Historically, there were two main pathways of migration the pioneers used to settle the West. The northern route was via the Ohio River, and the Ohio Valley, through what is now Indian, Illinois, and Iowa, which is the route my ancestors used. The southern route was through the Cumberland Gap and on to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, the route of my wife’s family.
Daniel Boone blazed the trail through the gap as early as 1775, a year before the start of the American Revolution. It was a risky foray in those years, as the area was still in the firm control of the native Indians, and Boone didn’t last long before he was sent skedaddling back across the Appalachian Mountains to the safety of the colonies. It wasn’t until after the Revolution when the new United States of America took possession of all the land east of the Mississippi river that large scale migration began. Even then, pioneering was only for the stout hearted and the frontier was still a dangerous place.
Just as the remnant forces of British troops and Indians made travel through the Ohio Valley a risky endeavor, the southern route through the Gap, was beset by marauding bands of Indians and French patrols expanding out from the Mississippi Delta. Even though the Revolution had been won, there were still many who were intent on keeping the Americans at bay. The newly formed United States did not have the resources to patrol or even manage all the new territory, and the pioneers had to band together for self protection.
Most of the folks taking the southern route originated in the states of Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. This story is about that side of our family, specifically, the Grove clan. My wife’s great grandfather was Thomas Franklin Grove and, with the exception of a short historical biography to set the scene, most of this saga is about him and his children.
Thomas Franklin married Sarah Melvina McCaslin and settled in Coalgate, Oklahoma and their children who survived beyond infancy were, Charles Gunnison (the only boy), Ethel Lucile, Hazel Opal, Flora Irene, and Lennie Anna (my wife’s grandmother).
L to R, Ethel, Thomas, Charles, Lennie (in front), Sarah, Hazel and Flora
Tomorrow: Thomas and Sarah
3 comments:
I recognize the Photo !
Charles Gunnison Grove is my grandfather. He married Edith and had one child, a daughter, Mozelle.
I am Mozelles daughter.
Frank is also my great-grandfather.
Grandfather charles gunnison grove, grandmother
Edith grove, had one child( daughter) named Mozelle
who is my mother.
Frank is my great-grandfather also.
Charles gunnison grove is my grandpa.
His only daughter Mozelle is my mom.
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