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The '''Firelands''', or '''Sufferers' Lands''', tract was located at the western end of the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]] in what is now the [[U.S. state]] of [[Ohio]]. It was legislatively established in 1792, as the "Sufferers' Lands", and later became named "Fire Lands" because the resale of the land was intended as financial restitution for residents of the [[Connecticut]] towns of [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]], [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], and [[Ridgefield, Connecticut|Ridgefield]]. Their homes had been burned in 1779 and 1781 by British forces during the [[American Revolutionary War]]. "Fire Lands" was later spelled as one word: "Firelands."
The '''Firelands''', or '''Sufferers' Lands''', tract was located at the western end of the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]] in what is now the [[U.S. state]] of [[Ohio]]. It was legislatively established in 1792, as the "Sufferers' Lands", and later became named "Fire Lands" because the resale of the land was intended as financial restitution for residents of the [[Connecticut]] towns of [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]], [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], and [[Ridgefield, Connecticut|Ridgefield]]. Their homes had been burned in 1779 and 1781 by British forces during the [[American Revolutionary War]]. However, most of the settlement of the area did not occur until after the [[War of 1812]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ohiohistorycentral.org/enwiki/w/Firelands|title=Firelands|access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> "Fire Lands" was later spelled as one word: "Firelands."


[[File:Western Reserve Including the Fire Lands 1826.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Map of the Western Reserve in 1826: the Firelands are on the west end (right).]]
[[File:Western Reserve Including the Fire Lands 1826.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Map of the Western Reserve in 1826: the Firelands are on the west end (left).]]


== History ==
== History ==
In 1792 the Connecticut legislature set aside 500,000 acres (2,000&nbsp;km²), at the western end of the "Western Reserve" for the Connecticut "Sufferers". The area consisted of nearly all of the present-day [[Huron County, Ohio|Huron]] and [[Erie County, Ohio|Erie]] counties, as well as [[Danbury Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Danbury Township]] (Marblehead Peninsula) and much of [[Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Catawba Island Township]] now in [[Ottawa County, Ohio|Ottawa County]]; and [[Ruggles Township, Ashland County, Ohio|Ruggles Township]] now in [[Ashland County, Ohio|Ashland County]]. [The 1792 legislative decree should not be confused with the actual pioneer settlement of these lands, which began to occur about 1807.]
In 1792 the Connecticut legislature set aside 500,000 acres (2,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), at the western end of the "Western Reserve" for the Connecticut "Sufferers". The area consisted of nearly all of the present-day [[Huron County, Ohio|Huron]] and [[Erie County, Ohio|Erie]] counties, as well as [[Danbury Township, Ohio|Danbury Township]] (Marblehead Peninsula) and much of [[Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Catawba Island Township]] now in [[Ottawa County, Ohio|Ottawa County]]; and [[Ruggles Township, Ashland County, Ohio|Ruggles Township]] now in [[Ashland County, Ohio|Ashland County]]. [The 1792 legislative decree should not be confused with the actual pioneer settlement of these lands, which began to occur about 1807.]


It is not known if any of the actual "Sufferers" eventually settled in the Firelands. Prior to any settlement here, land speculators had purchased all of the original claims for re-sale. On April 15, 1803, the investor proprietors formed a corporation to manage the lands to which they were entitled in the newly formed state of Ohio.<ref>
It is not known if any of the actual "Sufferers" eventually settled in the Firelands. Prior to any settlement here, land speculators had purchased all of the original claims for re-sale. On April 15, 1803, the investor-proprietors formed a corporation to manage the lands to which they were entitled in the newly formed state of Ohio.<ref>
{{cite book |title=The statutes of Ohio and of the Northwestern territory, adopted or enacted from 1788 to 1833 inclusive… |editor1-first=Salmon P |editor1-last=Chase |volume=1 |editor1-link=Salmon P Chase |year=1833 |publisher=Corey & Fairbank |chapter=Chap. XX-An act to incorporate the owners and proprietors of {{convert|500000|acre|km2}} of land lying south of lake Erie, in the county of Trumbull |location=[[Cincinnati, Ohio]] |pages=372–374 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uGhMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA372 }}</ref> The land was later divided into 30 five-mile (8&nbsp;km) square [[survey township]]s, which were further subdivided into 120 quarters, each containing {{convert|4,000|acre|km2}}. (Note: Although the standard for U.S. survey townships in the [[Northwest Territory]] was six miles (approx. 10&nbsp;km) square at that time, the older standard for survey townships in the Western Reserve was employed.) A drawing was held to determine which land each individual investor share-holder would receive.
{{cite book |title=The statutes of Ohio and of the Northwestern territory, adopted or enacted from 1788 to 1833 inclusive… |editor1-first=Salmon P |editor1-last=Chase |volume=1 |editor1-link=Salmon P Chase |year=1833 |publisher=Corey & Fairbank |chapter=Chap. XX-An act to incorporate the owners and proprietors of {{convert|500000|acre|km2}} of land lying south of lake Erie, in the county of Trumbull |location=[[Cincinnati, Ohio]] |pages=372–374 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uGhMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA372 }}</ref> The land was later divided into 30 five-mile (8&nbsp;km) square [[survey township]]s, which were further subdivided into 120 quarters, each containing {{convert|4,000|acre|km2}}. (Note: Although the standard for U.S. survey townships in the [[Northwest Territory]] was six miles (approx. 10&nbsp;km) square at that time, the older standard for survey townships in the Western Reserve was employed.) A drawing was held to determine which land each individual investor share-holder would receive.


