LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Schenecta-
dy County

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging
significant milestones in the distinguished histories of its esteemed
municipalities; and
WHEREAS, Schenectady County will celebrate its 200th Anniversary
during a Bicentennial Gala to be held at the Glen Sanders Mansion on
March 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The earliest European settlers of Schenectady County came
from the Netherlands; and
WHEREAS, A large parcel of land in the area was owned by Killian Van
Rensselaer, who entrusted its care to Arendt Van Curler, who subsequent-
ly became the founder of Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, Van Curler and 14 others applied to Governor Stuyvesant for
permission to purchase a tract of land on the lower Mohawk River, called
the "Great Flat," from the Native Americans in 1661; this land included
the present site of Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, In 1665, Alexander Lindsay Glen received a patent for land on
the north side of the Mohawk; he erected a stone mansion on the land,
and named the estate Scotia after his homeland of Scotland; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Glenville was also named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Settlers obtained a patent for the township of Schenectady in
1684; and
WHEREAS, Schenectady County was formed from Albany County on March 7,
1809; and
WHEREAS, The County consists of the City of Schenectady, the Towns of
Niskayuna, Rotterdam, Glenville, Princetown, and Duanesburg, and the
Villages of Scotia and Delanson; and
WHEREAS, Schenectady County contributes vital efforts to the economic
development of New York State; its towns, cities, and villages are
extraordinary places to raise families and do business; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is pleased to recognize this signif-
icant milestone; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Schenectady County; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Schenectady County Legislature.