Today we will take a look at the Hamlet and township of Erin NY, a quiet hamlet nestled in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Erin is a rural township, covering 44.5 square miles in Chemung County NY, East of Elmira and bordered by Schuyler County on its northern border. Newtown Creek runs westward through the town. Erin extends from near the center of Chemung County to the north border. Van Etten bounds it on the east, Baldwin on the south and Horseheads and Veteran on the west. In 1879 the town of Erin boasted 26,493 acres, 11.559 of which were improved. Erin township today (2024), remains a rural, wooded area teaming with wild animals, including wild deer, black bear, fox, bob cat, coyotes, beaver, porcupines, opossums, and possibly muskrats and otters. Bald Eagles have returned to the skies of southern NY, alongside a variety of hawk, turkey vultures, and blue herons.
The township of Erin originated as a part of Chemung township, which was originally carved out of Tioga County. The following is a useful chart of the New York State counties with date of original and original host county. The history of New York State started with the acquisition of land purchased by the British from the Dutch. The history of acquisitions, explorations and eventual settlements is interesting but will not be pursued here. The following is offered as a quick reference point. Most of the townships through the finger lakes were developed after the revolutionary war, often by previous soldier who had served the Clinton- Sullivan campaign and had firsthand knowledge of the lands of the southern tier and the opportunities they offered. Prior to the revolution this area was peopled by indigenous communities with lush farms, cattle and horses. During the revolutionary war, many of these native villages were believed to side with the British. After several settlements were viciously attacked by natives and British troops, General Washington ordered generals Clinton and Sullivan to eradicate the native population through a Scorched Earth program during which they tracked, mapped and burned native villages along the Finger Lakes and drove the native population to relocate in the Genesee River area. Among those forced into exile was the famous Mary Jenison, “Jemison, Mary (Scotch-Irish/Seneca) The famed “white woman of the Genesee.” She was captured by Indians, then became wife to a Delaware, then Seneca chief and bore six children. Her accounts of her life and Sullivan-Clinton experiences are covered in James Seaver’s A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison (1824).
List of counties
[edit]
County
FIPS Code
[5]
County seat
[6]
Est.
[6][7]
Formed from
[2]
Named for
[3]
Density (Pop./mi2)
Pop. (2023)
[8]
Area
[6]
Map
Albany County
001
Albany
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
James II of England (James VII of Scotland) (1633–1701), who was Duke of York (English title) and Duke of Albany (Scottish title) before becoming King of England, Ireland, and Scotland.
594.11
316,659
533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
Allegany County
003
Belmont
April 7, 1806
Genesee County
A variant spelling of the Allegheny River
45.12
46,651
1,034 sq mi
(2,678 km2)
Bronx County
005
none (sui generis)
January 1, 1914[9]
New York County
Jonas Bronck (1600?–1643), an early settler of the Dutch colony of New Netherland
23,619.64
1,356,476
57.43 sq mi
(149 km2)
Broome County
007
Binghamton
March 28, 1806
Tioga County
John Broome (1738–1810), fourth Lieutenant Governor of New York
274.23
196,077
715 sq mi
(1,852 km2)
Cattaraugus County
009
Little Valley
March 11, 1808
Genesee County
A word from an uncertain Iroquoian language meaning "bad smelling banks", referring to the odor of natural gas which leaked from Cattaraugus Creek
57.71
75,600
1,310 sq mi
(3,393 km2)
Cayuga County
011
Auburn
March 8, 1799
Onondaga County
The Cayuga tribe of Native Americans
86.21
74,485
864 sq mi
(2,238 km2)
Chautauqua County
013
Mayville
March 11, 1808
Genesee County
Loanword from the Erie language describing Chautauqua Lake; language now lost and cannot be translated
