Celebrate Ransomville’s 200th Anniversary

Assembly Resolution No. 595 BY: M. of A. Norris 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.