By 1841, the Oregon country was starting to receive more attention in the legislative quarters in the east.  There were several senators interested in pursuing the settlement of the Oregon country.  Others, with deep ties to England, were fearful of causing a confrontation.  Several years earlier, Lt. Charles Wilkes of the US Exploring Expedition had been sent to voyage around the world.  By 1841, Wilkes, of the US Navy, had reached the Northwest Coast and was involved in making a detailed survey of the Oregon county.  In June 1841 he is documented as visiting Champoeg in what is now Marion County, Oregon.

Meanwhile, in the east, it had been decided to send an overland expedition into the country between Missouri and the Rocky Mountains.  The mission was reportedly to study the terrain and provide maps for further exploration of the area.  Lt. John Charles Fremont was chosed to lead this party.  In numerous meetings with those in favor of settling the northwest, it was decided that during his journey he would also be looking for terrain favorable to wagons with the idea toward furture migration.  

Another group with settlement goals in mind is found in the Red River Settlement in Canada.  Due to unrest in the area a group was being formed to travel to the Hudson's Bay Company settlement at Puget Sound with the intent of farming and furthering their interests in the area.

As all this was going on in the Oregon country, the Bidwell-Bartleson party was forming with the intent of emigrating to California.  On May 8th, 2 miles west of the Kansas River, the party formed and adopted the rules that would be used throughout the journey.  John Bartleson was elected Captain at this time.  While my focus is on the Oregon Territory I have included a list of those in this party.  For additional information refer to the publication "Bidwell-Bartleson Party, 1841 California Emigrant Adventure" by Dr. Doyce B. Nunis Jr..

The following list has been compiled from a variety of sources.  Any additions and corrections would be most welcome.  If you wish to be listed as a family researcher for a particular family please contact me at the email address at the bottom of the page.  The number preceding an individual's name denotes the party that they traveled with.

*1)  Selkirk Epedition led by James Sinclair consisted of 25 families from the Selkirk Settlement in the Red River district of Canada.  The exact number of individuals attributed to this group in the various reports range dramatically from 80-200.  John Flett, who was a member of the expedition states in his reminiscences of the Selkirk Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841that there were 80 persons in the group.  Many of the families were Metis.  They were bound for the HBC colony at Puget Sound in an effort to help colonize the Pacific Northwest.  After their arrival they found that many of the promises that had been made to them were broken.  Within a few years many of these families had moved into the Willamette Valley of what is now Oregon.

*2) Bidwell-Bartleson party

*3) Lt. Charles Wilkes

 Emigrants To Oregon In 1841

*3) ALLEN, George T.: member of Wilkes expedition

*2) APPLEGATE, Lucretia Mary (1818- ): m'd 1835 KELSEY, Samuel; found in the 1850 Union, Trinity Co, CA census

BAKER FAMILY RESEARCHER
BAKER, Capt. John (1816-1908): buried Lee Mission Cemetery, Salem, OR

*2) BARNETT, Elias:

*2) BARTELSON, John: elected Captain of 1841 train toCalifornia; traveled with a party of Catholic missionaries that were led by Thomas Fitzpatrick; returned to Missouri in summer of 1842 via New Mexico.

*2) BELDEN, Josiah:

*2) BELTY, William:

BERNIER, Francois (1806- ): m1. 27 Feb 1843 LUCIER, Pelagie; m2. 22 May 1858 DESPARD, Marie; s/o Francois and Genevieve (Layote/Ayotte); settled at St. Paul, Marion County, OR; father of six children by first wife (Norbert, Marie, Leocadie, Clarisse, Francois and David); father of two children by second wife (Joseph and Pierre); arrived in 1841 but it is unknown if he traveled with the Selkirk Expedition.

*1) BERNIER, Isidore (1827- ): s/o Julien Bernier; information on Isidore is difficult to obtain.  He is living in the WT through 1847.  The Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest list Marcell Isidore Bernier as one person which is an error.  In the transactions listed for Isidore in the church records he is always listed as "able to sign" his name, while Marcell is listed as "not able to sign" his name.   Isidore is listed with his father and brother in the 1847 petition against claim jumping noted in the Oregon Spectator newspaper.  After that mention no citations can be found for him.  It is possible that he is the Isidore Bernier found in CA census records.

