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James Benton McAllister
1812 - 1855 (42 years)-
Name James Benton McAllister Born 18 Dec 1812 Greenup, Kentucky, United States 
[1, 2] Gender Male Buried Oct 1855 Tumwater, Thurston, Washington, United States [3] Died 27 Oct 1855 Connells Prairie, Thurston, Washington [4, 5] Person ID I5245 Wagner-Thomas | Hallmark Last Modified 11 Jan 2014
Family Charlotte Martha Smith, b. 7 Mar 1816, Knox, Tennessee, United States , d. 12 Oct 1865, Washington Territory (Age 49 years) Married 13 May 1834 Boone, Missouri, United States [6, 7, 8, 9] Children + 1. America Rebecca McAllister, b. 7 Sep 1836, Boone, Missouri, United States , d. Sep 1877, Klickitat, Washington, United States (Age 41 years)2. George W McAllister, b. 1838, Boone, Missouri, United States , d. Bef 1902 (Age < 64 years)+ 3. Martha Ann McAllister, b. 1840, Boone, Missouri, United States , d. Aft 1 Mar 1902 (Age > 62 years)4. John y McAllister, b. 1842, Boone, Missouri, United States , d. Aft 1 Mar 1902 (Age > 60 years)5. Mary Jane McAllister, b. 1843, Boone, Missouri, United States , d. Bef 1902 (Age < 59 years)+ 6. James Benton McAllister, b. 15 Mar 1845, Bush Prairie, Lewis, Oregon , d. Feb 1902, Orting, Pierce, Washington, United States (Age 56 years)7. Eliza Jeanette McAllister, b. Abt 1847, Oregon Territory , d. Aft Mar 1902 (Age ~ 55 years)8. Julia Amanda McAllister, b. Abt 1848, Oregon Territory , d. Aft Mar 1902 (Age ~ 54 years)9. McAllister, b. 1850, Oregon Territory , d. 1850, Oregon Territory (Age 0 years)+ 10. Sarah Adams McAllister, b. 1852, Oregon Territory , d. 23 Apr 1905, Thurston, Washington, United States (Age 53 years)+ 11. Elizabeth Adeline McAllister, b. 4 Oct 1853, Nisqually, Thurston, Washington, United States , d. 19 May 1923, Sumner, Pierce, Washington, United States (Age 69 years)Last Modified 22 Nov 2014 Family ID F1727 Group Sheet | Family Chart
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Event Map 
Born - 18 Dec 1812 - Greenup, Kentucky, United States 
Married - 13 May 1834 - Boone, Missouri, United States 
Buried - Oct 1855 - Tumwater, Thurston, Washington, United States = Link to Google Earth
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Notes - 1812 BIRTH: KY,Greenup Co: James Benton McAllister was born 18 December 1812
Fam rcds of Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry.
1834 MARRIAGE: MO,Boone Co: James McAllister md Charlotte Smith 13 May 1834, both of Boone
1843-1845 HIST: McAllister Manuscript, U of WA Library, NW Collection, written by Mrs Sarah McAllister Hartman [daughter of James and Charlotte] 20 Feb 1893, Sherlock WA (Nisqually old town, called Sherlock few years, now called Nisqually again). Story of fam living & Indian war time.
HEADING: "James McAllister arrived at New Market (Tumwater) with M T Simmons & others late Oct 1845."
1843 James McAllister & family left for Missouri to come west following spring (left Missouri 1843, to Missouri before 1834 when md). To Whitman Mission where stayed 8 weeks, when America sick with mountain fever. James had heard of schools on the Sound. Met by Chief Leschi of Nisqually Tribe, bearing gifts. Took them to Bush Prairie where took claims about 12 miles from Ft Nisqually.
Sound Indians were kind to us, but when men absent from camp a roving band of Indians "helped themselves to whatever took their fancy. But unfortunatley for them they began at the wrong camp, that being mother's. She jerked a tent pole and laid it about her with such effect that she had her squat of Indians going on a double quick in a very short time. The others, seeing them going, took to their heels, leaving the camp forever."
13 Mar 1844-5 James B McAllister born on Bush Prairie, first white child born on Puget Sound. Father came by Leschi's invitation to Nisqually Valley & selected his farm at junction of Shnonabdaub & Squaquid Creeks. Destined to see many wild & horrible scenes that other settlers were spared. Planted wheat but no bread for 3 years. Plenty to eat-all kinds of game, fish, clams, dried & fresh-Indians showing us how to prepare them. No salt. Veges-Lackamas, Speacotes & other roots. We learned to like Indian foods.
