Connecticut and the Firelands

The Origins of the Firelands:

According to the Connecticut State Library, the Firelands were created as a result of the state of Connecticut’s attempts to recompense property owners for their losses after British attacks on Danbury, Fairfield, Norwalk, New London, and New Haven. In 1792, 500,000 acres of the Western Reserve was provided to survivors in proportion to their losses. William W. William’s History of the Firelands provides a list of those recompensed. That 500,000 acre area now contains – per Historic Lyme Village – “Erie and Huron Counties and Danbury Township in Ottawa County and Ruggles Township in Ashland County.”

In 1800, the “Quieting Act” transferred control of the Western Reserve from Connecticut to the Northwest Territory. An 1803 act created a company to distribute the promised property. The History of the Firelands indicates that the land was partitioned in 1808.

Why does this impact my family?

Connecticut ancestors are typically impacted by the Firelands in two ways. First, they may have received shares in the Firelands due to property damage. As such, they are likely named in petitions, on the list of petitioners, and possibly mentioned in the Ohio based company. Most remained in Connecticut, so outside of these records, they may not have records in Ohio. Second, some Connecticut ancestors took advantage of the survey to move. Their records are typically found in Ohio.

Research organizations in the Firelands:

Firelands Genealogical Society: https://www.hcc-ogs.org/

Firelands Historical Society: https://www.firelandsmuseum.com/

Huron Historical Society: https://www.thehuronhistoricalsociety.org/historical-markers/the-firelands-of-ohio/

Western Reserve Historical Society: https://www.wrhs.org/about/