The lost village of North Liberty

Have you ever driven into Plain City, Ohio via US Route 42? If you come from the north on a southerly course you will pass by a large granite rock on the north bank of the Big Darby Creek before you reach the town of Plain City. For years I saw this rock nearly every time my family travelled into Plain City. As a child I often wondered what the plaque on the rock said. By late 2004, I developed a strong interest in local history. And, so one day I stopped to take a picture of the rock. And, this is what plaque on the rock says, "Joshua Ewing 1765-1821 First White Settler in Union County." There is a lot to this story, but I will try to simplify this to include just basic facts.

First, it should be noted that pioneer, Jonathan Alder was the first white man in the present-day Plain City area. He was captured by Indians as a young boy and brought to the Darby Creek area. Prior to his return to Virginia to find his biological family in the late 1790s, he had spent all of his time with the Indians in present-day Union County. Upon his return to Ohio, he took up residence in Madison County, south of present-day Plain City. So, Jonathan Alder was the first white man in the area, but he was not considered a permanent resident until his return from Virginia.

Now, on to the Ewing family and Lucas Sullivant. . . It is probably best if I introduce Lucas Sullivant. Lucas Sullivant was a prominent surveyor in the Ohio Country in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was the surveyor who first platted Franklinton, the original settlement at the location of present-day Columbus, Ohio. In 1797, Sullivant platted North Liberty on the north bank of the Big Darby Creek.

In 1798, James and Joshua Ewing arrived in the area, purchasing lots in North Liberty. They both erected cabins, setting up households in this village. James was married and lived whith his wife, the former Margaret Scott. Joshua was unmarried, but brought with him their widow mother, Cynthia. Joshua also brought two sisters and a nephew to the area, Betsy Ewing, the widow Mrs. Eunice Donaldson, and Ewing Donaldson. And so this family became the first permanent settlers of present-day Union County.

Unfortunately, Lucas Sullivant never did more for North Liberty that to survey its lots. He put forth more effort in establishing the village of Franklinton on the banks of the Scioto River. And, so the Ewing family eventually moved out of the village onto farmsteads.

But, before it was abandoned, North Liberty was the site of a pioneer Presbyterian Church. This church was established in 1799. The Reverend Archibald Steele was the pastor of the North Liberty Presbyterian Church. And, the members of this church consisted of the Ewing Family.

After abandoning North Liberty, the Ewing family remained pillars of the Union County area. Joshua Ewing was a surveyor in his own rite, and spent a considerable amount of time surveying land in the central Ohio area. He also served as the first Auditor of Union County. He served in this office until the time of his death in 1822.

James Ewing opened the first general store in the area. He also served as the first postmaster of the Darby Creek Post, a pioneer precursor to the Plain City, Ohio Post Office. This post office was located on the Post Road south of the Big Darby Creek. And, James Ewing was the first Sheriff of Union County, Ohio. He served as Sheriff from 1820-1823.

And, so it was with many pioneer towns. Many simply ceased to exist as its citizens found "better" locations at which to live. Though, interestingly enough, North Liberty may have survived if Lucas Sullivant would have brought other settlers to the village.