Hi Everyone! I enjoyed the posting in INMADISO-Ls of the paper about The Great PA Wagon Road! This parallels some of my research. One quick question, the author is Kevin Cheery, Rowan Co. Library Historian. Where is this Rowan Co, and does anyone have his address? I am LeRoy F. Eastes, born 1921 in Marion, Grant Co. IN and lived several years in Anderson before WW II. I have 5 lines of ancestors who were in IN before 1840. One of these was Obadiah Eastes/Estes born 4 July 1758 probably in VA. Obadiah, wife Francis Harvey and three small children traveled by horseback and walked the Wilderness Trail from SC to Crab Orchard, Lincoln Co. KY in 1796. There they bought land, and paid taxes until 1801. Then they moved north across the OH River into Indiana Territory about the OH and IN State lines and up the White Water River (not the White River found in Madision Co.). They bought land in several places and finally came to rest in the Eastes/Harvey Cemetery in Mt Comfort, Hancock Co., IN. We have a research group that is trying to locating the origin Elisha Estes/Eastus father of Obadiah. Apparently this Elisha, his brothers and father were land speculators in VA and some of them migrated to KY, TN and IN. Elisha died in Roane Co. TN in 1818. The following are extracts of a report I made to the group and thought it might be of interest to someone to see the migration patterns: Extracts from: The Search for Elisha Eastus/Estes Who Died in Roane Co., Tennessee in 1818 By LeRoy F. Eastes 5 November 1999 The following are the children of Elisha Descendants of Elisha Estes/Eastus 1 Elisha 07 Estes d: 1818 (Confirmed) . +Unknown ........ 2 Elizabeth Estes b: 1754 ........... +unknown Crumless ........ 2 Obadiah Eastes b: 04-July-1758 (Confirmed) ........... +Francis Harvey b: 03-January-1774 (Confirmed) ........ 2 Clary Estes ........... +unknown Webb ........ 2 Mary Estes ........... +unknown Brister ........ 2 Susanna Estes ........ 2 Jenny (Jincy) Estes ........... +Hughbour ........ 2 Wilmoth Estes ........... +unknown Mullekin ........ 2 David Shipton Estes b: Abt. 1776 (Estimated from data shown in 1850 Census) ........... +Kezziah unknown b: Abt. 1777 ........ 2 Elisha 08 Estes b: Abt. 1778 (Estimated from data shown in 1850 Census) <<<<< Several pages of land and court records not included >>>>>>>>>>> As we search for the details of our heritage, we find the most important sources are all documents from the time and places where they lived. With this in mind, let's look at some key events in chronological order of Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana history: 1750 - Dr., Thomas Walker discovers the Cumberland Gap. 1769 - Daniel Boone and John Finley explore Kentucky. 1769 - William Bean of Virginia, believed to have been the first permanent white settler, builds a cabin near the Watauga River in eastern Tennessee. 1772 - Settlers form Watauga Association, one of the earliest independent governments west of the Appalachians. 1774 - James Harrod starts building Harrodstown (Harrodsburg). Indians force settlers to withdraw but they returned in 1775. 1775 - Transylvania Land Company buys Cherokee lands. Watauga Association becomes Washington District, it was annexed to North Carolina in 1776 and becomes Washington Co. in 1777 1775 - Boiling Springs and St. Asaph settled. Indians give Richard Henderson the land between Ohio and Cumberland Rivers and he organizes the Transylvania Land Company. 1775 - Daniel Bone blazes Wilderness Trail and Boonesboro was founded. 1776 - Herrodsburg settlers send George Rogers Clark and John Jones to Virginia to ask for aid to fight the Indians. Virginia declares Transylvania Land Company illegal and creates Kentucky County. 1778 - Indian siege of Boonesboro. George Rogers Clark makes expedition against the British north of the Ohio River. 1780 - Tennessee Soldiers led by Evan Shelby and John Sevier help defeat the British at Kings Mountain in South Carolina. 1784 - The first of ten conventions held to prepare the way for the separation of Kentucky from Virginia. 1784 - North Carolina cedes western lands to the Federal Government, then repeals the act. Settlers organize the State of Franklin. 1792 - Kentucky becomes the 15th State. 1794 - General "Mad Anthony" Wayne is victorious at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in Ohio and ends the Indian attacks in Kentucky. 1796 - The Wilderness Trail is opened to wagon traffic. 1800 - Indiana is organized into a Territory. 1796 - Tennessee is admitted to the Union. The second State to be carved out of the territory west of the Appalachians 1809 - Indians burn farms in Indiana and force some settlers back into Kentucky. 1811 - An extensive Indian uprising in southern Indiana is put down by Territorial Governor William H. Harrision. 