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 a sad event that happened in September 1812. Four settlers were killed by Native Americans in a place called Mifflin Township, Ashland County, Ohio. We don't know exactly why this attack happened. But it made the feelings of distrust between Native Americans and settlers even stronger, especially as the War of 1812 was just starting.

Why the Zimmer Massacre Happened

In the early 1800s, there was a lot of tension between Native Americans and new white settlers. Native Americans were being forced to leave their homes. This was called Indian removal. They struggled to find peace with neighbors who were taking their land.

After the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, many tribes felt unfairly treated. They were not part of the talks for the treaty. They were forced off their land without having any say. A famous Shawnee chief named Tecumseh was very unhappy about this.

The War of 1812 also made things worse between these groups. The tensions grew even more when Native Americans were forced from their homes in Greentown. Soldiers then burned their town, which was near Perrysville.

Who Were the Zimmer Family?

The Zimmer family was one of the first settler families in Mifflin Township. They are listed in tax records from 1811. They lived about 5 miles north of Greentown.

At that time, Mifflin Township was part of Richland County. It became part of Ashland County when that county was formed in 1946. The family included Frederick Zimmer, his wife, and their children, Philip (who was 17) and Kate.

Note: You might see the name Zimmer spelled as Zeimer or Seymour in some old books. But on the family's gravestone, it is spelled Zimmer.

Who Was Martin Ruffner?

Martin Ruffner was another early settler in the area, just like the Zimmers. He came from Shenandoah County, Virginia. He settled about 2.5 miles from the Zimmers' cabin. He came with his mother, his brother Michael, and a sister.

What Happened After the Massacre?

In 1813, Philip Zimmer sold the family's land. He sold it for $1.50 per acre.

Later, two monuments were put up by the Ashland County Pioneer Society. These monuments marked the spots of the Zimmer massacre and another event called the Copus massacre. On September 15, 1882, about 10,000 people came to see the monuments dedicated. One of the Copus children, who had survived that attack, was there.

In 1858, a made-up story about the massacre was written. It was called Philip Seymour, or, Pioneer life in Richland County, Ohio: founded on facts. This book caused some misunderstandings about what really happened. It also created confusion about the role of Johnny Appleseed in these events.