#8-2020 Prosperity. Missouri to Oregon
One of the legacies in my inherited family genealogy collection is a series of original letters written by my 3rd great grandfather to his brother in Tennessee. These letters have been digitized and donated to the Fort Walla Walla Museum in Walla Walla, Washington. John writes about the financial struggles in Missouri in 1844. His letters continue after he moves to Oregon. He continued to write to his brother and family until his death in 1877.
In nearly every letter, John writes about the prices of agricultural commodities, his life as well as genealogical information such as who died, married or child was born. They are true treasures.
I have often wondered if the reason he decided to relocate in Oregon as due to finding prosperity. Were prices for ag commodities better in Oregon? There was land available.
John Lloyd, born in 1796 in Caswell County, North Carolina and died on 6 January 1877 in Colfax, Whitman County, Washington.
He was 80 years old, traveled from North Carolina to Oregon and then to Washington by horse, and oxen and wagon.
Excerpts from his letters:
On 10 June 1844 he wrote to his brother in Tennessee that he had raised corn, wheat, hemp and oats. He had 8-9000 lbs of tobacco on hand which would not bring more than $2 per hundred. John wrote that he had a large frame barn, using as a tobacco barn. It was 29 X 29 1/2 ft square. He had 120-130 acres under fence and 1/3 of it is in pasture. He had bought land in Missouri after leaving Tennessee in 1824.
Then in 1845 he and his family (including 8 children) moved to Oregon. John, his wife Nancy and children used to 2 wagons and oxen to travel the Oregon Trail to Benton County, Oregon.
Oregon—25 March 1847. John wrote that the Weather is mild, ground not froze more than one inch deep, great deal of rain in the winter.
Good country wheat, oats, barley to grow. The grass commences growing in the fall season, but dies in July or August. Great country for horses, cattle and sheep but poor country for hogs. Fence 43 acres of land, broke up about 30 the first spring, sowed 18 or 19 acres in spring wheat, balance in corn.
On 14 November 1852 John writes that Oregon is a remarkable easy country to live in particularly for those that has many cattle, a man in Oregon with good milch cows can realize more clear money free head from them. Cows sell here for $75-100, heifers calves at weaning can not be purchased at $50 per head. Wheat is worth $3 per bushel. Coffee was 33 13 cents, sugar 12 12 cents, butter 50 cents, cheese 37 1/2 cents. Beef is worth 8 cents per pound on foot, hogs $8 per hundred. Grass oats $1.25 per bushel, potatoes $2. Syrup cost 28 cents, dried fruit 10 cents, salt $2 per hundred. Boots cost $2-3 per pair.
His letter on 29 April 1852 he writes that “Horses from $150-200 dollars, sows and calves 50-75 dollars, oxen $100-150 Dollars, bacon 25 cents per pound, sugar 8-12 cents per pound. Coffee 19-18 cents per pound, labor $2 a day. Gold is easy obtained in the county.”
Perhaps the best explanation for seeking prosperity in Oregon is in his letter of
14 November 1852, where he writes “donation Bill which gives 640 acres of land to heads of family who settled on the same prior to the 1st day of December 1851 and remains on the same four years Said Bill Allso gives 320 acres to heads of families who settles on the same between the 1st day of December 1851 and 1853 at which time the donation Bill (proves) the best of the land is claimed in the section of the country where we live-- ---
John’s letter of 19 January 1866 states that wheat $1 oats 75 cents per bushel pork $10 per hundred beef cattle on foot $5.50 per hundred good horses from $150 to 200 a piece our currency is gold no property sold in this country for greenbacks yet there has been a great many debts paid off in greenbacks—I had to take over $1400 where I had loaned gold—the only thing the Republicans and Democrats agree in is in abusing the greenbacks.
Finally on 10 January 1869, perhaps prosperity has finally come as he writes; “money moderately plenty~ we had very good crops las year wheat 55 cents per bushel oats 40 cents hay $10 and 12 per ton. We have not had any cold weather as yet the grass has been growing slowly all fall and winter.”
The letter of 3 June 1869 he gives prices “Flower is selling at $3 per barrel dull sale at that—money are not as plenty as it had been-cattle are quite high good large horses are selling high sheep a fair price bacon low---taxes very high my tax for the last year was $80—I have an income in the way of interest of $270 and some little groath in stock.
Although John never traveled back to Missouri or Tennessee, he was granted his donation land, helped his children obtain their donation land and helped raise grandchildren. Despite all the struggles to emigrate to Oregon Territory in 1845, he found prosperity.
So wonderful to have resources like these letters. Provides so much context to the lives of our ancestors. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this blog. Those letters must be fascinating! John had to travel through my hometown, Lexington Missouri to get to Oregon. The beginning of the trail started there.
ReplyDeleteSounds as though he worked hard and his efforts paid off, not least because he thought about where to invest his efforts for the best return.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he hoped to entice more family to join him there by telling them all these details.
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