much of NY state was 'settled' by revolutionary vets, who were given 'land script'(basicly, all the 'towns' northward, along 'old Rte. 17'(which follows streams and tributaries to the upper the upper delaware river) --right up to rochester--they were 'hard country' until the opening of the Eire canal(a scant 20 years later)-- when many moved westward, into, as was pointed out by Sparteye, years ago, MI and other northwestern states.
land along the Mohawk was already somewhat settled, (as was the hudson) Many of the 'land script' towns are at the southern edges of the finger lakes, and could ship produce up the fingerlakes to the canal with only a short portage...
the area is rich in salt (sodium cloride) which was a valued asset. (the town of Watkins Glen today is better known for the race car rally, but it started life as salt town. (and the brine from it's saltwell are still dried to make rock salt for clearing steets)--good pasture, and cheap salt made for moderately successful farming (and easy living when compared to New England!)
scrip
