Refugee Tract facts for kids
The Refugee Tract was a special area of land in Ohio, United States. It was given to people from Canada who helped the American side during the American Revolutionary War. These people had to leave their homes in Canada before July 4, 1776, and stay in the US until November 25, 1783.
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Where Was the Refugee Tract?
The Refugee Tract covered about 103,527 acres (419 square kilometers). It was located in parts of Franklin, Fairfield, Licking, and Perry County, Ohio counties.
This land stretched about 42 miles (68 kilometers) eastward from the Scioto River. For the first 30 miles (48 kilometers), it was about 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) wide. The last 12 miles (19 kilometers) of the tract were about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) wide.
Why Was the Refugee Tract Created?
During the American Revolutionary War, some people in Canada and Nova Scotia supported the United States. They even helped the American Army fight for independence. Because they were loyal to the American cause, the British government took away their property.
To thank these Canadians for their help, the United States government promised them land. This promise was made in 1783 and 1785. The government wanted to give them land as soon as possible.
How Land Was Given to Refugees
In 1798, the US government asked people who had helped the American cause to come forward. They needed to share their stories within two years. Government officials reviewed these stories to decide how much land each person should receive.
By 1801 and 1812, a total of 67 people were chosen to receive land. They received different amounts, from 160 acres (0.65 square kilometers) to 2,240 acres (9.1 square kilometers). The specific pieces of land were chosen by drawing lots.
Some land in the tract was not claimed by refugees. This unclaimed land, about 45,477 acres (184 square kilometers), was later sold to the public. A few people who missed the deadline to claim land were given land in other parts of the country later on.
Refugee Tract in Columbus
In the city of Columbus, the Refugee Tract is located roughly between Fifth Avenue to the north and Refugee Road to the south. Many important buildings, like the Ohio Statehouse, are within this historic area.
Legacy of the Refugee Tract
The Refugee Tract is still remembered today.
- Refugee Road in Columbus is named after the Tract.
- A special plaque on the LeVeque Tower in Columbus tells about the Tract.
- Truro Township was settled by a Canadian family named Taylor. They named the township after their hometown, Truro, Nova Scotia, in Canada.
