The Pulteney Association
Encyclopedia
The Pulteney Association was a purchaser in 1792 of a large portion of the Western New York
land tract known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase
. The Pulteney Associates were British
investors: nine-twelfths was owned by Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet (1729–1805), a Scottish lawyer; two-twelfths by William Hornby, former Governor of Bombay; and one-twelfth by Patrick Colquhoun
, a Scottish merchant. Some of their heirs owned land in western New York into the 1920s, with the last parcel of The Pulteney Association property, 10 acres (40,000 m²), being sold in December 1926.
In 1788, Oliver Phelps
and Nathaniel Gorham
purchased all of Massachusetts
's preemptive right to land in Western New York, some 6000000 acre (24,281.2 km²; 9,375 sq mi) (the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase
"). They were to pay $1,000,000 in three equal annual installments for this land, payable in certain Massachusetts securities that were then valued at 20 cents on the dollar. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, they took title only when they extinguished the Indian title. Later in 1788, they were able to extinguish Indian title to all lands east of the Genesee River
between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border, as well as a tract 12 miles (19.3 km) by 24 miles (38.6 km) paralleling the west bank of the Genesee River ("The Mill Yard Tract
"), totalling some 2250000 acre (9,105.4 km²; 3,515.6 sq mi).
In 1790, with the price of Massachusetts securities soaring, Phelps and Gorham became unable to pay the second installment on the purchase contract, and the preemptive right to lands west of the Genesee River reverted to Massachusetts. The state resold that right to Robert Morris
, a signer of the Declaration of Independence
, a financier of the American Revolution
, and the wealthiest man in the United States. (See Holland Land Company
, The Holland Purchase, and The Morris Reserve.) Phelps and Gorham did receive the deed to the lands east of the Genesee to which they had extinguished title, but they conveyed all of the remaining unsold land to Morris.
In 1792, Morris's London agent, William Temple Franklin
, grandson of Benjamin Franklin
, sold 12000000 acre (48,562.3 km²; 18,750 sq mi) of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase east of the Genesee River to The Pulteney Associates. The Pulteney Purchase, or the Genesee Tract as it was also known, comprised all of the present counties of Ontario
, Steuben
and Yates
, as well as portions of Allegany
, Livingston
, Monroe
, Schuyler
and Wayne
counties. After Sir William's death in 1805, it was known as the Pulteney Estate.
The Pulteney Estate was managed by a series of agents including:
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
land tract known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase
Phelps and Gorham Purchase
The Phelps and Gorham Purchase was the purchase in 1788 of the pre-emptive right to some 6,000,000 acres of land in western New York State for $1,000,000 . This was all land in western New York west of Seneca Lake between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border...
. The Pulteney Associates were British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
investors: nine-twelfths was owned by Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet (1729–1805), a Scottish lawyer; two-twelfths by William Hornby, former Governor of Bombay; and one-twelfth by Patrick Colquhoun
Patrick Colquhoun
Patrick Colquhoun was a Scottish merchant, statistician, magistrate, and founder of the first regular preventive police force in England, the Thames River Police.-Early life:...
, a Scottish merchant. Some of their heirs owned land in western New York into the 1920s, with the last parcel of The Pulteney Association property, 10 acres (40,000 m²), being sold in December 1926.
In 1788, Oliver Phelps
Oliver Phelps
Oliver Phelps was born in Poquonock, Connecticut and moved to Suffield, Connecticut, where he apprenticed to a local merchant. He shortly thereafter became a tavern keeper in Granville, Massachusetts. During the Revolution he was Deputy Commissary of the Continental Army and served until the end...
and Nathaniel Gorham
Nathaniel Gorham
Nathaniel Gorham was the fourteenth President of the United States in Congress assembled, under the Articles of Confederation...
purchased all of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
's preemptive right to land in Western New York, some 6000000 acre (24,281.2 km²; 9,375 sq mi) (the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase
Phelps and Gorham Purchase
The Phelps and Gorham Purchase was the purchase in 1788 of the pre-emptive right to some 6,000,000 acres of land in western New York State for $1,000,000 . This was all land in western New York west of Seneca Lake between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border...
