Lett Settlement Map & History

Courtesy of Henry Robert Burke

Above is the geographic and historic location of the African American Lett Settlement in Meigs Township, Muskingum County, Ohio. During the period of United States history (1788-1861) preceding the Civil War, a major part of the formation and operation of the Anti-Slavery Movement in southeastern Ohio was the Underground Railroad. The Ohio Underground Railroad was a cooperative effort between people from all strata of society.  This included enslaved African Americans, free African Americans, black and white farmers, religious leaders, wealthy bankers, and influential politicians, etc. The Underground Railroad operated a network of trails across Ohio to Lake Erie and Canada, where fugitive slaves from the United States could find sanctuary.

The Lett Settlement was one of, if not the earliest African American settlement in Ohio! The Lett Settlement was also an early link on Ohio's Underground Railroad. This is one compelling argument for building an African American history and culture establishment at the site of the former Lett Settlement.

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