[2] They moved from Sodus in Wayne County, New York to escape worldly influences.
When the membership of the sect declined, the Shakers sold the land to New York State after they were assured it would be used for good purpose.
In the 1890s, New York State opened a facility for people with epilepsy here, called Craig Colony for Epileptics.
While a popular myth circulates that the name Sonyea is an acronym for "State of New York Epileptic Asylum," the place name was used long before the state institution was established.
The word comes from the Seneca language and has several translations, including "a warm and sunny place.