Pioneer of 1847
Esther "Lorinda" Bewley emigrated to Oregon in 1847 with her parents, John William and Catherine (Ellis) Bewley. Her father was the Captain of their train. With Lorinda and her brother, Crockett both ill the father decided to stop at the Whitman Mission to seek the aid of Dr. Marcus Whitman. After a short stay it was decided that both Lorinda and her brother would stay through the winter and join their family in the valley in the spring. Only days later they became victims of the Whitman Massacre. Crockett was killed and Lorinda was taken by Chief Five Crows to be his wife. Lorinda was later rescued, married, and had a large family. For additional information on this family visit http://www.oregonpioneers.com/family/BewleyFamilyThroughTheDecades.pdf

""Death of Esther L. Bewley Chapman" Sheridan, Or., Nov. 7--Esther Lorinda Bewley Chapman died here yesterday morning aged 73 years, 3 months and 18 days.
Mrs. Chapman, daughter of John M. and Catherine Ellis Bewley, was born in Tennessee, July 10, 1826, removed with her parents to Indiana in 1836, and from there to Missouri. May 10, 1847, with her parents, she started for Oregon by ox teams, and after enduring much suffering and privation arrived at Dr. Whitman's mission October 10, 1847. Owing to poor health and at the request of Mrs. Whitman she remained. Her brother, Crocket Bewley, stopped also, in order to accompany her to the Willamette valley the following spring. But November 19 occurred the rising of the Cayuses, by which so many lives were lost and 53 were taken prisoners. Crocket Bewley was killed December 7, and his sister was taken to Umatilla, and was intended to be taken as a wife by one of the head chiefs, but P. S. Ogden, one of the factors of the Hudson's Bay Company, learning of the massacre, immediately started for the scene with a company of armed men, and ransomed the 53 prisoners, bringing them to Oregon City, June 10, 1848.
Wednesday, October 8, 1840, Miss Bewley was united in marriage to William Chapman. They remained at Oregon City until May 10, 1852, when they took up a donation claim, a part of which is now covered by the city of Sheridan. Here she lived for 47 years. She joined the Methodist Episcopal church when she was 15, and for 58 years was a faithful and consistent member. She left her husband and seven children---John M., in business at Sheridan; Mrs. Catherine Morgan, of Netart's bay; Mrs. Leonora Morgan, living with her father; Mrs. Mary Savage, of Pasco, Wash.; Frank, living on the old donation claim; Mrs. Nettie Bibee, of Sheridan, and Fred, living on the old claim. She also left 81 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Mrs. Chapman was a member of the Pioneer Association, and took great pleasure in its reunions, until two years ago. Since then, owing to failing health, she has been unable to attend.
Her funeral will take place Wednesday, and her remains will be laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery. " [Oregonian, November 8, 1899 p.6 Contributor: Jon Ridgeway (47287704)]