TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A northwest Ohio farm area holds an vital place within the historical past of Defiance County, however some say the importance of the land was ignored for many years. That’s, till a neighborhood librarian did some digging.
It seems to be like many different farm fields across the area, however generally you must go under the floor to get the complete story and that’s precisely what a neighborhood historical past buff did.
Sarah Marshall is the native historical past specialist on the Defiance Public Library.
“I like thriller, and this one had a giant payoff, so it was good to work on,” Marshall stated.
She additionally hosts an annual cemetery stroll. Throughout COVID-19, she couldn’t try this, so she started doing a little analysis on native cemeteries and came across one she’d by no means heard of: Worthington Cemetery.
“We imagine the cemetery was in use from the 1850s to round 1890,” Marshall stated.
It’s named for the person who constructed the cemetery on his land, and it’s a spot that was nearly misplaced to time.
“Archibald Worthington was born in Virginia in 1818. He was born a slave. He was freed by his slave proprietor, as had been the opposite slaves he owned,” Marshall stated.
Worthington finally settled in Defiance County, and Marshall stated he was a part of a group of freed slaves — a spot that included homes, a church and a faculty.
“I need them to be honored and remembered,” Marshall stated. “I believe remembering the entire historical past of your group is vital.”
Marshall stated Worthington owned greater than 150 acres.
“He bought land and saved buying extra land and was a farmer. By way of newspaper achieves, there’s articles of him shopping for and promoting cattle, that he had the very best apples within the county one yr, it’s overwhelming to see what a giant half he performed,” Marshall stated.
Right now, there’s nothing left on the land that might inform the story of Archibald Worthington and the group he helped construct, so Marshall started an effort to get a state historic marker.
“I knew nothing about Worthington’s Cemetery earlier than Sarah introduced it to me,” Renee Hopper, the reference and tech providers supervisor for Defiance Public Library stated. “Simply realizing we’re serving to to recollect these folks, these locations, is a part of us preserving historical past.”
The historic marker that may assist protect the story for generations to return arrived final week.
The land is now owned by the Ayersville Water and Sewer District. It’s nonetheless farmed, however there’s an effort underway to alter that.
“We wish to see it grassed in and perhaps make it a spot of remembrance,” Hopper stated.
Marshall and Hopper have visited the positioning plenty of occasions, and Renee at all times has a message on the finish of their go to.
“Earlier than I go away the sight I at all times say, ‘we’re going to get you remembered,’” Hopper stated.
In spite of everything these years, that’s going to occur. Marshall stated analysis reveals the cemetery was about an acre and as much as 50 folks had been buried there. She provides that’s the solely recognized all Black cemetery in Defiance County.
The historic marker can be put in this spring, with a proper dedication on June nineteenth.
Marshall has been capable of finding a few of Worthington’s family members and share the story with them.
In case you’d wish to be taught extra, there’s a show on the Defiance Library you possibly can take a look at. There’s additionally a mates of the Worthington Cemetery group. For extra info, you possibly can e mail jbudde040749@gmail.com. Go to the Defiance Public Library System at the link here.
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