The Ohio Gazetteer; or Topographical Dictionary, Describing the Several Counties, Towns, Villages, Settlements, Roads, Rivers, Lakes, Springs, Mines, &c., in the State of Ohio; Alphabetically Arranged by Kilbourn, John - 1819

Columbus: J. Kilbourn, 1819. Hardcover. Sixth edition, improved. 12mo, 176 pp, in contemporary full calf. Issued with three folding maps, of which two (Plat of Columbus as Incorporated, June 3, 1818 and Map of Ross County, 1819) are present here in complete form and one (Map of Ohio, 1819) is mostly missing (northern 1/3 of state present). All 21 smaller county maps in the text are present. Columbus plan has been mis-folded and is worn at the outer edge and has some old repairs to the verson. Boards scuffed, moderate foxing throughout, otherwise unmarked, binding sound. An early edition of this popular work, which was first published in 1816 and offered detailed information for those considering a move to Ohio. As Kilbourn wrote in the Preface, the state was "rapidly rising into importance," and people from the East were eager to hear the facts "respecting its extent, soil, climate, navigableness of its rivers, the relative fertility, population, healthiness, and advantages and disadvantages of different districts and sections of the country." The book may have been revised more often than necessary in an effort to boost sales, but this edition is notable as the first to include the individual county maps. It also incorporates "a great number of alterations" necessitated by the creation of eight new counties in 1818-19. Howes K-129, Sabin 37730, Morgan 1139; Thomson 672.