Oregon Pioneer of 1845. She lived to be 102 years of age.
Martha Angelina Belieu was the first born child of Reverend Leander Belieu and Sarah Jane Liggett, in Ray County, Missouri on December 18th, 1834. Two brothers followed her birth in Missouri:
Jesse Green, b.1837 and
Jonathan Wesley Asbury, b.1841.
In 1844, her father decided that life would be better out West for his family and they left Independence, Missouri in early 1845 under the guidance of Cpt. Abner Hackleman. There were 52 wagons with 214 people, 666 head of cattle, a few horses and wagons being drawn by oxen (contrary to popular movies of a century later as horses were not as hardy as oxen). Young Martha was just 10 years old and would have walked more than ridden most of the 2,000 miles to the Oregon Territory. After regrouping about 3 miles from Kansas, the large company had about 233 wagons with 1007 people (421 males, 138 females and 448 children), 3,261 cattle and 182 horses. Stephen H. L. Meek was paid $2.50 per wagon to guide the party along a safer route, free of possible Indian hostilities. The wagons were reorganized under three leaders, known as Captains, and they finally left Mid May, 1845, along the Oregon Trail until they reached Idaho, where they took the infamous "Meek Cut Off", a decision which cost too many lives in the months to come. [Please read Stephenie Flora's web site entitled "OregonPioneers.com", which gives details regarding all who came across the Oregon Trail between the late 1830's and the mid 1850's]. Many of the hardships (and there were all too many) are described in more detail in the memorial of Martha's memorial, Sarah Jane Liggett Averill, Find A Grave memorial #48898260. Suffice it to say, their guide hadn't traveled that way in a while, and, when he had taken the route he now took the settlers over there had been plenty of water, which now, there was not. Much of the water they did find was tainted and illness was an ever present hardship for they had to keep going and now there were issues with cholera, Rocky Mountain Fever (caused by ticks) and what was referred to as "Camp Fever", most likely typhus. There were also all manner of wild animals ranging from rattlesnakes to wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and prairie dogs which dug holes which could trip up an ox or a horse, causing a broken leg for the poor beast and maybe bringing down the rider or the wagon as well. Near some of the stagnant waters there were often hoards of mosquitoes and "no see ums", little gnats, which could drive an animal to stampede and which could also "bother" the poor travelers to wits end. Water, food and fuel were all running low and as they reached Vale, Oregon Territory; about 200 wagons, carrying about 1,000 emigrants turned off to the southwest and the Malheur Mountains where they first dealt with a steep and narrow ravine with boulders they were forced to move so their wagons could pass. Sharp shards of obsidian cut into the feet of both the animals and all who were walking. At the end of the day, some oxen would collapse "never to rise again". Priceless belongings they had brought with them were cast aside as they now were a burden to the poor animals pulling the wagons over unmanageable trails, steep hills and hot dry lake beds, dried out by the drought. For it was August and if the mud hadn't dried completely it would suck the animals, wagons and people down to their knees further taking what little strength they had left. Now cholera, "camp fever" and "cold lungs" (probably bronchial infections) began to take its' toll on the weary travelers. Those at the rear of the train often passed dead oxen and more settlers were dying, buried by the "safe trail" that had taken so many lives. It took six long weeks before the survivors reached the Deschutes River and followed it North to Sagebrush Springs, near present day Gateway, Oregon, where, on September 26th, 1845, they buried six people. Martha's immediate family had been spared in that all had survived the ordeal, but none would forget the terrible toll the "Meek Cut Off" had taken, both physically and emotionally, taking the lives of friends they had known or had made along the way. They joined the main party at Gateway and headed South to what is now Benton County, Oregon. Martha's father settled his family on a donation land claim (OC#4925) in Polk County, Oregon, clearing the land, building a cabin and barn and planting crops. Martha became the sister of two more siblings born in the Oregon Territory after their arrival. They were William Thomas, b.1847 and Julia Ann, b.1850. Her father then headed South to California on a business venture which was quite profitable and paid for ship fare to return to Portland, Oregon, where he would take another boat down the Willamette River to his family's land, not far from where Brownsville is today [county boundaries were changing every few years]. Unfortunately, her father became ill and died on August 15th, 1849, before the ship left the harbor. He was initially buried at the cemetery on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, then, in 1947 the cemetery was closed and his remains were reburied. At first it was thought that he was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, but no record of him has been found there; as of February, 2019, 170 years following his death, Rev. Leander Belieu's final resting place is still not known, lost to history.
