Thanks to all of you who wrote back with ideas as to why my ancestor settled in Navarro Co TX as of 1853. As you know, that is 10 years before Civil War, so that had nothing to do with it. He left a very big, well established DOOLEN clan in Marion Co IL. His wife was also from a very big, prosperous and well established FOSTER family ,also in Marion Co IL. The Doolen and Foster families are still living in Marion Co IL today, and they were wondering WHY William Doolen b. 1820 IL would move to Texas. I have heard from other families that early Texas was a good place to hide if you were a criminal, as you were "safe" in TX, you were so far away you wouldn't think they would ride to TX to find you. (I am probably related to a few of those early settlers also) But the overhelming REASON almost everyone who wrote to me cited, was: Free Land, or Cheap Land. I appreciate all your shareing and help. I was born and raised in California. I am haveing alot of fun finding my TEXAS roots. My ancestors were in Texas from 1853 to 1966, when my grandfather retired from Vernon, TX to Marlow, OK. I probably still have many MARTIN and DOOLEN "cousins" all over TX, and I would love to hear from them. Best regards, Lillian Kathleen Martin Lattakia, Syria