A company also met at Corre’s.
The New York Packet speaking of the observance in 1788, states that a large company assembled “at the Coffee house” but does not mention “Merchants’.” The reference appears in the Packet of March 18, that year, and states that “Yesterday being the anniversary of St. Patrick, the Tutelar Saint of Ireland, a large company of gentlemen, natives of that country, assembled at the Coffee-House; where a genteel entertainment was provided, and which was well conducted. True festive mirth and hilarity were displayed at this convivial board.”
WILLIAM PRENDERGAST, A PIONEER OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.
BY MISS HELEN PRENDERGAST.[[9]]
About one mile back of the west shore of Lake Chautauqua, N. Y., and almost directly behind the present Chautauqua Assembly ground, lies a farm now occupied by Chauncey Moses. This farm was formerly the home of William Prendergast, one of the pioneers of Chautauqua County.
To the rear of the house, and on a hill, is an old family graveyard where are buried the pioneer, his wife and many of their children and other descendants. The pioneer’s tombstone bears an inscription stating that he was born in Kilkenny County, Ireland, Feb. 2, 1727, that he was a son of Thomas and Mary Prendergast, and that he died Feb. 14, 1811.
His wife, Mehitable (Wing) Prendergast, is buried beside him. The inscription on her tombstone states that she was the daughter of Jedediah and Elizabeth Wing of Beeker, Dutchess County, N. Y., that she was born March 20, 1737, and died Sept. 14, 1811.
For some years after their marriage, Mr. Prendergast and his wife resided at Pawlings, Dutchess County. I have heard it said that William, the pioneer, came to America when he was but nineteen years of age. He continued to live at Pawlings until the year 1766. At that time the inhabitants of Rensselaer, Dutchess and Columbia counties who rented their lands, instead of owning them, became dissatisfied by what they considered the unreasonable demands of the proprietors, and broke out in open revolt.
Prendergast, who was looked upon as a leader of the disaffected, was taken prisoner, tried for treason and sentenced to death. He was, however, pardoned by the British king, George IV, on taking an oath never again to bear arms against the government of England. This oath he kept, so that during the Revolution neither he nor his sons were actively engaged in the Patriot cause, although sympathizing therewith.
After his pardon, he removed to Pittstown, Rensselaer County, twenty-two miles above Albany, N. Y., where he lived until 1805. At this time the family decided to remove to Tennessee, and departed for thence, traveling in wagons and on horseback. Not liking the place, they returned through Ohio and Pennsylvania to New York state. When they had reached a point some miles within New York, the horse ridden by Thomas Prendergast, one of the sons, became lame. Being near a settler’s log cabin, Thomas entered the latter and soon prevailed upon the settler to sell him his claim. Thomas, therefore, decided to go no further but to settle there and make the locality his home, which he accordingly did.