Western Reserve of CT.

> I know that the 'West Country' founder effect is the standard
> explanation. But how come those West Country folks started the
> American English standard dialect in NE Ohio and stayed away from

New

> England and the South (both of which are r-less, as British English,
> if my memory serves me well)?
> I still like my scenario better.
>
> Torsten

It's the old Connecticut accent, transplanted to NE Ohio. The accent
you hear today in CT rather smoothed out (and in fact, may be
extinct).

Connecticut developed its territory in Ohio. It had pioneers,
colonists. While CT surrendered political control of this area, it
still owned the land, selling it to good Connecticut colonists (among
others).