PAMELIA'S PATH by Betsy Chutchian Circa 1850-1880

For Pamelia’s Path, I drew inspiration from historical records about PameliaDillin Fergus, who was born in 1824 and raised on the early frontier of upstateNew York. When she was 18, Pamelia made her first overland journey to Illinoiswith her family. There she married James Fergus and had three children. In1855, Pamelia once again packed up their belongings and children, boarded aMississippi River steamboat, and followed James to a settlement in presentday Minnesota. By 1860, the prospect of finding gold in the Rocky Mountainslured James to try his luck, leaving Pamelia and now four children for four years.In 1864, James sent Pamelia—tired of living on her own—enough gold dust topurchase two wagons, oxen, and extensive provisions, along with instructions topack a good sewing machine, bring the milk cow, and meet his partner in CouncilBluffs to join a wagon train going to Montana. Pamelia’s newlywed daughter andher husband drove one team of oxen while Pamelia drove the other.While Pamelia declined the suggestion to sew flour sacks while traveling, thejostling of the wagon effectively churned the cow’s cream that was skimmed aftermilking into butter. After the long journey, Pamelia and her children reached theirnew home in Montana—the last frontier home for Pamelia.