Dorothy: I enjoyed your account of the migration from Macon County, TN to Butler County, KS. I share this interest in that my ancestor Hiram Blankinship left the Puncheon Creek area of Macon County TN in 1776 and led a train of nine wagons to Chautauqua County, KS. I believe one of the families (John Tilly) broke away and headed north to Hickory Creek in Butler County, KS. Other members in the train appear to have been Harve Roark, Dick Hargis, Amos Jent and Ira Henderson. A descendant of Amos Jent wrote an interesting account of the trip. If interested I will send it to you. In a visit with Susan Hanes two years ago in Allen County, KY, we discussed reasons for the migration. Susan thought that a primary cause was due to the devastation of the area as a result of the Civil War. Others have mentioned that people in the Allen County/Macon County area were very poor and looked for opportunities to find better prospects. Thus they headed west. I would appreciate your thoughts. Bill Blankinship bblankin@ix.netcom.com Huntington Beach, CA