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

1859

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

1. 1859 Marker

Inscription. William Jackson of Belmont County, Ohio, is arrested as a Fugitive Slave at Zanesville. Abolitionists and Pro-Slavery men clash in court over the arrest but the federal marshal succeeds in maintaining custody of his prisoner, though a riot ensues at the rail yard, between members of the African American Community, their supporters and the men deputized to guard the prisoner. The train leaves, delivering Jackson back to slavery, according to newspaper accounts of the time.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Law Enforcement • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 39° 55.904′ N, 82° 0.411′ W. Marker is in Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It can be reached from Putnam Avenue (U.S. 22) north of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north. 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: 1860 (here, next to this marker); 1854 (here, next to this marker); 1852 (here, next to this marker); 1861 (here, next to this marker); 1851 (here, next to this marker); 1863 (here, next to this marker);

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1850 (here, next to this marker); 1865 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.

Also see . . . The Fugitive Slave Law and Its Victims.

The emboldened men-stealers have again polluted the soil of Ohio, and borne off another victim. Jackson, the fugitive seized at Zanesville, had resided in Belmont County, Ohio, for the last three years. (pp. 119-120)

(Submitted on August 7, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Putnam Underground Railroad Interpretive Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

2. Putnam Underground Railroad Interpretive Center

This marker is part of a series of markers that form a timeline of events leading to the abolition of slavery in Muskingum County and the United States as a whole.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 7, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.