County Names #2
Chautauqua- a contraction of a Seneca Indian word meaning "where fish was taken out"
Chemung - derived from the name of the Delaware Indian village signifying "big horn" (Chemung Co. Historical Society Museum has a display about this horn)
Chenango - from the Onondaga Indian word meaning "large bull thistle"
Clinton- in honor of George Clinton -first governor of the state.
Columbia -the Latin feminine form of Columbus, the name was popular at the time as a proposed name for the United States of America.
Cortland- in honor of Pierre Van Cortlandt who was the first lieutenant governor of the state (in 1777- he was the president of the convention at Kingston, NY that framed the state's first constitution ).
Delaware - in honor of Lord Delaware who was appointed governor of Virginia in 1609 ,and in recognition of his services to early colonists.
Dutchess- in honor of the Dutchess of York, wife of James II
Erie- derived from the tribe of Indians living in Western New York prior to 1654.
Interesting names -Unless you are a student of our country's early history -some are probably new and -especially to our children and grandchildren .
Some good trivia questions !!!! More another day
Kitty
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