Tabitha Moffatt Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tabitha Moffatt Brown
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| Born | May 1, 1780 Brimfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | May 4, 1858 (aged 78) |
| Occupation | educator |
| Spouse(s) | Reverend Clark Brown |
Tabitha Moffatt Brown (born May 1, 1780 – died May 4, 1858) was an American pioneer. She was one of the brave people who traveled the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Country. This was a long and difficult journey across the United States.
Once in Oregon, Tabitha helped start Tualatin Academy. This school later became Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In 1987, the Oregon Legislature honored her. They called her the "Mother of Oregon" because of her important work.
Early Life and Family
Tabitha Brown was born on May 1, 1780, in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Her parents were Lois Haynes Moffatt and Dr. Joseph Moffatt. She married Reverend Clark Brown on December 1, 1799.
Tabitha and Clark had three sons and one daughter. Their children were Orus, Manthano, John Mattacks, and Pherne. Sadly, John died when he was only six years old. Clark Brown, her husband, passed away in 1817.
The family lived in different places, including Charles County, Maryland. After her husband's death, Tabitha moved to Missouri. She followed her brother-in-law, Captain John Brown. Tabitha supported her family by working as a teacher.
Journey to Oregon
Tabitha's oldest son, Orus Brown, first went to the Oregon Country in 1843. Two years later, he returned to bring his family to Oregon. This included his sister's family, his elderly mother Tabitha, and his uncle. Manthano, another son, stayed behind in Kansas.
The journey began in April 1846. The families traveled together until they reached Fort Hall in what is now Idaho. There, they heard about a shortcut called the Applegate Trail. They decided to take this new path. Orus, however, continued on the main Oregon Trail route.
A winter storm brought heavy rain, flooding parts of the new trail. This made their trip to the Willamette Valley much slower. As winter arrived, they still had not reached the valley. Pherne's husband, Virgil Pringle, went ahead to find help. He met Orus, who was bringing supplies. Together, they returned and brought the rest of the family to the settlements. They arrived on December 25, 1846.
Life in Oregon
After arriving in the Willamette Valley, Tabitha Brown settled in Forest Grove. She was very poor, with only one small coin called a picayune. She used this coin to buy sewing supplies.
Tabitha traded some of her extra clothes with several Kalapuya people. In return, she received buckskin. She then started making gloves. Other settlers and loggers bought her gloves, and soon she earned $30.
Later, Tabitha helped start an orphanage with Harvey L. Clark. In its first year, Tabitha cared for 30 young people. Some were as old as 21. Their parents had gone south during the California Gold Rush.
Tabitha, along with Harvey Clark and Reverend George H. Atkinson, then founded Tualatin Academy. This school grew and became Pacific University in Forest Grove. Tabitha Brown passed away on May 4, 1858, in Salem, Oregon. She is buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in Salem.
Tabitha Brown's Legacy
Tabitha Brown is remembered for her important contributions to Oregon. A Liberty Ship built in 1942 during World War II was named in her honor. Her great-granddaughter, Mary Strong Kinney, later became an Oregon State Senator.
