Parents: Franklin Ward Graves and Elizabeth Cooper.
Mr. Graves was born ca 1786 in Wells, Rutland Co., VT and Mrs. Graves was born 1800.
Family History:
In 1846, the Graves family departed St. Joseph, MO, heading West. At Ft. Bridger, Mr. Graves decided to take the talked-about "Hastings Cutoff" and thereby left the California-Oregon Trail and headed for the region we know today as Salt Lake City. Just north of that area, he caught up with the Donner Party. At this juncture, his and his family's lives were to change forever. Due to many mishaps along the "Hastings Cut-Off", they were late getting over the Sierras to reach Sutter's Fort before the season's first snow fall. They didn't make it. The Donner Party was snowed in and were not rescued until the Spring of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Graves and their son Franklin didn't survive. The three youngest children did survive, but subcombed after arriving at Ft. Sutter. Nancy was among the six children to survive the ordeal. Nancy was 9 years old at the time of her rescue. Nancy, 9, was rescued by John Stark of the Third Relief after being abandoned by the Second Relief at Starved Camp.
From "New Light on the Donner Party" by Kristin Johnson:
"In her teens Nancy became an enthusiastic convert to Methodism and in 1855 married a minister. Rev. Williamson was sent up and down Northern California, spending only a year or two at one post before moving on to the next. Their nine children were born in different towns. Eventually the family settled near Sebastopol in Sonoma County. It had been a difficult life, beset with financial worries, but late in life, reflecting on their years together, the Williamsons agreed that God had been good to them.." (contributed by Tracy Bryant)
Mr. Graves was born ca 1786 in Wells, Rutland Co., VT and Mrs. Graves was born 1800.
Family History:
In 1846, the Graves family departed St. Joseph, MO, heading West. At Ft. Bridger, Mr. Graves decided to take the talked-about "Hastings Cutoff" and thereby left the California-Oregon Trail and headed for the region we know today as Salt Lake City. Just north of that area, he caught up with the Donner Party. At this juncture, his and his family's lives were to change forever. Due to many mishaps along the "Hastings Cut-Off", they were late getting over the Sierras to reach Sutter's Fort before the season's first snow fall. They didn't make it. The Donner Party was snowed in and were not rescued until the Spring of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Graves and their son Franklin didn't survive. The three youngest children did survive, but subcombed after arriving at Ft. Sutter. Nancy was among the six children to survive the ordeal. Nancy was 9 years old at the time of her rescue. Nancy, 9, was rescued by John Stark of the Third Relief after being abandoned by the Second Relief at Starved Camp.
From "New Light on the Donner Party" by Kristin Johnson:
"In her teens Nancy became an enthusiastic convert to Methodism and in 1855 married a minister. Rev. Williamson was sent up and down Northern California, spending only a year or two at one post before moving on to the next. Their nine children were born in different towns. Eventually the family settled near Sebastopol in Sonoma County. It had been a difficult life, beset with financial worries, but late in life, reflecting on their years together, the Williamsons agreed that God had been good to them.." (contributed by Tracy Bryant)
Parents: Franklin Ward Graves and Elizabeth Cooper.
Mr. Graves was born ca 1786 in Wells, Rutland Co., VT and Mrs. Graves was born 1800.
Family History:
In 1846, the Graves family departed St. Joseph, MO, heading West. At Ft. Bridger, Mr. Graves decided to take the talked-about "Hastings Cutoff" and thereby left the California-Oregon Trail and headed for the region we know today as Salt Lake City. Just north of that area, he caught up with the Donner Party. At this juncture, his and his family's lives were to change forever. Due to many mishaps along the "Hastings Cut-Off", they were late getting over the Sierras to reach Sutter's Fort before the season's first snow fall. They didn't make it. The Donner Party was snowed in and were not rescued until the Spring of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Graves and their son Franklin didn't survive. The three youngest children did survive, but subcombed after arriving at Ft. Sutter. Nancy was among the six children to survive the ordeal. Nancy was 9 years old at the time of her rescue. Nancy, 9, was rescued by John Stark of the Third Relief after being abandoned by the Second Relief at Starved Camp.
From "New Light on the Donner Party" by Kristin Johnson:
"In her teens Nancy became an enthusiastic convert to Methodism and in 1855 married a minister. Rev. Williamson was sent up and down Northern California, spending only a year or two at one post before moving on to the next. Their nine children were born in different towns. Eventually the family settled near Sebastopol in Sonoma County. It had been a difficult life, beset with financial worries, but late in life, reflecting on their years together, the Williamsons agreed that God had been good to them.." (contributed by Tracy Bryant)
Mr. Graves was born ca 1786 in Wells, Rutland Co., VT and Mrs. Graves was born 1800.
Family History:
In 1846, the Graves family departed St. Joseph, MO, heading West. At Ft. Bridger, Mr. Graves decided to take the talked-about "Hastings Cutoff" and thereby left the California-Oregon Trail and headed for the region we know today as Salt Lake City. Just north of that area, he caught up with the Donner Party. At this juncture, his and his family's lives were to change forever. Due to many mishaps along the "Hastings Cut-Off", they were late getting over the Sierras to reach Sutter's Fort before the season's first snow fall. They didn't make it. The Donner Party was snowed in and were not rescued until the Spring of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Graves and their son Franklin didn't survive. The three youngest children did survive, but subcombed after arriving at Ft. Sutter. Nancy was among the six children to survive the ordeal. Nancy was 9 years old at the time of her rescue. Nancy, 9, was rescued by John Stark of the Third Relief after being abandoned by the Second Relief at Starved Camp.
From "New Light on the Donner Party" by Kristin Johnson:
"In her teens Nancy became an enthusiastic convert to Methodism and in 1855 married a minister. Rev. Williamson was sent up and down Northern California, spending only a year or two at one post before moving on to the next. Their nine children were born in different towns. Eventually the family settled near Sebastopol in Sonoma County. It had been a difficult life, beset with financial worries, but late in life, reflecting on their years together, the Williamsons agreed that God had been good to them.." (contributed by Tracy Bryant)
Inscription
NANCY B.
WIFE OF
R. W. WILLIAMSON
BORN
APRIL 26, 1838
DIED
MAY 18, 1907
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