Poor decisions on the long trail, a lack of leadership, bad advice, and an early winter trapped the Donner-led group before it could cross the Sierra crest and reach the safety of California. More than once during that brutal winter Tamsen refused an opportunity to escape with rescue parties; instead she chose to stay behind with her husband, George, who was seriously ill and could not travel.

Massachusetts & Maine
Tamsen's personal letters provide some insight into the life and legacy of one pioneer woman. Tamsen Eustis was born into a respected, wealthy family in Newburyport, Mass., on November 1, 1801. She enjoyed a happy childhood and her love of books was evidence of a curious mind that foreshadowed a lifelong commitment to education. After graduating with her teacher's certification, she took a job at a school in Maine. Later she was offered a position as an instructor at an academy in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Tamsen was not making enough money to survive economically in Maine, so she decided to take the job.

Though it meant a major upheaval in her life to say goodbye to her family and steam south along the coast to North Carolina, Tamsen harbored no doubts about her decision. In a letter to her sister Elizabeth dated 1824, Tamsen wrote: "There is one impression, however, which rises above this huge chaos and presses itself upon my notice [to leave]. It is that the hand of God is remarkably visible in directing my steps. So fully aware am I that he will guide me, that I feel not the least hesitation in proceeding."

First Marriage
In 1829 she was 28 years old and single. In those days virtually all women were married by age 20. But teaching children seemed to have been the priority activity for the well-educated, articulate, young woman from Massachusetts. That year she met and married Tully Dozier. Apparently Tamsen found the right man. In one letter she wrote: "I do not intend to boast of my husband, but I find him one of the best of men--affectionate, industrious and possessed of an upright heart, these are requisite to make life pass on smoothly."

Within two years they were the proud parents of a fine baby boy. Tamsen's teaching salary combined with Tully's farming income earned them a comfortable living.

Life seemed pleasant enough, but frequent winter fevers and widespread epidemics constantly threatened family health. Tamsen mentioned that her little boy "has been very sick and for a few days we feared we should lose him, but at this time he is in fine health and sitting upon the table as I write. He at one time scolds me for the inkstand and at another knocks my knuckles with a spoon. He bears no resemblance to our family, being a true copy of his father."

The young wife worried about her husband too: "I have had excellent health since I saw you, but Mr. Dozier has twice been reduced very low since we were married. His precarious health and our strong dislike to slavery has caused us to determine upon removing to some western state. But not until next year."

Influenza Epidemic: "If you have tears to spare."
They didn't make to the west. Tragedy intruded, changing Tamsen's bucolic life forever. A 1831 letter from Tamsen explained what happened: "My sister I send you these pieces of letters that you may know that I often wrote to you even if I did not send. I have lost that little boy that I loved so well. He died on the 28th of September. I have lost my husband who made so large a share of my happiness. He died the 24th of December. I prematurely had a daughter, which died on the 18th of November. I have broken up housekeeping and intend to commence school in February. O, my sister, weep with me if you have tears to spare."

Despite all she could do, Tamsen's immediate family had died during an influenza epidemic in the last few months of 1831. Without her loving husband and child, the magic was gone. Tamsen continued as a schoolteacher and remained active in the community, but was unable to shake her melancholy.

Tamsen found solace in her strong religious faith. Despite personal tragedy and loneliness, she was able to write: "Tis morning and nature is lovely indeed. I rise very early and I cannot describe my feelings on viewing the dewy southern landscape. It seems as if my feelings struggle for vent and rushing to my pen (they) are lost for want of words in which to clothe them. Why was I made with eye and heart to enjoy all these delights? To overcome all unamiable feelings-- to participate in the joys and sufferings of others, to trace every incident in life to a Supreme power and realize that it is also the expression of goodness."

First Step West
Tamsen Eustis Dozier's life in North Carolina was just about over. By the summer of 1832 her spirit had rejuvenated her positive outlook on life. She was content teaching schoolchildren in North Carolina, but her brother in Springfield, Illinois asked her to come and take care of his motherless children. (Mortality rates in the 19th century were staggeringly high.) His plea for help plucked Tamsen from her school in the South and pulled her out West where she would meet George Donner, a wealthy farmer and her next husband.

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The photo above is of Tamsen's daughter, Frances, who resembled her mother. There are no known photos of Tamsen. The photos and story are by Mark McLaughlin.

Editor's Note: Mark McLaughlin is a Tahoe Historian who can be reached at mark@thestormking.com.