Each was aware of the void left by Jacob’s death. The knowledge that his familiar, commanding presence would never again join this circle was hard to accept.
Clarinda’s sweet, but insistent voice broke the stillness. Fixing her blue-gray eyes intently on Martha’s face, she asked “Ma, are we all going with William and Rebecca to Kentucky?”
Earlier, Rebecca’s eight-year-old Davey had confided to Clarinda that he knew a real good secret. He had overheard his parents talking about a long trek west, while they unhitched the wagon and fed the horses. Davey’s secret pleased Clarinda, who loved to hear William’s stories about Kentucky. She childishly envisioned a beautiful new home across the mountains. A wondrous place where dreams come true.
“Nothing is settled yet, Clarinda,” Martha answered. “David and William have some news they heard in Fredericksburg last week. It seems fitting that we all hear it at the same time. I’m glad everyone is here.”
“Well,” David began, “there are lots of rumors floating down the Rappahannock and Potomac from Federal Hall in New York. Washington and the Congress have started putting together a democratic form of government. We, the citizens will have some say in how it’s run.”
“So America, is now the United States of America,” Nancy offered.
“Is General Washington king?” asked Clarinda.
The family roared with laughter. Clarinda wondered why they thought her question so funny, but was happy to see them all relax.
“No, silly,” Jacob teased his little sister. “He’s the first president of the republic, elected by the people.”
“We found out,” David said, “that some Indian headmen have signed peace treaties with our government. Their tribes have agreed to move west and south onto other land set aside for their use. Millions of acres of former Indian land will be opened up for settlement.”
“What about the Indians?” Clarinda wanted to know, her young mind confused. “Wasn’t it their land first?”
“In a way, yes that’s true. But the government is going to pay them for it, and help provide for their needs.” David had no interest in the details of the treaty.
“In Fredericksburg, William and I ran into a trader William knew in Kentucky. This man is going all over Virginia trying to encourage folks to move west and settle the frontier. He was loading up on supplies so he could get back before the Cumberland Gap becomes impassable this winter. He told us about his Kentucky settlement, and invited us to move there.
Jonathan looked over at William. “What do you know about this man?”
“His name is Ralph Morgan,” William stood, looking at each of them in turn. “He was with us at Boonesborough. He’s a trader, surveyor and land jobber, and has established his own fort called Morgan’s Station. It’s in western Kentucky on Slate Creek. I’ve been in that area. The land is good. He said he would sell us property near his station for one dollar an acre.”
“Sounds cheap enough,” Jacob said.
David stood, resting his hands on the table. There were many issues that concerned him. He tried to choose his words carefully. The family was not fully aware of the discontent brewing in Virginia.
“Ever since the framework of the Constitution was laid, and our new government created, there have been problems a plenty.” David told them. “The small states and big states disagree, and the North and South don’t get along at all. Those who own slaves, and the ones who don’t are causing a ruckus. You know the first census completed this year determines how many men each state will send to the House of Representatives. That census proved Virginia has the most people of all the states. The rich landowners will rule. My guess is a lot of unrest is going to take place, before it’s all worked out. It might be smart to move west now while things are calm.”
Jonathan sighed. Being the eldest and now responsible for the family’s welfare, he too had lots to consider. “Virginia and the other states are trying to work through the mess of debt left over from the war. Some people’s farms have been seized to pay off their debts. So far the militia is siding with the farmers. I believe times will get worse. Maybe the Kentucky frontier is our best hope Ma.”
For many citizens of the new America, gaining property remained only a dream. At least twenty percent of the population lived at poverty level or below, seeking out a precarious existence as unskilled laborers, or farming bits of land they did not own.
Jonathan tapped a finger on the table, apparently weighing their options. “Since Kentucky and Ohio are still territorial lands, we won’t be hurt by taxation for a while” he said. “It may be wild country, but there’s room to grow food and raise some livestock. John, Jacob, what do you have to say?”
“If one goes, we all go,” said John. “We have to keep the family together. That’s what Pa would want.”
“Ma, there’s nothing to keep us here,” Nancy said, siding with her brothers.
David nodded slowly. “I guess what we are trying to say, Ma, is from the way things look, we’ll likely be forced to move anyway. Why not salvage what we can and make a fresh start?”
David moved to stand behind Martha. Thinking back to the bitter fighting with the redcoats, he recalled how she had nourished them with her love as well as her strength. “We’ve been through one political struggle already. What say we all go to Kentucky?”
Martha listened to her sons. Her thoughts raced back to 1756 when she and Jacob were married. They had steadily moved westward, always seeking new land, new opportunity. Not one child had been born in the same place. Their dwellings were cabins hastily constructed of logs and mud. Often a canvas-covered wagon served as their only shelter from the elements.
Here on the Holston was the first solid home they had known. The three-room log structure had a loft and real doors and windows. She felt a permanence here. While war raged between England and the Colonies, Jacob and the younger boys put in months of hard work clearing the land. The local Indians were friendly, and the Allingtons traded them food and dry goods for furs.
When peace was declared the family settled down to a life of farming. Jacob had been a God-fearing and peaceful man. However, in the raw upheaval of the fledging new country, there was little peace. How could Kentucky be any different? Martha’s gaze fell on her beloved son-in-law, William. For years he had talked about the beauty of Kentucky’s forest and wild grassland. She decided not to hold them back. Her sons were right about their circumstances. Jacob had barely earned them a living. She realized the family divided could not survive.
Martha recalled the pain of leaving her own parents, when as a young bride she followed Jacob into the unknown. She was determined to keep the Allingtons together. They needed each other.
Clarinda was too young to understand all the talk of governments, debts and treaties, but she sensed some difficult decisions were being made.
Inwardly she burned with excitement. Kentucky called out to her senses a strange melody. Her mind created visions of wide green valleys, clear streams and thick stands of tall trees. She was sure her brothers would find them a good home there. Clarinda’s heart beat faster, thinking about their new life on the Kentucky frontier.
Rebecca had been silent until now. Knowing her child would come soon, she turned to her husband, “William, my time is near. We can’t go before
