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Archiver > ILHAMILT > 2001-02 > 0981306424


From: MLJac <>
Subject: [ILHAMILT-L] RE: Migration............
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 09:07:04 -0800


Thanks to all that responded to my question on Migration to Hamilton Co.
from TN.
They all gave me a better understanding of why the people of the East
came to IL
I have copied a few of the responses, deleting personal names in the
answers, for others
who are interested in my question.

Thanks again to all.

Mary Lou

Here are some of the answers:

"While I'm sure you will receive many answers to your question including

work at the Saline Salt works. Word got out that game was very
plentiful
in Illinois. When the survey was going on in Hamilton County and
completed. many on the team said they went back to Ky and
Tenn and reported how good the land was and the timber was plentiful and

the trees were very large. Deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels, bear,
panther, and fur bearing animals to trap were plentiful. The land was
not
all hilly and rocky as some were living on in Tenn. The land where they

were living is becoming less productive and game is harder to find. I
have
heard that once you move from one state to another if you intended to
farm
you needed 2 years to get your land cleared and had to take a years
worth
of grain etc for animals & self.
I found my John
discharged from War 1812 leaving Tenn April 1814. In November 1814 he
is
on a jury in Gallatin Co. IL.
There is some good information on the Franklin County IL. page about
early
migrations. Carol's "Yesterdays of Hamilton County" have a wonderful
article written by Judge Parish about coming to IL. and getting started
in
the harsh times with no money borrowing from a store for their needs as
there was no money, then getting some fur pelts and paying off the debt.

The furs were taken to St. Louis by buyers."

"The War of 1812 chased the British out of the area, and made the area
more
accessible to people looking for open areas. The Illinois indians were
also
pushed out opening areas for settlement. The territory became a state
in
1818, and they began to try to promote settlement. In 1809, the Goshen
Trail was opened from Shawneetown to Edwardsville, two of the government

land sales offices. The trail passes through the area, so access from
the
Ohio River would have been easier than it would have been to some other
areas of the state. The rivers in Tennessee provided a water route to
the
Ohio river, and trails led to the Shawneetown area from the south. Once

people from an area had success in their new homes they sent messages
back
promoting others to join them."

" Mary Lou, one theory for the move is feelings against slavery. Maybe
another
might be the offering of land grants. I'll be watching for responses to
your
question. "

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