In 1820, the local community congregated and came to the decision that they no longer wanted to be part of the town known as Hamilton (now Olean).

They contacted their representative in Albany, Elial Todd Foote, a resident of Jamestown.

They asked Foote to deliver to the legislature in Albany a resolution that would allow them to form their own community, which they would attempt to name "Fayette".

With no way to communicate with the locals back in Hamilton, who sought to create a new town, it was up to Foote to submit a new name.

[4] The Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17) passes across the town.

New York State Route 16 is a major trunk road in the town and partially follows the same path as the Expressway.

New York State Route 446 crosses the northeast part of the town and has its western terminus in the community of Maplehurst.

The east border is formed by the towns of Cuba and Clarksville in Allegany County.