Benjamin Thomas Smith’s
Diary
March 18th, 1858
Dear Diary,
Greetings. My name is
Benjamin Thomas Smith. I was born February twenty second, in the year eighteen
hundred and thirty eight. I am now
twenty years old.
I am a trained silversmith. I
learned the trade as an apprentice when I was growing up in Boston.
I want to start my own Smithy out in Oregon. I met a woman, Louise Knapp Clapp, who also wanted to go West. Her parents did not want her
to go because they thought it was too dangerous.
She had a strong mind of her own and ran away from home, so she could
follow her dreams of going West. I
liked her independent way and decided to marry her. It was our dream to head West together.
I left behind my family, which included my brother, Joseph Robert Smith,
my parents, Bruce Adam Smith and Ellen Joan Smith, and my beloved dog, Biscuit. I also left my childhood friend, Brian Lincoln Miller.
Brian decided he would stay in Boston, and work with his family in the
general store. One thing I did take
was my special rifle that my father had given to me.
The year is eighteen hundred and fifty eight.
I know it will take a long time and will be a very difficult journey. I hope to make a good living as a Smithy.
People moving to the West will need new silverware, pots and pans,
bullets, rifle pieces, and many other items. I can provide for them as they make
a new home for themselves in Oregon.
Sincerely,
Benjamin
March 18, 1858
Dear Diary,
We have reached Independence, Missouri.
Louise and I don’t have a lot of money, but the Robbins are going to help
us out and give us some supplies!
March
19, 1858
Dear Dairy,
My family got $150 for working in
Independence Missouri.
May 1, 1858
Dear Diary,
Louise and I talked about buying a yoke.
We thought and thought.
We bought a yoke.
May 1, 1858
Dear Diary,
We bought some water and water kegs!
May 1, 1858
Dear Diary,
Oh Diary, it’s horrible! Our water is
contaminated! Luckily we’re gonna boil the water.
June
1, 1858
Dear Diary,
Louise
and I decided to stay and refill our
water kegs.
June 10, 1858
Dear Diary,
I was bitten in the ankle by a snake!
June 30, 1858
Dear Diary,
I learned more about the Western Movement
today. During the Gold Rush in
1848, many people quit their jobs to be miners.
The people looked for gold mostly in the rivers.
After some time, the people weren’t finding the gold anymore and moved
on to the Rocky Mountains. Miners
built places in the mountains so the people could look for gold underground.
When the people rested, they sometimes played card games to bet an amount
of gold. After awhile people gave
up and stopped looking for gold.
August
08, 1858
Dear Diary,
We have made it to Fort Briger.
We just saw a sign saying BEWARE!
Diary, you should have seen my face.
I was so freaked out. We got
two men to go and scout the trail.
September
09, 1858
Dear Diary,
I was so stupid.
I got too close to the geysers and burned my hand!
September
10, 1858
Dear Diary,
I’ve been hearing people talk about their
families being attacked by hostile Indians.
You know what Diary? I’m
getting kind of scared. What if
they attack me and my family?
September
10, 1858
Dear Diary,
My
family and I made it to the toll bridge.
It cost $15 per wagon and $2 per animal. If we pay, it’s going to be $31 in total!
September
20, 1858
Dear Diary,
Well Diary, we are still on Snake River.
October 5, 1858
Dear Diary,
I have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is me and Louise made it down the mountain safely.
We got to Ladd Canyon, thanks to my pulley system!
The bad news is that the Robbins' and
McMillen's wagons tumbled down that
mountain! They had to kill one of
their oxen…..Thankfully, no one was injured.
October 12, 1858
Dear Diary,
We are at Whitman mission.
We have three ways to get to Willamette Valley.
Me and Louise decided to go down the river by canoe.
We can only bring the stuff we can carry on our backs.
You know what Diary?
I’m kinda scared. What if the canoe flips or hits a
rock and cracks?
I hope nothing happens.
October 12, 1958
Dear Diary,
We have decided who our two scouts are going
to be. They are Samuel McMillen and
John Honeyman. I hope they don’t
die.
October 28, 1858
Dear Diary,
Today was a sad day.
John and Samuel were never found, but bear tracks were.
The good news is that we made it to Willamette Valley and we are living
next to the Robbins. Diary, the
valleys are grand!
July 18, 1860
Dear Diary,
It seems like it’s been ages since the
last time I wrote in you. Life out
here in Oregon is like paradise. Business
down at the Smithy is great. You
should see how much money I’m making! Oh,
and Diary, you should see Madison. She’s already one year old and she’s
walking! Diary, Oregon is great!
To the People
and Projects
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Last Updated: 08/28/04