Nancy, The answer is greener pastures. Nearly all families had 8 or 10 kids. There was not enough land to support them when each child started a family of their own. Land was cheap and unsettled in AR and MO and other places west. Do you know Tom Courtney? He is a descendent of the Courtneys in this area. Sarah Wade, a sister of David Hampton Wade, is my g/g/g/grandmother. She married Milton Whitlow in the 1830's. Following is some Courtney information. David COURTNEY, HARDIN COUNTY TENNESSEE County Records Land Surveys, Entry Book 1 and 2 Jonathan Courtney 26 acres, Indian Creek, 07/08/1824, 1-124 10 acres, Indian Creek, 07/22/1824, 1-125 5 acres, Indian Creek, 07/22/1824, 1-126 13 acres, 01/26/1826, 1-136 24 acres, east of Tennessee River, 11/15/1836, 2-196 John Courtney 200 acres, east of Tennessee River, 01/12/1837, 2-98 09/07/1823, Jonathan Courtney witness to deed. 07/07/1845, Commissioners appointed to lay off a dower for Tinsey Courtney, widow of Jonathan Courtney, and family. 12/06/1841, Insolvent and Removal out of County for year 1841 James Courtney 12 /07/1846, Insolvencys and Removals from Tax List for year 1846 Amos Courtney, gone 04/07/1856, Releasements and Insolvencys for the year 1855, 2nd Civil District James Courtney, removed Conall Courtney 1820 Census, Harddin Co., TN Jonathan Courtney 220001-111 1830 Census, Hardin Co., TN Jonathan Courtney 10001-10001 John Courtney 10001-00001 1840 Census, Hardin Co., TN James A. Courtney 330001-100001 Jonathan Courtney 001002-21101 1850 Census, Hardin Co., TN 85-85 James Courtney 41 GA Susan W. 43 NC Willism C. 18 TN Andrew W. 17 TN Jeremiah 15 TN James R. 13 TN Leander A. 12 TN Mary E. 11 TN Japh B. 11 TN Martha N. 2 TN 141-141 Tinzey Courtney 42 TN Minerva C. 14 TN Emily A. 11 TN Robert R. 8 TN Victoria F. 6 TN John W. 4 TN William G. 11/12 TN Lousiana C. 18 TN Nancy Anderson wrote: > Does anyone have a reason why families would pick up and leave Hardin Co. > Tenn. in the early 1850s. I have my great great grand father David Hampton > Wade and family, there were about 20 of them men, woman and children, his > brother-in-law William Moseley and famliy, They were all in Hardin > Co.1850s and travled to Wright Co. Mo.1854. Also a family named Courtney, > showed up in Wright Co. Mo.1860 and they were in Hardin Co. 1850. David > Hampton Wades daughter Nymphia Caroline, (my great grand mother )first > husband was a Courtney, but we do not have his first name. > > "Nancy Hall Anderson" > nancyranderson@worldnet.att.net