Rachel E. Pattison, 18, was married two months and “honeymooning” on the Oregon Trail in 1849. She was said to have felt fine in the morning, fell ill by noon, was in agony soon after, and dead by dinnertime.

Hear Nebraska Artist, Jean Jensen, tell this story of Rachel and her mourning husband Nathan, who never remarried after Rachel's death. But Jean had a surprise visitor tracking down her long dead great aunt.

Discover your Trail. The Oregon-California Trails Association is the pre-eminent guardian and promoter of the inspirational story of the 19th century westward migration, which is unique in world history. Our mission is to protect the Historic Emigrant Trails legacy by promoting research, education, preservation activities and public awareness of the trails, and to work with others to promote these causes.

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