Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence: Scioto Township's Revolutionary Roots
As the nation honors the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we take a moment in Scioto Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, to reflect on our own ties to the founding of the United States. While our township wasn't formally organized until 1810, the legacy of those who fought for liberty is deeply embedded in our land, our families, and our local heritage.
From Revolution to Settlement: The Virginia Military District
Much of Scioto Township lies within the Virginia Military District, a large portion of land set aside by Congress to reward Virginia's Revolutionary War veterans with land grants. This region covered a significant swath of central and southern Ohio and served as a powerful draw for early settlement.
The Virginia Military District included much of present-day Pickaway County, where Revolutionary War veterans came to settle on land granted for their service.
As seen in early land surveys, the region was part of a patchwork of federal land policies. The Virginia Military District was unique in that it allowed Virginia to satisfy military land warrants issued to soldiers who served during the war. These veterans—and their families—were among the first to clear the land and build the foundation of communities like Scioto Township.
Founding Families and Patriot Roots
Some of Scioto Township’s earliest settlers were Revolutionary War veterans themselves. Captain Eleazer Williamson and brothers John and Thomas Thompson are just a few whose service and later pioneering work helped establish the roots of this community. Their stories, along with others, are preserved in township records and local family histories.
Source: Founding Families of Scioto Township
A broader view of Ohio's land divisions, showing how Revolutionary War service influenced settlement patterns.
Treaty of Camp Charlotte: A Local Prelude to Revolution
Even before the war formally began, Pickaway County played a notable role in early American history. In 1774, the Treaty of Camp Charlotte was signed along Scippo Creek, ending Lord Dunmore’s War. This treaty, involving Native American leaders and colonial officials, is seen by many historians as one of the final sparks leading into the Revolutionary War period.
Source: American Battlefield Trust - Revolutionary Ohio
Honoring Generations of Service: The Scioto Township Veterans Memorial
The legacy of service didn’t stop in 1783. The Scioto Township Veterans Memorial, located in front of the Township Hall, honors all residents who have served—from Revolutionary War veterans to those serving today. This community-funded tribute is a powerful reminder that our commitment to liberty spans generations.
The Scioto Township Veterans Memorial stands as a permanent tribute to local military service through the centuries.
Residents also had the opportunity to sponsor custom brick pavers surrounding the memorial plaza, each engraved with the name and service branch of a loved one. These bricks form the literal foundation of the memorial, symbolizing how community support and family pride are forever etched into our history.
Brick pavers engraved with veterans' names create a meaningful connection between our past and present.
Watch: SAR Honor Ceremony in Circleville
Circleville – (FULL COVERAGE VIDEO IN STORY) On the weekend of Constitution Day, local chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution came together to honor four patriots who served. The event took place on September 16th, 2023 at Forest Cemetery in Circleville, Ohio. Traditions were followed with a march and drums before a call to order by Rich Hartinger, President of the Camp Charlotte Chapter of the SAR. Story here.
Pickaway County’s Revolutionary Resting Places
Several Revolutionary War veterans are buried here in Pickaway County. Notable among them are Jacob Ziegler Sr., who served as a first lieutenant in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, and Alexander Foresman, a captain in the 6th Battalion of Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Their final resting places and the communities they helped build are part of our daily landscape.
Source: Scioto Post – Pickaway County Sons of the American Revolution
Preserving Our Heritage
This milestone anniversary reminds us that history lives not only in textbooks, but in our roads, cemeteries, memorials, and even the names on brick pavers. If you have family ties to veterans, historical documents, or photos tied to early Scioto Township life, we welcome your stories. Every detail helps enrich our understanding of how national history played out here at home.
Happy 250th, America—from your proud neighbors in Scioto Township.