83.26
124,891
1,500 sq mi
(3,885 km2)
Chemung County
015
Elmira
March 20, 1836
Tioga County
A Lenape word meaning "big horn", which was the name of a local Native American village
197.96
81,325
410.81 sq mi
(1,064 km2)
Chenango County
017
Norwich
March 15, 1798
Tioga County and Herkimer County
An Onondaga word meaning "large bull-thistle"
51.09
45,920
898.85 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
Clinton County
019
Plattsburgh
March 4, 1788
Washington County
George Clinton (1739–1812), fourth Vice President of the United States and first and third Governor of New York
69.87
78,115
1,118 sq mi
(2,896 km2)
Columbia County
021
Hudson
April 1, 1786
Albany County
Christopher Columbus (1451–1506), the European explorer
93.32
60,470
648 sq mi
(1,678 km2)
Cortland County
023
Cortland
April 8, 1808
Onondaga County
Pierre Van Cortlandt (1721–1814), first Lieutenant Governor of New York
91.14
45,752
502 sq mi
(1,300 km2)
Delaware County
025
Delhi
March 10, 1797
Otsego County and Ulster County
Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr (1577–1618), an early colonial leader in Virginia. Name applied to the bay, river, and Lenape Native Americans
30.25
44,410
1,468 sq mi
(3,802 km2)
Dutchess County
027
Poughkeepsie
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Mary of Modena (1658–1718), Duchess of York and wife of King James II of England
360.18
297,150
825 sq mi
(2,137 km2)
Erie County
029
Buffalo
April 2, 1821
Niagara County
The Erie tribe of Native Americans
771.11
946,147
1,227 sq mi
(3,178 km2)
Essex County
031
Elizabethtown
March 1, 1799
Clinton County
The county of Essex in England
19.19
36,775
1,916 sq mi
(4,962 km2)
Franklin County
033
Malone
March 11, 1808
Clinton County
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), the early American printer, scientist, and statesman
27.40
46,502
1,697 sq mi
(4,395 km2)
Fulton County
035
Johnstown
April 18, 1838
Montgomery County
Robert Fulton (1765–1815), inventor of the steamship
98.00
52,234
533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
Genesee County
037
Batavia
March 30, 1802
Ontario County and land acquired in the Holland Purchase
A Seneca phrase meaning "good valley"
116.22
57,529
495 sq mi
(1,282 km2)
Greene County
039
Catskill
March 25, 1800
Albany County and Ulster County
Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), the American Revolutionary War general
71.52
47,062
658 sq mi
(1,704 km2)
Hamilton County
041
Lake Pleasant
April 12, 1816
Montgomery County
Alexander Hamilton (1755–1804), the early American political theorist and first Secretary of the Treasury
2.81
5,082
1,808 sq mi
(4,683 km2)
Herkimer County
043
Herkimer
February 16, 1791
Montgomery County
Nicholas Herkimer (1728–1777), the American Revolutionary War general
40.80
59,484
1,458 sq mi
(3,776 km2)
Jefferson County
045
Watertown
March 28, 1805
Oneida County
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), the early American statesman, author of the Declaration of Independence, and third President of the United States
61.81
114,787
1,857 sq mi
(4,810 km2)
Kings County
047
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
King Charles II of England (1630–1685)
26,431.63
2,561,225
96.9 sq mi
(251 km2)
Lewis County
049
Lowville
March 28, 1805
Oneida County
Morgan Lewis (1754–1844), the fourth Governor of New York
20.58
26,548
1,290 sq mi
(3,341 km2)
Livingston County
051
Geneseo
February 23, 1821
Genesee County and Ontario County
Robert Livingston (1746–1813), the early American statesman and New York delegate to the Continental Congress
95.56
61,158
640 sq mi
(1,658 km2)
Madison County
053
Wampsville
March 21, 1806
Chenango County
James Madison (1751–1836), the early American statesman, principal author of the Constitution of the United States, and fourth President of the United States
101.09
66,921
662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
Monroe County
055
Rochester
February 23, 1821
Genesee County and Ontario County
James Monroe (1758–1831), the early American statesman and fifth President of the United States
547.94
748,482
1,366 sq mi
