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Naches Wagon Train Members 1853

Are you a Descendant of any of these people?

In September or October 1853, the first wagon train succeeds in crossing rugged Naches Pass through the Cascade Mountains north of Mount Rainier, near where the borders of present-day Yakima, Kittitas, Pierce, and King Counties meet. The train of more than 30 wagons includes James and Virinda Longmire and their children, who have traveled with several other families from their home in Indiana to settle in Western Washington. Read More on Essay 5053, HistoryLink.org

This article was contributed by Claire Raaum.

Claire Raaum

was our guest speaker at our November 2001 meeting. She took us back in time with her presentation entitled "1853 Naches Trail Expedition into Puget Sound." This is a popular program which Claire presents to schools, civic groups and historical societies through-out our area. She was dressed in period costume and has a slide show to accompany her talk.

In March 1853, lured by the Donation Act, a hardy group of pioneers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri started out for the west coast. Somewhere between the Missouri river and the Rockies the individual groups joined together into a large wagon train of between 140 and 160 persons.

Instead of following the Oregon Trail, out to Oregon Territory, they decided to push north and cross Naches Pass into Washington Territory.

After an extremely difficult crossing, they arrived in Pierce County in October, being the first settlers to take the direct route over the Cascades into Puget Sound.

From Illinois:

James McCullough Frazier (died on the route) Flora McCullough

Mrs. Elizabeth Frazier Mary Francis Porter McCullough

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Judson Mrs. James McCullough (Gordon)

Stephen Judson Gertrude Delin Mueller

John Paul Judson John Niesen

From Indiana:

Frederick Burnett Mr. and Mrs. John Lane

Joseph Day Mr. and Mrs. James Longmire

Charles R. Fitch Elcaine Longmire

Clark N. Greenman John A. Longmire

Mr. and Mrs. Tyrus Himes Tillathi Kandle Longmire

George Himes Joel Risdon

Helen Z. Rudell Himes Henry Risdon

Judson Himes Asher Sargent

Lestina Z. Eaton Himes E. Nelson Sargent

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Lane Wilson Sargent

Edward Lane F. M. Sargent

William Lane Matilda Saylor Sargent

Timothy Lane Rebecca Kellet Sargent

Albert Lane (John) Van Ogle

From Kentucky:

James Aiken Charles N. Byles

John Aiken Sarah I. Ward Byles

Glenn Aiken Wesley Clinton

Bartholomew C. Baker Varine Davis

Mrs. Fanny Baker Mr. and Mrs. William R. Downey

James Baker Christopher C. Downey

John W. Baker George W. Downey

Leander H. Baker James H. Downey

Elijah Baker William A. Downey

Mrs. Olive B. Baker R. M. Downey

Joseph N. Baker John M. Downey

William Leroy Baker Louise D. Guess Downey

James Biles Jane Clark Downey

Mrs. Nancy Biles Susan Latham Downey

George Biles Laura B. Downey

Kate Sargent Biles Henry C. Finch

Susan B. Drew Biles Mr. and Mrs. James Gant

Clark Biles Mr. and Mrs. Harris Gant

Margaret Biles Mason F. Guess

Ephemia Knapp Biles Wilson Guess

John Bowers J. Wilson Hampton

Martha Young Brooks Mary Jane Byles Hill

Rev. Charles Byles Newton West

Mrs. Sarah W. Byles John W. Woodward

David Byles Austin Young

Rebecca A. Goodell Byles

From Missouri:

James Bell Robert L. Woolery

William M. Kincaid James Henderson Woolery

Ruth McCarthy Kincaid Sarah Jane Woolery

John F. Kincaid Abram Woolery

Susannah Thompson Kincaid Mrs. Abram (Aunt Pop) Woolery

James Kincaid Jacob Fracis Woolery

Christopher Kincaid Daniel Henry Woolery

Laura Kincaid (Meade and Seaman) Agnes W. Lamon Woolery

Joseph Kincaid Mr. and Mrs. Israel H. Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Erastus A. Light Benjamin Franklin Wright

Henry Light James Wright

George Melville Elizabeth Bell Wright

Kate M. Thompson Melville Rebecca More Wright

Robert Melville William Wright

Isaac Woolery Byrd Wright

Mr. Isaac (Aunt Peg) Woolery Annis Downey Wright

From Unknown States:

Mr. and Mrs. John Steward William Mitchell

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The mission of the Redmond Historical Society is to educate, advocate, and serve the Redmond area by documenting, collecting, housing and displaying, the history of the people, places and events that illustrate the City’s heritage. Redmond Historical Society is located in The Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center at 16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond, Washington 98052.

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