We do not know where James & Elizabeth with brother John were coming from but we do know where they ended up. By the birth of their son Laban whose tombstone says he was born in 1807 and other records say that he was born in Guernsey County (which if on the patent that James filed, was actually originally in Belmont County and then became Guernsey County in 1810.) we get a general end date.
So, they were "on the road" for how long? We are not sure. The previous child, James Jr. born 1805 Virginia, son of James Sr. could be a clue. But, I have other reports that give his birth date in 1804 and Laban's birth in 1806. So probably traveling anywhere from under a year upwards to 2 years.
What ever the year, James Sr. with at least his brother John Sr. as two adult males accompanied Elizabeth and 7 children under the age of 13 years old. The eldest two children are girls. And the youngest is probably still nursing and in diapers! Was this all there was to the group? That is not a lot of help in making camp, hunting for food, protection or any thing else. Could they have traveled with a group that we have not discerned yet? Maybe a look at any other persons who filed for patents at the same time will help, along with any others who filed patents close by James at the same time.
We know that there was not any train travel to this wilderness. And, I would guess no stage coach travel for the whole way either. Did they have wagons and animals? How did they get them across the Ohio River? Did they sell them and float the river then walk the remainder with this batch of children? Where did they sleep with these kids until a shelter was made? Gives you a whole new perspective on camping, doesn't it? But, I really think that they had to have traveled with a larger group. The whole safety in numbers thing.
So, James finds the land he wants, and has to file the patent. This is a trip of over 25 miles to Zanesville Land Office in Muskingum County to the West. Did he find the land first, then make the trip? Or did he go to the land office, find out which property was unclaimed and then scout it out? Where did he leave his family? Did they go with? Traveling over 25 miles through the wilderness is neither easy nor fast. I am guessing, and by this time, Elizabeth is probably pregnant with their next child, Laban! I have seen this land, and considering how hilly this SE corner of Ohio is, bordering on coal country to the south, it is really admirable that he found a parcel that lies as a valley plain between two elevated areas with Will Creek running through it. As one can see from my photo of the gravel road, it is still not developed nor populated and that is amazing to me.
So, he finalizes his ownership of Section 8 Range 1 Township 1, in Richland Township, Guernsey County, Ohio for the NE 1/4 which is generally about 160 acres. That credit purchase is finalized and paid for by 1811. Just in time for the War of 1812! And what did that event mean to these newcomers to the new State of Ohio?
