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Joseph Ellicott
Joseph Ellicott
Western New Yorkers are well-acquainted with places bearing the Ellicott name: Ellicottville, Ellicott Creek, the town of Ellicott, the Ellicott Square Building, numerous Ellicott Roads, etc.
Many of us, however, have never given a second thought to those locations' namesake, Joseph Ellicott. There is so much to learn about this man who was a key figure surveying and selling land in Western New York in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was, among other accomplishments, instrumental in bringing the Erie Canal to Western New York 200 years ago.
Additionally, for many, his name is synonymous with the Holland Land Company and the development of the western end of New York State.
Dennis Upton will take you back to 1824 as he brings Joseph Ellicott to life in this first-person living portrayal.
About Dennis Upton
About Dennis Upton
Dennis Upton is a retired teacher. Over the past 25 years he has been an actor and performer in various venues across Western New York.
In 2021, he developed a one-man historical performance based on the life of one of WNY’s most influential, yet unknown, figures of the late 1700s and early 1800s: Joseph Ellicott. Since then, he has presented his living portrayal of Joseph Ellicott in more than 30 venues around WNY.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Upcoming Presentations
Upcoming Presentations
Fri, Mar 28, 2025 | 1p | Newfane Elementary School
Tue, Apr 15, 2025 | 7:30p | Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center
Tue, May 6, 2025 | 7p | Oakfield Historical Society
Thu, May 8, 2025 | 7p | Alden Historical Society
Wed, May 28, 2025 | 1p | Orchard Park Senior Center (University Express)
Wed, Jun 4, 2025 | 2p | The Amberleigh (Williamsville, NY)
Thu, Jun 5, 2025 | 10a | Cheektowaga Senior Center (University Express)
Wed, Jun 11, 2025 | 1p | Fenton History Center (Jamestown, NY)
Wed, Jun 25, 2025 | 7p | Orleans Historical Society (Albion, NY)
Wed, Jul 2, 2025 | 7p | Fox Run (Orchard Park, NY)
Tue, Sep 9, 2025 | 6:30p | Kenmore Public Library
Sat, Sep 27, 2025 | 2p | North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens
Sat, Oct 18, 2025 | 6p | Batavia Cemetery
Sat, Oct 25, 2025 | 11:30a | Long Homestead (Tonawanda, NY)
Sat, Oct 25, 2025 | 6p | Batavia Cemetery
Ellicott-Related Sites
Ellicott-Related Sites
Holland Land Office Museum. 131 West Main St, Batavia, NY. Site of Ellicott's office in the early 1800s. Presently, an active museum highlighting the Holland Land Company, Joseph Ellicott, and the history of Batavia & its founders.
Batavia Cemetery. 65 Harvester Ave, Batavia, NY. Ellicott's final resting place. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hull Family Home and Farmstead. 5976 Genesee St, Lancaster, NY. Warren Hull took the article of purchase for this property from the Holland Land Company in 1804. The oldest fully-restored stone dwelling in Erie County, featuring events of interest year-round.
Asa Ransom House. 10529 Main St, Clarence, NY. B&B with a "Joseph Ellicott" room. Near the Ransom Tavern which, for a time, housed Ellicott and his office.
Area Historical Societies. It's amazing the wealth of information they have to share.
Booking Joseph Ellicott
Booking Joseph Ellicott
The "Joseph Ellicott: Who Will Tell My Story?" presentation is available for performances all around New York State and Pennsylvania, generally between April and November. The presentation can be customized to run from 15 to 60 minutes, and is an excellent event for Historical Societies, schools, and senior centers.
Previous presentation locations include: 20+ historical societies around WNY, Holland Land Office Museum, Lake Erie Region of the Antique Automobile Association, Buffalo Bottle Collectors Association, WNY Genealogical Society, Akron Rotary, Silver Lake Experience and various libraries, schools, senior centers, retirement communities, and civic & social groups.
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