Oxford in Butler County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Legend of the Baby in the Well
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
1. The Legend of the Baby in the Well Marker
This original dug well relates to one of the several fascinating legends of Zachariah and Elizabeth DeWitt. As reported by Ralph McGinnis in The History of Oxford, Ohio, from the Earliest Days to the Present, Zachariah heard Elizabeth's screams as she discovered that their baby was gone:
“Finally, when the despairing mother had about given up hope, a thin, but indignant wail was heard proceeding from the vicinity of the open well in the cabin yard. Mrs. DeWitt knew the voice of her offspring. She rushed to the well, and peering down, saw her pride and joy floating on the surface of the water. The voluminous skirts of the infant's dress had caught the air in its descent into the well and it had been bouyed up nicely. The child was fished out with a garden rake, wet and petulant, but unharmed, and lived to four score and ten.”
Erected by W.E. Smith Family Charitable Trust and the Oxford Museum Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 39° 30.647′ N, 84° 43.129′ W. Marker is in Oxford, Ohio, in Butler County. Marker is at the DeWitt Homestead, 1000 feet north of Oxford-Trenton Road (Ohio Route 73) via an access
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The DeWitt Family / The DeWitt Log Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); The Verlin L. Pulley Tower (approx. 0.6 miles away); Langstroth Cottage / Lorenzo Langstroth (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alumnae Hall (approx. 0.7 miles away); Freedom Summer 1964 (approx. ¾ mile away); Percy MacKaye / "The Poet's Shack" (approx. ¾ mile away); Upham Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); William Holmes McGuffey House (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
2. The Legend of the Baby in the Well Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
3. Well at the DeWitt Homestead
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
4. The DeWitt Homestead
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
5. The DeWitt Homestead Sign
Looking east along Oxford-Trenton Road. Location of access road to homestead.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,670 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
