Cherry Valley (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Cherry Valley is a town in Otsego County
, New York
, USA
. The population was 1,266 at the 2000 census.
Within the Town of Cherry Valley is a village, also called Cherry Valley
. The town is in the northeast corner of the county and is northeast of the City of Oneonta
.
moved into the area the following year. Due to high snow, the community almost failed but was saved by provisions from local natives.
During the Revolutionary War, Joseph Brant
, a Mohawk
Native American, led a mixed force of Indians and tories to the area, resulting in the Cherry Valley Massacre
, during which 47 people were killed by tomahawk
. The earlier massacre of 1778 was followed by a second raid in 1780, leading to the temporary abandonment of the village.
The town was established in 1791 from Canajoharie
(in Montgomery County
) as one of the original towns in the county. It was subsequently divided, giving rise to several new towns: Middlefield
, Springfield
, and Worcester
(all in 1797) and Roseboom
in 1854.
In 1812, the community of Cherry Valley set itself apart by incorporating as a village.
, the town has a total area of 40.1 square miles (103.8 km²), all of it land.
The north town line is the border of Montgomery County
and Herkimer County
. The eastern town line is the border of Schoharie County
, New York.
New York State Route 166
intersects US Route 20 in the town.
The Cherry Valley Creek
flows southward through the center of the town.
of 2000, there were 1,266 people, 482 households, and 350 families residing in the town. The population density
was 31.6 people per square mile (12.2/km²). There were 629 housing units at an average density of 15.7 per square mile (6.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.82% White, 0.08% Black or African American
, 0.08% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.08% from other races
, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population.
There were 482 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples
living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,107, and the median income for a family was $44,559. Males had a median income of $28,810 versus $22,417 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,792. About 7.9% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Otsego County, New York
Otsego County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. The 2010 population was 62,259. The county seat is Cooperstown. The name Otsego is from a Mohawk word meaning "place of the rock."-History:...
, New York
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...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,266 at the 2000 census.
Within the Town of Cherry Valley is a village, also called Cherry Valley
Cherry Valley (village), New York
Cherry Valley is a village in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 592 at the 2000 census.The Village of Cherry Valley is in the Town of Cherry Valley...
. The town is in the northeast corner of the county and is northeast of the City of Oneonta
Oneonta, New York
Oneonta is a city in southern Otsego County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, had a population of 13,901. Its nickname is "City of the Hills." While the word "oneonta" is of undetermined origin, it is popularly believed to mean "place of open rocks" in the Iroquois language...
.
History
The modern history of Cherry Valley begins with John Lindsey receiving a land grant from George II of England; he moved there in 1739, and seven Anglo-Scottish families from New HampshireNew Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
moved into the area the following year. Due to high snow, the community almost failed but was saved by provisions from local natives.
During the Revolutionary War, Joseph Brant
Joseph Brant
Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant was a Mohawk military and political leader, based in present-day New York, who was closely associated with Great Britain during and after the American Revolution. He was perhaps the most well-known American Indian of his generation...
, a Mohawk
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
Native American, led a mixed force of Indians and tories to the area, resulting in the Cherry Valley Massacre
Cherry Valley massacre
The Cherry Valley Massacre was an attack by British and Seneca forces on a fort and the village of Cherry Valley in eastern New York on the cold, snowy and rainy morning of November 11, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War. It has been described as one of the most horrific frontier...
, during which 47 people were killed by tomahawk
Tomahawk (axe)
A tomahawk is a type of axe native to North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The name came into the English language in the 17th century as a transliteration of the Powhatan word.Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials...
. The earlier massacre of 1778 was followed by a second raid in 1780, leading to the temporary abandonment of the village.
The town was established in 1791 from Canajoharie
Canajoharie (town), New York
Canajoharie is a town in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 3,730 at the 2010 census. Canajoharie is located south of the Mohawk River on the south border of the county. The Erie Canal passes along the north town line. There is a village of Canajoharie in the town...
(in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
) as one of the original towns in the county. It was subsequently divided, giving rise to several new towns: Middlefield
Middlefield, New York
Middlefield is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 2,249 at the 2000 census.The Town of Middlefield is in the northeast part of the county...
, Springfield
Springfield, New York
Springfield is a town in Otsego County, New York, USA. The population was 1,350 at the 2000 census.The Town of Springfield is located at the northern county line of Otsego County and is approximately west of Schenectady.- History :...
, and Worcester
Worcester, New York
Worcester is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 2,207 at the 2000 census.Worcester is on the southeast border of the county and is northeast of Oneonta....
(all in 1797) and Roseboom
Roseboom, New York
Roseboom is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 740 at the 2009 census. The town name is that of an early landowners and settlers Abram and John Roseboom.The Town of Roseboom is at the eastern county line.- History :...
in 1854.
In 1812, the community of Cherry Valley set itself apart by incorporating as a village.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 40.1 square miles (103.8 km²), all of it land.
The north town line is the border of Montgomery County
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
and Herkimer County
Herkimer County, New York
Herkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part...
. The eastern town line is the border of Schoharie County
Schoharie County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,582 people, 11,991 households and 8,177 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 15,915 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
, New York.
New York State Route 166
New York State Route 166
New York State Route 166 is a north–south state highway in Otsego County, New York, United States. It extends for from NY 28 in the village of Milford to U.S. Route 20 north of the village of Cherry Valley. Much of NY 166's southern portion is near Cooperstown, and various...
intersects US Route 20 in the town.
The Cherry Valley Creek
Cherry Valley Creek
Cherry Valley Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central New York, USA.Cherry Valley Creek flows southwesterly through the Cherry Valley in Otsego County, through the towns of Cherry Valley, Roseboom, Middlefield, and Milford....
flows southward through the center of the town.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,266 people, 482 households, and 350 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 31.6 people per square mile (12.2/km²). There were 629 housing units at an average density of 15.7 per square mile (6.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.82% White, 0.08% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.08% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population.
There were 482 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,107, and the median income for a family was $44,559. Males had a median income of $28,810 versus $22,417 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,792. About 7.9% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the Town of Cherry Valley
- Center Valley – A hamletHamlet (place)A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in the southeast corner of the town, located on County Road 50. - Cherry ValleyCherry Valley (village), New YorkCherry Valley is a village in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 592 at the 2000 census.The Village of Cherry Valley is in the Town of Cherry Valley...
– The Village of Cherry Valley is located on NY-166 and Cherry Valley Creek. - Mount Independence – One of the highest elevations in the county.
- Salt Springville – A hamlet straddling the north town line.
- Shankley Mountain – An elevation in the northwest corner of the town.