Eliza I. R. Hall, b. 1838 in Illinois, married James D. Savage, b. 1827 in Indiana. In early 1846, James decided to relocate to California, even though Eliza was "with child". High in the Sierra Nevada Mtns., just North of Lake Bilger, which would later be renamed Lake Tahoe, Eliza went into labor. She eventually gave birth to a baby girl inside the wagon. Wanting some fresh air, she chose to go outside briefly, although the area was quite cold and covered with snow. Eliza died the next day from the effects of the sudden cold, per a letter written by a member of the party, William M. Boggs, of Napa City, California, to the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper on May 25, 1908. [See Eliza's memorial for a more detailed account.] The area was quite rocky but they were finally able to dig a shallow grave and wrapped Eliza in a sheet, then buried her without a coffin. The grave was covered with tree boughs. The newborn baby was unable to live without her mother and died soon after. She was also buried in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, although there is nothing written that states whether she was buried with her mother or alone. She rests, at peace, in Heaven, with her dear mother, joined by her father in 1852 after he was killed during an argument. May they all Rest Peacefully in Paradise.
Eliza I. R. Hall, b. 1838 in Illinois, married James D. Savage, b. 1827 in Indiana. In early 1846, James decided to relocate to California, even though Eliza was "with child". High in the Sierra Nevada Mtns., just North of Lake Bilger, which would later be renamed Lake Tahoe, Eliza went into labor. She eventually gave birth to a baby girl inside the wagon. Wanting some fresh air, she chose to go outside briefly, although the area was quite cold and covered with snow. Eliza died the next day from the effects of the sudden cold, per a letter written by a member of the party, William M. Boggs, of Napa City, California, to the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper on May 25, 1908. [See Eliza's memorial for a more detailed account.] The area was quite rocky but they were finally able to dig a shallow grave and wrapped Eliza in a sheet, then buried her without a coffin. The grave was covered with tree boughs. The newborn baby was unable to live without her mother and died soon after. She was also buried in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, although there is nothing written that states whether she was buried with her mother or alone. She rests, at peace, in Heaven, with her dear mother, joined by her father in 1852 after he was killed during an argument. May they all Rest Peacefully in Paradise.
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