1845, mother did not like being alone while father building. He laughingly told her he saw two large stumps side by side & if she would live in them, he would take her with him. She did. He scraped out the stump & made a roof, & mother moved in with 6 children-very comfortable, lived there till father built new house on north part of land-stump house abt 300 yards from new one.
We learned the Indian language. Mother, a southern women, used to servants, adopted Indian maidens- train the for housework. 2 boys also, they were faithful during Indian trouble. One gave his life to save family. Gold fever in CA, also on Queen Charlotte Island. Father & others went but wrecked on rocks, Indians more savage than Sound Indians. Were prisoners 3 months untill rescued.
Several stories were told, one included was Indians learning white ways,knocking on doors before entering. They did not think they must do it. One Indian came & found door locked ( & because not knock), he attacked door with war club. Mother not sure what happening, grabbed horse pistol and shot as door fell, hitting Indian in both calves. No Indians appeared-went to their camp & told what she did. They laughed, told her of his brags of getting into house without knocking. She showed them how to make a litter, carried him to camp, dressed his wounds & nursed him till well. They were best of friends after that.
After arriving in they valley, father cleared quite a farm, built a sawmill, blacksmith shop & started a general store. He served 2 terms in terrirorial legislature.
The Indians began to complain about many things that father built, including nice house 2 stories high with 10 rooms on ground floor & comforts & happiness, but poor father not live to enjoy his well-earned comfort..."
1846 HIST: OR Pioneer Assn 1873-86 R979.519 Or3, Spokane WA Lib, pg 92: "In the summer of 1846, Col Michael C Simmons started an exploring expedition to Puget Sound fully examining to the head of the Sound, north of Whidby Island, returned to the Columbia, a party was made up, which started in October for the Sound.
The little Colony consisted of Col Simmon & family, James McAllister & family, David Kindred & family, Gabriel Jones & family, George Bush & family, Jesse Ferguson & Samuel B Crocket. Having ascended Cowlitz River to old Cowlitz Landing, 15 days were occupied in cutting road thru to Tumwater, at head of Budd's Inlet, Puget Sound (abt 58 miles).
The claim of Tumwater or Falls of the Deschutes was taken by Col Simmons, who called the site New Market. The remaining families settled on prairie claims all within a circuit of 6 mile from New Market. To the prairie they gave the name "Bush Prairie" for Bush who occupied the most remote section of land, the outpost of the little colony. On the formation by the provisional government in 1846, of Vancouver district, embracing all the territory subsequently divided & respectively named Clarke, Lewis and Pacific Counties, & extending northward to 54-40 no. latitude, Col Simmons was one of the Co. judges. One of his colleagues was Gov James Douglas, then chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Co at Ft Van, afterward Sir James Douglas, the first governor of British Columbia."
1848 LAND: OR TERR: Donation Land Claims-Provisional Gov 1845-1849-Vol 8 pg 127, 10 Oct 1848, found Oregon St Archives:
"James McAllister-640 acres land Lewis Co situate on Medicine Creek,bounded as follows to wit, beginning at the NW corner at a stake in the forks of said creek, thence running S one mile to an Alder tree marked__thence E one mile to a Fir tree marked__thence N one mile to a Fir tree marked__thence W one mile to the place of beginning. Recorded Oct 10th 1848. Attest Theo. Magneder Recorder"
1848 LAND: WA,Thurston Co: Donation Land Claims pg 44: Seattle Archives, Film #95-pg 203/14, Cert 203, Not 14, Claim 40, Sec 7,17,18 Twp 18 NR 1 East: 640.25 acres. SC Aug 1848...
Arrived Terr Aug 1847. Heirs at law (none stated by see notes); aff: George Shazer, Antonio B Rabbeson.
1850 CENSUS: OR Terr, Lewis Co-26 March, pg 26, Dw 83/11:
MC ALLISTER, James 40/KY (1000);Charlotte 34/TN; America 14/MO; George W 12/MO;
Martha A 10/MO; John Y 8/MO; Mary Jane 7/MO; James B 5/OT;
Eliza J 3/OT; Julia 2/OT
1850 CENSUS: AG 1-6 Dec 1850, pg 463:
MC ALLISTER, J: 640 acres improved, Farm cash value 1000; farm implements 50;
2 horses, 12 milk cows, 2 wkg ox, 15 other cattle, 25 sheep, 25 swine 1220;
100 bush wheat during yr, 15 bush rye, bush oats, 100 bush peas & beans,
100 bush Irish potatoes.
