Ida Smead

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1880, , Washington, Idaho, USA; Marital Status: SingleRelation to Head: Daughter

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Aaron D. Smead
• Residence: 1850, New London, Henry, Iowa, USA
• Residence: 1852, , Siskiyou, California, USA
• Residence: 1860, , Linn, Oregon, USA; Residence Post Office: Albany
• Residence: 1880, , Washington, Idaho, USA; Marital Status: MarriedRelation to Head: Self
• Residence: 26 Aug 1896, Hall, Bannock, Idaho, USA

Notes:

Amasa Daniel Smead

Excerpts from

To California with "The Ikenberry Party" in 1849
A History Project by
Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur
Updated May 2008

INTRODUCTION
At least two parties left the Des Moines County-Henry County area of Iowa in the spring of 1849, bound for the gold fields of California. One group, who called themselves "the Mt. Pleasant Mining Company", is described in two Trail documents

SMEAD, Amasa Daniel—"Pony" Smead was born in New York State ca 1827 of parents born in Vermont (Daniel and Naomi?). He was living in New London, Henry County, Iowa, in 1849. By his own account (Reference 11), he mined in El Dorado County, California, through the winter of 1850-1851, then went to San Francisco where he worked on construction of a plank road. Over the next several years, he traveled to Trinidad and the Klamath River, Humboldt County, California; then to Yreka, Siskiyou County, California; Sterlingville and Jacksonville, Jackson County, Oregon; and on to Albany, Linn County, Oregon. In August 1860 he was working on the farm of Hiram N. Smead at Albany. In 1861 he left Oregon for Orofino, Idaho Territory, and spent time there and in Florence, Idaho Territory (probably mining, as gold was discovered in the area about 1862). He settled in Warren, Idaho County, about 1867, and lived the rest of his life there. On 12 July 1876 he married a Native American, Molly, born in Idaho ca 1858. "Pony" died at Warren 18 January 1899.

SMEAD, Ithiel —"Pony" Smead's older brother was born in Vermont ca 1820, and was living in Henry County, Iowa, when the "Ikenberry" group left for California in 1849. He mined with his brother through the winter of 1850-1851. Perhaps he was with Amasa Smead in northern California and southern Oregon between 1851 and 1859. In any event, he was at Albany, Linn County, Oregon by 5 February 1859 when he married Sarah Ann Johnson. Sarah was born in Indiana ca 1844. They farmed in Linn County at least until 1880. I haven't been able to locate the family after that year.

(11) FROM: Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 20 May 1889 - Letter to the Editor: Warrens, Idaho County, I. T., May 14.

The Editor of the Oregonian.

I understand you wish to hear from all the forty-niners who do not belong to any of the pioneer associations, and as I am one, I will try and let you know how and when I came to California. I left the town of New London, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1849, in company with an older brother, now living in Oregon, David and Asa McCulley, Wm. and John Waters, H. M. Read, David [Rea?]ding, Timothy Barton, old man Starkey, Amos and Sam Starkey, Kessler, Paton, Eikenbery, Angel and several others whom I have forgotten.

We all had ox teams. We crossed the Missouri river at St. Joe, went up the South Platte opposite Ash hollow; then crossed to the North Platte and went past Scott's Bluffs, where old man Starkey, Kessler and Paton had a shooting scrape. Starkey was shot in the groin and Kessley through the [___]. They both recovered. We passed Fort Laramie, where we left Kessler; thence to Fort Hall, and down Humboldt to the sink; across the desert to Carson; then over the Sierra Nevadas to Old Weavertown -- the first gold mines we saw -- then down to the Shingle springs, where we left the road, and went to the Moccasin river, where we did our first mining with rockers hollowed out of round logs.
When the rainy season set in seven of us went to the Shingle springs and built the first house there, where we wintered, and had considerable sickness. William Waters died. His was the first grave at that place. In the spring we scattered out, and I have seen none of them since. In the fall of '50 I went to San Francisco and worked on the plank road from there in the Mission in March 1851. I started for Gold beach on the steamer Eudora, and was out six days. The passengers mutinied, and ran her back to Frisco. I then went to Trinidad on a small schooner; and then to Klamath river; then to Yreka, Sterlingville, Jacksonville, and on to Linn county, Oregon. In 1861 I left Oregon for Oro Fino, Idaho.
A. D. Smead

[NOTE: Denys Reinertsen, a descendant of Amasa Daniel "Pony" SMEAD, sent me this article in February 2008. In subsequent correspondence, Denys noted that Amasa Smead and his brother Ithiel Smead were at Cosumnes River, El Dorado Co., California, for the 1850 census, enumerated with Samuel Starkey and Guy Hanes.]


http://chambreauresources.com/ned/letters/E.htm

REPORTS FROM MIDDLE IDAHO

I could not discover anything which indicated a general out break, but never the less it will be a hard matter to bring the guilty parties to justice as their country over which they roam is very ruff. I give below a copy of a letter from Mr Rains who resides on the South Fork, to some merchants in Warrens.

