A thought for Ann and everyone - I don't know all of the details, but one argument for the migration in the 1810s is the eruption of Mount Pinitobow (sp?) Apparently, this volcano erupted in 1814/1815. I think it was in the Pacific but I am not sure. Anyway, it released a great deal of ash into the atmosphere. The year 1814/1815 was one of the coldest on record, with snow in the summer (July and August). It was very hard in New England. So some of the immigration to the west, New York and beyond, was due to the cold winter caused by the volcano which made life in New England very difficult. Obviously food became an issue as well. Additional factors were the War of 1812, and the fact that land was getting scarse and the younger sons could not start their own farms. The younger sons moved west for land. I am sure other people know more about this than I do. Ted White