Biography copied from findagrave. Caroline was born 9 Mar 1814 to Sarah Terrell and Henry Thurman in Richland Co, OH. She was 14 yrs of age at the time of her marriage to William Gilbert Buffum on 20 Nov 1828, in Fulton Co, IL. Coming to Oregon in 1845~ She and William along with his nephew, Carlos Buffum, pioneered along the Oregon Trail and at The Dalles of The Oregon Territory survived the difficult trek over Mt Hood along the unsurveyed Barlow Road to Oregon City. They arrived at Oregon City by Christmas of 1845. She and her husband lived in Yamhill Co except for the time at the gold fields in California in 1848-49.
[following quote is from writings of Wm G Buffum] ~Gold in California: "My neighbor and friend, James McConald, being a blacksmith, made some picks and shovels. He and wife, myself and wife started for the mines in the early fall. Our wives were great friends; had no children; both fine and easy riders, could manage a horse as well as most men, insisted on going with us. We had a good trip; had plenty of company for protection from the Indians, and had a fair return from the mines. Our wives, being the only women in the mines, the miners would come from all around to see the Oregon white women; said it made them think of their far away home."
The Buffums had no children, but raised William's nieces Celestia and Phebe, daughters of his widowed sister-in-law, Sarah Pierce Buffum. Mrs. Caroline Buffum's obit~ "She died in Amity on Monday, November 4th, 1895 at the advanced age of 83 years. Her husband survives her in his 92nd year. Throughout their long life their home was always open to all who sought to enjoy its warmth and cheerful hospitality. The aged couple were universally beloved by all who knew them for their neighborliness." Caroline is buried with her husband in Amity Pioneer Cemetery, Amity, Oregon in the same plot with members of the Thurman family.
Residence: Gibson Co., In. - 1820 Census
Residence: Township 4, Fulton Co., Il. - 1825 State Census
Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
Caroline is 24 degrees from Herbert Adair, 20 degrees from Richard Adams, 18 degrees from Mel Blanc, 24 degrees from Dick Bruna, 17 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 31 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 16 degrees from Sam Edwards, 15 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 17 degrees from Marty Krofft, 16 degrees from Junius Matthews, 14 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 15 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.