ELLINGTON — James Jesse Strang, an Ellington resident in 1836 and postmaster of Ellington in 1838, will be recognized with a New York State historical marker placed by the historic old horse hitching post across from the Ellington Town Park.

The town park was surveyed by Elisha Beardsley in 1833, just three years before Strang became a resident of the town. The historical marker will be placed close to the site of the post office where James Jesse Strang served as postmaster.

Laura M. Cronk, town supervisor, and the Ellington Town Council invite the public to attend the dedication ceremony on Saturday, June l7, at 2 p.m. The marker dedication will be brief; people may wish to bring lawn chairs. A reception and slide program will follow at the Ellington Town Hall, 813 West Main St. In case of inclement weather, all activities will take place at the Town Hall. Ample parking is available at both the Town Park and the Town Hall sites.

In 1813, Jesse James Strang was born in central New York state. Before the age of three Jesse’s family immigrated to the town of Hanover in Chautauqua County. He spent 27 years of his life in Chautauqua County. Sometime in 1832 Jesse reversed his first and middle name and thereafter, until his death, was known as James Jesse Strang. Also in 1832 James taught one term of school in Randolph. He commented in his dairy about the severe winter weather in Randolph.

When James was 23 years old he married Mary, an 18-year-old student from Ellicottville. The two purchased a home in Clear Creek, town of Ellington, where two daughters were born. James was a lawyer, (one of 36 in Chautauqua County), a temperance lecturer, a land speculator, a member of the Randolph Baptist Church, and actively involved in politics. In 1838, he became postmaster of Ellington; the site of this post office is now the location of the Farman Library. In 1843 James purchased the Randolph Herald and served as its publisher and editor.

On August 18, 1843, James and his family left by buggy for Burlington, Wisc., to begin a new life in the mid-west. During a 13-year period, until James’s death, James and Mary led a fascinating and controversial life. James met Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormon Church and was baptized by him into the Mormon faith in 1844. Joseph Smith requested that he start a Mormon colony near Burlington. James called this settlement Voree. His followers were called Strangite Mormon and grew to almost 2,000 people.

Strangite Mormons often felt persecuted, so James moved his flock to Beaver Island, Mich. On July 8, 1850, James was crowned King of Beaver Island. He separated Beaver Island from the United States and created his own postal and monetary systems. Even though he was king of a foreign country he ran for the Michigan legislature and was twice elected.

On June 16, 1856, an attempt was made on James’s life by two of his followers. James was severely injured and taken to his parent’s home in Voree where he died 12 days later, still a king. At the time of his death there were 3,600 Strangite Mormons living on Beaver Island. History denotes James as “America’s Only King”.

The state historical marker is being provided to the town of Ellington by the Roger Gilbert Family. In 2010 Gilbert updated the history of Ellington in a book, “Ellington and Its People.” In his book he told the life story of James Jesse Strang, who by 2010 was all but forgotten. To find out more about James’s fascinating life, come to the NYS Historic Marker dedication on Saturday, June l7, at 2 p.m.