{Her mother remarried, to Dr. Nathaniel Daniel Jack in September, 1851. Four children were borne of this union; sadly, Dr. Jack died in 1857 while Sarah was just a few months pregnant with the twin daughters. Her mother wed one last time in 1861 to Henry James Cropsy Averill and one daughter was born to them eleven months later.}
During this time, Martha had met Tolbert Carter, a native of Illinois who had arrived in the Oregon Territory in early 1847. Martha and Tolbert married on August 22nd, 1850 in Polk County, Oregon Territory. The newlyweds created their home on his donation land claim (DLC#4058) in what would become Benton County, in the Corvallis area in Soap Creek. Their family had grown by five children when the 1860 Census was taken. Tolbert was a Farmer with the homestead valued at $4,000 and cash assets of $2,800. Their children were: Clara J. b.1852, James E, b. 1853, John A., b. 1855, Harry E., b.1857, and Mary E., b. 1859. Clara and James attended school. When the next census was conducted in 1870, the homestead was valued at $8,000 with cash assets of $2,000. There were now seven children in the home: Clara J. was now 18, James was 17 and a farm hand, John was 14 and also a farm hand, Henry was 13, Mary E. was 11, Perry A. was 9 (b.1861) and Ella Eliza was 7 (b.1862). All the children were attending school except for Clara. When the 1880 Census was taken, Clara was no longer in the home, having married in January 1871 to Robert James Taylor. Perry had married Mary Izadora Collins in 1873. John had married Mary Catherine Williamson and was living in Wells, Benton County. Mary Elizabeth had married Robert Daniel Hodges and was living in the area. Tolbert and Martha continued living on the homestead and Harry, 23, and Perry, 18, were listed as farm hands on the census. Eliza E. (Ella Eliza), now 16, and Virgil Anson, Martha and Tolbert's last child, now age 9, were living on the family's farm. Sadly, Harry died on May 4th, 1885. He was only 28 years of age; he was buried at Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. During this time, Tolbert had been a Justice of the Peace from 1852-1854. In 1878 he was elected to the Oregon Legislature and reelected in 1882. Unfortunately, the 1890 Census records were destroyed by fire so the next Census available was in 1900. A lot can happen in 20 years -- during this time, Martha's beloved husband died. When he left this world on October 3rd, 1899, he was a state senator for Benton and Lincoln Counties, having been elected in 1894. Tolbert was interred at Palestine Cemetery where his son, Harry, had been laid to rest. Martha was now a widow and she remained on their farm. When the 1900 Census was taken on June 2nd, 1900, she listed herself as "Farmer". Her boarder, Granvel Prindell, age 26, was a farm laborer and Effie Elliott, age 26, was listed as a housekeeper. Also, her son Virgil had married in 1896 to Nora Persus Belieu and they lived adjacent to the Carter's homestead. When the 1910 Census was taken, Martha Angelina was 75 years of age and continuing to live on the donation land claim where she had lived for almost 60 years. A hired hand boarded at her home where she remained until she contracted the flu and passed from this life less than a week later, on February 25th, 1937. She was buried by her husband, together again in death, at the Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. May they Rest in Eternal Peace in Heaven.
Martha Angelina Belieu was the first born child of Reverend Leander Belieu and Sarah Jane Liggett, in Ray County, Missouri on December 18th, 1834. Two brothers followed her birth in Missouri:
Jesse Green, b.1837 and
Jonathan Wesley Asbury, b.1841.
