Native American Villages of

Logan County, 1760-1814

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          It is believed that the first known Native American villages in Logan County were organized in the 1760s-1770s after being forced from their traditional homes by the white man’s encroachment into their territory. It is estimated that there were 12-15 Native American villages in Logan County during this time period.

                The largest tribe of Native Americans was the Shawnee.  Several villages were built along the Mad River, known as Mack-a chack or Mac-o-chee towns.  Among them was Moluntha’s Town situated near present-day West Liberty.  It was named after the principal chief of the Maykujay sept if the Shawnee tribe.  These villages were the first of the Shawnee towns to be attacked by Gen. Benjamin Logan’s mounted Kentucky militia in the fall of 1786.  The militia destroyed eight Shawnee towns in the Mac-o-Chee Valley.

                Here, Simon Kenton was forced to run one of the nine gauntlets while a captive of the Shawnee in 1778.

                Wapatomica was located on the Mad River near present-day Zanesfield and was capitol of the Shawnee nation at that time, and at one time was the home of Black Hoof.  Simon Kenton also ran the gauntlet there in 1778.  In 1782 the General Council of Seven Indian Nations was held at Wapatomica.

                Other Shawnee settlements included Blue Jacket’s Town at the site of Bellefontaine, Lewis’ Town on the Great Miami River at present-day Lewistown, Old Town near DeGraff, Stony Creek also near DeGraff, Reed’s Town west of Bellefontaine, and Pigeon Town north west of West Liberty.

                Other tribes in Logan County at this time include the Wyandot who had several villages including Zane’s Town near present-day Zanesfield.  Another Wyandot settlement was Solomon’s Town North of Huntsville, once home of the Wyandot chief Tarhe, “The Crane.”  During the American Revolution Solomon’s Town served as headquarters for Simon Girty and General Hull’s army camped at this location in 1802 on the way to Detroit.  In addition, early settlers used the log huts left behind after the Native Americans moved north.  Annual muster of the militia was also held at this location for many years.

                Bokengehelas’ Town, northeast of Bellefontaine, was a major village of the Delaware.  The Mingo, Seneca, and Cherokee also lived in villages of Logan County.  McKee’s Town, on McKee’s Creek about four miles south of Bellefontaine, was home of Alexander McKee, a British Indian agent and trader.  McKee’s Town was best known as a trading post for the Native Americans,  Animal hides were purchased along with scalps.  According to Larry L. Nelson in his book A Man of Distinction Among Them, McKee maintained a hewed-log house with a brick chimney and an orchard at his settlement.

            ~Written by Bridget Early