London is a small city located in Madison County, Ohio, United States. It was founded in the early 1800s, but who founded it? That’s a question that has been asked many times and has different answers depending on the source.
History of London
Before London was founded, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Shawnee. They lived in the region for centuries before European settlers arrived.
In 1797, Virginia Military District was established in Ohio. It was located in central and southwestern Ohio and given to Virginia veterans who fought in the Revolutionary War as compensation for their military service. The district included present-day Madison County.
The Founding of London
There are two versions regarding who founded London. One version asserts that it was named after London, England, by a man named Isaac Love who settled there around 1811. The second version claims that Michael Baldwin and John Murfin were responsible for founding London in 1811.
Regardless of which version is true, John Murfin played an essential role in establishing the town’s location. He owned a large tract of land that became the center of the new settlement.
Isaac Love’s Version
According to Love’s account, he migrated to Ohio from Kentucky with his family around 1811. They built a cabin near what would later become downtown London and established a trading post. Love named the settlement “London” because he had spent time there during his youth.
Love eventually moved away from London but maintained contact with friends and acquaintances there. In 1829 he wrote to one of his former neighbors about how pleased he was to hear that “our old town continues to grow.”
Michael Baldwin and John Murfin’s Version
In this version of events, Michael Baldwin and John Murfin were responsible for founding London. Baldwin was a surveyor who worked for John Murfin, a landowner who owned much of the land surrounding London. Baldwin and Murfin laid out the town plat in 1811.
Baldwin named the town “London” after his hometown in Connecticut. However, some people believe that the name was chosen because it was easier to spell than other possible names.
Conclusion
Regardless of which version of events you believe, London’s founding is an interesting piece of Ohio’s history. It’s fascinating to think about how different things might have been if someone else had founded the town or if it had been named something else entirely.
Today, London is a thriving city with a rich history that continues to attract visitors from all over the world. Its founders’ legacy lives on in its streets and buildings, reminding us of their vision and determination to create something special that would endure for centuries to come.