The Zimmer massacre was the massacre of four settlers by Native Americans in Mifflin Township, Ashland County, Ohio in September, 1812. Although the exact motive for the attack is unknown, the end result was that four settlers were killed, further increasing the distrust between Native Americans and settlers at the beginning of the War of 1812.
Background
In the early 1800s, tensions between Native Americans and newly arrived white settlers was very high. Forced Indian removal was causing tensions to rise, as Native Americans struggled to find a way to maintain peace with their neighbors who were forcefully removing them from their land of birth. After the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, many tribes felt wronged since they were not included in the negotiations, and tribes were forced off their land having had no input in the treaty, Shawnee chief Tecumseh being a noted critic. The War of 1812 also increased tensions between the two groups. These tensions were heightened by the forced removal of the Native Americans from their homes in Greentown (near Perrysville), and the subsequent burning of the town by soldiers.
The Zimmer family
Note: In some sources, the name Zimmer is given as Zeimer or Seymour. It is spelled Zimmer on the family gravestone.
The Zimmers were one of the early settler families in Mifflin Township; they are listed in the 1811 tax records, At that time, Mifflin Township was part of Richland County, but became part of Ashland County upon its formation in 1846. Ruffner arrived at the same time, or shortly before, the Native Americans and, fearing trouble, sent Philip Zimmer to warn nearby settlers and get assistance. Philip went to the cabins of James Copus and John Lambright, and both men returned with Philip to the Zimmers' cabin. On September 15, 1882, the dedication for the monuments was attended by 10,000 people, including one of the Copus children who had survived that attack. This book has given rise to several misunderstandings about the events surrounding the massacres, including the role of Johnny Appleseed.