The Quaker Roots mailing list went through a whole discussion on this issue in August and September of this year. Rather than repeat all or part of that here, it would be good for anyone interested to visit this list of archives, and read the linked and threaded messages. _http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/QUAKER-ROOTS/_ (http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/QUAKER-ROOTS/) Some people try to simplify this into one reason that would apply to everyone. I do not agree with that. One or more reasons may have motivated any one family group. And, while groups of members of Quaker congregation may have shared one common purpose, individual economic and family considerations may well have entered into the decisions made as well. To me, the interesting part would be trying to discover and/or form a theory about the reasons that motivated your particular ancestors. There are some very interesting stories about what motivated certain members of the Benbow family, and those need to be preserved and passed on. I see some people trying to apply a "one size fits all" mentality to this issue, and I think a great deal is lost when someone takes this approach. I'm not blaming the person who asked this question. I'm just urging others not to cite one and only one reason for the migration. That is a superficial approach and should be avoided. Katherine Benbow Historian for the Charles Benbow Family County Coordinator, Guilford County NCGenWeb _http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncguilfo/index.html_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncguilfo/) **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)