Chapter Twenty-Two

THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY

DESPITE THE FALL SEASON, THE Willamette Valley still looked lush and green. The freezing weather hadn’t reached here. What a beautiful sight for the travel-weary settlers to behold! It was the end of October, but they’d made it, and God had blessed them to get over Mount Hood without too many problems. They could have been trapped there.

Oregon City bustled with the new emigrants coming in during the fall. Jacob wished they could have gotten here in early spring, so he could begin planting soon, but that would’ve been impossible. They wouldn’t have been able to travel in the winter without grass for the animals.

Now it would be six months before he could start planting. In the meantime, he’d need to secure their land and build a cabin and barn. He looked over at Faith. They probably both needed to rest up before they jumped into such heavy work as preparing fields and planting, anyway.

Good news awaited them in the city. Congress had just passed the Donation Land Claim of 1850. It enabled every white male citizen eighteen years or older to settle on three hundred and twenty acres in Oregon Territory for free. If the man had married, he and his wife could both claim the acreage. The wife could even own her half in her name, and this would be one of the first laws in the country to allow a woman to own property. This meant Jacob and Faith could claim six hundred and forty acres between them.

Six hundred and forty acres! Why, his father didn’t own many more acres than that with the plantation.

Jacob was glad they’d come out this year. The Donation Act would only apply to those filing a claim by December the first. They had made it with only a few weeks to spare. He assumed Congress had meant the act for those already here or almost here and not for those who might leave after they passed it.

Harlan and Jacob rode out and found a pretty piece of property with a good-sized creek running through it. They filed adjacent claims. Other homesteaders in the area, who already had their cabins built, came out and helped them fell the trees and put up the cabins. They’d decided to put their cabins within sight of each other.

“You won’t have to rush to get your barns up,” they were told. “We have fairly mild winters here.”

The house raisings turned out to be a party. The women cooked while the men felled and trimmed trees. Neighboring women brought baked goods, and they helped cook on campfires. The two families were living in their wagons until the cabins were completed.

Faith acted surprised she fit in so well with the women, but Jacob wasn’t. Faith had a caring, humble, lovable nature. If anyone ever disliked her, it would be from jealousy.

Although her stomach had begun to round, it still didn’t protrude, and she said she felt wonderful. Jacob knew she looked it.

The cabin they built had just one big room, but it had a nice, stone fireplace. Harlan and Jacob built their furniture from stripping cedars. Each cabin had a table, two chairs, and a bed. They were also working on two more chairs and a bench with a back to place in front of the fireplace.

“I know it’s not much of a house,” he told Faith, “but we can add to it after the spring planting.”

“It may not seem like much to you,” she said, “but it is nicer than what we had in Kentucky, and I’m happy with it.”

If Faith felt happy, then he did, too. God had blessed.

 

 

Faith stood in the middle of the cabin and looked around. Her home. Unbelievable. After the wagon, it seemed so spacious and new. She loved the smells of the cedar and pine. She smiled widely as memories of yesterday flooded her.

When they’d seen the Haywoods off to their own nearby cabin, and she’d started back into the cabin, Jacob had scooped her up into his arms and carried her inside. She’d wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed.

“What are you doing?”

“Carrying my wife over the threshold of her new home.”

She couldn’t protest he might hurt himself. Jacob was strong, and he carried her as if she were no more than a baby.

“I’ve been in and out of it a hundred times already.”

“I know, but this will be our first night in here, and I wanted to welcome you properly.”

She snuggled close to his chest and enjoyed the moment. Instead of setting her on the floor, he’d put her on the bed.

“I wish it were better,” he said as he sat down beside her and rubbed her hair back from her forehead. “It will be someday soon. You deserve nothing but the best.”

He still never understood this was plenty fine to her. Coming from a prosperous plantation background, it was Jacob who saw it as lacking.

“I have the best,” she told him. “I have you.”

“You definitely have me. I’m glad you see it for the best.”

She could read the hurt that flickered across his eyes and knew he thought of Lucille and the fact that his first wife didn’t want to be married to him. She reached up and stroked his cheek to erase the bad memories. When his lips covered hers, neither one of them thought of anything else.

 

Faith wanted Christmas to be special this year. With plenty of evergreens all around them, Jacob cut down a pretty tree. Faith made some fabric ornaments, and she planned on baking some cookie ones, too.

Lena had given her suggestions, because Faith’s aunt and uncle had never had a Christmas tree. They’d considered it a waste of time.

However, Jacob’s family had always had one, and he wanted one in their new home. Faith liked that about him, and she enjoyed the tree’s scent so much that she had Jacob gather some small boughs for the mantel and window sills. He insisted he didn’t want her to do too much, especially outside.

Packages wrapped in feed or flour sacks and cloth sat under the tree waiting to be opened. The Haywoods were coming for the mid-day meal, and they would open presents then.

