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I was born on the 24 Dcer. 1809 in Madison County Kentucky. My parents moved to Missouri when in Howard County I was one year old and I have no recollection. They - scratched out settled in what is now Howard County For two or three years after our arrival we had to remain forted and it was unclear unclear to have men stationed at the extremities of the fields for the protection of those that were laboring. For fifteen years I lived in Missouri and during that time dwelt in Howard County I was apprenticed to David Huntsman? to learn the saddler trade and remained with him two years. The business did not suit me and having heard so many tales of life in the mountains of the west I concluded to leave him. He was a good man and I often recall to my mind - scratched out the kind treatment that I received at his hands. But taking into consideration that if I staid with him and served my apprenticeship I would have to pass my life in labor that was distasteful to me, and being anxious to travel for the purpose seeing different countries I concluded to join the first party that started for the Roelly ? Mts - In August 1826 I had the good fortune to hear of one bound for that destination to which I desired to go - scratched out. I sent in an application to join this party - stricken out and without difficulty was permitted to become a member of it. On the bond ? a man by the name of Andrew Brandeis ? made