In Their Own Words

Saying Goodbye

Compiled by Prof. Jim Tompkins

Disclaimer:  Prof. Jim Tompkins has compiled the following information for classes he has taught.  He has kindly contributed them for general use.  This information has been gathered from a variety of sources and, while it is free to use, copyright infringements may make it unsuitable for commercial purposes.

“Whether we ever see each others faces again in this world again is uncertain. I often think of my Dear Parents but do not regret coming. As it will be a long time before you will hear from me again after we leave this place I bid you all My Beloved Parents, Brothers, Sisters & Friends an affectionate farewell.” - Narcissa Prentiss Whitman, 1836

“At night the sound of joyous music was heard in the tents. Our long journey thus began in sunshine and song, in anecdote and laughter.”  - Peter Burnett, 1843

“Took a farewell look at the State of Missouri.” - James Nesmith, 1843

Billy Vaughan, 1843 - None of his family chose to join him and he would never see his parents, brothers, or sisters again.

“We set out on our long and perilous journey across the plains. Many friends came that far to see the emigrants start on their long journey, and there was much sadness at the parting. We children wept for fear of the mighty waters that came rushing down and seemed as though it would swallow them up. It was a sad company that crossed the Missouri River that spring day.”

- Catherine Sager, 1844

“We started on the 11th of May, 1845, on which day I first saw Elizabeth Schoonover, whom I married a week later.”

- Stephen Hall Meek, 1845

Joel Palmer, 1845 - began with sorrow in leaving his family and uncertainty about the result. His perennial high spirits and optimism soon overrode these. He was accompanied by his friend Spencer Buckley. Several other men were expected to join them but had grown faint of heart. He arrived at Independence, MO, May 6th. Late, he left with four other wagons attempting to catch

up with the main body [which took four days]. His first night on the trail the men of the wagon train were loudly drunk and it was not until midnight that Palmer “wrapped myself in my blanket, laid down under an oak tree, and began to realize that I was on my journey to Oregon.”

“We had an affecting time bidding those of our friends good-bye who remained behind. Many tears were shed, but finally the last farewell was said and off we were to face the troubles and trials of a long and tedious journey across a burning sandy Desert to Oregon.” - Henry Garrison, 1846

“The girls wanted me to tell you all very much and sent their love to you all Alfred sends his love to all as he is on a high hill and cannot leave his oxe long enough to write and we will soon start I want some of you to write to Oregon city perhaps we may get it I want to hear from home verry bad....” - Phoebe Fail (Mrs. Alfred) Stanton, 1847

James Monroe and Mary Ramsey (Miller) Fulkerson, 1847 - With his wife and six of seven children, he decided to join a group from the Old Florence Baptist Church (near Jefferson City, Missouri) and make the journey to the new "promised land" in Oregon. There were 300 members in this congregation, who vowed to stay together and help one other in crossing the prairies, mountains and deserts that lie before them.

“Dr. Walker calls at the wagon to see me and give me some good advice and give me the parting hand for neither of us could speak the word ‘Farewell.’ He told me to keep up the courage and said ‘dont fret, whatever happens, don’t fret and cry; courage will do more for you than anything else.’ Many of the neighbors are here to see us off.” - Keturah Belknap, 1848

“Yesterday I gathered my wife and little ones around me and tried to enjoy their society, but the hour of separation was fixed and this saddened the moments which I was wont to enjoy most highly. The wife of my bosom, the children of my love - never again may I meet you as I did yesterday. Months and perhaps years will have wrought their changes upon you and me, or death may claim some of use for his own before we can again meet together. At noon we said farewell to friends and home....”

