Here's the first of my many pioneer ancestors I'd like to share info on; Martin GILLIHAN b 30 Oct 1824 Jackson Co, TN; d 26 Jan 1906 Portland, Multnomah Co, OR buried at the Old City Cemetery in Vancouver, Clark Co, WA. Martins parents were Thomas GILLIHAN & Lucinda "Lucy" BROWN. In 1844 Martin left Polk County, Missouri and started across the overland trail with ox teams and driving a band of cattle along with the Wagon group called the California Company or the Cornelius GILLIAM Wagon Train. Martin married first on 21 May 1844 on the Oregon Trail to Elizabeth AZBILL/ASABILL daughter of Franklin M ASBELL/ASABELL, they may have had a child in 1844 along the Oregon Trail possibly in MO. They divorced later in Sep 17, 1846 (Bill of Divorce). After 6 months on the Oregon Trail they arrived in Washington County, Oregon, he worked on a ranch during winter and following spring. In 1845 he farmed independently on a piece of land & in fall of 1846 came to Sauvie's Island. He settled there on farm of 640 acres now owned and occupied by John Howell. In the spring of 1847 he traded his land for 3 Cayuse horses, and with his brother WILLIAM, rode on horseback down into California, where they worked in the woods near San Francisco. Later on he worked on a ranch near Santa Clara and in the spring of 1848 went to Sutter Mills & saw first gold taken out of that place. Returned to Oregon fall of 1848 and in spring of 1849 returned again to California across mountains with ox teams & prospected/mined in vicinity of Hangtown. Returned to Oregon in winter of 1849 accompanied by his BROTHER'S WIDOW and her 3 children & located on the farm belonging to Mrs. Gillihan (widow), but which was purchased from her by her brother-in-law Martin Gillihan in 1850. Martin married second to Sarah C Howell on Dec 15, 1850 and had 13 kids settling a Donation Land Claim this same year signed by President U. S. Grant. Sarah and her family had traveled the Oregon Train also in 1850. In the 1970's Martin traveled back eastward (probably to Missouri) to bring some of his other brothers west; Gideon & Thomas GILLIHAN by Wagon Train. Do we have any cousins or travel mates on the Oregon Trail in 1844? Rose Terry @>,--'--- OREGON-TRAIL List mom -- \\\|/// \\ ~ ~ // Give your children these two things - One is roots, ( @ @ ) the other, wings. -oOOo-(_)-oOOo- Rose CAUDLE TERRY, Washington state @>,--'--- BILYEU, WORKMAN & OREGON TRAIL Listmom (genealogical) Proud RootsWeb Sponsor [email protected] http://www.genealogy.bilyeu.com/ Current publications available at: http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&userid=rosess Use Paypal for your Auction purchases (credit card), sign up and get $5 in your account! Check it out and see for yourself: https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=RMTerry%40prodigy.net