Zimmer massacre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zimmer Massacre
Part of the War of 1812
Date September 1812 Location Ashland County, Ohio Result Native American victory
Belligerents
Native Americans	United States
Commanders and leaders
Strength
Native Americans	Ohio settlers
Casualties and losses
	4 killed

The Zimmer massacre was the massacre of four settlers by Native Americans in Mifflin Township, Ashland County, Ohio in September, 1812. Although the exact motive for the attack is unknown, the end result was that four settlers were killed, further increasing the distrust between Native Americans and settlers at the beginning of the War of 1812.

Background

In the early 1800s, tensions between Native Americans and newly arrived white settlers was very high. Forced Indian removal was causing tensions to rise, as Native Americans struggled to find a way to maintain peace with their neighbors that were forcefully removing them from their land of birth. After the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, many tribes felt wronged since they were not included in the negotiations, and tribes were forced off their land having had no input in the treaty, Shawnee chief, Tecumseh being a noted critic. The War of 1812 also increased tensions between the two groups. These tensions were heightened by the forced removal of the Native Americans from their homes in Greentown (near Perrysville), and the subsequent burning of the town by soldiers.

The Zimmer family

Note: In some sources, the name Zimmer is given as Zeimer or Seymour. It is spelled Zimmer on the family gravestone.

The Zimmer's were one of the early settler families in Mifflin Township; they are listed in the 1811 tax records, and settled about 5 mi (8.0 km) north of Greentown. At that time, Mifflin Township was part of Richland County, but became part of Ashland County upon its formation in 1946. The family consisted of Frederick Zimmer, his wife, and their children, Philip (17) and Kate.

Martin Ruffner

Like the Zimmer's, Martin Ruffner was one of the early settlers in the area. He came from Shenandoah County, Virginia, and settled about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) from the Zimmers' cabin, accompanied by his mother, brother Michael, and a sister.

Aftermath

In 1813, Philip Zimmer sold the family property for $1.50 per acre.

Two monuments were erected, by the Ashland County Pioneer Society, to mark the spots of the Zimmer massacre and the Copus massacre. On September 15, 1882, the dedication for the monuments was attended by 10,000 people, including one of the Copus children who had survived that attack.

In 1858, a fictional account of the massacre was written by Reverend James F. McGaw, titled Philip Seymour, or, Pioneer life in Richland County, Ohio: founded on facts. This book has given rise to several misunderstandings about the events surrounding the massacres, including the role of Johnny Appleseed.