In the autumn of 1842, an immigration of 112-140 [there are varying estimates] persons, chiefly men with their families, arrived in the valley, a large portion of whom found their winter's residence at or near the mission establishment, at what is now Salem.
A considerable portion of the immigration of 1842, becoming dissatisfied with Oregon, started for California late in the spring of 1843, and on meeting an immigrant party from California somewhere in the Rogue River valley, many of whom were as much dissatisfied with California, some of the emigrants from Oregon returned with the party from California.
There were several trail journals for this time period. I have compiled an abstract of the journey from these journals. Emigration of 1842
NOTE: all female members of the emigration are listed by MAIDEN name [if known] even if they were married at the time of the emigration.
Emigrants To Oregon In 1842
ABELL, Ann ( -1879): m'd 1839 PERRY, William T.; In the fall of 1843 William T. Perry and family 1843 moved to Clatsop Plains, six miles from Astoria, where they resided until 1851, when they moved to Deer Creek, Douglas County. In November 1858, the family moved to Coos County, arriving at Norway, where they took up residence. [The Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, OR by Orvil Dodge; contributed by Robyn Greenlund]
ABELL, Hannah: m'd Oct 1842 Unknown: letter from William T. Perry in 1843 states that Hannah married two weeks after their arrival in Oregon 29 Sep 1842.
ARENDELL, C. T.: [aka Arrendiell, Arendall]
ASHE, Elizabeth: m'd BROWN, Gabriel; settled Marion Co
BABCOCK, : quite possibly refers to Dr. Ira L. Babcock, who actually emigrated to Oregon in 1840 but may have been on the trail in 1842 as well.
BAILEY, : killed on trail; passed behind a wagon just as the owner drew a blanket from the front, causing the weapon to discharge; Bailey was buried near Independence Rock.
BELLAMY, G. W.:
BENNETT FAMILY RESEARCHER:
BENNETT, Amanda: d/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BENNETT, Dennis: s/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BENNETT, Jack: s/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BENNETT, Julia: d/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BENNETT, Mansel.: s/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BENNETT, Samantha: d/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BENNETT, Tilatha "Catherine": m1. GRAHAM, Isaac; m2. MCCUSKER, Daniel; d/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett; for additional info on this family see Isaac Graham
BENNETT, Vardemon : m'd MCSWAIN, Mary; wintered over in Salem with his family and then emigrated to CA where he settled in the San Francisco area; Mary and Vardemon were divorced in the 1840s; (see add'l info under Mary McSwain entry)
BENNETT, Winston: s/o Vardemon and Mary (McSwain) Bennett
BISHOP, Andrew ( -1844): 1844: "Here a man from St. Louis came up to our rendezvous with a large wagon and four yoke of large, fine, fat oxen; the wagon was loaded to the brim with articles of trade, such as were suited for the Rocky Mountain trade. His name was Andrew Bishop, a person that perhaps some of the immigration of 1842 may remember, for he had crossed the plains that year, and returned to St. Louis in 1843 by way of the Sandwich Islands. He was then out here in search of health, and should have remained if he had taken the second thought and brought with him his effects, for he had gained his health perfectly by the time he arrived in Oregon, but just as soon as he returned to his old home his old complaint returned on him, and he was again necessitated, as he thought, to go to the mountains, or, in other words, to Oregon. It was noticed, as soon as he came among us, that he was quite sick and feeble, and a great many of us had grave doubts about his being able to make the trip, but he was a brave man, and had, as he told us, made the trip in 1842, when he thought he was worse off than at this time." per Reminiscence of T.C. Shaw, Oregon Statesman, May 22, 1885 [Bishop died the night of 10 May 1844 near the Wolf River Indian Agency during a fierce thunder storm. The agent of the mission took charge of the body and the effects and sent them back to St. Louis to family members] Another account states that a Presbyterian missionary at the agency conducted services there *2 1888 p.84; *3
BOGGS FAMILY RESEARCHER:
BOGGS, Thomas (1823-1865): m'd 1852 , Rachel; returned east and emigrated again in 1844
BROWN, Adeline: m'd CRAWFORD, Medorem ; settled Yamhill Co
BROWN, Cynthia: m'd DAVIE, Allen Jones ; settled Marion Co
BROWN, Gabriel: m'd ASHE, Elizabeth ; settled Marion Co
BROWN, James D.: m'd , Sarah Jane ; settled Marion Co
BROWN, Mary "Polly": m'd FOSTER, Henry ; settled Marion Co
BURNS, Barclay J.:
BURNS, Hugh ( -1870): elected master blacksmith during encampment of May 15, 1842; [married at least twice] m'd HARRINGTON, Mary ; settled Washington Co; took claim across from Oregon City with the intentions of establishing a rival town to be called Multnomah City, but it never materialized; active in civic affairs; made one ride back to MO in 1846 carrying mail; ran ferry across Willamette River; left for California in 1850 and never returned to Oregon; died in San Francisco May 6, 1870.
