Wilson, John T., Homestead
NE of Seaman on OH 32, Seaman, OHJohn T. Wilson was a noted Ohio politician, abolitionist, and philanthropist. He was a very important historical figure in Adams County. This house, though in poor condition, is the only tangible remains of his life in southern Ohio.
Born near Belfast in Highland County, Ohio in 1811, John T. Wilson moved to northern Adams County in 1832. Mr. Wilson was a large landowner in the village that began to spring up around him and gave the town the name of Tranquility. For twelve years a simple log structure served as his home; then in 1844, he began construction of a rather large, brick house. He designed his house so that one room could be used as a general store. The built-in display cases are still intact. The most significant feature of the home, however, is a secret stairway leading from the store to an upstairs closet. Mr. Wilson was an ardent abolitionist and used this staircase and closet to hide slaves on their trip along the Underground Railroad. The stairway is still intact.
In the fall of 1861, Wilson helped organize the 70th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was appointed Captian of Company E of that unit. Although he was fifty years old at the time, Wilson led his company throughout the two-day battle of Shiloh. Due to illness, he was forced to resign his commission and return home. In 1863 he was nominated for the state senate without being a candidate and without his knowledge or consent was elected. He served in the Ohio Senate for two terms (1864-66) and then served as US Representative for three terms (1866-1872). Mr. Wilson had made a fortune as a merchant and landowner and became well known for his philanthropy. Among his large gifts, he gave $50,000 to Adams County for the erection of a children's home (still in use today), $5,000 to Adams County for a Civil War monument, and $150,000 for the establishment of a "poor" fund which is still in use today. From his extensive land holdings, John Wilson sold Serpent Mound to the Peabody Fund of Harvard University for its preservation.
Local significance of the building:
Born near Belfast in Highland County, Ohio in 1811, John T. Wilson moved to northern Adams County in 1832. Mr. Wilson was a large landowner in the village that began to spring up around him and gave the town the name of Tranquility. For twelve years a simple log structure served as his home; then in 1844, he began construction of a rather large, brick house. He designed his house so that one room could be used as a general store. The built-in display cases are still intact. The most significant feature of the home, however, is a secret stairway leading from the store to an upstairs closet. Mr. Wilson was an ardent abolitionist and used this staircase and closet to hide slaves on their trip along the Underground Railroad. The stairway is still intact.
In the fall of 1861, Wilson helped organize the 70th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was appointed Captian of Company E of that unit. Although he was fifty years old at the time, Wilson led his company throughout the two-day battle of Shiloh. Due to illness, he was forced to resign his commission and return home. In 1863 he was nominated for the state senate without being a candidate and without his knowledge or consent was elected. He served in the Ohio Senate for two terms (1864-66) and then served as US Representative for three terms (1866-1872). Mr. Wilson had made a fortune as a merchant and landowner and became well known for his philanthropy. Among his large gifts, he gave $50,000 to Adams County for the erection of a children's home (still in use today), $5,000 to Adams County for a Civil War monument, and $150,000 for the establishment of a "poor" fund which is still in use today. From his extensive land holdings, John Wilson sold Serpent Mound to the Peabody Fund of Harvard University for its preservation.
Politics/government; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Ohio played a key role in the development of the modern steel industry. Andrew Carnegie, one of the most famous industrialists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, started his career in the steel industry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but his first major investment was in a steel mill in Braddock, Ohio.
About Adams County
Adams County Timeline
Adams County, Ohio, located in the southwestern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, who held the region as hunting grounds. In the late 1700s, European settlers began to arrive in Adams County, establishing the first permanent settlements.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development. The county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. It became a prominent center for agriculture, known for its fertile soil and favorable climate. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the mid-1800s further stimulated growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
Adams County also played a role in the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an important stop on the journey to freedom. Many abolitionists in the area, such as John Rankin, helped enslaved individuals seek refuge and provided assistance along the way.
In the 20th century, Adams County faced the challenges brought by industrialization and economic change. The decline of agriculture and the closure of local industries led to a period of economic struggle. However, in recent years, Adams County has made efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural beauty and historic sites.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of significance and natural beauty, with a growing population and a diverse mix of cultures. Its historical sites, such as the John Rankin House and the Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve, stand as testaments to the county's rich past. As Adams County looks to the future, it strives to preserve its heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development. The county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. It became a prominent center for agriculture, known for its fertile soil and favorable climate. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the mid-1800s further stimulated growth, facilitating transportation and trade.
Adams County also played a role in the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an important stop on the journey to freedom. Many abolitionists in the area, such as John Rankin, helped enslaved individuals seek refuge and provided assistance along the way.
In the 20th century, Adams County faced the challenges brought by industrialization and economic change. The decline of agriculture and the closure of local industries led to a period of economic struggle. However, in recent years, Adams County has made efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural beauty and historic sites.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of significance and natural beauty, with a growing population and a diverse mix of cultures. Its historical sites, such as the John Rankin House and the Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve, stand as testaments to the county's rich past. As Adams County looks to the future, it strives to preserve its heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Adams County, Ohio.
- 1787 - Adams County is established as the first county in the Northwest Territory.
- 1790 - The county's first permanent settlement, West Union, is founded.
- 1798 - The first courthouse is built in West Union.
- 1803 - Ohio becomes a state, and Adams County is part of the new state.
- 1828 - The Ohio and Erie Canal reaches Adams County, boosting trade and transportation.
- 1865-1869 - The Civil War and its aftermath bring significant changes to Adams County.
- 1877 - The Ohio River flood devastates the county, causing significant damage.
- 1920s - Adams County experiences economic decline due to the Great Depression and the decline of coal mining.
- 1967 - The Adams County Amish community is established, leading to an increase in tourism and cultural diversity.
- 1987 - The Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center is opened, providing vocational education opportunities.
- 2005 - An observatory, the John T. Wilson Homestead Observatory, is opened to promote astronomy and scientific education in the county.