1853 LAND: Notes: James McAlister died [no date shown] & Thomas W Glasgow signed April 1856 as administrator of estate. April 1859: Charlotte Mengel, widow of late James signed statement Sept 1861 requesting division of north 1/2 claim 40 of late James & wife Charlotte - signed by Thomas J Chambers & wife, America R (X) Chambers, and "McAlisters:" Jeanette, James B,& John Y.
Film roll 95, #203/14 Land description Thurston Co: "Beginning at a front the NW corner of Sec 19 Twp 18 R one (1) East, running thence North 15 chains thence West 38.50 chains thence South 89.19 chains thence East 78.80 chains thence North 74.30 chains to place of beginning, containing 640.25 acres. Signed James McAlister 27 Oct 1853, resident 13 Dec 1850/OR, bn Greenup KY 1811, wife Charlotte McAlister, md 13 May 1834, Boone Co MO"
COURT: WA Terr-Frontier Justice 1853-1889 Guide to Court Rcds pg 589, Thurston Co WT 2882-77, James McAllister [what this? ck out]
1854 LAND DESC: Seattle Pub Lib NW Collection: Metsker Maps T18 N Range 1 EWM, Thurston Co WA pg 39 & USGD Topo map for Donation Land Claim as sits today, Lat 470637N, Long 1224319W. [Also Origin of WA Geographical Names by Meany, R929.4 M462st, pg 68]: "McAllister Creek - a small stream rising at McAllister Springs in the N.E. pt of Thurston Co & flowing into Puget Sound near the mouth of Nisqually River. This creek or part of it was once known as Medicine Creek & under that name became famous when Gov Isaac I Stevens held an Indian council on its banks & made the treaty with the Nisqually & other tribes 26 Dec 1854. That treaty gives Indian name of creek as "She-nah-nam." Ezra Meeker says She-nah-nam is the Indian name of McAllister Creek & that Medicine Creek is a tributary having the Indian name "Squa-quid". (Pioneer Reminescences pg 233)
Thurston Co Place Names, a publication of Thurston Co Historic Commission, 2404 B Heritage Ct SW, Olympia WA 98502, pg 48:
" McAllister Creek Section 6, T18N, Section 31, T19N, W.M. McAllister Creek rises at McAllister Springs & flows north into Puget Sound on the Nisqually River Delta. Near this creek in Dec 26 1854, a treaty council with the Nisqually Indians & other western tribes was held by Gov Isaac I Stevens. The treaty signed at the council gives the Indian name of the creek as She-Nah-Nam for the lower portion of the Creek. Other names are Squa-quid & Sxu-da'-dap. The treaty came to be know as the Medicine Creek Treaty."
1854 HIST: Indian Treaties 1778-1883, Koppler, Fed Reg Archives, Seattle, WA. Pg 661, author David Bergy: "...Treaty with Nisqually, Puyallup, etc Indians 1854. Articles signed in presence of James McAlister, John McAlister.
Early Hist of Thurston Co, WA Terr pg 18: Legislature appointed county officers including David J Chambers, James McAllister; Co Treas: D R Bigelow. Report from Thos J Chambers to mark out 1/4 sec for benefit of county seat Sec 19 Twp18 R1 West.
1855 HIST: Manuscript continued: "...In 1855 Leschi came to our house, bringing both his wives, saying he was going to fight. Mother & father both tried to persuade him to remain peaceful & thought they had done so. Women talked & cried together. He told father if he not join the army, he should not be hurt or his property destroyed. Shortly after, his family withdrew to the mountains & hostilities began.
White people raised companies of volunteers, built forts for families. Father & my older brother George, who was only 17, joined Company I, Puget Sound Volenteers. Mother begged him not to do so - said Indians would surely kill him. He laughed, said he would take a cane & cane every one of them home. I Think he said that to quiet mother. Army thought he could persuade Leschi not to fight, gave him peace commission, left for stronghold in mountains. Fired on in ambush, father shot twice in chest, killed instantly. Connell killed down the road. Indian boy, Chipwaleon, Charlotte convinced to follow James - horse ran into woods & saved his life. Others were hurt, including brother (took portion of upper lip). Next morning, brother George went for reinforcements, then home, where found family surrounded by Indians. 2 Indian friends held rest at bay until boys got oxen & wagon, taking us to fort over 2 miles away.
