My Genealogy Hound

G. V. SACKETT, who was identified with the early history of Seneca Falls, was a descendant of Puritan ancestors, his father, William, belonging to the seventh generation in descent from Simon Sackett. The latter emigrated from England in 1628, and settled in Cambridge, Mass., where he became a land-holder. Our subject’s father was born in the town of Warren, Litchfield County, Conn., in 1753, and remained in his native place until after his marriage to his second wife, Parthena Patterson, likewise a native of Connecticut. After the birth of their first child, in 1788, they moved to Vermont and settled in the town of Thedford, August 9, 1790, their second son, our subject, was born.

A farmer by occupation, William Sackett was intelligent and educated above the majority of persons of those days. In 1805 he removed to New York State, and settled in the town of Aurelius, Cayuga County, where he took up a section of state land a few miles from Cayuga Lake. At the time of making the move, he had three sons and five daughters. With the help of his sons, he gave his family fair educational advantages. At the majority of each son he gave him fifty acres of land, but our subject desired a larger scope for his ambition than fifty acres would warrant, and instead he received an education preparatory to the profession of law. He studied with Thomas Mumford, in the village of Cayuga, on the east shore of Cayuga Lake, and was admitted to the Bar in 1813. His first practice was in West Cayuga, now called Bridgeport, on the west side of the lake.

In 1815 Mr. Sackett removed to Seneca Falls, then a small village. He soon entered into partnership with Luther N. Stevens, a resident lawyer, and the connection proved successful. Colonel Mynderse, the principal business man of the place, became interested in him and gave him his influence, which he in turn in after years gave to other young men who needed assistance. He was an important factor in all important enterprises of the town and county. Though taking a deep interest in politics, he never sought office. Politically he was associated consecutively with the Federal, Whig and Republican parties. At one time he served as County Judge.

The growth of Seneca Falls being hindered by a company that had a hold upon the water-power and a large tract of land on the south side of the river, in 1828 Judge Sackett, went to Albany and presented the matter to the Legislature. He succeeded in getting the embargo removed, and the result was the speedy growth of the village, as the property mentioned came into the market. In company with two other gentlemen, he bought the land bordering on the river, and laid it out into village lots, which now constitute the south part of the village. However, he reserved six hundred acres for a farm, to which he afterward retired and gave his attention to husbandry. He built on it a commodious residence, and took great pleasure in extending to his numerous friends the hospitalities of his happy home. He was well known in the surrounding counties, also in the state. Governor Seward was a frequent visitor at his home, and after he became a member of the Cabinet he never came to Auburn to visit his family without also going to Seneca Falls, and discussing important measures with the Judge.

The first wife of our subject, whom he married in East Cayuga in early life, died in Seneca Falls, July 29, 1820, leaving three children. February 6, 1826, he married Harriet Haigh, daughter of Capt. John Haigh, an English officer stationed at Calcutta, India. After twenty-three years of married life, she died, March 18, 1851, leaving one son, John H., who is now living. In personal appearance the Judge was dignified, in manner courteous, in sympathies warm, a man of great generosity, and one who always desired the friendship of others. He remained on his farm until his death, which occurred June 15, 1865, at the age of seventy-five years.