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 PP African American Settlement - Pike County, OH Posted by:  silverquill
N 39° 10.754 W 083° 07.253
17S E 316804 N 4338809
This was the site of an early African-American settlement near Waverly, Ohio, and provided refuge for those traveling the underground railroad. The Ohio historical markers are at the site of the new Eden Baptist Church. See gallery for original site
Waymark Code: WM3FXB
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 03/31/2008
Views: 59
EDEN CEMETERY
Site of the original Eden Baptist Church
Stop on the Underground Railroad
39 10.786 N, 083 06.332
Waverly, Ohio
OHIO HISTORICAL MARKER 7-66
Side A : "PP African American Settlement"
Thirteen African American families migrated to Pebble Township in Pike County in the early 1820s from Virginia. Some of the families were former slaves while others were freeborn people of color. Their farm knowledge and skill helped to make them prosperous, angering some of their white neighbors who began a campaign of harassment. Ten of the original African American settlers eventually moved away, but despite the difficulties with the white population, other African Americans continued to arrive to the settlement. They founded a church, later known as the Eden Baptist Church, built a meeting hall, and organized a school. Several of the families were also involved in the activity of the Underground Railroad. The PP Settlement thrived until the 1950s when, for economic reasons, residents moved to other communities.
Side B : "Eden Baptist Church"
The residents of PP Settlement organized the Eden Baptist Church, formerly known as the Union Baptist Church of the PP Hills, in 1824. The cemetery, located about three miles south, marks the original site of the church. It was established as an anti-slavery Baptist Church taking a proactive stand against slavery. Several of the members of the congregation were station keepers on the Underground Railroad. The church served as the social and religious center for this African American community. Though the PP Settlement declined in the last half of the twentieth century, the Eden Baptist Church continued its religious leadership.
Address:
2019 Nipgen Road
Waverly, OH United States
45690
Web site: [Web Link]
Open to the public?: Public
Name of organization who placed the marker: Ohio Bicentennial Commission, P&G Fund, Ohio Historical Society
Site Details: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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