The Origins of Gist Settlement

In the early 1800s, the United States was a divided nation. Slavery was thriving in the South, while free Black communities were emerging in the North.

If you've heard anything about Gist Settlement, you've probably heard about Samuel Gist. Samuel Gist, a wealthy Englishman and Virginia landowner, who grew to become a wealthy business owner by trading tobacco and slaves.

In his 28-page will, he made a surprising decision that his enslaved people be freed upon his death. More than that, he directed that land be purchased in a free state, and a trust established, to give his freed slaves a change to start anew.

By the 1830s, that vision became reality in southern Ohio. Land was purchased in Highland County for nearly 44 freedmen, women and their families, to build a community. It was here that the Gist Settlement was born. Unlike many other early African American settlements, Gist Settlement has endured for nearly two centuries. Today it is the only surviving Gist Settlement, with descendants and advocates still farming and honoring their ancestors on this land.

Every place has its stories, some hidden beneath layers of time and history. Gist Settlement is no exception. The Gist Settlement is more than just a location; it is a tapestry of experiences, struggles, and triumphs.

From its founding to the present day, the settlement has been a witness to change, growth, and resilience. This small community holds a wealth of narratives waiting to be uncovered.

An aerial view of the 120 acres that make up Gist Settlement today