John Hartley, Rebecca Arvecost and Family

Joseph Hartley and Family

Hartleys Flee To Oregon; Part I

Hartleys Flee To Oregon; Part II

Hartleys in Oregon & Washington

Charles Lycurgis Hartley Family Photographs

Bibliography

Hartleys Flee to Oregon; Part I

James Joseph Fitzgerrell, grandson of Joseph Hartley, in "Appendix to Sketch of the Life of Elder Joseph Hartley " describes his grandfather's politics, beliefs, and reasons that lead to the Hartley migration to Oregon :

I well remember the time I first saw a copy of my grandfather's (The Reverend Joseph Hartley) life history presented to my mother at our home in Horse Prairie, Jefferson County, Illinois during the winter of 1864-65 during a leave of absence from the army as the Adjutant of the 81st Illinois Volunteers.

As I was copying the History, my mind went back to my early childhood; the country was sparsely settled; the school facilities were very meager; the nearest school house was two miles distant from our home while it was less than one forth of a mile from my grandparents home. During the school term I stayed at my grandparents home and went to school with my uncles-David, Henry, and Clayton. My recollection of my Grandmother is she was the most patient, even-tempered, and loving of mothers. I have but a dim recollection of her protracted illness and passing away as recorded by my Grandfather.

Of the Methodist Church revivals I have a vivid recollection. Within less than one fourth of a mile from my father's home, just over the Jefferson Co. line in Franklin County, there was a beautiful grove of young oak trees containing three acres purchased by the Methodist Church people for use as a camp meeting ground. Many members built quite substantial shingle roofed houses. Generally tents were used. There was a large attendance considering the sparsely settled condition of the country.

The meeting was held during the fall months and continued for two or three weeks. When the meeting got into full swing under the influence of the eloquent exhortation of the leading brethren, the excitement became intense resulting in much shouting at the top of the shouters voice. The shouting was usually led by Mrs Lee Martin and Susan Junkins, the wife of James Junkins (afterward the husband of our widowed mother). (Note; Mrs Martin was Minerva C. Dare 1817-1893 wife of Lee Cryer Martin 1812-1878 who was buried at Ward Cemetery. Susan, Mrs. James Junkins, was Susannah Ward, she and James had 12 children. She was the dau of Lloyd Ward and Catherine Wilson. Susan and James are buried at Old Baptist Cem.) The evening services often continued until a late hour. Often I would go to sleep with the sound of the singing and shouting ringing in my ears. Usually there was a good crop of converts during these meetings, as indicated in Grandfather's history. These meetings continued annually for some five or more years.

Regarding the ministry of Grandfather, he undoubtedly built up a find church of Regular Baptists, who purchased a site for and built a nice frame church house, and laid out a nice cemetery about one mile from our home. The church meetings were usually monthly. That gave an opportunity to visit other church meetings as indicated in his history.

In politics, Grandfather was an old time Whig. When the Whig party disappeared, he became an ardent Democrat of the southern type. When the Presidential election of 1860 came, there was much excitement with Grandfather and his friends using every possible influence against the Republican ticket headed by Abraham Lincoln. With the election of Mr. Lincoln came the War of Rebellion. While the Regular Babtist Ministry condemed mixing politics with religion, yet the excitement was such that I have often heard my grandfather when talking his text from the Book of Revelations (his favorite book) preach politics from the pulpit. After the rebellion began, from reading his history, this is easily understood for according to his interpretation of the Book of Revelations, he felt he was doing his duty to his church by exhorting them to flee from the "wrath to come", and as stated by him, he was called "A Rebel."

Upon organization of the 81st Regiment, Ill. Inf. by Col. James Jackson Dollins in August 1862 (the husband of Susan Hartley Dollins, son in law of Joseph) Joseph Marion Hartley (a son) and I, (a grandson) enlisted in Co. H. of that regiment, much to the disgust of and the influence of Grandfather, in which he refers to "my beloved son" he did not refer to Col. Dollins or myself. Perhaps one reason he did not refer to Col. Dollins was that he was killed on May 22, 1863 leading his regiment in an assault on the Rebel works at Vicksburg, Miss. He was buried in the cemetery at his home in Benton, Franklin Co. Ill. For a full history of Col. Dollins and his valuable service to the govt. see "Family record of the Susan Dollins Family" in the "Family Record of the Fitzgerrell-Hartley Families."

Grandfather certainly sincerely believed in his interpretation of the Book of Revelations, and that the final "wind-up" battle would come in 1866, as stated in his history. When the call came for 300,000 more volunteers was made during the latter part of 1864, the quota assigned to Southern Illinois Congressional Dist. was not filled. When a draft was ordered, this forced the issue. Then Grandfather, his family and friends sold out their belongs and left the country to escape the draft which was made, if I remember right, about March 25, 1865.

For the particulars of outfitting with horse and ox teams, the many different families, route traveled, and time required to make the trip across the plains to Oregon and Washington is told in the recollection of David Franklin, Henry Harrison, and Edmund Waller Hartley's families sons of Grandfather, who with about 65 of his neighbors and friends following his lead. Reference is also made to the recollections of Mrs. Mary Jane Fitzgerrell White, my sister, and James Clayton Hartley, the youngest son of Elder Hartley, who made the trip on year before in 1864. All the recollections are recorded in the Records of Fitzgerrell-Hartley Families. That will well repay the time required to make their study, to know the dangers and privations in crossing the Great Plains, from attacks by indians, and mountain traveling requiring six months in making the trip.

