William Becknell

William Becknell was born in Amherst County, Virginia. He married Jane Trussler in 1807 and in 1810 moved to St. Charles. In the War of 18 12 he joined Daniel Morgan Boone's company of U.S. mounted rangers and later participated in Major Zachary Taylor's campaign in the battle of Credit Island, in present-day Davenport, Iowa. In 1815 he commanded the defense of Fort Clemson, Missouri. After the war he moved to the Boonslick and engaged in the freighting, ferrying and salt trades. His wife died, leaving three children. Business failures left him deeply in debt. About 1814 he married Mary Cribbs. They had six children. Following an unsuccessful run for the Missouri House of Representatives and facing the possibility of debtor's prison for financial problems, he began organizing an expedition to the Rockies to trade for mules and horses and to capture wild animals. The caravan departed Franklin on September 1, 1821. Short of supplies and faced with unfriendly Indians, storms, raging rivers and impassable mountains, and learning that the Treaty of Cordoba recognized Mexico's independence from Spain, the expedition changed its destination to Santa Fe, a decision that proved immensely profitable. Becknell paid off his debts, organized two more expeditions and in 1825-26 participated in the federal project to grade and mark the Santa Fe Trail. His success continued as a Saline County justice of the peace, two-term Missouri legislator, and militia commander in the Black Hawk War. In 1835 he moved to Red River County, Texas, to farm. He served as a legislator and elections supervisor. Becknell probably did not realize that his expedition would lead to his recognition as “Father of the Santa Fe Trail.” He is buried near Bagwell, Texas. His wife's will provided for this epitaph on his tombstone: “He whose merits deserve a Temple, can scarce find a Tomb.”