LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Bicentennial of the Town of
Springwater, New York, to be celebrated on April 17, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize events of
significance which exemplify the history and development of the State of
New York; each city, town, village and hamlet within the borders of our
great Empire State proudly resonates with the rich and noble history;
and
WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
and commemorate the anniversaries of the founding of municipalities
throughout the State, noting in turn their contributions to the fabric
and progression 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 Bicentennial of the Town of Springwater, New York; this auspi-
cious milestone will be celebrated on Sunday, April 17, 2016, at the
Springwater Fire Hall; and
WHEREAS, The founding of the Town of Springwater, New York, evolved by
an act of the New York State Legislature; the new township was erected
on April 17, 1816; the Township of Springwater was formed by land from
the townships of Naples to establish the eastern boundary and Sparta to
mark the western boundary; and
WHEREAS, Livingston County was erected February 23, 1821, from land
taken from Ontario and Genesee counties, thus making the Township of
Springwater nearly five years older than Livingston County; and
WHEREAS, The Seneca Nation of Indians were the last of the Native
American Tribes to inhabit the valley; they were members of the Iroquois
Confederacy and were known as "the keepers and custodians of the western
gate of the Iroquois Indians"; and
WHEREAS, Artifacts found in this area, judged by carbon dating test-
ing, indicate that earlier Native Americans or aboriginal cultures also
visited the land, perhaps centuries before the Senecas appeared; and
WHEREAS, In 1806, after the harvest, the first known European resi-
dents, Seth Knowles, accompanied by his son, Jared, and another man,
Peter Welch, followed an Indian trail over Bald Hill in the Town of
Canadice to Springwater Valley; approximately one mile from the head of
Hemlock Lake, the men made a small clearing and built a log cabin on
property known as Lot No. 4; and
WHEREAS, For the winter, they returned to Livonia, and on March 31,
1807, Seth Knowles and his family came back to Hemlock Lake and took
possession of the cabin, becoming the first of many settlers who would
follow them in the 10 years prior to an official town being organized;
and
WHEREAS, The first colonists formed a settlement that would eventually
become the Hamlet of East Springwater, located in the northeast part of
the town; and
WHEREAS, The town was called Middletown by many and the valley
referred to as Springwater Valley; when the first organizational meeting
was held in April 1817, it was suggested that the town be called
Knowlesville to honor the first settler family, but that met with oppo-
sition; Mr. John Roberts, also an early settler, then suggested Spring-
water remarking that he had never before seen a place where the springs
were so numerous, and thus the hamlets united and the town became known
as Springwater; and
WHEREAS, On April 17, 1816, the New York Legislature enacted Chapter
CCVI (206) of the Laws of 1816 to create the Town of Springwater, effec-
tive the first Monday of April next; the founding of the Town of Spring-

water is inherently linked to the settlement of western New York State,
and is the second largest town in Livingston County; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Springwater Town Board and the Bicentenni-
al Committee will celebrate this auspicious milestone with numerous
events to be held on Sunday, April 17, 2016; in addition, several resi-
dents are inaugurating a year filled with activities commemorating the
history and camaraderie of the people who first settled in this area and
the legacy of their lives and achievements for those who are living here
now and for those who have yet to come; and
WHEREAS, On May 30, 2016, there will also be a Memorial Day service to
honor and acknowledge the many hero-volunteers of Springwater's past who
have served in all branches of the military dating back to the Revolu-
tionary War, and to recognize the service of these men and women who
defended the freedoms and principles of the Constitution of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Town of Springwater will hold its 17th Annu-
al Springwater Gala June 4-5, 2016, further acknowledging the history of
the town by celebrating its agrarian roots and current achievements; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Springwater continues its commitment to enhanc-
ing 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 Bicentennial of the Town of Springwater, 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 Deborah Babbitt-Henry, Supervisor of the Town of Springwater,
New York.