Ashland is a town in Chemung County, New York, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2010 census. The town is named after the home of Henry Clay.Ashland is on the south border of the county, south of Elmira. It is part of the Elmira Metropolitan Statistical Area.HistoryIn 1779, the Battle of Newtown, a consequence of the Sullivan Expedition, was fought in the north part of the town.The first settlers arrived around 1788. The town of Ashland was formed in 1867 from parts of the towns of Chemung, Elmira and Southport. The founders of the town wanted to name it after a prominent citizen, R.C. Lockwood, but he suggested the name "Ashland". Ashland was the last town created in Chemung County.Growing and shipping tobacco was a popular endeavor after 1858.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.7km2, of which 36.7km2 is land and 0.9km2, or 2.44%, is water.The Chemung River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, flows through the town. The south town line of Ashland is the border of Pennsylvania.