I was at their home on a leave of absence just at the time the party was leaving their homes. The evening before the morning of departure, I visited my grandfather to assist him in loading his wagon preparatory to an early morning start next morning. Grandfather was in the wagon, while I handed up to him such articles he called for. Just as I was handing him a sack of salt, I said, "Grandfather, what in the world are you and your sons and friends leaving their homes for? We in the army all feel that the war is practically over. Certainly there is no need of it". He looked down at me with the most pitying, curious expression on his face and said "My boy, this war is just commencing--the women and children right here in Southern Illinois will yet get their food by the point of a bayonet. This country will be laid waste. As for myself and family, we will flee to the mountains--flee from the wrath that is certain to come. May God in his mercy protect you is my prayer. I never expect to see you again." While it is true, as predicted, I never did see him again as he passed on in his home in Oregon, October 13, 1867. (Should be August 13, 1867. C.H.)

I have been informed that several members that made up the party were drafted to go into the army. As the party left their homes on April 1, 1865 those who were drafted received information in advance of the official notice in time to get away and meet the party in the State of Iowa.

Moreover my predictions proved true. General Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant April 9th, 1865. That was soon followed by the surrender of all the Confederate leaders. In fact the party had not gotten out of the state before the war was practically over.

Over fifty years have passed since Grandfather wrote his history. In making a study of his interpretation of Revelations by the Apostle John, I can now understand why he urged his family to do all they could to prevent volunteering into the service of the government, to resist the draft, and "flee to the mountains to escape the wrath to come", as they fully expected the greatest battle of all history to be fought in Southern Illinois during the coming year, 1866.

Of the immediate family: Henry Harrison Hartley returned and is now living in Waltonville, Jefferson County, Illinois. Dr Henry Foster White and family returned and are now living in Mountain Park, Okla. Edmund Waller Hartley passed on Jan. 7, 1905 at age 80. David Franklin Hartley is now living in Glendale, Cal. in good health. Joseph Marion Hartley, Age 81, is now living on the farm he developed in his youth and enjoying all the comforts and blessings of a well spent, honorable life, surrounded by his family and his descendants to the present number of about 80 people. His record in the service of his country, as a sergeant in his company was an honorable one. While he escaped serious wounds, he was slightly wounded and always could be found at his post of duty.

Instead of Negro slavery God being taught in the Bible as interpreted by my grandfather, Abraham Lincoln reading his Bible interpreted it in reverse. The views of Abraham Lincoln on this subject will be found in the family record under the title "Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?"

It has been said "the whirligigs of time make strange bed-fellows". In reading the daily press dispatches from Europe where millions of armed soldiers are engaging in a war for commercial supremacy, our struggle for the preservation of the Union was of small importance. I find my mind curious to imagine what would my grandfather's interpretation at this time of the two witnesses--the first and second beasts spoken of in Revelations. Which of the nations would he class the "Antichrist" and which "God's Children"?

respectfully submitted Dec. 1, 1915 James Joseph Figzgerrell

Note: James Joseph Figzgerrell is the eldest child of Mary Lucinda Hartley-Fitzgerrell and William Ellis Fitzgerrell.

Thus James Clayton Hartley, probably on the advice of his father, made the trip from Illinois to Oregon in 1864. Jean Miller has a copy of a letter written by Joseph Hartley to his son James Clayton Hartley, nineteen years old at the time, on the occasion of this departure for Oregon. It reads as follows:

My last advice to my son of my old age which I give with an aching heart full of anxiety and many fears with tears in my eyes. Do pray consider and follow it by so doing you may make yourself respected and avoid trouble, disgrace and shame, and a miserable end.
first. Be punctual and honest with all men; let no temptation nor seducer by any means cause you to act otherwise even at the peril of your life.
2nd. Keep good company never associate with drunkards, gamblers, or profane persons; they will lead you into a snare and finally to destruction.
3rd. Consult the aged and honorable that you know to be your friends in all your business transactions and be cautious of strangers if they flatter you.
4th. Be careful of what you have and as saving as possible; never spend any thing unreasonably even if you have plenty, for you know not how soon you may need it.
5th. Be industrious, and try to make yourself as agreeable as possible with respectable people and give no offence to any.
6th. While on your way avoid all difficulty with your traveling companions; rather be imposed upon than have strive and confusion, and when you reach your place of destination get to business as soon as practicable.
7th. Don't stop until you reach a reasonable civilized region of country.
8th. If you should meet with defeat in any enterprise bear it patiently and try something else; make yourself worthy and you will be sure to succeed.
9th. Observe well the above rules through life, and you may reach an honorable old age while the reverse will lead to shameful degradation and want.
farewell March the 27 - 1864

James Clayton Hartley and his wife Martha Isabelle Givens made a return visit to Illinois in about 1902 or 1903. There exists a photgraph of a family reunion at the home of Mary E. Hartley Kirkpatrick Willis showing James Clayton Hartley and his wife Martha Isabelle Givens, Henry Harrison Hartley and his wife Melissa Martin, Joseph Marion Hartley, Martha Ann Hartley Lusk, and many of their descendents.