Jehu Higgins Pruett (1820 - 1866)

Born 2 Feb 1820 in Ray County, Missouri, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Ringo) Pruett — married 14 Dec 1843 in Ray County, Missouri, United States

Descendants

Died 24 Jul 1866 at age 46 in Yamhill, Oregon, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Caryl Ruckert [send private message]

Genealogically Defined

Biography

John Pruett was involved in the westward expansion of the USA. See Westward Ho!.

Jehu Higgins Pruett was born in Missouri on the old Pruett homestead on the Missouri river near Camden on the 2nd day of February in 1820. In October of 1847 he and his wife Elizabeth Ringo Pruett and their children migrated by wagon train to Oregon. John and Elizabeth were the parents of six children. From his obituary, "He had long been a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and bore his protracted sickness with Christian patience and resignation; and being apprised of approaching death, he made every arrangement for the comfort of his family, gave directions concerning his burial and funeral, chose his minister, and then calmly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus." He died on July 24, 1866 at forty-six years old in McMinnville, Oregon.^[1][2][3]

Early Life

Jehu Higgins Pruett was born on February 2, 1820 in Ray County, Missouri to Samuel Prewitt and Hannah Higgins.^[2][4][5] Jehu was often called "John" by family in records and documents. Please note that he also had a brother named John born in 1822 that has been conflated in Find-A-Grave memorials.

Plat of the Prewitt Farm.

Jehu's father Samuel purchased 640 acres of land on the Missouri River just outside of Camden township in 1817.^[6] Jehu had brothers and sisters born in Missouri named Elizabeth, Hannah, William, Mary, Joel, Martha, Rachel, Samuel and John.^[5]

Jehu's son, James visited the family homestead in Missouri after he graduated from Medical School in 1875. He kept a journal during his trip^[5].

The following are his word about his father:

"John Higgins Pruett was born on the old Pruett homestead on the Missouri river near Camden on the 2nd day of February 1820. Here he grew to manhood and lived until one year after his marriage. Here he worked on the farm and went to school in winter. In company with Uncle Joel, I visited the old homestead in April 1875 and, as we looked over the place."^[5]

"As I passed over the road to Camden, I remembered this as the road that father passed over so often when a boy and he doubtless knew all the crooks and turns in it as he went on errands and to market and to the mill with a large sack of corn on horseback for the family meal and of the trouble he was in when the sack lost its balance and fell from the horse's shoulders to the ground and he was unable to lift it to the horse's back again."^[5]

When Jehu was sixteen years old his father Samuel was drowned in a creek between Richmond and Camden on January 1, 1836 and his grave is at the foot of a large oak tree on the old homestead near Camden, Missouri. Aged 60^[7]

Family & Migrations

John Pruett migrated from Missouri to Oregon.

Jehu married Elizabeth Ringo on December 14, 1843 in Camden, Ray County, Missouri.^[2][8][4]

"And from the same old homestead he later went courting over to the Ringos' farm four or five miles away and where on December 4, 1843, he and Elizabeth Ringo were joined in holy wedlock by Rev. Alvin Peter Williams, a Baptist minister, who baptized them both and they became members of the same Baptist church of which they remained steadfast and true to the end of their lives."^[5]

"After their marriage they lived one year at Grandmother Pruett's home And then after a little more than two years with Grandmother Ringo they deemed it time for them to be getting out of the parent nest and in April 1847- the start for Oregon was made."^[5]

John and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. William Hamilton born 07 Dec 1844 in Camden, Ray Co., MO.^[9][10]
2. John Alvin born 16 Dec 1846 in Camden, Ray Co., MO.^[11][10]
3. James Madison born 24 Jun 1849 in Silverton, Marion Co., Oregon Territory.^[12][10]
4. Mary Louisa born 6 Oct 1851 in Marion Co., Oregon Territory^[13]
5. Martha Susan 4 Jan 1855 in Marion Co., Oregon Territory^[14]
6. Minnie A born Jan 1857 in Marion Co., Oregon Territory^[15]

