Remarkable Ohio

Counties

Below is a complete listing of all Ohio Historical Markers. To find a detailed marker listing including text, photographs, and locations, click on a county below. Our listing is updated by the markers program as new markers are installed and older markers are reported damaged or missing.

ALERT: Marker damaged and awaiting repair.

15-27 The Lambert Land Settlement

Side A: In November 1843 former slave Frank Lambert, along with 29 other former slaves, purchased 265.5 acres of land in Morgan Township. These African American settlers had once belonged to Charles Lambert Jr. of Bedford County, Virginia, but had been freed upon his death in 1839. His last will and testament also stipulated that the freed slaves be given horses, oxen, wagons, clothing, and financial support to help them relocate to a state chosen upon advise of the will’s executors. They chose Ohio and specifically Gallia County. Shortly after the former slaves established their settlement in Section 32, they began using their authentic surnames, which included the Burks, Jones, Leftwiches, Millers, Randolphs, Reeds, Sales, Minnis, and Wingfields. By 1845 several of this group helped to establish the Morgan Bethel Church where a memorial was dedicated in 2002. (continued on other side)
Side B: (continued from other side) Many descendants of these former slave families lived on the Lambert Land Settlement for several generations, but most had moved by 1960 causing a real estate tax delinquency. In 1969, the county sold the property, ending the Lambert Land story. [Map Cast}
Sponsors: Lambert Land Preservation Committee, Gallia County Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society
Address: Junction of OH 160 & Cty Rd C-123 (Thompson Rd), 
Morgan Township, 
OH, 
45631
Latitude: 38.9671710
Longitude: -82.3034420