- Dr. Charles E. Boyle, 1849

“The last hours were spent in bidding good bye to old friends. My mother is heartbroken over this separation of relatives and friends. Giving up old associations for what? Good health, perhaps. The last good bye has been said - the last glimpse of our old home on the hill, and wave a hand at the old Academy, with a good bye to kind teachers and schoolmates, and we are off.” -

Sallie Hester, 1849

“I believe we were all ready to start on the morning of the 27th of March. On the evening before, the whole family, including my mother, were gathered together in the parlor, looking as if we were all going to our graves the next morning, instead of our starting on a trip of pleasure, as we had drawn the picture in our imagination. There we sat in such gloom that I could not endure it

any longer, and I arose and announced that we would retire for the night, and that we would not start to-morrow morning, nor until everybody could feel more cheerful. I could not bear to start with so many gloomy faces to think of. So we all retired, but I think no one slept very much that night.” - Margaret Ann Alsip Frink, 1850

“We waited for our sister-in-law. Her parents and kin folks had coaxed her to stay, telling her if  she would not go, her husband would stay with her. But when they saw him take his whip and start his team out, they gave up the idea. The saddest parting of all was when my mother took leave of her aged and sorrowing mother, knowing full well that they would never meet again on

earth.” - Martha Gay, 1851

Home - what so sweet! - So beautiful on Earth! Oh! so rare - As kindred love and family repose! - The busy world - With all the tumult and stir of life - Pursues its wonted course; on pleasures some - And some on commerce and ambition bent - And all on happiness, while each one loves - With natures holiest feelings. One sweet spot - And calls it Home. If sorrow is felt there - It seems through many bosoms and a smile - And if disease intrudes the sufferer finds - Rest on the breast beloved”

- Cecelia Emily McMillen Adams, 1852

“Started from the town of Lima Rock Co. Wis. on our long contemplated journey to seek a home on the Pacific coast, in the territory of Oregon came to Milton & staid 2 days with our friends there, when after bidding many a tearful adieu, we started on the 2d of April, plodding our way over frozen ground, with a chilling cold wind.” - Polly Lavina Crandell Coon, 1852

“Thursday April 8th. After a sad parting with Mother, sister Kate and numerous friends we made the real start of our journey.” - Eliza Ann McAuley, 1852

“Old Illinois I say farewell

Tho long in thee I'd love to dwell

Yet I must go perhaps no more

To reach this lovely land and shore”

- Abigail Jane Scott, 1852

“Memory paints a picture of moving wagons, of whips flourished with many a resounding snap, of men walking beside them with a forced show of indifference, though now and then the back of a brawny hand was drawn hurriedly over the eyes; of silently weeping women and sobbing children, and of an aged grandfather standing at his gate as the wagons filed past. ‘Good-by, goodby!’ say us children with flushed, tear-stained faces, grouped at the openings in the wagon covers.” - Catherine Scott, 1852

“We took a last look at our dear homestead as it faded from our view. We looked back and saw our old watch dog, his name was Watch, howling on the distant shore. Father had driven him back, saying, ‘Go back to Grandfather, Watch!’ But he never ate afterwards, and soon died.” - Harriet Scott, 1852

“After weeks of preparation we are at last ready to take our departure for the Pacific Coast, to find a new home far away, to form new ties and other acquaintances amid far different scenes. We know not the dangers we may meet, the difficulties that will have to be overcome on this long and perilous journey.” - Rachael Taylor, 1853

“At last the preparations were completed and the heavily laden wagons were drawn into a long line. The women took their places in the wagons and the long journey began. There was fear and foreboding, no doubt, in the hearts of the brave men and women who were setting out to face hardships, dangers and perhaps death.” - William McCormick, 1859

“After busy weeks of sorting and sewing and packing, of trips to Dubuque for stores, of goodbye visits from friends and neighbors whose words of advice and warning still rang in our ears, we took a last long look at the pleasant farm, with the gentle, friendly horses and cows gazing at us from the fence corners, and turned away. There was a lump in my throat and I could not see very clearly as I climbed into the great wagon with the others. A word to the horses, and - we were off to Oregon.”

- Philura Vanderburgh, 1864

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