELD FAMILY HOUSE

From the Watertown Daily Times, courtesy of their library, "Old Houses of the North Country, No. 421. Photo and caption by David F. Lane

Probably completed in 1851, this modest house with the native sandstone upright and the frame wing has an intimate connection with the colorful history of Redwood glass, which is now so highly prized by collectors.

Upon the village of Redwood's Main street close to its junction with Church street (see map) stands this quaint dwelling upon the same side of the road and barely a stone's throw from the glass works founded in 1833 by John S. Foster.

A choice quality of sand in ample deposit and good water power had brought Foster there in April, 1833. Impressed, he bought 10,000 acres of Francis Depau's land and built his glass factory. The first blow of glass was made on Sept. 30, 1833 and a thriving community began to develop. Thomas Clark, who surveyed that area, had planned to name it Jamesville, but Foster, who had been identified with a glass works at Redford, Clinton County, wanted a trade name of competing similarity and so named the settlement Redwood.

On Jan. 2, 1834, three months after the first Redwood glass was made, Foster died. The property reverted to Depau. Boston banking interests had a big stake in the plant and sent Joseph Butterfield, a native of Tyngsboro, Mass., and Harry S. White on after a time, there having been a succession of different operators. Butterfield's services were recognized by a gift of 50,000 acres of Depau land near Fine.

Depau's executors sold Butterfield the site for his house on Oct. 26, 1850 for $65.30. Construction of the house was probably finished the next year. Butterfield died Nov. 5, 1854 leaving his property in equal shares to his widow, Laura Theresa Butterfield and eight-year old son, Francis Josiah. In due time, Mrs. Butterfield married William W. Butterfield, son of Francis and grandson of Levi Butterfield, New Hampshire natives and Revolutionary descendants, but no relatives of Joseph Butterfield.

William W. Butterfield, Alexandria supervisor in 1859 and 1861 and assemblyman 1868-1869, became president of the Redwood Glass Manufacturing company in 1859. With $50,000 realized from the 50,000 acres transferred to him by his wife he became sole owner of the glass company, operating it successfully from 1863 to 1874, when he leased it to others.

On Dec. 20, 1867 his wife, Laura T. Butterfield, deeded her half interest in this old house to her son, Francis Josiah or Josiah Francis Butterfield. With it went the ashery lot and the old sawmill lot of Joseph. On Dec. 11, 1868, Josiah Francis conveyed these three properties to his stepfather, William W. On Dec. 25, 1886, the latter, who had established his mother-in-law, Mrs. Chlorinda Stevens, wife of Osmund Stevens, in the house, transferred it to his sister, Mrs. Henry (Caroline) Hoffman. In August, 1894, her heirs sold the old house to Dr. James E. Ryan and on Sept. 15, 1902. Dr. Ryan disposed of it to John Dollinger.

John Dollinger, well known Dollinger hotel proprietor, game protector, guide, and boat builder, resided there until his death in 1930. The house then passed to his widow, Mrs. Minnie E. Dollinger, who died ten years later. From her it went to her children, of whom there were four daughters and a son, Ralph E. Dollinger, the present [1940s] occupant. His sisters are Mrs. Anna D. Baldwin, Mrs. Dorothy Vale, Mrs. Ethel Forsythe and Miss Mary Dollinger.

But the Butterfield interest was extinguished long ago and Mrs. Laura T. Butterfield died Aug. 11, 1904. Her husband, William W. Butterfield, died Sept. 22, 1909. Their daughter was Mrs. Cyrus Watson (Laura B.) Simmons, many years deceased, mother of Miss Laura C. Simmons and Mrs. Eli (Ethelwyn) Herrick, city [Watertown], and William W. Simmons, Rockville Centre, L.I.

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