Athens County Ohio Genealogy and History

This township was a part of Ames until 1811, and then, on the organization of Dover, became a part of the latter township. York was separately organized in June, 1818, and the first election for township officers was held at the house of Ebenezer Blackstone. The population in 1820 was 341; in 1830 it was 871; in 1840 it was 1,601; in 1850 it was 1,391; in 1860 it was 1,836. The township is traversed by the Hocking Valley canal, which crosses it from northeast to southwest, and has heretofore furnished an excellent outlet for the coal which is mined…

Hockhocking is a Delaware (Indian) name, and meant, in their language, Bottle river. In the spring of 1765, George Croghan, a sub-commissioner of the British government, embarked at Pittsburg, with some friendly Indians, intending to visit the Wabash and Illinois country, and conclude a treaty with the Indians. – Five days from Pittsburg, he notes in his journal that “we passed the mouth of Hochocen, or Bottle River.” This translation of the word Hochocen or Hockhocking, is also given by Heckewelder and Johnson, and is undoubtedly correct. The Shawanese called the river Weathakagh-qua, which meant, in their dialect, the same…

Prominent among the early citizens of York was Mr. James Knight. He was born in Pulborough, England, and emigrated to the United States when thirty-two years old, came immediately to York township, and settled here in July, 1821. He became at once thoroughly identified with the interests of the township, and especially of Nelsonville, and during his residence here was one of the most active and influential citizens, participating earnestly in the local improvements and social movements of the day, such as the building of bridges, school and meeting houses, the establishment of Sunday and day schools, etc. He kept…

The vast majority of information on this website is based upon History of Athens County, Ohio, by Charles M. Walker, Cincinnati, R. Clarke, 1869. We’ve added, corrected and subtracted from this data as we’ve identified flaws or came upon new data. Please excuse any additional mistakes that could be present in such a large collection of data. Most of the township histories below, have additional links taking the visitor to each township record of officers as present at Access Free Genealogy. History of Athens County, Ohio Athens County, Ohio Indians Dunmore’s War Hockhocking Township Histories of Athens County, Ohio Alexander,…

In 1769 the territory included within the limits of the present State of Ohio was an almost unbroken wilderness. The beautiful river that forms its southern boundary had, indeed, been threaded by a few eager explorers; but the white man had not yet established himself upon its banks. So too Lake Erie, on the north, had long before been furrowed by the adventurous craft of civilized men; but on all its borders there was not a hamlet nor a house. Over the whole region, now so thickly populated, brooded the silence of savage life. The rivers were ploughed only by…

Land Records hosted at Access Free Genealogy 1804 Ordinance Selling Land Lots in Athens 1806 2nd Ordinance Selling Land Lots in Athens Athens County Land Records This is an index to the available records for Athens County, Ohio that are online at Bureau of Land Management’s website. Additional information, including images of the land transaction, and links to order hard copies of these land records can be found at their website. ALLEN, ANDREW OH Athens 10/2/1826 Marietta 417 OH0010__.416 ARNOLD, BENNET P OH Athens 3/20/1837 Marietta 2724 OH0060__.222 ARNOLD, MARY A OH Athens 8/21/1837 Marietta 3242 OH1100__.206 BAILEY, WILLIAM B…