Mrs. Ebey was from Schulyer Co., Missouri. She crossed the plains in 1831 to rejoin her husband in Oregon, and was the first white woman that settled on the Island.
Added information by Casey Gleason:
Suggested edit: Per Isaac Ebey's biography, Rebecca's parents were James and Harriet (Eason) Ebey, who were married in Washington County, Virginia in 1817.
Rebecca is counted in the 1850 federal census in Oregon Territory (present-day Washington State) along with Isaac Ebey and their two children, but she is also counted in the 1850 census in Schuyler County in Missouri, listed in the household of Harriet Davis along with her two children Eason B and Jacob Ellison Ebey. It is likely Isaac gave the census taker information indicating his wife was present, perhaps so that he could apply for his Donation Claim as a couple instead of as a single person. Rebecca and the children certainly were not present in the Pacific Northwest yet. Since Harriet is listed as head-of-household in 1850 it can be surmised she was either divorced or widowed, likely the latter.
An 1853 diary entry by Rebecca (while living on Whidbey Island) speaks of her brothers John, James and Thomas all residing in Washington Territory at Cascades (Falls of the Columbia) and coming to the island, and an additional line alluding to their mother having passed. So it is likely Harriet Davis passed away between 1850 and 1853.
No burial or death records can be found for James Davis or Harriet (Eason) Davis in either Schuyler or Putnam Counties in Missouri.
Contributor: Casey Gleason (50660291)
She has left a husband and three children to morn the loss of a companion and mother, and her death has occastioned a void in the community which will long be felt and regretted.
The Columbian, 29 Oct 1853
Mrs. Ebey was from Schulyer Co., Missouri. She crossed the plains in 1831 to rejoin her husband in Oregon, and was the first white woman that settled on the Island.
Added information by Casey Gleason:
Suggested edit: Per Isaac Ebey's biography, Rebecca's parents were James and Harriet (Eason) Ebey, who were married in Washington County, Virginia in 1817.
Rebecca is counted in the 1850 federal census in Oregon Territory (present-day Washington State) along with Isaac Ebey and their two children, but she is also counted in the 1850 census in Schuyler County in Missouri, listed in the household of Harriet Davis along with her two children Eason B and Jacob Ellison Ebey. It is likely Isaac gave the census taker information indicating his wife was present, perhaps so that he could apply for his Donation Claim as a couple instead of as a single person. Rebecca and the children certainly were not present in the Pacific Northwest yet. Since Harriet is listed as head-of-household in 1850 it can be surmised she was either divorced or widowed, likely the latter.
An 1853 diary entry by Rebecca (while living on Whidbey Island) speaks of her brothers John, James and Thomas all residing in Washington Territory at Cascades (Falls of the Columbia) and coming to the island, and an additional line alluding to their mother having passed. So it is likely Harriet Davis passed away between 1850 and 1853.
No burial or death records can be found for James Davis or Harriet (Eason) Davis in either Schuyler or Putnam Counties in Missouri.
Contributor: Casey Gleason (50660291)
She has left a husband and three children to morn the loss of a companion and mother, and her death has occastioned a void in the community which will long be felt and regretted.
The Columbian, 29 Oct 1853
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