Continuing our connections between the two territories, today's Wow Wednesday focuses on the Brothers Ellicott: Joseph and Andrew.
Andrew Ellicott (1754-1820) is the elder of the two brothers. Born in Bucks County, PA, Andrew, became a surveyor. Andrew is best known for working on the foundations of Washington D.C. In 1801, he moved his family to Lancaster PA where he lived and worked for twelve years before finally moving to West Point where he died.
While in Lancaster, Ellicott worked with Meriwether Lewis to prepare the younger man for his survey in the Louisiana Purchase. His home, 123 N. Prince Street Lancaster PA, is the present home of the Lancaster County Preservation Trust.
Joseph Ellicott (1760-1826) was also a surveyor. He worked with his brother on Washington D.C., but Joseph is better known for surveying the Holland Land Purchase which became Western New York. Part of his work included laying out Buffalo NY and Batavia NY.
Joseph lived in Batavia until his family decided it was best to move him into an asylum in New York City. Joseph experienced mental instability towards the end of his life. He died in New York City, but was later re-buried in Batavia. The historical Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue is his resting place.
The house Joseph Ellicott built no longer exists, but you can still visit the Holland Land Office Museum and learn about Western New York History.
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