Follow the journeys of pioneer families as they leave the relative comfort of New England, joined by immigrants from diverse backgrounds, to carve out a new life in the untamed wilderness of Western New York.

Spanning the years 1790 to 1824, this era unfolds in the wake of the Revolutionary War, through the trials of the War of 1812, and touches upon stories that echo even into the Great Rebellion. Their courage and determination shaped a rugged frontier into thriving communities, laying the foundation for generations to come.

Marvel at their fortitude as they fight bears, withstand debilitating sickness, and struggle to survive starvation during the “year without a summer.”

Explore the founding of villages, the formation of towns, and the personal tales of the early settlers richly detailed in their own words, all meticulously detailed in this significant historical work by Arad Thomas (1871).

This annotated version includes updated language for modern readers, a comprehensive glossary, and an extended name and subject index.