"). They were to pay $1,000,000 in three equal annual installments for this land, payable in certain Massachusetts securities that were then valued at 20 cents on the dollar. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, they took title only when they extinguished the Indian title. Later in 1788, they were able to extinguish Indian title to all lands east of the Genesee River
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border, as well as a tract 12 miles (19.3 km) by 24 miles (38.6 km) paralleling the west bank of the Genesee River ("The Mill Yard Tract
The Mill Yard Tract
The Mill Yard Tract was a portion of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase of western New York State. It consisted of a tract deep and , abutting the west bank of the Genesee River stretching from the approximate locations of the present day town of Avon north to the community of Charlotte at Lake...
"), totalling some 2250000 acre (9,105.4 km²; 3,515.6 sq mi).
In 1790, with the price of Massachusetts securities soaring, Phelps and Gorham became unable to pay the second installment on the purchase contract, and the preemptive right to lands west of the Genesee River reverted to Massachusetts. The state resold that right to Robert Morris
Robert Morris (merchant)
Robert Morris, Jr. was a British-born American merchant, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution...
, a signer of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
, a financier of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and the wealthiest man in the United States. (See Holland Land Company
Holland Land Company
The Holland Land Company was a purchaser of the western two-thirds of the western New York land tract known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. This tract was known thereafter as The Holland Purchase...
, The Holland Purchase, and The Morris Reserve.) Phelps and Gorham did receive the deed to the lands east of the Genesee to which they had extinguished title, but they conveyed all of the remaining unsold land to Morris.
In 1792, Morris's London agent, William Temple Franklin
William Temple Franklin
William Temple Franklin was a British-born American diplomat and real estate speculator. He is best known for his involvement with the American diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolutionary War serving as secretary to his grandfather Benjamin Franklin that agreed the...
, grandson of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, sold 12000000 acre (48,562.3 km²; 18,750 sq mi) of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase east of the Genesee River to The Pulteney Associates. The Pulteney Purchase, or the Genesee Tract as it was also known, comprised all of the present counties of Ontario
Ontario County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 100,224 people, 38,370 households, and 26,360 families residing in the county. The population density was 156 people per square mile . There were 42,647 housing units at an average density of 66 per square mile...
, Steuben
Steuben County, New York
Steuben County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,990. Its name is in honor of Baron von Steuben, a German general who fought on the American side in the American Revolutionary War, though it is not pronounced the same...
and Yates
Yates County, New York
Yates County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 25,348. The county seat is Penn Yan. The name is in honor of Joseph C. Yates, who as Governor of New York signed the act establishing the county....
, as well as portions of Allegany
Allegany County, New York
Allegany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 48,946. Its name derives from a Delaware Indian word, applied by settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegheny River. Its county seat is...
, Livingston
Livingston County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,328 people, 22,150 households, and 15,349 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 24,023 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, Monroe
Monroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
, Schuyler
Schuyler County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,224 people, 7,374 households, and 5,191 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile . There were 9,181 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
and Wayne
Wayne County, New York
Wayne County is a county located in the US state of New York. It is part of the Rochester, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area and lies on the south shore of Lake Ontario, forming part of the northern border of the United States with Canada. The name honors General Anthony Wayne, an American...
counties. After Sir William's death in 1805, it was known as the Pulteney Estate.
The Pulteney Estate was managed by a series of agents including:
- Cpt. Charles Williamson (1792–1801)
- Robert TroupRobert TroupRobert Troup was an American soldier, lawyer and jurist.Born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Troup attended King's College...
(1801–1832)- Represented by John Johnstone, John Heslop and Robert Scott successively as sub-agents until 1814
- Joeseph Fellows (1832–1871)
- Edward A. Kingsland (1871–1894)
- Judge Mason and Mr. Rose (1894–1900), Mr. Rose thereafter