(3,538 km2)
Montgomery County
057
Fonda
March 12, 1772
Albany County
Originally Tryon County after colonial governor William Tryon (1729–1788), renamed after the American Revolutionary War general Richard Montgomery (1738–1775) in 1784
120.41
49,368
410 sq mi
(1,062 km2)
Nassau County
059
Mineola
January 1, 1899
Queens County
The Princes of Orange-Nassau ruled the Netherlands when Long Island was a Dutch colony
3,050.14
1,381,715
453 sq mi
(1,173 km2)
New York County
061
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
King James II of England (1633–1701), who was Duke of York and Albany before he ascended the throne of England, Duke of York being his English title
47,303.85
1,597,451
33.77 sq mi
(87 km2)
Niagara County
063
Lockport
March 11, 1808
Genesee County
The Iroquoian name of a tribe within the Neutral Nation, the exact translation of which remains disputed
183.73
209,457
1,140 sq mi
(2,953 km2)
Oneida County
065
Utica
March 15, 1798
Herkimer County
The Oneida tribe of Native Americans
187.60
227,555
1,213 sq mi
(3,142 km2)
Onondaga County
067
Syracuse
March 5, 1794
Herkimer County
The Onondaga tribe of Native Americans
580.49
467,873
806 sq mi
(2,088 km2)
Ontario County
069
Canandaigua
January 27, 1789
Land acquired in the Phelps and Gorham Purchase
An Iroquoian word meaning "beautiful lake"
169.93
112,494
662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
Orange County
071
Goshen
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
William of Orange-Nassau (1650–1702), who became King William III of England
485.66
407,470
839 sq mi
(2,173 km2)
Orleans County
073
Albion
November 12, 1824
Genesee County
The French Royal House of Orléans
47.89
39,124
817 sq mi
(2,116 km2)
Oswego County
075
Oswego
March 1, 1816
Oneida County and Onondaga County
The Oswego River, from an Iroquoian word meaning "the outpouring", referring to the mouth of the river
90.06
118,162
1,312 sq mi
(3,398 km2)
Otsego County
077
Cooperstown
February 16, 1791
Montgomery County
A Native American word meaning "place of the rock"
59.95
60,126
1,003 sq mi
(2,598 km2)
Putnam County
079
Carmel Hamlet
June 12, 1812
Dutchess County
Israel Putnam (1718–1790), an American Revolutionary War general
398.62
98,060
246 sq mi
(637 km2)
Queens County
081
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Catherine of Braganza (1638–1705), Queen of England and wife of King Charles II of England
12,632.91
2,252,196
178.28 sq mi
(462 km2)
Rensselaer County
083
Troy
February 7, 1791
Albany County
In honor of the family of Kiliaen van Rensselaer (before 1596 – after 1643), the early landholder in the Dutch New Netherland colony
239.56
159,305
665 sq mi
(1,722 km2)
Richmond County
085
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond (1672–1723), the illegitimate son of King Charles II of England
4,787.19
490,687
102.5 sq mi
(265 km2)
Rockland County
087
New City
February 23, 1798
Orange County
Early settlers' description of terrain as "rocky land"
1,712.60
340,807
199 sq mi
(515 km2)
St. Lawrence County
089
Canton
March 3, 1802
Clinton County, Herkimer County, and Montgomery County
The St Lawrence River, which forms the northern border of the county and New York State
37.91
106,940
2,821 sq mi
(7,306 km2)
Saratoga County
091
Ballston Spa
February 7, 1791
Albany County
A corruption of a Native American word meaning "the hill beside the river"
282.83
238,711
844 sq mi
(2,186 km2)
Schenectady County
093
Schenectady
March 27, 1809
Albany County
A Mohawk word meaning "on the other side of the pine lands"
761.44
159,902
210 sq mi
(544 km2)
Schoharie County
095
Schoharie
April 6, 1795
Albany County and Otsego County
A Mohawk word meaning "floating driftwood"
48.09
30,105
626 sq mi
(1,621 km2)
Schuyler County
097
Watkins Glen
April 17, 1854
Chemung County, Steuben County, and Tompkins County
Philip Schuyler (1733–1804), the American Revolutionary War general and Senator from New York
51.19
17,507
342 sq mi
(886 km2)
Seneca County
099
Waterloo
March 24, 1804
Cayuga County
The Seneca tribe of Native Americans
99.54
32,349
325 sq mi
(842 km2)
Steuben County
101
Bath
March 18, 1796
