Migration

Depiction of The National Road Migration Trail (now I-40) West From Kentucky

The Journey Begins (Kentucky to Nebraska 1878-1880s)

        One little boy, Jethro Fueston (1874-1939), shared memories of migration 

which left an impression on his family about his experience migrating with his family from Kentucky to Nebraska. The impression was deep enough that his family dedicated space in his obituary reminiscint about what he experienced as a small boy of about 4-5 years old. 

            Jethro's obituary gives us a clue about what the family must have endured and for a young boy this must have been an adventurous, unforgettable and a grueling experience for he and his family.

A section of Jethro Fueston's Obiturary 

   What is known is that prior to migrating Jethro's father, Ezekiel Fueston (1835-1890) was arrested and sentenced to pay a fine and serve time with 9 others for illegal distilling in Kentucky. He was sentenced in 1877. He was given a Presidential Pardon from the President Rutherford B. Hayes administration in March of 1878 because he could not pay his fine. 

    Once released from prison, the question is why did the couple decide to pack up their 10 children and head west? Was it for the homestead opportunity in Nebraska or something else?

Traveling from Kentucky to Nebraska between 1877-1881 would have meant months on rough rutted dirt roads. They were likely following along a well-established migration route such as the National Road or other trails such as the Chicago Road, which was another pioneer trail, as they headed westward. 

    The road conditions at that time were rough, dusty in dry seasons, and muddy when it rained. River crossings could be dangerous if encountered and would have required wagons to be floated across them. Jethro indicated they "stopped in Greensburg, Indiana and near Champlain Illinois for the winters". These stops were likely for rest and replenishing supplies and maybe even working for money before continuing west. They would need a lot of supplies for the 10 kids traveling together with their parents. His siblings ranged in age from newborn to 21 years old. He had one sister among the family, she was 17 and no doubt helped out with the younger ones. None of his siblings had married yet. In Indiana they may have stayed at a relative's home. One of the 10 kids traveling with them had been born in Indiana, years prior in 1863, which supports the idea that family may have lived in Indiana prompting a stopover before proceeding.

 

    It can be surmised that this family of 12 migrated with more than one wagon and with the older boys traveling with them, they could have easily managed a wagon or two themselves. Together they would have had daily chores including things like gathering wood, helping with any livestock they had, fetching water and assisting with cooking. Their wagons were probably much like a portable pantry carrying flour, beans, salted pork, dried fruits and coffee. They would have supplemented their meals with wild game and fresh food from settlements along the way. They more than likely cooked over open fires. 

Their family's story mirrors the broader American pioneer experience filled with hope, hardship (for which this family will come to know all too intimately soon enough), and in the long run survival.

Building a New Life (Homesteading in Nebraska, 1880s-1890's)

        It is not known how much was lost in Kentucky after the arrest of Ezekiel, however it is known that the family began the process of successfully migrating towards homesteading Nebraska beginning in 1885 with final approvals granted in the early 1890s. Ezekiel's brother James W already lived in Dakota, Nebraska. Dakota Nebraska was the families first stop and where Ezekiel's first grandson, James Porter Fueston (1881-1957) was born, and may in fact be when they arrived in Nebraska. 

     However, James Porter is not enumerated on the Dakota County, Nebraska Federal census of 1885 with his father Robert. Also noted is daughter Sarah Fueston Francis is not in the home as her parents but is on the Nebraska census with her husband James Marshall Francis and children. These two census sheets confirm all 10 children are together with their parents, at least during the early days when the state census collection in Nebraska was taking place in 1885.  See Census records below. 

 

 The opportunity, this writer believes, that prompted the westward migration was solely related to the Homestead Act of 1862 which the government offered and granted 160 acres to settlers who promised the land would be lived on and improved. This would be the perfect opportunity for a new start for the family. Which is exactly what happened based on the Perkins, County land records. 

