• William initially traveled to the Valley in 1850. He was driving teams in the Justus Morse Company, but at some point in the journey, there was tension in the company and it broke up. William "quit the Co. & hired out to drive team for a Government train" for the rest of the distance. His parents and siblings crossed the plains that same year in the David Evans Company.

  At some point after reaching the Valley, he continued on to California and settled. He is seen returning to the Valley in 1858 with the Nathan Tenney Company, as recorded in his mother-in-law's journal. The roster to this later company confirms his birth date.

Justus Morse Company (1850)

• Age at Departure: 16

Nathan C. Tenney Company (1858)

• Age at Departure: 23

Sources

• Bell, William, "Census of the company on the road traveling from San Bernardino, 1858 February."
• Luke W. Gallup reminiscences and diary, 1842 May-1891 March, 122-41.
• Pratt, Louisa Barnes, Journal and autobiography 1850-1880, 374-81.