South Fork Salmon River, I.T. May 29 1879
Friend Hexter (merchant), I received your note. Thanks to you for favors. Everything is quiet here as usual but we feel quite uneasy. 1 would like for you when the soldiers come in to try to induce at least enough to scout this part of the country. In my opinion scouts should be sent up at least as far as Elk City trail. I think in all probability there are Indians in that part of the country. I would move into camp (Warrens) but the snow is too deep and probably will be for some time to come, and it is next to impossible around by Smiths. I will try and come in next Thursday provided no one is sent out here before that time. Yours truly, J.P. Rains

Warrens May 31. For all the information I can gather not a single white man in this part of the country that can form a correct idea here these “Sheep Eaters” are at present. As near as I can learn they have a much larger country to roam over than one would think, and its all mountains except their hiding places.

Information from Uncle Wood. Person who was one of the party who went to the country called Man Creek at its head or near its head. This man says that Dan Crucks was murded, and being related to Capt. Drum, he said it was perfectly right because there was no other Indians in Indian valley or in that vicinity. There is no question but what the massacre occured. The Indians were all killed but two squaws and an old blind Indian. These two sqaws led the white men to them.

Uncle John Wood lives at the mouth of Slate Creek, has been in this part of the country since ‘62, well acquainted with the people and the country. During the war with Joseph the Indians told him to stay at home- that he would not be molested. He did stay and he was not disturbed. They killed everybody around. him they could find. He has been over among the Sheepeaters. He says they very treacherous and, do kill miners once in a while. He also a there are not to exceed 40 of them. Uncle did. not believe it until he was shown the names in a letter. The man lives here at Slate Creek. He also saw the list of the men that were in the party.

Dossey & Johnson were killed by Indians the 19 day of April on the east side of the South Fork of the Salmon River. Their bodies were found May 21, and since then there have been no sign of Indians in that vicinity up to May 31.These Indians have the name of “Sheep Eaters”, but they are really part of Ten Doys tribe. They speak Shoshone and are Shoshone. I have testimony of one of the tribe which I will give.

There is some very nice warm sheltersd places in the country occupied by the Sheep Eaters. It would surprise anyone to see the fine early vegetables which is brought into Warrens from the South Fork of the Salmon River, but the country is ruff ruff ruff, and it is only a short time during the year that it can be traveled without crossing snow.

She don’t know how many of them there is. She says my tribe don’t use horses they travel around a good deal in the summer. In the winter we stayed on Big Creek on Clear Water (South Fork). When I was young we went to Limki once or twice a year. Big Bird has beard on his face looks different from the other Indians. All those who saw the paper which was left on the little bush by the stump with the inscription on it. All say as I do that ‘Big Bird” was one of the 3 or 4 Indians who killed Dossey & Johnson.
Mr Smead & wife Indian woman. Their statement. the Sheep Eaters are Shoshones, and Ten Doys is the head chief. “Pe-yut-che”, Big Bird, took 7 families with him. 15 men. Pe-high-net-“Big River”, 15 men. Cissimoo the murderer of the first 2 white men in ’68. These Indians winter on the south fork of Clear Water or on Big Creek, which enters into the South Fork of the Salmon River.

She says all the time she was with them when she was young there never was any Indians from other tribes among them. She is twenty three. She was 17 when she left. They have some trails but no horses can travel them. This communications were towards Limki. There she says the Sheep Eaters traded with the Shoshones & Bannocks. This is the near point to reach them at any time. (they travel in the winter.)

Molly Smead, this is her testimony. She is married to the above man. She is a Sheep Eater. She says that to her best recollection when she was with them, they always winter on Big Creek. In the summer they run everywhere. They have no particular place. They roam everywhere. She has not seen one of them for six years except “Chuck” Boise and Big Bird. Big Bird is their chief.

