GENESEE COUNTY 



This county, which lies in the western part of the state, has 

 an area of 317,440 acres. Its approximate length from north to 

 south is 18 miles, and from east to west 28- miles. 



Population is distributed as follows: 



Population by Cities and Townships 



(Census of 1915) 



Batavia (city)* 13,278 Le Roy 5,830 



Alabama 1, 697 Oakfield 2, 257 



Alexander 1,403 Pavilion 1,615 



Batavia 2, 062 Pembroke 2, 473 



Bergen 1,716 Stafford 1,259 



Bethany 1, 394 



Byron 1,501 



Darien 2,013 



Elba 1, 754 



Byron 1,501 Total 40,707 



Darien 2,013 : 



* Batavia is the county seat. 



HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 



Genesee County was formed from Ontario in 1802, embracing 

 what is now eight counties, namely, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chau- 

 tauqua, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, and parts of Livingston and 

 Monroe. The name is of Seneca origin, and signifies " pleasant 

 valley." The whole region was included in the Holland purchase, 

 and in the Morris Reserve. 



In early colonial days all of western New York was* called 

 Tryon County, and was later changed to Montgomery County. 

 After 1788, when the pre-emption line was agreed upon, the ter- 

 ritory west of that line was called Ontario County. The name 

 was again changed after the western boundary of the Phelps and 

 Gorham purchase was determined, when the portion of the state 

 west of that boundary was called Genesee County. 



In 1801, Joseph Ellicott established the principal land office 

 of the Holland Land Company at Batavia. This site, which was 

 on the main Indian trail and in the direct path of immigration, 

 was a wise selection, and one that contributed greatly to the growth 

 and importance of Batavia. 



A portion of the western part of the county is occupied by the 

 Tonawanda Indian Reservation. 



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