In the 1830s and 1840s, several hundred Welsh families followed the first group to Gallia and Jackson counties. This mass exodus was due to the economic stress and oppressive government at the time, and lack of religious freedom. Farming, iron production, manufacturing of clay
products, banking, politics, and the professions became the leading occupations of the Welsh and their descendants. Evidence of their successful industries still exists in Oak Hill and Jackson. The Welsh Scenic Byway includes many of the original 22 Welsh churches and cemeteries and is marked with Red Dragon signs. As the Welsh said in 1839, "Bydd melys lanio draw ‘Rol bod o don o don. Ac mi rof ffarwel maes o law i'r ddaear hon," meaning "It will be sweet landing yonder, After sailing wave to wave, The last Farewell is hard to bear, As we leave our dear Wales."
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