*1) BERNIER, Julien (1794-aft 1870): m'd Indian woman possibly named Marguerite; went to work for the HBC at an early age as a steersman; was at Fort Spokane in 1819 and remained in the Columbia District for a number of years.  When he retired he returned to Canada to obtain his release and in 1841 returned to the NW.  He is found in the census records living in Cowlitz, Lewis Co, WA. where he appears to have remained until his death.

*1) BERNIER, Marcell (1819-1889): m'd 20 Feb 1844 BERCIER, Cecile; s/o Julien Bernier;  “Marcel Bernier died at his home on Newaukum Prairie, Lewis Co, Washington, on Friday, Dec. 27^th, 1889, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery on Cowlitz Prairie the Sunday following.  He was born November 10, 1819, near Spokane Falls.  His father was a trusted Hudson’s Bay Company traveler and trapper, and came here from Canada in their employ.  Marcel was sent to school at St. Boniface, Red River, Manitoba, in 1830, and in 1841 came back to Cowlitz Prairie.  In 1842 he went with Father Blanchet to Puget Sound on the first missionary tour among the Indians, and directed the building of the log church on Whidbey Island.  In 1842 he accompanied Father Demers to Vancouver Island and Cariboo.  Returning to Cowlitz Prairie in 1844, he married Celeste Bercier, and settled on his donation claim on Newaukum Prairie, where he died.  His wife and several children survive him, and he leaves quite an estate.  In later years, Mr. Bernier has followed wagon making until rheumatism crippled him so that he could not do much at his trade.  Some three weeks before his death he was somewhat injured by his horse running away and throwing him from the buggy.  He was well known to the early settlers of Washington, and many of them owe much to his assistance and generosity.” [ Legislative Handbook and Manual of the State of Washington, c1889-90]. Note: the location of his birth is the cause of some dispute.  The reference above states that he was born at Spokane House but naturalization records found in 1852 seem to indicate he was born in Manitoba.)

*2) BIDWELL, General John: member of 1841 party toCalifornia. *1: MSS#1508 34pp reminiscence, printed pamphlet,"Echoes of the Past: An Account of the First Emigrant Train to California"

*1) BIRD, Charlotte (1821-1851): m'd 15 Nov 1833 FLETT, John; d/o James Curtis and (Elizabeth) Bird; born 1821 Red River District, Canada; died 06 Jul 1851 Forest Grove, Washington Co, OR; buried Forest View Cemetery, Forest Grove, Washington Co, OR; mother of eight children (Sarah, Elizabeth, Joanah, Margaret Arilla, Letitia, Lydia, David James and William Harvey)

*1) BIRD, Chloe ( -1842): m'd 25 Apr 1833 FLETT, James; d/o James Curtis and (Elizabeth) Bird; died in 22 Jan 1842 during childbirth at Tualatin Plains, Washington Co, OR; her husband died the next year.

*1) BIRSTON, Alexander (c1810-1867): m'd TAIT, Janette L.; s/o Magnus Birston and his Indian wife; Alexander Birston was amongst those listed by James Sinclair as making the 1841 emigration from the Red River Colony of Selkirk.  census records taken from that location show that he was a Protestant.  While it is known that he did make the journey,  it is confusing to note that he is listed in the 1843 census for the Red River District.  It is unknown if he returned for a brief time or if there is an error in the records.  By 1850 he is listed in Washington County, OR with his family.  He remained in Oregon through 1858 but is found living in Clark Co, WA in 1860.  Alexander reportedly traveled with his wife and four children but only the names of three of the children making the emigration are known. In the 1840 census he is listed with two sons and two daughters.   Alexander was the father of 8 known children (John, William J., Jane, unknown daughter, Magnus B., Isabel A., Mary Letitia and Martha Caroline)

*1) BIRSTON, Daughter (c1840- ): d/o Alexander and Janette (Tait) Birston

*1) BIRSTON, James M. (1809- ): m'd Dec 1827 ROWLAND, Grizzel; s/o Magnus Birston and his Indian wife; settled on the Tualatin Plains, Washington Co, OR; James was the father of 8 known children (Miles, Nancy, Maria, James, Elizabeth, Mary, William and Sarah)