Ontario County
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730–1794), the Prussian general who assisted the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War
65.64
92,162
1,404 sq mi
(3,636 km2)
Suffolk County
103
Riverhead
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
The county of Suffolk in England
641.88
1,523,170
2,373 sq mi
(6,146 km2)
Sullivan County
105
Monticello
March 27, 1809
Ulster County
John Sullivan (1740–1795), an American Revolutionary War general
80.16
79,920
997 sq mi
(2,582 km2)
Tioga County
107
Owego
February 16, 1791
Montgomery County
A Native American word meaning "at the forks", describing a meeting place
91.23
47,715
523 sq mi
(1,355 km2)
Tompkins County
109
Ithaca
April 7, 1817
Cayuga County and Seneca County
Daniel D. Tompkins (1774–1825), the 6th Vice President of the United States
217.56
103,558
476 sq mi
(1,233 km2)
Ulster County
111
Kingston
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
The Irish province of Ulster, then an earldom of the Duke of York, later King James II of England
157.05
182,333
1,161 sq mi
(3,007 km2)
Warren County
113
Queensbury
March 12, 1813
Washington County
Joseph Warren (1741–1775), the early American patriot and American Revolutionary War general
75.15
65,380
870 sq mi
(2,253 km2)
Washington County
115
Fort Edward
March 12, 1772
Albany County
Originally Charlotte County, renamed in 1784 after George Washington (1732–1799), the American Revolutionary War general and first President of the United States
70.98
60,047
846 sq mi
(2,191 km2)
Wayne County
117
Lyons
April 11, 1823
Ontario County and Seneca County
General Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), the American Revolutionary War general
65.63
90,829
1,384 sq mi
(3,585 km2)
Westchester County
119
White Plains
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
The city of Chester in England
1,981.63
990,817
500 sq mi
(1,295 km2)
Wyoming County
121
Warsaw
May 14, 1841
Genesee County
A modification of a word from the Lenape language meaning "broad bottom lands"
66.33
39,532
596 sq mi
(1,544 km2)
Yates County
123
Penn Yan
February 5, 1823
Ontario County and Steuben County
Joseph C. Yates (1768–1837), eighth Governor of New York
65.09
24,472
376 sq mi
(974 km2)
Defunct counties
[edit]
County
Created
[2]
Abolished
[2]
Fate[2]
Charlotte County
1772
1784
Partitioned. Western part renamed as Washington County and eastern part transferred to Vermont.
Cornwall County
1665
1686
Transferred to the part of Massachusetts that later became the state of Maine and partitioned; one of the 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Cumberland County
1766
1777
Transferred to Vermont and partitioned
Dukes County
November 1, 1683
1692
Transferred to Massachusetts; one of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Gloucester County
1770
1777
Transferred to Vermont and partitioned
Mexico County
1792
1796
Never settled or incorporated, reallocated to Oneida, Oswego and Jefferson Counties.
Tryon County
1772
1784
Renamed as Montgomery County
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_counties_in_New_York#Clickable_map
The settlement of the town that would become Erin NY, was undertaken soon after the close of the War of 1812. Several of the early settlers had served in that war, still others served in the revolutionary war. It is believed that Basil Sperry settled in the “Red Chalk” area of what is now Erin, in 1815. He is believed to be the first to build a house, clear a field, and plant crops. Sperry came from Onondaga County [which at one time included the counties of Cayuga, Cortland and from Cayuga came Seneca and Tompkins counties], but did not remain in Erin for long. He had left the area by the first census taken in 1830.
In 1800, Basil was found on tax records for Onondaga County for acreage purchased from the Howe plot. Basil purchased 120 acres from that plot and owed a total of 31 dollars in property tax.
By 15 Mar 1837, Basil Sperry was living in and purchased a tract of land in La Forte Indiana. No primary source records could be located regarding his death or his family life.
