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From: "Amy Johnson Crow" <>
Subject: Re: [OHFAIRFI-L] Migration to Fairfield Co.
Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2000 10:56:00 -0500

>1. I have an ancestor that is buried in the St. Michael's cemetery on
Bickel
>Church Road near New Baltimore. Does anyone know what denomination the
>church was around 1820?

In 1820, St. Michael's was a German Reformed church.


>2. Does anyone know what the draw to this area of Fairfield County was
>around 1820? Was there a large German population? Was it a land grant
area?

There was a huge German population in Fairfield County. The land was
available for purchase from the Federal government through the land office
in Chillicothe. Up to 1820, people could purchase land from the government
on credit; after 1820, it was cash only.


> Just trying to figure out way he would move from Montgomery Co., PA
with
>his whole family in 1819 at 62 years of age with no other brothers or
>sisters. What was the draw to that area. Thanks for any help!!


Fairfield County was, and continues to be, prime farmland. The early 1800s
saw the Indian threat waning and the land was made available for purchase.

You mentioned that no other brothers or sisters came. It is possible that he
wanted to follow his children (particularly a son) who was coming west.
Families tended to migrate together. And if he saw a son coming to the area,
he may have wanted to stay with them.

There is also the concept of "chain migration." One person (or family) moves
ahead to an area, and the rest of the family and/or neighbors follow suit
later.

Hope this helps,
Amy

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