moravian missions – Tuscarawas County Stories

The Lenape “Old Town”: Roots of Tuscarawas County

AI generated image depicting an eastern woodlands indigenous village in eastern Ohio in the 18th century, 2025. (Source: Google ImageFX)

Before European settlers arrived, Tuscarawas County was home to a thriving indigenous community that gave the county its name. Like many people, I spend a great deal of my time researching my family history. I try to discover who the “first” ancestor of mine was to settle somewhere, whether that’s my family line in Ohio,Continue reading “The Lenape “Old Town”: Roots of Tuscarawas County”

“Mean and Pitiful”: This You Abraham Shane?

AI generated image depicting a Moravian Mission village in Ohio in the early 19th century, 2025. (Source: ChatGPT)

I stumbled upon an interesting reference — one that links a respected Tuscarawas County founder to a moment of sorrow, exploitation, and quiet unraveling at the Moravian mission at Goshen. I recently reread a book that I read while in college and studying the Pennsylvania / Virginia frontier (aka Ohio) and something jumped out atContinue reading ““Mean and Pitiful”: This You Abraham Shane?”