*1) BIRSTON, James (1841- ) s/o James and Grizzell (Rowland) Birston; born in the Rocky Mountains on the way to Oregon Territory

*1) BIRSTON, Jane (1839- ): d/o Alexander and Janette (Tait) Birston

*1) BIRSTON, John (1832- ): s/o Alexander and Janette (Tait) Birston

*1) BIRSTON, Maria (1837- ): d/o James and Grizzell (Rowland) Birston

*1) BIRSTON, Miles (1831- ): m'd 1859 Spence, Harriet (MCKAY); s/o James and Grizzell (Rowland) Birston

*1) BIRSTON, Nancy (1835- ): d/o James and Grizzell (Rowland) Birston

*1) BIRSTON, William J. (1837- ): s/o Alexander and Janette (Tait) Birston

*2) BROLASKI, Henry Lyons

BURSTON: See Birston

*1) BUXTON, Henry Jr. (1829- ): m'd 1846 WOOLEY, Rosanna; Henry Jr was born in 1829 in the Selkirk District, Canada; he arrived in the northwest with his father  in the Red River emigration of 1841; he spent a brief time in what is now Washington state before settling in Washington Co, OR;

*1) BUXTON, Henry Sr. (1793-1870): m1. 1828 THOMAS, Frances; m2. 1843 MUNGER, Sarah Eliza Mrs; Henry Sr. was born in Derbyshire, England prior to removing to Canada; he arrived in the northwest in the  Red River emigration of 1841; his frist wife died from a fall from her horse shortly after arriving in the west; he spent a brief time in what is now Washington state before settling in Washington Co, OR; a letter by Mrs. Sarah E. Buxton in 1843 states that they had never received their land patent and had sold the land; Henry Sr. died at Forest Grove in 1870.

*1) CALDER, Horatio Nelson (1806- ): m'd BUDD, Nancy; s/o John and Sarah (Humphrey) Calder; father was surgeon for HBC;

CARROLL, :

*2) CHANDLER, David W.

*2) CHILES, Joseph Ballinger Colonel: member of theBidwell-Bartleson party to California; returned to Missouri in summer of 1842 via New Mexico with several other members of original party; returned to CA in 1843; traveled back and forth on trail for several years.

CLARK, Harvey Rev.:

COCHRAN, Mr: m'd 1841 GREY, Betsey;

*2) COOK, Grove C.:

*2) DAWSON, Nicholas "Cheyenne": gained name "Cheyenne" when he was taken captive by Cheyenne Indians while out hunting. He was relieved of his mule and guns but was released after a period of time.

*2) DAWSON, V. W.:

*1) CUNNINGHAM, John: m'd BRUCE, Jane

DRAYTON, :

DUBOIS, Suzanne: m'd PLOURDE, Francois

ELD, Henry: [*1: MSS# 564 4pp letter]

*1) FLETT. Charlotte (c1839- ): m'd KING, William Cornwallis; d/o James and Chloe (Bird) Flett

*1) FLETT, David: *1: MSS# 335, 5pp reminiscence (written by son).

*1) FLETT, Elizabeth (1841- ): d/o John and Charlotte (Bird) Flett

*1) FLETT, James ( -1843) : m'd 25 Apr 1833 BIRD, Chloe; s/o George and Margaret (Whitford) Flett; died near Walla Walla, WA in 1843; his wife had died the year before in Washington Co, OR; their children were adopted out to various families

*1) FLETT, Jemima (c1840- ): d/o James and Chloe (Bird) Flett; taken in by Mckay and John Flett families after parents died

