The roads were filled with men and their families looking for new homes, and a better life. Those coming from North Carolina followed Boon's Trace, along the Watauga River to where it joins the Clinch River near the present town of Kingsport Tennessee. They then turned south on the trail to Knoxville, and those like John Thorlton and his family, moving south from Greeneville or, others newly arrived along the "Great Wagon Road." The north fork of the trace led north to the Cumberland Gap, and the new lands of Kentucky, where the trace would become the "Wilderness Road." Along this route would travel James Alexander and his family on his journey from Logan County Kentucky. The beautiful Hines Valley ran north and south from the Knox County line into, and through Roane County to the boundary of the Indian lands on the Tennessee River.

The Clinch River snakes and turns its way through the hills and valleys on its way to its union with the Tennessee River, near the town of Kingston and the Great Wagon Road. Flowing into Clinch River are Poplar Creek, Chestnut Creek, Caney Creek, Paw Paw Creek, Whiteoak Creek, Sinking Creek, and on the Knox and Roane County line near the cabin of John Thorlton, on Hickory Creek.

It was here in this valley that John Thorlton Jr. met and courted Nancy Alexander the daughter of James Alexander Jr.

While John was courting Nancy, her brother Joseph was courting Johns sister Polly. Whether they met at church, at a dance, or through a friend, or simply because they were neighbors, and the fathers were friends is unclear. But we can imagine the courting, for the process has not changed, only the means, as the brothers and sisters, Polly and John, Nancy and Joseph, went to dances, picnicked, walked, and attended church, together. Here was formed not only two love affairs, but friendships that would last a lifetime .

It is not recorded how long they "kept company," a few months would be a reasonable guess. At any rate, before his sister Polly, with Nancy's brother Joseph probably acting as best man, and both families looking on, on March 24, 1807, John Thorlton Jr., now nineteen and sixteen year old Nancy Alexander were married. Their first child, a daughter, was born in December of 1807, only a few months after the death of her Grandmother, Margaret (Caldwell) Thorlton. The little girl was named Phebe.

John Thorlton Sr. was able see his first grand-daughter born, but was not to see his first Grandson. John came to the end of his journey on April 18, 1808, and was buried next to his wife near Hickory Creek Tennessee, he was sixty years old, and his wife Margaret was fifty-one when she died a year earlier. A few months later in the fall of 1808, a son was born to John and Nancy Thorlton, he was named, Robert.

In October of 1808 John, Margery, and Polly Thorlton sold their fathers remaining acreage on Lick Creek in Greene County;

This indenture made this eighth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eight, between Margery Thorlton, John Thorlton and Polly Thorlton of the county of Knox and state of Tennessee of the one part, and David Perkins of Greene County and state of aforesaid of the other part, witnesseth that the said Margery, John, and Polly Thorlton heirs of John Thorlton since deceased. For and in consideration of two hundred dollars to them in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, granted, sold and confirmed the said David Perkins a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in county of Greene and state aforesaid, on the waters of Lick Creek. It being part of a two hundred acre patent granted to said John Thorlton deceased. Beginning at an ironwood, running north thirty three degrees west thirty seven poles to a stake at the side of a branch and three notches in a stake rock, thence north sixty two west thirty six poles to a hickory and Spanish oak, thence north one hundred and twenty four poles to two white oaks, thence east seventy one poles to a stake corner to John Gardners 150 acre tract near a small sassafras and post oak, thence the division of line between said tracts south six west one hundred and twenty two poles to the beginning. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land, with all its appurtenances to the said David Perkins his heirs and assigns forever, free from the claim or claims of the aforesaid Thorlton's heirs or assigns forever, or the claim or claims of any person or persons whatsoever to the sole use and behoove of the said David Perkins his heirs and assigns. In witness whereof we the Margery Thorlton, John Thorlton and Polly Thorlton have hereunto set their hands and seals the date above written in the presence of us. Henry Randolph Margery Thorlton Silas Glaspell John Thorlton Richard I Lagon Polly Thorlton State of Tennessee Greene County Court January Sessions 1809 Then was the execution of this conveyance duly proven in open court by the oaths of Henry Randolph and Silas Gladspell subscribing, witnesses and admitted to record. Let it be registered. Registered this 20th day of July 1809 Attest George Browne

With the money from his share of the land sale John Thorlton Jr. purchased the first of many properties on the banks of Hickory Creek, in Knox County. In 1801 when Roane County was formed from Knox, the county line ran next to John Thorlton's property, placing part of it in Knox County, and the remainder in the newly formed Roane County.

