2013-J1076

Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Mendon

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2013-J1076


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Mendon to be celebrated on April 13, 2013

WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village and hamlet within its
borders proudly resonates with the rich and noble history of the State
of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commemorate the anniversary of the founding of municipalities throughout
the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric and develop-
ment of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
200th Anniversary of the Monroe County Town of Mendon, New York, to be
celebrated at a Bicentennial Gala at the Mendon Golf Club on Saturday,
April 13, 2013, recognizing the significance of this special anniversary
and applauding its distinguished history; and
WHEREAS, Once a dense forest with a roaring stream, now known as the
Honeoye Creek, the Town of Mendon is today much different from the log
cabin era of 1790 when oxen pulled covered wagons through mud holes, our
pioneer families planted the seeds of settlement, and wolves howled in
the woods behind the clearings; and
WHEREAS, President George Washington ordered the Sullivan-Clinton
Expedition in 1779 to break forever the power of the Seneca Indians who
fled west hoping for protection from the British on the Niagara Fron-
tier; the Expedition was successful and hastened the development of
Western New York; and
WHEREAS, When peace came and the land in the Finger Lakes and Genesee
River areas was opened for sale, the word was passed along and settle-
ments sprang up rapidly as people rushed to buy land either for specu-
lation or to farm for themselves; and
WHEREAS, They set out on foot or horseback and drove their stock,
while their families usually came by water or covered wagon; very often,
the heads of families or older sons came ahead as land hunters, made
their selection, bought land, built a hut or cabin and then returned
along the trail to pass the winter at the old home and to sell their
farm before bringing their family to Mendon; and
WHEREAS, In January, 1789, Ontario County was formed from Montgomery
County; the Town of Mendon was originally part of Ontario County and was
annexed to Monroe County when it was formed in 1821; Mendon was organ-
ized in 1813 and held its first Town Meeting in April of that year at
the home of Thomas Ewer at the corner of West Bloomfield and Cheese
Factory Roads and later adjourned to his barn; and
WHEREAS, It is believed that Mendon most likely got its name from one
of its early settlers, Caleb Taft, who came there from Mendon, Massachu-
setts; most of the early settlers to Mendon came from Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Vermont, and from the eastern counties of New York State,
where their prospects for existence were poor; and
WHEREAS, Between 1792 and 1800, 26 families settled in Mendon, most of
them near "Mendon village" or East Mendon, as it was called in early
days; and
WHEREAS, In 1800, a road was opened from East Mendon westward; from
this time until 1805, numerous groups passed through the area from every
part of New England and, before long, the country became more thickly
settled; and
WHEREAS, A few men started in the milling business; sites along the
streams were selected for their waterpower; a person looking for a mill
site explored up and down the stream for a desirable location, and when
one was found he went before the Town authorities to secure a writ of ad

quod damnum which enabled the miller to have the adjoining land offi-
cially examined and the possible amount of damage by building a dam
estimated; and
WHEREAS, The mills also provided the local farmers with a market for
their wheat, corn and oats throughout the 19th century and into the
early years of the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Mendon continues its commitment to enhancing the
quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institu-
tional and educational climate, and providing all essential services;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Mendon, New York,
recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the
life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Mendon, New York.

actions

  • 03 / Apr / 2013
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE
  • 17 / Apr / 2013
    • REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
  • 17 / Apr / 2013
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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