In 1844, her father decided that life would be better out West for his family and they left Independence, Missouri in early 1845 under the guidance of Cpt. Abner Hackleman. There were 52 wagons with 214 people, 666 head of cattle, a few horses and wagons being drawn by oxen (contrary to popular movies of a century later as horses were not as hardy as oxen). Young Martha was just 10 years old and would have walked more than ridden most of the 2,000 miles to the Oregon Territory. After regrouping about 3 miles from Kansas, the large company had about 233 wagons with 1007 people (421 males, 138 females and 448 children), 3,261 cattle and 182 horses. Stephen H. L. Meek was paid $2.50 per wagon to guide the party along a safer route, free of possible Indian hostilities. The wagons were reorganized under three leaders, known as Captains, and they finally left Mid May, 1845, along the Oregon Trail until they reached Idaho, where they took the infamous "Meek Cut Off", a decision which cost too many lives in the months to come. [Please read Stephenie Flora's web site entitled "OregonPioneers.com", which gives details regarding all who came across the Oregon Trail between the late 1830's and the mid 1850's]. Many of the hardships (and there were all too many) are described in more detail in the memorial of Martha's memorial, Sarah Jane Liggett Averill, Find A Grave memorial #48898260. Suffice it to say, their guide hadn't traveled that way in a while, and, when he had taken the route he now took the settlers over there had been plenty of water, which now, there was not. Much of the water they did find was tainted and illness was an ever present hardship for they had to keep going and now there were issues with cholera, Rocky Mountain Fever (caused by ticks) and what was referred to as "Camp Fever", most likely typhus. There were also all manner of wild animals ranging from rattlesnakes to wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and prairie dogs which dug holes which could trip up an ox or a horse, causing a broken leg for the poor beast and maybe bringing down the rider or the wagon as well. Near some of the stagnant waters there were often hoards of mosquitoes and "no see ums", little gnats, which could drive an animal to stampede and which could also "bother" the poor travelers to wits end. Water, food and fuel were all running low and as they reached Vale, Oregon Territory; about 200 wagons, carrying about 1,000 emigrants turned off to the southwest and the Malheur Mountains where they first dealt with a steep and narrow ravine with boulders they were forced to move so their wagons could pass. Sharp shards of obsidian cut into the feet of both the animals and all who were walking. At the end of the day, some oxen would collapse "never to rise again". Priceless belongings they had brought with them were cast aside as they now were a burden to the poor animals pulling the wagons over unmanageable trails, steep hills and hot dry lake beds, dried out by the drought. For it was August and if the mud hadn't dried completely it would suck the animals, wagons and people down to their knees further taking what little strength they had left. Now cholera, "camp fever" and "cold lungs" (probably bronchial infections) began to take its' toll on the weary travelers. Those at the rear of the train often passed dead oxen and more settlers were dying, buried by the "safe trail" that had taken so many lives. It took six long weeks before the survivors reached the Deschutes River and followed it North to Sagebrush Springs, near present day Gateway, Oregon, where, on September 26th, 1845, they buried six people. Martha's immediate family had been spared in that all had survived the ordeal, but none would forget the terrible toll the "Meek Cut Off" had taken, both physically and emotionally, taking the lives of friends they had known or had made along the way. They joined the main party at Gateway and headed South to what is now Benton County, Oregon. Martha's father settled his family on a donation land claim (OC#4925) in Polk County, Oregon, clearing the land, building a cabin and barn and planting crops. Martha became the sister of two more siblings born in the Oregon Territory after their arrival. They were William Thomas, b.1847 and Julia Ann, b.1850. Her father then headed South to California on a business venture which was quite profitable and paid for ship fare to return to Portland, Oregon, where he would take another boat down the Willamette River to his family's land, not far from where Brownsville is today [county boundaries were changing every few years]. Unfortunately, her father became ill and died on August 15th, 1849, before the ship left the harbor. He was initially buried at the cemetery on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, then, in 1947 the cemetery was closed and his remains were reburied. At first it was thought that he was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, but no record of him has been found there; as of February, 2019, 170 years following his death, Rev. Leander Belieu's final resting place is still not known, lost to history.
