Write a commentWilliam Seward’s race to the New York State Governor’s mansion was the topic of conversation Tuesday, June 18, at the Town of Schroeppel Historical Society in Phoenix.
Dr. Jeffery Ludwig, the Director of Education at the Seward House Museum in Auburn, presented a history of a man ahead of his time.
Seward was only 5 foot 3 inches, but his ideas were tall and wide. He grew up in Orange County, New York, as the son of a farmer, but his father saw something different in him. At fifteen he went to Union College where he began as a junior earning a law degree. In 1820, he delivered his valedictorian address denouncing slavery, setting the stage for some of his life work.
He worked for his future father-in-law, Mr. Miller, as a lawyer in Auburn, but became bored with it. He was mentored by John Quincy Adams to move into politics. He wasn’t sure what he stood for, but he knew what he wasn’t- a Jacksonian man.
Dr, Ludwig went on to describe the many turns that Seward took to get to the man we know him to be. How Seward came to be Governor of New York and worked to give all children an education and make sure libraries were available at every school. How he set out to expand the Erie Canal and rail system to connect Western New York to the east. How Seward set a standard for New York State regarding slavery angering southern states with his "No Extradition" stance. “My principals are too liberal for my party,” he stated.
Dr.Ludwig talked about Seward’s wife, Frances, who influenced her husband with her own anti-slavery ideas as well as her ideas regarding women and property rights.
Ludwig’s slide show gave the group a chance to see images of the day that led Seward to eventually be appoint to serve as Secretary of State under President Lincoln.
Dr. Ludwig kept the audience captivated with his knowledge of Seward and those around him. He showed us a man that was ahead of his day. To learn more, you can visit the Seward House in Auburn. In celebration of Juneteenth, today, June 19, admission is free.
Next at the Town of Schroeppel Historical Society:
The Town of Schroeppel Historical Society will be hosting an Open House and Celebration of Barb Dix on June 23 from 2-4 pm. It is located at the corner of Route 57 and Route 264 in Phoenix.
On July 20, the society will be hosting its annual blueberry sale with fresh blueberries to purchase as well as baked goods.
