The house located at 209 Liberty Street, Bath, NY was built in 1872 by Alfred P. Ferris (born November 29, 1818). Ferris moved to Bath to study law at the Franklin Academy in Prattsburgh. Ferris was admitted to the Bar in 1843. Alfred Ferris was elected as District Attorney in 1847 and served until 1850. In 1852, Ferris was elected to a serve a two-year term as Village Trustee. Maps show Ferris still located at 209 Liberty in 1854 and his occupation was a banker and exchange office. It is rumored that Ferris continued to practice law in 1854 but his main occupation was banking and exchange officer, this was most likely due to the increase in demand for bankers during this time period.

     Alfred Ferris along with William Johnson are remembered to be remarkable civil rights activists in the local area. According to the Steuben County Historical Society, Ferris and Johnson "both made impassioned pleas to allow black children to attend the new school." Following their civil rights demands the new school was integrated, this was seen as a remarkable accomplishment at the time.

     In 1872 Ferris sold the house located at 209 Liberty Street to Mr. Gould. Ferris passed away in 1886 and was laid to rest in the Grove Cemetery in Bath, New York. In 1899 the house was sold to Abner Case. The house was sold again, this time to William Burns in 1906.

Burns was very active in the community, he was a member of the board of education as far back as 1879. Burns was referred to as Captains Burns because of his rank in the 4th Missouri Cavalry during the Civil War. He came to Steuben County in 1868. William Burns worked as a bookkeeper for Ira and John Davenport's business.

     Daniel C. Moore purchased the house in 1931 and in 1934 Ella Moore moved in.

     Dr. J. Grover (dentist) was located at 209 Liberty Street in 1937 until 1974. There is one report according to the Steuben County Historical Society that suggests that Grover was at 209 Liberty in 1923. However, the directory shows the Moores there until at least 1934. The report shows Grover practicing dentistry at 22 Liberty and living at 34 West William, in 1934.

     In 1974 Dr. Schultz purchased 209 Liberty. Schultz restored the house and practiced dentistry at 209 Liberty.

     In September 2015, Christine Haar purchased the house and began restoration. In September 2016, opened Restaurant 209 that remains in business.

 

All information was collected by the Steuben County Historical Society.

Special thanks to Kirk House for his research work.