Faith had been roasting a large goose on a spit all morning. She’d turned it regularly, and had it far enough above the flames to allow it to cook slowly. They’d been able to buy some potatoes, and Jacob had rigged her up a drip pan to collect some of the juice dripping from the goose, so she could make gravy. With biscuits and a spice cake, they’d have a nice meal.

Faith wished they had more vegetables, but they wouldn’t have those until a new garden started to produce. She could hardly wait.

“That tasted too good,” Harlan said after the meal, as he pushed back from the table. “I feel stuffed.”

“Now it’s time to open presents,” Lena smiled.

The Haywoods gave Jacob some fruit and nut seedlings. “We brought a few fruit seeds and nuts across and planted them in containers to have to set out in the spring. They’re just coming up,” Harlan said. This present hadn’t been under the tree.

They gave Faith a beautiful quilt top Lena had made prior to starting out from Kentucky. “We’ll get together and quilt it when we get some batting, and these men have enough time to make us a quilting frame,” Lena told her.

The Parkers gave Lena some cloth to make her a dress, and Jacob had carved an ax handle for Harlan, because he’d broken his. They also promised them several chicks when the hens hatched some eggs, likely in the spring.

Harlan gave Lena some beautiful baskets nestled together, one inside the other. He’d traded for them from the Indians in the area. Lena had made him a shirt.

Faith also gave Jacob a shirt she’d made, plus a new pair of pants. He seemed very pleased.

When she opened her present from Jacob, she clutched it to her chest. He hadn’t let her handle it, so she had no idea what the package contained. Inside were not one, but three books: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Twice Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and a diary for her to practice her writing in. She almost cried she was so moved that he’d remembered what she’d said months earlier.

“I have some pen and ink for you, too,” he told her.

“Oh, Jacob, I’m speechless. This is too much. I can’t believe it. How did you manage?”

“Well, I brought the books with me from Virginia. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve already read them. The journal I managed to find in Oregon City. It’s the only one they had.”

“You having read the books makes them all the more special. We can discuss them that way. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to get started.”

“Now let’s read about the greatest gift of all,” Jacob said, as he reached for his Bible.

 

The winter passed quickly. Faith had mixed feelings when spring came. She loved the pretty scenery, as everything turned green and blooms burst forth, but she knew she would miss Jacob being in the house as much. She also felt trepidation as well as anticipation at the coming birth of their baby. She thanked God for Lena being nearby.

Faith had planned with Lena to get Jacob out of the house when her labor started. If he wasn’t already out in the fields, Lena would have Harlan take him somewhere.

If he hadn’t been so apprehensive, she’d have loved to have him there with her, although Lena said that just wasn’t done. As her time neared, however, she realized he would likely be experiencing as much pain as she did, just a different kind.

He tried not to show his growing apprehension, but she knew him well now. He feared he would lose her and perhaps their baby, as well. Although she had some nervousness, too, because she didn’t know exactly what to expect, she wasn’t petrified like Jacob.

She’d tried telling her husband God would be with them no matter what. He agreed, and he tried to trust everything would be fine, but his past always came back to haunt him. She prayed Lucille wouldn’t always cast her dark shadow over Jacob. She felt if she could just get him through this one birthing, things would be better.

Dear Lord, please show Jacob Thy faithfulness to Thy children. Help Jacob to not despair through my birthing. Help him to rely on Thee and be his strength, I pray. May everything be normal and may our baby be strong and healthy. Pour out Thy loving mercies, and bless us. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jacob remained so gentle, kind, and helpful. As she got large and awkward, he did more things to unburden her. He made sure she put her feet up, like Lena told her, as her feet and legs began to swell. He tried to do many of her chores, as well as get his fields ready and take care of the animals.

The calf had been weaned, and they were milking the cow now. The hens were setting, so they should have plenty of chickens soon.

This land turned even more beautiful in the springtime. The grass greened, flowers popped out in the fields, and native plants promised a bountiful harvest of berries, fruits, and nuts. This was the nearest thing to the Garden of Eden Jacob or she had ever seen.

Her first labor pains began just as they went to bed. Lena had told her the birthing process would be slow and it would take hours, so she didn’t say anything. She hoped she could wait until morning and she could get Jacob out the door first. She knew Lena would be over to check on her after she cleaned up from breakfast.

It became difficult to lie still, however. Knowing Jacob still slept from the sound of his breathing, she eased out of bed.

“What’s wrong, darling? Are you all right?” He must have been listening for her, even in his sleep.

“Everything’s fine. Go back to sleep.”

“What do you need? Let me get it for you. Would you like some water?”

“No. It’s just hard to stay in bed, and I need to get up and stretch a bit.”

He shot up immediately. He lit the lamp and came to her side. A sharper pain hit and she grimaced.

“Are you in pain? Is it time?”

So much for hiding anything from him. “It might be starting.”

“I’ll get Lena.” His voice shook.

“Not yet. It’s not that close, and I don’t want her to come over and have to wait so long.”

