Dave, Depending on the time frame they came, here is a possible explanation for why Loudoun people came to Muskingum. My ancestor, George W. Adams moved to Monroe township, Muskingum Co. when he was a young man in 1807. He worked land there for a few years until the war of 1812 broke out. He was one of only a handful of people from Loudoun Co., VA in Muskingum at that time. What happens next is a little vague but apparently there was enough people who wanted to volunteer to fight the British and there really was no fight going on in that part of Ohio. George returned to Loudoun and enlisted in the militia and so did many others from Muskingum. It is not known whether there was any communication between these folks but it would seem odd that many from Muskingum would have gone specifically to Loudoun to volunteer since they didn't come from there. Our family always thought George was the reason. I could see some public meeting where George might have spoken up and said he was going back home to enlist and they were welcome to join him. After the war most of those enlistees returned to Muskingum. George remained in Loudoun where he married Christina Werts whose parents lived a short distance from his. After the birth of a few children, George returned to Muskingum around 1816 as he still owned land there and along with him came related families the Werts and Huffs as well as some of the Adams and other neighboring families like the Fields and Bagleys. Most of these settled in Salem, Adams, Highland and Washington townships. In those days a big todo was usually made over family leaving. Others may have heard and found this an enticing migration and joined the group or followed in their footsteps. It was always easier to go as a group for support as it was still plenty treacherous with hostile natives still around. Word got out and more came west to Ohio from that area as the years went on. Loudoun is also next door to Fauquier Co. and there were many families from that county that also came. In fact I believe the Adams of Fauquier county actually came to the Jefferson township area around the turn of the century as George W. Adams (no relation to mine) rented land in Madison township to my ancestor Valentine Scheurer as early as 1804-6 which was before my George Adams ventured west. Perhaps the Fauquier group led the way as I was never able to find out why George went west alone. It could be that some from that area of Virginia were part of the military units that were assigned to the Northwest Territory and saw it as prime land to settle once their time in the military was up. Migrations are usually like opening a flood gate. It only takes one or two to tell everyone else about it and they come in increasing numbers after that. Communications sent back home usually were shared with the community. Everyone wants the community to know their family is well and prospering and this is usually a pretty good enticement for others who may be struggling with what little land they may have inherited. Whatever was the starting point of that migration, many of us who descend from Muskys also have roots in Loudoun. But this is only one of many migrations to Muskingum. I encourage all of you to share your own family migrations. Many early settlers of Muskingum were from Massachusetts. Salem township was named after Salem, MA. Many including my Scheurers came from Somerset and Bedford counties in PA. Westmoreland Co., PA saw many who ended up in Union township. And all these families came to western PA and Virginia from somewhere else. The migration story is not an easy one to pin down. There is no one reason they start or one route they took. But, every one of them is interesting and why the pioneers of Muskingum deserve so much respect. Please feel free to share!!! Denny Shirer - drdx@neo.rr.com - Canton, OH Shirer Family Genealogy - http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mysong Muskingum County, OHGenWeb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohmuskin/ DaveLadely@aol.com wrote: > Hi, > > Saw this posting and am curious about information on those who moved from > Loudoun County, Virginia. > > My ancestors, John Slack, Jr., born 1754, Revolutionary War vet, and his > wife, Eva Elizabeth Swank (Schwenck), members of the New Jerusalem Lutheran > Church in Lovettsville, along with some of her relatives, including George > Swank, moved to Washington Township, Muskingum County, OH in the late spring of > 1806, and settled there. I often wonder why they moved from Loudoun County, VA > as it seems to be a great place to live. > > I am interested in any information,