Pg 54: Mother was prostrate with grief & fright- searching parties were sent to find bodies of murdered officers. After a long & weary search, they were found. Lt Connell beside trail terribly mutilated; father was hidden carefully away in the forks of a fallen tree, securely covered.
Pg 55: One day quite a stir in fort... across prairie something coming, an uncanny long object lying full length upon a horse... wrapped in canvas... put in a bier. Mother was led to the bier, gentleman fanning her with his hat... ladies told us in the kindest way possible that out father was dead & that his body lay wrapped in that canvas. They led us forward, stood beside mother; grasped the folds of her dress, too frightened to see what was before us, one awful moment & we saw the face of our dearly loved father, cold in death. Then long silence broken... all burst into wildest crying, flood gates broken, grief, fright, despair overwhelmed us.
Pg 8 (typed): After lying 15 days in the woods, father's body was brought home to mother- buried with military & Masonic honors. Mother grieved.
Pg 56: Father buried near the fort by a beautiful lake. Pg 8 continued: More grief - A few days after father's funeral, my sister America left baby asleep in cradle while checked on mother. Stove accidently overturned by cat & dog chasing, pouring boiling water into cradle & scalding baby to death. Remained at this post sev months, then to Ft Ragston on the Nisqually & 2 miles from home. Hard times began. No good meals during year there. John went to farm to get food & trying to shoot duck, shot his hand, crippling for life. Many Indian scares there. Children had to sleep in block house with soldiers below,swearing if we made noise.
Pg 9: Indians captured, tried and one confessed to killing father.
Pg 10: The Indians had many queer customs (tells of marriages & funerals), one that puzzles whites the most is "tonmanomies" - spiritualism. Mt. Tacoma called so by natives. Named Ranier after English admiral. Creek called Shinonadaub by the Indians-afterwards named McAllister's Creek by whites. I have called our farm Chilcoma, meaning raspberry. This story writen under many difficulties-if any old settlers notice mistakes, regard them as the fault of memory, not intentions. Written by Mrs Sarah McAllister Hartman, Sherlock, WA, Feb 20 1893 [57 pages were handwritten & slightly different in places than the above 12 page shortened version, which was typed & included with a typed copy of the first version]
1855 DEATH,BURIAL: WA,Thurston Co-Connells Prairie: James Benton McAllister died from fatal gunshot wounds 27 October 1855; buried near fort by lake
1855 DEATH,HIST: Hist Thurston Co, WT pg 26. James McAllister shot & killed by Indians. Treaty with Nisqually and other tribes:
"1st Council Thurston Co on McAllister Creek-1 mile above mouth on right bank - Indians to cede land in co to US, reservation land - 2 sections near south mouth of McAllister Creek, signed by 62 Indians, including Chief Leschi & bro Qui-ee-muth. Company of Rangers organized, James McAllister 1st Lt, as Military asked him to try to make peace with Lesche. Stockades were built for families & Rangers left 24 Oct 1855 to seek Chief Leschi who caused hostilities among many of the natives. Puyallup Crossing- Capt Eaton, Lt McAllister & Capt Connell, with a friendly Indian went ahead of company to confer with Indians. Indians professed friendship but upon leaving, McAllister & Connell were killed. An Indian rode to McAllister claim & told family of his death, helped them to fort. Cols Moses & Miles were killed. It was for the murder of those men that Leschi was aftward executed. 3 young men were buried at Chambers' Prairie.
Pg 33:Qui-ee-muth captured near Yelm and guarded at Governor's office overnight. Near morning while guard slept, a man burst into room, shooting Indian & then stabbing him. ...the man making attack not identified and no testimony found against anyone... impression gained credence, however, that Joseph Bunting, son in law of McAllister, committed the deed, thus revenging death of McAllister.
Pg 208-9: Mrs D R Bigelow, then Miss White, was first school teacher in Thurston Co, & 1st school conducted in small bedroom in Packwood residence on their claim on Nesqally bottom. The pupils were children of the Packwoods, the Shasers & the McAllisters, which were all within traveling distance to school..."
1855 DEATH/HIST: Obit of son, James Benton McAllister 1 March 1902, Newspaper Abstracts, Morning Olympian, 1891-1906, Thurston Co, WA, R929.37977, pg 112: "...Mr & Mrs James McAllister were prominent members of that little colony who have nearly all passed to the great beyond. The elder McAllister was killed in Indian War 1855. He was first lieutenant of company of Puget Sound Rangers, of which Charles Eaton was captain, and was shot down from ambush at White River while endeavoring to communicate with hostile Indians as peace commissioner from the whites. McAllister volunteered for the perilous duty on account of his ability to converse fluently in the Indian language.