*1) FLETT, John (1815-1892): m1.15 Nov 1833 BIRD, Charlotte; m2. 24 Nov 1855 MCKAY, Margaret; m3. 01 Feb 1858 Cooper, Ellen (MONROE); s/o George and Margaret (Whitford) Flett; born 05 Aug 1815 Winnipeg, Canada; died 12 Dec 1892, Lakewood, Pierce Co, WA; buried Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA; father of eight children  by first wife (Sarah, Elizabeth, Joanah, Margaret Arilla, Letitia, Lydia, David James and William Harvey); father of four children by third wife (E.C., John Joseph, Annie and Andrew S.)  "John Flett died at Steilacoom a few days ago, aged 77. He came to this state from Winnipeg in 1841. He was intimately connected with the early history of the territory, having been present at many of the conferences between the territorial officers and the Indians, both in Washington and Oregon. At several of these councils he acted as interpreter. He was also present at the final and grand council held by Governor Stevens and General Palmer with the several tribes near Walla Walla. In 1859 Mr. Flett settled at South Prairie, in Pierce county, and engaged in farming. He remained there until 1868, when he purchased his recent home near Lake View, about six miles from Tacoma.” [Morning Oregonian, Portland, OR, December 17, 1892 p.4] Selkirk Settlement to Puget Sound in 1841 by John Flett

*1) FLETT, Margaret (c1834): d/o James and Chloe (Bird) Flett

*1) FLETT, Mary (c1837- ): d/o James and Chloe (Bird) Flett; adopted by Archibald McKinley after the death of her parents

*1) FLETT, Sarah (1839- ): d/o John and Charlotte (Bird) Flett

*1) FLETT, William

FLUGGE, C. W.:

FOWLER, :

*2) GEDDES, Paul: was traveling under the name Talbot H. Green.  He had embezzled funds from his bank and was absconding with the money under an alias.

*2) GREEN, Talbot H.: see Paul Geddes

GREGORIC, E. S.: settled in Marion county

GREY, Child ( -1841): d/o Betsey (Roberts) Grey; mother married Mr. Cochran on trail, they turned back at Fort Boise to return to MO; child died three days before they got there and they carried her body the last three days.

HALE, :

*2) HENSHAW, George:

*2) HUBER, Henry:

HUCKABEE, Keziah (c1798- ): m'd 1815 WILLIAMS, Richard; buried in Washington Co Pioneer Cemetery

*2) JOHN, James: traveled with Chiles and Weaver; metBidwell-Bartleson company on Blue River; became separated from rest of party but eventually reacher Sutters Mill. *1: 63pp diary, copy and microfilm in collection at OHS.

*2) JONES, Thomas:

*1) JOYALE, Toussaint (c1805- ): m'd 26 Sep 1825 LAPOINTE, Marguerite

KELSEY FAMILY RESEARCHER
*2) KELSEY, Andrew (c1821-1849): emigrated to CA with brotherBenjamin while other brothers, Isaiah and Samuel went to Oregon; he was killed by Indians near Clear Lake and Kelseyville, CA

*2) KELSEY, Benjamin (1813-1889): m'd 1838 ROBERTS,Nancy: emigrated to CA; made and lost several fortunes; involved in moving cattled from CA to BC; had sawmill near Sonoma; mined for gold in Eldorado county, CA; helped establish the towns of Kelseyville, Urekah and Arcada in CA; had a thirteen year old daughter that was scalped by Indians but lived several years after the incident; 1843 traveled to OR with his family; 1844 returned to CA.

*2) KELSEY, Child1: c/o Samuel and Lucretia (Applegate)Kelsey

*2) KELSEY, Child2: c/o Samuel and Lucretia (Applegate)Kelsey

*2) KELSEY, Isiah "Zade" (c1817-1888): m'd 1841 WILLIAMS,Winny; settled in Washington Co; died in Yamhill Co

*2) KELSEY, Joseph (1839- ): s/o Samuel and Lucretia (Applegate) Kelsey; 1850 living in Union, Trinity Co, CA

*2) KELSEY, Martha Ann (1839- ): m'd 1844 REED, Jacob T.;d/o Benjamin and Nancy (Roberts) Kelsey

*2) KELSEY, Mary A. (1836- ): d/o Benjamin and Nancy (Roberts) Kelsey; 1850 living in Union, Trinity Co, CA

*2) KELSEY, Samuel (c1819- ): m'd 1835 APPLEGATE,Lucretia; died in Yavapai Co, AZ

*2) KELSEY, Sarah A. (1837- ): d/o Samuel and Lucretia (Applegate) Kelsey; 1850 living in Union, Trinity Co, CA

