Villenova town historian Barb Wise presented a historical talk entitled “Walk Around Hamlet” at the last Chautauqua County Genealogical meeting in the Fredonia Barker Library.

The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society met at the Barker Library in Fredonia for a historical talk entitled “Walk Around Hamlet” by Villenova Historian Barb Wise.

Historian Wise was introduced by Vice President Gail Dash. Wise began her tour with distributing a copy of the 1881 map of Hamlet. Hamlet she said was originally known as Omar, and the name was changed to Hamlet by the post office there. Hamlet was formed on Jan. 24, 1823 and celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1998. Hamlet had four doctors and one dentist. The post office was started in Omar on Nov. 19, 1850 to deliver the mail to the farmers. Fred Weaver was the first person to deliver mail then. The post office was always located in the store where the postmaster was the owner of the store. The name was changed because there was another town in New York State named Omar.

The Conewango Creek flows through Hamlet, and a dam was formed to provide the power for a sawmill. Legend, she says, was that the people lived on one side of the creek, which became infested with bugs, so the people moved across the stream to get away from the bugs. The area was known as Bugville, and she said that a woman had called her one time to tell her she was born in Bugville.

Dr. Wallace J. French was the first doctor, followed by a female doctor named Dr. May Flower Gibson. The school on School Street was known as School No. 2. It was a two room school. Nearby Balcom Corners there was a large hotel called the Bacon Hotel that had a race track in back of it. Mrs. Wise had a large number of photographs to show to all during her speech. A very interesting historical talk was enjoyed by all.

President Walter Sedlmayer called the business meeting to order with a welcome and “a go around” for all members and guests to introduce themselves. Secretary Margaret Ann Curtis read the minutes of the previous meeting, and treasurer Debbie Kotar gave the financial report of the society.

The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society meets on the third Tuesday of the month from March through November at 6:30 p.m. New members and guests are always welcome.