Greentown Preservation Association

The Greentown Preservation Association (GPA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization, was formed to preserve the cultural and historical integrity and conserve the archaeological and geological significance of the Delaware Indian village of Greentown, located in Section 18, Green Township, Ashland County, Ohio.

Delaware Indians, along with a small group of Mingos, Mohawks and Mohegens, settled the present Greentown site, as early as 1782. Observers noted that the village included more than 150 dwellings by 1812. After Gen. William Hull’s surrender to the British at Detroit on Aug. 16, 1812, residents were removed from Greentown on Sept. 2, 1812. and the village was burned.

The GPA has purchased the site and will provide an opportunity and place to reflect on and celebrate the lives and culture of the Delaware Indians’ resourcefulness, spirituality and impact on regional history. Education programs, on and off site, are planned, along with some reconstruction of traditional Delaware structures from the period as a setting for living history events.

PEOPLE OF GREENTOWN

In our research on Greentown, we have found many interesting references to the individuals who lived there, as well as the settlers who were their neighbors. While local history books, mostly written in the 1860-1910 period, often were not sympathetic to Indians, they did record firsthand experiences of white settlers and remembered details about Indians sometimes found nowhere else. Because by this time, the Indian tribes of Ohio were under the jurisdiction of the federal government, individual members seldom appear in local records, could not buy or sell property, were not recorded in censuses and usually, unless they associated themselves with white religions, were buried in unmarked graves. Most of the tools genealogists use to trace their ancestors are not available to researchers looking for American Indian individuals and relationships. So, we are gathering what is available to produce pictures of real people who lived in Greentown. The sources of information will be cited, so you can decide for yourself its level of authenticity. We welcome the input of anyone who has additional information or wants to do additional research. We’ll begin with the man for whom Greentown was named: TOM GREEN. We have added CHIEF THOMAS ARMSTRONG OR PAMOXET, tribe elder TOM LYON and THE WILLIAMS FAMILY — ABRAHAM, SALLY AND GEORGE. Others to be profiled soon: Solomon Journeycake/Johnnycake, Buck Wheat, Youdorast , Thomas Jelloway, Jim Jirk, Jim Ming or Hoomaurou, Captain Pipe Jr. or Tahunqeecoppi , Eli Pipe, Billy Dowdee. Montgomery Montour. Black Raccoon or Teorow, Billy Montour or Hawdorowwatistie, Captain Wolf, Ayenucere

PLEASE NOTE!

There will be NO public gathering at the Greentown site this September. If you are a re-enactor, please contact us by email for further information.

PLANTING OF

THE CEDAR TREES

On Nov. 19, 2012, five cedar trees were planted on the Greentown site. CLICK HERE for a photo and the meaning of cedar trees in the Delaware culture.

GATHERING 2012

On Sept. 15, 2012, we were honored to host Michael Pace and his wife, Ella, at the on-site bicentennial commemoration of the burning of Greentown. He represented the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma. CLICK HERE for more information and photos of the event.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Click here!

The Greentown site is located 3.5 miles north of Perrysville, Ohio, off Ohio 39. GPA may be contacted by email or by writing to P.O. Box 3, Perrysville, OH 44864

AN INTRODUCTION