Warrens June 1 1879. Mr. Frank Smith who lives on the South Fork has just come in. He lives there and has been for a few years with his family. He appears very reliable. Says he has been scouting since the discovery of the murder of Dossey & Johnson but has failed to discover any sign of Indians what ever. Does not think there was more than four Indians at the murder of the two men. e is of the oninion that there are about (over) one hundred of them. Different bands, but they are all Shoshones and speak that tongue not withstanding they are called Sheep Eaters. He is also of the opinion that they will make a break somewhere on the Weiser. Says with the rest of the men that know the country they live in that they are capable of causing considerable trouble because the country they hide in is very ruff & can only be traveled by foot men. He goes home tomorrow. (over)

Mr. Dossey went to see Mr. Johnson on the 20 of April and never returned. The bodies were found May 21. Mr. Johnson kept a diary where he would set down the dates he would state the condItion of the weather. The 18 of April was the last. The bodies when found were so decomposed that they fell to pieces when moved. No one knows the whereabouts of the Indians. Ther has been no Indian signs since the murder of Dossey & Johnson up to May 31. Everthing was quiet on theSouth Fork and vicinity.
She has been living on the South Fork of the Salmon river and never saw no signs of Indians. They wear thin mogsons half soled. Then 1 asked her where would the Indians leave the women and children when they would go anywhere she did not seem to want to answer. All I could get was that they left then on the south fork and Big Creek.

Molly Smead. I am 23 years old. I was 18 when I began to live with the whites. We are Shoshones & Ten Doys is the head. chief. Pe-yut-che-“Big Bird” broke off from the main tribe took 8 families with him 15 men. Pe-high-net “Big Runner” 7 families 14 men. Cassimoo, with his 3 men who murdered 2 white men in 68, “Bowie” with his 2 confederates which is also a bad IndIan. IThis gives a total of 35 Sheep Eaters which must be correct according to the best information I can gather. She is inclined to believe that the Loon Creek murder was done by Weiser Indians.

The Indians which were chased into the mountains last fall were Weiser Indians but are really “Sheep Eaters”. Egedan is chief but don’t know if he is a Sheep Eater or not. These Indians all winter together & they are the ones who killed the Chinaman on Loon Creek.
35 Indians altogether. Snow is very deep yet. Says he is going to stay there and go to work, that it don’t look like an Indian out break.

Florance. Capt. Makabee Sir We arrived here today the horses are very weak, and I doubt if they will stand the trip much longer. Every one we see tells us that we are three or four weeks too early. There is undoubtably a great deal of snow on all the trails, for we have already traveled over twenty miles of snow now, and some of it is very deep.

Mr Smith brought in some fine vegetables which they grow on the South Fork. He told me there was several places in the mountains that horses wintered very well and that they had no frost since April. This is the report of all those that live in that part of the country, that it is two months earlier than at Warrens. It must undoubtedly be a fine hiding place for Indians.
There has been no additional news received at this Camp Howard or Mount Idaho since April 1
I will go around by Little Salmon and probably I may have to go by Boise.

Him High, a Chinaman who was hired to go to South Fork by the whites has just returned. He was sent to Bonet Smead 4 miles from where the two men were murdered. He reports every thing very quiet. This place is 20 miles from Rains on the same stream. Also a Chinaman who went to Rains. How is it that these Chinamen are so faithful & fearless? Let some one answer that.
Rained all day the 12 last night 13 snowed all night. Today 14 heavy snow storm. I have no information of interest. We are the first ones that have come in since last fall.

The number and names of those residing on the South Fork of Salmon river are as follows. Frank Smith, Jenkins, Smead, Floyed& Storms, J.P.Rains & four Chinamen.
Athoo. Chinaman Wong Too accompany his brother name is Wong Kee & Akee Loose. He is a miner and appears reliable. The letter was dated 1 March. He says there was 8 Indians, and killed 7 Chinamen. There were 8 got away from the Athoo camp. Those saw the Indians. He says they were Snakes Indians.
what kind of dress they wear skin clothes altogather no blankets they have sheep skins and other animal skins for bedding.

Around Florance and around Warrens for miles these mines are worked by Chinamen. You can see white men walking arround from camp who will tell you that they sold their mining claims to these Chinamen,. Whose fault is it if the Chinamen have good cabins plenty to eat and money layed up.
because I found from Athoo a brother of one of the Chinamen who started to Boise on snow shoes from Loon Creek.

These Indians came to Loon Creek on snow shoes and were dressed different for the real Sheep Eaters. because he is the only Indian among them who has pencils & can make those characters. The reason they have the name of Sheep Eaters is this. There are good many mountain sheep where they live. They some times run them off precipices & kill them in this way. They also kill some with their guns. They dress these skins with the wool on and use them for beding & clothing.

