First it was called the Northwest Territory (officially first organized by
the "old" Congress of the Confederation in 1787) (this went to the
Mississippi River as the Louisiana Purchase was in 1803) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Purchase.
According to the 1914 history book done by Smith and Driver, part of this
area was organized in 1721 as Illinois County which covered most of southern
Indiana if I remember correctly. I remember seeing a map about 15 years ago
that showed the early colonies attached their names to different territory
areas including here. I don't remember what colonies laid claim to Indiana
acreage.
Knox county was created in 1790, with Vincennes as it's county seat;
Vincennes was the first settlement which was formed in 1702 by the French.
(Smith & Driver)
The Greene Ville Treaty was signed in 1795 which gave the land east of
Boundary Pike (a straight line from Ft. Recovery, OH to the Mouth of the
Kentucky River on the Ohio River) then Indiana Territory was organized by an
Act of congress May 7, 1800. Again quoting Smith and Driver. The first
county formed east of the Boundary Line was Dearborn in 1803 "embracing the
whole region west of the Ohio line and east of Wayne's boundary" (this would
be referring to General Anthony Wayne), but people were living and settling
in that county in 1796 before surveys were completed.
There were people living here before 1795 but they would of basically of
been squatters acquiring land that way and those who were living with the
Miami individuals; No evidence of Miami settlements where here during these
early years of the territory, mostly this area was a cross roads of sorts of
traveling Native people. But the treaty opened this little area of future
Randolph County to homesteaders, settlers who purchased or were awarded
land, via a deed.
More land was purchased in 1809 and the "Indian Boundry" was moved over 12
miles. Sometimes called the Twelve Mile Purchase.
Wayne County was organized in 1810 which started at the current southern
county line and included all the land between the Ohio Line and the new
boundry line.
Randolph County settlers started settling in 1814 (officially) and when
there was a sufficient numbers in the northern part of Wayne County,
Randolph County was organized in 1818.
Andrea