Some of the original townships in the Firelands took their names from locations in Connecticut, or from the land-speculators who had purchased them. (In some cases the pioneer settlers took a dislike to these speculators, and so changed their township names.) Later, after the [[War of 1812]], when villages began to be established here, many of these villages were also named for Connecticut villages.
Some of the original townships in the Firelands took their names from locations in Connecticut, or from the land-speculators who had purchased them. (In some cases the pioneer settlers took a dislike to these speculators, and so changed their township names.) Later, after the [[War of 1812]], when villages began to be established here, many of these villages were also named for Connecticut villages.
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In 1811, Huron County encompassed the entire Firelands (and also included a portion of later Lorain County). Until 1837, all of the Firelands would lie within — and therefore co-exist with — Huron County.
In 1811, Huron County encompassed the entire Firelands (and also included a portion of later Lorain County). Until 1837, all of the Firelands would lie within — and therefore co-exist with — Huron County.


Modern sign-posts erected within this area have the "established 1792" designation date, as mentioned above. The lands were physically surveyed from 1806–1808, and very slowly settled after 1808. No villages had developed within the Firelands until about the end of the War of 1812.<ref>[http://www.firelandsmuseum.org/history Firelands History – Firelands Museum.org]</ref> (The 1806–1808 surveys were not entirely accurate, and exceeded the legislative parameters for the entire "Western Reserve" boundaries; resulting in 'Surplus lands' directly east of the boundary-line of the Firelands.)
Modern sign-posts erected within this area have the "established 1792" designation date, as mentioned above. The lands were physically surveyed from 1806 to 1808, and very slowly settled after 1808. No villages had developed within the Firelands until about the end of the War of 1812.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.firelandsmuseum.org/history |title=Firelands History – Firelands Museum.org |access-date=2014-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009044617/http://www.firelandsmuseum.org/History/ |archive-date=2016-10-09 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> (The 1806–1808 surveys were not entirely accurate, and exceeded the legislative parameters for the entire "Western Reserve" boundaries; resulting in 'Surplus lands' directly east of the boundary-line of the Firelands.)


[[File:frldsign.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Firelands sign along [[Ohio State Route 4]] in Sherman Township, Huron County, Ohio]]
[[File:frldsign.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Firelands sign along [[Ohio State Route 4]] in Sherman Township, Huron County, Ohio]]
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!
!
|-
|-
| [[Bronson Township, Huron County, Ohio|Bronson]]
| [[Bronson Township, Ohio|Bronson]]
| [[Norwalk Township, Huron County, Ohio|Norwalk]]
| [[Norwalk Township, Huron County, Ohio|Norwalk]]
|-
|-
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| [[Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Catawba Island]] (part)
| [[Catawba Island Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Catawba Island]] (part)
|-
|-
| [[Danbury Township, Ottawa County, Ohio|Danbury]]
| [[Danbury Township, Ohio|Danbury]]
|-
|-
|}
|}
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*Aldrich, Lewis C. History of Erie County Ohio. Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1978 [CSL call number: F497 .E5 H57 1978].
*Aldrich, Lewis C. History of Erie County Ohio. Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1978 [CSL call number: F497 .E5 H57 1978].
*Baughman, Abraham J. History of Huron County. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1909.
*Baughman, Abraham J. History of Huron County. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1909.
*{{cite journal|last1=Carpenter|first1=Helen M.|year=1935|title=The Origin and Location of the Firelands of the Western Reserve|journal=[[Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly]]|volume=XLIV|issue= |pages=162–203|url=http://publications.ohiohistory.org/ohstemplate.cfm?action=detail&Page=0044163.html&StartPage=163&EndPage=203&volume=44&notes=&newtitle=Volume%2044%20Page%20163}}
*{{cite journal|last1=Carpenter|first1=Helen M.|year=1935|title=The Origin and Location of the Firelands of the Western Reserve|journal=[[Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly]]|volume=XLIV|pages=162–203|url=http://publications.ohiohistory.org/ohstemplate.cfm?action=detail&Page=0044163.html&StartPage=163&EndPage=203&volume=44&notes=&newtitle=Volume%2044%20Page%20163}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*The Firelands Pioneer / The Firelands Historical Society. 1858- [CSL call number F497 .W5 F5].
*The Firelands Pioneer / The Firelands Historical Society. 1858- [CSL call number F497 .W5 F5].
*Hill, George W. History of Ashland County, Ohio. Cleveland: Williams Bros., 1880.
*Hill, George W. History of Ashland County, Ohio. Cleveland: Williams Bros., 1880.
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*[[Vacationland (Ohio)]]
*[[Vacationland (Ohio)]]
*[[Western Reserve]]
*[[Western Reserve]]
*[[BGSU Firelands]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:History of Connecticut]]
[[Category:History of Connecticut]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Ohio]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Ohio]]
[[Category:Western Reserve, Ohio]]
Fire lands

