NESA-Kentucky Dreams

"I don't want to leave Virginia. This is our home!" cried nine-year old David.

"Son, this is our chance to own land with rich soil and thick forests," pa replied.

"What about my wooden soldiers Grandmama brought me from England? Why can't I take them along?" asked David.

"We have a rugged, 300 mile trip over the Cumberland Gap to Crab Orchard, Kentucky. We can only take items we need to survive and a few things for our home."

In 1782, David's family left their home in Virginia to settle in a new land called Kentucky. Wilderness Road, a trail scouted by Daniel Boone, was the trail they would follow. This trail would present a difficult and hazardous journey even for the two experienced guides who would lead the twenty-family wagon train.

After a little over a month, they arrived in Crab Orchard, Kentucky. The family stood in awe as they observed the vast, forested land. "Whoop, whoop, we made it! I've never seen so many trees!" David marveled. "Where will we plant the crops? How are we going to build a house?"

"We'll clear the land, cut the trees into logs, and build a cabin. We'll chink the cracks between the logs with mud, clay, and leaves," Pa explained. "We'll be as busy as bees!"

"Let's get started!" David declared excitedly.

After months of sleeping under the stars, David's family moved into their log cabin. It had been a long, challenging journey from Virginia to Kentucky. They were thankful for all they had.

That evening, Pa said, "David, because you worked so hard these past months, I have something for you." Pa placed a small, crude wooden soldier in David's hand. "I know you were unhappy to leave your toy soldiers behind, so I whittled this out of Kentucky wood."

"Thank you, Pa. I like this one better because it came from our new home. I'm going to learn to whittle and make a whole army of soldiers. I'm glad we moved to Kentucky."

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