Zanesville in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

1839

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

1. 1839 Marker

Inscription. State Abolition Convention again held at the Stone Academy in Putnam. The convention is mobbed and the "Battle of the Bridge" confrontation occurs at the old Third Street Covered Bridge. Two Hundred Zanesville men threaten to burn Putnam and face off against seventy men of Putnam. The sheriff arrives and reads the riot act and disperses the crowd. Acts of vandalism and arson over the next few days cause Putnam men to organize and guard their town. Francis Potts, from Pottsville, Pennsylvania arrives in Putnam and purchases the house that will become the P.U.R.E. Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 39° 55.904′ N, 82° 0.408′ W. Marker is in Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It can be reached from Putnam Avenue north of Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 456 Putnam Ave, Zanesville OH 43701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

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 walking distance of this marker: 1842 (here, next to this marker); 1837 (here, next to this marker); 1836 (here, next to this marker); 1843 (here, next to this marker); 1835 (here, next to this marker); 1847

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(here, next to this marker); 1850 (here, next to this marker); 1834 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.

Also see . . . The Stone Academy.

The Stone Academy functioned as a school and a public building until it was converted to a private residence in 1840. In the 1830's it was the center of abolitionist activity in Putnam. The Ohio Anti-Salvery Society held state conventions in the building in 1835 and 1839. On both occasions violence erupted when mobs of pro-slavery Zanesville "Tuckahoes" disrupted the proceedings.

(Submitted on August 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

The Stone Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

2. The Stone Academy

The Stone Academy is the site of the 1835 and 1839 Ohio State Abolition Conventions, and the site of mob violence in 1839.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.