Senate Resolution No. 2455

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMEMORATING the Bicentennial Anniversary of the
Hamlet of Ransomville, New York

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 its 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
commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Hamlet of Ransomville,
New York; and

WHEREAS, The Hamlet of Ransomville was founded in 1842 by the Ransom
and Curtiss families; the Curtiss family, led by brothers Gideon and
Captain Gilbert Curtiss, were the first to settle in the area in the
1820s; and

WHEREAS, The Hamlet of Ransomville was named after William Henry
Harrison Ransom in 1839, who built a farm with his wife, Elisa Estes
Ransom, in Niagara County; and

WHEREAS, Although Ransomville was established as a farming
community, some of its earliest businesses were the log taverns built by
Gideon Curtiss, the first of which was erected in 1817, and the second
in 1825; and

WHEREAS, Early settlers from the Curtiss family cleared and laid
down roads from Ransomville to Youngstown, New York, to the West, along
the ridge to the South and Lake Ontario to the North; in 1876, The Rome,
Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad took over the Lake Ontario Shore
Railroad and extended track, connecting Ransomville with Lewiston, New
York, to the West and Syracuse, New York, to the East; and

WHEREAS, The Curtiss' agricultural business would grow to include a
poultry farm which was considered to be the largest in the nation by the
early 20th Century; and

WHEREAS, As of the year 2000, there were 1,488 people, 488
households, and 386 families residing in the Hamlet of Ransomville; and

WHEREAS, The Hamlet of Ransomville is served by the Ransomville
Volunteer Fire Company with the Upper Mountain Fire Company of Lewiston
providing advanced Life Support services to the community; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the rich history and enduring
contribution of Ransomville to the rich heritage of the State of New

York, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in commemorating
the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Hamlet of Ransomville so that
present and future generations may come to appreciate the unique
significance which its history plays in the progression of our State and
Nation's evolution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Hamlet of Ransomville,
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
transmitted to the Hamlet of Ransomville.