Near John Thorlton, on the banks of Town Creek lived Benjamin Longacre, (father of John Longacre, Phebe Thorlton's future husband) on 300 acres, and next him lived John Hagler, (father of, Sarah Hagler, Robert Thorlton's future wife). Over on Mill Creek lived Philip Letsinger, (father of Lewis Letsinger Margaret Thorlton's future husband) on his 125 acres, and down on Mill Creek on 155 acres lived John Thorlton Jr's. father-in-law, James Alexander.

This indenture made this 26th day of November in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eight between Jacob Wells of the county of Knox and the state of Tennessee of the first part and John Thorlton of the county of Knox and state aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said J. Wills for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and seventy five dollars to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath and by these presents doth grant begin sell and enforce and confirm unto said John Thorlton his heirs and assign forever a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred thirteen acres being on the waters of Hickory Creek lying and being in the county of Roane and knox. Beginning on two post oaks by the waggon road on James Mapices corner running north fifty five east sixteen poles to a stake, hence fifty six east thirty two poles to a stake, hence north fifty east eighteen poles to a stake, hence north forty east eighteen poles to a pine, hence north forty five east one hundred and six poles to a stake, hence south fifty five east one hundred and forty poles to a stake, hence south fifty west one hundred sixty two poles to a black oak, hence north fifty west one hundred and eight poles to the beginning. It being part of tract conveyed by John Brown agent for John Smith to said Cannon with all singular, the woods, water, water courses, profits commodities, interest, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the said track of land belonging or a appertaining and the reversion, reversions, remainder and remainders, rents and estates thereof, and all the estate rights title interest property claim and demand of him the said Jacob Wells his heirs and assigns, and to the same and every part and parcel thereof either in law or equity. To have and to hold the said one hundred and thirteen acres of land with the appurtenances unto said John Thorlton his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful title claim and demand of all and every person or persons whatsoever will warrant and forever defend by these presents. ........ Jacob Wells. Signed sealed and delivered in presents of Wm Alexander, Wm Thompson State of Tennessee Knox County. April session 1809. The execution of the written Deed of Conveyance was duly acknowledged in open court by Jacob Wells the grantor therein named, and admitted to record. Let it be registered. The state taxes having been paid to me according to law. Cha McCling clerk Knox County by his deputy?? N? Gamble Registered June 22, 1809 The year was 1808.

Seven years earlier Thomas Jefferson was elected our 3rd president. On April 30, 1803, a treaty signed between president Jefferson's government and that of Napoleon Bonaparte, which allowed for the purchase of 827,987 square miles on land stretching from Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, and from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. Within this area lay the future states of Arkansas, part of Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, part of Colorado, part of Wyoming, Montana, part of North Dakota, part of Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, and Iowa.

Louisiana had been the property of Spain from 1792, when it was given to Spain as compensation for her losses to England during the Seven Years War. Now in the hands of France, through a trade by Napoleon with Spain for the kingdom of Tuscany in northern Italy, Spain with its treasury strained from the defense and support of this vast colony, was very willing to make the trade. King Charles IV of Spain signed the order delivering Louisiana to France on October 15, 1802.

The result of his trade brought fear of loss of access to the Mississippi to the westerners such as John Thorlton, and his neighbors when on October 16, 1802 the Spanish canceled the right of deposit in New Orleans. The right to navigate was not forbidden but the Mississippi flatboatmen, unable to land found it extremely difficult to hold cargoes while waiting for seagoing vessels. Following this were the rumors that Napoleon planned to close the Mississippi completely when he took full possession. The news spread like wildfire and everywhere tempers flared. In Frankfort Kentucky, the newspaper Palladium wrote that there was wild talk of direct action, and treats of;

".....we have often wished for the opportunity of sacking New Orleans, and the day may not be far distant"

Another westerner wrote;

"I am certain that I could raise 500 men and have them ready in one week if permission was only given"

President Jefferson was faced with a perplexing problem. If he did nothing the westerners might well rise up in rebellion against a far to weak Republic and disrupt the union, and if he took strong measures it might provoke a foreign war which would produce the same results. Fortunately the westerner's bark was worse than his bite and they moderated while giving the president time for a diplomatic solution, and the president wrote;

".....I am afraid the United States are too weak to attempt anything by force, therefore I suppose other means must be used. I fear we shall be insulted by other nations and not have it in our power even to make an attempt to repel the insult. No army, no navy, and worst of all an empty treasury."

Three of President Jefferson's main philosophies were, his love of the French, his desire for isolation from Europe, and a distrust of England were abandoned when he wrote;

".......We stand completely corrected of the error that France has any remains of friendship for us . . . There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans, through which three eighths of our territory must pass to market. France placing herself in that door, assumes to us an attitude of defiance. Spain might have retained it quietly for years, not so can it ever be in the hands of France. The day that France takes possession of New Orleans, fixes the sentence which is to restrain her (the United States) forever within her low-water mark . . . From that moment, we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and Nation."

