Kentucky Friends, Could someone please tell me how long (days) the typical journey was for a Pioneer Family (Wagon and Livestock) from Salisbury, NC to Kentucky in 1796-1797, by way of the Wilderness Road? I find lots of into on the net on this pioneer trail, but nothing on the duration of the trip. My 5th Great Grandparents, Ebenezer Park, Sr. (1747-1839) and Tabitha Mills (1752-1826) and their 10 children traveled on horseback from Salisbury, NC to Richmond, KY in the late Summer, Early Fall of 1796. What month did most depart during this peak movement period? My research shows the 3 primary reasons for Eb's decision and timing in migrating from NC to KY. The 1796 departure was a popular one with the Pioneer Masses and the impetus for Eb selling his farm when he did.... (1) Shawnee defeat was a key in the timing of Eb and Family to make the hazardous journey north to Kentucky. The defeat of the Shawnee at Fallen Timbers (Ohio) in August 1794, reduced the perils of the Cumberland Gap, through which also passed the War Road of the Indians, and gave added safety to the Kentucky settlements; (2) The widening of the Wilderness Trail to accommodate wagons in 1796 (learned this as I explored Wilderness Trail on return from KY on 3 Jul 2000) and (3) Beauty and promise of new fertile lands for their children following Boone's exploration." THE WILDERNESS ROAD The road through the Cumberland Gap was not officially named "the Wilderness Road" until 1796 when it was widened enough to allow Conestoga Wagons to travel on it. However, by the time Kentucky had become a state (1792), estimates are that 70,000 settlers had poured into the area through the Cumberland Gap, following this route. The Cumberland Gap was first called Cave Gap by the man who discovered it in 1750--Dr. Thomas Walker. Daniel Boone, whose name is always associated with the Gap, reached it in 1769, passing through it into the Blue Grass region, a hunting ground of Indian tribes. He returned in 1775 with about 30 woodsmen with rifles and axes to mark out a road through the Cumberland Gap, hired for the job by the Transylvania Company. Boone's men completed the blazing of this first trail through the Cumberland Mountains that same year, and established Boonesborough on the Kentucky River. The Wilderness Road connected to the Great Valley Road which came through the Shenandoah Valley from Pennsylvania. Some suggest the origin of the Wilderness Road was at Fort Chiswell (Ft. Chissel) on the Great Valley Road where roads converged from Philadelphia and Richmond. Others claimed the beginning of the road to be at Sapling Grove (today's Bristol, VA) which lay at the extreme southern end of the Great Valley Road since it was at that point that the road narrowed, forcing travelers to abandon their wagons. Thank you! Doug Park Hurricane, WV THE MYSTICAL GRAVEHUNTER "Journeyman of Genealogy's Uncharted, 4th and Gifted Dimension" Member: Parke Society, Inc. Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels (KY) Society of Boonesborough (KY) Society of Mareen Duvall Descendants (MD) Estill County Historical Society (KY) Madison County Historical Society (KY) My Park and Cobb Family Treemaker Page: Lots of pictures, line information and great links too! http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/a/r/William-D-Park/index.html "A Family Tree will wither if no one tends to its Roots!" Dr. Roger Parke, Sr. (1654-1731) & Anne Pattison (8th GGPs) John Parke I (1674-1757)& Sarah Smith (1675-1759) (7th GGPs) John Park II (1707-1758)& Mary Davis (1710-1771) (6th GGPs) Ebenezer Park (1747-1839) & Tabitha Mills (1752-1826)(5th GGPs) John Park (1772-1828) & Mary(Polly)Peeler (1774-1855) (4th GGPs) Jonah Park (1806-1884) & Melinda McMonegal (1810-1862) (3rd GGPs) John McMonegal Park (1827-1901) & Martha Cobb (1835-1911) (2GGPs) William H. Park I (1860-1932) & Eleanor Simpson (1865-1944) (GGP) William Holton Park (1900-1980) & Elveree Durham (1911-1989) (GP) William Henry Park II (1930- ) & Frances T. Bell (1932-) (P) William Douglas Park (1959-) & Pamela Rae Long (1959- ) (Me) On an Ancient Family Tombstone..... "Remember me as you pass by, for as you are so, once was I, so as I am, you shall be, Therefore prepare to follow me."