Family: Lifelines

Family support was intrinsic to the Judson’s success. Phoebe’s parents already had their donation claim established in the Chehalis area, and more members of the Judson’s families, including Mr. Judson’s parents and sister, Phoebe’s brother William, his wife and child, a close friend, and the Charles Van Wormer family, were on the way from Ohio and would arrive a year after the Judsons’ arrival.
This allowed them to pool their resources and build a larger house (with glass windows!) to accommodate more people. The isolation seemed to be one of the most intimidating factors, especially as Indian/White relations became more strained, and families living together had the advantage of more hands and backs to take care of all of the daily tasks required for survival, and no one is left alone to face angry Indians, or the cougars and black bear that roamed the area.

Family gatherings were joyous occasions; Phoebe mentions Independence Day specifically and it appears to have been an important patriotic celebration for the pioneer settlers. Of the Independence Day celebration held on the Oregon Trail, she says “We were isolated from all other trains, far from civilization, without the banner of our country to unfurl to the breeze, and there was no band of martial music to thrill us with its inspiring strains. But more loyal hearts never entered upon the festivities of the day with greater enthusiasm than did these pilgrim travelers through the wilderness.”

back next