I too, wondered why my folks went from Virginia to Tenn. and then took rafts up the Cumberland to Ky and some moving on further West. There was an excellent article in ANCESTRY magazine in July of last year that was called WESTWARD MOVEMENT,THE KENTUCKY MICROCOSM. It was written by Dr. Roseann Reinemuth Hogan. In short it explained: The environment and economic conditions in VA,N.C. and PA. made it ripe for migration. It also pointed out that most of the immigrants had strong religious beliefs and consequently there were conflicts and that was another reason to "find their own place". Plus a great number of these men had fought in the Rev. War and were given lands in the Wilderness State.I can only cite my own family in this, but even tho there was a great deal of land in the family, some was sold due to not managing it correctly and a great deal was lost due to the War of Yankee Aggression. Which brings up another point. One of my ggrandfathers moved to KY. from TN. becaus! e he was a Southern sympathizer and the majority of the family were for the Union. And then there was, in one instance, a move on to Texas as the schism was so deep, it was never healed.If you can find this article I think you will find it very informative. Martha