Sinking Spring in Highland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Governor Charles Willing Byrd

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018

1. Governor Charles Willing Byrd Marker

Inscription. Governor Charles Willing Byrd was the son of Colonel William Byrd of Virginia. In 1792 President John Adams appointed him secretary of the Northwest Territory and in 1802 he became acting governor of the territory. He was a delegate to the convention that framed the first constitution for Ohio and was later appointed United States District Judge by President Jefferson. Governor Byrd lived in Adams County from 1807 until 1822 when he moved to Sinking Spring.

Erected 1941 by The Governor Byrd Memorial Committee The Ohio State Archaeological Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series lists.

Location. 39° 4.469′ N, 83° 23.411′ W. Marker is in Sinking Spring, Ohio, in Highland County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Grant Ct., on the left when traveling west on Washington

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Street. Marker is in Byrd Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 Washington Street, Sinking Spring OH 45172, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sinking Spring Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); People of the Forest, 2000 B.P. (approx. 3.3 miles away); A Missing Coil? (approx. 4 miles away); The Serpent In American Indian Manetto Indiangkum, Traditions (approx. 4 miles away); Who Built Serpent Mound? (approx. 4 miles away); Astronomical Alignments at Serpent Mound? (approx. 4 miles away); What Is An Effigy Mound? (approx. 4 miles away);

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018

2. Governor Charles Willing Byrd Marker

full view of marker

The Serpent Mound (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sinking Spring.

Other markers no longer nearby. Serpent Mound Impact Crater (was approx. 4 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named A Missing Coil? (was approx. 4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018

3. Governor Charles Willing Byrd Marker

view from the field, approaching the cemetery

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 14, 2018

4. Governor Charles Willing Byrd Marker

view from corner of West Washington and Grant Ct.

Ohio Historical Society, October 19, 1941

5. Governor Charles Willing Byrd Marker

archived picture Mrs. Elmer Fulton, descendent, unveiling memorial marker to Gov. Charles Willing Byrd, appointed Secretary of the Northwest Territory in 1798, then Governor of the Northwest Territory in 1802. Sinking Spring, Highland County, Ohio. October 19, 1941

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 2, 2025

6. Governor Charles Willing Byrd Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 6. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.