Six families formed an independent company at Kanesville and left from there early in the season. Some of the company were not Mormons, intending to proceed on from Salt Lake to California. There were nine wagons and eleven men in the company. (This company has previously been referred to as the "John Wood company." However, deeper research indicates that it is highly unlikely that John Wood captained the company. Close examination of primary sources suggests that Robert Richey filled that role.)