Home > The Holland Purchase

A sales office for the Holland Land Coupany was opened in 1801 by surveyor and agent Joseph Ellicott in Batavia where land was sold until 1846 when the company was dissolved. Some plots of land were given to persons upon condition that they establish improvements, such as inns and taverns, to encourage growth. The office still exists and is a museum of the Holland Purchase, designated a National Historic Landmark.

In 1802, the entire Holland Purchase, as well as the 500,000 acre (2,000 km²) Morris Reserve immediately to the east, was split off from Ontario CountyOntario County is a county located in the U. State of New York. The county seat is the city of Canandaigua. The name is a corruption of the Iroquois word meaning "beautiful lake. The population of Ontario County in the 2000 U. census was 100,224, up from and constituted Genesee CountyGenesee County is a county located in the U. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 60,370. Its name is from a Seneca Indian word meaning "good valley. Its county seat is Batavia. History When counties were established in New York State in 1683,. In the 40 years after it was erected, Genesee County was repeatedly split to form all or parts of the counties of AlleganyAllegany County is a county located in the U. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 49,927. Its name derives from a Delaware Indian word, applied by settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegany (Allegheny) River. ( 1806Events January 8 Cape Colony becomes a British colony January 10 Dutch in Cape Town surrender to the British January 19 The United Kingdom occupies the Cape of Good Hope March 23 After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the Pacific Ocea), NiagaraNiagara County is a county located in the U. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 219,846. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from an Indian word meaning "thunder of waters," referring to the sound of the famous waterfalls. Histor ( 1808Events January 1 Importation of slaves into the United States is banned February 11 Anthracite coal first burned as fuel, experimentally. February Russia issues an ultimatum to Sweden, to join France, Denmark and Russia and attacks Finland. March 26 Charl), CattaraugusCattaraugus County is a county located in the U. State of New York. As of 2000, the population was 83,955. The county name comes from a Seneca Indian word meaning "bad smelling banks," referring to the odor of natural gas which leaked from seams in rock f ( 1808Events January 1 Importation of slaves into the United States is banned February 11 Anthracite coal first burned as fuel, experimentally. February Russia issues an ultimatum to Sweden, to join France, Denmark and Russia and attacks Finland. March 26 Charl), ChautaquaChautauqua County is a county located in the U. State of New York. As of 2000, the population is 139,750. Its name is a contraction of a Seneca Indian word meaning "where the fish was taken out. Its county seat is Mayville. History When counties were esta ( 1808), Erie ( 1821), Monroe ( 1821), Livingston ( 1821), Orleans ( 1824), and Wyoming ( 1841).