(June 24, 1798–May 27, 1831), was an American trader and explorer. His expeditions were exceeded in importance only by those of Lewis and Clark. He help lead expeditions up the Missouri River, with characters such as keelboatmen Mike Fink, Talbot, and Carpenter. He led expeditions across the Rocky Mountains, 1822–26; from California to the Oregon coast; across the Mojave desert and the Sierra Nevadas; and along the Santa Fe Trail, 1826–29. Jedediah Strong Smith, along with two other partners, operated the successful fur-trading company of Smith, Jackson and Sublette, in Salt Lake City.
Jedediah Strong Smith, who discovered the South Pass through the Rockies and established the first land route to California, noted in his journal:
Then let us come forward with faith, nothing doubting, and He will most unquestionably hear us. … 2123
On December 24, 1829, from Wind River on the east side of the Rocky Mountains, Jedediah Smith wrote to his parents in Ohio:
It is a long time since I left home & many times I have been ready, to bring my business to a close & endeavor to come home; but have been hindered hitherto. …
However I will endeavor, by the assistance of Divine Providence, to come home as soon as possible … but whether I shall ever be allowed the privilege, God only knows, I feel the need of the watch & care of a Christian Church.
You may well suppose that our Society is of the roughest kind. Men of good morals seldom enter into business of this kind—I hope you will remember me before the Throne of Grace. …
May God in His infinite mercy allow me soon to join My Parents is the Prayer of your undutiful Son, Jedediah S. Smith.2124
In writing to his brother, Ralph Smith, December 24, 1829, Jedediah Smith confided:
I have passed through the Country from St. Louis, Missouri, to the North Paciffick Ocean, in different ways—through countrys of Barrenness & seldom one of the reverse, many Hostile Tribes of Indians inhabit this Space, and we are under the necessity of keeping a constant watch; notwithstanding our vigilance, we sometimes suffer;
In Augt. 1827 ten Men, who were in company with me, lost their lives, by the Amuchabas Indians, on the Colorado River; & in July 1828 fifteen men, who were in Company with me lost their lives, by the Umpquah Indians, on the River of the Same name, it enters the North Paciffic, one hundred miles South of the Mouth of the Columbia—many others have lost their lives in different parts of the Country.
My Brother believe me, we have Many dangers to face & many difficulties to encounter, but if I am Spared I am not anxious with regard to difficulties—for particulars you must await a meeting. …
As it respects my Spiritual welfare, I hardly durst Speak, I find myself one of the most ungrateful; unthankful, Creatures imaginable. Oh when Shall I be under the care of a Christian Church? I have need of your Prayers, I wish our Society to bear me up before the Throne of Grace. … I remain as ever your affectionate Brother, Jedediah Smith2125
Renowned for having escaped being killed by Indians numerous times, Jedediah was once mauled by a grizzly. While he was recovering apart from the camp, an Indian raid killed all the rest in his group. Arriving back at the camp, he found only a rifle, knife, flint, and his Bible. He let it fall open, and his eyes fell on a verse that would change his life:
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. … Yes, his soul draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; he shall return to the days of his youth. He shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto him.2126
A friend, Hugh Campbell, had written to Smith informing him of his brother Robert’s serious illness. On November 24, 1830, Jedediah Strong Smith replied:
With pain did I peruse that part of your Epistle, which Speaks of the ill health off My much valued Friend—Oh is it possible I Shall never again See him in the Land of the living?
My Prayer to Almighty God, is, that I may again be allowed the Privilege of passing some time in company with my Friend—2127
On January 26, 1831, from the frontier city of St. Louis, population pushing 6,500, Jedediah S. Smith wrote to his brother Ralph Smith, in Wayne County, Ohio:
… Some difficulty occurred with regard to conveying the Property to Mr. F. as the river froze and the Mail Stage was at this season irregular. … This is the last place to which youngsters should be sent. … Austin had come by Water but the Ice stopped him at the mouth of Ohio, and he brought none of the letters. …
Next My Brother comes the subject for which we live, are we ungrateful to that God in whom we live, and move, and have our being, how often ought we on our bended knees offer up our grateful acknowledgements for the gift of His Dear Son; is it possible that God “So loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believed on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Then let us come forward with faith, nothing doubting and He will most unquestionably hear us—let us be often found in the means and take my word for it we Shall receive a blessing;
some, who have made a profession of Christianity & have by their own negligence caused the Spirit to depart think their day of grace is over; but where did they find Such doctrine?
I find our Saviour ever entreating & wooing us, using the most endearing language and endeavoring by every means without compelling, for that would at once destroy our free agency, to bring us to Him that we may have life. Are we doing our duty, do we regularly and without fail attend to Prayers & keep in mind that in due season we shall receive the Crown, if we faint not, oh! Let us be engaged & to that end let us take a view of what. … another Poet Sings …
Lord, I believe a rest remains
To all Thy People known;
A rest, where pure enjoyment reigns,
And Thou art loved alone.
Well, My Brother, will it be for us if we have faith in those last lines and make use of it in Such a way that it may produce good works—Write soon my Brother, & give me any news which You may consider worth conveying, and believe me, as Ever your affectionate Brother, Jedediah S. Smith.2128
On May 27, 1831, Jedediah Smith, and his partner Sublette, were travelling towards Sante Fé with 74 men and animals for 22 wagons. Starving and without water for four days, Jedediah left the party in search of water, when he encountered about 20 Comanche Indians. Seeing no way of escape, he boldly went up to them in hopes of conciliation. The Indians did not fire upon him as long as they were face to face, but when they succeeded in frightening his horse to turn, they shot Jedediah in the shoulder.
On September 24, 1831, his brother, Austin Smith, wrote from Walnut Creek on the Arkansas River relaying the report of Jedediah’s death to their father in Ashtabula County, Ohio:
My Dear Father,
It is painful at all times to communicate the death of a friend, but when it falls to the lot of a son to communicate to a father the death of a Brother it is more so—
Your son Jedediah was killed on the Simerone River the 27th of May on his way to Sante Fé by the Curmanch Indians, his party was in distress for water, and he had gone alone in search of the above river which he found, when he was attacked by fifteen of twenty of them—
They succeeded in alarming his animal not daring to fire on him so long as they kept face to face, so soon as his horse turned they fired, and wounded him in the shoulder. He then fired his gun, and killed their head Chief. It is supposed they then rushed upon him, and despatched him—
Such my father is the fate of him who you loved—I am convinced that this intelligence will grieve you much, but do not, my dear father, take it to heart too sorely, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be His name.
He was kind who trusted, and confided, in the Giver of all good and may we not hope, that his religion, was true, and will be rewarded—Come unto Me all ye ends of the earth and ye shall be saved—. …
I am, dear father, your son forever, Austin Smith.2129