Latest revision as of 14:27, 26 June 2024

The Firelands, or Sufferers' Lands, tract was located at the western end of the Connecticut Western Reserve in what is now the U.S. state of Ohio. It was legislatively established in 1792, as the "Sufferers' Lands", and later became named "Fire Lands" because the resale of the land was intended as financial restitution for residents of the Connecticut towns of Danbury, Fairfield, Greenwich, Groton, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, and Ridgefield. Their homes had been burned in 1779 and 1781 by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. However, most of the settlement of the area did not occur until after the War of 1812.[1] "Fire Lands" was later spelled as one word: "Firelands."

Map of the Western Reserve in 1826: the Firelands are on the west end (left).

History

[edit]

In 1792 the Connecticut legislature set aside 500,000 acres (2,000 km2), at the western end of the "Western Reserve" for the Connecticut "Sufferers". The area consisted of nearly all of the present-day Huron and Erie counties, as well as Danbury Township (Marblehead Peninsula) and much of Catawba Island Township now in Ottawa County; and Ruggles Township now in Ashland County. [The 1792 legislative decree should not be confused with the actual pioneer settlement of these lands, which began to occur about 1807.]

It is not known if any of the actual "Sufferers" eventually settled in the Firelands. Prior to any settlement here, land speculators had purchased all of the original claims for re-sale. On April 15, 1803, the investor-proprietors formed a corporation to manage the lands to which they were entitled in the newly formed state of Ohio.[2] The land was later divided into 30 five-mile (8 km) square survey townships, which were further subdivided into 120 quarters, each containing 4,000 acres (16 km2). (Note: Although the standard for U.S. survey townships in the Northwest Territory was six miles (approx. 10 km) square at that time, the older standard for survey townships in the Western Reserve was employed.) A drawing was held to determine which land each individual investor share-holder would receive.

Some of the original townships in the Firelands took their names from locations in Connecticut, or from the land-speculators who had purchased them. (In some cases the pioneer settlers took a dislike to these speculators, and so changed their township names.) Later, after the War of 1812, when villages began to be established here, many of these villages were also named for Connecticut villages.

In 1811, Huron County encompassed the entire Firelands (and also included a portion of later Lorain County). Until 1837, all of the Firelands would lie within — and therefore co-exist with — Huron County.

Modern sign-posts erected within this area have the "established 1792" designation date, as mentioned above. The lands were physically surveyed from 1806 to 1808, and very slowly settled after 1808. No villages had developed within the Firelands until about the end of the War of 1812.[3] (The 1806–1808 surveys were not entirely accurate, and exceeded the legislative parameters for the entire "Western Reserve" boundaries; resulting in 'Surplus lands' directly east of the boundary-line of the Firelands.)

Firelands sign along Ohio State Route 4 in Sherman Township, Huron County, Ohio

Municipalities

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Unincorporated places

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]

For further information see:

  • Connecticut Archives, Revolutionary War, Series I, II, and III
  • Connecticut Archives, Susquehanna Settlers and Western Lands, Series I and II
  • Aldrich, Lewis C. History of Erie County Ohio. Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1978 [CSL call number: F497 .E5 H57 1978].
  • Baughman, Abraham J. History of Huron County. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1909.
  • Carpenter, Helen M. (1935). "The Origin and Location of the Firelands of the Western Reserve". Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly. XLIV: 162–203.[permanent dead link‍]
  • The Firelands Pioneer / The Firelands Historical Society. 1858- [CSL call number F497 .W5 F5].
  • Hill, George W. History of Ashland County, Ohio. Cleveland: Williams Bros., 1880.
  • Williams, W.W., History of the Firelands, Connecticut, 1879.

(Publications with CSL call numbers are in the collection of the Connecticut State Library)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Firelands". Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  2. ^ Chase, Salmon P, ed. (1833). "Chap. XX-An act to incorporate the owners and proprietors of 500,000 acres (2,000 km2) of land lying south of lake Erie, in the county of Trumbull". The statutes of Ohio and of the Northwestern territory, adopted or enacted from 1788 to 1833 inclusive…. Vol. 1. Cincinnati, Ohio: Corey & Fairbank. pp. 372–374.
  3. ^ "Firelands History – Firelands Museum.org". Archived from the original on 2016-10-09. Retrieved 2014-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
[edit]

41°15′N 82°30′W / 41.250°N 82.500°W / 41.250; -82.500

Fire lands

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