Timeline of Innovation: York State, 1779-1861

In a few recent posts (here, here and here), we have reflected on the political, social and religious importance of Upstate New York, especially in the Interbellum (between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars) time period. However, this history is often not fully appreciate by modern York Staters. We may know that Abolitionists lived here or that there were religious revivals, but the scope and importance cannot be understated. To assist in our understanding of our own history, I have created a timeline of important events. Yesterday, I posted this timeline in its entirety on in this weblog format. However, the formatting was screwed up, it was reported to me that some of the events were difficult to understand, etc. So I have made a much easier-to-read format and moved it to this subpage.

It ranges from 1779 (the Sullivan Campaign) to 1861 (the beginning of the American Civil War); its focus is on religious and social movements, though economic and political events are included as well. This was an incredible time of religious fervor and creativity, vicious mob violence, sometimes bizarre social innovation (the "complex marriage" of the Oneida Community comes to mind) and a passion for justice that set the sparks aflame for the coming Civil War. It was a region populated by prophets, fugitive slaves turned leaders and orators, sturdy pioneers and courageous, indominable women (and men too!). Upstate New York stood at the forefront of what America would become in the coming decades and in many ways dreamed bigger than the nation as a whole was able to handle.

In general, the timeline mainly deals with events in the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse corridor, this was not intended, but it appears that the Erie Canal created a pathway not only of goods but also ideas. Obviously, I cannot describe every event that occurred, but if there is an event that deserves mention that I have not put up here, or if I got an event wrong, please email me at: york.staters@gmail.com. I hope you enjoy this timeline.
-Posted by Jesse