Williamsburg Township Cemetery

Historical marker location:
824 Gay Street, Williamsburg, Ohio
( Marker is on Gay Street east of North High Street, on the right when traveling west.)
Marker installed: 2002

Clermont County, Ohio Freedom Trail. National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

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Ohio has a rich tradition of aviation history, with several famous aviators hailing from the state. In addition to the Wright brothers, who invented the airplane, other notable Ohio aviators include Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, and Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world.
Clermont County, Ohio, is located in the southwestern part of the state, along the banks of the Ohio River. The history of Clermont County dates back thousands of years to the region's Native American inhabitants. Various tribes, including the Shawnee and Miami, lived in the area before the arrival of European settlers.

In the late 18th century, European settlers began to establish permanent settlements in Clermont County. The area was first surveyed by Ebenezer Zane in 1786, and the first permanent settlement, called Losantiville, was founded in 1788. The name was later changed to Cincinnati, which is now a separate county.

As the population in Cincinnati grew, settlers began moving eastward into Clermont County. By the early 19th century, the county's population expanded, and more towns and villages were established. Batavia, the county seat, was founded in 1814.

Clermont County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states or Canada. Many abolitionists in the county provided support and shelter to runaway slaves, helping them on their journey to freedom. The county's proximity to the Ohio River made it an ideal location for escaping slaves crossing into the free state of Ohio.

Overall, Clermont County's history is shaped by its Native American roots, early European settlement, and its involvement in the Underground Railroad. Today, the county continues to thrive as a vibrant community with a rich history and a diverse population.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Clermont County, Ohio.

  • December 6, 1800 - Clermont County is founded and established as the eighth county of the Northwest Territory.
  • 1801 - Batavia becomes the county seat of Clermont County.
  • 1811 - William Lytle establishes a village that eventually becomes the city of Milford.
  • 1823 - The village of New Richmond is incorporated.
  • 1824 - Clermont County's first courthouse is constructed in Batavia.
  • 1835 - The village of Owensville is established.
  • 1843 - The village of Williamsburg is incorporated.
  • 1847 - The village of Moscow is incorporated.
  • 1854 - The village of Amelia is incorporated.
  • 1868 - The first train arrives in Batavia, connecting the county to the national rail network.
  • 1873 - The village of Felicity is incorporated.
  • 1886 - The village of Goshen is incorporated.
  • 1891 - The village of Newtonsville is incorporated.
  • 1937 - The Union Township Civic Center, housing the Union Township branch of the Clermont County Public Library, is dedicated.
  • 1999 - The Union Township Veterans Memorial Park is officially dedicated.