{Her mother remarried, to Dr. Nathaniel Daniel Jack in September, 1851. Four children were borne of this union; sadly, Dr. Jack died in 1857 while Sarah was just a few months pregnant with the twin daughters. Her mother wed one last time in 1861 to Henry James Cropsy Averill and one daughter was born to them eleven months later.}
During this time, Martha had met Tolbert Carter, a native of Illinois who had arrived in the Oregon Territory in early 1847. Martha and Tolbert married on August 22nd, 1850 in Polk County, Oregon Territory. The newlyweds created their home on his donation land claim (DLC#4058) in what would become Benton County, in the Corvallis area in Soap Creek. Their family had grown by five children when the 1860 Census was taken. Tolbert was a Farmer with the homestead valued at $4,000 and cash assets of $2,800. Their children were: Clara J. b.1852, James E, b. 1853, John A., b. 1855, Harry E., b.1857, and Mary E., b. 1859. Clara and James attended school. When the next census was conducted in 1870, the homestead was valued at $8,000 with cash assets of $2,000. There were now seven children in the home: Clara J. was now 18, James was 17 and a farm hand, John was 14 and also a farm hand, Henry was 13, Mary E. was 11, Perry A. was 9 (b.1861) and Ella Eliza was 7 (b.1862). All the children were attending school except for Clara. When the 1880 Census was taken, Clara was no longer in the home, having married in January 1871 to Robert James Taylor. Perry had married Mary Izadora Collins in 1873. John had married Mary Catherine Williamson and was living in Wells, Benton County. Mary Elizabeth had married Robert Daniel Hodges and was living in the area. Tolbert and Martha continued living on the homestead and Harry, 23, and Perry, 18, were listed as farm hands on the census. Eliza E. (Ella Eliza), now 16, and Virgil Anson, Martha and Tolbert's last child, now age 9, were living on the family's farm. Sadly, Harry died on May 4th, 1885. He was only 28 years of age; he was buried at Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. During this time, Tolbert had been a Justice of the Peace from 1852-1854. In 1878 he was elected to the Oregon Legislature and reelected in 1882. Unfortunately, the 1890 Census records were destroyed by fire so the next Census available was in 1900. A lot can happen in 20 years -- during this time, Martha's beloved husband died. When he left this world on October 3rd, 1899, he was a state senator for Benton and Lincoln Counties, having been elected in 1894. Tolbert was interred at Palestine Cemetery where his son, Harry, had been laid to rest. Martha was now a widow and she remained on their farm. When the 1900 Census was taken on June 2nd, 1900, she listed herself as "Farmer". Her boarder, Granvel Prindell, age 26, was a farm laborer and Effie Elliott, age 26, was listed as a housekeeper. Also, her son Virgil had married in 1896 to Nora Persus Belieu and they lived adjacent to the Carter's homestead. When the 1910 Census was taken, Martha Angelina was 75 years of age and continuing to live on the donation land claim where she had lived for almost 60 years. A hired hand boarded at her home where she remained until she contracted the flu and passed from this life less than a week later, on February 25th, 1937. She was buried by her husband, together again in death, at the Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. May they Rest in Eternal Peace in Heaven.
Oregon Pioneer of 1845. She lived to be 102 years of age.
Martha Angelina Belieu was the first born child of Reverend Leander Belieu and Sarah Jane Liggett, in Ray County, Missouri on December 18th, 1834. Two brothers followed her birth in Missouri:
Jesse Green, b.1837 and
Jonathan Wesley Asbury, b.1841.
In 1844, her father decided that life would be better out West for his family and they left Independence, Missouri in early 1845 under the guidance of Cpt. Abner Hackleman. There were 52 wagons with 214 people, 666 head of cattle, a few horses and wagons being drawn by oxen (contrary to popular movies of a century later as horses were not as hardy as oxen). Young Martha was just 10 years old and would have walked more than ridden most of the 2,000 miles to the Oregon Territory. After regrouping about 3 miles from Kansas, the large company had about 233 wagons with 1007 people (421 males, 138 females and 448 children), 3,261 cattle and 182 horses. Stephen H. L. Meek was paid $2.50 per wagon to guide the party along a safer route, free of possible Indian hostilities. The wagons were reorganized under three leaders, known as Captains, and they finally left Mid May, 1845, along the Oregon Trail until they reached Idaho, where they took the infamous "Meek Cut Off", a decision which cost too many lives in the months to come. [Please read Stephenie Flora's web site entitled "OregonPioneers.com", which gives details regarding all who came across the Oregon Trail between the late 1830's and the mid 1850's]. Many of the hardships (and there were all too many) are described in more detail in the memorial of Martha's memorial, Sarah Jane Liggett Averill, Find A Grave memorial #48898260. Suffice it to say, their guide hadn't traveled that way in a while, and, when he had taken the route he now took the settlers over there had been plenty of water, which now, there was not. Much of the water they did find was tainted and illness was an ever present hardship for they had to keep going and now there were issues with cholera, Rocky Mountain Fever (caused by ticks) and what was referred to as "Camp Fever", most likely typhus. There were also all manner of wild animals ranging from rattlesnakes to wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and prairie dogs which dug holes which could trip up an ox or a horse, causing a broken leg for the poor beast and maybe bringing down the rider or the wagon as well. Near some of the stagnant waters there were often hoards of mosquitoes and "no see ums", little gnats, which could drive an animal to stampede and which could also "bother" the poor travelers to wits end. Water, food and fuel were all running low and as they reached Vale, Oregon Territory; about 200 