LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Ridgeway, 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 Ridgeway in Orleans County,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Seymour Murdock was the first settler in what was to become
the town of Ridgeway; in 1810, he left his home in Dutchess County, and
headed west in search of land, traveling with his family group of twelve
members and a team of oxen; and
WHEREAS, Soon, more settlers arrived, and gradually amenities were
built; a grist mill was built on the Oak Orchard Creek in 1812, by Dr.
White and David Hooker; Eli Moore built the first hotel and tavern on
Ridgeway Corners in 1811; he also operated a small grocery and dry goods
store there; and
WHEREAS, Seymour Murdock built the first frame barn in 1812, of heavy
oak timber; his daughter, Betsy Murdock taught at the first school
there; remarkably, this barn is still standing; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Ridgeway was formed from the Town of Batavia on
June 8, 1812; and
WHEREAS, The first annual town meeting was held on Tuesday, April 6,
1813, at the home of John G. Brown; by then, there were 173 taxable
inhabitants with 30,556 taxable acres assessed to them; and
WHEREAS, Oliver Booth was appointed the first Supervisor, and Israel
Douglass the first Town Clerk; Elijah Hawley was the first Postmaster of
the post office established at Ridgeway Corners on October 22, 1816; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Ridgeway was the first town incorporated in what
is now Orleans County and originally included the towns of Ridgeway,
Shelby, Gaines, Barre, Carlton, Gaines and Albion; and
WHEREAS, Ridgeway stretched from Lake Ontario in the north as far
south as the present line north of the Towns of Alabama and Elba in
Genesee County; this entire area was about sixteen miles wide from north
to south and covered an area of about three hundred square miles, about
three quarters of the acreage of the present county of Orleans; and
WHEREAS, The town was named for "The Ridge," a natural embankment
formed as the southern boundary of the glacial Lake Iroquois, which had
long been used as an east to west route by Native Americans and other
travelers; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Ridgeway was divided into two towns by an Act of
the Legislature of the State of New York on March 6, 1818, thus forming
the Town of Shelby; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the Town of Ridgeway has a population of 6,534;
some are descendants of the early settlers; many are descendants of the
many ethnic groups who moved here in search of opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Amish and Mennonite families have moved into the
area, attracted by affordable land as well as commercial opportunities;
and
WHEREAS, Town inhabitants continue to be industrious and innovative,
having adapted quickly to new digital technology; and
WHEREAS, An enterprising farmer has established a successful vineyard
and farm markets provide revenue for farmers and fresh quality food for
shoppers; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Ridgeway is also home to Sigma, an innovative
medical technology firm; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of the Town of Ridgeway have adapted to the
tumultuous changes of the last two hundred years; they fought in every
war, and many made the ultimate sacrifice; they have survived
depressions and recessions with the same fortitude, enterprise and the
indomitable spirit of the early settlers; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway, 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 Ridgeway, New York.