An Atlas of Northern Trails Westward from New England

An Atlas of Northern Trails Westward from New England; by Carrie Eldridge; Published: 2000; 17x11; X+39 pp; Soft Cover; Item # CE03

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. The volume 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 Norther Trails opens with a brief history, as does each chapter provide added historical reference, mixed with maps, to tell the migration story from east to west.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

1. Some European Settlers
   
2. Barriers to Western Movement
3. Indian Homelands
4. Fur Traders & Indian Paths
5. Portage Paths
6. Northeast Settlement
7. War and Migration
8. English and French Fortifications
9. American Independence
10. Opening the Ohio Country
11. Western Routes
12. Western Lands and Eastern Money
13. 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