Fort Recovery in Mercer County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Strong, tall, redheaded Nance
Photographed by Michael Baker, June 29, 2016
1. Strong, tall, redheaded Nance Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. 40° 24.815′ N, 84° 46.856′ W. Marker is in Fort Recovery, Ohio, in Mercer County. It is on Fort Site Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Recovery OH 45846, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains. 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 walking distance of this marker: Fort Recovery Historical Society Tool Cabin (a few steps from this marker); The Greeneville Treaty Boundary Line (a few steps from this marker); Franke Walkway (a few steps from this marker); VanTrees Donation (a few steps from this marker); Sha'anoe Warrior Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of the Wabash (within shouting distance of this marker); Prologue to 1791 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Franke Historical Walkway (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Recovery.
Additional commentary.
1.
"What is the story of Red Haired Nance? Benjamin
this page online
“I hesitated whether to leave the road or whether I was capable of further exertions. If I left the road the Indians were in plain sight & could easily overtake me. I threw the shoes off my feet & the coolness of the ground seemed to revive me. I again began a trot & recollect when a bend in the road offered & I got before half a dozen persons to have thought that it would occupy some time of the enemy to massacre these before my turn would come. By the time I had got to Stillwater (about eleven miles) I had gained the centre of the flying troops & like them came to a walk. I fell in with Lieutenant Shaumburgh (who if my recollection serves me was the only officer of artillery that got away unhurt), with Corporal Mott & a woman who was called red headed Nance - the latter two were both crying. Mott was lamenting the loss of his wife & Nance of an infant child. Shaumburgh was nearly exhausted & hung on Motts arm. I carried his fuse & accoutrements & led Nance. In this sociable way we came together & arrived at Jefferson a little after sunset.”
From the Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve, edited by Beverley W. Bond, Jr., Quarterly Publication of the Historical
Photographed by Michael Baker, June 29, 2016
2. Strong, tall, redheaded Nance Marker
— Submitted November 3, 2016, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio.
Photographed by Michael Baker, June 29, 2016
3. Strong, tall, redheaded Nance Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2016, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,699 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2025, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2016, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
