When shipbuilder Zattu Cushing passed through western New York State at the beginning of the 19th century, he saw a beautiful area that had great potential for settlement. He vowed to come back and settle with his family as soon as possible. In 1805, Cushing came back and became the first permanent settler in what was to become the town of Pomfret. Pomfret quickly grew, attracting people of great talent to the small settlement situated on Canadaway Creek near Lake Erie. Soon the village of Fredonia was chartered within the town, leading to even more fantastic growth. Pomfret became a town of many firsts, as well as the home of countless noteworthy families. Today Pomfret is a vibrant community that is proud of its past and excited about its future.