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. "