1816 - Indiana was admitted to the Union as the 19th. State. (Ref: "Compton's Encyclopedia," "The Genealogical Helper" by Everton Publishers and the history book, "Once Upon the Time in Indiana," published by The National Society of Colonial Dames in Indiana. In the past some of us have discussed the reason for our ancestors to move from Virginia to South Carolina then to Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. First, we must remember there were only a few explorers and hunters that ventured west of the Appalachian Mountains before 1769. Then came the migration of land seekers. Settlers made their own crude surveys and claimed land, sometimes thousands of acres by blazing trees and marking it as their property. Once the land was officially surveyed many of these claims were disputed and taken to court. Newcomers to Harrodsburg and Boonesboro claimed acreage close to the forts for safety reasons and in many cases they claimed prime lands further away for future homesteads. Families did not migrate in large numbers until the danger of Indians deminished south of the Ohio River and this area became reasonably safe. Indiana was a hostile territory longer so it was settled later than Kentucky. There were many reasons for this migration. One of the most important was the lure of free and later cheap and fertile farm lands. Then there was the press of population in the east and the need to expand. The lands west of the Appalachians were claimed early by the French and later by the British. At first our government was cautious about openly promoting migration in fear of a war with either country. Covertly however, families were encouraged to expand west and settle the frontier. After the Revolution, land was granted to War Veterans. There were other reasons for people to migrate. Some wanted to move because of political pressures in their communities after the Revolution. Others probably just for the adventure. Many references are being found that show the surnames of the families who married Elisha's children, all in the same general areas at the same time. We find the Crumbliss, Harveys, Bristers, Neighbors, Mullicans and Webbs all in Virginia prior to 1790. Apparently, these families moved about the same time to South Carolina and then to Kentucky. Some staying while others moved to Tennessee and Indiana. Another example of this surname migration can be seen by looking at Holman the youngest son of Obadiah. Holman married Ruth Webb, daughter of Johnathon Webb. Ruth was born in Rush Co. Indiana but believed to be related to the Webbs of Virginia who married Clary, sister to Obadiah. As we continue to trace the families that married Elisha's children, bits and pieces are falling together and perhaps will shed more light on his ancestors. In my years of research I have not found any records where Elisha or his sons were connected with either side of the Revolution. I have found no military records, land grants or pension applications. They may exist but so far they have evaded my efforts I cannot believe that Obadiah was a Loyalist. The History of Hancock County, Indiana states that Obadiah was a Master Mason. Since the Masons were very active in the Patriotic movement, it is doubtful the fraternity would have excepted a member who had been a Loyalist. I have contacted the Grand Masonic Lodges of Virginia, South Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana but did not find any information. The Revolutionary War split many families and this might still have a bearing on our investigation. Another strange fact is that Obadiah, Micajah and Elsiha #07 are missing from the all 1790 Census reports. They could have been staying with someone else or - they could have been traveling, scouting for land prospects prior to moving to the frontier. Since the fact that no military information has surfaced for Elisha or his sons seems to be a significant factor. It is also possible there was a religious factor involved that prohibited them from serving in the military. However, in Kentucky and Indiana, every able bodied male between certain ages had to serve in the militia. In trhe History of hancock Co.Indiana is staes that Obadiah was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Indiana at one time. There are also some mention of the Society of Friends or Quakers found in some references. It is quite possible an answer lies in long hidden Church records. Like most pioneers of the time, members of the Estes families were apparently very gregarious and kept in close contact as they migrated from Virginia to South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. The reasons for this migration was probably the quest for rich and fertile farm lands but possibly had an element of relief from political pressures resulting from the Revolution. Since I have been unable to turn up any military records or probable 1790 census records for Elisha and sons, strengthens the mystery. It's also my opinion that many answers can be found in records from the Churches in Virginia or Indiana So, the search goes on! Roy Eastes 17271 Lowery Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503 E Mail - [email protected] Ph (228) 832-2214 Fax (228) 539-537 (24 hr) When we record our heritage we take great pride in looking at our list of ancestors and admire their origins, migrations and accomplishments. But, what good is it - unless it’s true? Stories and rumors are great and often lead to the truth! BUT - Help eliminate errors. Don't take anything as Fact! Check references for validity! If we don’t our children’s children will be led down false trails and they will never be able to find their true heritage.