BIRD, Letitia: m'd 1827 MCKAY, Charles ; settled in Washington Co
CARTER, David Arba:
COATES, A. N.:
COATES, James: during encampment of May 15, 1842 James Coates was elected pilot
CRAWFORD, Medorem: m'd BROWN, Adeline ; settled Yamhill Co. *1: MSS#191, 23pp journal typescript in collection at OHS.
"CRAWFORD, MEDOREM--Born in Orange County, New York, June 24, 1819. In early life was apprenticed to a farmer in Seneca County, with whom he lived from his thirteenth to his sixteenth year. Left his home in Havana, Schuyler County, on March 17, 1842, bound for Oregon. His route of travel led through Seneca Lake, Lake Erie, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Independence, and the trip is well described in his Occasional Address to the Association of Pioneers, delivered on June 15, 1881. On his arrival in Oregon, the young traveler located at Salem, and taught the Mission School for nine months. In the following year he married Miss Brown, and purchased an interest in James A. O Neil s claim, covering the present town of Wheatland, where he resided until the fall of 1844. At the Wheatland farm, in January, 1844, his oldest son was born, being the first male child of American parentage born on the west side of the Willamette River. In April, 1845, he removed to Oregon City, where he resided for seven years, engaged in transporting merchandise and produce around the Willamette Falls. He was a member of the Provisional Legislature in 1847, during which session the Whitman massacre occurred, and again, in 1849, the last session under the Provisional government. In 1852 he removed to the mouth of the Yamhill river, and settled permanently on the "Joe McLoughlin claim" one of the earliest settled farms in the valley, to which he subsequently acquired a patent under the Donation Law. He was elected to the first State Legislature, but was counted out by partisan opponents; was again elected in 1860, and took an active part in the election of Oregon s first Republican Senator, Col. E. D. Baker. He visited his father in New York, in 1861, and on returning westward, across the plains, was taken into government service and made assistant to Captain Maynadier, U. S. A., who commanded the emigrant escort. In the following year he went East again, and received from President Lincoln the appointment of assistant quartermaster, with the rank of captain, and was ordered west, to organize, arm and equip one hundred men, and to proceed westward, across the Rocky Mountains for the purpose of assisting and protecting the emigrants. The company performed that duty throughout the season, and were disbanded at Walla Walla in October, 1862. Returning East again, in 1863, he, for the third time, crossed the plains westward in charge of emigrants, and in the next year resigned his commission. President Lincoln then conferred upon him the appointment of collector of internal revenue, which Captain Crawford held for five years. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant appraiser of merchandise for the port of Portland. This office he administered also for about five years, retiring, in 1876, to his farm on the Yamhill, where he has since resided. Mrs. Crawford died, May 20, 1879, and in the following year he married Mrs. E. Burrows. His children, all of whom are by the first wife, are: Medorem, Frederick A., Mary E. (Mrs. H. C. Stevens), John M., Albert, and Henrietta, Medorem, Jr. (who, as before mentioned, was born at Wheatland), was, in 1862, appointed by President Lincoln to West Point, and without other educational advantages than the then primitive schools of Oregon afforded, passed his examination and was admitted as a cadet. Graduating with honor, in 1867, he took rank as lieutenant in the Second Artillery, where he still remains. [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.607-9]
CROCKER, Nathaniel: at encampment of May 15, 1842,Nathaniel Crocker was elected secretary
DAVIE, Allen Jones: m'd BROWN, Cynthia ; settled Marion Co
DAVIS, Samuel: m'd BROCK, Mary ; settled Yamhill Co
EKIN FAMILY RESEARCHER:
EKIN, Richard H. [aka EAKIN] (1820-1878): m'd 1850 EVANS, Susan; was a sailor who had made two trips around the world; came to Oregon as second mate in a ship commanded by Capt. John H. Couch; arrived 03 Mar 1842 above present day Portland and jumped ship; settled Marion Co where he married and took up farming and saddle making.
