As the tide of settlement increased in the neighboring country these trespassers on the Indian lands and on the national domain became more numerous.

Many were driven off, again and again; but here and there one kept his foothold.

It was these scattered few successful ones who were the first permanent settlers in the present State of Ohio, coming in about the same time that the forts of the regular troops were built.

They formed no organized society, and their presence was of no importance whatever in the history of the State.
The American settlers who had come in round the French villages on the Wabash and the Illinois were of more consequence.

In 1787 the adult males among these American settlers numbered 240, as against 1040 French of the same class.