I've read a number of pieces about the movement into Ohio and points westward, but does anyone have a clue why so many people from the Monroe County, Virginia, area moved specifically into Gallia and Lawrence counties? I know there were early settlers in both places shortly after Ohio became a state, but either the traffic picked up a whole lot during the 1830s and 1840s, or my perception has been tainted by the number of people from the lines I research who showed up around then. I'm just wondering if there was something of particular significance I missed or whether it was simply a matter of some of those in Monroe County deciding to join family members who made the move before them. ???? I've considered all kinds of things, but I'd be interested in hearing what others might have come up with in the way of an explanation. Or am I the only one who's curious enough to go to this much trouble?!

Maybe where they could cross the river R/S Jim Benson -----Original Message----- From: ohgallia-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ohgallia-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Beth Haney Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 3:57 PM To: ohgallia@rootsweb.com Subject: [OHGALLIA] A question about migration I've read a number of pieces about the movement into Ohio and points westward, but does anyone have a clue why so many people from the Monroe County, Virginia, area moved specifically into Gallia and Lawrence counties? I know there were early settlers in both places shortly after Ohio became a state, but either the traffic picked up a whole lot during the 1830s and 1840s, or my perception has been tainted by the number of people from the lines I research who showed up around then. I'm just wondering if there was something of particular significance I missed or whether it was simply a matter of some of those in Monroe County deciding to join family members who made the move before them. ???? I've considered all kinds of things, but I'd be interested in hearing what others might have come up with in the way of an explanation. Or am I the only one who's curious enough to go to this much trouble?! ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to OHGALLIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message __________ NOD32 3210 (20080623) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com

Hi Beth. It's not often I take the opportunity to post something on the list, but your question fits with my interests in Gallia more than most. The Ohio River was the end of the United States in 1790 or so, which meant that there wasn't military protection against the original owners, and it was generally regarded as held by the French. The first organized excursion into the area was the Jackson Salt Lick, which drew brave people from south of the river to manufacture salt. This was also the first attempt to apply the new technique of surveying land in straight lines. The salt processing brought many people to the operation in Jackson. My particular people were horsemen and cattle folk, supplying goods and services to the operation and it's residents. First settlers were from Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania mainly. The population quickly went outside the original surveyed square and found land in nearby areas for grazing and feed-raising. I've been unable to locate any records of this settlement. Gallia County was formed some years after this operation was built. I suspect my view of the history of Gallia differs somewhat from most people: I say the original settlement was in Jackson, and the vendors to the salt operation drifted south to what is now Gallia County. Then the folk moved across the river to the current county as it was surveyed. That's my story.... Beth Haney wrote: > I've read a number of pieces about the movement into Ohio and points > westward, but does anyone have a clue why so many people from the Monroe > County, Virginia, area moved specifically into Gallia and Lawrence > counties? I know there were early settlers in both places shortly after > Ohio became a state, but either the traffic picked up a whole lot during > the 1830s and 1840s, or my perception has been tainted by the number of > -- Marty Cassidy On the Road, USA