Senate Resolution No. 1042

BY: Senator RITCHIE

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the Town of
Morristown, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate 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
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Morristown, St.
Lawrence County, New York; and

WHEREAS, A town of approximately 1800 people, Morristown was created
by the State Legislature on March 27, 1821, and held its first official
town board meeting on April 10, 1821; and

WHEREAS, Morristown is bounded by the St. Lawrence River to the
north and Black Lake to the south and was named after Gouverneur Morris,
a signer of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence who owned a
tract of land from Gouverneur, New York to the St. Lawrence River,
including the Village of Morristown; and

WHEREAS, Pioneer families began settling in the Morristown area in
1804, led by Colonel David Ford, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who
served with George Washington and during the Whiskey Rebellion; and

WHEREAS, When the War of 1812 was declared, Morristown was the scene
of one of its first naval battles when the warships USS Julia and HMS
Moira battled for control of the St. Lawrence River; and

WHEREAS, In 1813, a Morristown resident led a United States military
force across the frozen St. Lawrence River to capture Elizabethtown (now
known as Brockville, Ontario, Canada) to free Americans being held
prisoner; and

WHEREAS, Primarily a farming community today, Morristown once teemed
with railroad, ferry, milling, and marina activity; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its history, residents of Morristown have
responded to serve the nation during times of conflict, including the
Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Gulf War
and the War on Terror; and

WHEREAS, William H. Comstock, a patent medicine manufacturer whose
products included Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills, was a notable resident;
furthermore, William H. 'Willie' Johnston, the youngest Medal of Honor
winner for his bravery during the Civil War, was born and lived in
Morristown as a child; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Town of Morristown 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 Morristown, New York,
recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the
life of the communities of the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Town of Morristown, New York.