"Joining forces with Uncle John T. Smith and family, an team and wagons for both families was fitted up and all their belongings, including 3 children, the journey was begun and they landed on the Abiqua River, near the present town of Silverton, in Marion County, Oregon, about the last of October 1847."^[5][10]

J. H. Pruett Land Claim.

"Here they both located claims and erected houses. Father and Mother remained on their claim for three years and then sold out and went to Salem where they lived one year and from there to the old Donation claim on French Prairie where they settled in the fall of 1851. and where the home was established and continued until after Mother's death, which occurred March 5th, 1865, after an illness of several weeks with typhoid fever."^[5]

"Father removed to McMinnville in October after her death and lived there until his death on July 24, 1866, when the family was broken up and scattered."^[5][4]

Jehu was among the founders of the First Baptist Church of French Prairie in 1850. Brother Nathan Smith. and his son, John T. Smith, Brethren J. H. Pruett, Hamilton and Harvey Ringo, and their families, were all active, wide awake members, and have always been the main pillars in the support of the church. They came in 1847, and settled near together. The older ones are all dead, but their children, though somewhat scattered, are honored citizens, and loyal Baptists..^[16] (Note: John T. Smith was the husband of his wife's sister Mary Jane Ringo. Hamilton and Harvey Ringo were his brother-in-laws)

John and Elizabeth received a donation land claim. No. 1825 PRUETT, John H., Marion Co; b 1820, Charlin? Co, Mo; Arr. Ore. prior 1 Dec 1851; SC 6 Oct 1851; m Elizabeth 14 Dec 1843, Ray Co, Mo. Aff: John T. Smith, Daniell Smith.^[17]

Details of Land Patents for John and Elizabeth issued 5/1/1866.^[18]

"The year of 1847 saw the coming to Oregon of a large number of Baptists who had much to do with the strengthening of the organization in the Oregon Country. Among those who came that year were Rev. William Porter, Rev. Richard Miller, Deacon James M. Fulkerson, Deacon James S. Holman, Deacon Joseph ilunsaker, Deacon J. H. Pruett, and Robert C. Kinney."^[19]

His mother Hannah Higgins Pruett died near Breckenridge, Missouri, August 21, 1863 aged 83 and her mortal remains rest in a cemetery a few miles from Breckenridge, Caldwell County, Missouri, beside those of her twin sister Abigail Higgins Trosper.^[7]

Residence & Timeline

1820 - Camden, Ray, Missouri: born on February 2^[2][3]

1836 - Camden, Ray, Missouri: death of father of January 1^[7]

1843 - Camden, Ray, Missouri: married Elizabeth Ringo on December 14^[2][8][4][5]

1844 - Camden, Ray, Missouri: birth of son William Hamilton December 7^[9][5]

1846 - Camden, Ray, Missouri: birth of son John Alvin on December 16^[11][5]

1847 - Camden, Ray, Missouri: departed Missouri for Oregon in April^[5][1]

1847 - Silverton, Marion County, Oregon: arrived in Oregon the last of October 1847.^[5][1]

1850 - Marion county, Marion, Oregon Territory: residence in U.S. census^[10]

1850 - French Prairie, Marion County, Oregon: birth of son James Madison on June 24^[12][5]

1851 - French Prairie, Marion County, Oregon: birth of daughter Mary Louisa on October 6^[13][5]

1855 - French Prairie, Marion County, Oregon: birth of daughter Martha Susan on January 4^[14][5]

1857 - French Prairie, Marion County, Oregon: birth of daughter Minerva Adaline on January 14^[15][5]

1860 - Labish Precinct, Marion, Oregon: residence in U.S. census^[4]

1863 - Breckenridge, Missouri: death of mother Hannah Higgins Pruett on August 21^[7][5]

1865 - French Prairie, Marion County, Oregon: death of wife Elizabeth Ringo Pruett on March 5^[7][5]

1865 - McMinnville, Yamhill, Oregon: residence in October of 1865^[5][7]