FALLON, William O. [aka O'Fallen, Fallen]:
FITZPATRICK, Thomas: Fitzpatrick just returning from the flathead country was hired for $500 as a guide for Dr. White and company to guide them to Fort Hall
FORCE, Carleton Obediah (1836-1910): m'd 1887 TOWNER, Mary L.; s/o James and Lucretia (Towner) Force; died at St. Johns, Multnomah Co, OR; buried at Riverview Cemetery, Multnomah Co, OR
FORCE, James Vanderbilt (1816-1890): m'd 1835 TOWNER, Lucretia; s/o Obediah and Elizabeth (VanHouten) Force; was a tavern keeper in the 1850 Marion County census; went to east in 1853-1854 to buy stock; was taken sick at Salt Lake, recovered and returned to Marion County where he went to stock raising and farming until he shows up in the Wasco County census in 1870; he remained there until his death at The Dalles in 1890; buried at the IOOF Cemetery, The Dalles, Wasco Co, OR
FORCE, John Lord (1814-1864): m'd STOUGHTON, Mary B. ; settled Marion Co ; purchased the Oregon Mission mills at Salem in 1844; March 1851 was appointed by legislature to board of commissioners for erection of public buildings at Salem; was mentioned throughout 1850s in connection with that post
GARRISON, Joseph M.: settled Marion Co ; purchased part of Oregon Mission farm in 1844
GEIGER, William: pioneer of 1839 returning from trip
GERTMAN, Levi [aka Girtman]: m'd BROWN, ; furniture maker
HASTINGS FAMILY RESEARCHER: Hastings Genealogy
HASTINGS, Lansford Warren ( -c1870): m'd 1848 TOLER, Charlotte Catherine; at encampment of May 15, 1842 elected one of three in scientific corps; later elected Captain in place of Dr. Elijah White; captured by Indians with Asa Lovejoy and later released; left for California in 1843; was lawyer and member of constitutional convention of California; died in Brazil about 1870
HASTINGS, Loren L.:
HOFSTETTER, John: [aka Hoffstutter, Hofstuter, Hofstitter] ; May 15, 1842 encampment John Hoffstutter was elected as master wagonmaker.
HUDSPETH, J. M.:
LANCASTER, Columbia: turned back after daughter died and wife became ill; returned to Oregon in 1847
LANCASTER, Daughter: 16 months old; died on trail of symptomatic fever with worms; buried in present day Douglas Co, MO
LANCASTER, Mrs.: from the 27th to the 30th Mrs. Lancaster's illness delayed the company. The Lancasters turned back and were escorted to the Kansas crossing.
LEWIS FAMILY RESEARCHER:
LEWIS, Reuben: m'd 1844 FRAZIER, Mary Adeline "Polly"; s/o Elias and Mary Ann (Mix) Lewis came to Oregon with Gabriel Brown family; walked most of the way; settled Aumsville area of Marion Co, OR; buried Twin Oaks Cemetery, Turner, OR
LOGIE, James: ( -1854): m'd MILLER, Isabella
LOVEJOY, Asa Lawrence (1808- ): m'd MCGARY, Elizabeth ; at May 15, 1842 encampment was elected one of three in the scientific corps ; health was impaired by the malaria of the Missouri bottom lands so came to Oregon for health; accompanied Dr. Marcus Whitman on the trip east in the winter of 42-43; Lovejoy returned in 1843 and settled at Oregon City; member of the California party that was organized at Oregon City in September 1848; returned from California after about six weeks on the Brig Undine which entered the Columbia in January 1849.
"LOVEJOY, ASA L.--Born in Massachusetts, March 14, 1808; came to Oregon in 1842; was an attorney by occupation; died at Portland, September 11, 1882. Wife's previous name, Elizabeth McGary. Children-Ada M. (deceased), Amos L., Elizabeth M., Nellie, and William R." [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.609]
MATTHIEU FAMILY RESEARCHER:
MATTHIEU, Francois Xavier (1816-1914): m'd 1844 AUSANT, Rose; French Canadian; clerk at business house in Montreal as a young boy; joined Sons of Liberty; escaped to US when British moved against Sons of Liberty; worked as clerk in Albany, NY and Milwaukee; moved to St. Louis, MO; 1839 joined American Fur Co as an engage and free trapper; joined emigrants at Laramie in 1842; settled at Champoeg; took part in provisional government in 1843; founded Butteville where he died in 1914.
