Pioneer History STUDY RESOURCES

New England was the primary source of settlers in the post-Revolutionary colonization of the Upstate region. In the thirty years between 1790 and 1820 it has been claimed that the three states in southern New England alone lost approximately 800,000 persons by emigration(1). Most of these either settled in or passed through New York on their way west. 

1  P.W. Bidwall, "Rural Economy in New England at the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century." Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences  

Below is an overview of the nationalities or origins of emigrants who settled in Orleans County, New York, between 1790 and 1825. During this period, the region was largely wilderness and began to be settled by people from other parts of the United States and immigrants from Europe. 

New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire)

The New England migration was one of the largest westward movements in the post-Revolutionary War period. Settlers from New England were among the first to take advantage of the newly available land in New York after the Iroquois were displaced and the state began to promote settlement.

• Origins: Many early settlers in Orleans County came from New England. These were primarily descendants of English Puritans and other early colonial settlers.

• Motivation: They moved westward due to land scarcity in New England, seeking new opportunities for farming and homesteading in Western New York as land became available after the American Revolution.

• Estimated Percentage: 50-60%

Eastern New York (Hudson Valley and Capital Region)

As land became scarce and expensive in the eastern part of the state, many New Yorkers moved westward to find cheaper, more fertile farmland.

• Origins: Some settlers moved from the more established regions of New York State, especially from the Hudson Valley area.

• Motivation: These emigrants sought cheaper and more abundant farmland as population pressure increased in the eastern parts of the state.

• Estimated Percentage: 15-20%

Pennsylvania

Some of the settlers in Orleans County came from Pennsylvania, especially those of German or Scots-Irish descent. This group often migrated northward, attracted by the fertile land and economic opportunities in New York.

• Origins: Some emigrants came from Pennsylvania, especially from its central and eastern regions, where they had established farms and towns.

• Motivation: Settlers were often of German or Scots-Irish descent, migrating northward into New York in search of new agricultural lands.

• Estimated Percentage: 10-15%

New Jersey

New Jersey contributed a smaller proportion of settlers to Orleans County, but they were still a notable part of the population. These settlers often came from rural areas looking for more land and opportunity.

• Origins: Some settlers also migrated from New Jersey, especially those of Dutch, English, and German descent.

• Motivation: Economic opportunities and access to fertile farmland in Orleans County drew these settlers westward.

• Estimated Percentage: 5-10%

Virginia and the Carolinas

• Origins: Though in smaller numbers, some families migrated from Virginia and the Carolinas.

• Motivation: They moved due to economic difficulties or in pursuit of land in the expanding northern frontier.

Western Territories (Ohio, Kentucky)

• Origins: Some emigrants had previously settled in the western territories like Ohio and Kentucky but moved further north for new opportunities in New York.

• Motivation: Continued search for better land and more secure living conditions.

 Ireland

Although the Irish population in Orleans County grew significantly later, during the construction of the Erie Canal, there was still a small but notable number of Irish immigrants arriving before 1825. These early arrivals often worked as laborers or settled on small plots of land.

• Origins: Irish immigrants began arriving during this period, though their numbers would increase dramatically after the 1820s.

• Motivation: Many early Irish settlers were fleeing economic hardships or political unrest, finding work as laborers on farms or construction projects, including the Erie Canal (which began construction in 1817).

• Estimated Percentage: 5-10%

Scotland

The presence of Scottish immigrants contributed to the diversity of the population.

• Origins: Scots, particularly from the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, settled in Orleans County.

• Motivation: Fleeing economic hardship or the aftermath of political upheavals like the Highland Clearances, Scots sought new farming opportunities in Western New York.

• Estimated Percentage: 3-5%

Germany

German immigrants began to arrive during this period, though their numbers would increase later in the 19th century. Early German settlers were typically farmers looking for fertile land to cultivate.

• Origins: German immigrants, particularly from regions such as the Rhineland, began to settle in the area.

• Motivation: They sought farmland and stability after experiencing political turmoil and economic distress in the German states.

• Estimated Percentage: 3-5%

England

A small number of English immigrants settled in the area, particularly those looking for agricultural opportunities. They were typically from rural parts of England and brought with them farming and craftsmanship skills.

• Origins: English settlers, often from rural areas in southern and eastern England, were also among the early arrivals.

• Motivation: They were drawn by the availability of land and the promise of economic opportunity in the expanding American frontier.

• Estimated Percentage: 3-5%

Scandinavia (Norway)

Norwegian settlement was just beginning in this period, and while they were present in small numbers, they would not constitute a significant percentage until later in the 19th century.

• Origins: While the majority of Scandinavian immigration to the U.S. took place later in the 19th century, there were early settlers from Norway who arrived during this time.

• Motivation: Many were drawn by the opportunity for farmland and escape from economic hardship in Norway.

• Estimated Percentage: <1%

• New Englanders: 50-60%
• New Yorkers: 15-20%
• Pennsylvanians: 10-15%
• New Jersey Settlers: 5-10%
• Irish Immigrants: 5-10%
• Scottish Immigrants: 3-5%
• German Immigrants: 3-5%
• English Immigrants: 3-5%
• Norwegian Settlers: <1%

These emigrants brought with them a variety of skills, traditions, and practices, shaping the early settlement patterns and agricultural practices of Orleans County. Many were drawn by the promise of fertile land and the opportunity to establish farms in the expanding American frontier.

Before European settlers arrived, the area was inhabited by the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. By 1790-1825, the Native population had significantly decreased due to displacement, treaties, and conflicts, though the Seneca people maintained a presence in the region.

The Erie Canal's construction, starting in 1817 and completed in 1825, dramatically increased immigration from other states and countries, including a surge of Irish laborers, which would significantly alter the demographics in the following decades.