Dean Family Farm facts for kids
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Dean Family Farm
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Jamestown, Ohio |
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| Built | 1815 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001409 (original) 94001300 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 29, 1975 |
| Boundary increase | November 16, 1994 |
The Dean Family Farm is a special historic place in Greene County, Ohio. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. This farm's story began with Daniel Dean, who came to America from Tobermore, Ireland, in 1784. He was only 18 years old when he arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Daniel's father, George Roger Dean, fought in the American colonies. His mother, Mary Campbell, grew up in Scotland. She was raised by the Duke of Argyl at Inveraray, the home of the Campbell clan.
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Discovering the Dean Family Farm
The Dean Family Farm is located at 199 N. Ballard Road in Xenia. It covers about 157 acres (0.63 square kilometers) along Caesar's Creek. The site has five buildings that date back to the 1820s.
In 1994, the historic listing was expanded. It was then renamed the Dean Family Farm Historic District. This means it includes more land and buildings that are important to history.
Daniel Dean's Journey to Ohio
Daniel Dean was born in Ireland on October 20, 1766. His father, George Roger Dean, was a sergeant in the Pennsylvania militia during the 1770s. Daniel's older brothers, James and David, also served.
Daniel was a weaver by trade. He lived for a short time in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. There, he met and married Jannet "Jenny" Steele. She was a Scots-Irish girl from Augusta County, Virginia.
Moving to Kentucky
Daniel and Jannet moved near Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Daniel built a mill there. He also built two houses: one for his family and one for his sister and mother. He brought his sister and mother, both named Mary, from Ireland to Kentucky in 1790.
Daniel and Jannet had their first of 11 children in Kentucky. But in 1803, Ohio became a "free state." This meant that slavery was not allowed there. Daniel was an abolitionist, someone who strongly opposed slavery.
Settling in Ohio
Daniel decided to explore the new lands north of the Ohio River. He went with his brother-in-law, Henry Barnes, who was a skilled builder. Daniel soon bought 2,000 acres (8.1 square kilometers) on Caesar's Creek near Xenia.
After sorting out the land ownership, Daniel, Henry, and their families moved to Greene County in September 1812. They started a successful business. Daniel harvested and milled timber for lumber. Henry used this lumber to build homes in and near Xenia.
Daniel's son, Joseph (1804–1883), married Hannah Boggs (1809–1888). According to family records, Joseph built the first large two-story home on the farm in 1823. This house is still standing today.
Family Legacy and the Civil War
Daniel Dean came from a family of Covenanter Presbyterians. He was a strong supporter of his church. Many members of his family served in the Union Army during the Civil War. At least 36 of his descendants fought honorably in the war. This was noted at a Dean family picnic in 1880.
Daniel Dean passed away on January 24, 1843, at age 77. He is buried next to his wife, Jannet, in the Dean Family Cemetery. This cemetery is in New Jasper Township. The cemetery and the farm are privately owned. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Near the farm, you can find the historic Ballard Road Covered Bridge. It crosses a part of Caesar's Creek.
Farm Division and Later Years
The Greene County Public Library has old maps from 1855, 1874, and 1896. These maps show how the original Dean Family Farm was divided. Daniel's land was split among his heirs, including Joseph, William, John, Levi, and D. S. Dean. These lands are located along what is now U.S. Route 35.