“Shouldn’t you lie back down?” He took her elbow to help support her.

“I need to walk some first.”

Jacob walked beside her. She could tell he grew more nervous with every step.

“Jacob, please calm down. It makes me tense when you’re so nervous.”

“I’ll try.” He sounded apologetic.

“Darling, everything’s going to be fine. I’m going to be fine. I’m sure of it.”

He stopped and pulled her to him as best he could with her girth. He stood a little to the side of her and held her gently in his arms.

“I love you so much, Faith. Maybe too much.”

“I know, but I have a feeling that our love is going to grow even bigger when we hold our child in our arms. Can you imagine it, Jacob? A part of you and me made from our love. I need you to focus on that. You’re not going to help me if you fall apart. Let me focus on the birthing and not have to worry about you. Can you do that for me?”

He took a deep breath. “I’d do anything to help you in this, Faith.”

About one o’clock the pains became much worse. She told Jacob to go for Lena.

“Let me help you to bed first. I don’t want to worry about you falling while I’m gone.”

Lena came and pronounced things looked normal. Harlan had come to take Jacob out to the barn.

“Can’t I stay here?” he asked.

“You’d just be in the way,” Lena told him. “You go on out in the barn and leave this to us women.”

“Please, Lena. I need to know what’s happening. I promise I won’t be a hindrance, but I need to know she’s all right minute by minute.”

He gazed pleadingly at Lena, and she glanced over at Faith. Faith looked at Jacob and saw the truth in what he’d said. He needed to be beside her or the worry would drive him mad. She nodded.

“You’d better not get in the way,” Lena huffed. “This is no place for a man, even if he is the husband.”

“I’m going back to the house, then,” Harlan said. “Jacob you’re welcome to come join me any time if you change your mind.”

Jacob just nodded. He went to the kitchen area, picked up a chair, and set it beside Faith’s head.

Lena put the second pillow under her head and a folded, extra sheet under her. Then, she busied herself getting things ready.

Jacob picked up her hand and held it in his. When a pain hit, Faith clenched his hand and pulled. He hung onto her.

“That’s it, sweetheart, pull on me,” he whispered near her ear. “Let me be your strength.”

An amazing thing happened, because he did become her strength. He had Lena hand him a damp cloth, and he bathed her face with his right hand, as he held her hand in his left. Between pains, he whispered encouragement. When the pain intensified and she began to groan, he told her to yell, if it would help.

“Do whatever you need, whatever helps,” he told her. “Don’t worry about upsetting me. Just take care of your needs.”

“I’m beginning to see the top of a head,” Lena said, “and that’s a good sign. It shouldn‘t be long now.”

Jacob smoothed back her hair. “You’re doing great, Faith.”

About four o’clock in the morning, Faith gave her first mighty scream and baby Parker made his way into the world. He was none too happy with his new environment and let his displeasure be known.

“You have a beautiful, little son,” Lena announced.

Lena cleaned the baby, while Jacob moved to sit on the side of the bed and wash Faith’s face and neck. She saw him look at the sheet under her, and she knew he checked to see how much blood had come. Then, he looked at her so tenderly, she felt like crying like the baby. He gently kissed her brow.

“See, I was right,” she told him in a voice much weaker than she wanted. “Your son and I are both fine.”

“Thank you for my son, and for his mother. I am so thankful you were right.”

“Here you hold your son,” Lena held out the wrapped bundle, “while I see to your wife.”

Jacob sat back down in the chair and moved the baby with a gentle swaying motion.

“What are you naming him?” the older woman asked.

“Jonathan,” Jacob told her. “It was Faith’s father’s name.”

“You surprised me, Jacob,” Lena told him. “You were calm and helpful in here.”

“I just wanted to help Faith, and I am learning to trust the Lord more.”

“Hallelujah!”

 

Everything finally grew quiet. Faith had fed Jonathan. Harlan had come to see the baby, and he’d helped Jacob with the necessary chores, while Faith dozed. Lena had cooked a stew and biscuits to have later, when they wanted to eat, and the older couple then left.

Faith lay with Jonathan tucked close to one side. She looked up to see Jacob standing at the foot of the bed watching them. His bright blue eyes were soft and filled with emotion, but he looked exhausted.

“Put Jonathan in his cradle,” she told her husband, “and come here.” She patted his usual place on the bed.

He shook his head. “You need your rest.”

“So do you. Let’s take a nap. I’m sure Jonathan won’t let us sleep too long.”

“You were incredible, Faith,” he said as he moved close beside her. “I am so proud of you.”

“I could say the same thing about you. You were pretty incredible yourself. I’m glad you were beside me.”

“Does that mean I passed the test? Can I stay when another such time comes?”

“You’d better promise me you will. I wouldn’t want to go through it without you now that I know how much help you can be. I love you so much, Jacob.”

He told her he loved her, whispered just before he gave her a gentle, loving kiss, which reiterated the words.