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The Founding of Elba |
This plaque, embedded in indiginous rock, sits in the center of town. |
In 1798, Joseph
Ellicott, an experienced surveyor representing the Holland Land
Company, came into the area with men and equipment to survey the
vast tract of land and laid it out into townships and ranges.
When the trees and brush had been cleared to a width of four rods
from the Pennsylvania border north to Lake Ontario so that an
unobstructed view of the sky could be obtained, actual surveying
of the huge plot into townships carried westward and included
what were to become the eight counties west of the Genesee River.
Mr. Ellicott estimated the
wages needed for six months were $19,830 and an additional $7,356
for the cost of equipment, which did not include the necessary
funds for transportation nor for "wine, spirits, brandy and
medicine."
Handbills had been
circulated throughout the east, informing hopeful settlers of the
advantages of the region: namely the rich soil, moderate climate
and forests to supply building materials. Between this method of
advertising and the stories brought back by the soldiers of the
Revolutionary War, who had seen the land for themselves, a
westward movement was started.
Joseph Ellicott's Quaker
upbringing of propriety and honor, industry and thoroughness
fitted him for the task. He would often discard his ruffled
sleeves and waist coat, the height of fashion for the day, to don
the buckskin of the frontiersman to help erect a sawmill or any
other building to help promote the comfort of the settlers. It
was Joseph Ellicott who was responsible for the road being laid
out from Batavia north to Pine Hill or "The Pinery" as
it was called in 1802. The Indians referred to it as
Te-ca-so-a-a, "Pine Lying Up."
Genesee County passed
new legislation in 1820, creating the towns of Elba, Byron and
Stafford from the original Town of Batavia. Appointed that year
were town officials and 18 pathmasters - people who were
responsible for keeping the roads in good condition.
At a special meeting on
June 19, it was voted to raise the money for a school, to provide
$25 for the support of the poor, to procure a ledger book for the
Clerk and for the Supervisor to audit the book. On July 1, a Jury
list of 117 eligible men was recorded.
In October of 1882, a
spirited movement was being made to incorporate the village to be
known as Pine Hill. A census was taken, revealing that 397
persons were living within the proposed limits of the
incorporation. A committee of five was appointed to procure a
survey and map of the area.
It was required that there
be 300 inhabitants for each square mile of territory proposed to
be included within the incorporated limits. The promoters of
incorporation wanted to include the West Shore railroad. In doing
so, a number of large and valuable farms had to be included. The
owners objected for the increase in taxes that would result.
Their argument: that the entire village of Pine Hill included 300
people on 1/4 square mile. The other square mile to be included
contained less than 100 people.
They sought to defeat the
measure at the election, but were unsuccessful, so they took the
matter to court. An appeal was filed, specifying irregularities
in the election and claiming that the proceedings were entirely
illegal because various bureaucratic procedures were not
followed. Judge Bangs rendered his decision on December 28, 1882,
as follows: "I hereby adjudge that the said election so
appealed form is illegal by reason that there is not the
requisite population reside within the territory embraced in the
proposed village to authorize such election to be held." He
referred to the extra land, which did not contain 300 persons.
In October 1883, a decision
was handed down in Rochester declaring the election of the
taxpayers to incorporate illegal. Much hostility and resentment
had formed amongst the people involved. The new atmosphere
threatened changes in social and business relations, the
withdrawing of trade and patronage, the settling of old accounts
and even the threat of foreclosure. It created strife and
division among neighbors and long-time friends, effecting the
churches, schools and even families.
On April 14, 1884, a new
vote was taken and resulted in a majority in favor, naming the
Village "Elba." In celebrating the event, disgraceful
behavior was indulged. Probably never in the history of the town
was there such a shameful disregard for propriety. "Boys and
men with a full three sheets to the wind tramped the streets in
the night, howling and singing in wild and gibberish strains;
[Elba's only] cannon was placed in front of the dwellings of men
who did not favor the movement to incorporate, and heaving
charges, fired, breaking windows, glass doors, etc." But to
unburden them of such dishonor, early the next day parties were
sent out to repair the damages. On May 15, 1884, a meeting was
held at Hundredmark's Hall, and the first Village Officers were
selected.
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