"MATTHIEU, FRANCIS XAVIER--Born in Canada in 1818 and removed to New York in 1838 from political reasons, having been one of the insurrectionary party in 1837-38. He became clerk for the American Fur Company, and made two trips to the Rocky Mountains in 1840-41. He entered Oregon in 1842 and settled among the Canadian-French inhabitants of the northern part of Marion County. His presence among them was useful to the American cause, for his influence was thrown in favor of republican principles and movements. Contemporary writers have spoken of F. X. Matthieu in terms of gratitude and respect. He was, doubtless, the most influential of the people of that nativity in Oregon. Reserved in the State Legislature in 1874 and 1878; and in the Cayuse war was deputy quartermaster. Resides now on his original donation claim one and a half miles south of Butteville. Married, in 1844, Rosa Ossang, who bore him seven sons and seven daughters. His occupations have been farming and merchandising, and for twenty years he was in trade at Butteville." [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.609-10]
MCKAY, Alexander: Alexander McKay and brother John, the half-Chinook sons of Hudson's Bay Thomas McKay were returning home from school under the care of Dr. Elijah White.
MCKAY, Charles: m'd 1827 BIRD, Letitia ; settled in Washington Co
"McKAY, CHARLES--Was born at sea of Scotch parents in 1808; lived at Winnipeg where he was married to Letitia Bird in 1827; in 1841 went to Washington Territory, remaining at Steilacoom one year; then came to Oregon and settled at Glencoe, Washington County, where his family yet reside, farmers by occupation. His children s names are Charles, Mrs. Elliott and Mrs. Plumey. Mr. McKay is deceased." [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.609]
MCKAY, John: John McKay and his brother Alexander, the half- Chinook sons of Hudson's Bay Thomas McKay, were returning home from school in the care of Dr. Elijah White
MCKAY, Maria: m'd PLUMEY, George; settled Washington Co
MCSWAIN, Mary: m1. BENNETT, Vardemon; m2. LOVE, Harry; wintered over in Salem with her family and then emigrated to CA where her husband opened a "grog shop" in San Francisco; she divorced him in the 1840s and went on to the Santa Cruz mountains where she met and married Capt. Harry Love, the reputed slayer of Joaquin Murietta
MEEK, Stephen H. L. (1805-1889): m'd 1845 SCHOONOVER, Elizabeth; guide for 1842 emigration and infamous guide for a segment of the 1845 expedition
MORRISON, John L.
MOSS, Sidney Walter: put on trial for not standing guard during emigration, Jury could not agree; surveyed Oregon City for Dr. John McLaughlin, ran a hotel there, and claimed he was author of the first Oregon novel "The Prairie Flower"
"MOSS, SIDNEY W.--Born in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Came to Oregon in September, 1842. Residence, Oregon City, and occupation, stone cutter. Mr. Moss first wife's name was Rebecca Taylor, and the second, Dorcas Richardson. Their children were Sarah E., Catharine M., Alfred, William H. H., Sidney, John M., Walter S., Henrie Lenora, Volney C., and Charles P. of whom the first five, and the last named, are deceased." [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.610]
OAKLEY, Obadiah: [see notes under 1839]
PERRY, J. W.:
PERRY, William T. (1809-1882): m'd 1839 ABELL, Ann; he arrived in Oregon City Sept. 26, 1943, and here built for Dr. McLoughlin, the first flouring mill in Oregon. In the fall of 1843 he moved to Clatsop Plains, six miles from Astoria, where he resided until 1851, when he moved to Deer Creek, Douglas County. He located a donation claim of 640 acres on Deer Creek, and built the Roseburg flouring mills on his land, completing the same in 1853. In November 1858, he drove his stock to Coos Co., arriving at the place now known as Norway, on the 15th of the month. He purchased that place from H.G. Saunders, and moved his family thereto in February, 1859. His family at that time consisted of the following persons: Ann Perry, his wife, and the children were Vale N., Emily and Dora C. His eldest daughter Mary was married in Roseburg to Thos. Grant and upon his death she rejoined the family in Coos Co. Louisa K. was born in this country. Wm. T. Perry died at Norway, Coos Co., Nov. 4, 1882. [The Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, OR by Orvil Dodge; contributed by Robyn Greenlund]
POMEROY, Alanson : member of Hastings party; returned overland last day of Feb 1846 with Capt. Palmer and 16 others, packing on mules and horses;met Judge Thornton and his party about Fort Laramie in July 1846; hired in 1851 by Samuel James as one of three drivers. [James Family Papers, University of Washington Library per William Bagley]
POMEROY, Walter John (1798- ): m1. HAYS, Betsy ; settled Washington Co ; m2. 20 Sep 1843 Jane Taylor, widow of Tierns McCarty; took up a claim at Champoeg but settled primarily at Oregon City; build mill for McLoughlin; by 1844 was the largest wheat grower in the valley; built first hotel at Oregon City; 1855 was incorporator of Pacific Telegraph Co.
