LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Bergen

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body 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 commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Bergen, New York, located in
Genesee County; and
WHEREAS, In the years prior to 1779, the 17,289 acres of wilderness
which would later become known as Bergen belonged to the great Seneca
Indian Nation; it was mostly level land with dense forests and fertile
fields and a great creek known to the Indians as Checkanango; and
WHEREAS, In 1779 however, the great Seneca Nation, along with four
other nations, would be defeated by General Sullivan's Army paving the
way for the first white settlers to inhabit the area; a few squatters
came soon after the defeat, but permanent settlers did not begin to
appear until 1795; and
WHEREAS, In 1801, Samuel Lincoln, an early settler from Connecticut,
purchased a small parcel of land in the area that would become known as
the Village of Bergen; he is recognized today as the Founding Father of
Bergen; and
WHEREAS, Nine other men, mostly from Connecticut, soon settled in the
area around Samuel Lincoln's parcel, the whole of which was then
referred to as Northwoods; the great creek was renamed Black Creek and
settlers from many of the New England states gradually migrated to
Northwoods over the next few years; and
WHEREAS, Roads to neighboring towns and settlements were quickly
developed, creating a population and economic boom within the town; and
WHEREAS, On April 2, 1813, Northwoods was renamed Bergen and estab-
lished by an act of the New York State Legislature, putting Bergen offi-
cially on the map; within 25 years, Bergen would become a hub for
Rochester, Buffalo and the Tonawanda Railroad, which transported passen-
gers, livestock and agricultural goods between these major cities; and
WHEREAS, Over the next 100 years, the second smallest town in Genesee
County would become well-known for its merchant and production enter-
prise; Bergen had everything ranging from its own carriage maker to its
very own grain and feed export business, as well as two lavish hotels
built to accommodate travelers commuting by train or stagecoach to all
parts of the state and country; and
WHEREAS, Two centuries after its founding, the small town of Bergen
has grown from 10 to almost 5000 residents; the spirit of business
enterprise is alive and well, with a national food processing production
facility and businesses that satisfy the most decadent sweet tooth; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Bergen continues its commitment to enhancing the
quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business, institu-
tional and educational climate, and providing all essential services;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Bergen, recognizing the
significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the commu-
nity of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Bergen.