“Chrisy1953” Family Tree compliments of Anestry.com, tell us that Basil was born Birth 20 JAN 1774 in Woodbridge, New Haven, Connecticut. He travels through the country, living in 1812-1850 in Erin NY, moved onto Trumbull Michigan and settled at last in LA Forte Indiana, where he died on April 1,1842. Chrissy tells us that Basil was the son of Elijah Sperry (1750-1832) and Deborah Toller (1751-1801). Both Elijah and Deborah were born and died in Connecticut. There is no data concerning a possible marriage for Basil and no children mentioned.
The township of Erin originated as a part of Chemung township, which was originally carved out of Tioga County. The following is a useful chart of the New York State counties with date of original and original host county. The history of New York State started with the acquisition of land purchased by the British from the Dutch. The history of acquisitions, explorations and eventual settlements is interesting but will not be pursued here. The following is offered as a quick reference point. Most of the townships through the finger lakes were developed after the revolutionary war, often by previous soldier who had served the Clinton- Sullivan campaign and had firsthand knowledge of the lands of the southern tier and the opportunities they offered. Prior to the revolution this area was peopled by indigenous communities with lush farms, cattle and horses. During the revolutionary war, many of these native villages were believed to side with the British. After several settlements were viciously attacked by natives and British troops, General Washington ordered generals Clinton and Sullivan to eradicate the native population through a Scorched Earth program during which they tracked, mapped and burned native villages along the Finger Lakes and drove the native population to relocate in the Genesee River area. Among those forced into exile was the famous Mary Jenison, “Jemison, Mary (Scotch-Irish/Seneca) The famed “white woman of the Genesee.” She was captured by Indians, then became wife to a Delaware, then Seneca chief and bore six children. Her accounts of her life and Sullivan-Clinton experiences are covered in James Seaver’s A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison (1824).
List of counties
[edit]
County
FIPS Code
[5]
County seat
[6]
Est.
[6][7]
Formed from
[2]
Named for
[3]
Density (Pop./mi2)
Pop. (2023)
[8]
Area
[6]
Map
Albany County
001
Albany
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
James II of England (James VII of Scotland) (1633–1701), who was Duke of York (English title) and Duke of Albany (Scottish title) before becoming King of England, Ireland, and Scotland.
594.11
316,659
533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
Allegany County
003
Belmont
April 7, 1806
Genesee County
A variant spelling of the Allegheny River
45.12
46,651
1,034 sq mi
(2,678 km2)
Bronx County
005
none (sui generis)
January 1, 1914[9]
New York County
Jonas Bronck (1600?–1643), an early settler of the Dutch colony of New Netherland
23,619.64
1,356,476
57.43 sq mi
(149 km2)
Broome County
007
Binghamton
March 28, 1806
Tioga County
John Broome (1738–1810), fourth Lieutenant Governor of New York
274.23
196,077
715 sq mi
(1,852 km2)
Cattaraugus County
009
Little Valley
March 11, 1808
Genesee County
A word from an uncertain Iroquoian language meaning "bad smelling banks", referring to the odor of natural gas which leaked from Cattaraugus Creek
57.71
75,600
1,310 sq mi
(3,393 km2)
Cayuga County
011
Auburn
March 8, 1799
Onondaga County
The Cayuga tribe of Native Americans
86.21
74,485
864 sq mi
(2,238 km2)
Chautauqua County
013
Mayville
March 11, 1808
Genesee County
Loanword from the Erie language describing Chautauqua Lake; language now lost and cannot be translated
83.26
124,891
1,500 sq mi
(3,885 km2)
Chemung County
015
Elmira
March 20, 1836
Tioga County
A Lenape word meaning "big horn", which was the name of a local Native American village
197.96
81,325
410.81 sq mi
(1,064 km2)
Chenango County
017
Norwich
March 15, 1798
Tioga County and Herkimer County
An Onondaga word meaning "large bull-thistle"
51.09
45,920
898.85 sq mi
(2,328 km2)
Clinton County
