old-houses- 0039 - Old Houses of the North Country

Old Mansions of the North Country-
The great limestone mansion of John L a F a r g e , noted
French merchant, pioneer North Country promoter and
founder of a distinguished American family, was "razed
many years ago on its expansive site a mile south of Lafargevillc on the Lafargeville-Brownville highway. However, the overseer's house of the luxurious John La Farge
estate still stands in a slate of excellent preservation diagonally across the road.
Like the main house it was built of blue limestone, cut
in small blocks and quarried on the estate from one of
the finest deposits of blue limestone in the county. This
overseer's house was erected in 1836, according to a date
carved in the gable window. The main house was started
in 1832 and completed in 1833 and Hial Cook was the
master mason. Of plain, simple, Georgian construction,
the overseer's house stands now as square and true as the
day it was completed.
July 22, 1914 this house with 149.83 acres of land, part
of the original 436 acres of John La Farge's great Jefferson county estate, was bought by Stewart L. and Ella M.
Van Alstyne, present owners, from the heirs of Mcrton
Wilder, who inherited the farm from George Wilder.
March 1, 1838 John La Farge sold his mansion, over-
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AM
No. 39!
— Photo and Caption by David F. Lane
seer's house and 436 acres of laird for $20,000 to Rl. Rev.
John Du Bois, R. C , third bishop of New York. Bishop
Du Bois caused a Catholic theological seminary to be
established in the mansion, but it was too remote from
civilization and was discontinued after 2}£ years. Like
L a F a r g e Bishop Du Bois was a native of France. He died
in New York Dec. 20, 1812 at an advanced age after having
resided over 51 years in this country. He left no kin and
his will, probated here in March, 1813, provided for his
burial in front of St. Patrick's cathedral, New York city,
and gave all his property including the La Farge estate to
Archbishop John Hughes of New York. Archbishop
Hughes established his brother, Patrick Hughes, at Lafargeville and visited there several summers. Archbishop
Hughes died early in 1864 and by his will, probated here
in April, 1864, gave the La Farge estate to his two brothers, Patrick, Lafargeville and Michael of Chambersburg,
Pa.
Under the Hughes ownership the estate became known
as Grovemunt. On Feb. 10, 1876 it passed out of the
Hughes family by deed to George Wilder, who willed it
to his sons Merton and Eugene and from the Wilders it
came to Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstyne.