My folks left Bledsoe Co., TN because of the war. They didn't like the way things were going politically in Tennessee. He was conscripted into the Confederate army (per some family historians), and escaped, deserted, slipped off, or whatever, went to Kentucky and joined a Union unit, served his year and then went on up to Franklin Co., IL I don't know if this was a common reason for going to a "free state" about that time. Sam in KY In a message dated 12/15/98 12:59:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, Laura1853@aol.com writes: << Subj: [ILPOPE-L] Re: question Date: 12/15/98 12:59:49 PM Pacific Standard Time From: Laura1853@aol.com Reply-to: ILPOPE-L@rootsweb.com To: ILPOPE-L@rootsweb.com Hi, everyone. I was wondering if anyone knew why so many people left KY to go to Southern Illinois (Pope Co.) back in the 1800's. Was it for farming/land? I have been researching my ancestors and they mostly started out in NC, SC, then TN or KY, then ended in Pope Co., Illinois. I was just wondering from you history buffs what the attraction was? Please respond. Thanks, Laura ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- >>