Hungerford’s A$hes: an Exhibit of Heirlooms and Comic Book Art
To honor and celebrate this North Country family, we will have a display of their family heirlooms as well as comic book art detailing their family history. Light refreshments will be provided. More information to come!
Opening Ceremony: Friday, June 13th @ 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Display will remain open through the close of business on August 8th
Have questions? Contact Library Director Suzie Renzi-Falge at 315-785-7701 or srenzi-falge@ncls.org
Research the Hungerford family history at Flower Library! The following materials are available for use when discovering the Hungerford family tree:
- Ancestry.com
- Various Watertown Daily Times resources (microfilm and databases)
- The Hungerford Family Foundation Database
- Hand-curated family files
- Books
Some items may only be used while in the library and may require a library card for use, while others may be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Speak with a staff member to get started.
The connection between the Hungerford family name and the city of Watertown, NY was forged when Timothy Hungerford moved his family here in 1801. A boy of only 11 years old, Orville Hungerford started his working career as a clerk in his brother-in-law Jabez Foster’s general store in Burrs Mills (known today as Burrville) where his duties consisted of sweeping, dusting, caretaking, and manning the office. Eventually the store was relocated to Watertown where their partnership with the US Army during the War of 1812 led them to become the largest mercantile business in the area. Later on, Orville Hungerford opened a store on his own where he was said to promote all of the modern conveniences, such as the “Air-Tight Rotary Cook Stove.” While his business escaped the great fire of May 13th, 1849, he wasn’t so lucky as his store and building succumbed to flames at least twice more before 1852.
Portrait of Orville Hungerford
During his time as a merchant, Orville Hungerford married Elizabeth Porter Stanley (also known as Betsy). The couple eventually had 7 children and raised 2 others (Betsy’s nephew and Orville’s nephew). Later in his life, Orville Hungerford also served as cashier and then back president of the Jefferson County Bank. He was president from 1834-1845. He also served as a local investor, one of the first superintendents of Jefferson County’s poorhouse, helped establish the Watertown Female Academy in 1823, and had a hand in creating the Watertown Academy in 1832.
Perhaps his most impactful accomplishment, the ripples of which are still felt today, was the promotion and lobbying for the incorporation of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society in 1828. Founded in 1817, this society forms the basis of today’s Jefferson County Fair, the “oldest continuous operating fair in America!” Orville Hungerford was president in 1841, and his nephew went on to serve as president in 1854 and 1877.
Throughout his early career in Watertown, Orville Hungerford dedicated time to local elected offices and later went on to become a member of the US House of Representatives from 1843-1847. He returned to Watertown after holding a seat in Congress to establish the Watertown & Rome Railroad, of which he was elected president in 1847. Orville Hungerford passed away shortly before the inaugural train run in 1851.
Today, with the help of The Hungerford Family Foundation, Inc., descendants of Orville and Betsy Hungerford are connecting all around the world! Visit their website to get started.