1866 - McMinnville, Yamhill, Oregon: death on July 24^{[20][3][5][21]}

Death & Legacy

Jehu Higgins Pruett died on July 24, 1866 in McMinnville, Yamhill, Oregon.^{[20][3][5][21]}

It was very important to Jehu to plan and provide for his children after his death. He appointed his oldest son William Hamilton Pruett as Executor of his estate and was as guardian for his brother and sisters John, James, Mary, Martha and Minerva.^[21][22] William did an exemplary job as Executor of his father's estate and he ensured that all of his brothers and sisters received an education. His brothers John and James both became physicians, his sisters Mary, Martha and Minerva graduated from college and were teachers before marrying and raising families.

His son James wrote in his journal that "after Mother's death the farm was leased and the change. to McMinnville made that we, the children of the family, might have the benefit of the school there which, at that time was under the direction of President John A. Johnson, who for many years afterward was president of the State. college at Eugene, Oregon. Lots were bought and a cottage erected. Father, though an invalid, superintending the work and the family moved over about October 1865 and my two brothers and three sisters were in school during the winter. I was not there until May 1866, having spent the winter in Eastern Oregon and Walla Walla on account of sequences of typhoid the previous winter. On my return home, brothers were both teaching school in Marion County in the Waldo Hills in order to support the family and father was on his death bed - being able to sit up only an hour or two at a time he continued to decline until the end came July 24th."^[5]

His obituary was published in the Weekly Oregon Statesman in Salem, Oregon on August 13, 1866.^[3]

"Departed this life, in McMinnville, Oregon, July 24th, 1866, J. H. Pruett, of consumption; aged 46 years. He, with his family, crossed the Plains in '47, in search of health, and finding here a salubrious climate, he settled on a farm, pursuing a quiet and happy life; being known as a devoted father, an affectionate husband and a respected citizen, by all who knew him. He had long been a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and bore his protracted sickness with Christian patience and resignation; and being apprised of approaching death, he made every arrangement for the comfort of his family, gave directions concerning his burial and funeral, chose his minister, and then calmly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus."

Will & Probate

William Hamilton Pruett was appointed Executor of his father's estate and was also appointed guardian for his brother and sisters John, James, Mary, Martha and Minerva.^[21][22] The court records are provided as .PDF files attached to the J.H. Pruett Will & Guardianship freespace page. The records are an accounting of their monthly living expenses. The itemized accounts provide an interesting view of the early pioneer days. His sisters purchased items needed to dress in the fashion of their day which included; fabric, shoes, hose, gloves and hoops.

His will was filed on August 7, 1866.^[23]

First I Jehu H Pruett of the State of Oregon Yamhill County

Being dangerously ill but sound in mind do by these presents make this my last will and testament

I give and bequeath all my estate real and personal of which I may die seized and possessed after paying my funeral expenses and just debts to my legal heirs namely William H. Pruett, John A. Pruett, James M. Pruett, Mary L. Pruett, Martha S. Pruett and Minerva H. Pruett to be equally divided.

And I appoint W. H. Pruett my legal Executor to act without giving any bond or undertaking or security of any kind whatsoever

