The Sterling genealogy

WILLIAM STERLING OF HAVERHILL, MASS. 403
of the Watertown Academy at its incorporation in 1832 ; was one
of the corporators of the Jefferson Co. Agricultural Society, or-
ganized Mar. 28, 1828, and president of the same in 1842.
He was in partnership with Isaac H. Bronson under the firm
name of Sterling and Bronson from 1823 to 1840. Mr. Bronson
studied in Micah's office previous to his admission into the firm,
which was famous throughout the country and which continued
until Mr. Bronson's election to Congress.
Micah was president of the Jefferson Co. National Bank in 1833
and 34 and a member of the board of directors at the time of his
death. In 1821 he was elected to the United States House of
Representatives, and in 1836 to the State Senate.
A grandson says of him : " He had much to do with the French
refugees in their land matters. The Lerays did much business with
him as letters show. Father used to tell of their coming from their
fine place at Lerayville with their fine turnout and gold plated
harness, get dinner at our house and again grandfather would
visit them. The old decanters marked ' Mad Wine ' and ' Port
show that they did not belong to the W. C. T. U. Father remem-
bered when a boy drinking what he thought was some kind of
water, on the sly, after a dinner. His memory failed him soon
after and he was told to let good champagne alone thereafter.
Years after, part of a good case of wine was found under the stairs
in our old wine cellar. It was sent to a hospital.
" The old homestead was built on the English plan with a large
estate surrounding the house. What is now a city ward was about
half taken up in the grounds and farm. A lodge, large pond, and
walks made a most beautiful park about the house. At one time
President Van Buren was entertained here and the military paraded
through the park."
Micah built a stone hotel, called the Mansion House. The stone
mansion mentioned above is now occupied by his grandson.
At Micah's death the directors of the Jefferson Co. Bank and
the members of the bar passed resolutions expressing their respect
for his memory. He was thus spoken of by the writer of an
obituary notice:
" Of the public c^racter of Mr. Sterling the journals of Con-