Chautauqua County Records

Chautauqua County anticipated the United States’ entry into World War I and was able to quickly established local networks of committees to coordinate home-front activities and to assist with processing men for active service.  Within two weeks after we entered the war, more than 1,000 county farmers met to discuss increasing their food production to support US troops.  The County Home Defense Committee and County Farm Bureau worked together to plan gardens on vacant lots.  The Home Defense Commission also conducted an automobile census to determine how many vehicles could be available in the event of emergency (82 trucks, 1153 pleasure cars, and 133 chauffeurs).   At least two local manufacturers switched over entirely to government work.  Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company made doors for sub-chasers, destroyers, torpedo boats and battleships; Art Metal Company manufactured parts for more than 200 destroyers, 100 sub-chasers, and battleships.  Civic groups held dinners to promote Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesdays. The recipes were printed in local newspapers, encouraging residents to make every effort to conserve food for the troops.

Chautauqua County’s residents mobilized immediately to support the United States’ entry into the Great War. Citizens devoted time and energy to the war effort, from the Liberty and Victory Loan Campaigns, to the Red Cross, and to local food and fuel conservation campaigns. It seems as though the entire county labored together as a band of patriotic volunteers, enthusiastically responding to every call.
Michelle Henry, Chautauqua County Historian, 2018

Samuel L. Derby Photograph

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B03_F19_Derby_photo
Description
Photograph of Samuel L. Derby and another in their military uniforms.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 3, Folder 19.
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Samuel L. Derby Article

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B03_F19_Derby_article
Description
Newspaper article titled "Corporal Sameul L. Derby is Buried at Frewsburg." Derby was the only soldier from Carroll, New York to have been killed in action during World War I. The article also includes a letter from Sergeant Rollie F. Cass of the 5th Company, 4th regiment air service mechanics stationed in Romorantin, France to his father, F.S. Cass of Frewsburg, N.Y., dated November 24th.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 3, Folder 19.
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Samuel L. Derby Letter

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B03_F19_Derby_letter
Description
Letter home from Samuel L. Derby to his mother while he was stationed in France, dated Friday Sept 27th.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 3, Folder 19.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
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Inez Potwin Photograph

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B03_F26_Potwin_photo
Description
Photograph of Red Cross nurse Inez Potwin and two unidentified women, standing outside in raincoats on a rainy day.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 3, Folder 26.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
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World War I Red Cross Nurse Inez Potwin with Ambulance

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B03_F26_Potwin_woman
Description
Photograph of Inez Potwin (a Red Cross nurse) and an unknown woman standing by an American Red Cross ambulance.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 3, Folder 26.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
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Inez Potwin Biography

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B03_F26_PotwinBio
Description
Biography of Inez Potwin, a Red Cross nurse. She enlisted on March 1, 1918 and worked overseas in France. Potwin was discharged on May 4, 1919. In this portion Potwin discusses her time working abroad in France for the American Red Cross.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 3, Folder 26.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities