Near West Jefferson in Madison County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jonathan Alder
First White Settler in Madison County (1773-1849)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
1. Jonathan Alder Marker
Seven-year-old Jonathan Alder was captured by a Native American war party in Virginia in 1782 and taken to a Mingo village north of the Mad River in Ohio where he was adopted by an Indian family. He remained with the Indians until after the 1795 Treaty of Greenville ended the Indian Wars in the Ohio Country. As white settlers entered the region, Alder frequently served as an interpreter. In 1805, he journeyed to Virginia and was reunited with his original family. He returned to Ohio with his new wife, Mary Blont, and built a cabin on Big Darby Creek. His cabin is now at the Madison County Historical Society Museum in London. Alder is buried in Foster Chapel Cemetery.
Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Madison County Historical Society Museum, Jefferson Township Trustees, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1-49.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1782.
Location. 39° 59.661′ N, 83° 15.81′ W. Marker is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Columbus Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Jefferson (approx. 3.4 miles away); Welcome to West Jefferson (approx. 3.4 miles away); New Hampton and Ludlow's Road (approx. 3.8 miles away); New Hampton Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); V.F.W. Post 7005 Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away); Sunset Cemetery Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Sunset Cemetery All Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Jefferson.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Alder's cabin is located to the southwest in London, Ohio.
Also see . . . Jonathan Alder. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
2. Jonathan Alder Marker
Looking north.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
3. Foster Chapel Cemetery Sign
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 26, 2009
4. Jonathan Alder Grave Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 26, 2009
5. Jonathan Alder Grave Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
6. Foster Chapel Cemetery Entrance
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
7. Joseph and Rachel Harbage Marker
On cemetery entrance post.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
8. Harbage Cornerstone Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
9. Fairview Cemetery Flag Pole
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,591 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2011, by Jamie Abel of Westerville, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