019
Plattsburgh
March 4, 1788
Washington County
George Clinton (1739–1812), fourth Vice President of the United States and first and third Governor of New York
69.87
78,115
1,118 sq mi
(2,896 km2)
Columbia County
021
Hudson
April 1, 1786
Albany County
Christopher Columbus (1451–1506), the European explorer
93.32
60,470
648 sq mi
(1,678 km2)
Cortland County
023
Cortland
April 8, 1808
Onondaga County
Pierre Van Cortlandt (1721–1814), first Lieutenant Governor of New York
91.14
45,752
502 sq mi
(1,300 km2)
Delaware County
025
Delhi
March 10, 1797
Otsego County and Ulster County
Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr (1577–1618), an early colonial leader in Virginia. Name applied to the bay, river, and Lenape Native Americans
30.25
44,410
1,468 sq mi
(3,802 km2)
Dutchess County
027
Poughkeepsie
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Mary of Modena (1658–1718), Duchess of York and wife of King James II of England
360.18
297,150
825 sq mi
(2,137 km2)
Erie County
029
Buffalo
April 2, 1821
Niagara County
The Erie tribe of Native Americans
771.11
946,147
1,227 sq mi
(3,178 km2)
Essex County
031
Elizabethtown
March 1, 1799
Clinton County
The county of Essex in England
19.19
36,775
1,916 sq mi
(4,962 km2)
Franklin County
033
Malone
March 11, 1808
Clinton County
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), the early American printer, scientist, and statesman
27.40
46,502
1,697 sq mi
(4,395 km2)
Fulton County
035
Johnstown
April 18, 1838
Montgomery County
Robert Fulton (1765–1815), inventor of the steamship
98.00
52,234
533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
Genesee County
037
Batavia
March 30, 1802
Ontario County and land acquired in the Holland Purchase
A Seneca phrase meaning "good valley"
116.22
57,529
495 sq mi
(1,282 km2)
Greene County
039
Catskill
March 25, 1800
Albany County and Ulster County
Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), the American Revolutionary War general
71.52
47,062
658 sq mi
(1,704 km2)
Hamilton County
041
Lake Pleasant
April 12, 1816
Montgomery County
Alexander Hamilton (1755–1804), the early American political theorist and first Secretary of the Treasury
2.81
5,082
1,808 sq mi
(4,683 km2)
Herkimer County
043
Herkimer
February 16, 1791
Montgomery County
Nicholas Herkimer (1728–1777), the American Revolutionary War general
40.80
59,484
1,458 sq mi
(3,776 km2)
Jefferson County
045
Watertown
March 28, 1805
Oneida County
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), the early American statesman, author of the Declaration of Independence, and third President of the United States
61.81
114,787
1,857 sq mi
(4,810 km2)
Kings County
047
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
King Charles II of England (1630–1685)
26,431.63
2,561,225
96.9 sq mi
(251 km2)
Lewis County
049
Lowville
March 28, 1805
Oneida County
Morgan Lewis (1754–1844), the fourth Governor of New York
20.58
26,548
1,290 sq mi
(3,341 km2)
Livingston County
051
Geneseo
February 23, 1821
Genesee County and Ontario County
Robert Livingston (1746–1813), the early American statesman and New York delegate to the Continental Congress
95.56
61,158
640 sq mi
(1,658 km2)
Madison County
053
Wampsville
March 21, 1806
Chenango County
James Madison (1751–1836), the early American statesman, principal author of the Constitution of the United States, and fourth President of the United States
101.09
66,921
662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
Monroe County
055
Rochester
February 23, 1821
Genesee County and Ontario County
James Monroe (1758–1831), the early American statesman and fifth President of the United States
547.94
748,482
1,366 sq mi
(3,538 km2)
Montgomery County
057
Fonda
March 12, 1772
Albany County
Originally Tryon County after colonial governor William Tryon (1729–1788), renamed after the American Revolutionary War general Richard Montgomery (1738–1775) in 1784
120.41
49,368
410 sq mi
(1,062 km2)
Nassau County
059
Mineola
January 1, 1899
Queens County
The Princes of Orange-Nassau ruled the Netherlands when Long Island was a Dutch colony
3,050.14
1,381,715
453 sq mi
(1,173 km2)
New York County
061