wagons, carrying about 1,000 emigrants turned off to the southwest and the Malheur Mountains where they first dealt with a steep and narrow ravine with boulders they were forced to move so their wagons could pass. Sharp shards of obsidian cut into the feet of both the animals and all who were walking. At the end of the day, some oxen would collapse "never to rise again". Priceless belongings they had brought with them were cast aside as they now were a burden to the poor animals pulling the wagons over unmanageable trails, steep hills and hot dry lake beds, dried out by the drought. For it was August and if the mud hadn't dried completely it would suck the animals, wagons and people down to their knees further taking what little strength they had left. Now cholera, "camp fever" and "cold lungs" (probably bronchial infections) began to take its' toll on the weary travelers. Those at the rear of the train often passed dead oxen and more settlers were dying, buried by the "safe trail" that had taken so many lives. It took six long weeks before the survivors reached the Deschutes River and followed it North to Sagebrush Springs, near present day Gateway, Oregon, where, on September 26th, 1845, they buried six people. Martha's immediate family had been spared in that all had survived the ordeal, but none would forget the terrible toll the "Meek Cut Off" had taken, both physically and emotionally, taking the lives of friends they had known or had made along the way. They joined the main party at Gateway and headed South to what is now Benton County, Oregon. Martha's father settled his family on a donation land claim (OC#4925) in Polk County, Oregon, clearing the land, building a cabin and barn and planting crops. Martha became the sister of two more siblings born in the Oregon Territory after their arrival. They were William Thomas, b.1847 and Julia Ann, b.1850. Her father then headed South to California on a business venture which was quite profitable and paid for ship fare to return to Portland, Oregon, where he would take another boat down the Willamette River to his family's land, not far from where Brownsville is today [county boundaries were changing every few years]. Unfortunately, her father became ill and died on August 15th, 1849, before the ship left the harbor. He was initially buried at the cemetery on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, then, in 1947 the cemetery was closed and his remains were reburied. At first it was thought that he was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, but no record of him has been found there; as of February, 2019, 170 years following his death, Rev. Leander Belieu's final resting place is still not known, lost to history.
{Her mother remarried, to Dr. Nathaniel Daniel Jack in September, 1851. Four children were borne of this union; sadly, Dr. Jack died in 1857 while Sarah was just a few months pregnant with the twin daughters. Her mother wed one last time in 1861 to Henry James Cropsy Averill and one daughter was born to them eleven months later.}
During this time, Martha had met Tolbert Carter, a native of Illinois who had arrived in the Oregon Territory in early 1847. Martha and Tolbert married on August 22nd, 1850 in Polk County, Oregon Territory. The newlyweds created their home on his donation land claim (DLC#4058) in what would become Benton County, in the Corvallis area in Soap Creek. Their family had grown by five children when the 1860 Census was taken. Tolbert was a Farmer with the homestead valued at $4,000 and cash assets of $2,800. Their children were: Clara J. b.1852, James E, b. 1853, John A., b. 1855, Harry E., b.1857, and Mary E., b. 1859. Clara and James attended school. When the next census was conducted in 1870, the homestead was valued at $8,000 with cash assets of $2,000. There were now seven children in the home: Clara J. was now 18, James was 17 and a farm hand, John was 14 and also a farm hand, Henry was 13, Mary E. was 11, Perry A. was 9 (b.1861) and Ella Eliza was 7 (b.1862). All the children were attending school except for Clara. When the 1880 Census was taken, Clara was no longer in the home, having married in January 1871 to Robert James Taylor. Perry had married Mary Izadora Collins in 1873. John had married Mary Catherine Williamson and was living in Wells, Benton County. Mary Elizabeth had married Robert Daniel Hodges and was living in the area. Tolbert and Martha continued living on the homestead and Harry, 23, and Perry, 18, were listed as farm hands on the census. Eliza E. (Ella Eliza), now 16, and Virgil Anson, Martha and Tolbert's last child, now age 9, were living on the family's farm. Sadly, Harry died on May 4th, 1885. He was only 28 years of age; he was buried at Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. During this time, Tolbert had been a Justice of the Peace from 1852-1854. In 1878 he was elected to the Oregon Legislature and reelected in 1882. Unfortunately, the 1890 Census records were destroyed by fire so the next Census available was in 1900. A lot can happen in 20 years -- during this time, Martha's beloved husband died. When he left this world on October 3rd, 1899, he was a state senator for Benton and Lincoln Counties, having been elected in 1894. Tolbert was interred at Palestine Cemetery where his son, Harry, had been laid to rest. Martha was now a widow and she remained on their farm. When the 1900 Census was taken on June 2nd, 1900, she listed herself as "Farmer". Her boarder, Granvel Prindell, age 26, was a farm laborer and Effie Elliott, age 26, was listed as a housekeeper. Also, her son Virgil had married in 1896 to Nora Persus Belieu and they lived adjacent to the Carter's homestead. When the 1910 Census was taken, Martha Angelina was 75 years of age and continuing to live on the donation land claim where she had lived for almost 60 years. A hired hand boarded at her home where she remained until she contracted the flu and passed from this life less than a week later, on February 25th, 1937. She was buried by her husband, together again in death, at the Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. May they Rest in Eternal Peace in Heaven.
