Early Settlement

Native Americans had several villages in the Big Flats area before the arrival of white settlers. The largest was called Runonvea, located southeast of what is now the hamlet of Big Flats. Others were near what is now Fitches Bridge and along Sing Sing Creek. The Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee, villages were all destroyed by troops during the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign of 1779. Christian Myneer (Minier) arrived with his wife and seven children in 1787. More settlers soon followed. The post office was formed in 1809 to serve the growing population. The town of Big Flats was separated from the town of Elmira and incorporated in 1822.

Big Flats

State historic marker at Runonvea Native Americans called the area Atsingnetsing. Early white settlers heard it as Sing Sing. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Horse-drawn log sled Early settlers had to clear the valley of pitch pine, scrub pine, and white oak to build homes and farms. By 1850, lumbering had become big business with at least nine sawmills in the town. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.
Site of early church services Services for the First Baptist Church were once held in this building. In 1807, Elder Roswell Goff organized the First Baptist Church of Big Flats. The first church meetings were held in homes, barns, and schoolhouses. Goff led the congregation until his death in 1825.

Early Settlement

State historic marker at Runonvea

Native Americans called the area Atsingnetsing. Early white settlers heard it as Sing Sing. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Horse-drawn log sled

Early settlers had to clear the valley of pitch pine, scrub pine, and white oak to build homes and farms. By 1850, lumbering had become big business with at least nine sawmills in the town. Image courtesy of the Big Flats Historical Society.

Site of early church services

Services for the First Baptist Church were once held in this building. In 1807, Elder Roswell Goff organized the First Baptist Church of Big Flats. The first church meetings were held in homes, barns, and schoolhouses. Goff led the congregation until his death in 1825.