Zanesville in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Nelson T. Gant House
The Historic National Road in Ohio
Nelson Talbot Gant was freed from slavery by the last will and testament of his owner, John Nixon, September of 1845 in Loudoun County, Virginia. However, Gant’s wife, Maria, was a slave to Jane Russell of Leesburg, Virginia. According to Virginia law at the time, he was required to leave the state no more than a year after being freed. Reluctantly, he left in October of 1846 promising to return for her. Gant traveled to Zanesville, where many of the former Nixon slaves had taken residence. He became acquainted with and enlisted the help of abolitionists and agents of the Underground Railroad in Zanesville and Putam, a decidedly anti-slavery community across the Muskingum River from Zanesville.
In November, Gant returned to Virginia and made another attempt to buy his wife. His offer was refused. With no alternatives, he and Maria simply left. Gant and his wife were caught in Washington, D.C. and put in jail. A month later they were taken to Virginia where Maria was returned to her owner and Nelson remained in jail.
On December 12, 1846, Gant was put on trial for stealing his wife. He was acquitted of the charges since a wife could not be compelled to testify against her husband. Two months later, enough money had been collected from friends in Ohio and Virginia to buy Maria’s freedom.
In June 1850, Nelson, Maria, and their one-year old daughter returned to Zanesville. Nelson purchased land for a home and farm along the National Road and made a very successful living growing and selling specialty vegetables.
The Road That Helped Build The Nation. An All American Road—National Scenic Byway
Erected by Presented by the Ohio National Road Association, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1850.
Location. 39° 56.722′ N, 82° 1.858′ W. Marker is in Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. Marker is on West Pike (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1845 West Pike, Zanesville OH 43701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Nelson T. Gant House (here, next to this marker); Y-Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Y-Bridge (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Y-Bridge (approx. one mile away); Muskingum County Medal of Honor Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Muskingum County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Bicentennial Legacy Monument (approx. 1.1 miles away); Muskingum County Iraqi Conflicts Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.
Also see . . . Nelson T. Gant. Ohio History Central website entry (Submitted on July 4, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,796 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 30, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on July 1, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.