Moses=== notebook excerpts
at Moses camp Dec 12 1878?
I am heart is now very sick. There three Jndians came here to me & said they had a paper from Washington to Gen. Howard to Wilbur for me to come and see him These Indians told me it was from Gen. Howard. When I got to Mue Mue (Simco) I then found out that he had lied to me. I asked him where isGen. Howards paper. Wilbur said I have none. Now you to me for saken Gen. Howard is nobody. Gen. Hpward come talk lie he is no big man he dont talk right. Wilber told me I will never have this land. The paper that Gen. Howard sent to Washington will never return, all the americans are laughing at Gen. Howard calling himself a big man.

My heart is very sick to hear Wilbur talk that way.I always thought you were a soldier Gen. but when I was told that you had nothing to do with it my heart became very sore. I want to let you know quick what has happened. Now you understand what Wilber said. Oh my heart is very sick because I like you. I want you to write to me and let me know what is all this talk about. — Enish said oh you will see by and by Moses, you will be forsaken.

Amasa married Indian Mollie on 12 Jul 1876 in , , Idaho, USA. Indian was born in Aug 1858 in , , Idaho, USA; died on 6 Oct 1900 in Smead Ranch, Warren, Idaho, Idaho, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Indian Mary
• Residence: 1880, , Washington, Idaho, USA; Marital Status: MarriedRelation to Head: Wife

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1840, , Henry, Iowa, USA
• Residence: 1850, New London, Henry, Iowa, USA
• Residence: 1852, New London, Henry, Iowa, USA

Daniel married Naomi Miller on 14 Dec 1842 in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, USA. Naomi was born on 4 Jun 1796 in Little Valley, Cattaraugus, New York, USA; died on 2 May 1879 in Salem, Henry, Iowa, USA; was buried in Salem, Henry, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, New London, Henry, Iowa, USA
• Residence: 1856, Yellow Springs, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
• Residence: 1860, Yellow Springs, Des Moines, Iowa, USA; Residence Post Office: Northfield

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1787, Guilford, Windham, Vermont, USA
• Residence: 1800, Guilford, Windham, Vermont, USA
• Residence: 1810, Wallingford, Rutland, Vermont, USA
• Residence: 1820, Wallingford, Rutland, Vermont, USA

Notes:

Based on marriage records showing that Amasa Smead and Sarah Deane married in Greenfield, MA on 5 Aug 1779, we can place Amasa Smead in the area at that time.

The following Revolutionaory War record concerning Amasa Greenfield Smead was found.

From: Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, 17 Vols., volume 14, page 323

"Smead, Amasa, Greenfield. Private, Capt. Agrippa Wells's co. of Minute-men, Col. Samuel Williams's regt., which marched April 20, 1775, in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; left place of rendezvous May 6, 1775, and returned home; service, 15 days; also, Capt. Agrippa Wells's co., Col. Porter's regt.; marched from home July 9, 1777; enlisted July 10, 1777; discharged Aug. 12, 1777; service, 38 days, including travel (80 miles) home; company marched to reinforce Northern army after the evacuation of Ticonderoga."

The following record may have been for a brother of Amasa Smead. Note that they have similar dates of service (this record is on the same page as the above record).

"Smead, Ebenezer. Corporal, Capt. Agrippa Wells's co., Col. Porter's regt.; marched from home July 9, 1777; enlisted July 10, 1777; discharged Aug. 12, 1777; service, 38 days, including travel (80 miles) home; company marched to reinforce Northern army after the evacuation of Ticonderoga; roll sworn to at Deerfield; also, Private, Capt. James Walsworth's co., Col. Elisha Porter's (Hampshire Co.) regt.; enlisted July 22, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 1 mo. 11 days, at New London, Conn., including 6 days (113 miles) travel home; roll sworn to at Deerfield."

