Morris Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Morris Reserve was a 500,000 acre (2,000 km²) tract of land owned by Robert Morris
in western New York in the late 18th Century. It was originally part of the 6,000,000 acre (24,000 km²) purchase in April 1788 of the pre-emptive right to all of Massachusetts
' lands in western New York by Oliver Phelps
and Nathaniel Gorham
(the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase
"). The sale of the pre-emptive right to Phelps and Gorham only gave them the right to obtain title when they had extinguished the Native American
title to such lands. For this pre-emptive right, they were to pay Massachusetts $1,000,000, or 16 and 2/3 cents an acre (41.18 $/km²). In July 1788 Phelps and Gorham obtained Indian title to about 2,250,000 acres (9,105 km²) east of the Genesee River
. They did not obtain Indian title to the lands west of the Genesee, except for the 185,000 acre (749 km²) Mill Yard Tract
. They defaulted on the payment for the lands in 1790. The 3,750,000 acre (15,200 km²) portion of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase west of the Genesee then reverted back to Massachusetts on March 10, 1791.
Massachusetts then re-sold all of its lands west of the Genesee (except the Mill Yard Tract) to Robert Morris in May 1791 for $333,333,333. Morris sold most of these lands in December 1792 and February and July 1793 to the Holland Land Company
, on condition that Morris extinguish the Native American title held by the Iroquois Nation
. Morris did not obtain clear title to these lands until September, 1797 by the Treaty of Big Tree
(Geneseo), at a cost of $100,000, plus ten reservations for the Native Americans totalling 200,000 acres (800 km²), perpetual annuities, and other concessions.
Morris, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence
, financier of the Revolution
and the richest man in the United States
, also reserved for himself about 500,000 acres (2,000 km²) in a twelve mile (19 km) wide strip along the east side of the Holland Purchase, from the Pennsylvania
border to Lake Ontario
, known as The Morris Reserve. At the north end of the Morris Reserve, an 87,000 acre (352 km²) triangular shaped tract ("The Triangle Tract
") was sold by Morris to Herman Leroy, William Bayard and John McEvers, while a 100,000 tract due west of the Triangle Tract was sold to the State of Connecticut. Other Phelps and Gorham lands east of the Genesee River eventually were purchased by Morris, who re-sold them to The Pulteney Association
.
The Morris Reserve was quickly subdivided and settled. The Morris Reserve lands comprise portions of Allegany
, Genesee
, Monroe
, Orleans
, and Wyoming
counties. The Town and Village of Mt. Morris
, in Livingston County, New York
, is named after Robert Morris' son, Thomas.
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...
in western New York in the late 18th Century. It was originally part of the 6,000,000 acre (24,000 km²) purchase in April 1788 of the pre-emptive right to 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...
' lands in western New York by 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...
(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 sale of the pre-emptive right to Phelps and Gorham only gave them the right to obtain title when they had extinguished the Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
title to such lands. For this pre-emptive right, they were to pay Massachusetts $1,000,000, or 16 and 2/3 cents an acre (41.18 $/km²). In July 1788 Phelps and Gorham obtained Indian title to about 2,250,000 acres (9,105 km²) 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....
. They did not obtain Indian title to the lands west of the Genesee, except for the 185,000 acre (749 km²) 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...
. They defaulted on the payment for the lands in 1790. The 3,750,000 acre (15,200 km²) portion of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase west of the Genesee then reverted back to Massachusetts on March 10, 1791.
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...
, on condition that Morris extinguish the Native American title held by the Iroquois Nation
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
. Morris did not obtain clear title to these lands until September, 1797 by the Treaty of Big Tree
Treaty of Big Tree
Treaty of Big Tree was a formal treaty, held from August 20, 1797 until September 16, 1797, between the Seneca nation and the United States of America. The delegates for both parties met at the residence of William Wadsworth, an early pioneer of the area and Captain of the local militia, in what is...
(Geneseo), at a cost of $100,000, plus ten reservations for the Native Americans totalling 200,000 acres (800 km²), perpetual annuities, and other concessions.
Morris, who was 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...
, financier of the 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 richest man in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, also reserved for himself about 500,000 acres (2,000 km²) in a twelve mile (19 km) wide strip along the east side of the Holland Purchase, from the Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
border to Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
, known as The Morris Reserve. At the north end of the Morris Reserve, an 87,000 acre (352 km²) triangular shaped tract ("The Triangle Tract
The Triangle Tract
The Triangle Tract was 87,000 acre parcel of land abutting the Mill Yard Tract portion of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase in western New York State in the USA...
") was sold by Morris to Herman Leroy, William Bayard and John McEvers, while a 100,000 tract due west of the Triangle Tract was sold to the State of Connecticut. Other Phelps and Gorham lands east of the Genesee River eventually were purchased by Morris, who re-sold them to The Pulteney Association
The Pulteney Association
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 , a Scottish lawyer; two-twelfths by William...
.
The Morris Reserve was quickly subdivided and settled. The Morris Reserve lands comprise 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...
, Genesee
Genesee County, New York
Genesee County is a county located in Western New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,079. Its name is from the Seneca Indian word Gen-nis'-hee-yo meaning "The Beautiful Valley." Its county seat is Batavia.- History :...
, 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....
, Orleans
Orleans County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,171 people, 15,363 households, and 10,846 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 17,347 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
, and Wyoming
Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. At the 2010 census, the population was 42,155. The county seat is Warsaw. The name is from a modified Delaware Indian word meaning "broad bottom lands"...
counties. The Town and Village of Mt. Morris
Mount Morris (village), New York
Mount Morris is a village located in the Town of Mount Morris in Livingston County, New York, USA. The population was 3,266 at the 2000 census. The village and town are named after Robert Morris....
, in Livingston County, New York
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...
, is named after Robert Morris' son, Thomas.