At that time the McAllisters were living on a place which they had taken up near where Sherlock now stands. It might be worth noting that McAllister Creek & the famous McAllister springs with their wonderfully clear waters were named after the elder McAllister.
When the news of the terrible death of Lt McAllister reached the little band of settlers abt Thurston county, together with the info that another Whitman massacre might occur, the families hurried to the forts and with them the man who was buried yesterday...
1856 PROBATE: James McAlister died [no date shown] & Thomas W Glasgow signed April 1856 as adm of estate.
1859 PROBATE: Apr 1859: Charlotte Mengel, widow of late James signed statement Sept 1861, requesting division of north 1/2 claim 40 of late James & wife Charlotte. Signed Thomas J Chambers & wife America R (X) Chambers, Jeanette McAlister, James B McA,& John Y McAlister.
1878 HIST: Manuscript, pg 10: [ck out] " In 1878 Mrs Blanche Perkins & husband were killed by Indians. Then they buried my niece alive beneath a pile of stones. My brother-in-law, father & Mrs Perkins were killed abt same time. [Who Perkins, what bro-in-law, niece?]
NOTES: Apr 1992 Researcher, Elizaberry Ellsberry, pub: Note at the end of letters to McAllisters from family members: "David McAllister bn 18 Jan 1833 in Greensburg, Green Co KY. She [who "when?"] thinks perhaps that James was his father but no document to prove it. David's mother died when he was young and he went to live with an older sister Louisa but don't know if she was sister to David or James. David's father and stepmother traveled west to the state of Washington. About 1850 his family was killed by the Indians. David went to Dayton OH, enlisted in the Army, reporting to Jefferson Barricks, Mo. 1851. He received a disability discharge on or about the 15th day of Apr 1865, Ft Goodwin AZ. He organized the first Presbyterian Church in McCulloch Co, TX."
FAMILY? IIGI 10-02: James Cornelius McAllister, son of Robert & Martha Jane Duncan McAllister bn 16 Feb 1845 in OH, dd 18 May 1939, ORD: B-26 Mar 92, E 6 May 92, SP 15 Sep 92-all Boise, no source
- 1812 BIRTH: KY,Greenup Co: James Benton McAllister was born 18 December 1812
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Sources - [S328] Washington Territory Donation Land Claims, R929.3797 Se18W., Certif. 203, pg 44.
James McAllister born 1811 Greenup Co KY
Not 14, Claim 40 - [S325] Washington Pioneers, Vol II pg 296.
James Benton McAllister born 18 Dec 1812, Greenup Co, KY, by Barbara Kincy & Ethel Reilly, descendants - [S335] McAllister Manuscript, pg 56.
Father buried near the fort by a beautiful lake.
NW Collection - [S329] History of Big Bend Country, R979.7 1Lp., pg 40.
...In the Puget Sound district, the year 1855 was punctuated with a number of Indian tragedies. Lt McAllister & M McConnell of McConnell's Prairie, were killed by the hostiles in Oct of that year... - [S335] McAllister Manuscript.
Army thought he could persuade Leschi not to fight, gave him peace commission, left for stronghold in mountains. Fired on in ambush, father shot twice in chest, killed instantly.
NW Collection
Date: 20 February 1893 - [S274] Missouri,Boone County: Marriage Records, Film 909125,pg 104.
James McAllister md Charlotte Smith-both of Boone Co-13 May 1834
Date: 1821 or 1875 - [S193] IGI-International Genealogical Index, IGI M514661/0563.
James McAllister md Charlotte Smith, 13 May 1834, Boone Co MO, cleared. - [S328] Washington Territory Donation Land Claims, R929.3797 Se18W., Certif #203 pg 44.
James McAllister md Charlotte Boone Co, MO 13 May 1834
Not 14, Claim 40 - [S422] Internet: Ancestry.com, Anc.com Img 4, MG Bk pg 104.
This is to certify that James McCallister was married to Charlotte Smith, both of Boone County and State of Missouri, on the 13th day of May 1834 by me, a minister of the Gospel according to the ... if matrimony, signed Fielden Wilhite... Recorded June 27th 1834, Roger V Todd, Clerk.
Missouri Marriage Records 1803-2002, searched 1-19-2009, copy of original marriage rcd book pg 104
- [S328] Washington Territory Donation Land Claims, R929.3797 Se18W., Certif. 203, pg 44.