There are cranes and mechanized giants of the construction industry busy in North St. in the vicinity of Symphony Cir.  And there are those who moan as one of the last bastions of lovely old mansions is invaded by that trademark of our age, apartment dwelling.

The ‘fort,’ however, will be held by a valiant lady, Sister Mary Malachy, who presides over the establishment next door at 303 North St. and who has neither the heart nor plans for relinquishing her hold on one of the most beautiful old landmark houses of the days when grandeur was the style. 

So began Anne McIlhenney Matthews’ nostalgic look at this majestic North Street mansion that appeared in the Buffalo Courier Express on July 3, 1966.  Long-time subscriber Dianne Jones was kind enough to share this magnificent photo of the home, taken ca. 1972, along with stories of her time as a resident there.

The imposing stone dwelling was built in 1883 for Josiah Jewett and his wife, who was the daughter of Nathan Hall, Postmaster General under President Millard Fillmore.  Not surprisingly, the house played host to many of Buffalo’s social elite during the Jewett’s residency.

The mansion’s next occupant was no less impressive, if for different reasons.  General Francis Vinton Greene served as president of the Niagara, Lockport & Ontario Power Company following his military service.  Having received his appointment to West Point from none other than General Ulysses S. Grant, Greene served as military attaché to Russia, where he was an official observer of the Russo-Turkish War.  He also fought in both Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.  While serving in the Pacific during that period, he was credited with the rediscovery of Wake Island, which apparently had been deemed “lost.”

Following Greene’s occupancy, the mansion was home to the Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross before being sold in 1918 to the Sisters of Mercy, who dubbed it the “Casa Misericordia.”  The Sisters converted the larger bedrooms into smaller ones, with the music room converted to a chapel and the library to administrative offices.  

Matthews’ article states that the Sisters operated the mansion as a “home away from home” for up to 24 girls who were students at schools in the area, primarily business schools.  But Jones, who lived there from 1962-64, remembers most of the residents being either ex-nuns or single working women instead of students.  Dianne had come to Buffalo to find a job, and was directed to the house by her hometown priest.  She ended up working at a florist at Allen Street and Irving Place and left the “Casa” when she got married.

Sadly, despite the valiant efforts of Sister Mary Malachy, the house eventually succumbed to what Matthews calls “that trademark of our age,” and the site is now occupied by the Corporate Manor Apartments.

We would like to thank Dianne Jones for sharing this lost piece of heritage with us, and for taking the time to share some of the stories of when she lived in this stately home.