*2) KELSEY, William (1835- ): s/o Samuel and Lucretia (Applegate) Kelsey; 1850 living in Union, Trinity Co, CA

*1) KLYNE, Joseph:

*1) LAROCQUE, Louis: m'd TOUSSAINT, Marie

*2) MCDOWELL, John:

*1) MCKAY, Charles: m'd BIRD, Letitia

*2) MCMAHAN, Nelson:

*2) MCMAHAN, Samuel Green:
 

MOUNTAIN, Thomas Capt.:

*2) NYE, Michael C.:

OVERTON, William P.: worked for Methodist Mission at The Dalles; 1843 laid claim to land in what is now Portland; work that he did on the land in partnership with Asa Lovejoy was the beginning of Portland; ran out by high water in June 1844; left country.

PACKETT, :

PACKETT, Mrs.:

*2) PATTON, Andrew Gwinn:

PLOURDE FAMILY RESEARCHER:
*1) PLOURDE, Francois dit Jacques (c1795- ): m'd 1820 DUBOIS, Suzanne;member of Red River emigration; was around 50 years old when he made the emigration with his wife and sons

*1) RHELLE, Baptiste:

*2) RICKMAN, Robert:

ROBERTS, Betsey: m'd Grey, Mr.; sister of Nancy (Roberts) Kelsey; married Cochran on trail; turned back for east at Fort Boise

ROBERTS, Nancy: m'd KELSEY, Benjamin; accompanied husband to CA

*2) ROLAND, John

*2) SCWARTZ, John L.:

*1) SPENCE, Archibald: emigrated out of the Red RiverDistrict

*1) SPENCE, John C.: emigrated out of the Red RiverDistrict

*2) SPRINGER, James Peter:

*1) ST. GERMAIN (1790-1870): m'd SUTHERLAND, Lizette

*1) TAIT, John: accompanied son-in-law and daughter, Alexander  and Janette (Tait) Birston

*1) TATE: see TAIT

*1) THOMAS, Frances: ( -c1841): m'd 1828 BUXTON, Henry Sr.; arrived from in the Red River emigration; died from a fall from her horse shortly after arrival

*2) THOME, Robert Hasty:

*2) WALTON, Ambrose:

*2) WALTON, Major:

*2) WEBER, Charles M.:

*3) WILKES, Charles Lt.: in 1837 sent on Exploring Expedition around the world, including the NW coast; Wilkes, of the US Navy, made a detailed survey of the Oregon country in 1841; by June 1841 he was visiting at Champoeg.

WILLIAMS FAMILY RESEARCHER:
WILLIAMS, Asa (1827-1901): m'd SMITH, Mary; s/o Richard and Keziah (Huckabee) Williams; 1850 living in Washington Co with parents; by 1860 was living in Douglas Co

WILLIAMS, Joseph (c1777- ): methodist minister who came to OR at the age of 64; returned to IN in 1842; published an account of his
 "Tour To The Oregon Territory"

WILLIAMS, Martha (1829-1917): m'd REED, Jacob T..; d/o Richard and Keziah (Huckabee) Williams; moved with husband and family to CA; 1860 in Contra Costa Co; 1880 in San Diego Co; died in CA

WILLIAMS, Nathan (1836- ): s/o Richard and Keziah (Huckabee) Williams; 1850 living in Washington Co with parents

WILLIAMS, Richard (1796- ): m'd 1815 HUCKABEE, Keziah; settled in Washington Co, OR;  in 1843 Richard's two oldest sons, Benjamin and David Williams came to OR

WILLIAMS, Samuel (1833- ): m'd JOLLY, Anna Elizabeth; s/o Richard and Lizzie (Huckabee) Williams; 1850 living in Washington Co with parents

WILLIAMS, Sarah (c1839- ): d/o Richard and Keziah (Huckabee) Williams; 1850 living in Washington Co with parents

WILLIAMS, Winifred "Winny" (1825-1905): m'd 1841 KELSEY, Isaiah: d/o Richard & Keziah (Huckabee)Williams; married on the trail to OR; died in Hillsboro, Washington Co and is buried in the pioneer cemetery there

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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