Martha Angelina Belieu was the first born child of Reverend Leander Belieu and Sarah Jane Liggett, in Ray County, Missouri on December 18th, 1834. Two brothers followed her birth in Missouri:
Jesse Green, b.1837 and
Jonathan Wesley Asbury, b.1841.
In 1844, her father decided that life would be better out West for his family and they left Independence, Missouri in early 1845 under the guidance of Cpt. Abner Hackleman. There were 52 wagons with 214 people, 666 head of cattle, a few horses and wagons being drawn by oxen (contrary to popular movies of a century later as horses were not as hardy as oxen). Young Martha was just 10 years old and would have walked more than ridden most of the 2,000 miles to the Oregon Territory. After regrouping about 3 miles from Kansas, the large company had about 233 wagons with 1007 people (421 males, 138 females and 448 children), 3,261 cattle and 182 horses. Stephen H. L. Meek was paid $2.50 per wagon to guide the party along a safer route, free of possible Indian hostilities. The wagons were reorganized under three leaders, known as Captains, and they finally left Mid May, 1845, along the Oregon Trail until they reached Idaho, where they took the infamous "Meek Cut Off", a decision which cost too many lives in the months to come. [Please read Stephenie Flora's web site entitled "OregonPioneers.com", which gives details regarding all who came across the Oregon Trail between the late 1830's and the mid 1850's]. Many of the hardships (and there were all too many) are described in more detail in the memorial of Martha's memorial, Sarah Jane Liggett Averill, Find A Grave memorial #48898260. Suffice it to say, their guide hadn't traveled that way in a while, and, when he had taken the route he now took the settlers over there had been plenty of water, which now, there was not. Much of the water they did find was tainted and illness was an ever present hardship for they had to keep going and now there were issues with cholera, Rocky Mountain Fever (caused by ticks) and what was referred to as "Camp Fever", most likely typhus. There were also all manner of wild animals ranging from rattlesnakes to wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and prairie dogs which dug holes which could trip up an ox or a horse, causing a broken leg for the poor beast and maybe bringing down the rider or the wagon as well. Near some of the stagnant waters there were often hoards of mosquitoes and "no see ums", little gnats, which could drive an animal to stampede and which could also "bother" the poor travelers to wits end. Water, food and fuel were all running low and as they reached Vale, Oregon Territory; about 200 wagons, carrying about 1,000 emigrants turned off to the southwest and the Malheur Mountains where they first dealt with a steep and narrow ravine with boulders they were forced to move so their wagons could pass. Sharp shards of obsidian cut into the feet of both the animals and all who were walking. At the end of the day, some oxen would collapse "never to rise again". Priceless belongings they had brought with them were cast aside as they now were a burden to the poor animals pulling the wagons over unmanageable trails, steep hills and hot dry lake beds, dried out by the drought. For it was August and if the mud hadn't dried completely it would suck the animals, wagons and people down to their knees further taking what little strength they had left. Now cholera, "camp fever" and "cold lungs" (probably bronchial infections) began to take its' toll on the weary travelers. Those at the rear of the train often passed dead oxen and more settlers were dying, buried by the "safe trail" that had taken so many lives. It took six long weeks before the survivors reached the Deschutes River and followed it North to Sagebrush Springs, near present day Gateway, Oregon, where, on September 26th, 1845, they buried six people. Martha's immediate family had been spared in that all had survived the ordeal, but none would forget the terrible toll the "Meek Cut Off" had taken, both physically and emotionally, taking the lives of friends they had known or had made along the way. They joined the main party at Gateway and headed South to what is now Benton County, Oregon. Martha's father settled his family on a donation land claim (OC#4925) in Polk County, Oregon, clearing the land, building a cabin and barn and planting crops. Martha became the sister of two more siblings born in the Oregon Territory after their arrival. They were William Thomas, b.1847 and Julia Ann, b.1850. Her father then headed South to California on a business venture which was quite profitable and paid for ship fare to return to Portland, Oregon, where he would take another boat down the Willamette River to his family's land, not far from where Brownsville is today [county boundaries were changing every few years]. Unfortunately, her father became ill and died on August 15th, 1849, before the ship left the harbor. He was initially buried at the cemetery on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, then, in 1947 the cemetery was closed and his remains were reburied. At first it was thought that he was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, but no record of him has been found there; as of February, 2019, 170 years following his death, Rev. Leander Belieu's final resting place is still not known, lost to history.
