Feature on Charles Starrett. Topic: PEOPLE &
PIONEER
Written by Barbara Adams & Jim Sayre
in January, 1998
SIDNEY'S FOUNDER MAKES LAND DONATION |
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| Sidney is named for the 16th century English
poet-patriot, Sir Philip Sidney. But, a
myth persists that our city was named for its founder in 1820, Charles Starrett, whose
middle name is often rumored to be Sidney. It is no myth, though, that his role in
establishing Sidney made him very wealthy. Basis for the middle name rumor are published
works, some in the 1920’s, calling him Charles Sidney Starrett. A special Sidney Daily News edition in August 1927, while affirming Sir Philip’s role, muddied the waters by noting that..."It was in honor of Sir Philip that his namesake, Charles Sidney Starrett, donor of the town plat, affixed his name." In fact, "Charles Sidney Starrett Donor of the Town Plot" was part of the article’s headline. An accompanying photograph of the old Starrett home, which stood at the former Erb lumberyard site on South Walnut near Starrett’s Run, carried this caption: "...the home of Charles Sidney Starrett..." A recent article, again agreeing to the Sir Philip connection, nonetheless left open the door of confusion with this: "Charles Sidney Starrett, who blew the winds of life into our town’s humble beginning..." (Shelby County Historical Society newsletter insert, July 1997). What started the Sidney name myth may have been this passage in Memoirs of the Miami Valley published 100 years after Sidney was founded: "It was in Sir Philip’s honor that his namesake Charles Sidney Starrett, donor the of town plat, affixed the name of Sidney thereto" (Robt. O. Law Co., 1919). |
This is a map of Starrett’s farm. The gray is the farm boundary on the west, while the red is the 70 acre donation which made up area of what is now known as Sidney, Ohio. [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