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
King James II of England (1633–1701), who was Duke of York and Albany before he ascended the throne of England, Duke of York being his English title
47,303.85
1,597,451
33.77 sq mi
(87 km2)
Niagara County
063
Lockport
March 11, 1808
Genesee County
The Iroquoian name of a tribe within the Neutral Nation, the exact translation of which remains disputed
183.73
209,457
1,140 sq mi
(2,953 km2)
Oneida County
065
Utica
March 15, 1798
Herkimer County
The Oneida tribe of Native Americans
187.60
227,555
1,213 sq mi
(3,142 km2)
Onondaga County
067
Syracuse
March 5, 1794
Herkimer County
The Onondaga tribe of Native Americans
580.49
467,873
806 sq mi
(2,088 km2)
Ontario County
069
Canandaigua
January 27, 1789
Land acquired in the Phelps and Gorham Purchase
An Iroquoian word meaning "beautiful lake"
169.93
112,494
662 sq mi
(1,715 km2)
Orange County
071
Goshen
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
William of Orange-Nassau (1650–1702), who became King William III of England
485.66
407,470
839 sq mi
(2,173 km2)
Orleans County
073
Albion
November 12, 1824
Genesee County
The French Royal House of Orléans
47.89
39,124
817 sq mi
(2,116 km2)
Oswego County
075
Oswego
March 1, 1816
Oneida County and Onondaga County
The Oswego River, from an Iroquoian word meaning "the outpouring", referring to the mouth of the river
90.06
118,162
1,312 sq mi
(3,398 km2)
Otsego County
077
Cooperstown
February 16, 1791
Montgomery County
A Native American word meaning "place of the rock"
59.95
60,126
1,003 sq mi
(2,598 km2)
Putnam County
079
Carmel Hamlet
June 12, 1812
Dutchess County
Israel Putnam (1718–1790), an American Revolutionary War general
398.62
98,060
246 sq mi
(637 km2)
Queens County
081
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Catherine of Braganza (1638–1705), Queen of England and wife of King Charles II of England
12,632.91
2,252,196
178.28 sq mi
(462 km2)
Rensselaer County
083
Troy
February 7, 1791
Albany County
In honor of the family of Kiliaen van Rensselaer (before 1596 – after 1643), the early landholder in the Dutch New Netherland colony
239.56
159,305
665 sq mi
(1,722 km2)
Richmond County
085
none (sui generis)
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond (1672–1723), the illegitimate son of King Charles II of England
4,787.19
490,687
102.5 sq mi
(265 km2)
Rockland County
087
New City
February 23, 1798
Orange County
Early settlers' description of terrain as "rocky land"
1,712.60
340,807
199 sq mi
(515 km2)
St. Lawrence County
089
Canton
March 3, 1802
Clinton County, Herkimer County, and Montgomery County
The St Lawrence River, which forms the northern border of the county and New York State
37.91
106,940
2,821 sq mi
(7,306 km2)
Saratoga County
091
Ballston Spa
February 7, 1791
Albany County
A corruption of a Native American word meaning "the hill beside the river"
282.83
238,711
844 sq mi
(2,186 km2)
Schenectady County
093
Schenectady
March 27, 1809
Albany County
A Mohawk word meaning "on the other side of the pine lands"
761.44
159,902
210 sq mi
(544 km2)
Schoharie County
095
Schoharie
April 6, 1795
Albany County and Otsego County
A Mohawk word meaning "floating driftwood"
48.09
30,105
626 sq mi
(1,621 km2)
Schuyler County
097
Watkins Glen
April 17, 1854
Chemung County, Steuben County, and Tompkins County
Philip Schuyler (1733–1804), the American Revolutionary War general and Senator from New York
51.19
17,507
342 sq mi
(886 km2)
Seneca County
099
Waterloo
March 24, 1804
Cayuga County
The Seneca tribe of Native Americans
99.54
32,349
325 sq mi
(842 km2)
Steuben County
101
Bath
March 18, 1796
Ontario County
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730–1794), the Prussian general who assisted the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War
65.64
92,162
1,404 sq mi
(3,636 km2)
Suffolk County
103
Riverhead
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
The county of Suffolk in England
641.88
1,523,170
2,373 sq mi
(6,146 km2)
Sullivan County
105
Monticello
March 27, 1809
Ulster County
John Sullivan (1740–1795), an American Revolutionary War general
80.16
79,920
997 sq mi
(2,582 km2)
Tioga County
107
Owego
February 16, 1791
