LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Pembroke, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Pembroke, in Genesee County,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Pembroke was formed on June 8, 1812, and ten days
later, on June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain
and thus began the War of 1812; and
WHEREAS, The burning of Buffalo in 1813, sent a continuous stream of
people through Pembroke, many stopping along the way to seek food and
shelter on their way to Batavia; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Pembroke was formed from the Town of Batavia and
it originally included part of the Town of Alabama, which separated on
April 17, 1826, and all of the Town of Darien, which separated on Febru-
ary 10, 1832; and
WHEREAS, The northern part of the town also included the Tonawanda
Indian Reservation; the Indian name for this area was O-a-geh, meaning
"on the road"; and
WHEREAS, The first settler was David Goss, who settled on route 5 near
the Boyce Road; this area became known as Pembroke Center; his home was
used as the Old White Tavern and stood there until 1890; and
WHEREAS, Ellicott Mills (East Pembroke) was first settled in 1806,
Longs Corners (now Corfu) was settled in 1807, Mogadore (North Pembroke)
in 1808, Richville (Pembroke) in 1812 and Tonawanda Falls (Indian Falls)
was first surveyed in 1842; and
WHEREAS, There were settlers around Indian Falls as early as 1822;
during these early years it was still part of the Tonawanda Indian
Reservation; and
WHEREAS, One of Pembroke's best known citizens, Ely Parker was born on
the reservation at Indian Falls in 1828; he studied law, but was not
allowed to become a lawyer because being an Indian he was not considered
a citizen; and
WHEREAS, Ely Parker became a civil engineer and became friends with
Ulysses S. Grant; during the Civil War he became General Grant's aide
and penned the Confederate surrender at Appomattox; he eventually became
a Brigadier General and also became the Head of Indian Affairs under
President Grant; and
WHEREAS, The New York Central railroad came through Pembroke in 1852;
on May 10, 1893, Engine 999 set the World Land Speed record on the
Central, from Corfu to Crittenden at 112.5 mph; The Peanut railroad was
built through Pembroke in 1854 and ceased operation in 1960; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Pembroke has been mainly a farming community but
with better transportation and the small farms being absorbed by large
farm corporations, the community has become a bedroom community for
residents who work in the larger cities; and
WHEREAS, Pembroke continues to grow with small industries and two
industrial parks which are open for future development; Yancey's Fancy
Cheese factory continues to be a big employer in the area; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Pembroke continues its commitment to enhancing
the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,

institutional 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 Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, New York.