The Oregon Territory was acquired by the United States in 1846. Thomas and Cornelia Condon arrived in March 1853, becoming our first Oregon ancestors. As they were arriving in Oregon, the Andrew and Maria McCornack family was in Elgin, Illinois, 40 miles west of Chicago, preparing to start their own journey to the same place.

Thomas and Cornelia Condon, newlyweds, arrived by ship at Portland, Oregon on 3 March 1853, Thomas’ 31st birthday. They came on the clipper ship Trade Wind, having survived a fire at sea 453 miles off the coast of Argentina. It was a 103-day voyage from New York City, around Cape Horn to San Francisco. The Trade Wind was a brand-new ship. Despite the fire in the hold which delayed them for a day, and despite being twice becalmed for two other days, the voyage of the Trade Wind was the 5th fastest made by any ship that year.

Introduction to “Our Oregon Heritage”

Table of Contents for “Our Oregon Heritage”

Cover of “He Being Dead Yet Speaketh”