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Ossian is a
town A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city. The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...
in Livingston County,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
, United States. The population was 789 at the 2010 census. The town was named after
Ossian Ossian (; Irish Gaelic/Scottish Gaelic: ''Oisean'') is the narrator and purported author of a cycle of epic poems published by the Scottish poet James Macpherson, originally as ''Fingal'' (1761) and ''Temora (poem), Temora'' (1763), and later c ...
, the blind narrator and purported 3rd Century author of a cycle of extremely popular
epic poem In poetry, an epic is a lengthy narrative poem typically about the extraordinary deeds of extraordinary characters who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the mortal universe for their descendants. With regard to ...
s published by the Scottish poet
James Macpherson James Macpherson ( Gaelic: ''Seumas MacMhuirich'' or ''Seumas Mac a' Phearsain''; 27 October 1736 – 17 February 1796) was a Scottish writer, poet, literary collector, and politician. He is known for the Ossian cycle of epic poems, which he ...
in 1761. Ossian is the southernmost town in Livingston County.


History

The area was first settled ''circa'' 1804 near Ossian Center. The town of Ossian was formed in 1808 from the town of
Angelica ''Angelica'' is a genus of about 90 species of tall Biennial plant, biennial and Perennial plant, perennial herbaceous, herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far north as ...
, while it was part of Allegany County. Ossian became part of Livingston County in 1856.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the town has a total area of , of which , or 0.07%, are water. Part of the western town line and the southern town line are the border of Allegany County. Part of the east town line is the border of Steuben County. New York State Route 436 is a highway across the northern part of the town.


Adjacent towns and areas

(
Clockwise Two-dimensional rotation can occur in two possible directions or senses of rotation. Clockwise motion (abbreviated CW) proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands relative to the observer: from the top to the right, then down and then to ...
) * West Sparta * North Dansville; Dansville *
Burns Burns may refer to: Astronomy * 2708 Burns, an asteroid * Burns (crater), on Mercury People * Burns (surname), list of people and characters named Burns ** Burns (musician), Scottish record producer Places in the United States * Burns, ...
* Grove; Nunda


Demographics

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, there were 751 people, 272 households, and 212 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 310 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.93%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.13%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.13% Native American, and 0.80% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race were 0.13% of the population. There were 272 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.09. In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.9 males. The median income for a household in the town was $46,563, and the median income for a family was $50,938. Males had a median income of $32,313 versus $23,977 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the town was $20,252. About 3.2% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.


Communities and locations in Ossian

*Ossian Center – A
hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...
near the town center. *Rattlesnake Hill
Wildlife Management Area A wildlife management area (WMA) is a protected area set aside for the conservation of wildlife and for recreational activities involving wildlife. New Zealand There are 11 wildlife management areas in New Zealand: * Horsham Downs Wildlife Ma ...
– A state conservation area in the western part of the town. *Westview – A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town on Route 436.


Notable person

*
Jasper Bisbee Jasper E. "Jep" Bisbee (29 July 1843 – 10 August 1935) was an American old-time musician. He was one of the few oldtime musicians who recorded for Edison Records Edison Records was one of the early record labels that pioneered sound recordi ...
(1843-1935), one of the first rural musicians to produce a record, was born in and lived in Ossian until 1858.


References


External links

*
Brief history of Ossian, NY
{{authority control Rochester metropolitan area, New York Towns in Livingston County, New York Towns in New York (state)