PORTER, Polly (1795-1888): m'd SMITH, Andrew D.; mother of 9 children
ROBB, James R.: m'd PARRISH, Elizabeth Ellen
RUSSELL, Osborne: trapper who joined the wagon train to travel back to the Willamette Valley; was in company of Elbridge Trask.
SHADDEN FAMILY RESEARCHER:
SHADDEN, Jasper (1834- ): s/o Thomas and Martha (Sumner) Shadden
SHADDEN, Madison (1834- ): s/o Thomas and Martha (Sumner) Shadden
SHADDEN, Mary (1840- ): d/o Thomas and Martha (Sumner) Shadden
SHADDEN, Thomas (1835- ): s/o Thomas and Martha (Sumner) Shadden
SHADDEN, Thomas Jefferson [aka SHADDON] (1809-1893): m'd c1829 SUMNER, Martha; settled Yamhill Co; went to CA first where he stayed for several years; was with Fremont in the Mexican War; farmed and raised stock; was in Oregon by 1850 census
"SHADDEN, THOMAS--Lives in McMinnville ; was born in Tennessee; lived in Arkansas and Missouri prior to coming to Oregon. He arrived in the Willamette Valley, October 3, 1843 [sic-1842]. Was with Fremont in the Mexican war; afterwards engaged in farming and stock-raising. Married Miss Martha Simmer [sic-Sumner] in 1832; has had twelve children, three of whom are living." [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.620]
SMITH FAMILY RESEARCHER:
SMITH, Andrew: s/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith; co-founder of Dayton, OR SMITH, Andrew D.: m'd PORTER, Polly ; father of 9 children and believed to have brought at least 7 of them with him
c/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith
c/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith
c/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith
SMITH, Elizabeth: m'd FLETCHER, Francis; d/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith SMITH, Darling (c1824- ): s/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith
SMITH, Jane: m'd ARMSTRONG, Pleasant; d/o Andrew and Polly (Porter) Smith; Sioux Indians tried to buy her for 20 horses during emigration to Oregon in 1842
SUMNER FAMILY RESEARCHER:
SUMNER, Martha (c1813- ): [aka SUMLER, SUMMER] ; m'd 1829 SHADDEN, Thomas Jefferson ; settled Yamhill Co
TETHEROW, Solomon (1800-1879): m'd 1823 BAKER, Ibba; settled Polk Co
TOWNER, Aaron (1818-1881): m'd 1844 JACKSON , Catharine; s/o Daniel and Mary (Budlong) Towner; settled Marion Co
TOWNER, Lucretia (1814-1891): m'd 1835 FORCE, James Vanderbilt; d/o Daniel and Mary (Budlong) Towner; settled in Marion county until the family shows up in the 1870 Wasco County census; died in 1891 at The Dalles; buried in IOOF Cemetery, The Dalles, Wasco Co, OR
TRASK, Elbridge: actually arrived at mouth of Columbia in 1835; had been trapping and joined the wagon train to travel to the Willamette Valley; was in company of Osborne Russell
TURNHAM FAMILY RESEARCHER:
TURNHAM, Joel: Turnham was shot and killed in 1844 by Deputy P.E. Pickerell when he threated violence against Webley Hauxhurst and his Indian wife
WELLS, Alonzo ( -1842):
WESTON, David (1820-1875): m'd 1852 SINCLAIR, Mary; settled at Champoeg, Marion Co, OR; by 1847 had claim in Yamhill Co; 1850 was back in Marion County where he remained; served in Cayuse War; was buried on his farm; listed as a blacksmith in the census records; father of 7 children including Catherine (1853-1854), Mary Jane (1855-aft 1930), James (1857-aft 1930), David (1858- ), Josephine (1859- ), Louis (1870-aft 1930)
"WESTON, DAVID--Born in Indiana, July 4, 1820 ; removed to Arkansas in 1836; set out for Oregon in 1841, but had to winter in Missouri, and during the next year arrived in this State. Mr. Weston was a blacksmith, and after his arrival worked at that trade for T. J. Hubbard, in the Willamette Valley, who had come here with Captain Wyeth. He took up a land claim adjoining Dr. Newell's, on the Willamette, where his family yet reside. In 1847 he be came a soldier in the Cayuse war, attaining the rank of lieutenant." [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.610]
WHITE, Elijah Dr.: emigrant to Oregon in 1837; was returning in 1842.
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