In testamony wherof I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 11th day of July A.D. 1866.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Flora, Stephenie, and Nancy Prevost. "Emigrants To Oregon In 1847 (Listing for Surnames M - Z)." Pioneers to Oregon in 1847. Accessed October 26, 2017. http://www.oregonpioneers.com/1847_M_Z.html.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, Jehu Higgins." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/personprofile.do?recordNumber=101398. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon)13 Aug 1866, Mon, Page 3
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDQJ-JBS : 26 July 2017), J H Pruette, 1860.
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24} Pruett, James Madison. "Journal of James Madison Pruett, Camden County, MO, 1875." Typescript by James Ralph Pruett, ca. 1950. Copy privately held by Caryl Short Ruckert JMP Memoir, Chesapeake Beach, MD, 2017. Mr. Pruett is the son of the journal's author. Ms. Ruckert is the great granddaughter of Mr. Pruett the transcriber.
6. ↑ BLM GLO Records. Accessed December 28, 2018. https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=MO0420__.028&docClass=STA&sid=gvmiiaan.5r1#patentDetailsTabIndex=1.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5} "The Pruett Book. Pruett, James B., Oakland, California, 1914, transcribed by Clinton Pruett"
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} "Missouri Marriages, 1750-1920," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2DQ-FVZ : 6 December 2014), John H. Prewit and Elizabeth Ringo, 16 Dec 1843; citing Ray,Missouri; FHL microfilm 959,300.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, William Hamilton." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/profile.do?ancRecordNumber=16777. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4} "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHHW-DGM : 12 April 2016), John Pruette, Marion county, Marion, Oregon Territory, United States; citing family 102, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, John Alvin." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/profile.do?ancRecordNumber=7345. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, James Madison." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/profile.do?ancRecordNumber=60927. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, Mary Louisa." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/profile.do?ancRecordNumber=16778. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, Martha Susan." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/profile.do?ancRecordNumber=16779. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} "Early Oregonian Profile for Pruett, Minnie A." Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division: Early Oregonian Person Profile. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/profile.do?ancRecordNumber=61016. Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310
16. ↑ Mattoon, Charles Hiram. Baptist Annals of Oregon. McMinnville, Or.: Telephone Register Pub., 1905. pg. 240 https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=nuIqAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-nuIqAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1
17. ↑ "Genealogical Material Found in Oregon Land Donation Claims." Oregon Genealogy Trails - Pioneers - Genealogical Material Found in Oregon Land Donation Claims. 2015. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160915050639/http://www.genealogytrails.com/ore/oregon/pioneers/land_claims_23.html Citing: No. 1825 PRUETT, John H. Abstracted from Applications by Genealogical Forum of Portland, Oregon (1957). Transcribed by Tammy Clark
18. ↑ "General Land Office Records. Land Patent for John H. and Elizabeth Pruett." CDI Details - BLM GLO Records. Accessed October 26, 2017. https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/cdi/default.aspx?doc_id=1575209&sid=s1to1e1g.upf. Authority: OR-Donation Act(Grant) [September 27, 1850] (009 Stat. 0496) BLM Serial Nr: OROCAA 003703 Metes/Bounds: No LR-2000 Doc ID: 1825 Counties: Marion
19. ↑ Lockley, Fred. History of the Columbia River Valley: from the Dalles to the sea. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1928. pg. 595. https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/472924-history-of-the-columbia-river-valley-from-the-dalles-to-the-sea-v-01?viewer=1&offset=0#page=1&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q=
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV1-VWGS : 13 December 2015), Jehu H Pruett, 1866; Burial, Brooks, Marion, Oregon, United States of America, Pioneer Memorial Cemetery; citing record ID 24827209, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3} Marion County, Oregon, probate case files, Record# 68294 Case# 0300, Jehu H Pruett (1866), Will as to Heirs and Executor, 11 July 1866; Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310. J.H. Pruett Will & Guardianship
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} Marion County, Oregon, guardianship case files, Record# 68301 Case# 0306, Pruett, John A, James M, Mary L, Martha S, & Minerva (1866), Guardianship, 1866; Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310. J.H. Pruett Will & Guardianship
23. ↑ Oregon State Archives, 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310. reference.archives@oregon.gov. Case 300. Will of J. H. Pruett filed on August 7, 1866 in Yamhill County, Oregon.

Notes

Oregon Donation Land Claim OC 1825. No. 1825 PRUETT, John H., Marion Co; b 1820, Charlin? Co, Mo; Arr. Ore. prior 1 Dec 1851; SC 6 Oct 1851; m Elizabeth 14 Dec 1843, Ray Co, Mo. Aff: John T. Smith, Daniell Smith. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Township Plats of Selected States; Series #: T1234; Roll: 57 Guardianship Record for children after death of john and elizabeth https://genealogy.state.or.us/