John B. Marek is a storyteller with dirt under his nails who weaves tales inspired by a lifetime immersed in nature. His insightful essays and award-winning fiction delve into the complexities of sustainable living, the heart of rural communities and the thrill of outdoor adventure. You can find more of his writing at johnbmarek.com.
On May 4, 1970, at Kent State University, southeast of Cleveland, Ohio National Guard troops fired into a crowd of unarmed college students who were protesting the Vietnam War. This sad event resulted in the deaths of four students and the wounding of nine others. It is widely considered the state’s greatest tragedy and a turning point in the public’s perception of the war protests, leaving a lasting mark on the state and the institution.
Far less known is an equally dark, if not darker, chapter that occurred 70 miles south of Kent and 189 years earlier, before Ohio was even a state. In 7th grade Ohio history class, we learned that Marietta, founded in 1788, was the first permanent white settlement in the Ohio Territory, and Gnadenhutten and Schoenbrunn, established 16 years earlier, were the first “European-inspired” communities. What we were not taught, however, is that Gnadenhutten was the site of one of the most horrific episodes in the history of the fledgling United States.
Gnadenhutten was founded in October 1772 as the second settlement of German Americans and Lenape Indians affiliated with the Moravian Church. Tribes of Christian Lenni Lenape people had settled at Schoenbrunn nearby, founded months earlier by missionary David Zeisberger. Their goal was to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity while fostering peaceful coexistence between Native Americans and European settlers.
During and in the years immediately following the American Revolutionary War, relations between Native Americans and the American military were tense. The military accused the natives of aiding the British and destabilizing the frontier by attacking settlers and raiding encampments. In March 1782, a group of Pennsylvania militia seeking revenge for perceived Native American offenses attacked the unarmed Gnadenhutten settlement. Despite the inhabitants’ pleas for mercy and their claims of neutrality, the militia slaughtered most of the community, nearly 100 people, including women, children and the elderly.
The Gnadenhutten Massacre had far-reaching consequences. It shattered the trust between Native Americans and European settlers, making future attempts at peaceful coexistence more difficult. Moravian missionary efforts, once a symbol of hope and cooperation, were irrevocably damaged. Many of the surviving Moravian Indians from nearby Schoenbrunn were forced to flee their homes, further destabilizing the region.
The massacre also had a significant impact on the settlement of the Ohio Territory. The brutal attack fueled fear among settlers, leading to increased calls for aggressive military action against indigenous populations. As a result, the process of westward expansion became even more violent and contentious.
The legacies of Kent State and Gnadenhutten are intertwined with themes of senseless violence, tragic loss and the struggle for harmony and security. These tragic events underscore the enduring challenges of achieving peaceful coexistence and the importance of confronting our history, honestly and openly. By exploring these dark periods, we can gain insight into the intricate forces that have molded our country and strive for a brighter future.