A Three Ring Circus

Multiple factors were involved in the settlement of Kentucky. [Where this Danville was to be.]    To understand these issues would take imagining  "A Three Ring Circus", all under the influence of the owners.

The owner of this circus was the British central government.  Ever since King William in May, 1696 set up the "Board of Trade and Plantations", they directed the actors to this circus.  Their basic view was to make money for the owners.  Their "board of directors" were the local experts on trade and the various plantations (colonies) spread around the world. 

The first ring to this circus was in the north.  The Iroquois had caught the attention of the British central government, and a competing circus (The French) had caused the Mohawk River Valley to become the center of this ring.  An "Indian Superintendent" Sir William Johnson, was place as the "ring master".  He was responsible for all activity relating to the local ethic groups beginning 1768.

In the south was the second ring, where the Carolina's proprietors kept a heavy hand in the happenings in this ring.  The Cherokees blocked the land expansion for this group, and the trade arrangements had to made through this ethic group.

The middle ring was of course Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland who wanted their own control of this ring.  A Irish trader from Pennsylvania (George Crochan) had established his own plans to control this arena. [He was also the "right hand man" of Sir William Johnson.]  Business firms from Philadelphia had formed to take advantage of this activity.  The Shawnee were to block this expansion and provide all kinds of trouble for the traders, business firms, land speculators, hunters, trappers, and a host of acts wanting to get into the rings.

Now Virginia was actively recruiting settlers to the lands in the west.  By 1754, Virginia had granted more than 2.5 million acres to various "companies". [Greenbrier Co., Loyal Land Co., and Ohio Co., to name a few.]  A great wave of activity (settlement) was present in all the rings.

Come one, come all...the greatest show on earth...this three ring circus.  Danville was to become a part.