 Requirements to apply for a homestead included: must be a US citizen, or had intention to be a citizen, 21 years of age or head of household, must have never borne arms against the United States (ie Confederate in the Civil War) and they must live on the land for 5 years and improve the land by building a house and cultivating the land before applying for title.

    It is known that 5 of the 10 children who migrated together along with Ezekiel Fueston were granted homesteads in Nebraska in and around the 1890s. Beginning in 1885 land improvements were granted to Fueston's --John William, Robert Clemmons, Sarah Fueston-Francis, Charles Lafayette, James Wallace, Ezekiel and after his untimely death, his wife Ursley. Together they improved and lived on about 1,000 acres of land. 

    The struggle was real to proving a homestead. The harsh winters, droughts, and the act of simply doing the hard work of farming were all encountered while the family and adult children worked to secure land. Unfortunately tragedy strikes, more than once for this family unit. First off one of John's children dies, it is unknown how or exactly when, just that she was exhumed and reburied with her family in 1890. 

    The 1890's came in like a bang. Ezekiel dies from results of stroke, a few short months later his son John, John's wife and their baby died from a tragic train accident in Big Springs, Nebraska where their wagon was struck by a train leaving all of them to die. And finally another of John's daughters is killed when her clothes catch fire as she reaches across the stove while cooking. They are all buried together on Ezekiel's homesteaded property in Perkins County, Nebraska. It's no wonder they migrate away from Nebraska and head to Missouri, my guess is for a new--fresh start.

Wedding Bells and The Downward Spiral (Missouri, 1895-early 1900's)

    Wedding bells rang for 6 of Ezekiel's 10 children in Missouri! Robert is the first to marry setting off wedding bell bliss for the next 5 brothers to marry. One wedding was in 1898, followed by 1899, 1900, 1901 and two weddings one day apart in 1895. Six weddings to plan in 8 years! I wonder if they re-used wedding decorations. 

But...there's trouble in them there hills.

    Several of the brothers, and brothers-in-law are arrested for many things including stealing horses, pistol whipping a man, and one was accused and acquitted of rape. There was no rest for their mother who migrated with them. By the time the family migrates to Missouri, Henry, the 4th son who had married in Indiana, is not seen in Missouri or Washington state -->more research needs to be done. At one point the sheriff's arrived to arrest Ezekiel and Ursley's sons for a crime they had committed. This mother chose to protect her sons during their troubled phase by informing the sheriffs that her boys had "long gone" when they heard they were coming for them. I can confirm there were lots of groves of trees that exist today that could be hiding places. Alas the boys are arrested in Georgia and returned to Missouri to stand trial. 

A Last Attempt at Redemption (Washington State, Early 1900's)

    Many if not all immediate family members leave Missouri, after the "likes of them were not wanted in Missouri" and head to Washington State in and around 1902-1903. There is no evidence of how they traveled but perhaps by train since the rail system was in full swing. There is hope for a fresh start for this family.

...but trouble finds them in Washington too.

    Ursley, the mother of the brood, finds herself defender of her son' and grandson who are accused of murder, there are numerous other grandchildren who get into serious trouble in Washington as well over the years. 

    This migration story was launched based on the clues from a boy's memory captured in his obituary indicating that his family was part of the last major wave of westward migration before the closing of the frontier in 1890. Their journey was long, and difficult. It's no wonder a small boy would remember the experience, as a child this would have been some of his early informative years which were built on resilience, endurance and a deep connection to the land. The family was on the move to seek out opportunities at every turn and had unanticipated tragedy at most every turn. 

    In the end, the matriarch of the family while enduring all the hardships of her family is a hero in my book in the art of resilience, survival and tragedy. 

    She and several of her children and grandchildren are laid to rest in Washington State, many very close to each other. A bookend to her husband who is buried with their son and grandchildren in Nebraska. I pray she found peace and love in the end. 

And that is a wrap

week #8

52 ancestors in 52 weeks

Until Next Time...

Keep Family Stories Alive!

Barbara