About Ossian, NY - A Brief History

Formation and Early Settlement

The Town of Ossian was formed as an independent town from the Town of Angelica, Allegany Co. on March 11,1808 by an act of the New State Legislature. For forty nine years it remained part of Allegany Co., when, in 1857 the Town of Ossian was annexed into Livingston County. Nestled in the southern border of the county, Ossian boasts a picturesque, hilly landscape, with its highest summits reaching 600 to 800 feet above the valleys. Sugar Creek meanders through the heart of the town.

The First Settlers

The town’s first settlement occurred at its center in 1804 when Judge Richard W. Porter and his brother, James Porter, arrived from New Jersey. They were soon joined by other early pioneers, including Richard N. Porter, James Haynes, James Croghan, Jacob Clendenin, Orrison Cleveland, William and John Gould, and Heman Orton, among others.

Milestones and Achievements

  • In 1818, Ossian saw the formation of its first church, a Presbyterian congregation
  • Abraham Porter, born in 1805, marked the town's first birth, while the first marriage took place in 1816 between John Gelson and Betsey Shay
  • Tragically, the town experienced its first recorded death in 1807 when John Turner was killed by a falling tree
  • Education and commerce began to flourish in Ossian with the opening of its first school in 1813-14, the first inn in 1817, and the first store in 1824
  • The town's industrial roots were established with the construction of the first sawmill by Nathaniel Porter in 1808-09 and the first gristmill by John Smith in 1826

Places of Worship

Ossian is home to two churches: a Presbyterian congregation and a Methodist Episcopal church.

 

Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1852. It burned in 1914.  It was located where the Health Homestead Community Center is currently.

Geography and Demographics

  • Ossian covers an area of 39.7 square miles, with the majority being land
  • As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 751 residents, predominantly of White ethnicity
  • The town is characterized by a mix of family households and a strong sense of community

Notable Person

Jasper Bisbee, one of the early rural musicians to produce a record, was born in and lived in Ossian until 1858.

Communities and Locations

  • Ossian Center: A hamlet near the town center
  • Westview: A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town on Route 436
  • Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area: A state conservation area in the western part of the town
  • Located in the northwestern part of the Town of Ossian on Route 436. It was settled in 1819 by Luther Bisbee, a Revolutionary War veteran

Economy

The town’s economy has historically been rooted in agriculture, and it has adapted to modern economic realities while maintaining its rural charm.

Education

Ossian values education, and its schools have played an important role in shaping the community.

Address

We invite you to explore our town’s rich history and vibrant present through the various resources on this website. Ossian, NY, continues to evolve while cherishing its past, making it a unique and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

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