Town Histories
For convenience of reference and for other purposes, separate historical sketches of the several towns are given, alphabetically arranged
In collecting the materials for this history, it was found that many of the present settlers were desirous to know the dates of settlement of their ancestors and certain other old settlers. But on inquiry it was found, that the oldest remaining settlers differed much in their recollections; and that their statements were not reliable. It was then concluded to refer to the books of the Holland Land Company, in which is found the precise dale of the article of every original purchaser who bought his land on credit. The record of original purchasers by deed prior to the destruction of the land-office at Mayville in 18-6, is not to be found, the books having been destroyed.
But it is to be observed, that the date of contract does not in all cases determine the date of settlement. Some settled their lands by permission of the agent of the Land Company, a year or two years before their articles were executed, or before the townships were surveyed into lots. And there were others who took their articles a year or two years before they settled on their lands. Hence, the time of settlement of a considerable portion of those whose names are found in the lists, must remain in doubt. A majority of them, however, it is presumed, entered upon their lands as soon as they could erect their cabins and bring on their families.
Page(s) 220, History of Chautauqua County, New York, From Its First Settlement to the Present Time with Numerous Biographical and Family Sketches. by Andrew W. Young. Buffalo, New York, Printing House of Matthew and Warren, 1875.
Transcribed September 2007 by Nathan Zipfel for the Chautauqua County History Project