Phelps and Gorham Purchase

Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The Phelps and Gorham Purchase was a significant land transaction that took place in 1788, involving the purchase of a large tract of land in Western New York from the Seneca Nation by Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham. This purchase was facilitated by the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and the Iroquois Confederacy, with the assistance of Red Jacket, a prominent Seneca leader. The purchase was also influenced by the American Revolutionary War and the subsequent Treaty of Paris, which ended the war and recognized United States sovereignty over the region.

● Introduction

The Phelps and Gorham Purchase was a pivotal event in the history of Western New York, marking the beginning of large-scale European-American settlement in the region. The purchase was made possible by the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, which established the boundaries between the Iroquois Confederacy and the United States. Key figures involved in the purchase included Oliver Phelps, Nathaniel Gorham, and Red Jacket, who played a crucial role in negotiating the terms of the purchase. The purchase was also influenced by the American Revolutionary War and the subsequent Treaty of Paris, which recognized United States sovereignty over the region, and the Northwest Ordinance, which provided a framework for the governance of the region.

● Background

The Iroquois Confederacy, which included the Seneca Nation, Cayuga Nation, Onondaga Nation, Oneida Nation, and Mohawk Nation, had long been a dominant force in the region. The French and Indian War and the subsequent Treaty of Fort Stanwix had established the boundaries between the Iroquois Confederacy and the British Empire. The American Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris had recognized United States sovereignty over the region, paving the way for the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. Key figures involved in the background of the purchase included Joseph Brant, a Mohawk leader who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, and George Washington, who was instrumental in the Treaty of Paris negotiations. The Continental Congress and the New York State Legislature also played important roles in the lead-up to the purchase.

● The Purchase

The Phelps and Gorham Purchase was finalized in 1788, with Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham purchasing approximately 2.6 million acres of land from the Seneca Nation for $100,000. The purchase was facilitated by the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and the Iroquois Confederacy, with the assistance of Red Jacket and other Seneca leaders. The purchase was also influenced by the Northwest Ordinance and the Land Ordinance of 1785, which provided a framework for the governance and settlement of the region. Key figures involved in the purchase included John Jay, who played a significant role in the Treaty of Paris negotiations, and Henry Knox, who was instrumental in the development of the Northwest Ordinance. The United States Congress and the New York State Legislature also played important roles in the purchase.

● Survey and Settlement

Following the purchase, the land was surveyed and divided into townships, with the assistance of Simeon De Witt and other surveyors. The settlement of the region was facilitated by the Genesee River and the Erie Canal, which provided transportation links to the rest of the United States. Key figures involved in the survey and settlement of the region included De Witt Clinton, who played a significant role in the development of the Erie Canal, and Robert Fulton, who developed the first commercially successful steamboat. The Holland Land Company and the Pulteney Association also played important roles in the settlement of the region, with the assistance of Paul Busti and other land agents. The University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology were also established in the region, with the assistance of Nathaniel Rochester and other founders.

● Legacy

The Phelps and Gorham Purchase had a significant impact on the development of Western New York and the United States as a whole. The purchase marked the beginning of large-scale European-American settlement in the region and paved the way for the development of the Erie Canal and the Genesee River valley. Key figures involved in the legacy of the purchase included Millard Fillmore, who played a significant role in the development of the University of Buffalo, and Grover Cleveland, who was instrumental in the development of the City of Buffalo. The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and the Rochester Museum and Science Center also preserve the history of the region, with the assistance of Susan B. Anthony and other founders. The New York State Historical Association and the Western New York Historical Society also play important roles in preserving the history of the region.

● Aftermath and Impact

The Phelps and Gorham Purchase had a profound impact on the Iroquois Confederacy and the Seneca Nation, leading to the loss of significant amounts of land and the displacement of many Native American communities. The purchase also had a significant impact on the development of the United States, paving the way for the expansion of the country westward and the development of new industries and technologies. Key figures involved in the aftermath and impact of the purchase included Frederick Douglass, who played a significant role in the Abolitionist movement, and Harriet Tubman, who was instrumental in the Underground Railroad. The Women's Rights Convention and the Seneca Falls Convention also took place in the region, with the assistance of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other founders. The National Park Service and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation also preserve the history of the region, with the assistance of Theodore Roosevelt and other conservationists. The Phelps and Gorham Purchase is remembered as a significant event in the history of Western New York and the United States, with the Genesee Country Village and Museum and the Rochester Museum and Science Center preserving the history of the region. Category:Historical events in the United States