Montgomery County
A Native American word meaning "at the forks", describing a meeting place
91.23
47,715
523 sq mi
(1,355 km2)
Tompkins County
109
Ithaca
April 7, 1817
Cayuga County and Seneca County
Daniel D. Tompkins (1774–1825), the 6th Vice President of the United States
217.56
103,558
476 sq mi
(1,233 km2)
Ulster County
111
Kingston
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
The Irish province of Ulster, then an earldom of the Duke of York, later King James II of England
157.05
182,333
1,161 sq mi
(3,007 km2)
Warren County
113
Queensbury
March 12, 1813
Washington County
Joseph Warren (1741–1775), the early American patriot and American Revolutionary War general
75.15
65,380
870 sq mi
(2,253 km2)
Washington County
115
Fort Edward
March 12, 1772
Albany County
Originally Charlotte County, renamed in 1784 after George Washington (1732–1799), the American Revolutionary War general and first President of the United States
70.98
60,047
846 sq mi
(2,191 km2)
Wayne County
117
Lyons
April 11, 1823
Ontario County and Seneca County
General Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), the American Revolutionary War general
65.63
90,829
1,384 sq mi
(3,585 km2)
Westchester County
119
White Plains
November 1, 1683
One of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
The city of Chester in England
1,981.63
990,817
500 sq mi
(1,295 km2)
Wyoming County
121
Warsaw
May 14, 1841
Genesee County
A modification of a word from the Lenape language meaning "broad bottom lands"
66.33
39,532
596 sq mi
(1,544 km2)
Yates County
123
Penn Yan
February 5, 1823
Ontario County and Steuben County
Joseph C. Yates (1768–1837), eighth Governor of New York
65.09
24,472
376 sq mi
(974 km2)
Defunct counties
[edit]
County
Created
[2]
Abolished
[2]
Fate[2]
Charlotte County
1772
1784
Partitioned. Western part renamed as Washington County and eastern part transferred to Vermont.
Cornwall County
1665
1686
Transferred to the part of Massachusetts that later became the state of Maine and partitioned; one of the 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Cumberland County
1766
1777
Transferred to Vermont and partitioned
Dukes County
November 1, 1683
1692
Transferred to Massachusetts; one of 12 original counties created in the New York colony
Gloucester County
1770
1777
Transferred to Vermont and partitioned
Mexico County
1792
1796
Never settled or incorporated, reallocated to Oneida, Oswego and Jefferson Counties.
Tryon County
1772
1784
Renamed as Montgomery County
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_counties_in_New_York#Clickable_map
The settlement of the town that would become Erin NY, was undertaken soon after the close of the War of 1812. Several of the early settlers had served in that war, still others served in the revolutionary war. It is believed that Basil Sperry settled in the “Red Chalk” area of what is now Erin, in 1815. He is believed to be the first to build a house, clear a field, and plant crops. Sperry came from Onondaga County [which at one time included the counties of Cayuga, Cortland and from Cayuga came Seneca and Tompkins counties], but did not remain in Erin for long. He had left the area by the first census taken in 1830.
In 1800, Basil was found on tax records for Onondaga County for acreage purchased from the Howe plot. Basil purchased 120 acres from that plot and owed a total of 31 dollars in property tax.
By 15 Mar 1837, Basil Sperry was living in and purchased a tract of land in La Forte Indiana. No primary source records could be located regarding his death or his family life.
“Chrisy1953” Family Tree compliments of Anestry.com, tell us that Basil was born Birth 20 JAN 1774 in Woodbridge, New Haven, Connecticut. He travels through the country, living in 1812-1850 in Erin NY, moved onto Trumbull Michigan and settled at last in LA Forte Indiana, where he died on April 1,1842. Chrissy tells us that Basil was the son of Elijah Sperry (1750-1832) and Deborah Toller (1751-1801). Both Elijah and Deborah were born and died in Connecticut. There is no data concerning a possible marriage for Basil and no children mentioned.
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