Elk Grove in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Alexander Hamilton Willard

1777-1865

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

1. Alexander Hamilton Willard Marker

Captions: (background) Members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at the White Cliffs of the Missouri River in present-day Montana. "Cordelling the Red Pirogue" courtesy of artist Charles Fritz.; (photo at center) Eleanor and Alexander Hamilton Willard.

Inscription. Franklin Cemetery marks the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton Willard. He is remembered as an explorer, farmer, soldier, California pioneer and second longest-lived member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Willard was born in Charlestown, New Hampshire in 1777 and later moved to Pennsylvania where he enlisted in the Army. At Fort Kaskaskia, Illinois, at age 25, he was recruited to join the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806). His talents as blacksmith, gunsmith, carpenter and hunter served him well on the Expedition.
In 1807, Willard married Eleanor McDonald near St. Louis, Missouri, and they had 12 children. After the Expedition he was hired by Lewis and later by Clark to serve as a blacksmith to various Indian tribes and later worked as an express agent (bearer of dispatchers). Between 1825 and 1827 Willard moved from Missouri to Wisconsin. He and four of his sons served in the Militia in 1832 in the Blackhawk War.
In 1852, 74-year-old Alexander, his wife and much of his family traveled by covered wagon to the Sacramento Valley. He died at age 87 on March 6, 1865 at his ranch in Franklin (near

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Elk Grove), Sacramento County, California.

Erected by the California Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Sacramento County the National Park Service, the Elk Grove Historical Society and the Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery District.

Erected by Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, California Chapter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 6, 1865.

Location. 38° 22.602′ N, 121° 27.307′ W. Marker is in Elk Grove, California, in Sacramento County. It is at the intersection of Franklin Boulevard and Hood Franklin Road, on the left when traveling north on Franklin Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Grove CA 95757, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

2. Alexander Hamilton Willard Marker

The marker is on the left.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Alexander Hamilton Willard (here, next to this marker); The Lewis & Clark Expediton (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Alexander Hamilton Willard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Original Town Site of Elk Grove (approx. 4.1 miles away); James Hall (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 4.3 miles away); Old Elk Grove (approx. 4.3 miles away); Elitha Cumi Donner - Wilder (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Grove.

Entrance to Franklin Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. Entrance to Franklin Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.