List: Any subscriber to a Rootsweb genealogy list will occasionally see comments and/or questions about why early Americans packed up their households and "headed West". Most individuals acknowledge that a/the primary reason was to acquire inexpensive land. The following two short paragraphs, taken from a copy of the will of Olive (male) Jump (spouse: Mary) of Sussex County illustrates the point in a few brief words and gives a snapshot (no surprise) of the mindset of the period. Offered here as an FYI only (i.e. no political or other hidden agenda). ============================================================= Olive Jump of Sussex Co., Delaware written 30 Dec. 1810 probated 5 Feb. 1811 Lib. F-6 fol. 442-444 "..share seventy dollars, my reason for the willing of my property for sale it may enable children to emigrate from the little poore proud state of Delaware to the western teritories." ====================================================================== copied from an Internet site/page belonging to Parker Todd.