Where did the money come from? Eddie, you bring up a good question. I found on the New River site of land surveys for several counties that old Abraham Crabtree purchased or traded for property on every ridge and valley along Holston and Clinch River, Brushy Mountain, Bear Wallow and even in Wayne County, KY. He was one of the earliest settlers at Seven Mile Ford and one of the first owners of property on the Salt Flat, now known as Saltville. When you read his worth on the census, he had only 2 horse and he signed his name with an X. The only source of income I can see he ever had was the fact he was involved with every skirmish that came his way from the Revolutionary War, Indian Wars, Kings Mountain, and you name it. Most of these periods of service lasted only a matter of two or three months at the longest. What was the pay? Eight dollars or eighty acres? I don't have a clue where the ready cash came from. Like you said, $200 or $300 was a good going price for property bought back then. Also, there were notes due him from various people, one was for six dollars and sixty two and a half cents.