Catherine Gougar, a pioneer wife and mother born in New Jersey in 1732, was captured by Indians in 1744 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and for five years was held captive at and near this place. Sold to French Canadian traders, she served in Canada for two years. After finally gaining her freedom, she returned to her former home only to find her parents gone and herself homeless. She lived with friends until 1756, when she married George Goodman, who died in 1795. With her son John, she came to Ohio in 1798 and by a strange fortune settled on this spot where she had been held captive while with the Indians. She died in 1801 and lies here in the place chosen by herself and cleared by her own hands.