Submitted photo Pictured is the statue of Governor Reuben Fenton that stands outside the Fenton Museum, with the words of his proclamation engraved below him.

April 9 marks the 160th anniversary of the day America’s Civil War ended when General Lee surrendered to General Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. What is perhaps less well-known is Chautauqua County and the city of Jamestown as well have a connection to the Civil War.

Barb Cessna, Fenton History Center Vets Finding Vets coordinator, said the amount of local soldiers involved in the war may surprise some people.

“Many people think that New York was not very involved in the Civil War, and probably would be surprised to know that there were approximately 4,400 Chautauqua County soldiers,” Cessna said. “The Town of Ellicott, Jamestown being part, was estimated as 538. Almost every family would have known a neighbor, son of friends, church members, etc if they didn’t have someone from their own family who was involved.”

The Fenton History Center also has a connection to the end of the war, with the Fenton Mansion being built during that time and Rueben Fenton being elected as Governor of New York.

“Reuben Fenton was born in 1819, and knew well his grandfather, a Revolutionary War Veteran, and his uncle, a War of 1812 Veteran,” Cessna said. “When he became a Representative in Congress, he introduced a bill for pensions for old soldiers, which was already in force once there was a need for Civil War Vets and their needs. Due to Gov. Fenton’s own service in the Local Militia, NY National Guard, and the many Veteran organizations who began meeting in the Fenton Mansion after its purchase by the City of Jamestown, we have a Veteran Program. This program offers free use of our Research Center to Chautauqua County Veterans for one year.”

On April 6, 1865 Fenton issued a proclamation announcing the fall of Richmond and setting apart April 14 as a day of celebration for the people, selected by President Lincoln as it would be the day that the national flag would again fly over Fort Sumter. On April 8 the celebration day was postponed until the 20th, with the next day being the day General Lee surrendered. On the 14th the flag was raised again, and on that same day President Lincoln was assassinated. According to the Fenton History Center’s April newsletter, Fenton issued a proclamation following the assassination, setting April 20th apart as a day originally of thanksgiving, and now as a day dedicated to services appropriate for national bereavement.

Jumping ahead to the Fourth of July, which Cessna said Jamestown had not celebrated in four years at the time, Fenton planned a large parade and welcomed the soldiers home.

According to the Fenton newsletter, Fenton welcomed the men home by saying, “Soldiers, your state thanks you and gives you pledge of her lasting gratitude. You have elevated her dignity, brightened her renown, and enriched her history. The people will regard with jealous pride your welfare and honor, not forgetting the widow, the fatherless, and those who were dependent upon the fallen hero.”

These words can be seen on the Governor Fenton bronze statue in front of the Fenton Mansion with the exception of the last words, “and those who were dependent upon the fallen hero.”

Cessna said at the same time Fenton was also making plans for the reconstruction of New York but was also very busy locating soldiers in hospitals and locating bodies of soldiers to bring back home, not just for Chautauqua County, but all of New York.

It is noted in the Fenton History Center’s April newsletter that New York’s losses were approximately 39,000, and according to the Chautauqua County Historical Society at the McClurg Mansion in Westfield, Chautauqua County’s soldiers were estimated at 4,400, and 1,400 died from wounds and disease. Cessna said to this day people in the county who have relatives that fought in the Civil War come to the Fenton Museum to learn more about them.

“We have lots of great photos of soldiers from Chautauqua County, and many genealogies and regimental histories at our Research Center,” Cessna said. “We have great fun helping families and Veterans find their Civil War Veterans.”