Fredonia in Chautauqua County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Seth Cole
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 17, 2025
1. Seth Cole Marker
Seth Cole was born in Chesterfield, Mass. in 1756. He served in the Revolutionary War and married Celea Sampson in Chesterfield in the early 1790s. Cole came to the area with his family along with Zattu Cushing and his family in 1805. Both families settled at the mouth of Canadaway Creek, with Cushing moving on soon up the creek to what is now Fredonia (and selling his land to Cole). Seth Cole is considered by most to be the first permanent settler in what is now Dunkirk. This photo from 1915 is of what was left of Cole's cabin. Cole was a very ambitious man as evidenced by his work. Shortly after buying his property from them, he contracted with the Holland Land Company to cut and clear a road from the town line between Pomfret and Portland to Silver Creek, at a price of $10 per mile. He died June 10, 1810 at age 54 years and is buried here in Pioneer Cemetery near his old friend/neighbor Zattu Cushing.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1810.
Location. 42° 26.59′ N, 79° 19.601′ W. Marker is in Fredonia, New York, in Chautauqua County. It can be reached from East Main Road (U.S. 20) east of Cleveland Avenue
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, and in the Southern Tier. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Celia (Celea) Cole (here, next to this marker); Alonzo Cushing (a few steps from this marker); Alonzo Hereford Cushing (a few steps from this marker); Hezekiah Barker (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Squire White (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Abell Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Elijah Risley Sr. (a few steps from this marker); The Pioneer Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredonia.
Regarding Seth Cole. The photo of Cole's cabin mentioned on the marker is actually located on the Celia (Celea) Cole marker.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 17, 2025
2. Seth Cole Marker
The marker is at the far right. Cole's gravestone is in the center of the photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
