May 17, 2012James Prendergast
Located at the southeast corner of Sprague & West Second Streets
James Prendergast, founder of Jamestown, built his log house and sawmill upon the banks of the Chautauqua Lake outlet in the spring of 1811.
Here he immediately began the sawing of lumber – the first act in the long pageant of manufacturing which has built the prestige of this modern municipality.
The dam built by Prendergast raised the water level of the outlet and lake to such an extent that property owners secured an indictment in June, 1812, charging "Great damage and common nuisance in the liege citizens of the state." He voluntarily paid damages and a court imposed judgment of $15.
Both the sawmill and the house were destroyed by fire September 8, 1812, when James Prendergast removed to his home on the north side of First Street, between Main and Cherry Streets. In December, 1812, he moved into his third home, a one and one-half story frame house on the northeast corner of Main and Second Streets. The authorities for the site of this dwelling are Hazeltine and Foote.
HERE IN 1811
JAMES PRENDERGAST
BUILT A LOG HOUSE. SAW MILL AND DAM, BEGINNING JAMESTOWN INDUSTRY BUILDINGS BURNED 1812