Fun Facts from Clarence, NY
Did you know…
Clarence was founded just 25 years after the end of the Revolutionary War.
Did you know…
Although Clarence was established in 1808, Erie County itself wasn’t formed until1821 (from Niagara County).
Did you know…
Before being sold to the Holland Company, a large area (3,750,000 acres), which included Clarence, was owned by Robert Morris, who originally purchased it from Massachusetts for $333,333.34.
Did you know…
The original Holland Land purchase from Robert Morris was 3,250,000 acres included the area west of the Genesee River, north to Lake Ontario, West to Lake Erie, and south to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A vertical tract consisting of 500,000 acres was retained by Morris at the eastern edge of this parcel.
Did you know…
Before Robert Morris could give Holland Land Co. title to their purchase, it was necessary to first obtain title from the Indians. At the Treaty of Big Tree in 1791, the Indians exchanged (“extinguished title”) their rights to the land in return for $100,000 and 200,000 acres to be retained and used for reservations.
Did you know…
Robert Morris, a Philadelphia Banker, financed much of the Revolutionary War for the States.
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Robert Morris was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
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The Holland Land Company, consisting of 13 wealthy Dutch investors, were unable to own land here until 1798 in their own names because they were aliens and unable to own land in this country.
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Joseph Ellicott was hired away from his family surveying business which he had with his brothers by the Holland Land Company. Originally hired for surveying and dividing the Western New York area into parcels, his clients at the Company we so impressed with the quality of his work, they immediately retained his services to also sell plots from the parcels which he created at a cost of $2.75 an acre.
Did you know…
To encourage early settlers to establish homes along the main trail between Buffalo and Batavia, plots were given away at various locations approximately 10 miles apart to settlers who would agree to build a tavern or inn. This provided food and shelter for travelers to come to the area and construct homesteads.
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Asa Ransom’s daughter is probably the first white person born in what is now Erie County when the Ransom family lived at the Buffalo Creek community before moving to what is now Clarence in 1799.
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During the British siege of Buffalo during the war of 1812, a number of people, including the publisher’s of the Buffalo Gazette (press and all), headed east to find sanctuary in what is now the Harris Hill area until the fighting stopped.
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The Spoors Hotel, later the West Shore Hotel, was built in 1810 and still stands at the foot of the east hill in the Hollow.
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The West Shore Hotel (formerly the Spoors Hotel) accommodated travelers on the West Shore Rail Road which originally ran from NYC to Chicago.
Did you know…
The West Shore Rail Road was purchased by its competitor, New York Central Rail Road in 1888.
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There is a lot more to know about the town of Clarence, NY. Join the Clarence Historical Society and embrace Clarence history and be part of it's future!
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