Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party

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Return To: Trail and Wagon Trains

In 1844 ten families migrated from Iowa to California, significant because they were the first to cross the Sierra Nevada with wagons, they pioneered the route through what was later named Donner Pass.

Members:

• Elijah Stephens

• John Townsend
  • Elizabeth (Schallenberger) Townsend
  • Moses Schallenberger - brother to Elizabeth

• Martin Murphy Sr (1785-1865)
  • Martin Murphy Jr
  • James Murphy
  • Margaret Murphy
  • Johanna Murphy
  • Mary Murphy
  • Helen Murphy
  • John Marion Murphy (1824-1892)
  • Daniel Murphy

• Others
  • Jacob Foster
  • Caleb Greenwood

Sources:

• Wikipedia: Stephens–Townsend–Murphy_Party

• Richards, Gordon, Echoes From The Past: The First Pioneer Wagons Crossed The Sierra Over 160 Years Ago: The Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party, The Sierra Sun 24 Sep 2004, Truckee-Donner Historical Society, 2015 https://www.truckeehistory.org/the-first-pioneer-wagons-crossed-the-sierra-over-160-years-ago.html

• Berner, Noah. “The Murphy Family Played Important Role in Settling the Golden State.” Calaveras Enterprise, 4 Feb. 2019, http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/community/article_2bb9b948-257c-11e9-806e-0f4ca60a5b56.html.