The Bradford Family

Germaine and Wilbur County have enjoyed the legacy of the Bradford family from the beginning. Nancy Horne Bradford came from an old Connecticut family and she was accustomed to traveling to New York City to the Opera and Ballet and visits to the museums there kindled a lifelong love of fine art. Nancy and Thomas met in New York City when he was there celebrating his graduation from Harvard. In addition to donation of grants to area artists and scholarships to deserving students, the Bradford Foundation supports local charities such as the Wilbur County Senior Center, Meals-on-Wheels, and The Double T Ranch for Troubled Teens. The Bradford family bible reveals a connection to some of the earliest American colonists. They are descended from William Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth Colony and Mayflower passenger. It is not a connection that our Germaine founder, Thomas Bradford, celebrated. He told his children that…

Will Gives Me a Compliment

Last night, we camped on the main fork of the Blue River. I was much too tuckered to write my diary, so I will try to remember about it. The traveling was pretty good both days, and the road was smoothe. Uncle Luke said that we are now about one day behind the Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company. Someone from that company talked to him, and asked if we would join them. Uncle Luke told Papa that they wanted too much money, and he was skeptical of their motives, but he would put it to the group.  Later, in the evening, the company was divided as usual. They voted with Papa to stay by ourselves, at least for now. No clamor in the night, because Papa and Mr. Pembrook didn’t hang any pots and pans. Thank Heavens! The weather today was good, although, for a moment, it threatened to rain. Annabelle…

A Clamor in the Night

The pots and pans made a horrible clamor in the middle of the night. Uncle Luke got up to see what it was, and it turned out to be a deer who had wandered into our camp.  Aunt Marie was consternated. She said if we are to be awakened every night by some curious creature happening onto our path, then it would become a nuisance. I must say that I quite agree with her.  Papa said that he and Mr. Pembrook would work on a solution.  It rained a little last evening, and we had to cross many small creeks today. Uncle Luke’s wagon became stuck in one. It took about an hour to dig it out of the mud. We traveled only 6 miles today.

We Meet Some Travelers

This morning we met some travelers who were coming back from Oregon. There were six wagons, camped out along the Little Blue. They said that another company of nearly forty wagons was only two days ahead of us. Uncle Luke said he thought someone should ride ahead and try to make arrangements to join their company, but Papa said “No! We can do it ourselves.” Uncle Luke grumbled. I think he is not too happy with Papa. Widow McCoy agreed with Papa. She said that she was afraid that the price would be too dear, and she had little money left to squander. Papa asked the travelers if they had come across any “hostiles.” I think he was talking about the Indians. The travelers said that everyone they met was friendly, and that they had no problems to speak of. This was heartening news for Mama. When we set up…