ADENA
Home of Thomas Worthington
Contributed by Sandy Holladay
Two or three miles northwest of Chillicothe [at that time; now surrounded by Chillicothe], on a beautiful elevation commanding a magnificent view of the fertile valley of the Scioto and its bounding hills is Adena, the seat of Governor Thomas Worthington.
The mansion itself is of stone, is embosomed in shrubbery, and has attached a fine garden. It was erected in 1806, at which time it was the most elegant mansion in this part of the West, and crowds came to view it, in whose estimation the name of the place, "Adena", which signifies "Paradise", did not perhaps appear hyperbolical. The large panes of glass and the novelty of papered walls appeared especially to attract attention. Its architect was the elder Latrobe, of Washington city, from which place the workmen also were. Nearly all the manufactured articles used in its construction, as the nails, door knobs, hinges, glass, etc., were from east of the mountains. The glass was made at the works of Albert Gallatin and Mr. Nicholson, at Geneva PA. The fireplace fronts were of Philadelphia marble, which cost $7 per hundred for transportation. The whole edifice probably cost double what is would have done if erected at the present day. It is now the residence of the widow of the late governor, of whom we annex a brief notice.
Thomas Worthington, one of the earliest and most distinguished pioneers of Ohio, was born in Jefferson County VA, about the year 1769, and settled in Ross County in 1798. He brought from Virginia a large number of slaves, whom he emancipated, and some of their descendants yet remain in Chillicothe. A man of ardent temperament, of energy of mind and correct habits or life, he soon became distinguished both in business and in political stations. He was a member of the convention of 1803 to form a State constitution, in which he was both able and active. Soon after that he became a senator in Congress from the new State, and was a participant in the most important measures of the administrations of Jefferson and Madison. At the close of his career in Congress, he was elected governor of the State, in which capacity he was the friend and aid of all the liberal and wise measures of policy which were the foundation of the great prosperity of Ohio. After his retirement from e gubernatorial chair, he was appointed a member of the first board of canal commissioners, in which capacity he served till his death. A large landholder, engaged in various and extensive business, and for thirty years in public station, no man in Ohio did more to form its character and promote its prosperity. He died in 1827.