Jefferson entered upon a mental chess game playing France against England. He openly consorted with British charge' affairs as if to announce to Napoleon that he was ready to embrace the friendship of England, France's most bitter enemy. He then sent to France two envoys James Monroe, and Robert Livingston with instructions to bid as high as $10,000,000 for New Orleans and West Florida. If they failed, they were to enter negotiations for an alliance with England. Jefferson wrote;

"On the event of this mission depends the future destinies of this Republic."

Meanwhile Napoleon was suffering losses in his army from disease, as well as from bullets at the Battle of Santo Domingo. Having already lost 50,000 men, Napoleon knew that at least that many more would be needed to subdue the enemy. Fearing a war with England, Napoleon knew he could not hold Louisiana against the English naval power, and calculated it would be better to sell the territory to the United States than lose it to England. Napoleon gave instructions to his representative Talleyrand;

"Irresolutions and deliberation are no longer in season. I renounce Louisiana. It is not only New Orleans that I will cede, it is the whole colony without any reservation. I know the price of what I abandon . . . I renounce it with the greatest regret. To attempt obstinately to retain it would be folly. I direct you to negotiate this affair . . . Do not even wait for Monroe, have an interview this very day with Mr. Livingston . . . "

On April 11, 1803, Talleyrand announced to a surprised Livingston that he would entertain an offer for the entire Louisiana territory. Livingston speaking alone, for Monroe was not in France, replied that he was instructed to negotiate for New Orleans and areas to the east only. Two days later Monroe arrived and joined Livingston in the negotiations. After a week of haggling the two men offered France $15,000,000 for all of her claim to the area. Knowing full well they violated their instructions, but being far from home and with such an opportunity offered to them they could not ignore it. In the words of Livingston;

"We have lived long, but this is the noblest work of our whole lives . . . this day the United States will take her place among the powers of the first rank . . . The instruments we have just signed will cause no tears to be shed: they prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures."

But Napoleon had one more card to play. In the hope some future boundary dispute between the United States and Spain would embroil the countries, he instructed his minister to be as vague as possible about boundaries, and when Livingston asked: Did the purchase embrace Texas or Florida? He wrote of the minister's reply;

"I (Livingston) asked the minister (Talleyrand) what were the east bounds of the territory ceded to us? He said he did not know; we must take it as they received it. I asked him how Spain meant to give them possession? He said he did not know. Then you mean that we shall construe it our own way? I can give you no direction; you have made a noble bargain for yourselves, and I suppose you will make the most of it."

So this vast magnificent land passed to the possession of the United States, and with one stroke of the pen the United States was nearly doubled in size. John Thorlton and the other westerners were jubilant. With toasts of "American Extension of Empire," and "The Immortal Jefferson," they reflected a happiness that Jefferson did not share. Having set out to purchase a relatively small area in and around New Orleans he was now faced with a wilderness land as large as Union itself, and the purchase was not even legal under the Constitution. After much anguish Jefferson decided to accept it as offered and hope for a later constitutional amendment to legalize it. Cries went up from the Federalists in criticism;

"....The Republicans were tearing the constitution into tatters . . . the title of Louisiana was illegal and immoral . . . it had been purchased with an amount that if in silver dollars would stack three miles high, or if loaded in wagons would require 866."

But mostly they feared a new agricultural territory would be formed thus changing the balance of power within the Congress, and as a precursor of the future Civil War, there were even threats of secession. Senator White of Delaware solemnly declared that Louisiana would be: "...the greatest curse that could at present befall us."

But common sense prevailed and in the end the Senate approved the treaty on October 20, 1803 by a vote of twenty-four to seven. Thus concluding the greatest real estate bargain in history when Napoleon Bonaparte of France sold to the people of United States of America 828,000 square miles of a most magnificent land for approximately three cents an acre.

The Spanish rage materialized in protests to both France and the United States. But in the end they resigned themselves to the inevitable and on November 3, 1803 the Spanish governor handed over to the French representative a silver platter containing the keys to the forts of New Orleans. The French occupation lasted only twenty days. On December 20, 1803, to cheers of the assembled Americans, the descending blue, white, and red tricolor of France met the ascending red, white, and blue of the stars and stripes, and the Louisiana Territory passed to the United States.

The Thorlton family was now, for the first time, made up entirely of American born. The loving ground work laid in place by Robert and Margaret Caldwell, and by John and Margaret Thorlton, was now the heritage of all who followed.