Near Vinton in Gallia County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Lambert Land Settlement

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2010

1. The Lambert Land Settlement Marker (Side A)

Inscription. In November 1843 former slave Frank Lambert, along with 29 other former slaves, purchased 265.5 acres of land in Morgan Township. These African American settlers had once belonged to Charles Lambert Jr. of Bedford County, Virginia, but had been freed upon his death in 1839. His last will and testament also stipulated that the freed slaves be given horses, oxen, wagons, clothing, and financial support to help them relocate to a state chosen upon advice of the will's executors. They chose Ohio and specifically Gallia County. Shortly after the former slaves established their settlement in Section 32, they began using their authentic surnames, which included the Burks, Jones, Leftwiches, Millers, Randolphs, Reeds, Sales, Minnis, and Wingfields. By 1845 several of this group helped to establish the Morgan Bethel Church where a memorial was dedicated in 2002.

Many descendants of these former slave families lived on the Lambert Land Settlement for several generations, but most had moved by 1960 causing a real estate tax delinquency. In 1969, the county sold the property, ending the Lambert Land story.

Erected 2004 by Lambert Land Preservation Committee, Gallia County Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 15-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1843.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 58.038′ N, 82° 18.214′ W. Marker was near Vinton, Ohio, in Gallia County. Marker was at the intersection of Ohio Route 160 and Thompson Road (County Route 123), on the left when traveling south on State Route 160. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Vinton OH 45686, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Bidwell (approx. 3.3 miles away); Ewington Academy (approx. 4 miles away); New Hope Baptist Church (approx. 5.2 miles away); Appalachian Crafts (approx. 6.8 miles away); Freedom Seekers: Ohio and the Underground Railroad (approx. 6.8 miles away); The Village of Adamsville (approx. 6.8 miles away); Sorghum Cane (approx. 6.8 miles away); Adamsville Mercantile (approx. 6.8 miles away).

Additional commentary.

The Lambert Land Settlement Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2010

2. The Lambert Land Settlement Marker (Side B)

1.
My father Ira Allen Miller is grandson of the sons of the Lamberts. It's a beautiful land. just no one stayed no jobs there. He left to join the US Navy.

— Submitted October 10, 2023, by Steven R. Miller of Columbus, Ohio.

Lambert Land Settlement Plot on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2010

3. Lambert Land Settlement Plot on Marker

The Lambert Land Settlement Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2010

4. The Lambert Land Settlement Marker

Looking NW along Ohio Route 160.

Former marker location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Grant & Mary Ann Fish, March 17, 2024

5. Former marker location

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,108 times since then and 71 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2024, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on March 17, 2024, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.