Mount Zion/Old Baptist/Ater

Deerfield Twp., Ross County, OH

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This file was contributed for use in the OHGenWeb Ross County.

Historical commentary contributed by: Janette Nunez; Sandy Holladay (inscriptions & photos)

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Notice: Those names items that appear in "[   ]" but do not have a link to the photo denotes that these photos were lost during the server crash of the old Ross County site. ie [stone], [view].  If you submitted these photos or have a photo of these graves sites please resubmit them.

Also known as Old Baptist or Ater Cemetery, Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery is located at the intersection of Stingy Lane and Brown Road, approximately one mile east of Clarksburg, Deerfield Township, Ross County. In 1996, the following plaque [view-1; view-2] was placed at the location, commemorating George Ater, of whom this cemetery was originally named:

The Mt. Zion Old Baptist (Ater) Cemetery and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Site. This plaque has been erected in honor of George Ater and his descendants in Ross County, Ohio, and many states in the United States. George Ater immigrated to a spot nearby on Deer Creek in 1799, walking from Harpers Ferry, Virginia. With him were his nine children: Abraham, Isaac, Catherine, Jacob, Mary Jane, George Jr., Samuel, Thomas, and William. Here the family began a new life in the bounteous beauty of these Virginia Military District lands west of the Scioto.

George Ater served in the American War for Independence as a member of the Virginia Militia. His grave is immediately southeast of this plaque. His sons served in the War of 1812. Four of these sons are buried in this cemetery: Abraham Ater, Isaac Ater, Jacob Ater, and William Ater. Grandsons fought in the War Between the States and generations have served in all conflicts after.

The cemetery which fills this spot is final resting place of perhaps eighty Aters, many of whom are descendants of George Ater. The earliest legible burial is 1814. The most recent dates from 1920.

Six large stones which form a rectangle behind this plaque once served as foundation for the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, which was built on this spot circa 1820. The illustration of the church above is a reconstructed view by Milford Ater, from conversations with those who recalled the structure.

This plaque erected August 25 1996 by descendants of George Ater in the bicentennial year of Chillicothe, Ohio.