{Her mother remarried, to Dr. Nathaniel Daniel Jack in September, 1851. Four children were borne of this union; sadly, Dr. Jack died in 1857 while Sarah was just a few months pregnant with the twin daughters. Her mother wed one last time in 1861 to Henry James Cropsy Averill and one daughter was born to them eleven months later.}
During this time, Martha had met Tolbert Carter, a native of Illinois who had arrived in the Oregon Territory in early 1847. Martha and Tolbert married on August 22nd, 1850 in Polk County, Oregon Territory. The newlyweds created their home on his donation land claim (DLC#4058) in what would become Benton County, in the Corvallis area in Soap Creek. Their family had grown by five children when the 1860 Census was taken. Tolbert was a Farmer with the homestead valued at $4,000 and cash assets of $2,800. Their children were: Clara J. b.1852, James E, b. 1853, John A., b. 1855, Harry E., b.1857, and Mary E., b. 1859. Clara and James attended school. When the next census was conducted in 1870, the homestead was valued at $8,000 with cash assets of $2,000. There were now seven children in the home: Clara J. was now 18, James was 17 and a farm hand, John was 14 and also a farm hand, Henry was 13, Mary E. was 11, Perry A. was 9 (b.1861) and Ella Eliza was 7 (b.1862). All the children were attending school except for Clara. When the 1880 Census was taken, Clara was no longer in the home, having married in January 1871 to Robert James Taylor. Perry had married Mary Izadora Collins in 1873. John had married Mary Catherine Williamson and was living in Wells, Benton County. Mary Elizabeth had married Robert Daniel Hodges and was living in the area. Tolbert and Martha continued living on the homestead and Harry, 23, and Perry, 18, were listed as farm hands on the census. Eliza E. (Ella Eliza), now 16, and Virgil Anson, Martha and Tolbert's last child, now age 9, were living on the family's farm. Sadly, Harry died on May 4th, 1885. He was only 28 years of age; he was buried at Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. During this time, Tolbert had been a Justice of the Peace from 1852-1854. In 1878 he was elected to the Oregon Legislature and reelected in 1882. Unfortunately, the 1890 Census records were destroyed by fire so the next Census available was in 1900. A lot can happen in 20 years -- during this time, Martha's beloved husband died. When he left this world on October 3rd, 1899, he was a state senator for Benton and Lincoln Counties, having been elected in 1894. Tolbert was interred at Palestine Cemetery where his son, Harry, had been laid to rest. Martha was now a widow and she remained on their farm. When the 1900 Census was taken on June 2nd, 1900, she listed herself as "Farmer". Her boarder, Granvel Prindell, age 26, was a farm laborer and Effie Elliott, age 26, was listed as a housekeeper. Also, her son Virgil had married in 1896 to Nora Persus Belieu and they lived adjacent to the Carter's homestead. When the 1910 Census was taken, Martha Angelina was 75 years of age and continuing to live on the donation land claim where she had lived for almost 60 years. A hired hand boarded at her home where she remained until she contracted the flu and passed from this life less than a week later, on February 25th, 1937. She was buried by her husband, together again in death, at the Palestine Cemetery in Benton County, Oregon. May they Rest in Eternal Peace in Heaven.
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