No matter where in the World or in what era one lives, there are always people on the move. Some people are always looking outward, seeking change and challenge. Thus it was from the first American colonies, on through the expansion of the frontier, until the entire continent east to west was settled by Europeans and other from around the world. From the time of the colonies, trails were discovered and used by traders to move between Indian tribes and, by ranchers, farmers, hunters and trappers looking for new grounds to hunt, graze, and farm. Through historical atlases, researchers can learn about these early trails westward, and northward, and how they grew and developed into the major thoroughfares, some still used today. An Atlas of Northern Trails Westward From New England looks at these more northern trails from the colonies, west.
This atlas describes trails from New England through the northern frontier into Ohio, and beyond. All along the entire frontier, north or south, pioneers encountered similar problems. However, the solutions found by Northerners differed from those in the south. Such was the difference in culture. Norther Trails opens with a brief history, as does each chapter provide added historical reference, mixed with maps, to tell the migration story from east to west.
At 11″ x 17″ this Atlas offers maps at a size which are easy to read. Mixed with the maps are an extensive background to the early settlers, their migrations, and the importance of these towns and trails. With two columns per text page, each the size of a standard page, this book is the equivalent to a book twice as thick. Below are the Table of Contents followed by a listing of the Maps and Illustrations in the order in which they appear in the book.
Table of Contents
Introduction
- Some European Settlers
- Barriers to Western Movement
- Indian Homelands
- Fur Traders & Indian Paths
- Portage Paths
- Northeast Settlement
- War and Migration
- English and French Fortifications
- American Independence
- Opening the Ohio Country
- Western Routes
- Western Lands and Eastern Money
- Destinations
Bibliography
Maps and Illustrations
Figure 1. Migration Routes 1775-1850
Figure 2. North American Land Claims
Figure 3. Physical Regions
Figure 4. Indian tribes 1650
Figure 5. Early Indian Trails of Eastern America
Figure 6.Watersheds and Portage Paths
Figure 7. North America – French vs English 1615-1750
Figure 8. Western Land Claims At the Close of the Revolution
Figure 9. Trails to the Ohio Valley by 1800
Figure 10. Creating Ohio
Figure 11. A Western Trek by the Ohio Land Company
Figure 12. Opening the West
Figure 13. Post (mail) Roads of 1804
Figure 14. New York Canals
Figure 15. The Erie Canal
Figure 16. Two Ohio Canals
Figure 17. Major Pioneer Trails 1775-1850
Figure 18. New Western Counties by 1840
Figure 19. Western Population
Figure 20.Vermont 1818
Figure 21. Ohio 1818
Figure 22. Indiana 1818
Figure 23. Illinois 1818
Figure 24. Michigan 1818
Figure 25. Missouri 1818
Figure 26. Original Plans for the Erie Canal
Order a copy of An Atlas of Northern Trails Westward From New England from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: CE03, Price: $19.60.