Some Big Rock History
Out in the
Northwestern corner of Liberty Township in is a grand old historical
site unsurpassed by any in Jackson County, Ohio. Legend tells us that it
was named “Big Rock” by Indians in our area many centuries ago. This
rock, which extends from a hill, is more than 200 feet from the valley
floor to the highest point. In regard to the history of Big Rock,
shortly after the Civil War ended, a group of blacks from Virginia
resettled in Southern Ohio in Jackson County’s Liberty Township. The
name of these black folks was Ragland. Concerning some history
pertaining to the Ragland family—which incidentally is one of the best
known and well liked families in Liberty Township- – I gleaned the
following from a 1916 Jackson newspaper.
“A girl by the name of Mary Ann (who
later became a Ragland by marriage) was born into slavery in
Chesterfield County, Virginia, (the Richmond area) in 1812. She died in
1916 at the age of 104.
In regard to Mary Ann’s life, she was
emancipated at the age of 45 in 1857 and came to Ohio. During her
journey to Ohio, it is said that she came through Washington, D.C., the
same day President Buchanan was inaugurated.
Upon her arrival in Jackson County, Mary
Ann settled on a farm in the Big Rock area of Liberty Township.
Eventually during the course of her life she met and was united in
marriage to a Mr. Weston Ragland. To this union a son Daniel was born.
While still living in Virginia, Mary Ann
had joined a church in Chesterfield County at the age of 15. After
coming to Ohio, she united with the Sharon Baptist Church of Big Rock.
She later became a member of the 2n d Baptist Church of Jackson.”