Surveyor, Land Agent. Founder of Batavia, New York and Buffalo, New York. Trained as a surveyor by his brother, United States Surveyor-General Andrew Ellicott, he was also the brother of Congressman Benjamin Ellicott. Joseph and Benjamin helped Andrew complete the survey of Washington D.C. In 1797, he was hired by a group of six Dutch banks called the Holland Land Company to complete the survey of newly purchased land in Western New York. Following the completion of the survey, the land company hired him as the Resident-Agent in charge of the settlement of Western New York. An early supporter of the Erie Canal, he served on the Canal Commission and was hired by the State of New York to lay out its route through Western New York. Ellicottville, New York is named for him.  (bio by: PW)  Family links:  Parents:  Joseph Ellicott (1732 – 1780)  Judith Blaker Ellicott (1729 – 1809)  Siblings:  Andrew Ellicott (1754 – 1820)*  Sarah Ellicott (1755 – 1779)*  Joseph Ellicott (1760 – 1826)  Benjamin Ellicott (1765 – 1827)* *Calculated relationship