William G. Pomeroy Historic Marker for Town of Huron 

News Release by Rosa Fox, Town of Huron Historian

A William G. Pomeroy Foundation Historic Marker Grant was awarded in 2019 to the Town of Huron. Pomeroy Foundation grants fully fund the acquisition of historic markers for municipalities, historical societies, and other organizations seeking meaningful ways to commemorate sites of historical significance.  Huron’s new marker was recently installed at the property of Cheryl Gorall on Lummisville Road in Huron, New York.

The Gorall home was originally built by James Madison Cosad in 1876 as a meeting hall, known at the time as Liberal Hall or Cosad’s Hall, not to be confused with the historic Town Hall on North Huron Road. An assortment of guest orators passed through the doors of Liberal Hall speaking on topics like abolition, women’s suffrage, political reform, and spirituality.  Cosad built Liberal Hall across the road from his home, now the residence of June MacDougall and her son David. Both Cosad’s home and Liberal Hall were originally two-storied buildings. The second story of both structures was removed - the home by deconstruction in the 1950s and Liberal Hall by fire in the 1960s. 

James Madison Cosad came to the town of Huron in 1856 from Junius, Seneca County. Cosad first bought property near East Bay – at what is now Chimney Bluffs State Park. He cleared and actively farmed that land.  In 1858, Cosad purchased land a little further south at Mudge Creek on Lummisville Road, also known as Rice’s Mill.  He retained the property at East Bay, expanding his farming activities. Cosad owned more acreage than most Huron residents at that time. 

The Town of Huron’s W. G. Pomeroy historic marker commemorates the first meeting of the Freethinkers Association of Central and Western New York held from August 17 to 19, 1877.  Newspaper articles reported that about 2000 people from New York State, Canada and the New England states attended the three-day meeting held in the grove behind Liberal Hall. Freethinkers were a social, intellectual, and political reform group of the late 19^th Century who questioned religion, supported the freedom and rights of slaves, fought for women’s rights, including the right to vote, and advocated for the separation of religion and government. Important Freethinker reformists were women’s rights activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Amy Post; agnostic political lecturer, Robert Green Ingersoll; writer, Mark Twain; and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass.

Many thanks to Gerrit Reyn and the Town of Huron Highway Department for careful trimming of trees along the roadside and for installing the historic marker. A note of appreciation to Ruth and Jim Chatfield of Wolcott, who originally shared the historic tale and continue to share research about this remarkable character, James Madison Cosad. Sincerest appreciation to Cheryl Gorall and her family for their willingness to host this important historic marker.

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history. The Foundation’s grant program is open to all 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and local, state and federal government entities. Municipal historians or local historical organizations may apply for a historic marker on behalf of private property owners.

More information on the William G. Pomeroy Foundation may be found at www.wgpfoundation.org.

A dedication program to honor James Madison Cosad and to celebrate this new addition to Huron historic sites will be held in the spring of 2020. If you wish to learn more about Cosad, the Freethinkers, and the rich history of the town of Huron, please visit www.historichuron.org and search for Cosad.