"Stephen Porter, born 24 June 1819 in MO, died 24 Aug 1890 in OR. He was the son of David and Nancy (Culton) Porter. David Porter, born 8 Mar 1780 in Rockbridge Co, VA, and died on 16 July 1849 on the Oregon Trail '"days journey beyond Fort Hall (Idaho) towards Soda Springs." David Porter married first Mary Elizabeth Hopkins in Davidson Co, TN about 1806. She died at the birth of their only child, a son named James, born 10 Aug 1807. He married second Nancy Culton, born Rockbridge Co, VA 8 Apr 1784, and died Pike Co, IL on 8 Jan 1867. The parents of Nancy Culton were Alexander Culton and Rebecca Woods, married 2 May 1782 in Rockbridge Co, VA. David Porter was the son of William and Mary (Bowen) Porter of Rockbridge Co, VA. I descend from William and Mary (Bowen) Porter through David's brother John.
"In 1811, David and Nancy Porter joined a closely knit group of relatives and neighbors from TN in migrating to Lincoln Co, MO. These included Sittons, Gibsons, Wilsons, and other families who intermarried with the Porters. All were pioneers on the MO frontier a few miles northwest of St. Louis, near St. Charles. By 1819, David Porter began buying land near Big Creek southwest of Troy, MO. He established his home there for a while. In late 1835, he became dissatisfied with the area and moved to Pike Co, IL. In the spring of 1849, when he was 69 years old, accompanied by his son-in-law Samuel Sitton, he joined a wagon train to Oregon, where several of his married children had gone the previous year. He died of a stroke enroute. His son-in-law returned to his family in Pike Co, IL. It is presumed that David Porter was buried beside the trail."*
David and Nancy Culton Porter had at least six children:
Rebecca, born c1809 in TN, married Samuel G. Sitton, born c1802 in Lincoln Co., MO, died c1878 in Pike Co., IL. Their children were at least four: Eleanor, David W., William P., and Amanda. In 1850 the family was residing in Pike Co. and Rebecca's mother, Nancy Culton Porter, age 66, was residing with them. Nancy died in Pike Co. in 1867*
William, born Dec. 14, 1812 in MO, died Mar. 30, 1899 in Marion Co., OR. He married Sarah Coffey, daughter of Nebuzaradan and Elizabeth Easley Coffey. Sarah was born May 1, 1820 in Simpson Co., KY and died in Marion Co. on Nov. 20, 1848. William died Mar. 30, 1899 in Marion Co. Both are buried in the Oregon Pioneer Cemetery at Aumsville in Marion Co. Their children were at least four: William German; Elizabeth Nancy; John Hancock; and Sidney Reese.
Joseph Woods, born c1815 in MO, married Elizabeth Ann Howey on Aug. 14, 1838 in Pike Co., IL** In 1850 the family was still in Pike Co. with children: James; Nancy A., Amanda, and Stephen W.
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| Stephen Porter |
Stephen, born Jun. 24, 1819 in Troy, Lincoln Co., MO, died Aug. 24, 1890 at Downs Station, Marion Co., OR. He married twice, first to Catherine Jane Coffey, middle daughter of Nebuzaradan and Elizabeth, on Sep. 1, 1844 in Pike Co. Their children were Nancy Louisa, David A., and John Thomas. Catherine died on Feb. 13, 1850 in Marion Co. Stephen's second wife was Susan Gibson who he married on Aug. 15, 1851 in Marion Co. Stephen and Susan are buried at the Miller Cemetery in Silverton in Marion Co.
Nancy, born Feb. 14, 1822, died Mar. 9, 1904 in Salem, Marion Co., married Horatio Nelson Viscount Holmes on Sep. 27, 1838 in Pike Co.* He was born Jul. 24, 1813 in Wythe Co., VA and died in Salem on Mar. 26, 1885.
John, born Apr. 8, 1824 in Lincoln Co., MO, died May 27, 1895 in Pike Co., IL. He married Eliza Emeline Coffey on Nov. 28, 1850 in Pike Co. Eliza was a daughter of Nathaniel "Nathan" and Sarah "Sally" Meredith Coffey. Nathan was a brother to Nebuzaradan. Eliza and John were parents of Emma, Sarah, Jane and John David as well as one infant daughter who died at or shortly after birth in 1851, Pike Co.
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| Oregon Trail |
These families were early pioneers who reached Oregon over the Oregon Trail. This Trail site may also be of interest to readers.
*Mary E. Porter, Author/Compiler, A Family History: William Porter, Jr. of Rockbridge County, Virginia (1740-1804) and Five Generations of his Descendants (N.p.: M. E. Porter, 7 September 2007), Page 63.
**Illinois Marriages, 1763-1900. Family Tree Legends Records Collection (Online Database). Pearl Street Software, 2004-2005, Marriage Register, Vol. I, Page 46.
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