Amasa married Achsa Hill on 17 Mar 1791 in Guilford, Windham, Vermont, USA. Achsa was born in 1771. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Mehitable Nims on 19 May 1731 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Mehitable (daughter of John Nims and Elizabeth Hull) was born on 13 Mar 1714 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 5 Nov 1782 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ebenezer married Esther Catlin about 1694. Esther (daughter of John Catlin and Mary Baldwin) was born on 9 May 1675 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 12 Dec 1733 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John (Twin) Nims
• Married: 1696

Notes:

John Nims, His Capture and Escape
On October 8, 1703, according to the Rev. John Williams ("The Redeemed Captive"), Zebediah Williams and John Nims went into the meadow in the evening to tend livestock and were ambushed by Indians in the ditch beyond Frary's bridge. The Indians fired at them, missed, and took Zebediah right away. Nims ran away to a nearby pond but returned, afraid of getting shot. The Indians wounded the cattle, and marched their captives to Canada. Zebediah died there in 1706. John Nims escaped in 1705, with Joseph Petty, Thomas Baker, and Martin Kellog, all three of whom were among the Feb. 29th captives. The four men walked to New England, via territory that is now Canada, Vermont, and New Hampshire. A letter written by Joseph Petty detailing their experiences survived and was reproduced in The Nims Family Association Book. George Sheldon wrote in his History of Deerfield that they had no weapons, and only meager provisions, but they made it home, more dead than alive from hunger and fatigue. Sheldon says "they were discovered in wisdom in an imbecile condition, and seemed guided more by instinct than by reason...Their appearance when brought in was such as to melt the stoutest heart...Broth, in small quantities, was given at first, and by slow degrees more substantial food, until they were filled. It was a long time before their cravings were satisfied."

Sheldon and the Nims Family Book (more information) also relate the following anecdote, told to Mr. Sheldon by his grandmother:

One day when the fugitives seemed at the last extremity, they discovered and killed a great white owl. This was instantly torn in pieces, which were laid in four piles, and fairly divided, one turning his back, and responding to the query, "Who shall have this?" Each took his share, and hardly waiting to pull off the feathers, tore through the tough fragments with their teeth, like so many ravenous beasts. Grandmother said John Nims always insisted that a wing which fell to him was the sweetest morsel he ever tasted."

source:http://freepages.folklore.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pahlow/nims.htm

Godfrey Nims (John's Father), and the Deerfield Massacre:
Three of his children had smothered to death in the cellar of his home while it burned over their heads, and his son Henry had been slain. His daughter Rebecca Mattoon and her newborn son had been slain. His wife, his son Ebenezer, his infant daughter Abigail, his step-daughter Elizabeth Hull, his son-in-law Philip Mattoon, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Smead--along with many of other more distant relatives, friends and neighbors--had all been taken away as captives.

Was there, finally, nobody left for Godfrey? Was he all alone? Son John and step-son Zebediah Williams had been captured and carried to Canada a few months ago. His very first child had died shortly after birth; another step-son had died in the first Nims house fire in 1694.

John Nims, the son of Godfrey and Mary Miller. He was born on the14th of August 1679 along with a twin sister, Rebecca. He grew up in Deerfield, Massachusetts and survived. He persevered through sickness, weather, and enemies. John Nims defeated death at every turn; it was meant for him to live. He is our legacy and we are his.

On October 8, 1703 John 24 years old and his half brother Zebediah Williams age 28 were watching the cattle when they were taken by surprise and captured by Indians. They were taken to the Mohawk Fort in Canada. During his time as captive he watched the Indians bring in more prisoners and scalps. He saw many captives brought in from Deerfield, his family and friends among them. He watched their torture and endured his own.

John finally managed to escape on May 14, 1705 with Martin Kellogg, Joseph Petty and Thomas Baker. His return to Deerfield was something short of a miracle. Upon arriving in Deerfield, John found his father Godfrey had passed away early that spring in March.

Zebediah died a captive the following year. And to John’s dismal he was unsuccessful at bringing home his little sister Abigail or his brother Ebenezer. He offered a considerable sum for her ransom and the Indians would have given her up if she had wanted to go. The story was told that she would rather be a poor captive among Catholics than to become a rich heiress of a Protestant family.

John lived on the old homestead and married December 19, 1707, to Elizabeth Hull his stepsister. She too had been a captive at the Mohawk Fort in Canada. Finally, his brother Ebenezer was released in 1714 and came to live with John at the Nims home for a time. John and Elizabeth had twelve children; of which two were born and died on the same day, a daughter died when she was three years old, and his first born, a son named John died when he was two months old. Their last child was Daniel, the son who we descend from. John’s cherished wife, Elizabeth, lived a long and hard life. She passed away at the age of 66 on the 21st of September in 1754; John was 75 years old. John died on the 29th of December in 1762 at the age of 83.

John married Elizabeth Hull on 19 Dec 1707 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Jeremiah Hull and Mehitable Smead) was born on 23 Dec 1688 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 21 Sep 1754 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elisebeth Hull