Diary of a Woman Migrating to Oregon, 1853

Overview

• Diary by Amelia Stewart Knight, documenting her journey with her family from Iowa to Oregon in 1853.
• Traveled with her husband, seven children, and was pregnant.
• Describes hardships faced during migration west into territories controlled by Native Americans.
• Highlights the challenges, weather conditions, interaction with Native Americans, and logistics of travel in 1853.

Key Dates & Events

April 9, 1853

• Departure from Iowa at 11 am, traveled 8 miles, set up camp in an old house.
• Night was cold and frosty.

April 14, 1853

• Cold weather; issues with cold affecting the group, especially their cattle.
• Traveled 24 miles and camped in a prairie without wood.
• Sick headache suffered by Amelia.

April 16, 1853

• Camped in a wet and muddy prairie near Chariton Point; bad conditions made everyone irritable.
• Traveled 24 miles; high cost of feed for livestock noted.

April 23, 1853

• Camp plagued by heavy rain and wind, resulting in blown-down tents and capsized wagons.
• Missing ox and general discomfort in camp reported.

April 29, 1853

• First encounter with Native Americans; children were frightened.

May 2, 1853

• Disposed of unmanageable items like pickles; frequent visits by Native Americans.

May 5, 1853

• Crossed river by steamboat; expensive at $15. Encountered old Mormon town ruins.

May 6, 1853

• Passed a Mormon graveyard; notable incident of a drowning in the Elkhorn river noted.

May 8, 1853

• Huge number of wagons and cattle sighted; challenges in river crossing described.

June 28, 1853

• Stuck in a sandy desert, trade and interaction with mixed Native-French settlers.
• Sold a lame ox to a native.

July 18, 1853

• Travel through Rock Creek, noted for Indian attacks and theft.
• Fear of potential attacks; kept guard at night.

July 25, 1853

• Lost livestock due to sickness; camped in an area with rattlesnakes.

August 17, 1853

• Crossed Grand Ronde Valley; bought fresh salmon from Native Americans.
• Children suffering from poison ivy.

August 28, 1853

• Difficulties in finding water; traveled strategically for grazing and water.

September 13, 1853

• Reached first farm, purchase of expensive supplies.
• Initial arrival into Oregon; conditions still harsh.

September 17, 1853

• Final camp near Milwaukie, Oregon; weather cleared.
• Gave birth to eighth child shortly after; settled on purchased land.

Conclusions

• Journey marked by severe weather, disease, and logistical challenges.
• Constant interaction and sometimes confrontation with Native Americans.
• Settlement in Oregon involved trading livestock for land.
• Importance of community and cooperation noted in the context of travel and settlement.